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Pinsir

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Pinsir
Pokémon character
Pinsir artwork by Ken Sugimori
First gamePokémon Red and Blue (1996)
Created byKen Sugimori[1]
Designed byKen Sugimori (original)[1]
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon
TypeBug
Bug and Flying (Mega)

Pinsir (/ˈpɪnsər/ ⓘ), known in Japan as Kailios (Japanese: カイロス, Hepburn: Kairosu), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. First introduced in Pokémon Red and Blue, it has appeared in multiple games including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise.

Created by Ken Sugimori, Pinsir was designed during the early planning stages of Pokémon Red and Blue. Pinsir has received a positive reception since its debut, particularly for its design. It is a popular Pokémon among fans of the series.

Conception and creation

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Pinsir is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.[2] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[3] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[4] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[3]

Created by Ken Sugimori, Pinsir was one of the earliest Pokémon designed during the planning stages of Red and Blue, back when the games were intended to be called Capsule Monsters, appearing on early concept sprite art for the game.[1] As work on the game progressed, a single color identity was chosen in order to work within the Super Game Boy's hardware limitations.[5] Once development was complete, Sugimori re-drew the species along with the others in his own art style to give the game a unified look and finalize design elements.[6] Called Yairos early in development,[7][8] it was later changed to Kailios for the final release.[9] When the games were localized for English-speaking audiences, Nintendo of America gave the various Pokémon species descriptive names related to their appearance or features as a means to make them more relatable to American children.[10] Its name was localized to Pinsir, inspired by its character design.[11]

Standing 4 ft 11 in (119 cm) tall, Pinsir is classified as a Bug-type Pokémon.[11] An unused evolution for Pinsir was included in an early, unreleased version of the games Pokémon Gold and Silver. This unused Pokémon has been referred to as both Purakkasu and Plucks, and featured an additional horn between its pincers along with a mask-like face.[12]

Appearances

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Pinsir first appeared in the 1996 games Pokémon Red and Blue. In these games, it is only obtainable in Pokémon Red, and can only be found in the Safari Zone area, or by exchanging collectable coin items for it in the Celadon City Casino. In Yellow, it can be obtained in the same way, though the cost of purchasing one is substantially higher.[11] Pinsir is additionally obtainable in the games' remakes, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen in the same ways, though is only exclusive to LeafGreen. It can be found in games set in the Hoenn region in the Safari Zone.[13] It appears in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, where it is exclusive to Pearl, and additionally appears in Pokémon Platinum.[13] Pinsir appears in the postgame of Pokémon Black and White.[14] Pinsir appears in Pokémon X and Y, where it gained the ability to use Mega Evolution.[15] Mega Pinsir, unlike regular Pinsir, gains the ability to fly.[16] Pinsir in these games acts again as a version exclusive, being exclusive to X.[15] Pinsir also appears in Pokémon Sword and Shield, where it was added to the game via the downloadable content expansion The Isle of Armor.[17]

Pinsir appears in several pieces of spin-off material. It appears in Pokémon Go,[18] and appears in Pokémon Masters EX, where it is paired alongside the trainer Noland from Pokémon Emerald.[19] Pinsir appears in other spin-off games, such as Pokémon Stadium,[20] Pokémon Sleep,[21] New Pokémon Snap,[22] and Pokémon Quest.[23] Pinsir additionally appears in the Pokémon anime. It first appeared in the series' fourth episode, "The Challenge of The Samurai," where a wandering samurai uses it to battle protagonist Ash Ketchum's Metapod.[24] Another Pinsir later appears in the series, where it captured by protagonist Goh. It develops a crush on a trainer's Heracross, leading to Goh trading with the trainer to obtain Heracross.[25]

Critical reception

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Pinsir has been well received since its debut. Nintendo Life's Alex Olney in a retrospective of Pokémon from Red and Blue praised Pinsir heavily, feeling that the large mandible-like pincers on its head and how its design emphasized it as its main feature made Pinsir look "kinda believable, real". He elaborated by stating to him the pincers looked intimidating and made to fight, but at the same time awkward in what he called a tradeoff, adding "there's something natural about that and so appealing". However, despite the glowing praise, he felt it was still behind fellow But-type Pokémon Scyther, an opinion shared by fellow reviewer Jon Cartwright.[26] The staff of IGN, in their "Pokémon of the Day" series of articles, focused instead on its mouth, stating that not only did it have "the coolest mouth in the Pokémon world," but also "some of the gnarliest, ugliest, coolest teeth ever drawn", something they did not expect from a franchise known for its "cute-&-cuddly little creatures". They additionally felt Pinsir's design was more fitting for the Pokémon franchise, and its emphasis on creature-based combat.[13]

Pinsir has often been compared to other insect Pokémon, particularly Heracross, another beetle species in Pokémon Gold and Silver that is classified as both a Bug- and Fighting-type. IGN felt that Heracross introduction undermined Pinsir's presence, stating that "under scrutiny, one realises [sic] Pinsir is really a part-Fighting Pokémon" due to the numerous Fighting-type attacks available to it. To them, Heracross appeared to be the completion of Pinsir's "prototype" design, leaving the latter "sent to the Bin of Shame".[13] Screen Rant's Scott Baird meanwhile made a more direct correlation, proposing that Pinsir's planned evolution for Gold and Silver may have been repurposed for Heracross, pointing out the similarities in their designs as development on the game's progressed, notably an early design for Heracross where its mouth was sideways similar to Pinsir's.[12] Meanwhile, Alex Lucard writing for Beckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector magazine stated while Pinsir was always considered "one of the coolest looking" Pokémon, it was overshadowed by others such as Scyther which had gained evolutions in later games. Though he felt Pinsir was still an interesting character with a storied presence in the franchise, he expressed his opinion that some players seemed more inclined to capture it solely to further complete their Pokédex.[27]

Fan reaction to Pinsir has also been particularly strong. Said fans, along with Taiwanese gaming website ZhaiZhaiNews, voiced their dismay at its absence from Pokémon Sword and Shield along with its Mega evolution, the latter aspect seen as a significant character moment for the species due to its joy of flying.[16] Pinsir was later one of the most requested character for inclusion in Sword and Shield's downloadable content, surprising the staff of Inside Games who acknowledged it had a large following based on its character appeal despite its "disgusting...characteristic mouth".[28] Ryo Hirose, a researcher in the Lifestyle Research Department at Japan's Nikkei Research Institute, wrote for The Mainichi how characters such as Pinsir helped represent the diversity of the Pokémon franchise. Reacting to a story of a child insisting of a toy of Pinsir despite the mother's protests that she should find a "cute" toy instead, Ryo emphasized that characters such as Pinsir and how fans reacted to them helped reflect not only how the latter had grown to love more than just the franchise's "popular" characters due to the attachments they had formed with them in the games, but also how they illustrated Pokémon's diversity, a term he noted was often thrown around but to him Pokémon exemplified.[29]

While Pinsir and Heracross are often portrayed as rivals within the franchise in games such as New Pokémon Snap,[30] Pinsir holds a similar rivalry with another stag beetle inspired Pokémon, Vikavolt. R. A. Schmidt-Jeffris and J. C. Nelson, writing for American Entomologist, felt that these displays helped re-emphasize Japanese cultural interest in insects and their youths use such beetles in insect battles.[31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "増田氏が語る、ゲームフリークが 世界で通じる会社になるまで". Weekly Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 1590. May 23, 2019. pp. 98–106.
  2. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (December 25, 2016). "Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN 9780520938991.
  4. ^ Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook. Scholastic Inc. July 28, 2015. p. 5. ISBN 9780545795661.
  5. ^ Morrissy, Kim. "Pokémon Designers Reflect on History of Eevee's Design". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  6. ^ Ken Sugimori Works (in Japanese). Tankobon Softcover. January 2014. pp. 342–343. ISBN 9784198638061.
  7. ^ Shotaro, Miya (2004). "Chapter 5: A Series of Problems". Satoshi Tajiri, The Man Who Made Pokémon. Ohta Publishing. p. 123. ISBN 4872338332.
  8. ^ ゲームフリーク―遊びの世界標準を塗り替えるクリエイティブ集団 [Game Freak - A Creative Group That Redefines the Global Standard of Entertainment] (in Japanese). Akihito Tomisawa. August 2000. pp. 106–107. ISBN 9784840101189.
  9. ^ "Galería Pokémon" [Pokémon Gallery]. Masaka (in Spanish). No. 25. January 2000. p. 10.
  10. ^ Chua-Euan, Howard (November 22, 1999). "PokéMania". Time. Archived from the original on February 20, 2001. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
  11. ^ a b c "Pokémon Details #127 Pinsir". IGN. Archived from the original on April 3, 2012. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Baird, Scott (March 17, 2021). "Pokémon: How Heracross' Design Evolved From Pinsir". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d "Pokémon of the Day: Pinsir". IGN. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  14. ^ Gudmundson, Carolyn (March 19, 2011). "Pokemon Black and White post-game walkthrough and supplemental guide". gamesradar. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Nunneley-Jackson, Stephany (August 2, 2014). "Pokemon X & Y event gives you Heracross, Pinsir, their Mega Evolutions". VG247. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  16. ^ a b 《寶可夢劍盾炎上》超級進化移除最大受害者？大甲凱羅斯不能飛天哭哭了... [“Pokémon Sword and Shield Part 1” Mega Evolution Removes Biggest Victim? Pinsir the Great Armor Cannot Fly Into the Sky and He Is Crying...]. 宅宅新聞 [ZhaiZhaiNews]. June 17, 2019. Archived from the original on July 30, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Writer, Phillip Martinez (June 17, 2020). "'Pokémon Sword and Shield' Isle of Armor DLC: List of Returning Pokémon". Newsweek. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Comments, Theo Dwyer | (May 10, 2023). "Mega Pinsir Raid Guide For Pokémon GO In May 2023". bleedingcool.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  19. ^ Laurel, Kyle (May 16, 2021). "9 Pokemon Masters Sync Pairs That Make No Sense". TheGamer. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  20. ^ "Ranking all 21 'Pokémon Stadium' minigames, from "Snore War" to "Sushi-Go-Round"". Mic. March 27, 2019. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  21. ^ Ahmad, Suzail (April 13, 2024). "Pokemon Sleep: 7 Rarest Pokemon In The Game, Ranked". Game Rant. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  22. ^ "New Pokemon Snap | How to Complete Where It Snacks and Snoozes". Prima Games. May 5, 2021. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  23. ^ "'Pokemon Quest' Best Pokemon: Get These 6 Pokemon Early in the Game". Inverse. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  24. ^ Marshall, Dallas (October 27, 2021). "Ash's First Pokémon Trainer Battle Was Not Good - for the Worst Reason". CBR. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  25. ^ Baird, Scott (August 18, 2020). "The Latest Episode Of The Pokémon Anime Features Kawaii Nightmare Pinsir". TheGamer. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  26. ^ Olney, Alex (December 25, 2021). "Feature: We've Ranked All 151 Gen 1 Pokémon And It Nearly Killed Us". NintendoLife. Event occurs at 1:34:00. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 5, 2023. (video archive)
  27. ^ Lucard, Alex (June 2009). "Ultimate Guide to... Pinsir". Beckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector. No. 116. pp. 18–19.
  28. ^ 『ポケモン ソード・シールド』最も登場を望まれたのは「カイロス」！？ エキスパンションパスで復活してほしい過去作ポケモン結果発表【読者アンケート】 [The Most Wanted Pokemon to Appear in Pokemon Sword and Shield Is "Pinsir"!? Readers’ Survey Reveals Which Pokemon From Previous Games They Want to See Return in the Expansion Pass]. Inside Games (in Japanese). January 24, 2020. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2024 – via excite.co.jp.
  29. ^ Hirose, Ryo (June 19, 2024). 「カイロス」を手放さない女の子 ポケモンが愛される理由 [The Girl Who Won’t Let Go of "Pinsir": The Reason Why Pokemon Is Loved]. The Mainichi (in Japanese). Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024. 母親に好きなポケモンのぬいぐるみを選んでいいと言われた女の子。選んだのは「カイロス」というポケモンのぬいぐるみだった。 母親は「なんでそれ！？　可愛くないよ！」と言い、他のぬいぐるみにするよう説得を始めたが、女の子は最後までカイロスのぬいぐるみを手放さなかった。 ポケモンの魅力は見た目だけではない。ゲーム内で一緒に冒険をしたポケモンにこそ特別な思い入れがあるものだ。[...] こうした様子を眺めていると、ポケモンが長く愛される理由がよくわかる。人の好みは千差万別。みんな違って、みんないい。最近よく聞く多様性という言葉は、ポケモンがずいぶん昔から体現しているのだ [A girl was told by her mother that she could choose her favorite Pokemon stuffed toy. The girl chose a stuffed toy of a Pokemon called "Pinsir." Her mother said, "Why that? It's not cute!" and started to persuade her to get a different stuffed toy, but the girl refused to let go of the Pinsir stuffed toy until the very end. The appeal of Pokemon is not just in their appearance. It is the Pokemon that we adventure with in the game that we have a special attachment to. [...] Watching this, it is easy to see why Pokemon has been loved for so long. People's tastes vary widely. Everyone is different, and everyone is good. The word diversity that we hear so often these days has been embodied by Pokemon for a long time.]
  30. ^ Rodríguez, David (April 9, 2024). "New Pokémon Snap: La Mejor Forma de Conocer El Mundo Pokémon Dentro de Nintendo Switch" [New Pokémon Snap: The Best Way to Get to Know the Pokémon World on Nintendo Switch]. HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  31. ^ Schmidt-Jeffris, R. A.; Nelson, J. C. (2018). "Gotta Catch'em All! Communicating Entomology with Pokémon". American Entomologist. 64 (3): 163.
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