Pokemon Black and White English release preview post

BLACKWHITE by ほう

It’s now a little over a month until Pokemon Black and White make their American debut on March 6th (and, for the first time, Europe will be getting the games two days before America on March 4th). Bits of info have been trickling in about the English release, particularly the English names of characters, places, items, and other aspects of the games…

On this post I’ll be discussing my thoughts on some of the English B&W names, particularly the pokemon themselves of course. I’m not going to discuss every single name – just the ones I feel are worth mentioning. If I don’t mention one of the English names here, I’m neutral to it and didn’t have anything to say about it.

Credit for the info and pictures on this post goes to Bulbapedia and Pokebeach.

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One of the first notable translations is that the new region the games take place in, Isshu, will be called Unova in English, marking the first time one of the Pokemon regions has been renamed.

The Unova region

I’m trying to figure out why they would change the region’s name this time when all the others have kept their Japanese names (honestly I think “Isshu” is easier for English speakers to say than “Unova”). It’s probably because these are the first games that take place in a region not based on a real region in Japan. In this case, it’s based on New York City.

Bianca and Cheren

The English names of the games’ two rival characters are also worth noting. Cheren keeps his Japanese name while Bel is renamed Bianca. “Cheren” is Bulgarian for “black” while “Bel” means “white” in Slavic and “Bianca” means “white” in Italian. Perhaps the English translators thought “Bel” is too similar to the French name “Belle,” meaning “beautiful,” but still wanted to follow the black and white theme of the Japanese names.

Professor Juniper

The region’s first female professor, Professor Araragi, will be named Professor Juniper, keeping up the tradition (in all languages I think) of Pokemon professors being named after trees.

And now we get to the most important English names – the 156 new pokemon. Official sources have revealed about 27 so far. However, a list of English names for all the new pokemon has been circulating and it’s now believed to be at least 99% true, as it contained accurate names that weren’t officially revealed until after the list was made. Going by that list, approximately 21 of the new pokemon keep their Japanese name, or some very slight variation of it.

Below is my commentary on the names I feel like mentioning. Again, there’s still that 1% chance that some of these names turn out to be fake. If that happens later on, feel free to laugh at me. But I don’t think so…they all sound very legit to this long-time Pokemon fan.

Snivy, Servine, Serperior

We’ll begin with the Grass starter pokemon. Snivy and Servine are good while Serperior (serpent+superior) would be good if there wasn’t already a completely unrelated pokemon named Rhyperior (rhino+superior). Did the translators forget about Rhyperior or did they just not care about the similarity?

Tepig, Pignite, Emboar

Next is the Fire types. Tepig (tepid+pig) is okay though, like Serperior, there’s already an unrelated pokemon named Grumpig (I’m sure they could have thought of a different pig-related word to use). However, the English names for its evolutions – Pignite and Emboar – are perfect.

Oshawott, Dewott, Samurott

And lastly, the Water types. Oshawatt (ocean+water+otter) takes some getting used to. Dewott and Samurott are okay…but for Samurott (samurai+otter) I can’t help but think, “Rotting samurai anyone?” XD

Patrat, Watchog

Patrat (patrol+rat) and Watchog (watch+groundhog) – pretty cute names. Watchog is actually a direct translation of the Japanese name, Miruhog (“miru” means “see” or “watch”). These guys are kinda cute it’s just…those eyes 0_0

Lillipup, Herdier, Stoutland

The name Lillipup for a “little pup” is a bit plain for my taste =P Herdier (herd+terrier) is good and similar to the Japanese name (Haderia). Stoutland I assume comes from “stout” and either “Newfoundland” (a breed of dog, though Stoutland’s attributes are of other breeds) or “lander,” which is German for “terrier.”

Purrloin, Liepard

Purrloin (purr+purloin) and Liepard (lie+leopard)…adorable names XD

Unfezant

Unfezant (unpleasant+pheasant) – I’m not a big fan of names that are insulting to the pokemon (like Purugly from the fourth generation).

Zebstrika

Zebstrika is similar to its Japanese name, Zebraika. But I think they should have translated it as “Zebrike” (zebra+spike/strike) instead. Zebstrika is kinda hard to say.

Woobat, Swoobat

Woobat and Swoobat – good names, but we already have a line of unrelated bat pokemon whose names also end in “-bat.” I’m sure they could have thought of something else. These guys are pretty silly looking but they kinda grow on you after a while.

Throh, Sawk

The Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan of this generation. These names will take some getting used to. The names remind me of Seel, Dewgong, and Jynx from the original 150 pokemon; pronounced like real words but spelled with a slight difference.

Liligant

Liligant – pretty name for a pretty pokemon~

Cofagrigus

Cofagrigus (coffin+sarcophagus). Yes, the word “fag” is in it…ha, ha.

Minccino

Minccino (mini+chino cloth) – not sure why they didn’t keep its Japanese name, Chillarmy (chinchilla+charming). The Japanese name just seems simpler.

Gothita, Gothorita, Gothitelle

I love the names of the Gothic trio :3 Almost like the Japanese names but a bit friendlier to the English tongue.

Litwick, Lampent, Chandelure

These guys are three of the most unique new pokemon, so I’m glad their English names do them justice ^^ Litwick (lit+wick), Lampent (lantern+lament), and Chandelure (chandelier+lure).

Axew

Axew (axe+chew) – sorry, it just sounds so much like “achoo!” XD

Braviary

The Japanese name, Wargle, already used English words (warrior+eagle) so I don’t know why they needed to change it to Braviary (brave+aviary).

Deino, Zweilous, Hydreigon

Three of the coolest new pokemon have been given equally cool English names. Deino is dino(saur)+ein (German for “one”), Zweilous is zwei (German for “two”)+jealous or perilous, and Hydreigon is hydra+drei (German for “three”)+dragon. This is similar to the translations of the names of the three legendary birds, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, except with German numbers instead of Spanish.

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I’ve already written a review of Pokemon Black and White after playing the Japanese version of Black. But I’m sure I’ll write another related post after I get my English copy of White :3