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A weekly Pokédex Podcast from Bald Man in Japan Luke Summerhayes. A different Pokémon family every week.
I’m Luke Summerhayes, and I love Vanillite.
A few weeks ago, we talked about Trubbish and Garbodor, a fair of Pokémon which have infamously become the poster children for the criticism that Pokémon designs have become lazy. I don’t believe that’s true of those two, which are actually very in keeping with a tradition of pollution-based monsters all the way back to the original games, but I also don’t think it’s true of the other fifth generation monster regularly tarred with that brush.
Vanillite, Vanillish and Vanilluxe at first glance appear to be animate ice cream cones. Ignoring that they are actually made of snow and ice in a clever arrangement, inanimate objects come to life is a long-standing design basis for Pokémon. Many early generations have creatures based on Tsukumogami, the Japanese Yokai tradition that sees sandals and umbrellas springing to life. For the first region set outside Japan, in the commercial society of the USA, a Pokémon based on a sweet treat mascot character seems entirely appropriate.
Vanillite is an ice type Pokémon with a little block of ice for a body and a snowball for a head, overall giving it the appearance of a small ice cream served in a cup.
White
This Pokémon formed from icicles bathed in energy from the morning sun. It sleeps buried in snow.
Just like ice cream, it is most desirable in the places where it is most difficult to obtain.
Moon
It feels pleasantly cool when embraced. This Pokémon is treasured by households in warm regions.
Sword
Unable to survive in hot areas, it makes itself comfortable by breathing out air cold enough to cause snow. It burrows into the snow to sleep.
To me, ice cream is very enjoyable on a hot, sunny day but I’ve never been able to get on with the idea of eating ice cream in the winter. In Japan, however, eating ice cream under a hot blanket is a common winter practice.
The name Vanillite obviously takes vanilla from the popular ice cream flavour. The “ite” part could refer to its light weight, its delight of a flavour, or even stallectite, the geological formation that resembles a stone icicle. The Japanese name is Vanipeti, perhaps coming from petit, French for small.
At level 35, Vanillite looks both more like an icicle and more like an ice cream when it evolves into Vanillish.
Vanillish’s snowy head is more shapely, looking both like a ghost and a heap of ice cream. The base is pointed, very much like a natural ice shape but also completing an ice cream cone appearance.
The ghost connection is not a coincidence – the Pokémon’s designer, James Turner, specifically cited the Stay Puft marshmallow man from Ghostbusters, as well as other food mascots, as an influence on this Pokémon family, particularly desiring that blend of cute and goofy with slightly creepy.
Sword
By drinking pure water, it grows its icy body. This Pokémon can be hard to find on days with warm, sunny weather.
White
It conceals itself from enemy eyes by creating many small ice particles and hiding among them.
Black 2
They cool down the surrounding air and create ice particles, which they use to freeze their foes.
White 2
Just as with Vanillite, this Pokémon is comfortable in cold environments and struggles in hot ones.
Black
Snowy mountains are this Pokémon's habitat. During an ancient ice age, they moved to southern areas.
Ultra Sun
It sprays its enemies with grains of ice to freeze them. Most Vanillish in Alola are smaller than average.
The name Vanillish incorporates delicious, while the Japanese name Vanirich also refers to a rich flavour. If this flavour is truly as delicious and rich as it claims, it will be an extra treat when, at level 47, it doubles up and evolves into Vanilluxe.
Vanilluxe features two snowy heads atop a single icicle body.
Ultra Moon
Vanilluxe is born when two Vanillish, half-melted by the day's light, stick to each other and freeze together in the cold return of night.
Emerging from one head is a tube of ice, cold vapor billowing forth like a smoke stack or chimney.
Black
Swallowing large amounts of water, they make snow clouds inside their bodies and attack their foes with violent blizzards.
White
If both heads get angry simultaneously, this Pokémon expels a blizzard, burying everything in snow.
With the two heads and the expulsion of gas, this Pokémon could almost have been revealed as a regional variant of Weezing.
Competitively, Vanilluxe has decent special attack but neither the speed to strike first nor the bulk to survive and strike second. It was overlooked until later generations gave it the move Freeze Dry, to hit water types, and the ability Snow Warning, which summons immediate hail. As an ice type, Vanilluxe can take advantage of hail to deliver devastating moves, letting it finally scoop out a competitive niche.
The name Vanilluxe implies that, thanks to the extra scoop, this is a deluxe ice cream. The Japanese name, Bainilla, uses the word bai, meaning double. I’m most accustomed to seeing this word when ordering mcdonalds late at night, when in Japan there are special “Bai” offers to double the patty in any burger.
This fast food connection is appropriate for this Pokémon, even if Mcdonalds are not well known for delivering on their promises of ice cream. This Pokémon does deliver on a promise of ice cream, while still genuinely shining through that it’s actually made of ice and snow. It’s a neat little design with interesting origins and inspirations – and as valid a trio of Pokémon as the other 1022.
Original music for Luke Loves Pokémon is by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork is by Katie Groves. Funding is provided by listeners at Patreon.com/PodcastioPodcastius. For just a dollar a month, supporters can listen to episodes a week early and also help cover hosting and fees, making it possible for me to keep making episodes every week.
I love hearing from listeners! Get in touch about upcoming Pokémon on twitter or facebook at LukeLovesPKMN. Drop a comment if you’re watching the video, or a review on apple podcasts or spotify. Coming up are Deerling and Emolga, so please get in touch about those or any other monsters.
Even if you don’t feel like doing any of that, thank you so much just for listening.
I love Vanillite. And remember, I love you too.