in the world of Pokémon, the starters in each region have the potential to become incredibly powerful, but there’s a specific trio that makes the definition of god-level truly precise. Fans have varying opinions on which region’s starters are the strongest but in Sinnoh, they are truly gods.
The Sinnoh region and its Pokémon are heavily influenced by mythology from around the world. Chimchar, Piplup and Turtwig take this topic to the next level. Although seemingly humble and cute, the starters are based on deities that play important roles in their respective cultures. Chimchar is based on the Chinese Sun Wukong; Turtwig on the World Turtle and Piplup are the embodiment of Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Sinnoh’s starter Pokémon are gods from different legends
The influence of the starters’ mythological origins varies from person to person, becoming more apparent as they develop, but it is still easy to find hints of their respective lore. As for Turtwig, its relationship to the World Turtle is physical, found in its final form, Torterra. Besides the general tortoise/tortoise silhouette, the small landforms and trees on Torterra’s shell reflect the Earth that sits on the World Turtle’s shell. Piplup and its final evolution, Empoleon, share more than just physical characteristics with their god. In addition to their trident-shaped crest, Empoleons are also known to be haughty and proud, easily angered by those who disrespect them, reminiscent of Poseidon’s own pride and rage.
Chimchar is perhaps closest to its mystical origins. It shares a design with Sun Wukong, who inspired the most famous manga series, the legendary Sun Wukong, which has a very similar appearance to Infernape. Pokémon also reflect the personalities of legends, especially Ash’s Chimchar. Sun Wukong is a trickster god with boundless power. Throughout his journey in Journey to the West, he strives to control his powers and chaotic personality with the help of Tang Sanzang. In the Pokémon anime, Chimchar has to deal with his injuries and uncontrollable rage while using Blaze. With Ash’s help, he learns to control himself as he evolves, eventually becoming one of Ash’s strongest Pokémon.
Beginners are often seen as modest beginnings in their often more robust development, but they have their own strengths. Sinnoh’s Pokémon take this concept to the next level, embracing the gifts bestowed upon them by their mythical inspirations. Turtwig, Chimchar, and Piplup are all minor gods waiting to reach their full potential. Although much of their inspiration is beauty, their personality traits also stem from their divine origins. Fans are free to debate what they love Pokémon are the strongest, but when it comes to the Sinnoh region, even their original origins prove that they are literal gods.