Zorua and Zoroark

Zorua (ゾロア, Zoroa) and Zoroark (ゾロアーク, Zoroāku) are two fictional creatures, linked by evolution, in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. They are two Dark-type Pokémon resembling foxes, debuting in the film Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions. Zorua and Zoroark were directly obtainable by attendees to the film in the games Pokémon Black and White.

Zorua and Zoroark were first shown in CoroCoro Comic and Pokémon Sunday. As the first fifth-generation Pokémon to be introduced, the news of their introduction spread quickly. They have been well received by the video game press.

Design and characteristics

Zorua and Zoroark are two Pokémon species linked by evolution. They are Dark-type, and resemble foxes with elements of kabuki and noh theatre makeup.^[1] They are recognized by the National Pokédex as the "Tricky Fox Pokémon" and "Illusion Fox Pokémon" respectively.^[2][3][4] Zoroark is bipedal, and has a long, thick mane which resembles a fox's tail at its termination. Zorua evolves into Zoroark at Level 30.^[5] These Pokémon are able to take the appearances of different Pokémon at will using their "Illusion" abilities.^[6] In the games, Illusion borrows the appearance of the last Pokémon in the player's party, and is deactivated when hit by a damaging attack.

Zorua

Zorua frightens opponents by assuming their appearance. It seems to often take on the guise of a silent child.^[7] It protects itself from danger by keeping its own true form hidden.^[8] It might also trick opponents by changing its form to look like them, and use that opportunity to flee.^[9]

Zoroark

Zoroark protects its pack by deluding opponents. Unity among the group is strong.^[10] It has the power to delude many people at one time. It protects its den by displaying an illusory landscape.^[11] Stories in the Pokémon world say about people who tried to catch Zoroark were trapped in an illusion and punished.^[12]

Appearances

Zorua and Zoroark as seen in Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

In the video games

Zorua and Zoroark can be both obtainable through normal gameplay, although, not directly obtainable without the involvement of promotional events in Black and White version, it can be either obtained from events linked with promotional event (see below) or by trading through PGL. In the sequel Black 2 and White 2, N's Zorua can be obtained directly as a gift from Rood of the Seven Sages.

Zoroark is also one of the Pokémon used by N in the player's final battle against him in Black and White.

Zorua and Zoroark are boss Pokémon in Pokémon Rumble Blast in Cobalion's Castle in the area 3-3 Firebreathing Mountain. They are also NPCs in PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond.

Zorua and Zoroark are obtainable through normal gameplay in Pokémon X and Y.

Zoroark also appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U as a Poké Ball Pokémon, using Fury Swipes on opponents if it comes into contact with them.

Events

Attendees to the Japanese film Phantom Ruler: Zoroark who owned a copy of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver were able to directly download a Celebi to their game. If the attendees to Phantom Ruler: Zoroark bought a pre-order ticket, they could obtain a shiny Entei, Raikou, or Suicune.^[13] They can be transferred to Black or White to instigate two events, allowing the player to encounter Zorua and Zoroark.^[13] A feature in the games called the Relocator is used exclusively to transfer these event Pokémon to Black and White. The Relocator can be used early on in the game once the player tells a certain phrase to a man in Castelia City. The event Celebi can be taken to another building in Castelia City to encounter Zorua, whilst the Legendary Beasts Entei, Suicune and Raikou can be taken to Lostlorn Forest to instigate an encounter with Zoroark.

Zoroark was also directly obtainable in Japanese version directly through Wi-Fi for a limited period of time, as a part of the campaign of TV Programme Pokémon Smash!^[14]

To promote the North American release of Black and White, players were able to download the shiny Entei, Raikou, and Suicune from GameStop stores during various weeks in January and February 2011.^[15] Celebi was available for download from GameStop stores during February 21 to March 6, 2011.

In the anime

Zorua and Zoroark play prominent roles in the film Pokémon: Zoroark: Master of Illusions. Zoroark, tricked by Grings Kodai, attacks Crown City while transformed as Raikou, Entei, and Suicune after Zoroark is shown a projection of an abused Zorua. Little does Zoroark know, Zorua is safe and sound with Ash and his friends. As Zoroark attacks the city as she was ordered to, Grings sends out lies to the people of Crown City about Zoroark saying that she is evil and has gained control over the legendary beasts.

A female Zorua appears from the episode "Movie Time! Zorua in "The Legend of the Pokémon Knight!"" to "Club Battle Finale: A Hero's Outcome!" as the Pokémon for a film-maker named Luke. She reappears again with Luke in "An Epic Defense Force!"

A Zoroark owned by Nurse Joy appears in an episode of the anime. When Zoroark was a Zorua, it was injured and Nurse Joy helped it. It used illusions to scare tourists until it was reunited with Nurse Joy at the end of the episode.

Cultural impact

Exposition

Zorua's and Zoroark's silhouettes were shown in on Pokémon Sunday. The Pokémon's full bodies were first shown in the February 2010 issue of CoroCoro Comic. They were the first Pokémon introduced from the fifth generation and from Phantom Ruler: Zoroark. News quickly circulated online that the total number of Pokémon had risen to 495.^[16]

Critical reception

The characters have been generally well received by the video game press. Joystiq staff writer JC Fletcher called Zorua "smaller and cuter, but evil" compared to Zoroark. He also expressed pleasure that Zoroark was not a werehog creature as some fans had speculated.^[1] IGN writer Jack DeVries also identified Zorua as small and cute, and speculated that the pair would not be legendary Pokémon, but would probably serve as antagonists in Phantom Ruler: Zoroark.^[17] Staff of Kotaku called Zorua "adorable" and "small, fluffy, and thoroughly evil, much like a Pekingese."^[18] They also compared Zoroark's hairstyle to those of Gary Glitter, Kishidan's lead singer Show Ayanocozey, and Angelina Jolie.^[19] Shortly after the Pokémon's introduction, Official Nintendo Magazine writer Thomas East remarked that Zorua "looks quite cute" but that Zoroark's appearance is more menacing: "[i]f Zorua is described as an angry fox what does that make Zoroark?"^[2] East later commented that Zoroark's transformation ability could make it "one of the coolest Pokémon ever".^[20] Game Informer's Jeff Marchiafava stated "Zorua is another example of the original form being cooler than the evolved form".^[21] In a poll by Official Nintendo Magazine, Zoroark was voted as one of the best Pokémon from Black and White. Editor Thomas East stated that "We remember the reaction to Zoroark being (mostly) positive and it's good to see that it still remains popular to this day".^[22]

Merchandising

Zorua- and Zoroark-designed plush dolls have been manufactured as part of the Diamond and Pearl line.^[23][24] Other Zoroark merchandise includes action figures,^[25] keychains,^[26] and wristwatches.^[27] A lunch box promoting Phantom Ruler: Zoroark features Zoroark and other film characters such as Ash Ketchum and Pikachu.^[28]

References

External links

• Zorua at Bulbapedia
• Zoroark at Bulbapedia