Caterpie/Metapod/Butterfree
moltres93:
Overall, I think Caterpie is a great design. Here we see a good example of a Pokémon based on a real life creature, but has enough unique elements to set it apart from any other cartoon caterpillar.
Yelsha42:
The antennae for instance. Caterpillars generally don't have them XD. The tail also matches the antennae. A very nice design. But the circle patterns- what do you think of those? I know you’re not very fond of unnecessary patterns on Pokémon.
moltres93:
No no, these are completely necessary! Again, real life caterpillars have similar patterns, and the rings on Caterpie are enough to give the idea without being over the top. There really isn’t that much else to say about Caterpie XD Moving on to Metapod, we see the most drastic change in Pokémon evolution so far. Of course, since the Caterpie line is based on the life cycle of a caterpillar, it only seems natural for the drastic change from Caterpie into Metapod to occur. I particularly like how Metapod has two different expressions, depending on which angle you view it.
Yelsha42:
I agree. It’s interesting that it even has a face considering most cocoons don’t XD It also seems quite oddly shaped for a cocoon which makes it more interesting.
moltres93:
Yes, they didn't just go with the standard oval shape. They added some spikes and a 'tail'. All good additions in my opinion. As for the eyes, perhaps they aren't even real! Maybe Metapod's still-developing body has nothing to do with its outer casing, and the eyes are just there to scare away predators. It evidently has eyelids, but I’m pretty sure it never blinks.
Yelsha42:
Hm, another interesting point is that the eyes are still on the cocoon when Butterfree emerges.
moltres93:
Interesting you should mention that, because in the episode where Ash's Metapod evolves, the outer casing is discarded (complete with eyes). But if you took note of the Metapod evolving in the 4th Pokémon movie (Pokémon 4Ever), they completely changed shape leaving no shell behind, like how most Pokémon evolve in the anime
Yelsha42:
Well Butterfree… it’s basically a butterfly. Interestingly, unlike Beautifly, it doesn’t develop a proboscis, but keeps a caterpillar like mouth. The fact that it has two hands and feet make it more humanised that most insects.
moltres93:
Also unlike Beautifly, it doesn’t have very interesting or colourful patterns on its wings. Perhaps it is supposed to have characteristics of other insects, like clear/white wings and, as you mentioned, a caterpillar like mouth. While a big change between the first two bugs and Butterfree is expected, I think continuing with a green colour scheme would have helped it in being recognisable as a Pokémon in the same evolution group. But purple works well with Butterfree.
Yelsha42:
Simply I think the design is just meant to be kid friendly. After all, Pokémon originated from the hobby of bug collecting, so they'd want to make the bugs some of the more appealing Pokémon.
moltres93:
Butterfree has some very interesting additions to its real life counterpart, while still being recognisable as a butterfly. This concept is consistent throughout the evolution line (and indeed a lot of other Pokémon too), making them great Pokémon designs as well as being nice to look at!
Yelsha42:
Agreed.
moltres93:
Summing up, I give the Caterpie line 8.5/10.
Yelsha42:
9/10.
Overall, I think Caterpie is a great design. Here we see a good example of a Pokémon based on a real life creature, but has enough unique elements to set it apart from any other cartoon caterpillar.
Yelsha42:
The antennae for instance. Caterpillars generally don't have them XD. The tail also matches the antennae. A very nice design. But the circle patterns- what do you think of those? I know you’re not very fond of unnecessary patterns on Pokémon.
moltres93:
No no, these are completely necessary! Again, real life caterpillars have similar patterns, and the rings on Caterpie are enough to give the idea without being over the top. There really isn’t that much else to say about Caterpie XD Moving on to Metapod, we see the most drastic change in Pokémon evolution so far. Of course, since the Caterpie line is based on the life cycle of a caterpillar, it only seems natural for the drastic change from Caterpie into Metapod to occur. I particularly like how Metapod has two different expressions, depending on which angle you view it.
Yelsha42:
I agree. It’s interesting that it even has a face considering most cocoons don’t XD It also seems quite oddly shaped for a cocoon which makes it more interesting.
moltres93:
Yes, they didn't just go with the standard oval shape. They added some spikes and a 'tail'. All good additions in my opinion. As for the eyes, perhaps they aren't even real! Maybe Metapod's still-developing body has nothing to do with its outer casing, and the eyes are just there to scare away predators. It evidently has eyelids, but I’m pretty sure it never blinks.
Yelsha42:
Hm, another interesting point is that the eyes are still on the cocoon when Butterfree emerges.
moltres93:
Interesting you should mention that, because in the episode where Ash's Metapod evolves, the outer casing is discarded (complete with eyes). But if you took note of the Metapod evolving in the 4th Pokémon movie (Pokémon 4Ever), they completely changed shape leaving no shell behind, like how most Pokémon evolve in the anime
Yelsha42:
Well Butterfree… it’s basically a butterfly. Interestingly, unlike Beautifly, it doesn’t develop a proboscis, but keeps a caterpillar like mouth. The fact that it has two hands and feet make it more humanised that most insects.
moltres93:
Also unlike Beautifly, it doesn’t have very interesting or colourful patterns on its wings. Perhaps it is supposed to have characteristics of other insects, like clear/white wings and, as you mentioned, a caterpillar like mouth. While a big change between the first two bugs and Butterfree is expected, I think continuing with a green colour scheme would have helped it in being recognisable as a Pokémon in the same evolution group. But purple works well with Butterfree.
Yelsha42:
Simply I think the design is just meant to be kid friendly. After all, Pokémon originated from the hobby of bug collecting, so they'd want to make the bugs some of the more appealing Pokémon.
moltres93:
Butterfree has some very interesting additions to its real life counterpart, while still being recognisable as a butterfly. This concept is consistent throughout the evolution line (and indeed a lot of other Pokémon too), making them great Pokémon designs as well as being nice to look at!
Yelsha42:
Agreed.
moltres93:
Summing up, I give the Caterpie line 8.5/10.
Yelsha42:
9/10.
