Scalchop and seamitar
Scalchops (Japanese: ホタチ Hotachi) are a type of shell weapon used by Oshawott, and Dewott. Oshawott has one on its chest, while Dewott has one on each hip. These are detachable, and are often thrown. They are used in the execution of the move Razor Shell.
In the games
The scalchop can clearly be seen on the sprites of Oshawott and Dewott. It is also seen in the animation for Razor Shell slicing into the opponent.
In Pokédex 3D each of Oshawott and Dewott's animations shows them removing their scalchops.
In the anime
Scalchops are shown to be vital to Oshawott, and its evolutionary family's survival, as it provides defensive and offensive benefits. According to Professor Oak's Live Caster, an Oshawott uses its scalchop to break open berries, and only lets those it truly trusts touch it. Cilan also mentions that a scalchop is actually a part of an Oshawott's body by some extension in Oshawott's Lost Scalchop!.
Ash's Oshawott frequently relies on his scalchop to defend him against moves that would typically have an advantage over him such as Bullet Seed, or Shock Wave. It often will fall off of his stomach onto the floor and give the opponent a temporary advantage until he is able to retrieve it. In Oshawott's Lost Scalchop, it actually goes completely missing and Oshawott learns to battle without the use of his scalchop.
A Dewott is first seen using its scalchops in The Battle Club and Tepig's Choice! to execute Razor Shell while battling Ash's Pikachu. Later in A Connoisseur's Revenge! Burgundy's Dewott uses its scalchops against Cilan's Dwebble.
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Bianca's Oshawott tends to use its scalchop to attack anyone who injures it, typically Tep and Snivy. This first occurs when the two knock Oshawott into a machine, and later when Black releases them from their Poké Balls.
Name origin
Scalchop seems to be derived from "scallop" and "chop". Its Japanese name, Hotachi, is a portmanteau of 帆立 hotate, meaning scallop, and 太刀 tachi, meaning long sword.
Gallery
A Dewott using its scalchops in the anime
- Oshawott Razor Shell.png
Oshawott using its scalchop in the anime
In other languages
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| French | Coquillage | From coquille (shell). |
| German | Muschel | From muschel (mussel). |
| Italian | Conchiglia | Means shell. |
| Spanish | Vieira | Means scallop |
| Korean | 가리비칼 Garibikal | From 가리비 garibi (scallop) and 칼 kal (knife). |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 扇貝貝 Shànbèibèi | From 扇貝 shànbèi (scallop) and 貝 bèi (shell). |