Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada explained

Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada
Multiple:Yes
Image Upright:1.0
Series:Pokémon
Firstgame:Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022)
Species:Pokémon
Lbl21:Type
Data21:Grass (Sprigatito, Floragato)
Grass and Dark (Meowscarada)

Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada—known in Japan as,, and respectively—are Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, they have since appeared in multiple games, as well as various merchandise.

Classified as a Grass-type Pokémon, Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada are a trio of cat-like Pokémon. Sprigatito is the first stage of its evolutionary line, evolving into Floragato and eventually Meowscarada. It is one of the three Pokémon available at the start of Scarlet and Violet, alongside Fuecoco and Quaxly. The three have been subject to much discussion, primarily around Sprigatito and the designs of its evolutionary forms compared to past designs in the series. Various aspects of the evolutionary line have resulted in internet memes.

Conception and development

Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada are fictional species of Pokémon created for the Pokémon franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the video games Pokémon Red and Blue for the Game Boy.[1] In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon, and some can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2]

Sprigatito is a small green cat-like Pokémon. It is one of the three Pokemon players can obtain as their first in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and it can evolve into Floragato and Meowscarada after gaining enough experience.[3] In the anime, Sprigatito is voiced by Kira Buckland in English[4] and Megumi Hayashibara voices both it[5] and Floragato in Japanese.[6]

Appearances

Sprigatito first appeared in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet as one of the three Pokémon available for the player to select as their first Pokémon, alongside Fuecoco and Quaxly. Sprigatito evolves into Floragato and eventually Meowscarada. All three forms are Grass-type Pokémon, though Meowscarada gains a Dark type.[7] If the player chooses a different Pokémon, Sprigatito will either be owned by Nemona[8] or Director Clavell,[9] depending on which is chosen. Sprigatito also appears in other games, such as Pokémon Go[10] and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.[11] In the anime, the main protagonist of , Liko, obtains a Sprigatito as her first Pokémon. Though it is not fond of Liko at first, it slowly begins to show affection for her as the series progresses.[12] Sprigatito eventually evolves into Floragato.[13] Sprigatito and its evolutions have been used in promotion material for the series, with plushes being produced.[14] [15]

Reception

Sprigatito was well-received by fans and critics, being considered a cute Pokémon.[16] In a Famitsu poll, Sprigatito was named the most popular of the three Starter Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, receiving more than 40 percent of the votes. Meanwhile, a Nintendo Life poll ranked Sprigatito in second place, behind Fuecoco.[17] Inside Games writer Chappurin felt its cute design led to it ranking second in the website's poll, in which it received 36 percent of the votes.[18] Polygon writer Cass Marshall considered Sprigatito her personal favorite of the three Scarlet and Violet starters, owing it to her enjoyment of cats.[19] Sprigatito has been the subject of memes surrounding marijuana, given the nickname "Weed Cat." The Mary Sue writer Chelsea Steiner was excited for Sprigatito, particularly in terms of design due in part to the weed angle.[20] Comic Book Resources writer Christian Markle and Screen Rant writer Carlyle Edmundson both drew comparisons between Sprigatito and Ash Ketchum's Pikachu in the anime.[21] [22] Sprigatito's evolutions have been the subject of commentary, with many focusing around its evolution.[23] Upon its reveal, fans of the series noticed similarities between Sprigatito and another cat-based first partner Pokémon, Litten, and grew concerned that Sprigatito would evolve to be bipedal as Litten did.[24] [25] Polygon writer Cass Marshall noted people's worries about Sprigatito evolving into a bipedal Pokémon, citing the drastic change from the 'sweet little' Litten into the 'raging, bipedal luchador' Incineroar. Marshall personally hoped to see Sprigatito remain quadrapedal.[19] Inside Games writer Chappurin discussed the propensity of cat Pokémon changing their stance when they evolve, noting how fans called for Sprigatito to stay on four legs as a result.[26] The discussion surrounding Sprigatito's evolution led to the phrase "Sprigatito Stand" becoming one of the most used words on social media web forums in 2022 as well as an internet meme.[27]

Reception to Floragato, Sprigatito's evolution, was generally positive, despite the initial concern around its bipedal evolution. Inside Games noted that the design maintained numerous aspects of Sprigatito's design, additionally stating that it had become "stylish" while doing so. Its evolution into Meowscarada was more mixed. Polygon writer Ana Diaz noted that the prevalence of bipedal Pokémon had become a series cliche.[28] This concern over it standing was due in part to fans not wanting Sprigatito to become rugged in a similar manner to Incineroar.[29] Automaton Media writer Ayuo Kawase felt the reason why people did not want it to become bipedal was because people got so attached to how cute it was.[30] Despite complaints, Chappurin noted that the evolutions had begun to grow on fans.[31] Hideaki Fujiwara of Automaton Media felt that Meowscarada going with a "smarter" direction than a "strong" direction like they did with Incineroar helped influence Meowscarada's popularity. Meowscarada's tendency to become jealous was also stated to have influenced Meowscarada's popularity somewhat.[32] [33] It was credited with dispelling concerns regarding Sprigatito standing and overall has been well received,[34] with Inside Games stating its slender and cute cat-like design helped make it a popular Pokémon with fans. In a poll conducted by GameWith, Meowscarada was the third most popular Pokémon in Japan.[35] One year later, in 2023, a poll ranked it as the most popular overall.[36]

Critics have expressed worries about Sprigatito evolving to develop sexual characteristics. The Gamer writer Eric Switzer felt that the franchise leaned too heavily on feminine Pokémon designs, worrying that Sprigatito would also evolve in a similar manner.[37] Meowscarada's bipedal design and approximately similar height to the player led to some players to interpret it to seem as if they were kissing it.[38] [39] [40] [41] Some players noted this aspect as a potential design element, with Sprigatito evolving to be bipedal out of affection for its trainer.[42]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All . . Hilliard . Kyle . December 25, 2016 . January 22, 2024 . October 1, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231001192920/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx . dead .
  2. Book: Allison, Anne . Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination . May 2006 . University of California Press . 9780520938991 . 192–197.
  3. Web site: Gach . Ethan . 2022-11-08 . Sprigatito's Evolution Leaks, Tearing Fans Apart . 2024-04-16 . Kotaku . en . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311213954/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-gen-9-sprigatito-final-evolution-1849759438 . live .
  4. Web site: McMullen . Chris . 2024-01-15 . All English Dub Voice Actors & Cast List for Pokémon Horizons . 2024-03-27 . The Escapist . en-US . January 15, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240115152017/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/all-english-dub-voice-actors-cast-list-for-pokemon-horizons/ . live .
  5. Web site: Behind the Voice Actors- Sprigatito (Liko's) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929080601/https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Pokemon-Horizons-The-Series/Sprigatito-Likos/ . September 29, 2023 . March 27, 2024.
  6. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Pokemon-Horizons-The-Series/Floragato-Likos/ Behind the Voice Actors- Floragato (Liko's)
  7. Web site: Colwander . Michael . Sandoval . Andrea . Mauerman . Katy . Schutze . Katie . 2022-12-11 . Pokémon Scarlet & Violet: Starter Evolutions, Explained . 2024-03-27 . CBR . en . January 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240120010340/https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-starter-evolutions-guide-nintendo-switch/ . live .
  8. News: 2022-11-19 . How to beat Nemona in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet . 2024-03-27 . Eurogamer.net . en . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225022406/https://www.eurogamer.net/how-to-beat-nemona-pokemon-scarlet-violet-9015 . live .
  9. News: 2022-11-18 . How to beat Director Clavell in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet during a Challenge from Cassiopeia quest . 2024-03-27 . Eurogamer.net . en . November 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231115175010/https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-scarlet-violet-how-beat-director-clavell-9015 . live .
  10. Web site: Budhathoki . Diwas . 2023-09-04 . Pokemon GO: How To Get Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada . 2024-03-27 . Game Rant . en . September 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230927115601/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-go-get-sprigatito-floragato-meowscarada/ . live .
  11. Web site: Comments . Theo Dwyer . 2023-10-26 . Pokémon TCG Japan's Shiny Treasure ex: Shiny Sprigatito Line . 2024-03-27 . Bleeding Cool.
  12. Web site: Kuiper . El . 2024-03-07 . 'Pokémon Horizons' Has Reinvented the Pokémon Anime . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240314181325/https://www.themarysue.com/pokemon-horizons-has-reinvented-the-pokemon-anime/ . 2024-03-14 . 2024-03-14 . The Mary Sue . en.
  13. Web site: Edmundson . Carlyle . 2024-04-02 . Pokémon's New Protagonist Just Broke A 27 Year-Old Ash Tradition . 2024-04-10 . ScreenRant . en . April 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240402183944/https://screenrant.com/pokemons-new-protagonist-broke-27-year-old-ash-tradition/ . live .
  14. Web site: 2023-08-10 . 『ポケモンSV』マスカーニャ、ラウドボーン、ウェーニバルがぬいぐるみに!成長した御三家をお迎えしよう . 2024-04-10 . インサイド . ja . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311235948/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/08/10/147749.html . live .
  15. Web site: 2024-01-17 . グルグルおめめで、ぐったり…!「リザードン」や「マスカーニャ」ら人気ポケモンが、"ちからつきた"表情でぬいぐるみに . 2024-04-10 . インサイド . ja . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311235949/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2024/01/17/151761.html . live .
  16. Web site: Which 'Scarlet & Violet' Starter Pokémon Is the Best? And Why Is It So Hard To Choose?! . The Mary Sue . Doyle . Jack . November 18, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311214039/https://www.themarysue.com/which-pokemon-scarlet-and-violet-starter-is-the-best-answered/ . live .
  17. Web site: Sprigatito Is Pokémon Scarlet And Violet's Most Popular Starter, According To Famitsu Survey . . Norman . Jim . November 18, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311213949/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/11/sprigatito-is-pokemon-scarlet-and-violets-most-popular-starter-according-to-famitsu-survey . live .
  18. Web site: 『ポケモン スカーレット・バイオレット』御三家はだれを選んだ?ニャオハ、ホゲータ、クワッスの人気が明らかに!【アンケート結果】 . Inside Games . Chappurin . November 23, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311205405/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/11/23/142007.html . live .
  19. Web site: Everyone loves Sprigatito, the new weed cat Pokémon starter . . Marshall . Cass . February 28, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . December 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219225247/https://www.polygon.com/22954877/sprigatito-grass-starter-pokemon-scarlet-violet-evolution-fan-art-memes . live .
  20. Web site: Meet the New Starters for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet! . The Mary Sue . Steiner . Chelsea . February 27, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311214037/https://www.themarysue.com/new-starters-for-pokemon-scarlet-and-violet/ . live .
  21. Web site: Pokémon Horizons' Sprigatito Inherited the Same Spirit as Ash's Pikachu . Comic Book Resources . Markle . Christian . April 22, 2023 . March 24, 2024 . July 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722025252/https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-horizons-liko-sprigatito-shares-ash-pikachu-spirit/ . live .
  22. Web site: Pokémon's New Anime Hero is Already Ash's Opposite in the Best Way . Screen Rant . Edmundson . Carlyle . April 15, 2023 . March 24, 2024 . April 30, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230430200026/https://screenrant.com/pokemon-new-hero-liko-ash-opposite-best/ . live .
  23. Web site: Sato . Koutaro . August 4, 2022 . 『ポケモン スカーレット・バイオレット』新映像で、シビルドンが「立つ」。ニャオハはともかくでんきうおポケモンが歴史的原点回帰 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311214004/https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20220804-213107/ . March 11, 2024 . March 24, 2024 . Automaton Media.
  24. Web site: 2024-03-29 . 『アニポケ』でニャオハが立ちそう…本日3月29日放送回で進化を匂わせ、懐かしの「ニャオハ立つな」が再び盛り上がる . 2024-04-10 . インサイド . ja . April 6, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240406115159/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2024/03/29/154048.html . live .
  25. Web site: Fujiwara . Hideaki . 2023-01-13 . 『ポケモンSV』ついに"公式に"ニャオハが立つ。マスカーニャお披露目で、ニャオハ立つな論争に終止符 . 2024-04-10 . AUTOMATON . ja . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311213949/https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20230113-233534/ . live .
  26. Web site: Chappurin . March 24, 2022 . 『ポケモンSV』のニャオハに「進化しても立たないで!」と願う声!二足で歩く、歴代猫ポケモンを調べてみた . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311205404/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/03/24/137394.html . March 11, 2024 . March 24, 2024 . Inside Games.
  27. Web site: 2022-11-18 . 【ネタバレ注意】「ニャオハ立つな」論争ついに決着!ユーザーの反応は…?『ポケモンSV』 . 2024-04-10 . インサイド . ja . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311205412/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/11/18/141916.html . live .
  28. Web site: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's leaked designs may be the most divisive yet . . Diaz . Ana . November 10, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . December 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219225247/https://www.polygon.com/23449870/pokemon-scarlet-violet-leaks-starter-evolutions-fan-reaction . live .
  29. Web site: イイネイヌがニャオハの進化形じゃなくてよかった…『ポケモンSV』新ポケモンに「ニャオハの元進化候補説」が上がる . Inside Games . Chappurin . March 1, 2023 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311205418/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/03/01/144337.html . live .
  30. Web site: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starters have fans hoping for non-bipedal evolutions . Automaton Media . Kawase . Ayuo . February 28, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311214052/https://automaton-media.com/en/news/20220228-10088/ . live .
  31. Web site: 【ネタバレ注意】「ニャオハ立つな」論争ついに決着!ユーザーの反応は…?『ポケモンSV』 . Inside Games . Chappurin . November 18, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311205412/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/11/18/141916.html . live .
  32. Web site: 『ポケモンSV』ついに"公式に"ニャオハが立つ。マスカーニャお披露目で、ニャオハ立つな論争に終止符 . Automaton Media . Fujiwara . Hideaki . January 13, 2023 . March 24, 2024 . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311213949/https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20230113-233534/ . live .
  33. Web site: 2023-01-13 . 『ポケモンSV』マスカーニャは"嫉妬深い"ポケモンだった!?公式の「爆弾設定」が効果バツグン . 2024-04-10 . インサイド . ja . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311235943/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/01/13/143122.html . live .
  34. Web site: Wood . Martin . 2022-11-19 . How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Meowscarada Compares to Past Grass Starters . 2024-04-10 . Game Rant . en . June 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230628155920/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-meowscarada-grass-starter-comparison-venusaur-decidueye/ . live .
  35. Web site: Castillo . Alejandro . 2022-12-29 . Japan chooses its favorite Pokémon from Pokémon Scarlet & Violet . 2024-04-10 . Meristation . en-us . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311235943/https://en.as.com/meristation/2022/12/29/news/1672351422_826616.html . live .
  36. Web site: Robertson . Joshua . 2023-12-29 . Meowscarada Has Been Voted Scarlet & Violet's Most Popular Pokemon In Japan . 2024-04-10 . TheGamer . en . February 25, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240225044512/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-meowscarada-voted-most-popular-pokemon-japan/ . live .
  37. Web site: Game Freak, Please Don't Ruin The Cat Pokemon This Time . The Gamer . Switzer . Eric . March 1, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 1, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220301212047/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-sprigatito-cat-litten-incineroar-quadrapedal/ . live .
  38. News: 2022-11-28 . Pokémon players are 'kissing' their Meowscaradas . 2024-04-10 . Eurogamer.net . en . January 31, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230131141434/https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-players-are-kissing-their-meowscaradas . live .
  39. Web site: Young . Rory . 2022-11-24 . Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Players Raise Their Eyebrows at Questionable Meowscarada 'Kiss' . 2024-04-10 . Game Rant . en . January 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240105203820/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-questionable-meowscarada-kiss/ . live .
  40. Web site: Liang . Lu-Hai . 2022-11-28 . Pokemon Players Have Been Kissing Meowscarada In Scarlet & Violet . 2024-04-10 . TheGamer . en . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320185328/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-players-kissing-meowscarada/ . live .
  41. Web site: Welp, Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Players Found A Way To Kiss Their Monsters . . Winslow . Levi . November 28, 2022 . March 24, 2024 . March 20, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230320185414/https://kotaku.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-sprigatito-evolution-meowscarada-1849826752 . live .
  42. Web site: 2022-12-24 . 「ニャオハ立つな」派が手のひら返し!トレーナーや月ノ美兎を骨抜きにした"ときめきモーション"の正体 . 2024-04-10 . インサイド . ja . March 11, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240311205410/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/24/142755.html . live .