Ekans/Arbok
Yelsha42:
It's a purple rattle snake. There isn't much more to it, other than the yellow stripe around its neck. It also has a yellow belly, though it's rarely seen. I love Ekans’s eyes; the pupil design was a good choice I thought.
moltres93:
I think Ekans is a great design. When you think about it, there really isn't much you can do with an animal that consists of a head and body with no legs. They did a good job making it as interesting as possible. The purple colour suggests a poison type (very fitting for a snake) and the rattle on the end of its tail is an appropriate trademark.
Yelsha42:
The lack of teeth is interesting, and seems to be a reference to the ability of snakes to swallow their pray whole by unhinging their jaw.
moltres93:
Yes, it certainly is. If I remember correctly, some of Ekans's Pokédex entries say it can eat prey like Pidgey whole. Now snakes often have vibrant colours and patterns on their body, but I think in this case the yellow belly and ring around its neck is enough to suggest these patterns without going overboard. It is after all, an unevolved Pokémon which tend to be simpler and get more complex designs as they evolve.
Yelsha42:
Very true, and while it is true they can have vibrant colours, they quite often have muted colours as well for camouflage. I think Ekans has the mix just right.
moltres93:
Any more comments on Ekans or should we move on?
Yelsha42:
I think it's time to move on to Ekans's evolution, Arbok.
moltres93:
Arbok is probably one of my favourite Pokémon designs. Cobras are renowned for the patterns on their hoods, and Arbok's pattern certainly emphasises this trademark well.
Yelsha42:
Certainly the patterns are its defining feature. It's interesting that it evolved from a rattlesnake to a cobra, which has certainly given it a more fearsome appearance, as befitting an evolved Pokémon.
moltres93:
Yes, it's not uncommon for Pokémon based on one animal to evolve into one based on something completely unrelated (e.g. Charmander (lizard) into Charizard (dragon)).
Yelsha42:
Another interesting development in Arbok is the appearance of teeth. I think this signifies the increasing potency of its poison, which is reinforced by it now being completely purple.
moltres93:
What do you think of Arbok’s hood pattern?
Yelsha42:
The generic hood pattern shows eye-like patterns which is quite common in real animals in an attempt to intimidate prey and predators alike. I can’t remember if the Pokédex confirms this or not, but I’m fairly sure all Arbok have different patterns as shown in the manga
moltres93:
According to the Bulbapedia page, there are a total of six official variations of the pattern, though they all look rather similar. They all represent a scary face.
Yelsha42:
Well that makes sense. Polka dots just wouldn’t be that intimidating.
moltres93:
Yes, the face markings were a good choice and they look good too. They're simple but still very interesting and unique.
Yelsha42:
Was there anything else you wanted to add, or shall we move onto rating?
moltres93:
I think that's all there is to mention. I think I'll give Arbok an 8/10
Yelsha42:
I'll give it an 8/10. Quite badass.
Next: Pikachu/Raichu
It's a purple rattle snake. There isn't much more to it, other than the yellow stripe around its neck. It also has a yellow belly, though it's rarely seen. I love Ekans’s eyes; the pupil design was a good choice I thought.
moltres93:
I think Ekans is a great design. When you think about it, there really isn't much you can do with an animal that consists of a head and body with no legs. They did a good job making it as interesting as possible. The purple colour suggests a poison type (very fitting for a snake) and the rattle on the end of its tail is an appropriate trademark.
Yelsha42:
The lack of teeth is interesting, and seems to be a reference to the ability of snakes to swallow their pray whole by unhinging their jaw.
moltres93:
Yes, it certainly is. If I remember correctly, some of Ekans's Pokédex entries say it can eat prey like Pidgey whole. Now snakes often have vibrant colours and patterns on their body, but I think in this case the yellow belly and ring around its neck is enough to suggest these patterns without going overboard. It is after all, an unevolved Pokémon which tend to be simpler and get more complex designs as they evolve.
Yelsha42:
Very true, and while it is true they can have vibrant colours, they quite often have muted colours as well for camouflage. I think Ekans has the mix just right.
moltres93:
Any more comments on Ekans or should we move on?
Yelsha42:
I think it's time to move on to Ekans's evolution, Arbok.
moltres93:
Arbok is probably one of my favourite Pokémon designs. Cobras are renowned for the patterns on their hoods, and Arbok's pattern certainly emphasises this trademark well.
Yelsha42:
Certainly the patterns are its defining feature. It's interesting that it evolved from a rattlesnake to a cobra, which has certainly given it a more fearsome appearance, as befitting an evolved Pokémon.
moltres93:
Yes, it's not uncommon for Pokémon based on one animal to evolve into one based on something completely unrelated (e.g. Charmander (lizard) into Charizard (dragon)).
Yelsha42:
Another interesting development in Arbok is the appearance of teeth. I think this signifies the increasing potency of its poison, which is reinforced by it now being completely purple.
moltres93:
What do you think of Arbok’s hood pattern?
Yelsha42:
The generic hood pattern shows eye-like patterns which is quite common in real animals in an attempt to intimidate prey and predators alike. I can’t remember if the Pokédex confirms this or not, but I’m fairly sure all Arbok have different patterns as shown in the manga
moltres93:
According to the Bulbapedia page, there are a total of six official variations of the pattern, though they all look rather similar. They all represent a scary face.
Yelsha42:
Well that makes sense. Polka dots just wouldn’t be that intimidating.
moltres93:
Yes, the face markings were a good choice and they look good too. They're simple but still very interesting and unique.
Yelsha42:
Was there anything else you wanted to add, or shall we move onto rating?
moltres93:
I think that's all there is to mention. I think I'll give Arbok an 8/10
Yelsha42:
I'll give it an 8/10. Quite badass.
Next: Pikachu/Raichu
