Lugia's Creation: A Story of Drugs, Alcohol, and Obsession. Ft. maxmoefoe

[@maxmoefoePokemon]

Thanks for having me 👍

[@rockcave6919]

What a legend 🦵🦿

[@garrettcrouch326]

Your awesome dude

[@JesusChrist-hd2gr]

Cut your hair

[@DJIVision]

Thanks for comin on Max :)

[@masterchief9912]

MAXMOEFOE

[@DidYouKnowGamin]

"I read that title as Luigi" We also accidentally wrote Lugia as Luigi several times while making this lol. ...But that's a different video.

[@mememasterm]

lmao

[@Laittth]

Just reply to the comment lol

[@DaNoob1485]

I mean. Luigi probably does take steroids to jump that high and run fast

[@ZoneTown]

Its a me luigia...

[@theloudstarkirby4203]

Okay

[@icedude_907]

To the guy who put the spaceworld demo online: your sacrifice wasn't in vain.

[@victorepereira2032]

happen to know where the blue sc is?

[@patdav56]

knowing that Lugia was originally meant to be maternal, and that the lack of that drove its creator into a depression, it kinda makes me appreciate the Gen 2 Anime episode with the baby lugia and its mom all the more

[@Kain652]

So Lugia was female in that episode?

[@braydenleaderofthetirkins1143]

@@Kain652 Yes, and lots of legendaries are species, not higher beings that live eternally. The legendary birds, lugia, mew, shaymin, manaphy, phione, deoxys, Zarude, etc.

[@chrischimera]

@@braydenleaderofthetirkins1143 ah nice to know I always thought they were just one of a kind.

[@caav56]

@@chrischimera Some are, some aren't. Depends on the species.

[@albertpaints]

@@caav56 do you non-binary bro? Lol

[@Mister_Clean]

Damn. That story is tragic. I'm glad he was able to make such a cool character. Even if it wasn't completely under his creative control, he made Lugia his own. I was a Pokemon Silver kid because Lugia is badass.

[@3teeth]

lugia fuckin rules, silver was my first game

[@dragonmaster613]

Same here

[@LordTchernobog]

I also prefer Lugia over Ho-Oh - albeit I rather own a german Pkmn Gold cartridge

[@ZeranZeran]

Lugia was and still is my fav pokemon. I thought he was real when I was a kid, lol

[@ZeranZeran]

I would have really liked to see the Lugia that Takeshi Shudo thought of and created from his heart. "The mother of the ocean, and sea currents" sounds like something that SHOULD be in Pokemon, and why would anyone have cared if the God was a woman? I think that would've been even cooler. That guy has an awesome mind. Now to figure out which pills inspired him to make this beauty..

[@JargusGaming]

Holy crap. I never imagined my favorite Pokemon had such an intense behind the scenes history. Rest in peace Shudo

[@TeleNox_]

That's probably why lugia is so many people's favorite pokemon, lugia is the first pokemon I think about with an amazing back-story in the game/anime, a completely unique origin, AND it's one of the few legendary pokemon that actually should have the title of "legendary"

[@HypnosisBear]

My favourite too 😍😍😍

[@z0mgwtfbbqftwlawl]

Raichu and Lugia have always been my faves. Like you said, my favorite years of Pokemon (episodic, cinematic and gameplay-wise) were heavily influenced by this man and what he brought to the table.

[@Dwayneff]

Yeah, Lugia is my number one favorite Pokemon, second only to Dragonite. Those two I have loved since I was 12.

[@Draezeth]

I'm always amazed at how popular it is, considering the amazing designs later generations have given us, and the fact my tastes usually don't align with the majority. But it's my favorite Legendary Pokémon, and my 3rd favorite Pokémon overall.

[@mrdrprofessor8849]

This story is so sad. You can tell he was passionate about his creation.

[@CartersRemasters]

You can tell how crazy he is about his creation, he was saying he wanted to kill himself because Lugia was voiced by a man, he needed help.

[@stephenshampine11]

@@CartersRemasters I imagine maybe since the inception of pokemon, he had this one in his backpocket for a long time before having the confidence/trust to show anyone. The creators draw up pokemon all day but this one was his. I hate to compare this to "this is my original character, do not steal" kinda of mentality but in a way it is, and had no control over how Lugia was represented. As an example, let's change the medium to music. Your on a high with a successful album and working on the 2nd and while you play a part, you haven't written anything. Inspiration hits, and you hone, craft, perfect and put your all into one song. You show the band, they love it but take apart the lyrics, structure, etc and your intentions are cast away by a majority vote, and you don't know if you can muster up enough to create anything like it again. Just my 2 cents.

[@bluestar5812]

@@CartersRemasters Shudo created a character, he even described Lugia as something that was "not a Pokémon". He had a vision for character, background, story, but Game Freak wanted a mindless monster to be captured and sell more game copies. Shudo can be a little crazy, but he cared about Pokémon, so much he tried to end the anime a lot of times. He wanted the franchise to evolve and end on a high note. You can see how the best Pokémon movies are the first three, the ones he had freedom to write - those had soul and actual story to tell. 4th onwards are just "Ash meets big legendary and small mythical Pokémon" story to sell the games.

[@jokerkenny1801]

@@bluestar5812 you know you have a great point. The only other ones I enjoyed were the next 3 after that and that's it. Tbh those were meh too, I really only loved the latios latias one.

[@damienthonk1506]

@@bluestar5812 at the end of the day, Pokémon is property of Nintendo, and more importantly a series of video games. It kinda devalues the literal hundreds of unique designs made by Ken Sugimori when you label them as "mindless monsters." It takes a combination of artistry and business sense to make a success, as the quality of the movie showed.

[@siljeff2708]

I've always wondered why the first 3 movies always felt different than all the others, now I know why

[@Zeronigel332]

@@GreatestLeaf well I actually understand why they didn’t do as so. The idea of 10 year old doing drugs, drinking and getting married(with all of the things that implied.) definitely wouldn’t fly back then let alone today. As much as I love darker themes in Pokémon that is a hard thing to look past.

[@Zeronigel332]

@@GreatestLeaf yeah I think if they do ever want to do a way darker story they should uses adult and make it a rated teen or mature game. Though I wish they wouldn’t cater too much to children as they have

[@willmaud2359]

@Camel King Clarith I'm guessing he was a lolicon of some sort. Of course westerners would never accept that.

[@anachronity9002]

@@GreatestLeaf The third movie is considered one of the best for this reason. Things go in a very odd and even depressing direction with the main antagonist.

[@TheAbsol7448]

@@GreatestLeaf Gen 5 explored slightly more adult territory by making you think about the morality of being a trainer. It handled more adult oriented content really well.

[@Tanookicatoon]

What's really sad hearing the thing about Lugia being a maternal character, When they finally had it show up in the anime, Lugia is not just considered female, but also has a child.

[@Diegos1707]

You’d be fun at my podcast

[@TatsubeiYagyu]

As someone who is very fond of artistry and the creative process....the bit where Takeshi Shudo laments his art being altered against his wishes shortly before death made me cry.

[@thewindthatblows]

What happened with his script in Pokemon Movie 3 is even worse, and an insult to his own life. Though at least that film is still good

[@atre5763]

Don't feel bad for him.

[@spacedrake8364]

It also happened with Jellicent's evolution line the designer wanted Frillish and Jellicent to be benevolent and friendly pokemon but when gamefreak made them ghost type and malevont she was very upset about it :(

[@zad_rasera]

@@spacedrake8364 May I know the name of the artist?

[@KenjiShiratsuki]

@@atre5763 Why, because he made questionable decisions with regards to drugs and alcohol? Maybe he had a mental issue he never got the proper prescription medication to deal with safely. I feel bad for him because his art was twisted by the monster that is Pokemon's board of directors...and because he was trapped in substance abuse. If you can honestly advocate not feeling sympathy for someone who didn't commit mass murder, you're a monster and you don't deserve to have an opinion.

[@ssbplayer1]

Lugia's history is darker than I ever expected

[@Mister_Clean]

Many artists struggle with substance abuse. Edgar Allen Poe wrote some of the craziest shit while plastered on absinthe. Drugs are a creative power-up for some people. But at a cost.

[@alexh8503]

true, lugia and drugs arent two thing i thought would be related

[@m74568]

Vibes

[@auditect950]

Perhaps Lugia being a mother in the anime was a nod to Shudo's original wishes?

[@autisticscreechling4950]

Lugia was actually intended to be both male and female to show how different kinds of people can still coexist peacefully.

[@bilis2866]

@@autisticscreechling4950 the video says the opposite

[@irishjet2687]

The guy who hacked into Nintendo's files, "Wack0", was Zammis Clark. He actually had been arrested for hacking into Microsoft's servers, and was on bail when he hacked into Nintendo. He ended up avoiding prison after pleading guilty, provided he doesn't reoffend.

[@theultimatehuman]

@@schaefer76 thats another guy, named Ryan Hernandez. Zammis Clark, who is british, was autistic and was able to serve his sentence at home, assuming he didn't reoffend which I didnt follow up on.

[@borkerman]

Ah, pled deals, a tail as old as time

[@The_Mister_E]

And he is a goddamn hero for inquiring minds and archivists.

[@tavellcoops]

This man was on BAIL and still pushed the limits. This lived recklessly

[@weridplusho]

I'm glad he avoided prison. He made the world brighter with his Nintendo hacks.

[@buchiklop110]

Ah, Takeshi Shudo, the guy who wrote his own novelized version of the anime where Ash was essentially banned from ever returning home (and is considered a legal adult, despite still being 10), Ash's dad became a hobo/common street thug, and Ash's mom is glad he's gone so she can finally have a social life again after getting knocked up at 18. Also, Brock has twice the number of siblings from nine different fathers, Misty wears a wig and actually has black hair, Gym Leaders bribe Trainers to lose in order to not have their status rescinded, and Pallet Town is essentially a ghetto.

[@dankvader2474]

I have so many questions. What is Ash’s dad’s story? Why did Ash get banned? How does losing affect gym leaders then, does the next challenger who wins become the new gym leader?

[@buchiklop110]

@@dankvader2474 All we know about Ash's dad is that he left to be a Trainer shortly after Delia got pregnant, and was never heard from again. BTW, Ash's grandpa was also a deadbeat dad. Ash technically didn't get banned, but it's a part of that world's culture that, once you become a legal adult and set out to be a Pokémon Trainer, you can't return home. If you fail, you have to find some other way to live, which is why so many failed Trainers become hobos or criminals. Ash could technically return home, but he would be seen as shaming both him and his mother. As for the Gym Leaders, I don't think it's ever stated how new Leaders are selected. It's also a bit contradictory since the Kanto League apparently has thousands of participants each year.

[@KingKalashnikov]

what the fuck where can i read this

[@buchiklop110]

@@KingKalashnikov Fan translations. There were only two volumes printed, never got reissued, and was obviously never licensed outside Japan.

[@pokehybridtrainer]

Wait this is real? I was about to say this sounds like the best fanfiction ever made, but if it was developed by the guy who penned this stuff? So damn good. It would explain why TR has their numbers. How many Pokémon Trainers never made it? What would they do?

[@bohemianprince7944]

In the Orange Islands series. LUGIA was rebranded as a Mother, and the whole arc was returning her baby to her. It was a fun ride aswell. I wish the Creator got to see that his vision shone through, and was well recieved.

[@Kahtisemo]

true. Kinda makes me think of a "why not both?" situation since, if there is a baby, then having the movie one be male and the anime one be female would make a bit of sense. Still sad he never saw it though.

[@bluestar5812]

The Pokémon X story arc was during the whirl islands contest arc in Pokémon Master Quest (season 5), not Orange Islands (season 2). It was very late into Johto saga, Shudo died at the beginning of Advanced (season 6).

[@gajustempus]

yet the whole scene felt quite stupid because the animators had to dumb-down Lugia in those two episodes. It kinda ruined the special appearance and shaping of the character, simply because it became replacable with virtually ANY Pokemon...

[@A-Microwave]

orange islands was about returning lapras to it's family

[@aperrentis2134]

@@bluestar5812 He absolutely did not die near the beginning of Advanced, which was late 2002. The video correctly dates his death to late 2010; specifically, it was October 23 which was a little over a month after Black and White Versions released and the Best Wishes/Black & White animé started broadcasting.

[@acetrainerben]

Lugia always felt special, and it's cool to see why. Thanks to everyone who put so much work into this video, especially whoever translated that entire blog

[@braydenleaderofthetirkins1143]

Well, other KZbinrs have already talked about Takeshi Shudo's sad life working with pokemon, like TheCartoonGamer3000 and Lockstin

[@Evildandalo]

Your guests straight up kill it every time with the narration. I’ve only ever heard Maxmoefoe scream in a drunken stupor so I was very pleasantly surprised

[@rusty8311]

Imagine he narrated this whole story while screaming like a goblin

[@NullTheTormentor]

0/10 Should have ended with “GIVE THE GOBLIN SOME GOOOOOLD”

[@Chris-op8tt]

"There's also the danger of tripping somewhere and hurting myself" - a true substance abuser.

[@teadrinkerfication9160]

This is a heartbreaking story, and a lot of the Pokémon anime makes so much more sense now.

[@Mngalahad]

"Ash gets shot with a gun" *takes another zip* "Ash gets pointed with a gun only"

[@corronchilejano]

@@Mngalahad "If I can't make him disappear, I'll make sure he's a loser forever."

[@corronchilejano]

@PMDP S2806 he didn't have to win. I actually kind of liked that. On X it was total BS though

[@teadrinkerfication9160]

@PMDP S2806 Red doesn’t necessarily always win. I’ve lost the league and deleted my save because I couldn’t beat it before. In that canon he lost.

[@C_Raccoon23]

Unfortunately, this is a disadvantage of being an artist/designer for big franchises and companies like Pokemon; anything you create doesn’t really belong to you and you don’t get the final say on what gets done with it.

[@mollymay4846]

C_Raccoon23 you’d be surprised how much this happens even in small studios, because junior designers are desperate to be hired, they’ll let people take advantage of them and their designs.

[@someone-uz4mi]

@@mollymay4846 I think it's less "taking advantage" of designs and more that it's their job. I'd assume if you're hired as a designer, you are designing something for the company and not for yourself, so it's up to the company to take your input to heart (I wish they took Shudo's input to heart in this case). If you want complete control over a design and what's done with it, best not to turn it over to the company you work for unless you know they'll give you that freedom.

[@sirgs5662]

This is pretty much why you keep all your best idea's to yourself

[@anythingagency8516]

Yeah, that's what it means to work for a business. Just a fact of life, for better and worse.

[@mollymay4846]

anoles in my backyard as someone who works in a studio (environment artist) and knows many people who also do the same, it’s common to see people get no credit for their work. That being anything from a name in the actual credits of the production, to a mere acknowledgement in design meetings. Most artists don’t want complete control over a design, they just want someone to understand their intentions. In my studio this is pretty much common ground and they’re fair on a “everyone’s input is valid” standpoint. I mean, why ask someone to design something then not ask about their intentions? (Ie , why those colours, why that silhouette, why is it important?) but I know a lot of people who’s designs are used and they get no credit, no acknowledgement of their hard work and no say in how it progresses. I know they is pretty normal, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. But when your only way of paying bills is to let someone butcher your design and not have it represented properly (in your opinion) then you just go with it because hey artists gotta eat too. I’ve had friends whose characters have been totally culturally appropriated and when they spoke up they higher ups were like “nobody will care” or environment artists who have said “that castle won’t fit there” only to be ignored then 6 months down the line “oh hey the castle won’t fit can you change it? Btw deadline is in 3 days.” 😂😂 anyway, rant over hahaha

[@molcatz9634]

"He wasn't particularly fond of ash, and wanted him written out of the anime" See I knew there had to be a reason why I've always loved lugia, it's because it was a byproduct of this absolute genius.

[@LEG4CYGD]

So. Fucking. True.

[@cesaremarianopasqui7535]

Approved

[@facundopor2]

Whats wrong with ash?

[@cesaremarianopasqui7535]

@@facundopor2 he's the dumb and derpy Copy of Red

[@Aliens1337]

@@facundopor2 Ash doesn’t really fit the “trainer” role. A trainer gets their pokemons to be powerful and evolves beyond their limits. They are coaches. Ash is more like a friend that tags along and has his pokemons bail him out of trouble

[@Arcademan09]

"he wasn't a fan of Ash and wanted him gone" Ah, I see he was a man of culture

[@god2593]

And that's why he's in Heaven.

[@Sheriff_Curtis]

Your pfp is me every time I see comments like this.

[@bigdoggo5827]

@@Sheriff_Curtis yubi yubi

[@ejuniorc09pkm]

Lol, ahhhh...

[@BeeMusic2024]

Self hate I see lmfao

[@DJIVision]

I said I was gonna write this video two years ago lol. Glad to have finally finished it :)

[@something_sorta_serious831]

Will we some knew videos by your channel?

[@ge431]

so there were really impressive rom hacks that try to replicate the prototype of pokemon red.

[@topperDL]

I love you doctor ❤️❤️❤️

[@InF3XioN]

I was looking forward for that video, Dr. Lava. Even if you have already published most of the content in blog posts, there are always some interesting details for someone to learn. Great work!

[@ZeranZeran]

Lugia, and this movie, are probably one of my most vivid memories from childhood, I saw it in theaters, I got the ancient mew card, and I have a special attachment to it. Learning about all of this was awesome, and now I'm gonna go learn more about Takeshi Shudo, his life, and his blog posts! I had no idea about any of this, and it's like finding more cool details from my childhood and the people who shaped it. Thank you guys so much for the effort you put in. This video was awesome, and very well made. Thanks for inspiring this old Pokemon fan.

[@_ytnahs]

8:28 as a kid I was mesmerized with that scene, paired with Lugia's cry it was such a memorable moment for me. I used to fantasize I could really find Lugia in the sea

[@BBWahoo]

That's so magical :')

[@Cometstarlight]

Guys, I LOVE how this episode was written, narrated, and edited. I love stories and detailed histories and to hear one about Lugia, one of my absolute favorite Pokemon, and how it came to be, was amazing. I had no idea there was so much darkness and turmoil behind it. Even more so the fact that Lugia was supposed to be more maternal. I can't get over how much I loved this episode! Thank you so, so much!

[@rusty8311]

I’ve already watched this 3 times

[@emmareiman64]

I'm having a feeling that Ho-oh was originally the bird trio master and that 'silver' legendary the master of the 3 beasts. But because of the movie things were switched and the original Silver legendary was yeeted

[@justacarbuncle]

That’s a solid guess

[@cokaneds]

As cool as it would've been to have that legendary dog included I'm so glad they went with Lugia instead. A world without Lugia is a timeline I don't want to be in.

[@ElFlores1984]

Moltres and Ho Oh have the same type, so its weird

[@Bearbytez]

I have always thought ho-oh and lugia were weird as mascots and honestly thought an Arcanine type legendary would make more sense as a Ho-oh counterpart for precisely this reason. Especially with the mystery around Arcanine suspected to be originated as a legendary at the time. I figured it would have made sense for ho-oh to be psychic fire and the dog to be psychic ice or ground or steel. Or water/ground and fire/flying. Something that made more sense as complementary typing.

[@kenyenmusic7548]

Would also make sense since the legendary birds were in kanto and the first sight of ho-oh (in the anime) was in kanto.

[@jojo-uw8tx]

I like how this guy, while drunk and high, did a better job at writing the story than pokemon’s present day anime writers

[@mr.voidroy6869]

Trauma breeds real stories. If jrr Tolkien didn't lose both his parents before he was 12 he wouldn't of started writing after not being pushed from his orphanage owner to pick up writing. If he didn't go to war he wouldn't of written the diary of the beginnings of middle earth. If he wasn't surrounded by death and loss of his loved ones his story wouldn't be the same. Trauma and sad events breeds relatable and interesting stories.

[@kylespevak6781]

The best stories come from intoxication

[@muzammilibrahim5011]

@@mr.voidroy6869 > Tolkein > Real stories Pick one

[@mr.voidroy6869]

@Muzammil Ibrahim you dont have good reading comprehension do you?

[@jeremypiper4309]

They’re slowly going woke in Pokémon. At least it’s more subtle

[@armzadeh]

That hacker that got arrested REALLY took one for the team lmao

[@anachronity9002]

Do we know what happened to him? It's my understanding that japanese criminal justice is... not great, to put it lightly.

[@RaspyCh]

@@anachronity9002 probably got a LOT of years in prison

[@plastered_crab]

He really did though. In his honor, I would love to find a ROM of the beta and play it!

[@GoyBenius_0901]

@@RaspyCh He got off with house arrest and restrictions on using internet connected devices, because he's severely autistic.

[@youraveragepasser-by7367]

@@GoyBenius_0901 nice

[@JesusVEIVO]

This is a rare case where the moronic “what were they on making this, drugs?” phrase actually works

[@badlydrawnturtle8484]

In retrospect, the Unown movie being written with drugs is kind of obvious.

[@mattwaters9008]

history is made by drug users.

[@beardlessdragon]

Except the end product ended up being awesome

[@ZentaBon]

Do you really know that it's rare?

[@mechajay3358]

Do Drugs Kids

[@marywallace3620]

It'ss sad that Lugia was born from a man 's depression, drugs, and alcohol, BUT we wouldn't have had the beautiful bird like Pokemon if it werent for him. And honestly, as a kid, I couild sense the depressing themes behind Pokemon the Movie 2000, esp when I hear the song that's played to summon Lugia and when you watch that movie's villain's story unfold. He gained all of his "Wealth" by finding an Ancient Mew card (or a tablet?) and sought out rare Pokemon and the Legendaries, only to lose it all and have to start over again at the end.

[@docterfantazmo]

"He wasn't fond of Ash..." I like this guy.

[@DaxSchaffer]

It certainly explains why Ash kept nearly dying in all those early films!

[@eldiegollador7271]

This man was ahead of his time.

[@therealwinston3634]

this was the least crazy-stuff he came up with I read once to include a T-Rex in the first movie, not a Pokemon, a normal T-Rex

[@ahirbhattacharjee2352]

@@therealwinston3634 that explains the mongoose ghastly and irl fishes in Celadon Gym

[@thequestioner4642]

Me too

[@Geekdom101]

MY FAVORITE POKEMON!

[@JPeoplzOIII]

Same - Did you know Omega Shenron's design was inspired by Lugia? J/k

[@Blernster]

Ok

[@blazikenkj]

Shocking to see you here

[@blazikenkj]

I gona drop a sub

[@blazikenkj]

@@JPeoplzOIII lol

[@realanimalshorts]

It's refreshing hearing Max talk like a normal person for so long without yelling or screaming a dead meme.

[@lazybacon7520]

"He wasn't particularly fond of Ash, and wanted him written out of the anime." My man!

[@ZeranZeran]

I like Ash I don't like that he turns back into a 10 year old idiot that forgot everything after each season. Who thinks of this? Lazy writing again. Pokemon really dropped the ball after gen 2.

[@CoolerMike]

@@ZeranZeran More like dropped the Pokeball (I'm not sorry)

[@rukitomikutochi8764]

@@ZeranZeran Go catches Suicune in the most recent Episode as well.

[@Gold_Red52]

@@ZeranZeran Have you watched Pokemon DP and XYZ they're probably the best seasons of the show

[@ShiningTaiga]

@@ZeranZeran the seasons for Gen 4, 6 and 7 exist so no it didn't

[@bluestreaker9242]

I have a newfound appreciation for my favorite Pokemon of all time. Just...WOW! I have to begrudgingly agree with the reason for Lugia's typing, now; that actually makes a lot of sense. And, yeah, weird to say, but I always got the impression that Lugia was like a mother figure: the ocean itself is like the mother for all life, after all. :3

[@calebstultz2813]

When I talk to people about gaming journalism, this is what I'm referring to. Deep dives into old nostalgic gaming lore that asks questions to developers that regular people don't know how to or can't get ahold of. Awesome work. I'd love to see more!

[@AT7outof10]

I always hate when people comment, "The creators must have been on drugs!" but I guess sometimes that turns out to be true.

[@xJC4Rx]

It's a common understanding by artists and musicians that drugs influence and inspire creativity. It's not so much an insult as just a high probability.

[@ZeranZeran]

Most people's favorite artists and writers have all used some form of drug / high, whether they or their fans want to admit it or not. It's a secret. You don't need it, but it undeniably helps, and I am so happy I got to see some of Takeshi Shudo's inspiring work made into the final series. Lugia was always special and different. Now I know why. That man put his heart and soul into creating just it's back story. That is beautiful. I remember as kid, in the movie seeing how lugia controlled the ocean currents blew my mind.

[@Gabo2oo]

This happens a lot with Shudo in particular. You'd think the "anime ends with the protagonist waking up from a coma" is just a cliche creepypasta trope, but in Pokémon's case, Shudo actually had a similar idea for the finale. Not to mention that book he wrote detailing the lore of the anime, giving some rather depressing explanations for Ash's missing father, why all nurses and police officers are female, etc etc.

[@ZeranZeran]

@@Gabo2oo holy shit, Shudo is the one that made the whole after war story? that's amazing. It still fits if you watch the early show carefully.. there are almost no male adults besides prof. oak. All at war, or passed away. Damn. Shudo was a beast. I really wish someone would create his vision of Pokemon.

[@thischannelisinactiveimsor9500]

Game reviewers in the 2000's be like

[@pokemonduck]

I love the little editing touches in this video like showing Arcanine when talking about the Chinese liondogs, showing Ash crying when talking about him being disliked and professor Oak showing a real-life meeting :D also Lugia with visible colarbones is weird

[@professionalfangster1510]

Collarbone Lugia? Timestamp?

[@genyakozlov1316]

@@professionalfangster1510 Thumbnail

[@laggingdragons]

This is fucking insane. This story is blowing my mind. He made one of the most popular Pokemon ever almost by accident, almost didn't even get to, only got to because of a national tragedy, and he never got his true vision realized anyways. I'm just boggled, fucken fantastic video!

[@Vopilu]

Now I’m going to refer to Lugia as a “she”. Rest in peace Shudo.

[@Bassynater2500]

Amen

[@suicune2001]

Same!

[@Mario87456]

Lugia has a very masculine design if you ask me

[@kasriouiyassir]

@@Mario87456 i always saw it as a motherly design tbh. Like elegant, but powerful

[@Mario87456]

@@kasriouiyassir Well I can say that this video made me like Lugia more as a Pokémon.

[@Jpw03]

This is just an assumption but I am pretty confident we will see shadow Lugia in pokemon go as you nodded to at the end!

[@russellbrown6888]

I have always hoped they'd release a Lugia with Psycho Boost and Feather Dance as a tribute to XD, especially since it's getting harder and harder for people to get one from XD itself.

[@davidacus956]

I really hope you're right. It'd be a great 5th anniversary gift to us players

[@Anytyme06]

People still play that?

[@GladBeastBoy]

WHAT

[@lcgluciano15]

Would be awesome to have shadow Lugia in pkmgo and as go is the first pkm game since the gamecube's titles to feature shadows, it's very possible

[@Mizkif]

I liked it thanks for having maxmoeforpokemon ~!

[@twobeaz]

lol ok

[@iqpsycho]

BALLS

[@parkool6912]

yo

[@GOF-pk9mg]

YO

[@FunkleDorf]

TriHard

[@hanibalking7841]

Lugia is such a sick Pokémon and is one of my favorites.thanks to this man for the hell he was through to give a lot of us a dragon that would help us in our childhoods

[@Skip_R_Stone]

Psychic because apparently they don't care about logic

[@SuperiorGothBun]

It’s amazing to reflect back on this considering Lugia is one of the most beloved and iconic Pokémon. Though looking back at Lugia’s design compared to Ho-Oh, it does makes sense due to it being the only box art legendaries that look too drastically different from one another.

[@kanyewestforpresident]

anybody else teared up watching this video? Shudo's work has given me so much happiness during my young years as Lugia was one of my favorites. Rest in Peace king.

[@NanaKyoto]

I've always loved Lugia's design from a face value, but how we ended up getting that Pokémon was something we never expected.

[@rusty8311]

I always thought ho oh was made as originally the main and only legendary for gen2. Lugia and ho oh don’t really have that rivalry like other box legendaries. Ho oh you hear the story of by the 4th gym, and how it created the legendary beasts, and was given a shrine to be praised by the region. It’s a center piece in the city and the game. Meanwhile, Lugia is hiding off into a cave in the ocean. Of course they reference lugia in text, but it certainly seems more mysterious and was given less attention, probably because game freak didn’t know what else to do about it at the time. I’m really glad lugia was added and given a legendary role. It’s such a good Pokémon design and has a great impression in the games, movie, etc. It’s now one of the most popular Pokémon, and one of my personal favorites.

[@MrHyde-ku5qj]

According to Takeshi Shudo, the Pokemon anime was supposed to end with Ash as an old man fondly remembering his adventures as a kid...and suddenly finding himself having become a young boy again starting a new adventure (indicating Ash died).

[@DumDevil]

im so used to hearing max screaming about children's playing cards and big nuts that i wasn't expecting him talking about lugia's origins being so genuinely pleasant to listen to, is nice :)

[@ianleather5699]

The fact that Xerneas, a pokemon based on "X" and being a creator of life sounds so much like this "Pokemon X" can't be a coincidence

[@tbblobnoerna3500]

what

[@makogp747]

@@tbblobnoerna3500 xerneas is giver of life. Lugia, the supposed maternal pokemon, was originally named pokemon x as a place holder Pokemon X = Xerneas in 2016. Perhaps its a callback.

[@lalehiandeity1649]

More likely Game Freak was running out of themes and chromosomes was next on the list.

[@galararticuno9419]

No

[@pikifire1237]

You’re right it is a coincidence

[@kyu_cat]

As a designer and an artist myself, hearing about Takeshi Shudo's story and his wishes being rejected came very close to heart, it almost made me cry. I had a constant lump in my throat, bc nothing is more mentally destructive than not respecting the art choices and wishes an artist make. We don't come up with those ideas in minutes, it takes us days sometimes weeks or months to achieve a decision, an idea or design. Those are well chosen choices made to create only the best, if they get half heartedly used or dumped aside you not only break the artist's heart, you literally break their spirit.

[@atre5763]

He's the reason why most Ash's Pokémon never evolved though.

[@kyu_cat]

@@atre5763 but what was his intention by not evolving them?

[@Mari_Izu]

@@atre5763 And what this has to do with anything?

[@atre5763]

@@Mari_Izu Because alot of his ideas are completely ubsurd! They feel like they don't belong in a Pokémon anime, and basically was responsible on why people criticized Ash.

[@gracenchivalry8179]

He was an alcoholic who wanted ash killed off please get help

[@Operation_FUBAR]

The second movie is literally just tired mom Lugia forcing her awful kids to behave for once.

[@jokerkenny1801]

huh.. This just reinforces the idea that pokemon are actually all people.

[@Igorcastrochucre]

I always thought it was weird Lugia and Ho-oh were counterparts when they barely did anything together, and for years I thought Ho-oh was the odd one out, turns out I was wrong.

[@justacarbuncle]

Playing the games it always felt like Lugia was the odd one out to me.

[@decoral]

Yeah, for some reason they didn't adjust the games lore to actually make Lugia fit in the story, which clearly focused on Ho-oh and the legendary Beasts. They could have honestly just made Lugia the one who burned the Brass Tower by accident(by creating a huge storm that ended up striking the tower), and have it flee to the Whirl Islands to protect people from its power.

[@darthtenebra5910]

Yeah, Ho-Oh is very central to the lore of G/S. Lugia, not as much. In Crystal, Lugia was briefly mentioned as having rested on the Brass Tower, but secluded itself underneath Whirl Islands after the Tower burned down. Wouldn't surprise me if Lugia started the storm accidentally that caused the Tower to burn down. Ho-Oh rested on Tin Tower, and resurrected the three Pokemon that died in the Tower. This means that Lugia and Ho-Oh rested on the Tower of their opposite color; Lugia rested on Brass (gold-colored) Tower, while Ho-Oh resten on Tin (silver-colored) Tower. Ho-Oh is also very central in Crystal, as you need all the Legendary Beasts (including Suicune, the mascot of Crystal) + the Rainbow Wing to scale the Tin Tower. So I would argue Ho-Oh is the most important Legendary lore-wise in Gen II.

[@decoral]

@@darthtenebra5910 Exactly. And to think it was so fricking easy and simple to add Lugia into the story and lore of the game. It doesn't bother me that much since I prefer Ho-oh anyway(I still like Lugia though), but this weird disconnect between the two is really weird. By incorporating Lugia into the backstory, not only does it give it some much needed lore, but it also ties it a lot more with Ho-oh.

[@lunarribbon917]

You noticed we never got a Pokemon movie with Ho-Oh fighting Lugia???? Would have been EPIC

[@royalcollectables]

I've always loved Lugia. And to hear the original story behind "her" is amazing. I always thought Lugia would have been a girl. Lugia is still my favorite legendary pokemon to this day and will always will be. I'm glad you did this video thank you.

[@ShortStoryLuke]

Shout to the guy who made pokemon Colosseum and XD gale of darkness music. Pyrite town is an absolute banger theme.

[@megamillion5852]

After all these years, the last battle theme is still strong in my mind. Gale of Darkness was truly an experience for me. Shadow pokémon deserve a return!

[@Izandaia]

"Electric Soldier Porygon is why the first Pokémon movie emotionally devastated the first generation of Pokémon fans" is not a fact I expected to learn today but here we are I guess.

[@lthefifteenth661]

The whole point of DYKG is to spread trivia about our favorite games. If you guys wanted to do more videos like this, it doesn't compromise your show's identity. I say do it!

[@jjsponge1202]

Another fun fact: despite Lugia being a Psychic and Flying-type, a few cards from the HeartGold & SoulSilver era of the TCG depict it as a Water-type. Update: Shadow Lugia finally appears in Pokemon GO, but...nah, it's not the same one we saw in XD. What a letdown.

[@ryuzakikurai711]

The tcg takes liberties with a lot of pokemon types. Iirc a few ghost types are also dark types in it.

[@_Teej_264]

Sometimes the cards change types to match their chosen moves. I have plenty of mon cards with some being one type and others being the other, but I want to say others were completely different, like a psychic cyndaquil in the delta species run

[@rusty8311]

@@_Teej_264 delta species were meant to be uncommon typings for the Pokémon, that resembles the artwork of the card. But Lugia is depicted as a water type many times as a regular card, I think even more than psychic type.

[@jean-pierrekey2301]

Being that she was a sea goddess based of Japanese creation lore, supposedly, her typing was originally going to be normal (there are also cards of Lugia having normal/multiple elemental typing), water or water/dragon. However, for balance issues, especially the water/dragon typing during gen two, this was dropped in favor of psychic/flying. Remnants of her original typing come through from her large potential move list, and through moves that she shouldn’t be able to learn based on her typing.

[@rusty8311]

@@jean-pierrekey2301 Isn’t flying typing also colorless energy for the tcg? You could be right but I also think that it could just be what represents Lugia’s flying typing. As for the game, I wish Lugia was more offensive in stats, but maybe that would make Lugia too strong with the multiscale ability.

[@pokehybridtrainer]

The Creator of Minky Momo played hard and fast. I never knew the development they had to the Pokemon anime, movies, and to Lugia went so deep. Hell of a story.

[@SaiyanGamer95]

He was surprisingly influential on the anime and even had a few behind the scene ideas for the anime. For example, when someone reaches 10 years old, they're considered adults. They can get a job, pay taxes, or even get married. And he intended the Pokemon finale to have a Pokemon stage an uprising against the humans with Pikachu and Meowth (yes, those two you're thinking of) leading the uprising.

[@Atari11000]

As someone who loves Lugia, this video was for me. Thank u, a lot of artists r some of the strangest people with mental/emotional problems. Regardless, they make great artists if not people, I knew Lugia should’ve been water type. Maybe Silver’s original mascot can be revived if a Legends Celebi game gets made

[@Alejandron_P]

15:50 The english back cover of Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, had the tagline "Experience the Extra Dimension". Because nobody and nothing ever explained what the XD stands for, I've always assumed that "XD" was for "eXtra Dimension". Guess I was right with that. Nice!

[@spoon7053]

Really, really well made video. This is a very tragic and dark story and it’s jarring to have such a “perfect,” child friendly brand associated with such substance abuse. This guy got screwed by everyone, having lugia female is in no way a big ask.

[@atre5763]

Don't feel bad though. Alot of his ideas were ubsurd!

[@Kain652]

To me, Lugia was always special for a reason I still don't fully know. Finding it in that sea cave felt like discovering a hidden secret. Maybe because it was indeed only placed there late in development. I always felt that it deserved an even greater role, story-wise, but this is the first time I know that consciously. Shudo, I won't forget you nor Lugia.

[@TheCartoonGamer8000]

6:56 That's my Lugia saved from my old Silver cart. :) Also, music list for those curious: - Lugia's Theme (Pokemon 2000) - Quiz (Pokemon Stadium 2) - Route 38 (HGSS) - Elite Four Challenge (Stadium 2) - Poke-Cup Battle (4-6) (Stadium 2) - National Park (HGSS) - Bell Tower (HGSS) - Lugia Battle (HGSS) - Shadow Lugia Theme (Pokemon XD) - Purification Chamber (Pokemon XD)

[@douglas4934]

Lugia theme from HG/SS is so damn good

[@captainweaboo7348]

This video has me speechless..

[@kellenmck]

Honestly I can understand the pain that Lugia being “male” caused him, it was his creation and he was very proud of it but it was stripped from him and changed against his will and wishes essentially ruining his creation he worked so hard on

[@jamieohjamie]

That boat Pokemon is actually in a VERY early advertisement for the second movie. I used to have that image saved on an old computer, but I'm not sure if I can find it now. This is the first I'm hearing that it had an actual sprite. I should pull out my old laptop to see if I can still find that image... Melody is in the image, too.

[@thepants1450]

Following

[@BBWahoo]

do it

[@jamieohjamie]

@@BBWahoo I honestly should, but the PC is hardly functional. I might still be able to browse the HDD.

[@jamieohjamie]

Oh shoot, I didn't have to look it up. It's still online. I was wrong about the Pokemon. It's apparently instead what might be an early version of the movie villain's airship. My bad. But this still appears to be an early concept illustration for Movie 2. pm1.narvii.com/5962/bb0c90057d3ffd184ca45d35b53e6067fc7e6336_hq.jpg

[@BBWahoo]

@@jamieohjamie dang, regardless, be on the lookout for lost media, you might find it where you least expect ;)

[@kingkarp2439]

This honestly might be one of my favorite videos you guys have ever put out. Diving into a specific interesting topic is really illuminating and informative since a lot of people might be learning something new. So more videos in this style will be getting a resounding yes from me!

[@Geekcook93]

Dear dykg crew. Love the content for some years now but this one hitted hard. By the time of this video release I was in a rock bottom and drinking my problems away way too often. The story of shudo made me click and seek for help for myself. Thank you a lot for this. I'm not there yet, but I'm defnetly better then in this time. You guys saved me sort of speak. Keep doing the awesome job. Love from a pokefan from Brazil

[@ShiningSeraph]

Wow, this story was WILD. Thoroughly enjoyed!

[@ryanfcrowther]

Really dig the “docu-series” format of this video. Would love to see more videos like this for other franchises too! Good stuff

[@Lt._Nut]

I like to think that Shudo and Lugia are chillin out in heaven right now

[@minioli01]

Lugia is actually one of my favorite pokemon thanks to the 2000’s movie. Thanks for that context.

[@1flamealchemist]

Interesting that Lugia is literally the only pokemon not designed by Gamefreak

[@BigCowProductions]

Maaaan, they shoulda listened to that genius more. He was behind the first movie's maturity? That was amazing. I wish they leaned into Lugia'a maternal nature. That would have been so cool. Ho-oh could have had the Paternal side. And Ash.... yep, he shoulda gotten his way there, too. Lol.

[@littleguystar]

"Lugia" Awww, Pokemon! "A Story of Drugs, Alcohol, and Obsession" Oh... crud

[@pcachu]

Coming up next on VH1: BEHIND THE MUSIC: LUGIA

[@GatorOne-in7hk]

Lugia has been my favorite Legendary Pokémon for a long time, so hearing about its history and inspiration means a lot to me. Now I plan to nickname the Shiny Lugia I’m hunting in Pokémon Shield Ryujin! Also, I’m surprised you didn’t mention how the anime did give Lugia a maternal role in that story where Team Rocket tried to capture it.

[@lionheart4424]

Damn, I wasn't aware, or maybe forgot, Shudo's death. As a kid, Pokémon anime was everything to me (since I never had a GameBoy of any kind), and the first seasons had the best episodes to me, always unique and quite original. Makes me really sad that some of my most cherished days were due to Shudo' s addiction, which eventually led to his dead. I wish I could have thanked him in any form. Great video, thank you for making it. I am forever seeing Lugia with different eyes.

[@DallasSalladisHere]

These in depth investigative videos are really good. I'd love to see more of them. also max if ur reading this jvlogs when??

[@666slateran666]

LOVED the darker content. Keep this stuff up please!

[@kingjaven13]

Takeshi thank you for hard work and one of my favorite pocket monsters 🙏🏾

[@wiiseeyou]

This was a great episode. I really like how you focus more on the personal history of its designer then just made a video listing a bunch of facts about Lugia. It's like a mini documentary.

[@lalehiandeity1649]

You can’t make this stuff up. Shit, this would make a great movie/series. As an aspiring writer myself, I understand the emotional attachment one has with their creations and how painful it is when your vision is usurped by committee.

[@ZeranZeran]

I feel so bad for him. I wish they would have listened to him and kept Lugia in as he imagined. It's my favorite pokemon by far, and now I know why. It has his inspiration tied to it still. Mother / God of the ocean sounds beautiful.

[@L33PL4Y]

You're not an aspiring writer. If you write, that makes you a writer. Don't sell yourself short.

[@m74568]

Vibes

[@lalehiandeity1649]

@@L33PL4Y I haven’t had anything published yet, so that’s why I say aspiring. But thanks for your encouragement. 🤗

[@L33PL4Y]

@@lalehiandeity1649 You don't have to be published to be a writer. You're a writer. Own it.

[@BBWahoo]

Show this to someone who says games aren't art, art stems from suffering, this artist made art, he made a powerful impact in our lives and this story allows people to empathize with people and how much their work means to them.

[@StardustNobody]

Shudo’s always been one of my favorite writers. Having him come from being the script writer of the legendary Legend of the Galactic Heroes, to Pokemon and still being able to write inspiring and genuinely incredibly well written characters like Mewtwo and the creation of Lugia is such an amazing thing to look back on. His work, especially in the original Japanese versions of his work, without 4Kids’ changes to his story is even incredible when compared to other non Pokemon anime series. Shame this writer has constantly been usurped and had his visions meddled with by both Japanese and American corporations who prioritised branding over genuine depth even if at points he didn’t vocally show his disdain for them doing so. R.I.P legend, you will be missed, glad your story will finally get to be known by a wider spread of people.

[@brimstoneclub]

The first anime series was so good! No wonder, the quality dropped after the third one, I never understood why.

[@genyakozlov1316]

@@brimstoneclub I respect the man and his mark on the franchise, but I don't agree with that. All this dark stuff isn't why I love the Pokemon anime, I love it for the feeling of a journey and cute one off episodes. Best Wishes is my favourite series for that reason, despite not having much "plot".

[@dougggthegoof]

This video was wonderful! I'm working on a project pretty similar to Pokémon where users draw up their own creature and raises it on Instagram. I was thinking to myself, "Well, older people are the ones designing Pokémon and other franchises like it, so what's stopping me?" And the fact that Shudo was... in a zone of his own while he was creating it speaks measures. So this video is essentially a source of inspiration to me. If Shudo can make a creature, anyone can.

[@LintLicker33]

Lugia is legitimately my favorite pokemon. Always has been, ever since I saw her. RIP Shudo, Lugia's theme will forever play in my heart.

[@JoeGess]

Absolute legend covering an absolute legend of a Pokemon

[@rusty8311]

MASSIVE LEGEND HERE

[@philthestampede]

So basically, Lugia is a girl. That is what I will now argue forever to honor the druggie alcoholic who helped shape my childhood.

[@ChimeraMK]

I've already seen fanart of girl Lugia. I wonder if the dead guy is smiling in his grave or spinning due to what fans have done to his creation.

[@philthestampede]

@@ChimeraMK well, she would look pretty much the same. But I know what you mean.

[@Sheriff_Curtis]

Pokemon not having genders doesn't mean they don't breed and reproduce, even the legendary and mythical ones at least in the wild may

[@s1lverp3nguin]

guys he has a name

[@philthestampede]

@@s1lverp3nguin His name is Ho-oh. Her name is Lugia.

[@Y0y0Jester]

This was incredibly interesting. RIP Takeshi Shudo

[@TaroAndreas]

"As of this video, [Shadow Lugia's] only appearance" Don't give me that hope Max

[@EmmettMcMullan]

Awesome video!! This complicated story about substance abuse and the intensity of creative vision is really moving. I'm a recovering alcoholic myself, and Lugia was my favorite pokemon as a child; she attracted me to Gen 2 so intensely, and I loved playing it to find her. I never did, because I wasn't that good at playing RPGs as a kid. Her femininity always showed through to me, and I think that's one of the reasons she held so much appeal, because I'm trans too. Anyway, thanks for making this wonderful video. Really terrific research!

[@BingBangPoe]

Lugia has always been my favorite Pokémon, and now even more. It is sad, yet fascinating, to see how Lugia came to be.

[@abdelali9279]

So hardcore, just imagine if this story leaked to those ultra conservative groups from the 90s saying it Pokémon 2000 was the work of the devil because it was made by a man under the influence of drugs and alcohol and then find a shitty way to link all that together and say it made the children susceptible to drug use since it was made by a man possessed by the demons of drug and alcohol use. Those were the wild days really, can't have a childhood around that time.

[@Marixchatt]

@@insertclevernickname This is obviously bait but you’re so annoying Chile.

[@NepetasShippingWall1642]

pokemon would probably be unable to recover from that

[@AlfonsoSRT]

"After Hiromoto hammered down the basic design, Shadow Lugia was finally handed down to James, who chose the colors..." What did Hiromoto even do, then? The colors are literally the only difference.

[@Thollis1987]

Rest in Peace Takeshi Shudo! Thank you for creating my childhood memories of Pokemon franchise.❤🙇🏿‍♀️🥰

[@robtimothyfletcher5957]

This video is by far my favorite Pokemon video i've ever watched. I wasn't even a fan of Lugia until I watched this and now i'm stoked to see a shadow Lugia card release!

[@GoldenBeholden]

Great content. It's not like I have any issues with the regular factoid videos, but this is way better.

[@alexgamer1556]

I remember when I was little me and my parents when into a superstore, after they were finished shopping they allowed me to pick one item to buy, naturally went to the vhs cartoon section and started looking for something to get and that's where I saw it. That was the first time I became aware of the second pokemon movie and the pokemon on the cover captured me like no other pokemon ever did, after I watched the movie in my home Lugia became my most favorite pokemon from that point on, and it still is to this day and always will be. This was a good video, good job.

[@MemoxWasHere]

GIVE LUGIA SOME GOLD

[@lufui9436]

yes

[@grimpthemeltedchimp4705]

Or Silver?

[@Nosretep]

@@grimpthemeltedchimp4705 I prefer Platinum.

[@gigastrike2]

@@Nosretep Diamonds and pearls are pretty nice, too.

[@PeterGriffin11]

@Austin Igert Why would Lugia want X and Y when it could have both the Sun & Moon.