Scyther
| Scyther | |
|---|---|
 National Pokédex Mr. Mime - Scyther (#123) - Jynx |
|
| Series | Pokémon series |
| First game | Pokémon Red and Blue |
| Designed by | Ken Sugimori |
| Voiced by | Eric Stuart |
Scyther, known in Japan as Strike (ストライク Sutoraiku), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise linked through evolution. Created by Ken Sugimori, Scyther first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, while Scizor was introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver. They later appeared in subsequent sequels, spin-off games, related merchandise, and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
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[edit] Concept and characteristics
Scyther was one of 150 different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.[1][2] Originally called "Strike" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.[3] Scyther's English name comes from the word "scythe," a tool used for cutting.
Scyther resembles a primarily green, human-sized praying mantis with accents of cream coloration. It has large, blade-like forearms and a pair of cream-colored wings. Its head is reptilian rather than insect in shape, with three small points, and its feet possess three claws. The female of the species have larger abdomens. Using its agility and speed, Scyther can create the illusion that there are more than one of itself.[4] It leaps out of the grass and slices prey with its scythes.[5] Scyther's coloring renders it invisible in grass.[6] Scyther sharpens its scythes by cutting hard objects[7]
[edit] Appearances
[edit] In the video games
In the video game series, Scyther can be acquired from either from the Safari Zone, or a trade in with game corner points in Pokémon Red, Pokémon Yellow, and Pokémon FireRed. It must be traded from another version to be found in the Blue and LeafGreen versions. In Pokémon Gold and Silver, and their remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Scyther is found in the National Park's Bug Catching Contest. Outside of the main titles, it appears in Pokémon Snap, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, and the Pokémon Ranger games. In Pokémon Stadium 2 Scyther stars in a mini-game alongside Pinsir called "Clear Cut Challenge", where each player chops a falling log for each round of the game.
[edit] In other media
In the anime, Tracey Sketchit catches a Scyther in the Orange Islands. It is aged and was recently removed from its clan by a younger, stronger Scyther. The bug Pokémon reconcile their differences through the interference of Team Rocket, and Tracey's Scyther is allowed to leave with him with its conflicts fully resolved. Tracey's Scyther is incredibly strong-willed, preferring to keep watch over the travelers while they sleep, as opposed to staying in its Pokéball. In the Johto arc, the Azalea Town gym leader, Bugsy, uses a Scyther against Ash, But this Scyther uses Sword Dance to repel fire attacks. Ash had Cyndaquil jump and use a Flamethrower from above Scyther when he was using Sword Dance to beat him.
In Pokémon Adventures, Scyther is the first Pokémon Blue received. It is seen to have evolved into a Scizor prior to the events of Volume 9. He brings it on his journey to the Sevii Islands. Bugsy is seen with a Scyther in the Gym Leader faceoff.
[edit] Reception
Since it appeared in the Pokémon series, Scyther has been met with generally positive reception. Scyther has been featured in different kinds of merchandise, including the Pokémon Trading Card Game and various figurines.[citation needed] IGN noted their various weakness, though described them as "so popular it's sickening" and praised its design, naming Scyther the best of the Bug-type Pokémon to appear in Pokémon Red and Blue and made stronger with its evolved form.[8][9] IGN also listed it as one of the best Bug types, including Parasect. While they called Scyther's "one of the coolest looking Bug types in the game," stating that they used it just because of its appearance, they bemoaned Scyther's lack of Bug attacks.[10] They also called him a "cool looking" Pokémon, commenting that its flaws were not strong enough to make it not worth using.[11] GamesRadar described Scyther as one of their office's favorite characters, praising its abilities and adding "plus he just looks cool".[12] GameSpy's Justin Leeper wrote that Scyther was better for "more macho gamers".[13] Author Loredana Lipperini described Scyther as a dinosaur as well as a beetle with two scythes.[14] Authors Tracey West and Katherine Noll ranked Scyther the fourth best Bug type Pokémon and wrote that it had "ninja-like ability and speed" and was a "fierce competitor" due to it "picking fights with Ash's Charizard".[15] Author Maria S. Barbo called Scyther "terrifying" and wrote that its design seemed to have similarities to dinosaurs.[16]
[edit] References
- ^ Staff. "2. 一新されたポケモンの世界" (in Japanese). Nintendo.com. Nintendo. p. 2. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/vol1/index2.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ Stuart Bishop (2003-05-30). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. http://www.webcitation.org/5VSJaR6xT. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ Chua-Euan, Howard (November 22, 1999). "PokéMania". TIME. http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Red and Blue. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1998-09-30) "With ninja-like agility and speed, it can create the illusion that there is more than one."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Yellow. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1999-10-19) "Leaps out of tall grass and slices prey with its scythes. The movement looks like that of a ninja."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Silver. (Nintendo). Game Boy Color. (2000-10-15) "When it moves, it leaves only a blur. If it hides in grass, its protective colors make it invisible."
- ^ Game Freak. Pokémon Platinum. (Nintendo). Nintendo DS. (2009-03-22) "The sharp scythes on its forearms become increasingly sharp by cutting through hard objects."
- ^ Staff (2003-08-29). "Pokemon of the Day: #123 Scyther". IGN. IGN Entertainment. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/436/436099p1.html. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
- ^ Staff (2002-10-25). "Pokemon of the Day: #212 Scizor". IGN. IGN Entertainment. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/375/375037p1.html. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
- ^ Pokémon Stadium 2: Basics
- ^ Pokemon Strategy Guide - IGNguides
- ^ Elston, Brett. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 12". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. p. 3. http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-12/a-20070822123739315022/g-2006100415372930075/p-3. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
- ^ GameSpy: Pokemon - Page 1
- ^ Generazione Pokémon: i bambini e l'invasione planetaria dei nuovi ... - Loredana Lipperini - Google Boeken
- ^ Pokémon top 10 handbook: our top picks! - Tracey West, Katherine Noll - Google Boeken
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=08IRMQAACAAJ
