I have heard people say that the Fire Type Starter Zodiac theory may have been broken with Generation 9. I have therefore chosen to explain why this is not so.
Table of Contents:
- What is the Zodiac Theory?
- The Charmander Line
- The Cyndaquil Line
- The Torchic Line
- The Chimchar Line
- The Tepig Line
- The Fennekin Line
- The Litten Line
- The Scorbunny Line
What is the Zodiac theory?
| Zodiac Animal | Chinese Name |
|---|---|
| Rat | 鼠 (shǔ) |
| Ox | 牛 (niú) |
| Tiger | 虎 (hǔ) |
| Rabbit | 兔 (tù) |
| Dragon | 龙 (lóng) |
| Snake | 蛇 (shé) |
| Horse | 马 (mǎ) |
| Sheep | 羊 (yáng) |
| Monkey | 猴 (hóu) |
| Rooster | 鸡 (jī) |
| Dog | 狗 (gǒu) |
| Pig | 猪 (zhū) |
Now I will begin to explain when this supposed "rule" has been broken before by taking an in-depth look at each fire type starter, from the Charmander line to the Scorbunny line. Note that the Fuecoco line has not been included because, at the time of this post, there is too little information to comprehensively analyze the line.
The Charmander Line
The above image was obtained from https://www.dexerto.com/pokemon/how-to-get-charmander-charmeleon-charizard-in-pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-1708362/.
This is the line that I feel may have the most controversial explanation. In it, I will contradict nearly everything that is said about Charizard. I shall now begin.
Charizard is viewed by many as being among the original pokemon that are dragons. However, it is not technically a dragon pokemon, for its pokedex category is the Flame pokemon. Therefore, it is not a dragon. Its type reflects this. In fact, the pokedex category for every pokemon in the line with the exception of Charmander is the Flame pokemon. This includes all alternate forms of Charizard as well. Therefore, the zodiac theory does not apply for the Charmander line.
The Cyndaquil Line
This is an example that may be less controversial than the last. There are examples of how the Cyndaquil line does not fit in with this Zodiac theory. Notice the references to hedgehogs in the evolution line. Cyndaquil. Quilava. I thought that Typhlosion did not bear any relation to hedgehogs, but hedgehogs are apparently part of the order Eulipotyphla. While Cyndaquil is the Fire Mouse Pokemon, both Quilava and Typhlosion are the Volcano Pokemon. Besides, mice are not the same as rats. Typical rats are in the genus Rattus, while typical mice are in the genus Mus. Therefore, the zodiac theory does not apply for the Cyndaquil line.
The Torchic Line
The above image was obtained from https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G_j_ChYVTzQ/hqdefault.jpg.
This explanation may also be controversial. Therefore, I sincerely hope you will not hunt me down because I have made controversial statements.
Many may classify the Torchic line as being more evidence for the zodiac theory. They would be incorrect for a number of reasons. The first is that no member of the evolution line's Pokedex category ever specifies that it is a chicken. Torchic is the Chick Pokemon, Combusken is the Young Fowl Pokemon, and Blaziken is the Blaze Pokemon. However, this sort of evidence is not enough. My next reason is that, even if you follow the not-so-subtle clues in the names, it would not be guaranteed to be a rooster. After all, approximately one in eight Torchic, Combusken, or Blaziken is female. A female chicken is a hen, not a rooster. One out of eight in the species would be a hen, meaning that not all are roosters. Therefore, the zodiac theory does not apply for the Torchic Line.
The Chimchar Line
The above image was obtained from https://levelskip.com/rpgs/Pokemon-Top-Six-Fire-Starters .
I did not think there was any evidence against the zodiac theory for this line, but the official Pokedex on pokemon.com proved me wrong.
Chimchar is the Chimp Pokemon. Chimpanzees are apes, not monkeys. Apes have certain characteristics that make them different from monkeys, such as the lack of a tail. However, Chimchar's evolutions are shown to have tails, nullifying this evidence. However, I still have some evidence. Monferno is the Playful Pokemon, while Infernape is the Flame Pokemon. None of their categories reference monkeys. Therefore, there is some evidence that implies that the zodiac theory may not apply to the Chimchar line.
The Tepig Line
I have no evidence against the zodiac theory for this line, so let us move on.
The Fennekin Line
The above image was obtained from https://aminoapps.com/c/pokemon/page/blog/fennekin-the-fox-pokemon/7GhP_u8DQaRjj2VbpJkjqB121jB8rVil
If your faith in the zodiac theory was not broken by my explanations of Generations 1, 2, 3, & 4, then it should be shattered by the time I reach the Litten Line. How does this pokemon in any way relate to the chinese zodiac? My friend told me that some say that it somehow bears some resemblance to a dog. How?????????? Its entire evolution line's category is the Fox Pokemon. The first pokemon in the line's name is literally Fennekin. A fennec fox is a type of fox with large ears that help it cool off. How does any of this information relate to dogs?????? Fennekin has large ears that vent out extremely hot air. Therefore, the zodiac theory definitely does not apply to the Fennekin line.
The Litten Line
The above image was obtained from https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/pokemon-sun-moon-starter-guide-best-pick-rowlet-popplio-litten-easy-alolan-trials-1592077
In Pokemon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, I would personally choose Popplio. If you do all the calculations based on type advantages and disadvantages for each starter, you will find that Primarina has 2 super effective types on Incineroar, Incineroar has 2 super effective types on Decidueye, and Decidueye has 1 super effective type on Primarina, not 2. Therefore, Primarina is the best choice because it has 2 super effective types on Incineroar while Decidueye, the fully evolved starter with a starting type that is super effective on its type, only has 1 super effective type on it. Incineroar is a mediocre choice because it has 2 super effective types on Decidueye, while Primarina has 2 super effective types on Incineroar. Decidueye is the worst choice because Incineroar has 2 super effective types on it, while it only has 1 super effective type on Primarina. Note that this calculation is only done based on type matchups, rather than anything else.
However, this is beside the point. I shall now return to this point. The Litten line could be viewed as not conforming to the Zodiac theory for a variety of reasons. The first is that none of them have a Pokedex category relating to tigers. Litten is the Fire Cat Pokemon. So is Torracat. Incineroar is the Heel Pokemon. The second part is that none of their names have subtle clues that definitely point to it being a tiger. Litten has a name that seems to point to it being a little kitten. Torracat's name appears to point to it being some manner of cat. Incineroar has a name that seems to show that it is some type of creature that roars. It has the power to incinerate its enemies(Incineroar, not the roaring creature). Therefore, the Litten line does not conform to the Zodiac theory.
The Scorbunny Line
The above image was obtained from https://pixelkin.org/2019/11/29/pokemon-sword-and-shield-starter-evolutions-revealed/scorbunny-evolutions/
While I do not have much evidence against the zodiac theory for this line, I do still have some. Therefore, I shall now present it.
Cinderace's name does not include any hints linking it to a rabbit. Cinderace is the Striker Pokemon, meaning that its Pokedex category does not link it to rabbits.
