Pokémon Nicknames: Scyther and Scizor

She is BEAUTIFUL … but I might not be thinking with my mantis head …

Scyther (in Japanese: ストライク  “Strike”) is a BUG & FLYING dual-type Pokémon. (Some players are frustrated however, that this flying bug cannot actually learn the TM Fly!) Scyther is known as the “Mantis Pokémon“. It only evolves into Scizor (in Japanese: ハッサム “Hassam”) when traded holding the Metal Coat item. (You might want to get it traded back, so only trade it with another trusted trainer. Scizor becomes a BUG & STEEL type and is known as the “Pincer Pokémon”. Scizor can Mega Evolve into Mega Scizor if holding a Scizorite stone.

Scizor can Mega Evolve into Mega Scizor if holding a Scizorite stone.

My favorite nickname for Scyther is “Slingblade” named after the classic Billy-Bob Thornton film “Slingblade”. (By far, his best movie.)

This is most appropriate — as you can see in the intense scene below.

“Some folks call it a Scyther-blade … I call it a sling-blade …”

My second favorite name for Scyther or Scizor is “Ronin” or some variation of a Samurai-related term. “BoshidoBug” for example.

Scyther — in the game — does not  look very female, so naming the fairer-gender may be harder. These cosplayers make Scyther look more like a beautiful fairy than an ugly bug however.

I usually name female Scyther something like “A.Castrator ” or “La Castra”, because …

Ahem … this flying fairy bug could easily castrate an opposing male Pokémon.

(Denny in high pitched voice): – maybe you could teach it the move “Swords Dance” for extra power!

Scyther is a Mantis. I learned in my Invertebrate Zoology course that the female Mantis is much larger and is a more viscous predator than the male.  Typically she will bite the head off of her chosen male suitors. In fact, the male will mate more effectively once his head has been severed. (Guys, take this Mantis advice:  (cough) … If you are ever having trouble at the crucial point …don’t over-think it … Ah, and it will be … OK, there it is again…).

Another female who cannot figure out why she cannot sustain a meaningful relationship.

Once the female Mantis has received sperm from the typical unthinking male, she will devour the rest of him. In fact, she may continue eating the other stupid males who were also attracted by her pheromones, and were waiting their chance. The males would be better off by not thinking with their little bug dicks, but who can ever learn that lesson?

Names for Scizor: I have used include “Edward” because of the film Edward Scissorhands”. The name “Scissorhands” has 12-letters which just makes the limit.

You could use the name “Run-With-Me” as a joke, because everyone know that you should not run with Scizors … Ha.

What is the name for your castrating bug? Please COMMENT, or “Like” … yada-yada-yada.

REFERENCES: I always get my basic information from Bulbapedia or Serebi dot net. You can also get nickname suggestions from the Name Rater‘s web page link (although HE HATES YOU). Everything else is Googily-dooed on Pixeley-Poo.

DISCLAIMER: All artwork is property of the original artists. Would you like to meet me for a drink to discuss your work?

Pokémon Nicknames: Seel and Dewgong

My daughter Sakura looks lovely in that white Russian seal-fur hat doesn’t she?

Ahem … The HAT, gentlemen.

Seel (in Japanese: パウワウ  “Pawou”) is a Water-type Pokémon. It is known as “the Sea Lion” Pokémon. Seel evolves into another “Sea Lion” —  Dewgong (in Japanese: ジュゴン  “Jugon”) at level 34, where it becomes a dual type Water-Ice Pokémon.

Seel and Dewgong join the group of other pinniped Pokemon. Spheal (another seal), Sealeo (another sea lion) and Walrein (a walrus). All of these are water-ice types so nicknames could probably overlap and be interchangeable. Perhaps Dewgong is supposed to be the spirit of — not a sea lion – but a manatee. You often see a Dewgong perched on rocks. The sirens or mermaids of nautical lore were thought to be actually manatee. It is said that confused and lonely sailors thought they looked pretty good.

(calling) … come along … to my Dewgong …

I like to teach water & ice-types both of the moves Scald and Ice Beam  You can freeze an enemy solid, then help them out by burning them with hot water. Seel and Dewgong both closely resemble their real-life animal counterpart. Most trainers don’t get too excited about them. Seel is basically a seal. The Pokémon do have a single horn on their head however. I have to wonder if the designers were doing a take on Narwhals, which have a single horn. Perhaps there may be a cool looking “mega-evolved” Dewgong someday, but I think that Samurout already has the “battle-seal” image done already.

My favorite name for Dewgong is “WhiteRussian” which just makes it in at 12 letters.

Mmmm …White Russians. I used to love that Kahlua drink (recipe linked here). When my friends and I were out drinking, I used to call it “the old moloko” just like I was a character from the novel/movie A Clockwork Orange, drinking at The Korova Milk Bar. What?

True fact: Korova is Russian for Cow, but maybe save that name for Milktank.

Of course I was lame. Look, we didn’t have the Internet in the late 1970s. If you wanted to look something up you had to use an encyclopedia … and I know I digress.

Keeping with the Russian or Siberia theme, I have also used the name “Zhivago” after the novel/film Doctor Zhivago.

The other name I like is “Bering” after the sea which lies between Russia and North America. Of course Russian seal hunters have always used that waterway. “Murmansk” is another ice-free Russian port. I have used “In-The-Navy” (with the music note symbol).

I like “Slip” or “Slips” for a Seel, because seals are slippery, and I always liked The Bowery Boys character Slip Mahoney.

I also like the name “Ding Dongs” for Dewgong after the wonderful Hostess treat. You know what? I used to eat Hostess Ding Dongs after a night of binge drinking White Russians! They would “sweeten you right up — and get you ready for the old ultraviolet” … or there about.

Others: Seel names I have seen other players use include: Clubby, Snowball and Sugar. These are all cute names.

Darn it, I lost the scene where Ash trains Dewgong.

What is the name for your slippery seal? Please Comment!

Pokémon Nicknames: Riolu and Lucario

Pokémon.Nicknames: Riolu and Lucario

Lucario ( in Japanese: ルカリオ  “Lucario”) is a dual Fighting & Steel type Pokémon. Lucario evolves from the (baby form ) Fighting type Riolu (in Japanese: リオル  “Riolu”) when leveled up with high friendship during the DAY. Lucario does not evolve, but can mega-evolve into Mega Lucario using the Lucarionite stone.

I named a Riolu “Rolo” after a character on the famous TV show “Sanford and Son”. Rolo was often on the receiving end of Fred Sanford’s (comedian Redd Foxx) famous “You big dummy” line.

I have also used “Rolo” thinking of the caramel filled candy rolls by Hershey:

I named the Lucario I received in Pokemon Y, “Cool Hand” after the famous character played by Paul Newman in the movie “Cool Hand Luke” (movie trailer link here). The 1968 film was about a young anti-hero who is sent to a Southern prison farm for – get this – cutting the heads off of parking meters. The movie is a goldmine of famous pop culture sayings, such as “I think what we have here is a failure to communicate!”.  My favorite line is “I’M SHAKIN THE TREE, BOSS” … but I digress.

What? You’ve never SEEN it? What are they teaching kids in school these days?

I also think that Cool Hand is a good name, because Lucario is a fighter/boxer.

Of course you can name a newly born Riolu if you hatch an egg!

I named another Riolu/Lucario “Sir Luke” after the famous scene in Star Wars.

Remember when C3PO first conversed with Luke Skywalker? C3PO said at one point “I see Sir …”.  Luke laughs (as if anyone would call him “Sir”), and says “… Luke” (meaning just call me Luke). C3PO misunderstands, and says “I see — Sir Luke” – to which young Skywalker laughs again: “No … just Luke”.  It is a great foreshadowing moment because knights are called “Sir” and Luke Skywalker will one day become a Jedi Knight!

I may be at a lost as to what to nickname a SEXY Lucario however:

Use “FORCE PALM”? … I was already there!

Please comment on your name for Lucario! 

Pokémon Nicknames: Kecleon

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Kecleon (in Japanese: カクレオン  “Kakureon”) is a chameleon.  It is a NORMAL type Pokémon, but it may have one of two interesting abilities. The “Color Change” ability makes it change its type to the last damaging move that hit it. Also, the “Protean” ability changes Kecleon’s type according to the move that it is about to use, so that it becomes a (pure) Pokémon of that type.

Kecleon does not evolve.

I named a male Kecleon “Zelig” after the Woody Allen “mockumentary” film of the same name.

The film was about a man who was able to change himself physically to suit whichever social group he found himself within.  Mr. Zelig was always able to conform to any group, – thus he was a “human chameleon”.  Here is a clip:

The movie was made back when the great comedic director was actually interested in making unique and amusing films … but I digress…

I named another Kecleon “Roy G. Biv” after the color spectrum: Red-Orange-Yellow-Green-Indigo-Violet.  Please groove to the “They Might Be Giants” song of the same name here:

I have named female Kecleon “Camry” after the Toyota automobile. “Cami” might be cute … I mean the name not the the type of women’s clothing (aka camisole) .  You …

Notice how this silky green “cami” completely hides the wearer.

 I welcome your suggestions and comments!

KIMONOS ON MONDAY: Atsuko Maeda at the London Premier of “The Hobbit”

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I couldn’t crop him out of the photo : )

Notice: I am going to give my readers a double-dose of my “Kimonos on Monday” post today, because I could not wait another week to share these photos of Atsuko Maeda with you!

I know that I am a few days late with this post.  Atsuko Maeda recently attended the London premier of the the last movie in “The Hobbit” series. Although Acchan is not in the film, who could better represent the Japanese entertainment industry than Atsuko Maeda?  She wears a lovely kimono as you can see.

There is a great shot of her right at the beginning of this clip:

Most of this clip does not feature Atsuko, but it is still very worthwhile to see the interaction between Acchan and actor Orlando Bloom –who plays the Elf “Legolas” in the film.  Mr. Bloom compliments Maeda-san on her traditional dress.

Here are a couple of other photos from this event out there on the Interwebs.

The two expressed some interest in working together.  When is Hollywood going to catch on to how great she is???

Acchan we want to see more of this kimono!

… oh wait I COULD  : )