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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 Zorua.
Kitsune, the supernatural fox spirits, are ubiquitous in Japanese folklore and we’ve even already talked about them in this podcast. Many tailed foxes are often depicted at Inari shrines, their status as agents of the harvest god perhaps owing to the real habit of foxes eating rats and other pests which might harm rice crops.
There is another side to the Kitsune, though, not really explored by Ninetails or even Thievul. In many Japanese myths, the kitsune is a trickster, taking human form and tricking people into marriage or even death. In one of the greatest mythohistorical epics, Heike Monogatari, a Kitsune called Tamamo-no-Mae is blamed for marrying and killing the emperor, bringing about the start of several Civil Wars culminating in the legendary Genpei war which began the thousand years of samurai rule.
Zorua is a cute little black fox with red highlights on its face and paws, and a big bushy tail. It’s a dark type Pokémon with a sly smirk.
Black
It changes into the forms of others to surprise them. Apparently, it often transforms into a silent child.
White
To protect themselves from danger, they hide their true identities by transforming into people and Pokémon.
This was the first fifth generation Pokémon revealed, and appeared in the thirteenth animated movie, where it can indeed be seen transforming into Ash and Dawn, usually with the comical inability to get rid of its tail – a common trope from Kitsune myths.
This Zorua has a cocky attitude, but it isn’t the norm for the species.
Sword
Zorua is a timid Pokémon. This disposition seems to be what led to the development of Zorua's ability to take on the forms of other creatures.
Shield
Zorua sometimes transforms into a person and goes into cities to search for food. When Zorua does this, it usually takes on the form of a child.
Apart from the transforming part, this is similar to real-life Urban Foxes, as seen in both the UK and Japan.
These transformations are not the same as those of Ditto or Mew, literally transforming using a move in battle. Instead, they are the result of the ability Illusion, which disguises Zorua as the last Pokémon in the trainer’s party when it is sent out.
In the Hisui region, in Pokémon Legends Arceus, we met another form of Zorua. This version ahs the unique typing of Ghost and Normal, making it immune to both of those types and also fighting. Hisuian Zorua has grey fur with white tail and mane, flowing away like ghostly vapour. Rather than a sly smirk, it has a somewhat sad expression.
Hisuian Zorua
Legends: Arceus
A once-departed soul, returned to life in Hisui. Derives power from resentment, which rises as energy atop its head and takes on the forms of foes. In this way, Zorua vents lingering malice.
We got to see a Hisuian Zorua in the animated Miniseries Hisuian Snow, where it begrudgingly befriended a boy in Hisui, beginning the process of bridging the divide between people and Pokémon.
When either form of Zorua reaches level 30, it doesn’t grow nine tails but instead can evolve into the Zoroark.
Zoroark stands up on two legs and has a werewolf-like gait, with a large mane tied into a ponytail that resembles a tail. It has a snarling fox face, and the red highlights in its hair taper into quill-like spikes. Overall, it resembles Shadow the Hedgehog to me, particularly because it was revealed in a very similar way to the previous generation’s blue anthropomorphic mammal, Lucario.
Black
Bonds between these Pokémon are very strong. It protects the safety of its pack by tricking its opponents.
White
Each has the ability to fool a large group of people simultaneously. They protect their lair with illusory scenery.
In the same movie in which Zorua appeared, its mother Zoroark is forced into using its illusion powers to further a villain’s scheme in a plot very reminiscent of the Spider-Man movie Far From Home.
Black 2
Stories say those who tried to catch Zoroark were trapped in an illusion and punished.
White 2
This is amusing because Black 2 and White 2 actually represent the first time Zorua and Zoroark could be caught – in Black and White they could only be acquired in an event. Now they can be caught and be good friends.
Shield
Seeking to ease the burden of solitude, lonely Trainers tell Zoroark to show illusions to them.
The illusion is dropped if Zoroark takes damage, but it can fall the opponent into using an ineffective move if used well. This is much more effective for Hisuian Zorark, whose Normal and Ghost Typing mean it can resist or even ignore a wide range of attacks, whereas the pure dark type of Unovan Zoroark is somewhat fragile.
Hisuian Zoroark
Legends: Arceus
With its disheveled white fur, it looks like an embodiment of death. Heedless of its own safety, Zoroark attacks its nemeses with a bitter energy so intense, it lacerates Zoroark's own body.
The shaggy hair of this Zoroark falls over its face dramatically, and it keeps the pale coloration and wispy quality of Hisuian Zorua.
At first, Zoroark felt like something of a failure to replicate the success of Lucario. I’m sure this is partly due to Black and White not quite having the mainstream success of Diamond and Pearl. When Hisuian Zoroark was revealed, it was instantly beloved.
The name Zoroark combines Zoro, the Spanish for fox and source of the name of the Mexican hero, with dark. I’m a 90s kid, I’m friends with the ultimate Edgelord James J Moyles and my girlfriend loves Shadow the Hedgeog. It might be the underdog of the anthropomorphic dog Pokémon, but I’ll route for this kitsune anyway.
Zoroark was designed by Atsuko Nishida. Original music 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 Mincinno and Gothita, 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 Zorua. And remember, I love you too.