Readers: I have been very slow about posting new Pokémon Nicknames recently. I wanted to take-on a partner, and who better than my “niece” Lucy Sinnoh.
Lucy and her Mum are originally from Valor Lakefront, SR. I knew (cough) Lucy’s Mum when she worked as a cocktail waitress at the Seven Stars Restaurant at Hotel Grand Lake, I tried to help out the struggling single mum and her pretty young daughter as much as I could. Times were tough. We stayed home and played Diamond and Pearl a lot.They moved to Galar a few years ago. Good that they did, as Lucy has become the new Galar Champion! Here is her trainer card:
I’m so proud of her and how well she grew up. She’s a Pokémon Champ, plus the little lady can cook up a great curry!
I also like teaming up with Lucy for new Pokémon Nicknames, because many of names are from cultural references from decades past. Many younger players in search of nicknames might not “get” or appreciate my generation’s names. Many of the nicknames you will be reading about on this blog will be Lucy’s idea.
Denny: Lucy – I will still help you with the naming Lucy …
Lucy: OK Boomer. (giggles)
Denny: “OK Boomer” … What? … that quip again? Wait … “OK Boomer” might just be a great name for a Drampa!
Sword and Shield has made a few changes to the nicknaming system. There is an important change for users who choose to view/use nicknames. As the Name-Rater in any Pokécenter will tell you — trainers may change the name of a Pokémon already nicknamed by its previous trainer. You do only get one chance. Once you change the name of a traded Pokémon it has to stick forever. The 12 letter space format continues. However, I have noticed that the various symbols available in previous generations are no longer available. Darn it! No “Heart” symbol anymore? Also, I have noticed that if a Pokémon comes in from the Surprise Trade in of another language, the name cannot be changed. (Please leave a note in the comment section if you know otherwise.)
“That’s right Sweetie … you can be the new “Otaku Judge” now!”
(Denny singing to the lyrics of Paul Simon’s Mrs.Robinson: “Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio”)
Dear Readers: I was sad to learn that The Otaku Judge will no longer be blogging.
I encountered the Judge a few years ago, as he often commented on the same anime and gaming blogs that I also followed. We followed each other’s posts, and I always enjoyed his comments. While we both have had to spend less time on WordPress the past couple of years, it was good to see his posts once in a while. Many in the anime, gaming and movie community may have noted his absence.
He was a good man — a man of good taste and good humour.
He didn’t just stop writing … his blog is GONE don’t ya know. I saw that it says the blog has been REMOVED. I also looked up his Twitter, and it is gone as well. I hope everything is OK.
I was surprised. I thought he was “the Rock of Gibraltar”. Ha Ha.
I’m not sure what happened. If he does not want to do the blog anymore, I understand. I respect that. It is always sad when someone that you interacted with evaporates into the internet ether. I had to deal with the MorningBerryz48 retirement. Also, I think that Mabel Kwong has about given up too. (Cough, Cough). I came to know the Judge as a well-respected friend.
Dude .. If you ever see this, know that I wish you well in your future endeavors …
Starlight: Please comment if anyone know what happened. I hope he has moved on to bigger and better things.
From NGT48: Homma Hinata, Yamada Noe, and Mashimo Kaho.
From STU48: Imamura Mitsuki, Oki Yuka, Taniguchi Mahina, Nakamura Mai, Yano Honoka.
I am still a fan, but I have to admit, I really do not know most of the girls in the AKB Family anymore. I recognize some of the faces from the music videos, but it seems I would need to start over again, and learn who is who. It is a lot more difficult in 2020, than in 2012. Where are the AKB Trading Cards? AKBingo is now off the air. I can’t learn the girls personalities if I cannot watch the skits anymore. Also the AKB Cafe is closing. One graduation after another .. Huh. It makes me wonder if Mr. Akimoto-san is planning to disband the groups during some type of announcement at the 2020 Olympics. … er … but I digress …
Starlight: Hopefully some better photographs will be up on social media by now. Most of the girls have Instagram and Twitter accounts, so a lot of cute images should be posted there.
My first posts should just about now be reaching the recently discovered planet Barnard’s Star (planet) B. Merry Christmas to all beings on the distant “Super Earth”…
‘ello Galar region! It has been months since I last posted on this blog … way back in August in fact! Well, the new game — Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield – has been out for a couple of weeks now, so you may be in need of Denny’s nicknaming suggestions.
Credit goes to the artist.
One of the first Pokémon you encounter in the Galar Region is little “Yamper” (in Japanese: ワンパチ “Wanpachi”). Yamper is the Generation VIII “Puppy Pokémon” and is an Electric type. (Source: Bulbapedia)
The way I see it, Yamper is based on the “Welsh Corgi” dog breed. These dogs have distinctive short legs, and despite that, the breed is often used as a herding dog. (Perhaps to herd the numerous Wooloo in Galar?) Corgis are sometimes bred with other dogs, but they retain their short legs, and their friendly temperament. These are those cute little “yapper” dogs. The little dogs that are always excited when you meet them, and jump up on you, as they always want to play.
Yamper evolves into “Boltund” (in Japanese: パルスワン “Parusuwan”) at level 25 where it remains an Electric-type. Ahem … Boltund reminds me a little too much of the dog in the Disney movie “Bolt”.
Here are some nicknames that I have used:
You could just go with “Yapper” or “LittleYapper”. (Note that nicknames still have a 12-character limit in Galar.) I also used the name “Yakety-Yak” as in the Coasters song – “Yakety Yak – Don’t Talk Back.”
My favorite name for Yamper/Boltund is “Incorrigible” – as in an endearing person, who always does things their way — and does not give up!!!
“HappyCamper” fits, because camping, playing and cooking curry are an important part of building friendship with your Pokémon in the Galar Region. I had previously used “HappyCamper” for Pokémon’s other puppy — Rockruff.
“Corgi Girl” – for female Yamper. Alternatively “Georgy Girl” , “Georgie” , “Georgy Gyrl” after the great hit song from 1967 by England’s The Seekers — “Hey There – Georgy Girl”. It is an upbeat tune with good vibes, man.
Of course I grew up in the 1960s, so that is my cultural reference. You kids might name your little yapper “Baha Baha” or the like, after that terrible song about “letting the dogs out”. Oy.
“Pembroke” – From the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed. Pembroke is also the name of one of the colleges at the University of Cambridge.
“House Bolton” as a GOT reference. Those dogs in that show were too mean though. (Not like my incorrigible little Yamper.)
“Striker” – as in a lightning strike of course. “Dart Leader” is a related lightning term, and is good for a herding dog. “Step Leader” as well. “ReturnStroke” is another lightning term, and is especially appropriate as one of Yamper’s abilities is “Ball Fetch”. This is an ability new to the Galar region.
Now who’s a GOOD BOY? What is your name for your little yapper? Please comment!
I am writing this draft in late-July, in anticipation of more Sword and Shield updates. Please check back with me after November 15 for more suggestions. All my anticipated and suggested nicknames follow the 12-character limit consistent with Pokémon Generations VI and VII.
Alcremie (in Japanese: マホイップ“Mahoippu”) is a Fairy-type Pokémon to be introduced in the Galar Region (Generation VIII). Reference: From Bulbapedia.
The English name appears to be a combination of the words Alchemy,Cream and Cutie. Alchemy was a “magical” style of chemistry which preceded modern science. Thus, a Fairy-type is reasonable. Otherwise Alcremie looks like a pile of whipped cream or soft-serve vanilla ice cream. It has strawberries on either side of its head. I do like my creamy desserts, I think that they are soothing. In fact, early descriptions of Alcremie say that its “cream has an incredibly soothing effect which can cause an opponent to rapidly lose its will to battle when eaten.” (Source: Pokéfandom webpage.)
Alcremie is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon at this writing. However, it looks like it will be able to transform into a huge, cream frosted cake in its Gigantimax form.
If I was going to name a cake I think that “BettyCrocker” or “DuncanHines” would be good names. Of course, names like “JustDesserts” or “A Good Piece” may work.
This surprise cake puts me in mind of all those “Mad Men” era bachelor parties, where a pretty girl would jump out of a large party cake. It is yet another trope, lost in the 20th century.
The joke was that as the groom-to-be and his bachelor friends were having an innocent ice cream-and-cake party, someone would roll out this giant cake. Only instead of icing inside — a naked girl would jump out, surprising the poor groom on his last night of strange desserts. Oh … but I digress …
Unfortunately, Alcremie has been receiving some Internet hate. Fans are blaming Game Freak for not being creative enough. There were already “ice cream” Pokémon: Vanillite, Vanillish and Vanilluxe were already ice creams introduced in the Unova Region. Furthermore, there were already French pastry Pokémon in Kalos – Slurpuff and Swirlix. (Image credit goes to the original artists below)
Really Gamefreak – another Ice Cream Pokémon?” they say. Never mind the hate. I like the idea of this strawberry shortcake Pokémon. I look forward to bringing out that big ice cream and cake surprise! I could probably recycle some of my Vanillite line names. “Dairy Queen“, “Tastee-Freez” and the like, after those roadside ice cream shops that are a big part of Americana.
Some of you might remember the old “Strawberry Shortcake” character that was marketed to young girls in the 1980s. Thus “Shortcakes” is an obvious name. I plan on naming my Alcremie “Berry Panic” because of its fruit berries. The panic part refers to the famous Yuri manga and anime “Strawberry Panic”. I actually have a theory about how a strawberry can panic.
Others:
“Chantilly” after the term for the French version of whipped cream topping. Plus, it is a nice sweet, girly name, perfect for the Galar Region.
“ERCJCKGNGR” or “JckGngrErc” is an odd name, but I mean this as an abbreviation of “Eric Jack Ginger” who were the original British Cream.
Other names for my flavored dessert:
“SweetCakes” – For one on each side.
“Baby Cakes” – fo yu widdle cakie …
“Double Bride” – because it’s the law. The bakery has to make it for you.
What will you call your sweet creamy short cakes? Please comment.
We still have a long way to go until November 15, but I will still speculate about the upcoming Sword and Shield Pokémon and think of some more nicknames, assuming we will still have the 12-charcater limit.
From Bulbapedia: Corviknight (in Japanese: アーマーガア“Āmāgā”) is a dual-type Flying/Steel Pokémon introduced in the Galar Region (Generation VIII). As of this writing, it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
This black bird is called the “Raven Pokémon”. Its abilities are said to be Pressure and Unnerve. Coviknight looks like a crow, and (according to Bulbapedia) may be based on the European Jackdaw, another member of the crow family Corvidae. This family includes the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, and magpies. Collectively, this group of birds are called cordovans, hence that part of Corviknight’s name. The “knight” part is for the “Black Knight” I suppose.
I think that a great name for this black flying steel bird would be “SR-71” after Lockheed’s famous “Blackbird” supersonic stealthy spy plane. Additionally, “Lockheed” might be a good aviation name for Corviknight. According to Sw&Sh leaks, Corviknight is supposed to be the “fly” Pokémon which will take the player form one point to another.
The SR-71’s official speed record of 2,193.13 mph (Mach 3.2) has stood for nearly 40 years. It could fly from New York to London in less than two hours. Unova to Galar.
Guess where the Blackbird was first flight tested? (Denny coughs) Area 51. That secret American air force base that has been hot on social media these past weeks. Thus, “Stealth”, “Intrigue” and “Enigma” may also be interesting Corviknight names. “Black Truth” – is the opposite of “White Lies”. Can you handle the truth? Galar’s steel blacbird knigth might be well armored, but it will probably not be super fast. There has ben some speculation that Corviknight may be related to Pokémon’s other flying-steel type Skarmory.
Of course, if Corviknight is a Raven, then you have to give one names based on Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem. I think I will name one “Nevermore”. “Lenore” – perhaps for a female form, again as an Edgar Allan Poe reference.
Other names: “Baltimore” because the Raven’s NFL Team plays there. You have to wonder why the name “ravens” was chosen for a football team. Of course, Edgar Allan Poe lived (and drank) in Baltimore, but no one has ever confused the NFL with literacy. The Raven’s cheer squad is striking however:
Of course there is the Ravens logo on these uniforms. You may have to explore.
Aside from the Raven Cheerleaders, Baltimore is actually a terrible city. There is a lot of crime, a lot of drugs and it is poorly administrated. Baltimore’s crime is actually a lot more scary than any of Edgar Allan’s poems. But I digress … Perhaps you could name Corviknight about a decayed postindustrial city similar to Baltimore in the British (Galar) region? You would likely want a more heroic name.
How about “Switchblade” after all the knife attacks in British cities these days.
There is not a lot of Coviknight cosplay yet, so we will have to make due with these raven and crow costumes. Did you know that a flock of crows is called “a murder of crows“?
Recycled Names: I used to use names like “Caw Caw Caw“, “Edgar Allan” or “4 -AND-20” for Murkrow and Honchkrow. Four-and-Twenty was for the nursery rhyme about the four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie. I used to name a Murkrow “Eat-My-Pie” then wonder-trade it.
What is the name for your steel blackbird? Please Comment!
“Count what you have now, Don’t count what you don’t have …”
That’s right Mariya! Although my blogging pace has slowed down the past couple of years, I have noticed from my click counter that “Denny Sinnoh’s Akihabara Starlight” is now up to close to a HALF-MILLION reads!!! It should go over 500,000 this weekend. Look to my sidebar to the right under “blog stats”. See if YOUR CLICK is the one that pushes me over 500 K!
Thank you WordPress readers! Of course some bloggers have millions of reads, but I am happy whith what I have counted here, thus I want to share this song. At my “day job” of processing agricultural chemical request orders, I sometimes have to write up technical reports. These tech papers are only read by about maybe five people or so. I have to feel good that my writing has been seen by half-a-million humans and their bot minions. Special Thanks to YT user Artzie Music for sharing this song.
“Shiawase no Monosashi” Music, lyrics and vocals by Mariya Takeuchi.
LYRICS:
(One, two, three & four)
Count what you have now, don’t count what you don’t have
Count what you have now, don’t count what you don’t have
Find that you have so much
ganbari sugiru jibun ni tsukarete futo nakete kita mayonaka no basu ruumu de
mada te ni shita koto no nai shiawase ga dokoka ni aru ki ga shite aseru no wa toshi no sei?
hitori tanoshiku ikite kita no nani hitotsu kuyande nai kedo
kumotta kagami no you ni ashita ga mienai
Can’t you see? Can’t you see?
jiyuu to kodoku wa futatsu de setto kimama na hodo sabishisa mo tsuite kuru
(Don’t you know? Don’t you know?)
tonari no shibafu ga aoku mietara kono niwa ni hana o uereba ii
Count what you have now, don’t count what you don’t have
Find that you have so much
naimo no nedari shinagara minna mayotte ikiteru otona ni natte kara mo
ashimoto ni saita kirei na hana ni kizuku dake de hito wa ureshii kimochi ni nareru noni
itsuka mune no oku ni kakaeta jirenma no meiro nukereba
hontouni daiji na mono shiru hi ga kuru darou
Can’t you see? Can’t you see?
donna michi o eranda toshite mo nayami no kazu onaji dake tsuite kuru
(You can choose You can choose)
watashi ga kimeru watashi no puraioriti nani o totte nani o akirameru no
Can’t you see? Can’t you see?
shiawase no kijun hakaru monosashi jibun no kokoro no naka ni aru no sa
You can find You can find
tarinai mono kazoeru kurai nara tariteru mono kazoete goran yo!
Count what you have now, don’t count what you don’t have
Pokémon Nicknames: Sword and Shield — Rolycoly. More Galar Region Pokémon are leaked!
Rolycoly (in Japanese: タンドン“Tandon”) is a Rock-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VIII. I have to believe that this “Coal Pokémon” of the Galar Region will have at least two more evolutions, but we will have to wait see. According to the latest leaks, Rolycoly is not known to evolve into or from any other form. Reference: Bulbapedia. Rolycoly (which I think is based off of the name “Roly Poly”) is basically a lump of coal with an orange eye. Is it some type of fire? Will it be able to learn the move “Ember”?
From Pokémon DataBase: “Rolycoly has no problem dashing through dark areas or rough terrain. Its red eye can illuminate dark areas, while it uses the lump of coal attached to its body like a wheel to move through coal mines and caves. It seems to be able to travel smoothly even over rough terrain.” It looks like it has a wheel underneath, which moves like a coal kart.
Another description is from Pokémon Wiki: “In times past, the entire population of families living in the Galar region would use pieces of coal dropped by Rolycoly as a heat source for cooking food and keeping houses warm. Even today, people would bring along Rolycoly during outdoor activities”. Coal was the major home-heating fuel for much of British history, until pollution laws were passed against it. Here’s a name: “London Smog” after London Fog.
If you have ever seen the Irish film “My Left Foot” there is this scene where a coal lorry driver so that a few pieces of coal can be nicked.
Ahem, if you are going to travel in the Galar region, you better get used to calling a truck a “lorry” and “to nick” is to steal something. Ha, I can speak this Galar dialect – here goes — “Did you nick my gelt, you wanker?” … but I digress. The puts me in mind of the Elvis Costello song: “Coal Train Robberies”. The poor classes in Ireland were so desperate that they had to steal coal to survive.
Some names could be derived from Rolycoly’s abilities. It has the unique ability Steam Engine, which increases Rolycoly’s speed stat if hit by a Fire or Water-type attack. Consider the name “SteamChunk” after the “Steampunk” genre – or just call it “Steam Punk”.
This steampunk is a coal miner — not a coal minor.
It also has the ability Heatproof, an ability which makes it take less damage from Fire-type attacks. Thus, “Hot-N-Heavy” – because it is a rock type of fuel. It is heavy, but it burns hot. Also the expression means an intense, active, or exciting relationship.
“Be Tea You” or “B.T.U.” – might be good for a Galar Region Pokémon. This is after the term BTU or British Thermal Units, the measure of the heat content of a fuel.
I like “Wheeling” after Wheeling, West Virginia — the American state where coal mining is still an important occupation.
“Rutherford” – after the TV character “Lumpy Rutherford”. Because Rolycoly is a big lump of coal.
“Bad X-Mas” or even just “Christmas“. Of course if you were naughty all year, Santa will only give you a lump of coal in your stocking.
If you are a loss for what to name coal, then you could just call it the names for the ranks of coal: “Anthracite”, “Bituminous” or “Lignite”. I like “Lignite Mike“.
Others:
“Ashes2Ashes” – is what happens to you if you fight this coal Pokemon!
“Pete Peat” – because peat is an earlier form of coal, but you need to wait a million years.
“Paleozoic” – after the geologic era containing the Carboniferous Period. Earth was covered with many swamps, which formed much of the coal we use today.
“Coke” but not America’s favorite soda beverage. Coke as in “coking coal” a processed coal used for steelmaking. Maybe “MyCokeBloke” becuase Englishmen call each other “blokes”.
“Sheffield” as in the English industrial city, where the historic steel making insustry was concentrated. Of course, the industrial revolution began in Britain, but today the country no longer manufactures anything.
“Wigan” as in George Orwell’s book “The Road to Wigan Pier“. Those poor people in that coal mining town … and you thought your job sucked.
“Holy Roller” because you have to have some rolling names. It seems mining-town peoples are often religious. If life in a mining town sucks, you have to faith in the next life in the next world.
“Rolling Rock” — after the beer popular with Pennsylvanian mine and industry workers. Despite the label, it does NOT taste like that.
I will suggst more names when it is known what Rolycoly evolves into … until then:
What is the name of your little rolling lumps? Please comment.
Her time zone is twelve hours ahead of mine, so I wanted to send this out before her birthday cake is shared!
Yuki Kashiwagi (柏木由紀 Kashiwagi Yūki) was born July 15, 1991) in Kagoshima, Japan. Her home city is on the western tip of the island of Kyushu. It is the largest city in the Kagoshima Prefecture. Yukirin grew up in the shadow of the emblematic stratovolcano, Sakurajima. There are not a lot of songs about volcanoes, but Yuki is famous for singing one! (LINK HERE)for her first solo performance. Remember my old Sakurajima postcard?
Enough of the geography lesson. Today is your special day Yukirin. My you have grown more and more beautiful every year young lady.
You have made your Uncle Denny very proud!
Enjoy the day Yukirin. I have to wonder how long you will be an Idol, but that is your decision. Please keep us informed on your Instagram and Facebook! (Makes me wish I had not been banned from Facebook.) See the links below —
Likes: Pop Culture, Humor, Japanese Culture, Iwasa Misaki, Hanako Oku, AKB48 History, Kurosawa films, Kimonos, Anime, Lolita fashion, Buddhist philosophy, and finding the perfect nicknames for my Pokemon.
A fansite; for old and new fans of AKB48 and all their domestic and international sister groups: (SKE48, NMB48, HKT48, NGT48, STU48, JKT48, BNK48, MNL48, AKB48 Team SH, SGO48, AKB48 Team TP, and CGM48)
Denny Sinnoh 
I HEAR YOU!