Ponyta and Rapidash

Ponyta and Rapidash
Pokémon series character
Ponyta (top) and Rapidash (bottom) National Pokédex Golem - Ponyta (#077) - Rapidash (#078) - Slowpoke
First game	Pokémon Red and Blue
Designed by	Ken Sugimori

Ponyta (ポニータ, Ponīta) and Rapidash, the latter known in Japan as Gallop (ギャロップ, Gyaroppu), are two Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, they first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.

Concept and characteristics

Ponyta and Rapidash were two of several different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.^[1][2] Originally called "Ponita" and "Gallop" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.^[3] As a result, the latter was renamed to Rapidash, though it was once known as Galloped in the English beta. According to IGN, Ponyta's name comes from the word "pony" while Rapidash comes from a combination of "rapid" and "dash" in reference to its speed.^[4][5]

Ponyta

Ponyta is a fire-type Pokémon that resembles a pony, and evolves into Rapidash. Ponyta is a diurnal herding herbivore pokémon. They usually live in grasslands or mountains. Ponyta, along with its evolution Rapidash, are based on Pyrios, Aeos, Aethon, and Phlegon, the "fiery steeds" that carried the Greek God Helios's Chariot of the Sun around the world each day. A Ponyta's mane and tail are composed of flame, which grow out about an hour after birth, giving it an impressive appearance.^[6] however, the intensity of this flame can be controlled. It can keep its flames cool enough to not even start hay or paper aflame, but it can become hot enough to melt copper in combat. This can be seen in the anime, where Ash discovers he has earned a Ponyta's trust when it ceases to burn him. The hooves of a Ponyta are ten times harder than diamond. It can trample anything completely flat in little time.^[7] Its body is light, and its legs are incredibly powerful. It can clear popular landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Ayers Rock in one leap.^[8][9] As a newborn, it can barely stand. However, through galloping, its legs are made tougher and faster.^[10]

Rapidash

Rapidash is a unicorn-like Pokémon that evolves from Ponyta. Rapidash's head, lower back, and ankles are covered with orange-red fire, which streams out to form an impression of a mane and tail. In the Pokémon universe, Rapidash are usually seen in fields and plains racing against members of their herd. In its natural environment, a Rapidash canters around casually, not in a particularly high speed. However, competition is deeply ingrained in a Rapidash's demeanor, especially if it relates to speed. If a Rapidash sees something that is currently moving faster than itself, such as any type of car or train, it will try earnestly to outrun it.^[11] In such a state, the fire burning on Rapidash blazes at full power as it accelerates to speeds approaching 150 miles per hour in less than ten strides. At full gallop, its speed is such that its hooves scarcely touch the ground. Rapidash's hooves are harder than diamonds, like its pre-evolutionary form, Ponyta. The hair on a Rapidash, much like its pre-evolution Ponyta, is extremely hot and induces painful burns if someone touches it. If the person earns a Rapidash's trust, they will be allowed to touch the hair without getting burned.

Appearances

In the video games

Ponyta and Rapidash first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue. Ponyta evolves into Rapidash through leveling up, which typically occurs through battle. They have since appeared in every main Pokémon title. Outside of the main series, they have appeared in Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trozei, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon titles, Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, and Pokémon Rumble. By itself, Ponyta appears in My Pokémon Ranch and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, while Rapidash appears by itself in Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Ranger.

In other media

Ponyta was first seen in The Flame Pokémon-athon, competing in a race in which it evolved near the end, thus gaining the necessary speed to win. Another Rapidash appeared in Pokemon: The First Movie belonging to Neesha. Its clone appeared again in Mewtwo Returns.

Reception

IGN readers ranked Rapidash the 90th best Pokémon; IGN's Jack DeVries wrote that while Ponyta was cool, making Rapidash a unicorn made it "even cooler". He added that it was "fast as hell, powerful, and somehow manages to be pretty even though its entire body will kill you". He added that it was "universally appealing" and appealed to fans of cute and cool Pokémon alike.^[12] An editor for IGN wrote that while "not among my personal Fire favorites, many trainers out there value their high speed and use them as their Fire Pokémon of choice".^[5] IGN's Pokémon Chick wrote that while Ponyta was not "all that great", she liked it because it evolved into an "absolutely captivating beauty". She added that Rapidash was her favourite Fire type Pokémon but is often forgotten in favour of more popular Fire type Pokémon such as Charizard, Typhlosion, and Arcanine.^[13][14] In an MTV Multiplayer held a poll of the greatest horses in video games for a select panel of people, including Ken Levine of 2K Boston, journalist Leigh Alexander, Mike Krahulik of Penny Arcade, and Tofuburger of I Can Has Cheezburger; the latter three ranked it second, first, and third, respectively. Tofuburger wrote that it was "so cute, and so cuddly" yet dangerous as well.^[15] A GamesRadar staff member "really liked" Rapidash but felt that there were better choices.^[16] Authors Tracey West and Katherine Noll called Rapidash the fourth best Fire type Pokémon.^[17] Author Joseph Jay Tobin wrote that Ponyta was popular among young girls.^[18]

References

External links

• Official Pokémon website
• Ponyta on Bulbapedia
• Rapidash on Bulbapedia