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AustinSPTD1996 — Toxic Retainers

Published: 2024-02-15 14:15:18 +0000 UTC; Views: 4239; Favourites: 4; Downloads: 0
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Hey guys, Austin here with the next Pokémon Scarlet photographic collage on a Legendary Pokémon group. Like the Treasures of Ruin, I decided to capture the group in collage-form since their collective lore is similar, not to mention they're formally a group. Put your hands together for the Retainer Pokémon, the main antagonists of The Teal Mask, and the thieves once falsely celebrated as Kitakami's "protecters" -- the Loyal Three. Or, like Carmine, I personally prefer referring to them as the Lousy Three. (I may use the terms interchangeably.)

This collage focuses explicitly on the three Pokémon that were made into retainers by their ringleader. (I've got other plans for Pecharunt.) I captured the three of them all at the locations that the player and Carmine fight them as Titan Pokémon, and where the player catches them after finishing The Teal Mask: Paradise Barrens for Okidogi, Wistful Fields (by Wisteria Pond) for Munkidori, and the lower entrance of the Chilling Waterhead for Fezandipiti. Tying them together is the top left screenshot I took of them after they got resurrected. Like the Treasures of Ruin, I'll be covering them in National Pokédex order while trying to speak about them as collectively as possible. Let's see what there is to these bad boys! 

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Lore and Likely Inspirations

Prior to the release of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero, if one were to go up to the exterior of the Treasure Eatery in Medali, one could find a poster containing some curious silhouettes . Those silhouettes were of Okidogi, Munkidori and Fezandipiti, all being presented in the background. Most certainly from Kitakami, this poster was a nice touch to foreshadow the release of the DLC for Scarlet and Violet. Altogether, the Lousy Three (along with Pecharunt and Ogerpon) all reference the Japanese folktale Momotarō. In the conventional form of the story, the titular protagonist was found born inside of a giant peach floating down a river by an elderly couple. When he reaches adolesence, he leaves his foster parents to fight a band of Oni (sometimes equated with ogres in some localizations), being accompanied by a talking dog, monkey and pheasant. As the player and Carmine learn from Yukito (and Kieran eavesdrops) though, it's revealed that Pokémon  inverted the roles of the heroes and villains, showing the animal companions turn out to be common crooks who came to Kitakami to carry out a mask heist, and they still act as such post-revival.

This was a pleasant twist from the traditional takes on the real-life folktale, given the multiple positive connotations derived from some aspects of them. Their English names all make use of different expressions meaning happiness and good fortune: Okidogi's being derived from "okeydokey" (a variant of "okay"); Munkidori's being derived from "hunky dory" (slang meaning things are good); and Fezandipiti's being derived from serendipity (an unexpected yet auspicious occurrence). The three (much like their leader which I'll eventually cover) all have a connection to the number eight. Not only does the character 8 closely resemble chains, but the number is considered lucky in many Asian cultures, including Japanese, further aligning with the naming conventions. There are also eight toxic chains amongst the three retainers. Furthermore, while I won't go into other specifics with stats until the battle prowess section, all three of them have a base HP of 88. This detail is twofold; the number 88 can be read in Japanese as goroawase for pachipachi, the sound of clapping -- referencing their misinterpreted role as heroes. Alternatively, 88 can be read as goroawase for yabai, meaning things like "terrible" and "dangerous" -- hinting their true nature as thieving brutes.

Together, they also play on the media trope of brawn vs brains vs beauty -- a common trope involving some team-ups, often villains or antagonists, combining different skill sets to attempt a common challenge. 

Okidogi

Okidogi was the first Pokémon Pecharunt made into a retainer, recruited to help acquire rare items. Needless to say, he's based on the dog in the fables of Momotarō. More specifically, he appears to take inspiration from the Japanese Akita, a breed that originates from northern Japan. Akitas are large, bulky canines with a short double coat similar to many northern spitz breeds. Historically, these dogs were used by the mataga (traditional winter hunters in Tōhoku region) for both guarding their owners and hunting bears. Okidogi by far the largest member of the group, not to mention aggressive to boot. His Violet entry states that he's a ruffian with a short temper. He can pulverize anything by swinging around the chain on his neck. Akitas are generally seen as territorial about their property and can be reserved with strangers. A 2021 Polish study has found the Akita to be the most aggressive breed towards other dogs and animals, with displayed aggression reported nearly three out of every five cases. 

Okigogi's connection to the Akita is further pronounced in its shiny palate having colors reminiscent of some Akitas' fur. His association with Kitakami is also a boost as the Tōhoku region of northern Japan, what Kitakami is based on, has a prefecture known as the Akita Prefecture. Alternatively, Okidogi may be partly based on the Shiba Inu, another breed of hunting dog from Japan. Small- to medium-sized, these agile canines have compact yet developed muscles and are adept for mountainous terrain and hiking trails -- also relating back to Okidogi's musculature. In the media trope above, Okidogi clearly represents brawn. His Scarlet entry states that all of its muscles were stimulated by the toxic chain around its neck, giving it a powerful physique. Along with the Poison-typing from the chains, this allowed Okidogi to become part Fighting-type -- a type well-known for brawn and trained strength. The chain on his neck -- which numbers three links in total -- may be based on a dog leash, possibly even the collars seen on stereotypical images of aggressive junkyard dogs. The purple chain may also be reminiscent of Shimenawa, lengths of laid rice straw or rope used for ritual purification (the other two have similar things with their chains). 

Munkidori

Munkidori was the second Pokémon Pecharunt made into a retainer, recruited for his ability to see into the near future. While obvious, he's based on the monkey in the Momotarō fables. Similar to the Mankey family , Munkidori may be based on Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). These macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are Old World monkeys which have the unique distinction of having the northernmost range of any monkey on Earth. Their alternate common name is derived from the fact they live in areas that can see a lot of snow during the winter, covering the ground for months of the year (many are clever enough to bathe in hot springs for some warmth during the cold). Individuals are brownish gray in fur color with pinkish-red faces and short tails. The northernmost population of Japanese macaques live in the Aomori Prefecture, part of the Tōhoku region of Japan (said prefecture is also one of the three specific ones Kitakami may be inspired by). The connection to these macaques is noted in his shiny coloration. Meanwhile, his darker standard palate, plus the lack of a notable tail, bring up more similarities with chimpanzees (Pan trogolodytes), one of the species of great ape living in Central and West Africa. 

Going back to the media trope, Munkidori is certainly the brains of the group. His Scarlet entry states that the chain on his head enhanced his mental capabilities, stimulating his brain to cause psychic powers to bloom. In addition to the Poison-typing, this allowed Munkidori to become part Psychic-type -- a type famous for high intelligence and special mental powers. The chain on his forehead -- containing just one link -- resembles a headband, such as those that may be worn for some traditional Japanese festivals, along with the hairstyle sometimes accompanied by it. Munkidori's Violet entry notes that he keeps himself somewhere concealed while toying with foes, using psychokinesis to induce dizziness. This aspect of his may be a reference to the Satori, a yokai that takes the form of a mind-reading monkey and torments unsuspecting travelers. 

Fezandipiti

Fezandipiti was the third and last Pokémon Pecharunt made into a retainer, recruited for extra support given his beguiling pheromones' properties. As you may know by now, Fezandipiti is based on the pheasant from the story of Momotarō. The species he's most likely based on is the copper pheasant (Syrmaticus soemmerringii), a pheasant endemic to Japan and identified as the prefectural bird of the Akita Prefecture. They occupy mountain forests in most of Japan, feeding on insects and plant matter. They're large pheasants with rich coppery, chestnut-colored feathers, a yellowish beak, red facial skin and brown irises. Females are brown with grayish brown upper parts and buff barred brown below. While both sexes are similar in color, males are slightly more lustrous -- fitting for an all-male species of Pokémon. Alternatively, Fezandipiti may have been partly inspired by the hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin). These birds are found in tropical rainforests in South America, where they feed on plants. Similarly to ruminant mammals like cattle or deer, the hoatzin has a unique digestive system capable of foregut fermentation of plant matter. This process can emit a malodorous stench, which may partly explain its Poison-typing. His Violet entry notes that he uses his wings to scatter pheromones that captivate people and Pokémon alike -- which may put a more pleasant-scented twist on this. 

On the media trope, Fezandipiti is the beauty of the Lousy Three. His Scarlet entry state sthat he owes his beautiful looks and lovely voice to the toxic stimulants emanating from the chain wrapped around his body. Along with the Poison-typing, this is how Fezandipiti got to be part Fairy-type -- a type known for cute and beautiful aesthetics amongst its Pokémon (in addition to normally being pure of heart). His plumage resembles a kimono, a traditional Japanese wardrobe, while the chains on his waist -- which totals at four -- resemble an obi belt, such as a knotted maruobi. His crest resembles a collection of kanzashi (traditional hair ornaments) too. Its overall design and beauty theme could also point to geisha -- female Japanese performance artists -- as a potential inspiration, as well as the hint of male kabuki performers who assumed the role of female characters at times. 

Given that all three are some unknown Pokémon transformed by Pecharunt's toxic chains, I love the detail in how all of their cries contain a bubbling sound effect -- reminiscent to the one associated with the move Toxic and with the poisoned status conditions. 

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Battle Prowess

All of the Lousy/Loyal Three have a base stat total of 555, making them moderately strong Legendary Pokémon. The totals being below 570 may harken back to the detail of them being three lesser Pokémon enhanced by Pecharunt's poison. All share the signature ability Toxic Chain as their standard ability. With this ability, the power of the toxic chains on the Pokémon's body has a 30 percent chance to badly poison any target the Pokémon hits with a move, even those that aren't Poison-type. (It's basically the ability Poison Touch but on steroids.) 

Okidogi, a Poison/Fighting-type, has Guard Dog as his hidden ability. Having been Mabosstiff's signature ability prior to The Teal Mask, it boosts the Pokémon's physical attack by one stage (rather than dropping by one), and it negates the opponent's moves and items that enable switching out or fleeing. Physical attack is his best stat at base 128 (maximum of 390) with respectable speed at base 80 (maximum of 284). He's also got good bulk at base 88 HP (maximum of 380), base 115 physical defense (maximum of 361) and base 86 298 special defense (maximum of 298). Some attacks he can make use of include Poison Jab, Gunk Shot, Close Combat, Body Press, Drain Punch, Shadow Claw, Crunch, Knock Off, Throat Chop, Psychic Fangs, Outrage, High Horsepower, Iron Head, Hard Press, all three elemental punches, and Tera Blast. Access to moves like Bulk Up, Howl and Toxic can also open doors for some good setup opportunities. 

Munkidori, a Poison/Psychic-type, has Frisk as his hidden ability, enabling one to identify the opponent's held item (which might help in assessing how to beat an opponent). Special attack is his strong suit at base 130 (maximum of 394), followed by great speed at base 106 (maximum of 342). He's also got some good special bulk with base 88 HP (maximum of 380) and base 90 special defense (maximum of 306). His physical defense is only at base 66 (maximum of 254) though, so it's something to watch. Some attacks he can utilize include Sludge Bomb, Sludge Wave, Psychic, Psyshock, Shadow Ball, Focus Blast, Grass Knot, Psychic Noise, and Tera Blast. He can learn Nasty Plot and Calm Mind for setting up, and moves like Toxic and Trick can come in handy for carrying out antics. 

And Fezandipiti, a Poison/Fairy-type, has Technician as his hidden ability, strengthening the power of moves with a base power of 60 or less by 50 percent. Some moves he gets that benefit include Poison Tail, Acid Spray, Disarming Voice, Beat Up, Double Kick, and Dual Wingbeat. Special defense is his best stat at base 125 (maximum of 383), while the rest of his bulk is respectable at base 88 HP (maximum of 380) and base 82 physical defense (maximum of 289). Speed is another good stat of his at base 99 (maximum of 326), while his attack stats are at base 91 (maximum of 309) for physical and base 70 (maximum of 262) for special. He can access both Swords Dance and Nasty Plot to shore up either one. Access to Tailwind can also speed up it and allies for a few turns. Some other attacks he can learn include Cross Poison, Sludge Bomb, Play Rough, Moonblast, U-turn, Brave Bird, Dark Pulse, Shadow Ball, Heat Wave, Poison Jab, Alluring Voice, Lash Out, and Tera Blast. 

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My Own Specimens

To date, I haven't used any of the Lousy Three after capturing them. Those photos I took of them were technically the first time any saw the outside world since being captured. I've been having them do time in my PC Boxes for their crimes against Ogerpon. We'll see if I ever decide to doctor them up and give them meaningful movesets. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet soundtrack - "Cassiopeia Theme" (optional)

I'm going to make it clear now: this will not be the last time you hear me speak about the Lousy Three. This will not be my final word on them. I will soon provide coverage on the other two Pokémon involved in the inverted Momotarō group (something to note: I'll cover Ogerpon before I do Pecharunt). As for these three, I'll certainly be mentioning them a couple times more. Until then, I've got three more Legendaries to cover. I hope you'll continue to stay interested once I get to those specimens. 
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Comments: 5

BronzeHeart92 [2024-03-31 15:01:26 +0000 UTC]

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AustinSPTD1996 In reply to BronzeHeart92 [2024-03-31 15:22:08 +0000 UTC]

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BronzeHeart92 In reply to AustinSPTD1996 [2024-03-31 15:28:37 +0000 UTC]

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AustinSPTD1996 In reply to BronzeHeart92 [2024-03-31 15:38:38 +0000 UTC]

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BronzeHeart92 In reply to AustinSPTD1996 [2024-03-31 16:13:54 +0000 UTC]

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