Suicune

Suicune
Pokémon series character
National Pokédex Entei - Suicune (#245) - Larvitar
First game	Pokémon Gold and Silver
Designed by	Ken Sugimori
Voiced by	Masahiko Tanaka (Celebi:Voice of the Forest) Kiyotaka Furushima (Zoroark: Master of Illusions)

Suicune ( スイクン) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Suicune first appeared in the video games Pokémon Gold and Silver and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles, animated adaptations, and printed adaptations of the franchise.

Known as the Aurora Pokémon, it is one of the three "Legendary Beasts" that are featured in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. According to legend, it is one of the Legendary Beasts reincarnated by Ho-Oh from the spirits of three Pokémon which died in the fire that gave the Burned Tower its name. Suicune is the reincarnation of north winds.^[1]

Design and characteristics

Suicune is a blue quadrupedal creature, with white diamond-shaped spots and a white underside. Suicune has a purple cape or mane that resembles a northern aurora or a flowing river and two white streamer-like tails. It has a hexagonal, aquamarine-colored crest on its forehead, red eyes, a protrusion on the underside of its chin and small paws. Its paws have a small white oval on their underside. Suicune has the power to purify dirty water,^[1] and can walk across water. Northern winds always seems to blow where ever it shows up.^[2] Since Suicune is a member of the Legendary Beast Trio, Suicune races around the land,^[2] in search for a pure reservoir.^[3] It is thought to have been based on many creatures and mythological deities, mainly the Chinese and Japanese Qilin, or "Kirin", an Eastern mythical creature that has traits of eastern dragons, deer, unicorns, big cats, and other beasts. It is able to walk on water and is known to be a powerful and peaceful creature. The crest on Suicune's head matches the description of the beast's antler's. The spots of Suicune are also significant, seeming to combine the spots of a leopard, taking homage from Fujin, the Shinto god of The North Wind, who wears leopard skin; also some species of leopards are found in Asia and are featured in myths that show it is a widely respected sacred animal like the Qilin. It could also be based on a wolf due to its canine features and being associated with the North Wind.

Appearances

Video games

Suicune first appears in the Game Boy Color video games Pokémon Gold and Silver. Upon being approached by the player's character, Suicune, along with its counterparts Entei and Raikou, flee, traveling at incredible speeds across Johto. The three of them will randomly appear on a certain route, fleeing from battle at the first opportunity.^[4] In Pokémon Crystal, Suicune is the version mascot, appearing on the boxart, and other related media. It is possible to see Suicune multiple times on the overworld before the actual battle. In these occasions, it will always hop away on being spotted. It will make its last stop in the Bell Tower.^[5] The three of them later appear in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen; however, only one of them appears in a single play through. If the player chooses Charmander, Suicune will appear in a similar fashion to how it appeared in Gold and Silver.^[6] In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Suicune makes many appearances through the storyline, like in Crystal, but is instead makes its last stop outside of Bill's Sea Cottage after roaming throughout Johto and Kanto.^[7] To promote the release of Pokémon Black and White, players can download the shiny Entei, Raikou, and Suicune from GameStop stores on various weeks in January and February 2011, which will activate the Zoroark event in the games.^[8] In Super Smash Bros. Melee and Brawl, when released from a Poké Ball, Suicune unleashes a blast of Icy Wind that causes high levels of damage.

In other media

Its first appearance is in the episode Don't Touch That 'dile when Ash, Misty, and Brock spot Suicune in the middle of a lake near New Bark Town. When it spots the group, it runs off. Its first significant appearance is in the episode For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll, where it appeared in Ecruteak City after one of the Crystal Bells from the Bell Tower was destroyed. The first lengthy appearance of Suicune is in Celebi: Voice of the Forest. In the course of the movie, it demonstrated its ability to purify water, as well as doing battle with Dark Celebi. Suicune also appears in Sinnoh in Drifloon on the Wind!. It was a friend to two young Joys named Marnie and Paige. Suicune saved Ash and Paige's lives. An illusionary Suicune appeared alongside other members of its trio and Celebi in Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Suicune was awakened by Yellow along with its two counterparts, and the three raced around looking for trainers to help them defeat the Masked Man to free Ho-Oh. Suicune, in particular, personally challenges nearly every single Gym Leader. During its travels, it encounters both Eusine and Crystal, both of which become obsessed with capturing it. Crystal acquires the Crystal Bell, but is still unable to capture Suicune. Suicune later chooses Misty as its partner, but then pairs up with Crystal anyway after Misty becomes injured.

Promotion and reception

Since its appearance in the Pokémon series, Suicune has received generally positive reception. It has been featured in several forms of merchandise, including figures, plush toys, the Pokémon Trading Card Game', and others.

In an interview, Tsunekazu Ishihara, President of The Pokémon Company, described Suicune as well as the other two Legendary Beasts Raikou and Entei as appealing and exciting to both new and old players; he states that they would evoke memories for old players, while new players would be surprised by the random appearance of them.^[9] Suicune was included by MTV's Multiplayer Blog as one of the nominees in the "Greatest Canine In Video Game History" article, along with Raikou and Entei, despite the fact that they are not actually meant to be dogs. In the end, however, none of them were chosen by readers or by the panel of judges.^[10] GamesRadar called Suicune one of its favourite Pokémon, along with Celebi.^[11] In a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the 16th best Pokémon, where the staff commented on how "weird and cool" it is, describing it as being "totally based on Japenese[sic] unicorns".^[12]

References

External links

• Official Pokémon website
• Suicune on Bulbapedia
• Suicune at the Internet Movie Database