Why These Dragon-Type Pokémon Could Pass As Different Types
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One of the most fascinating things about the Pokémon franchise is its visual language and how it has changed since it debuted in 1996. One of the best examples is how the types have expanded since the first two games. There were 16 types in the first game (Normal, Fighting, Flying, Poison, Ground, Rock, Bug, Ghost, Normal, Fire, Water, Grass, Electric, Psychic, Ice, and Dragon). But as the franchise has grown, these types have been tweaked, and several new ones have been added. The second generation introduced Dark and Steel types, and the sixth added Fairy types, each with a unique visual language. Dragon types are the best example of this phenomenon, as many could easily be mistaken for other types.
A big reason is that the concept of a dragon differs massively between cultures, with many mythologies having a unique take on the idea that, while sharing a name, look and act nothing alike. In Japan, popular images of dragons depict them as long, snake-like creatures with scaled bodies, long faces, and three-clawed feet, much like Shenron from Dragon Ball, a far cry from the fire-breathing, leathery-winged beasts prevalent in Western fantasy.
Several popular myths focus on these creatures, including the legendary tale of Yamata no Orochi, a story first recorded in 712 AD. Orochi was a serpent-like dragon with eight heads and eight tails. Most versions of the story say that, after being cast out of heaven, Susanoo went to Mount Torikama, only to encounter Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi. The pair told Susanoo that Orochi demanded they sacrifice one of their daughters to him every few years, and it would soon be time to hand their eighth and final daughter over to the beast. Susanoo offered to help slay the dragon in return for Kushinada-hime, the final daughter’s hand in marriage.
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