Per the series tradition,Pokemon Scarlet andViolethave introduced a new pseudolegendary Pokemon line with Frigibax, Arctibax, and Baxcalibur, and though these designs once again lean on the Dragon type, there is an unusual inspiration behind them. While there has been criticism by fans about the continuedreliance on Dragon-type Pokemon with legendaries and pseudolegendariesfor the series, this shouldn’t overshadow the creativity that went into the Frigibax line. Between its odd body proportions and posture to its signature move, it seems Baxcalibur is a clear callback to Japan’s most famous kaiju.
Over the years, Pokemon designs have pooled from many different sources ranging from the obvious like real-life animals to the bizarre, such as a set of keys or garbage bags come to life. Given their immense popularity, particularly within Japanese audiences, inspiration from kaiju monsters has made its way into many different Pokemon designs, with examples ranging from Rayquaza taking after Manda or Volcarona channeling Mothra. But few of these have been as explicit asPokemon Scarlet and Violet’sBaxcalibur, whose tall humanoid stance, glaive-like spine, and signature move all point to it being a direct homage to Godzilla.
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Pokemon’s Relationship with Kaiju
Godzillawas introduced by its creator Ishiro Honda and consequently spawned anearly cinematic universe around the kaijuand various others. It’s undeniable thatGodzillawas and still is a cultural icon of Japanese entertainment, leading to an impressive impact across pop culture. For a series focused on controlling powerful monsters that can fit inside a pocket then, it’s no surprise thatPokemonwas one of those games that saw itself influenced by the King of Monsters.
Over the years, this relationship has typically been characterized asPokemonspeaking up to the likes of Godzilla, where many designs, in-game events, and concepts are surface-level references to kaiju. For example, while some Pokemon can be likened to existing kaiju as stated, other instances likeBlack 2 and White 2’s"Big Monster Series" are much clearer tributes to Hollywood and kaiju movies, with Mecha Tyranitar paralleling Mechagodzilla were introduced back in 1974. However, asPokemonhas reached similar levels of cultural significance, it seems thatGodzilla andPokemonshare an amicable, symbiotic relationship.
As of late though, this relationship appears to have become far more beneficial toPokemonwhere Godzilla’s influence can be more keenly felt by players. InSwordandShield, many fans pointed out how the games' dynamax gimmick allowed the series to live its kaiju fantasy, especially when Gigantamax forms seemed to reference other kaiju such as Butterfree as Mothra, Drednaw as Gamera, or Garbador as Hedorah. Therefore, it seems more than a coincidence then that one ofViolet’sfuture Paradox Pokemon is Iron Thorns, a mechanical version of Tyranitar in what could be one ofPokemon’smost meta-references to Godzilla.
Baxcalibur’s Godzilla Inspiration Explained
At face value, Baxcalibur’s design feels slightly disproportional, such as its exaggerated height, elongated torso, short arms, and stubby legs. However, this could be intentional, not least because it calls back toearlier Dragon Pokemondesigns like Haxorus or Duraludon, but because it’s a potential nod to the fact that Godzilla is traditionally a performer in a suit. Despite being based upon reptiles and dinosaurs, as Godzilla needed to conform to a human’s body size, this resulted in disjointed proportions - or rather, it resulted in things like an exaggerated height, elongated torso, and oddly short limbs.
Beyond its surface-level design though, Baxcalibur has much clearer references to Godzilla than the likes of other Pokemon. Its back for example is designed to resemble a blade or glaive, hence its namesake combining the word “back” with the famous sword excalibur, but this design also looks uncannily similar to Godzilla’s own plates on its spine. But in performing its signature move Glaive Rush and using its back to attack, Baxcalibur’s movements directly parallelGodzilla’s “radiokinetic flight"seen inGodzilla vs. Hedorah, right down to the way the pair blasts from their mouths to propel themselves.
