Talk:Nidoking (Pokémon)

Nidoking's Anime Dex Entry

Here's Nidoking's most Pokédex entry from the most recent dubbed episode for the page:

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP128 Nidoking Dawn's Pokédex Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon. Once swing of its mighty tail can snap a telephone pole as if it were nothing but a matchstick.

Watchermark 13:19, 24 October 2009 (UTC)

Adding something in the Trivia.

There is a Bullet reading: "Nidoking and its female counterpart Nidoqueen share the same species name with Rhydon and Rhyperior. They are all known as Drill Pokémon." Then there is sub-bullet reading: "Coincidentally, all four are also Ground-types."

What I was asking is if: "and dual-types" can be added to the sub-bullet?- Thanks. User:BAC510 19:01, 30 October 2009 (UTC)

Baragon

Is there some kind of proof that Baragon is the origin of Nidoking that I haven't seen? If we are going by resemblance alone, then there are other Pokémon that resemble Kaiju. Blastiose resembles Gamera, Aerodactyl resembles Rodan Tyranitar resembles Godzilla, and so forth. I really think that if Baragon must be mentioned it should be in the Trivia section if there is no proof that Nidoking is based directly off it. Trainer-c 06:42, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

I think it's safe to say that's almost absolutely impossible to find definitive evidence about the inspiration of any Pokémon. There isn't any proof that Ninetales is based on kitsune, or Bronzong on Of a Mirror and a Bell legend, or Golduck on kappa. It's just a matter of common sense. I personally think that Nidoking is uncannily, embarrassingly, painfully similar to Baragon, to the point that I think it would be appropriate to write it in the article. --Siegfried 06:57, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

The difference there being that Pokémon like Ninetales and Bronzong are based on common Japanese legends and myths. Baragon is not a legend or a myth, it is a copyright character belonging to Toho Company Ltd. Secondly, the similarities are purely superficial, if that much. Baragon is a dinosaur/lizard, Nidoking is a rodent, Baragon can live underground, Nidoking can't live underground, Nidoking is part of a set of gender-counterparts, Nidoking secretes poison. My point is that any resemblance is more likely coincidental, and should not be used as the basis for the origin section. Trainer-c 08:33, 1 July 2010 (UTC)

Well, copyright didn't stop them from creating Hamilton, or basing Kadabra on Uri Geller (the entire Abra line is named directly after real people). They probably just wanted to create a Pokémon reminiscent of a highly recognizable kaiju from popular culture. Another example of low profile origin is Wobbuffet. I also think that Pokémon use a lot of syncretism. Golduck is based on a kappa, an amphibious human monster, but its ingame specie is Duck Pokémon, Shiftry is based on a tengu, a bird-like monster, but it's a tree. They don't need to be exact copies of they original mythical creatures. So it isn't strange for a Baragon-like Pokémon line to have some rabbit features. And where is stated that Nidoking (or its preevolutions) is based on a rodent? I really can't find any direct reference from game or anime. Its similarity to rabbits, noted in the article, is as much referenced as its similiarity to Baragon. They are based only on its appearance (and to me Nidoking is way more dinosaurian than leporine). Also, Nidoking is in part Ground, so it wouldn't be so strange for him to be based on a monster that lives underground like Baragon. What to me look like evidence, for you is only a coincidence, but you are entitled to your opinion as much as I am and I don't want to seem too pedantic. I'm wondering what other Bulbapedians thinks about this. --Siegfried 09:22, 1 July 2010 (UTC)