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User:Cukie Gherkin/Scorbunny

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Cukie Gherkin/Scorbunny
Pokémon character
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon

Conception and development

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Scorbunny is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.[1] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[3] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[2]

Scorbunny was designed to complement the other two starter Pokémon in Sword and Shield, Grookey and Sobble. Where Sobble is shy and Grookey is the "mood maker," Scorbunny was designed to be energetic and mischievous.[4] The opening scene with the three Pokémon being introduced was directed by art director James Turner, who wanted to use the scene to depict the Pokémon's personalities and how they look out for each other.[5]

Design

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Scorbunny has patches on its design, which symbolize its energetic nature and is a common design motif in Japan according to staff.[6]

Appearances

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Scorbunny was added to the Build-a-Bear line of plushes.[7]

Critical reception

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Whether Scorbunny would evolve to gain a Fighting type was the subject of speculation due to the high number of Fire and Fighting-type starter Pokémon in past games, with Nintendo Force Magazine writer Brett Martin hoping that Scorbunny would not be Fighting type upon evolving.[8][9] Kotaku writer Gita Jackson expressed how much they love Scorbunny, noting that the worry about it evolving into a Fighting type comes from the bandage on its nose. They believed that Pokémon used design motifs to signal their types, claiming that Fighting-type Pokémon had a "sporty" look to them. They also cited its "sporty vibe," such as it being long, lean, and fast. Jackson personally expressed hope that it would not have a Fighting type.[10] TheGamer writer Stacey Henley expressed that Cinderace in Pokémon Unite helped make her come to regard Scorbunny as her favorite starter, despite lining up with design concepts she was not a fan of. She specifically expressed that she did not like single-type starter Pokémon, finding them boring, adding that she found humanoid Pokémon "creepy" in general. She enjoyed the motif of a soccer-playing Pokémon, and found it enjoyable to use in Unite.[11] USA Today writers Cian Maher and Ryan Woodrow discussed how popular Scorbunny was with both fans and staff involved in the Pokémon brand, citing its appearance in New Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Unite, as well as the quality of its Gigantamax form. They also remarked that the Grass starter Grookey is made to look worse in part by virtue of how good Scorbunny is.[12] GameBonfire writer Aurora discussed the negative reception to the starters' final forms, expressing that they were not surprised by the negative reaction, believing that the change in design to a "rabbit in red shorts" was difficult for them to digest in a short period of time. They added that, despite the negative reception, Cinderace had the most positive reception of the three.[13] IGN writer Janet Garcia was fond of Scorbunny despite otherwise not being interested in Fire-type Pokémon, considering it one of the cutest Pokémon introduced in Sword and Shield, commenting on how the "Nelly bandage" across its face eventually grew on her.[14] Of the three starter Pokémon in Sword and Shield, Game Revolution writer Toby Saunders felt it was the weakest design, as well as being a weaker design than other rabbit-based Pokémon like Lopunny, Diggersby, and Azumarill. He also felt the design evoked a "1980s/90s live-action/cartoon crossover," hoping that its evolution would be an improvement both in terms of design and typing.[15]

Scorbunny has received commentary for its appearance in the Pokémon anime. Hobby Consolas writer José Carlos Pozo discussed how Goh received strong fan backlash for rejecting Scorbunny at first, adding that despite Goh eventually accepting it, fans seemed to not be ready to forgive him.[16] Anime News Network writer James Beckett considered it one of the best starter Pokémon, commenting that Scorbunny is the "star of the show" in the anime. He argued that it had strong "personality and verve," and that it should become the series' next mascot next to Pikachu.[17] Siliconera writer Jenni Lada, while covering the Pokémon Journeys manga, also felt that Goh's Scorbunny had a similar personality and backstory to Pikachu, discussing how it initially started off standoffish to people and ultimately grows to be better, similarly to Goh's progression. She also felt that their progress juxtaposed well with Ash and Pikachu.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (December 25, 2016). "Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN 9780520938991.
  3. ^ Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook. Scholastic Inc. July 28, 2015. p. 5. ISBN 9780545795661.
  4. ^ Leone, Matt (October 24, 2019). "Game Freak explains the 1,000 staff, missing creatures, and leek size of Pokémon Sword and Shield". Polygon. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  5. ^ Bishop, Rollin (October 1, 2024). "Pokemon Sword and Shield Art Director Shares Inspiration for Early Starters Scene". Comic Book.
  6. ^ Carpenter, Nicole (October 9, 2019). "Pokemon's developers just want us to take care of Sobble". Polygon. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Fahey, Mike (May 6, 2021). "Scorbunny Is The Build-A-Bear Pokémon I've Been Waiting For". Kotaku. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  8. ^ March 3, 2019. "「『ポケモン ソード・シールド』最初に選ぶ御三家はだれにする？」結果発表―人気はみずタイプの「メッソン」！【アンケート】". Inside Games. Retrieved September 30, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ Martin, Brett (November 2019). "Choose Your Starter!". Nintendo Force Magazine. No. 43. NF Publishing, LLC. p. 10.
  10. ^ Jackson, Gita (March 1, 2019). "Pokémon Fans Really Hope Scorbunny Doesn't Evolve Into A Fighting Type". Kotaku. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  11. ^ Henley, Stacey (July 22, 2021). "Pokemon Unite Has Convinced Me That Cinderace Is The Best Starter". TheGamer. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  12. ^ Maher, Cian; Woodrow, Ryan (December 15, 2022). "The best starter Pokemon, ranked". USA Today. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  13. ^ Aurora (November 4, 2019). "网友恶搞来袭：《宝可梦 剑/盾》御三家进化形态太丑让人当场昏厥". GameBonfire. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  14. ^ Garcia, Janet (August 8, 2019). "The 10 Cutest Sword and Shield Pokemon, Ranked". IGN. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  15. ^ Saunders, Toby (February 27, 2019). "Ranking the best new Pokemon in Pokemon Sword and Shield". Game Revolution. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  16. ^ Pozo, José Carlos (December 19, 2019). "La escena del nuevo anime de Pokémon que indigna a los fans por su crueldad". Hobby Consolas. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  17. ^ Beckett, James (January 30, 2020). "Pokémon Journeys: The Series: Episodes 3-4". Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  18. ^ Lada, Jenni (November 20, 2021). "Pokemon Journeys Manga Vol. 1 Makes Goh and Scorbunny Stars". Siliconera. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
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