Scalchop and seamitar
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Scalchops (Japanese: ホタチ hotachi) and seamitars (Japanese: アシガタナ ashigatana) are a type of shell weapon used by Oshawott, Dewott, and Samurott. Oshawott and Dewott use scalchops, while Samurott uses seamitars.
Oshawott has a scalchop on its chest, Dewott has one scalchop on each hip, and Samurott's seamitars are tucked inside the scabbards on its forelegs. These are detachable, and are often thrown. They are used in the execution of the move Razor Shell when performed by a Pokémon with a scalchop or seamitar.
Scalchops are made of the same material as fingernails, known as keratin, and are capable of regrowing if they happen to get destroyed. According to a book in the Nacrene Gym, Oshawott's scalchop grows from its bellybutton.
In the games
The scalchop can clearly be seen on the sprites of Oshawott, Dewott, and the seamitars can be seen on the sprites of Samurott. It is also seen in the animation for Razor Shell, visibly slicing into the opponent.
In Pokédex 3D, each of Oshawott, Dewott, and Samurott's animations shows them removing their scalchops and seamitars.
In PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond, Oshawott uses his scalchop in battle. He is capable of throwing it like a boomerang, or slashing opponents with it like a sword. Dewott also uses its scalchops in battle, and to help Oshawott train. Samurott unleashes powerful blows with his seamitars that can cause geysers.
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. However, by the end of the episode, Oshawott's scalchop is recovered by Iris's Axew.
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 both Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom and Victini and the White Hero: Reshiram, Leeku's Samurott uses its seamitars against Ash's Tepig.
Unlike the manga, it is implied that if a scalchop is lost or destroyed then it can never be replaced.
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. Oshawott's scalchop was a major asset during the Striaton Gym battle in Their First Gym Battle. It was used as a boomerang and managed to knock out Chili's Pansear, but was then immediately shattered by Cilan's Pansage. Cilan explains that scalchops are capable of regrowing after being damaged, much like a fingernail.
Name origin
Scalchop may be a portmanteau of scallop and chop. Hotachi is a portmanteau of 帆立 hotate (scallop) and 太刀 tachi (a type of sword).
Seamitar may be a portmanteau of sea and scimitar. Ashigatana may be a portmanteau of 海驢 ashika (sea lion) and 刀 katana (a type of sword).
Gallery
Oshawott using its scalchop in the anime
A Dewott using its scalchops in the anime
Samurott using its seamitar in the anime
Artwork featuring Samurott holding its seamitar
Bianca's Oshawott having its scalchop broken
In other languages
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| French | Coupillage | From coupe (cut) and coquillage (shell). |
| German | Muschel | From muschel (mussel). |
| Italian | Conchiglia | Means shell. |
| European Spanish | Vieira | Means scallop |
| Latin American Spanish | Caparaconcha | From caparazón (carapace) and concha (shell). |
| 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). |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 貝殼 Buihok | Means "shell". |
| Polish | Muszelka | Means scallop |