If I recall correctly, aren't there legends within the Pokemon universe that Clefairy/Clefable originated from outer space?
If so, it makes me think of theories by some UFOlogists that fairy myths represent pre-modern interpretations of extra-terrestrial encounters, i.e. magic being advanced technology, the abduction narrative.
Probably not intentional on the creators' part, but an interesting parallel to consider.
I’m continually impressed by the depths of scholarship and thought behind your Pokemon essays!
I was too old for the original Pokemon craze and have let them stay off my radar since then, so every time I read another installment of Necessary Monsters, i something new (and yet oddly familiar) is added to my life.
It’s particularly interesting to learn how the writers of Pokemon media mine both the Japanese and Western mythic menagerie— and to discover the ways they complement one another.
As I try to express in the title of this series, there's a universal need to create mythical creatures. Think of the menagerie of alien species in Star Wars, for instance. I think that expresses something very similar.
If I recall correctly, aren't there legends within the Pokemon universe that Clefairy/Clefable originated from outer space?
If so, it makes me think of theories by some UFOlogists that fairy myths represent pre-modern interpretations of extra-terrestrial encounters, i.e. magic being advanced technology, the abduction narrative.
Probably not intentional on the creators' part, but an interesting parallel to consider.
Will actually be covering precisely that on the next post! Stay tuned.
Thanks as always for reading.
Awesome! Looking forward to it.
hope I don’t disappoint.
And then after that it’s going to be Vulpix and Ninetales, Jigglypuff and then Zubat.
I’m continually impressed by the depths of scholarship and thought behind your Pokemon essays!
I was too old for the original Pokemon craze and have let them stay off my radar since then, so every time I read another installment of Necessary Monsters, i something new (and yet oddly familiar) is added to my life.
It’s particularly interesting to learn how the writers of Pokemon media mine both the Japanese and Western mythic menagerie— and to discover the ways they complement one another.
Thanks so much!
As I try to express in the title of this series, there's a universal need to create mythical creatures. Think of the menagerie of alien species in Star Wars, for instance. I think that expresses something very similar.