The Real Life Origins of Legendary Pokemon

They aren’t called “Legendary” for no reason, many Legendary Pokemon are based on real world legends and mythology as well! Today I break down some of my favorites.
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Intro: (0:00)
Zapdos: (0:41)
Johto Legendaries: (1:38)
The Regis: (3:18)
The Weather Trio: (4:30)
The Creation Trio: (5:23)
The Tao Trio: (6:52)
The Aura Trio: (7:43)
The Light Trio: (9:55)
Zacian and Zamazenta: (11:17)

[@JPRPokeTrainer98]

What is your favorite Legendary Pokemon design?

[@gondothedragon3110]

Second.

[@robertlupa8273]

fürst

[@Odrizzy22]

"First" -Regigigas

[@TheShadow1347]

4th reply to this comment

[@puppies3330]

5th reply

[@KeithTheDinosaurBoyVA]

Something as a possible inspiration for Palkia's partial Water Type (and maybe, with some reaching, Dialga's Steel Type) comes from ancient Egyptian beliefs: The night sky was seen as a gargantuan, cosmic ocean (Water) that was held in a great bowl made of iron (Steel)

[@goomyiscute777]

in that case, Giratina could in part be inspired by Apep or Apophis, a demonic serpent who would attempt to destroy the world by killing Ra on his nightly journey through the underworld.

[@DigiRangerScott]

I think it’s pretty incredible how much pizza and guacamole went into inspiring our favorite legendary Pokémon.

[@niutuiui9741]

I haven’t watched it yet, can’t imagine what one it is lol 😭

[@niutuiui9741]

My guess is entei

[@radyrara]

My guess for 🥑 is celebi

[@robertlupa8273]

wdym

[@DigiRangerScott]

@@robertlupa8273 it’s a code thing

[@cis22]

What I like about Zekrom and Reshiram is that their dichotomy is also reflected on the sound of their names when you pronounce them. Zekrom feels "rough" to say while Reshiram feels "smooth" to say. Meanwhile, Kyurem feels like a combination of both.

[@castform7]

If I had a nickel for every time someone said Solgaleo should be fire type because "sun orange and hot" I'd probably have more silver coins than I know what to do with.

[@jacobfoxfires9647]

Could probably buy the sun and moon with all that money.

[@KremBotop]

Video idea: a quick look at the most contentious/awkward Pokemon topics that some/most fans aren't fully willing to discuss or even talk about.

[@Dragofrost7777]

The Swords of Justice, while not based on a god like other legendries are based on the 3 Musketeers (there were actually 4 hence Keldeo) The 3 Musketeers are elite soldiers of the King Louis XIII of France but the pokemon world bases them off of the fictional book. It isn't quite confirmed, but the Swords of Justice may also reflect how the 4 Musketeers served the king similarly to how the trio watches over Unova, who used to have a king. Cobalion is based on Athos, who is the leader. Terrakion is based on Porthos, with whom he has the most visual similarities being the biggest as well as being the most carefree and happy of the group. Then Virizion is based on Aramis and while they aren't the MOST connected, Aramis was known to be very invested in women and very ambitious which may explain why Virizion is usually depicted as female. Keldeo himself is based on D'Artagnan who formally becomes a member later on, making him the 4th member much like Keldeo. The feathers in resolute form reflect how D'Artagnan wears a feather on his hat.

[@Thunor93]

One last thing for Zacian and zamazenta, yes they represent the sword and shield of king Arthur, they also represent a tail of a knight who hunted a dragon with his two hounds, sadly the died during the conflict, and lastly they also represent the two wolves of Odin, geri and freki.

[@TurboZera]

It's cool but also a bit funny that Ho-Oh is just the Japanese term for the Chinese Fenghuang. The Fenghuang is known for having the colors of the traditional 5 chinese elements. Those elements are: - Green Wood of the East & Spring - Red Fire of the South & Summer - White Metal of the West & Autumn - Black Water of the North & Winter - Yellow Earth of the Center & Transitioning of Seasons There's obviously much more to the 5 elements as it is found in a lot of east asian architecture and even in traditional medicine. Then there's also as the 4 guardians of the cardinal directions (Seiryu, Suzaku, Byakko, Genbu and also Koryu for the center) which each correspond to one of the 5 great emperors of China. The Forces of Nature's Therian Forms are also based on them. I think it's really cool how much lore you can find in just a single design if you simply look deep enough. It's honestly amazing and it's one of the things that I love most about Pokemon.

[@danielmalinen6337]

Ho-Oh is perhaps one of the lame names because it is based on a mythical Japanese bird called Hō-ō, or better known as Fenghuang by its Chinese name. Hō-ō is a kind of golden peacock with rainbow colored feathers and it represents loyalty, honesty, virtue and grace. This mythical royal bird of East Asian mythology should not be confused with the Western phoenix, their similarity is only external but otherwise these are different birds. Hō-ō is also the opponent and rival of the royal sea dragon with which it forms a pair of yang and yin (just like Ho-Oh and Lugia).

[@Dr_Donald_Duck]

interesting!

[@robertlupa8273]

Considering how the early Pokemon games treated the Pokemon world as the real one (with all the real world references), I wouldn't be surprised if Ho-Oh was intended to literally _be_ Hō-ō and not just a similar creature.

[@bulborb8756]

Ho-Oh's name is also a palindrome as when spelt backwards it's still the same thing, other pokemon who have this would be Girafarig and Eevee

[@7swordquanta459]

@@bulborb8756 It can even be made into an ambigram 😁

[@Retro_Red]

Fenghuang is actually a pheasant, if I remember correctly. But then again, I might be combining things in my memory.

[@7swordquanta459]

Norse mythology is not the only inspiration for the Aura trio. Given their roles, they are also rooted from Hindu mythology (Xerneas- creator/Brahma, Ylvetal-destroyer/Shiva, Zygarde-preserver/ Vishnu).

[@danteswildlife4411]

You missed a bit of inspiration from Zacian and Zamizenta; they also pull inspiration from Geri and Freki the two wolves that sit next to Odin. In some pictures these two are depicted sitting in front of a sword and a shield.

[@danielferrieri7434]

Video Idea: Awesome Pokémon with the Worst Abilities

[@ajejebrazzorf1301]

Oh hi regigigas

[@Castersvarog]

Archeops has joined the chat

[@mushroomdude123]

It’s rare that a Pokemon name has 3 inspirations in it. Sol = Sun Galeo = Galileo Leo = Lion So creative

[@nudrattashfia4060]

Most Pokemon Names Have 4 To 5 Inspirations In Em lol

[@VictorHernandez-nj2lo]

Reshiram, a white dragon w/blue eyes Zekrom, a black dragon w/red eyes Sounds a lot like 2 iconic Yugioh dragons to me

[@pandoraeve9751]

I think this would be fun to do with mythicals as well. Don't remember you ever doing that, but I think it could be a cool video topic. Even if uh. A lot of the more *recent* mythicals have had a dearth of lore behind them.

[@SoraIndigo]

Can't wait for zygarde 35% to be a crocodile

[@echsalboss4652]

4:20 Raidou Kuzunoha moment

[@mauri4140]

I wonder if he has played any other megaten game apart from persona

[@lynniesaade4710]

I think Necrozma could also be based on a black hole. It absorbs light, and consumes the sun and moon (Solgaleo and Lunaala) to transform into a brilliantly blazing form. This is similar to how when black holes consume matter they light up as quasars.

[@melvondrewhite2674]

Not To Mention Ultra Necrozma Surpassed Arceus & Mega Rayquaza !

[@jeanduresau]

@@melvondrewhite2674 Ultra Necrozma has a total base stats of 754, while Mega Rayquaza has a base total of 780....

[@nellewoodruff6337]

It's a bit of a stretch but I always figured that palkia was water type because sometimes astronauts do underwater training

[@emblemblade9245]

Oh, now this is a cool category of discussion!

[@egc998]

I feel like more people thought of Naruto than Persona for the Izanagi and Izanami.

[@lawrencelopez9839]

Izanagi and Izanami in Naruto doesn't get introduced for a long time in which at that point a lot of people have already stopped watching it and are unaware they were in it. In Persona 4 though Izanagi appears right at the beginning.

[@robertlupa8273]

Me who knows barely anything about either: 🙄

[@anothergamer112]

I learned today that Zapdos's inspiration is cool as hell. Both Kantonian and (from a folklore point) Galarian

[@JaybeePenaflor]

Thanks for this type of content, JPR! Wishing you more subscribers!

[@JPRPokeTrainer98]

Thank you for watching!!

[@henriqueankerkronecaldas7141]

Just a slight point to make: Camazotz is a he and the Mayan Bat God of Death and is associated with the night. The Aztec goddess of the Moon is Coyolxauhqui

[@troyforce1]

I never thought that Giratina represented Satan, but rather Nahash, the snake from the Garden of Eden, whose legs were taken as punishment for its misdeeds. Similarly to how Giratina looses its legs when banished to the distortion world.

[@robertlupa8273]

Is that just a form Satan took?

[@davidfilipe4460]

It does not represent Satan, everything that this Guy Said is Just pure speculative theory with no official background to suporte It, game freak allready stated "In interviews Junichi Masuda and Takeshi Kawachimaru had with G4, they said that Giratina and the Distortion World were created to be personifications of antimatter" unfortunately people take this popular speculations so seriously that they take It as an official fact, even if theres no official confirmation behind it

[@davidfilipe4460]

​@@robertlupa8273yes he took that form to fool Adam and eve

[@AlexxPokemonnTrainer]

Articuno. It's so elegant, and beautiful. Love how it looks in Pokemon 2000, with it's long tail ribbon and red eyes.

[@MoonMoon-cl4co]

I told you all, They are the legendary cats! They like tuna and belly rubs!

[@FTChomp9980]

Dialga was obviously inspired by Doctor Who,Palkia was inspired by SPACE,and Giritina was inspired by he who must not be named.

[@hondaaccord1399]

Ohhh, OJ Simpson

[@FTChomp9980]

I'm talking about Voldemort.

[@hondaaccord1399]

@@FTChomp9980 I was making a joke ♡

[@leonardoignaciorodriguezga9667]

lovecraft's cat?

[@1uamrit]

For some reason, the Xerneas, Zygarde and Yyeltal role sound exactly like the 3 main Gods of Hinduism which Xernes giving life to everything like Brahma who is the creator, Zygarde maintaining order like Vishnu who is preserves ie maintains the order and Yyeltal being the one that destroys like Shiva who is the destroyer. As a hindu I can see a lot of parallels between them and the hindu Gods. The pokemon don't look like the Hindu gods but their role are very very similar

[@anothergamer112]

I've heard somewhere (I forgot where so this could be wrong) that the pokedex implies Zacian is female as they may also be based on the sword and shield of Excalibur, with the sword referred to with female pronouns and the shield male, which would imply Zamazenta is male.

[@Retro_Red]

I never heard this. I do know that (at least in Sun & Moon) the legendaries are male and female respectively. In Sun, it's stated that Lunala might be the female evolution of Cosmoem and Solgaleo is the male as stated in Moon.

[@ubercow6611]

Ah yes, my favorite legendary trio: Suicune, Raikou, and *Ho-Oh*

[@brandonm8901]

10:22 - I'm sorry but Gallileo did not first present the idea of heliocentrism. Aristarchus was the first to propose the model in the 4th century BC. Even in Renaissance era Europe, it was Copernicus who showed that the Earth orbited the Sun.

[@konumbra]

this is my favourite video of urs yet!! i love mythology and pokemon and i obsess over any scrap of lore i get :)

[@victorpubejuice]

You’re the only face reveal which I wasn’t disappointed by

[@nazeersadek6705]

I learned a couple of new things in this video so thanks JPR 😄

[@hhjan594]

Speaking of legends inspirations, the Forces of Nature are actually heavily based on Japanese and Chinese mythology. The incarnate form is based on several Shinto Kamis, which is likely where they got their typings (Fuujin for wind, Raijin for Thunder, Inari for bounty harvest, and Ugajin for love). These Kamis are said to be very powerful but also look very fierce and aggressive, as they are usually very ugly in any portraits, that is the reason why they look not very appealing in their designs. The Therian forms on the other hand are based on the Four Auspicious Beasts in Chinese mythology, they are the Vermillion bird, the Azure Dragon, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise. The introduction of Enamorus actually made this group of animals fulfilled, being the Black Tortoise is depicted as a Tortoise with a snake tail... Totally what Enamorous looks like. The item used to change their forms, the "Reveal Glass", is also a mythological item in Chinese mythology, used to show the true form of Yokais or evil spirits or whatever you want to call them, you get my point. Overall this group of legends that are not really popular among players is actually one of the most detailed designed legendary Pokemon and combined with multiple mythology lore for both forms and even the item for them.

[@robertlupa8273]

And yet the Azure Dragon Pokemon is somehow not a Dragon type. Then again, "not all dragons are Dragon type"...

[@hhjan594]

@@robertlupa8273 Hahaha yeah that is very true. The beasts basically only gave them their appearance.

[@mirandarae7678]

Your videos are such a high quality, in surprised you're not at 500k+ subs. Keep up the good work man, your videos are super entertaining

[@verylostdoommarauder]

The Tao Trio may also be based on an Iroquois myth where a woman from the sky dies giving birth to a pair of twins, one light and one dark.

[@Thunor93]

Actually I can tell you the main inspiration for Articuno, Articuno is based on the Roc a bird that is from Arabic legends, the reason it is ice type is also based on the codename for Russia during the winter games. Cause in Russian tales the Roc is associated with large cold mountains, Wich ties into the Arabic myth that the Roc settles on the mountain Quaf (not sure if it is a real mountain) and well mountains even in the middle east are cold and have icy tops. Also Moltres is based on the European ideal of a Phoenix ... Big flaming rooster Wich is why Moltres is often affectionately called a flaming chicken among poké fans, Ho-oh is based on the ideal Asian Phoenix, mainly china. And yes Zapdos is based on the native American thunder bird. For instance my grandma who is Apache and Navajo calles the thunder bird li'ni (ee knee) and is said to reside atop the supes (superstition mountain aka abode of the Thunderers).

[@junifr3091]

Sick video. Cant’t wait for more!!!

[@jamesstarnes8026]

Proud to be part of that 13% woo!

[@Revolver_Otacon]

No mention of Romulus and Remus for Zacian and Zamazenta?

[@thehoodedhero5452]

so glad I happened upon this video. I'm an avid nicknamer of my Pokémon. before, I just used to name them things they reminded me of, but lately I've been really into naming them after what they're based on. saving this vid for the future! we need more! I do anyway

[@RealShylm]

This video was suoer awesome! I would love to see more pokemon inspiration videos!

[@altabalder]

KZbinrs insisting on separating Legendary and Mythical Pokemon just so they can have double the value from their videos: Awesome video btw

[@orlyjavier3627]

"Coincidentally Kyurem represents the lack of subscribers" Man you don't give your self enough credit man! Your videos are quite entertaining.

[@RioMangs]

I tried to think of electric types that start or include “rai” and I thought of Darkrai and nothing else. But yeah like raikou too and whatever yeah. I mean that’s cool. I like darkrai though.

[@robertlupa8273]

The "rai" in Darkrai comes from "kurai", which means "dark" in Japanese. So his name is literally Darkdark.

[@theskoomacat3106]

5:54 Oi Josuke!

[@robertlupa8273]

I used *ZA HANDO* on you and you somehow ended up here! At least I know where the things I swipe out of existence go to!

[@MoramothHauntz]

Professor JPR teaching class

[@raynmanshorts9275]

Galileo wasn't the first to propose heliocentrism. That was Copernicus. Copernicus gave it up because the evidence that could be gathered at the time actually indicated terracentrism. And nothing changed during Galileo's time, it was just that Galileo refused to rely on things like "evidence," which is why the scientific community laughed at him.

[@Thunor93]

Fun fact the gen 2 trio legendaries are not dogs, they are all based on cats and Asian mythology.

[@bryana.escaleralopez]

THANK YOU FOR THIS

[@adampanas8254]

The timing of the voiceover with the clip of the guy saying coincidence, I think not absolutely sent me

[@sato9104]

This is such a coool video!

[@MJ-sy2en]

I like that, I learned some things. Nice!

[@FullOedipus]

Well done old chap. I quite enjoyed this video.

[@koraidonn]

These type of pokémon videos are so damn entertaining

[@sweafcat]

I was a little expecting the reference of Norce Mythologies when the Gen 8 legendaroes came up, but then I saw only 2 were touched on. I wonder if JPR will come back to the Wolves in part 2 referring to Sol and Hati wolves of Odin and Ragnerok

[@MarioPikachu626]

7:54 Seeing that pic also explains lots of Fire Emblem Heroes lore.

[@s.k.miller932]

No lie I enjoyed that as he was saying “our very first legendary Pokémon” as arcanine flashed on the screen , given that it was his planned to be. As far as I can remember.

[@projesusantisatan3583]

Wonderful video I greatly enjoyed it. But there’s one thing you got wrong and it’s not really your fault because it’s a very well-known misconception. Satan does not rule over hell. Hell is where he will be sent after judgment. He’s actually among humans on earth.does not rule over hell he’s actually on earth but is unstable because he is a spiritual being

[@SoGreenItsLime]

Great video, Lockstin will be proud

[@peterdamico336]

Have you ever played Pokémon Dnd? Seems like you might like based off of a lot the content you post. The Larimar Region might be fun.

[@jaymckeown7601]

To add Zacian and Zamazenta's colour palettes are represented in their names with the words Cyan and Magenta within.

[@jean-pierrebenzenique]

ok that Sirius A & Sirius B one was new to me

[@helix953]

Where is that unova poster from on your wall I love it!

[@gymleaderjc]

Absolutely love this video you did a phenomenal job 🔥🔥🔥

[@renote5559]

I literally saw the title and i already lnew that you were going to talk about Regigigas being the Golem from Prague, ps i live in Czechia so we learned about that 😅

[@FatalWarGhost]

I see what you did there with Arcanine at the beginning of the video. The "first" legendary lol

[@Zura_Janai]

Love the videos! If my Japanese isn't as bad as I always tell people it is so I don't have to translate for my friends, Hō-oh's name translates literally to lord/king of fire.

[@Lupinemancer87]

Who havn't watched Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood? It's the best damn anime of all times.

[@HelenaSan425]

Awesome video as always!

[@kerrywien6775]

Yeah, An Awesome Video. But He Forgot Some Of The Legendaries Such as The Eon Duo, The Guardian Deities/Tapus & The Swords Of Justice.

[@kerrywien6775]

My Favorite Legendary Pokémon is eternatus which is a Poison/Dragon Type Legendary Pokémon & eternatus is The Third Legendary Dragon of Gen 8. This Legendary Pokémon Have Amazing Powers & An Awesome Design, it’s a freaking SKELETON DRAGON Turning into A Thousand Headed Dragon with Thousand Hands Like Heads and CAPABLE OF Warping Time & Space. Just Hoping For The Gen 9 Third Legendary Pokémon To Be a Dragon Type Legendary Pokémon.

[@HelenaSan425]

@@kerrywien6775 okay I'll tell you my favorite legendaries later

[@kerrywien6775]

@@HelenaSan425 So What’s Your Favorite Legendary Pokémon ?

[@HelenaSan425]

@@kerrywien6775 oh yeah, my favorites are Zygarde Zapdos Victini Zeraora Darkrai Volcanion Zacian Mewtwo Keldeo Zekrom Latios Dialga Registeel Raikou Eternatus Zamazenta Kyurem and Rayquaza i don't know if Ceruledge is a legendary or not if it counts

[@anakinstargazer4148]

Rai is the Japanese word for thunder

[@gce7586]

5:00 Zyzz? He lives on! The king of aesthetics and the sky as well apparently.

[@JustaGr8GuyHere]

Pokemon slowly becoming Shin Megami Tensei

[@TheDimensionDweller]

Very cool!

[@josiahpurtee1156]

By "sabertooth tiger", you mean "saber-toothed cat".

[@pokemonftw3652]

I love your videos

[@jebediah5002]

Does anyone know what the background music he used was called when he was talking about suicune, ho-oh etc?

[@misters6749]

Am I the only one who though Ray and Mega-Ray might be based on Shenron from DB?

[@Jelly_shy_guy_man]

ITS NOT MORNING

[@flamingphoenix1425]

0:48 YOO I GOT A SHOUTOUT

[@xTayDollazx]

Having the original Legendary Pokémon use Strength to get to Moltes was a good touch.

[@HughWanztino]

hell yeah a fellow nascar fan pokemon gamer

[@McDonalds_Bobbaman]

10:22 wasnt that Mikołaj Kopernik?

[@mcordeus]

Leviathan is related on Hebrew as a Crocodile like beast. Behemot like an Hippopotamus, to my knowledge not exactly Greek... related to more of the ancient times.

[@NightCrawlerKV]

gotta like and comment for the algorithm ;)

[@DG-nv4pf]

I want kyrum with his original body in SV

[@diophantine6677]

There's probably a mythological link between the god of the forest in Princess Mononoke and Xerneas

[@SilentKnifeNinja]

or neceozma could be a god that consumes all energy

[@Nihilisterplayz]

I like how zekrom, reshiram, kyurem yveltal, dialga, palkia giratina lunala giratina, palkia dialga, black kyurem white kyurem are based on and a few others. Seems like you forgot eternatus

[@kerrywien6775]

He Even Forgot Some Of The Lesser Legendaries Such As The Eon Duo, The Guardian Deities/Tapus & The Swords Of Justice.

[@kerrywien6775]

My Favorite Legendary Pokémon is eternatus which is a Poison/Dragon Type Legendary Pokémon & eternatus is The Third Legendary Dragon of Gen 8. This Legendary Pokémon Have Amazing Powers & An Awesome Design, it’s a freaking SKELETON DRAGON Turning into A Thousand Headed Dragon with Thousand Hands Like Heads and CAPABLE OF Warping Time & Space. Just Hoping For The Gen 9 Third Legendary Pokémon To Be a Dragon Type Legendary Pokémon.

[@alexsnow7381]

Hi JPR! Unfortunately, you made a huuuge history mistake in a part about Solgaleo. Galileo, this astronomic guy you are referring to, not come up to an idea that Earth revolves around Sun. It was actually Nicolaus Copernicus, a Polish astronom, who come up with this 100 years before Galileo was even born. And while Galileo agreed with Copernicus and was a huge supporter of his works, he's never referred as an author of heliocentric theory.

[@Cheef.SteveX0]

Id subscribe to any channel u want for a complete kyurem. Hopefully gen v remakes do him justice

[@griffinwalker8973]

Interesting. I used to think Rayquaza was based off Jormungandr.

[@awx2551]

Moltres true origin. Creator of Moltres: I want to set a bird on fire.

[@about7grams]

I immediately thought Yugioh and Naruto when I heard Izanami and Izanagi not Persona lol

[@kingprzemtv]

10:22 it wasn't Galileo who discovered this

[@just__a__dog2017]

4:17 raidou kuzunoha

[@thewindreaver7016]

wait wasnt reshiram and zekrom based on the ouroboros too?