Pokémon Nicknames: Drilbur and Excadrill

Photo credit goes to the hoodie maker!

Today, let us drill down and mine more nicknames for Pokémon Black and Pokémon White characters. Drilbur (in Japanese: モグリュー  “Mogurew”) is a Ground-type Pokémon. Drillbur’s category is “Mole Pokémon”. Drilbur was a popular baby form.

Drilbur evolves into Excadrill when raised to level 31. Excadrill (in Japanese: ドリュウズ “Doryuzu”) is a dual-type Ground and STEEL Pokémon. Excradrill’s category is “Subterrene Pokémon”. (“Subterrene” might actually be a good nickname right there!)

Drilbur is a mole, so as my mind wandered a bit, and I thought of the “mole” concept used in chemistry.

I named a Drilbur  “6.02 x 10~23” (unfortunately you cannot use exponents in the nickname creator). Oh – but I had to use the upper-case letter “O” in place of zero!  I found out that there is a limit to how many numbers you can use in a nickname. I never thought of it before, but someone could otherwise use a phone number as a name, so it makes sense.

Chemistry class? … remember that chick you tutored in Chem 101? Sing it Elvis — “Are you ready for the final solution?”

E.C.: “Sparks are flying from electrical pylons … snakes and ladders running up and down the nylons …

“The chemical term “mole” is usually abbreviated as “mol” which saves all kinds of space in scientific writing …

Wait — that is American actress Gretchen Mol. Sorry my mind wandered in class again.

Right …  forgive my digression … a mol has a value of 6.022140857(74)×10²³ mol⁻¹  — also known as Avagadros Constant. Thus, I have named some Drilburs “Avagadro” or “Avagadro’s #”.

Perhaps you could name your mole after famous people with moles. “De Niro” or “De Niro’s Mole” for example. (Denny is NOT making this up – “Robert De Niro’s Mole” has its own Facebook page, I just looked.) The term “mole” can also mean “Double Agent” in various spy thriller novels. Excadril is a dual-type Pokémon, so why not?

“Whack-a-Mole” could be a funny name .. or maybe just “Whack“.

Everyone loves whacking to that arcade game!

Ahem … moles are similar to “shrews” which are another type of burrowing rodent. I named a female Drilbur “Tammy Shrew” after “The Taming of the Shrew” by Shakespeare. Ha. William Shakespeare — come -on Bill, don’t say that. There is no part of a lady that looks like a furry rodent.

If he was actually trying to tame her shrew, he sure missed way too high.

I sometimes name a female Drilbur “Lovely Rita” after the Beatles song “Lovely Rita Meter Maid“. Drilbur looks like it has a sash across the chest, as in a crossing-guard or meter-maid’s uniform. As Paul sang: “With the bag across her shoulder, it made her look a little like a military man … wank, wank, wonk, wonk”. I used “Edward S.” after the movie “Edward Scissorhands “, but then realized it was pretty stupid.

Excadrill names I have used include “Excedrin” after the headache medicine. Yup, an Excedrin and a Gatorade will set you up for a another big lunch after you have had a hard night.

Ha Ha. This angry little guy was made into a meme. Ha.

I sometimes use “Roto-Rooter” after the famous plumbing company. Seriously, they can use that burrowing drill to unclog any hairy plumbing mess.

If you have seen the movie, you know that pipes are about to be cleaned.

These moles like to burrow, so I was thinking the more literary spelling “Burroughs” after author Edgar Rice Burroughs. The name “Furrows” or “Good Furrows” is elegant, I think and inspires fantasies about farming.

I have used “Drillbits” for cute little Drilbur, and “Drill Press” for the more intense drilling that the larger Excadrill can do. “BlackNDecker” might be a good name for a drill, as the Black and Decker company makes tools.

The usual references:

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.serebii.net/

http://pkmn.net/?action=rater

What are the names for your drills? Please comment!

Pokémon Nicknames: Gothita, Gothorita and Gothitelle

She could also be my Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Gothita, Gothorita and Gothitelle are all PSYCHIC-type Pokémon. Gothita is a “Fixation Pokémon”, Gothorita is a “Manipulate Pokémon”, and Gothitelle is an “Astral Body Pokémon”. They are all “human like” (egg-group), and all are 75% Female, 25% Male.

http://www.serebii.net/

Gothita (in Japanese: ゴチム “Gothimu”) evolves into Gothorita (in Japanse: ゴチミル “Gothimiru”) at level 32, then Gothorita evolves into Gothitelle (in Japanese: ゴチルゼル “Gothiruselle”) at level 41. There is no known Mega-Evolution. (Reference: from Bulbapedia)

Gothitelle, Gothorita and Gothita are all based on the “Gothic Lolita” fashion style. I am a big fan of “Japanese Lolita” fashions, although I cannot say that am much of an expert on ladies fashions. I just know what I like. The “Lolita” fashion style (NOT to be confused with the lolita concept in the book) is common among anime fans, cosplayers and Japanese “Maid Cafés”. I was very happy to see this theme acknowledged in Pokémon Black/White a few years back. Too bad that there was never a “Maid Café” in Kalos Region, because otherwise they had a multitude of cafés in Limiose City. There are many styles of Lolita Fashion, and in this slide show Gothitelle, Gothorita and Gothita explore these nicely:

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Here are some names I suggest for the G-girls: “Sugar+Spice” – because Lolita enthusiasts are sweet. You might like “Wednesday” after the gothic young lady from the 1960s TV show The Addams Family.

Lolita cosplayers like to have “Tea Party” meet-up events, where they dress up in their finest Lolita outfits. I wish I could be invited to one. Thus I named them “Sweet Tea” (as a play on “Sweet Pea”). I caught one in a Timer-Ball and named her “Tea Time”.

“Loli Pops” or some variation might fit little Gothita. “Black Berry” or “Black Cherry” might be good for a Gothic Lolita, and these flavor of jams are served at Lolita tea parties!

I sometimes make musical references. I think that “Sulky Girl” is perfect for Gothitelle, after the great song by Elvis Costello (the very cool MV is linked here).  I used “My-Dark-Life” for Gothitelle, after the Elvis Costello-Brian Eno collaboration (linked here). “Sweet Jane” seems to fit a Gothorita — after the Lou Reed song of the same name (linked here). Maybe “Veronica” would be good, after the goth-rock group The Veronicas. They have their song “Lolita” (music video linked here). It is gothic yes, and there is some milk, but I really do not like that type of singing. I know you kids like it, but it sounds to me like someone is strangling a cat.

Other names … maybe “Abby” after the character from NCIS show. That led me to “Abby Normal“, which might be good name for a psychic type.

I think that “Ana-Mae” or “Anna-Mae” would be a good “Maid Cafe” type name. Anna Mae sonds like “Anime” as in eat this cake anime!

What about male Gothoritas however? This is one of the Pokemon which is very much female in appearance, but 25% of them are male. What do you name a male Gothorita?

I suggest “BroLita”, or some variation. There is a subset of Lolita culture where boys like to wear wigs and frilly Lolita outfits. There may even be Brolita meet-ups and tea parties for all I know.

Denny imitating Frank Sinatra: “If only you were a REAL BROAD … I’d take you out for the biggest steak you ever saw”.

Perhaps “Manson” or “Marilyn” after the androgynous goth creep. A better nickname for male Gothoritas might be “LadyBoy”,  “PanayLadyBoy” or “Thai Ladyboy”. Ahem … (Denny is NOT making this up) … there are some men who seek out prostitutes on sex tours in Southeast Asia. They do not want a woman however, they actually want to have sex with a young boy dressed up like an underaged female prostitute, only with a pepperoni surprise.  Look, I was never big on SubWay sandwiches.

There is a very cool episode of the Pokémon anime in the Unova Region. As Ash and his friends try to cross the large Skyarrow Bridge to Castelia City, they keep getting looped back in time by a Gothitelle to when the bridge was still under construction. If they try to cross again, they get looped back again by Gothitelle’s psychic powers. Gothitelle keeps creating the time loop- distortion- illusion because it misses the little girl who trained it. The last time Gothitelle and the young girl were together, the bridge was still under construction. I don’t watch a lot of the Pokémon anime, but this was one of the best. It was one of the more poignant, mystical — and maybe even a little creepy — episodes of the Pokémon cartoon show.  The episode is LINKED HERE.

I am friends with several Lolita fashion bloggers on WordPress. If you want to share your Lolita Fashion expertise with Pokémon fans, please leave your WordPress link in the comments.

What is the name for your little Loli? Please comment!

Pokémon Nicknames: Trubbish and Garbodor

“A trash bag … are you kidding me?”

That was what the nay-sayers were saying about the Generation 5 Black and White Pokémon.  Every time a new game comes out, fans are usually critical of any new sprites, and think that new ones always pale in comparison to the older, tried and true Pokémon.

“… but a TRASHBAG?”

Ahem .. from Bulbapedia: Trubbish (in Japanese: ヤブクロン “Yabukuron”) is a POISON-type Pokémon. Trubbish evolves into Garbodor (in Japanese: ダストダス “Dustdas”) at level 36, where it remains a POISON type. There is no Mega-Evolution for this Unova Pokémon – thank goodness.

Trubbish (the “Trash Bag Pokémon”)  and Garbodor (the “Trash Heap Pokémon “) are not among my favorites, but I can certainly defend their existence.

If you have been to the New York – New Jersey area, you know that you will see a lot of trash along the roads. Not just litter, but BAGS of trash that has not been picked up, and will likely NEVER get picked up. This is especially true for neighborhoods along transportation routes, and the older, poorer parts of town. Look,  I’m not trying to insult you Newark – but how can you put up with it?

I’ve said it before, and I will say it again … New Yorkers are a filthy people.

I am sure that Pokémon’s GAMEFREAK developers from Japan were impressed by the piles of trash, lining the roadways of what is supposed to be America’s greatest city. It is not surprising trash was made into a character.

Furthermore, you have to remember what Pokémon are. Pokémon are NOT animals. They often take the shape of an animal, but they sometimes take the form of an inanimate object (an ice cream cone, a set of gears, etc.). Sometimes they take a humanoid form (Mr. Mime, etc.), which creeps me out a little. I don’t like it when they take humanoid form, but they are just trying their best to communicate to our limited human perceptions. It is true that Pokémon are affected by, and can be controlled with electromagnetic radiation (and thus can be stored in a Pokéball or PC storage box). 

However, Pokemon are spiritual beings. They take the form of things which our human minds can understand. Yes, it is usually some type of animal (cat, fish or even dragon). We as humans cannot understand their true form, so they appear to us as something familiar. (Pikachu is a mouse – but is not really a mouse. He takes the shape of something which we can relate to, and this calls to our emotions.)

There is a spirit — with feelings — in most everything …in the rocks, in the forest, in the wind and waves. Even in your household appliances. Isn’t it funny that you usually refuse to see them? Pokémon take their respective forms, not because they are those things, it is so we can better acknowledge them. 

… OK, so the trash bags. Indeed there are a lot of trash bags in the rough parts of the Unova Region (er… I mean the New York metro area). It is not surprising that a poison type would appear to us as abandoned garbage. … and what does that say about us?

I was able to get a good nickname from the Pokémon Name-Rater’s web page. (His page is linked here, however always remember that Mr. Name Rater hates you.) One user said that he named Trubbish after the day of the week when his garbage was picked up.”Tuesdays“.

Of course names like “New Jersey” or “Newark” would be appropriate, as well as other decaying urban areas with poor sanitation services. “EastSt.Louis” for example.

“Postmodern” or “Modern Art” might be appropriate, as most postmodern writers and artists are basically garbage. If fact real garbage has been sold as “modern art” to certain art-loving New Yorker snobs.

Perhaps you could use one of those “made up” urban names for the poisonous-attitude, obese and belligerent “social justice” warriors i run into once in a while. “LaQueefa” for example. Name one “S.J.W.” and send it over the WonderTrade. Punk rockers in the games usually have Poison types, so you could use sick punk names like Dinah Cancer. Garbodor is shaped like some type of matador, but I’m not sure I can give it matador type names like “Pork Sword“. How about “Greta Garbage” as a play on legendary actress Greta Garbo?

I would not throw her away!

I have used the name “Trashish” by combining the words trash and hashish. I was thinking “Akeem” might be funny. If you have seen the Eddie Murphy movie “Coming to America”, he makes the great comedic line: “When you think of garbage — think of Akeem!” Scene linked here!

Of course, “TheNewYorker” and “NewYorkTimes” are other garbages which make the 12-character limit.

Names like “Hefty” might be good, as that is a brand name of trash bags. Hey Bob … remember how we used to have a running joke about Hefty’s “Steel Saks“? Saks … HA.

What is the name for your bag of trash? Please comment.

Pokémon Nicknames: Blitzle and Zebstrika

Credit goes to the artist.

Blitzle (in Japanese: シママ  “Shimama”) is an Electric-type Pokémon. The little electric zebra evolves into Zebstrika (in Japanese: ゼブライカ “Zebraika”) at level 27 where it remains an Electric-only type. There is no Mega-Evolution form as of yet.

All thanks to the artist : )

Blitzle and Zebstrika were always among my favorite Pokémon. The first Pokémon game which my son taught me to play was Black/White, where I played the White Version. Zebras are colored perfectly for a game called Black and White of course.  I have went back and played all the series now — my son picks one version, then I always get the other.

My female Zebstrika was my favorite Pokémon on my team. I named her “Mary Ellen” which is a name that does not have anything to do with zebras, or lightning. Instead I named her after a very strong, capable, and dependable woman I knew.

Credit goes only to the artist.

Generally, you want to choose “Z” words like “Zenith“. “Ladyland” refers to Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland” the name of his studio and one of his greatest records.

If your Zebstrika has the “Lightning Rod” or “Motor Drive” abilities, perhaps use the name: “Start-Me-Up” after the Rolling Stones song. On that note, “Spark Plug” might be good for a little Blitzle. “Sparky” is cute, especially since the little one can learn “Spark” attack.

I thought about naming one “Greased Lightning” after the song from the musical “Grease”, but there are too many letters. Maybe just call it “Greased L“. Oy.

Does anyone remember drinking Zima? It zucked. I thought it tasted like Noxema. Ha Ha (1980s joke., copyright Denny). Actually, Zima is still sold in Japan by the Miller Brewing Company!

I know what you are thinking, you thought I was going to suggest a French-sounding zebra name like “Zee-Bra“, and then show various types of Zebra-patterned underwear.

Oh, how little you must think of me.

You might want to use Electric moves like Thunderbolt, Shockwave or Discharge. Alternatively, if you plan to super-train a higher Attack rather than Special Attack, I suggest the following — but Wild Charge has recoil, and thus should be partially replenished by a held item such as a Shell-Bell or Leftovers.

I was very happy to catch a SHINY Zebstrika at a Mirage Spot in Pokémon Omega Ruby. It is dark purple in color.

I named him “Ultraviolent” as a play on Ultra-Violet (purple).  Later, I changed his name to “Purple Haze” which was the name of a Jimi Hendrix song (and was also the name of the blotter-acid popular with the burn-outs in my old high school).

Credit goes to this lovely cosplayer and her photographer.

When you hear thunder and see lightning, does that mean that the Gods are bowling? Perhaps use a name like “Striker“!

Lightning related terms like “Dart-Leader”, “Strokes”  or “Thunderclap” might be fun if you are a meteorology geek. Zebstrika can learn  the TM “Flash“, so you could name it “Hot Flash” or some variation. Perhaps use something Thor-related if you are a Marvel geek.

I did not find a lot of names I liked from The Name Rater’s Site (link here). However, I did like the suggestions “Zapidash“, “Haywire“, and “Blitzkrieg“. Zapidash is a cute variation on Rapidash. I would like to see a Rapidash/Zebstrika or a Ponyta/Blitzle on a double-battle team.

Blitzkrieg translates from German as “Lightning War”. The term refers to the German armies which quickly smashed into their neighboring countries during World War II. Along the lines of the WW II German Blitzkrieg reference, perhaps another historic name could be “Sieg Sieg” or some variation. (Note to readers: Please only make Nazi references if you have an academic interest in history.)

The twin lightning bolts of the Nazi SS. Credit goes to … oh, shit, they can sue me.

The SS Bolts are a hated symbol. The twin bolts have made their way into some stylized calligraphy in pop culture however (ex. The KISS logo, among others). The symbol is derived from the SchutzStaffel (SS) of Nazi Germany. You really have to be careful with your historical references, as there are so many politically-correct jackasses out there (which includes 90% of all college students, and 99% of all college professors).

What electrifying name would you suggest for a zebra? Please comment!

References:

http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.serebii.net/

Google, you know the rest.

Unboxing Hanako Oku’s 10th Anniversary Special Concert 2015 Blu-Ray set with Snivy, Tepig and Oshawatt.

Unboxing Hanako Oku’s 10th Anniversary Special Concert 2015 Blu-Ray set with Snivy, Tepig and Oshawatt.

Snivy’s order from CD-Japan has arrived! It is hard to get these three Unova Region starter Pokémon to agree on anything – but they all wanted to watch this blu-ray set of Hanako Oku’s big concert. This is the FIRST TIME that a Hanako Oku concert has been available on blu-ray! The great thing about blu-ray is that is that the discs will play on a Region-A BD player! No more hassles with DVD Region 2 being incompatible with Unova DVD players! OK guys, get unboxing!

Go Snivy! Use VINE WHIP!

I know how he feels: The little guy was so eager — he dived right into the box!

Oh Tepig — you can play with that bubble-wrap later!

Yes, Oshawatt — it is a Blu-Ray, and you are a WATER TYPE — so what’s the connection again?

They were all so excited about the contents!

No, Oshawatt … you spin the disc in the Playstation 3, not on your TAIL!

Snivy was so proud. He said that holding the discs made him feel like he was hugging the real Hanako Oku!

Maybe set a little farther away from the TV, Snivy! It is amazing to see close-ups of Miss Oku on our 46-inch TV. The picture is great, and it sounds very good considering they are just the stock TV speakers.

Snivy commented further that Hanako Oku and her band are “Fun to watch and just listen to while playing.” Tepig said “She looks beautiful.” Oshawatt says “She is super-cute in those pantaloons!”

I agree with Snivy, I think The Little Great One looks very pretty and exquisitely feminine throughout these performances. “What a nice lady …” Tepig added, “I respect her a lot.”

Oshawatt likes the cover. (He is just pretending he knows how to read music.) We all enjoyed watching both discs. The marketing geniuses at PonyCanyon Records have banned Hanako Oku music videos in the Unova Region, so I guess we will have to rely more on Blu-Ray concert videos from now on.

The guys had a lot of fun unboxing, playing, listening, and swooning over Hanako Oku. We even watched her rehearsals that were in the BD Special Features.

During the encore, she sings “Happy Day” and walks out into the audience and high-fives everyone. I will say that she talks to the audience a lot … and explains the songs before playing them. Oh, I wish I had a better understanding …

The whole band is pretty cool, and they all get thanks and introductions. I especially enjoyed the live string section.

There is also a Hanako Oku narrated track! You can listen to the concert, but on track 2, Miss Oku describes the concert.

My Pokémon hope Hanako Oku will release more material on Blu-Ray!

Hey, wait … what happened to Tepig? Did anyone see where he went?

Starlight: Only six days from Japan at the speed of $13.95!

Hanako Oku’s official web site (in Japanese) linked here.

Pokémon Nicknames: Joltik and Galvantula

Joltik (in Japanese: バチュル  “Bachuru” ) is a dual-type Bug and Electric Pokémon.

The little creepy crawler evolves into Galvantula (in Japanese: デンチュラ  “Dentula”) at level 36, where it remains a bug/electric dual type. This little electric arachnid is often found in caves.

Galvantula does not Mega-Evolve, at least not at this time. Apparently they are easy to breed.

You could name a male Joltik “Joltin Joe” after baseball legend “Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio“. I was at a loss for what to name a female Joltik … I thought … “it is a crawler … No, a walker…” so I finally came up with “WalkAwayRené” after the famous 1966 hit song by Left Banke — “Walk Away Renée”.  I maxed out my 12 allowed letters.

Listening to this really takes me back. Here is the original black and white music video. It is pretty cool for a 1960s promo clip. Remember there was not an MTV or such outlet for this type of promo film back then! Watch for Renée to appear in the clouds above the trees  —  it is a sweet moment. The sound of this vid was recorded very low however. You can also listen to a 45 record with better sound linked here, or a crystal clear CD linked here.  Lyrics are linked here. You will note that this song has a very pretty melody. It is also a sad and haunting melody. You see, back in the mid 1960s — pop songs actually had  melodies!!! Kids, learn something from this well-crafted 1960s song.

Dozens of singers have recorded “Walk Away Renée”.  I have links here for versions by Linda Ronstandt, Marshall Crenshaw (my fav cover), The Four Tops (Motown version), Rickie Lee Jones, and Cyndi Lauper, to list just a few. Perhaps your favorite singer has covered it. This cover by Herman’s Hermits is spot on.

I bet you will be getting into it when you try it at karaoke tonight … you shy little spider.

Remember Renée from up in the clouds? Well, here she is again in a little Galvantula cosplay:

“Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall — Still finds a way to haunt me —  though they’re so small”

“Just walk away, Renee — You won’t see me follow you back home — The empty sidewalks on my block — are not the same …”

Considering Galvantula:  I chose the name “Boris” as a tribute to John Entwistle’s song made famous by The Who.

The spider can learn moves like Electroweb, Electroball and Sticky  Web. However, I prefer straight ahead attacks such as X-Scisscor, Bug-Bite or Thunderbolt.

I have also used the name “Galveston” after the town out on the barrier island coast of Texas — and the Glen Campbell song of the same name!

Galveston should never be confused with Houston, Texas however. Both cities are coastal, but there are some notable differences between them. Galveston is a more idyllic resort area. Not so with Houston. Galveston is well known as a good place to go for Spring Break! Galveston has several “Bikini Contests” each season.

“I clean my gun … and dream of Galveston” — Glen Campbell.

Houston? Meh. There is this old joke about the married couple from Dallas, Texas who wanted to spice-up their sex life. The man asks his wife if there was anything new he could do to please her in sexually. She replies “I want you to kiss me in that place that is down-and-dirty.”  So he drives her to Houston.

Oh, yeah … I was talking about yellow electric spiders … Other names I have seen for Galvantula include “Voltaire” – after the French writer of the Enlightenment. Voltaire might be a good name for any electric type, and would be probably be a better nickname for a Voltorb. Voltaire wrote during The Enlightenment, so do you think he ever used “Flash“?

“ArachNode” – after a “node” or an interescting point of electrical wiring. “Killabite” would be a play on the kilobyte term in computers and electronics. “Kumonga” – the name of the giant spider who battled Godzilla. “Tetrawatt” or “Quadravolt” may work, as these are both plays on the fact that Garvantula only has four legs apparently. Four less than a spider should have.

What is the name of your electric spider? Please comment.

Pokémon Nicknames: Vullaby and Mandibuzz

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Vultures and buzzards are not loveable birds. However, Vullaby and Mandibuzz were interesting additions to Pokémon Black’s lineup of new Pokémon in 2011. You know how it is with the two different versions: If you played Pokémon White you could catch Rufflet (and then evolve it to Baviary), but if you had Pokémon Black you had to catch Vullaby (and then raise it to Mandibuzz). If you wanted both you would have to trade between Black and White. Some Black players were disappointed that instead of getting an inspiring eagle (Rufflet/Bravairy) they got these ugly buzzards.

Vullaby and Mandibuzz are fun enough, especially if you give them a fun nickname (hence you are here now dear reader).

Mandibuzz (in Japanese: バルジーナ  “Vulgina”) is a Dark and Flying dual type Pokémon. Mandibuzz evolves from Vullaby (in Japanese: バルチャイ “Valchai”) starting (all the way up) at level 54, where it remains a Dark/Flying type. Both Pokémon are female only.

Pokémon Black/White was the first game that my son and I played together (He taught ME about the series BTW). He played PB version, but could not stand that Vullaby was in a diaper. He kept leveling it up, but it still would not evolve – not until 54!

They must not be well liked by Pokémon fans, as I have noticed that there is very little Pokémon cosplay for these vultures.

Here are some of my nicknames for Vullaby and Mandibuzz.

I named a Vullaby “Broadway” as in the “Lullaby of Broadway” song originally from the stage musical “42^nd Street”.

I have used “Sortie” or “Sorties” after the name for an aircraft mission (thus good for a flying type).

The Mandibuzz for my team was named “Curtains” as in – It is curtains for you! … if you fight this dark-death Pokémon. Curtains gave me the idea to name one “Drapes” … as in the phrase “Does the carpet match the drapes?” To “drape” can mean to cover something darkly.

Of course Mandibuzz could ne just nicknamed “Mandy” as in Barry Manilow’s famous song.

 

Ha Ha. Don’t tell me you are not a fan. (Actually, “Manilow” might be a good nickname.)

I have used “Vulgaria” after the fictional country in the Woody Allen movie “Don’t Drink the Water”.

A pretty cool name for Mandibuzz would be to just use its Japanese name “Vulgina”. I’m not making that up (see above).

Good wallpaper ad for “The Vulgina Monologues”

What is the name of your lady Buzzard?

Pokémon Nicknames: Audino

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Audino (in Japanese: タブンネ  “Tabunne”) is a Normal-type Pokémon.

Audino is the “hearing” Pokémon. Audino does not evolve from or into any other Pokémon, except that it can Mega-evolve into Mega Audino using the Audinite stone.

I thought that the Mega-evolved Audino looked like it was wearing a lab coat, so I named a female Audino “Dr.Goodhead” after the character Dr. Holly Goodhead in the James Bond movie “MoonRaker”.

Bond … Goodhead, Goodhead … Bond.

The “doctor” angle may be appropriate because Audino has been Nurse Joy’s assistant nurse.

Other names I have used: “Dino”, and “Dean-O”  – after the nickname for Dean Martin and other Italian singers. “Tin Ear” – after the early “funnel shaped” hearing aids. Later that term was used for those who are hard of hearing. “Tiffany” – as in the famous jewelry store and the singer. (I would like a Tiffany ear better than a “tin” ear.) It may be obvious to use “Audrey” – because this name sounds like Audino. I use the names for females, however at one time “Audrey” was used as a man’s name.

If you have a male Audino, I suggest the name “Tommy” – after the character in the rock opera by The Who. “Tommy Can You Hear Me?”

The Bulbagarden website has this description for Audino: “Its auditory sense is astounding. It has a radar-like ability to understand its surrounding through slight sounds. It touches others with the feelers on its ears, using the sound of their heartbeats to tell how they are feeling.”  This reminds me of the Who’s deaf-dumb-and-blind “Pinball Wizard” and messianic  leader! (A fun scene from the movie Tommy is linked here.)

Another possibility is “Chi” or “Chobits”. Audino’s ears remind me of the female robot character  “Chi” from one of my favorite all-time anime series “Chobits”. Chi’s ears are a lot like Audinos. I wonder if Gamefreak meant Audino to be an homage to Chi.

Remember how Hideki found out where her “ON” button was located?

Perhaps “Chi Audino” , or “Persocom” or some variation of the Chobits/Persocom theme may be fun, especially if you loved that series as much as I did!

I know that it is a little dated now, but when it came out it was way ahead of its time, and the series holds up very well today!

Here is some Pokémon cosplay for lady Audinos.

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It is always good to train up in the wild against an Audino. You get a lot of training points for defeating Audino.

If you want to train up your Fighting-type, it is super-effective against Audino’s Normal-type.

What do you call your hearing Pokémon?

Starlight: It has been fours years, since my son first taught me to play Pokémon with Pokémon Black and White.

Pokémon Nicknames: Tynamo, Electrik, and Eeletross.

This next Pokémon may “Zap” you! Tynamo (in Japanese  シビシラス  “Shibishirasu”) is an Electric-type Pokémon. Tynamo evolves into Eelektrik (in Japanese: シビビール  “Shibibeel”) starting at level 39.

Eelekrik evolves into Eelektross (in Japanese:  シビルドン  “Shibirudon”) only when a Thunderstone is used on it.

I named a Tynamo “Dinah Moe” after the late Frank Zappa’s famous song called “Dinah Moe Hum”. Sometimes I would just name a Tynamo  “Hum” or “Humm” because these words sound somewhat electrical. Here is the song.  It is dirty.  If you can make it all the way through the lyrics I will give you some type of prize.

I think that “Zappa” would also be good for this electric Pokemon — as one may be “Zapped” by electricity. I might suggest the name “FrankZappa” but not many in your generation would know who he was. Frank Zappa was a notable artist. The pop music historian in me does not want go back there very often. Was he Unique? Creative? Progressive? On one hand, he was very subversive. On the other hand he would even make fun of the hippie counter-culture that was his fan base. Zappa-san had about 50 albums, but had only one AM radio hit —  “Valley Girl” sang by his daughter, the actress Moon-Unit Zappa. The YouTube video will link you to other Zappa favorites such as “Titties and Beer“, “Broken Hearts Are For Assholes“,  and “Bobby Brown Goes Down“.  Again, the Zappa songs are filthy — and many would be considered aggressively “homophobic” and “misogynist” in this century.  He could be funny, I will give him that.  He was otherwise astute and was a great guitar player when he wanted to be.

What was I THINKING in the progressive rock era of the 1970s??? Yet I digress once again …

“Kiss my Aura – Dora …”   Maybe “Aura Dora” would be a good name for female Tynamo?

Indeed we were idiots in the 1970s … I can remember when all my hippie/druggie/biker/ex-military/mill worker/alcoholic buddies would think that Frank Zappa songs were the coolest thing.  They would sit there all smug and knowing. I had to grin and go along with it, because I was so young and did not have a clue. (See lyrics.) I thought that the way these older dudes acted was how the world was supposed to work … but I digress …

Electrik is like an electric eel, but it looks more like a lamprey to me. “Lamps” might be a good name, as lamps give electric light, and it is a lamprey.

I called my Electrik/Eeletross “Erie” or “Eerie” after Lake Erie, and because the word “eerie ” means strange and scary, as the mouths of lampreys (and Frank Zappa fans)are! Sea lampreys are a problematic species of fish that invaded the Great Lakes ecosystem when the St. Lawrence Seaway was built. The lampreys victimize the native fish, latching on and sucking out all their bodily fluids and flesh. (Zappa had an album called “Weasels Ripped My Flesh” , but that is off-topic. I doubt that “SuckingFace” or such — will make it past the new name censor however.“LE EEL” may be odd lettering for a French name. Otherwise, “electrical sounding” names and terminology are appropriate for these electric fish: “J.C. Watts”, “Edison”, “Shelly Shock”, or “Tesla” or some variation are possible.

If you think lampreys are funny, you may want to view this old “Saturday Night Live” sketch. Of course, SNL is even less funny than lampreys. I actually prefer Frank Zappa.

http://www.popscreen.com/v/6BfQ2/Saturday-Night-Live-_-Lampreys

What is your favorite name for these eels?