Scalchop and seamitar: Difference between revisions

[[File:Ash Oshawott.png|thumb|right|300px|[[Ash's Oshawott]] holding his scalchop]]

'''Scalchops''' (Japanese: '''ホタチ''' ''hotachi'') and '''ashigatana''' (Japanese: '''アシガタナ''') are a type of shell weapon used by {{p|Oshawott}}, {{p|Dewott}}, and {{p|Samurott}}. Oshawott has one on its chest, Dewott has one on each hip, and Samurott's are tucked inside the scabbards on its forelegs. These are detachable, and are often thrown. They are used in the execution of the move {{m|Razor Shell}}, when performed by a Pokémon with a scalchop or ashigatana. Scalchops are made of the same material as fingernails, known as {{wp|keratin}}, and are capable of regrowing if they happen to get destroyed.

The scalchop can clearly be seen on the sprites of {{p|Oshawott}}, {{p|Dewott}}, and the ashigatana can seen on the sprites of {{p|Samurott}}. It is also seen in the animation for {{m|Razor Shell}} slicing into the opponent.  

In [[Pokédex 3D]] each of Oshawott, Dewott, and Samurott's animations shows them removing their scalchops and ashigatana.

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 [[Berry|berries]], and only lets those it truly trusts touch it. {{an|Cilan}} also mentions that a scalchop is actually a part of an Oshawott's body by some extension in ''[[BW028|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 {{m|Bullet Seed}}, or {{m|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 ''[[BW028|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 ''[[BW004|The Battle Club and Tepig's Choice!]]'' to execute Razor Shell while battling [[Ash's Pikachu]]. Later in ''[[BW019|A Connoisseur's Revenge!]]'' [[Burgundy]]'s Dewott uses its scalchops against [[Cilan's Dwebble]].

In both ''[[M14|Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom]]'' and ''[[M14|Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram]]'', [[Leeku]]'s Samurott uses its ashigatana against [[Ash's Tepig]].

[[File:Bianca Oshawott Razor Shell Adventures.png|thumb|right|200px|Oshawott hitting Tepig and Snivy with its scalchop]]

===In the Pokémon Adventures manga===

[[Bianca's Oshawott]] tends to use its scalchop to attack anyone who injures it, typically [[Tep]] and {{TP|Cheren|Snivy}}. This first occurs when the two knock Oshawott into a machine, and later when {{adv|Black}} releases them from their Poké Balls. Oshawott's scalchop was a major asset during the [[Striaton Gym]] battle in ''[[ABW10|Their First Gym Battle]]''. It was used as a boomerang and managed to knock out [[Chili]]'s {{p|Pansear}}, but was then immediately shattered by [[Cilan]]'s {{p|Pansage}}. Cilan explains that scalchops are capable of regrowing after being damaged, much like a fingernail.

Scalchop seems to be a portmanteau of "scallop" and "chop". Its Japanese name, ''hotachi'', is a portmanteau of 帆立 ''hotate'', meaning scallop, and 太刀 ''tachi'', meaning long sword. Ashigatana seems to be a portmanteau of 海驢 ''ashika'', meaning sea lion, and 刀 ''katana'', meaning sword.

File:Ash Oshawott Razor Shell.png|Oshawott using its scalchop in the anime

File:Unova starters evolution artwork.png|Artwork featuring Samurott holding its ashigatana

==In other languages==

{| class="roundy" align="left" style="background: #{{water color}}; border: 3px solid #{{water color dark}}"

! style="{{roundytl|5px}}" | Language

! style="{{roundytr|5px}}" | Origin

|- style="background:#FFF;"

|French

|Coupillage  

|From ''coupe'' (cut) ''coquillage'' (shell).

|- style="background:#FFF;"

|German

|Muschel

|From ''muschel'' (mussel).

|- style="background:#FFF;"

|Italian

|Conchiglia

|Means ''shell''.

|- style="background:#FFF;"

|Spanish

|Vieira  

|Means ''scallop''

|- style="background:#FFF;"

|Korean

|가리비칼 ''Garibikal''

|From 가리비 ''garibi'' (scallop) and 칼 ''kal'' (knife).

|- style="background:#FFF;"

|Chinese ({{tt|Mandarin|Taiwan}})

|扇貝貝 ''Shànbèibèi''

|From 扇貝 ''shànbèi'' (scallop) and 貝 ''bèi'' (shell).