The Lore Research Lab's founder discusses what is known so far about Pokémon Legends: ZA, including some theories and comparisons to Pokemon Legends: Arceus.

Links:

- Character from Pokémon X&Y: AZ

- Pokémon Legends: Arceus

- Pokemon Legends: ZA

The Lore Research Lab's founder returns to talk about Paradox Pokémon (and the concept of otherworldly

Timestamps:

00:32 - rambling on the Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends Z:A

02:50 - Discussing Paradox Pokémon

> 03:15 - Paradox Pokémon as a concept

> 06:10 - What are Paradox Pokémon?

08:05 - The Paradox Pokémon

> 08:20 - Past Paradox Pokémon

> 30:39 - Future Paradox Pokémon

51:11 - Will we get versions of Paradox Pokémon in future games?

Links:

- Paradox Pokémon

- Legendary Pokémon

The Lore Research Lab's founder closes out 2024 with some quick notes about two games and future plans at The Lab in 2025!

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom is shaping up to be a really creative game. Returning briefly to discuss, The Lab's founder talks about how this game has elements and themes from other Zelda games, and why we should hold hope that this game holds more beneath the surface!

Timestamps:

00:21 - Echoes of Wisdom discussion

28:24 - The Legend of Zelda History timeline (recap)

40:31 - Connecting back to Echoes of Wisdom

Links/Resources: - The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Into the Still World, a Journey Continued

Aonuma, Eiji. The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia, translated by Michael Gombos et al. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Books, 2013.

(I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images have been taken from the "The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom — Into the Still World, a Journey Continued" trailer and are solely being used for entertainment purposes.)

Tune in to hear the founder of The Lore Research Lab's thoughts on two upcoming titles they are excited for. Be sure to check out the Nintendo Direct video for any titles you are or may be excited for!

Links:

- Nintendo Direct 6.18.24 Update

Princess Peach returns to center stage as a central playable character in Princess Peach: Showtime! What is there to know about this game and is it worth getting? Tune in to find out!

Timestamps:

02:24 - Basic Premise

05:11 - Gameplay

10:51 - Conclusion

BGM Credit: Song: Fredji - Happy Life

License: Creative Commons (CC BY 3.0)

The Lore Research Lab's founder makes a return to discuss a game announced for 2025, Pokémon Legends: ZA! Check out the episode to hear about theories and ideas for this upcoming game.

Links:

- Pokémon Presents 2024

The Lore Research Lab's founder returns (sort of) to discuss the Indigo Disk DLC trailer ahead of its release on December 14th!

Links:

- Indigo Disk Trailer

Pokémon appear in a variety of shapes, sizes, and forms; one important determinant of these characteristics is what is known as a “Type”, giving Pokémon unique attributes based on the Type’s element, power, and so on. With 18 types in total, there are many to review; in the ninth installment of this miniseries known as “Pokémon Rants”, The Lab’s founder returns to tackle “Ghost Types”, the Pokémon that constitute this typing, an analysis that includes technical information, design analyses, and other thoughts on what it means to be a Ghost Type Pokémon.

Timestamps:

00:32 - Type Overview + Background

07:38 - Technical Information

17:54 - Appearances + Moves

> 18:25 - Pure Ghost Types

> 32:21 - Primary Ghost Types

> 46:00 - Secondary Ghost Types

> 1:02:02 - Ghost Type Moves

1:10:47 - Atypical Case Studies + Concluding Thoughts

Links/Resources:

- Ghost (Type)

- Type

- Move

- Ability

- Hachiko

“Pokédex: All 482+8 Pokémon & Post-Story Guide – Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version.” Edited by Lawrence Neves. Prima Games, 2006.

“Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version – The Official Pokémon Johto Guide and Pokédex.” Edited by Michael G. Ryan and Lawrence Neves. Bellevue: The Pokémon Company International, 2009.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet now has DLC included, the first half of two parts focusing on The Teal Mask. Here, players embark on a field trip where hidden encounters await them, a mystery cloaked behind the pleasant town aura in the Land of Kitakami. In what ways does this mysterious new land connect to Japanese culture? How does it utilize cultural elements to contribute to the gameplaying experience? Tune in to this episode to learn about what the Teal Mask story entails and where we find these cultural references.

Timestamps:

00:31 - Bottled Background

> 02:32 - Context for the episode

05:37 - Story Beats: The Loyal Three and the Ogre

28:07 - Cultural References: Yōkai, Setting, Festivals & Masks, The Peach Boy Story

> 28:35 - General Cultural Elements (Setting, Masks, Statues, The Loyal Three)

> 36:24 - Specific Cultural Elements (Yōkai, The Peach Boy)

> 43:15 - Characterization and Themes

53:28 - Perrin's Survey Quest

> 57:11 - Initiating the Quest

> 1:00:23 - The Survey Quest

> 1:02:44 - Connecting Hisui to Kitakami

1:10:16 - Conclusion

Links/Resources:

Japanese Culture

- Jizō Statues

- Traditional Masks in Japan

- Japanese Mask References

- Kitakami City; Oni no Yakata

> Oni no Yakata (Description)

- Kitakami Michinoku Traditional Dance Festival

Pokémon References

- Kitakami (Pokémon)

- The Loyal Three: Munkidori, Okidogi, Fezandpiti

- The Ogre, Ogerpon

- Characters: Perrin, Carmine, Kieran

The Lore Research Lab Reference Episodes

Antoni, Klaus. “Momotaro (The Peach Boy) and the Spirit of Japan: Concerning the Function of a Fairy Tale in Japanese Nationalism of the Early Showa Age.” Asian Folklore Studies 50, no. 1 (1991): 155-188.

Foster, Michael Dylan. The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore. University of California Press, 2015.

Kahara, Naoko. “From Folktale Hero to Local Symbol: The Transformation of Momotaro (the Peach Boy) in the Creation of Local Culture.” Waseda Journal of Asian Studies 25 (2004): 35-61.

Sekien, Toriyama. Japandemonium Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopedias of Toriyama Sekien. Edited by Hiroko Yoda and Matt Alt. Dover Publications. 2017.