Many Pokemon are based on real-world animals, such as rodents or various fish. Throughout the series, you can also find several Pokemon based on tigers. This large cat species has inspired a few Pokemon, with some being a bit better than other💯s.
Here, we are going to take a look at the best Pokemon inspired by tigers. For some of these entries, the similarity is quite obvious, but for others, the inspiration is a bit hidden. Remember, this will only include the best tiger Pokemon, so a few will be left out. Let's start with one of the newest Pokemon on our list, introduced in Scarlet and Violet.
These entries are presented in no part♓icular order.
6 Chien-Pao
Chien-Pao is one of the four legendary Pokemon that you can encounter around the Paldea region in Scarlet and Violet. Together, the four are known as the Treasure of Ruin. At first glance, Chien-Pao doesn't look like the orange-striped tiger that we know today.
There are two possible inspirations for Chien-Pao's design. First, this legendary could be based on Baihu, which is a mythological Chinese creature that appears in the constellations. Baihu is called the White Tiger of the West and has a long, white body like Chien-Pao. Within the Paldea region, 168澳洲𝓀幸运5开奖网:Chien-Pao is found on t☂he western side of the map, which lines up with this possible inspiration. In addition to Baihu, Chien-Pao may also resemble a Tiger Talley (hufu). This is a marker used to give authorization for troop movement in Ancient China. The marker itself was shaped like an elongated tiger♍.
5 Raikou
Next up, we have Raikou. This is another legendary Pokemon, introduced in Generation II alongside Entei and Suicune. Together, the three made up the Legendary Beasts, with all three being based on a type of cat. Raikou isn't just any tiger, it's a sabertooth tiger.
While these ancient cats are not direct ancestors of our modern tiger, they still hold the name, earning Raikou a place on our list. Looking at a depiction of a real sabertooth tiger, it's easy to see the resemblance; a similar fur pattern and signature giant teeth. Who knows, maybe the ancient cat could discharge thunder?
4 Litten
Litten is very obviously based on a cat. This little starter may be based on Mackerel Tabby Cats, which are often called 'tiger cats' due to their appearance. This little cat was introduced in Generation VII, as a starter for Pokemon Sun and Moon.
As a starter Pokemon, Litten 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:evolves into Torracat, and then once again into Incineroar. All three maintain their catlike appearance. Interestingly, Litten and it's two evolutions also maintain a similar symbol (two lines crossing over a larger, vertical line), which is reminiscent of the symbol for sulfur.
3 Arcanine
Arcanine has the word 'canine' in its name, which is a dog. So, what is tiger-like about Arcanine? There are a few inspirations behind the design of Arcanine that are related to tigers. Firstly, there is no denying that the Pokemon's fur color and pattern are tiger-like. Arcanine may be partially based on the Xiezhi as well. These are mythical dogs popular in East Asian mythology. The dog itself is similar to a tiger, and in Korean legends, it has the ability to protect against fire disasters.
A second inspiration behind Arcanine may also be a type of Japanese dog called the Kai Ken, or Tiger Dog. This is a fairly uncommon dog that has a tiger-like pattern. The Kai Ken ♉would make sense as inspiration for a dog/tiger Pokemon.
2 Purugly
You may be looking at this section and thinking, "Seriously? Purugly?" Hear us out on this one. Did you know that Purugly is officially known as the Tiger Cat Pokemon? That's right, the Pokedex itself refers to Purugly as a Tiger.
Purugly earns a place on our list simply due to its absurdness. This Generation IV Pokemon doesn't give off a tiger vibe. Looking extra closely, you may notice that there are some stripe-like patterns on Purugly that could be inspired by a tiger, but the similarities end there. You could also argue that Purugly has an aggressiveness that is similar to tigers, as this Pokemon can be quite hostile.
1 Landorus' Therian Forme
Lastly, we have Landorus. This is a Generation V legendary Pokemon that makes up the For🃏ces of Nature, alongsid🃏e Tornadus, Thundrurus, and Enamorus. The four are inspired by the natural world, with a focus on the weather. When you first see Landorus, it will probably be in its Incarnate Forme. This is the normal form where the Pokemon appears to be floating in a cloud.
After using the Reveal Glass, Landorus will change into the Therion Forme, which bears striking resemblance to a Tiger. It's interesting to note that in Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Landorus can be found in its Incarnate Forme within the Obsidian Fieldlands. Once again, this may be a reference to the White Tiger of the West (Baihu). The Obsidian Fieldlands area is on the Western side of the Hisui region, giving this tiger a reason to be there.