Charmander (Pokémon): Difference between revisions

Charmander's design was based on Charizard in such a way that it was surprising to see it evolving into the latter Pokémon.<ref name=Origin>[https://web.archive.org/web/20211108083831/https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/creator-profile-the-creators-of-pikachu/ Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu - Pokemon.com] (archived)</ref> In particular, Charmander was designed as a {{wp|lizard}}.<ref name=Origin/> Based on its name, Charmander is also based on a {{wp|salamander}}, which are amphibians that physically resemble lizards. In folklore and mythology, {{wp|Cultural depictions of salamanders|salamander}}s are often thought of as fire spirits capable of surviving in extreme heat or flames. As Charizard is based on a {{wp|European dragon}}, Charmander's lizardlike design seems to reference how Western dragons in folklore are heavily inspired by lizards and other reptiles, as well as how various types of lizards are likened to (and named after) dragons due to this connection. Its bipedal design resembles a baby {{wp|theropod}} dinosaur.

Charmander is a combination of ''char'' (to burn) and ''salamander'', as stated in the January 1999 "POCKEMON JOURNAL" on the official [[Game Freak]] website.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19990221135156/http://www.gamefreak.co.jp/POKEMON/NEWS/NEWS.HTM GAME FREAK | POCKEMON JOURNAL] (archive)</ref> Alternatively, in a 2016 interview with [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]] by INSIDE, Charmander is stated to be a combination of ''{{wp|charcoal}}'' (carbon residue produced by strongly heating wood) and ''{{wp|Salamandra}}'' (a genus of salamander including four species of fire salamander).<ref>(February 27, 2016). "[https://web.archive.org/web/20220928180754/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2016/02/27/96339_2.html ポケモンが現実世界と仮想世界を繋いでいく、20年目の挑戦・・・株式会社ポケモン代表取締役社長・石原恒和氏インタビュー]" ''inside-games.jp''.</ref>