Pokemon characters that are inspired from Mexican and Latin American culture.
(Photo : Reuters)

Nintendo, together with Pokemon Company, has released more than 50 different Pokemon games and more than 700 characters, some of which are inspired by Latin and Mexican culture, according to an article published in We Are Mitu.

Everyone in the world knows how popular Pokemon is especially to the kids. Its popularity is not only limited to people of the present generation but a part of the life of most people.

The franchise is one of the biggest and most important in the world and it includes video games, TV series, movies, card games, collectible cuddly toys, and even clothing. Its profit is estimated to be billions of dollars every year.

Meanwhile, as avid fans of Pokemon, we only know the characters based on their abilities or looks, but not how they were created and where the inspiration came from. Pokemon's creator Satoshi Tajiri has taken cultures around the world as part of creating the Pokemon monsters.

The Pokemon characters were not just created based on the creative mind of Satoshi Tajiri, but they are deeply rooted in the folklore of various cultures all around the world. An example of this is Mawile who is a fairy or a Steele-type monster that is based on the Japanese legend of the Futakuchi-onna. It is said that this Japanese legend is a demon woman who has a second mouth hidden at the back of her head.

Likewise, Pokemon characters are not just based on myths, but are also grounded in real-life cultures. Here are some of the Pokemon characters who are linked to Latin America and Mexico. 

Ludicolo

It is difficult to tell what culture Ludicolo is representing and what it is supposed to be. It's a pineapple or a duck, or it could be a man wearing a poncho and a sombrero who likes to sing and dance. This is typically seen in a Mexican Mariachi.

Sigilyph

Sigilyph was first introduced in Black and White games. The character is a flying, psychic Pokemon which is unlike other characters it is not based on a specific animal, but rather a drawing of one. This Pokemon monster is inspired by the Nazca lines which are a set of artistic geoglyphs found in the Nazca desert in Peru.

Hawlucha

This character is part of the Pokemon's wall of fame. This is a fighting and flying hawk-esque creature with the ability for airborne wrestling moves that were inspired by the Luchador. This Pokemon character tends to be much more respectful and celebratory compared to other characters.

Wooper 

This Pokemon character is based on an amphibian which is endemic to the Mexican Basin, the Axolotl, who can regenerate its own cells. The Mexican-inspired Pokemon monster is blue and has a pair of antennae on its head which are a clear reference to the gills of Axolotl.

Rayquaza

This is one of the most powerful Pokemon monsters and it has a colorful version in the Pokemon Go video game. This monster is a mixture of several mythological beings, but its resemblance to Quetzalcoatl is undeniable.