Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
A weekly Pokédex Podcast from Bald Man in Japan Luke Summerhayes. A different Pokémon family every week.
I’m Luke Summerhayes and I love Hoopa.
Djinn, or Genie as they’re sometimes pronounced in English, are like the fairies of the middle east. Like fairies, they are tricksters from another dimension, sometimes helpful, often mischievous, and always requiring a sharp mind to get the better of them. Also like the fairies of pagan Europe, Djinn are from pre-islamic culture, and were absorbed into the mythology of that faith and repurposed into demons and angels.
The most famous Genie in the western world is the one befriended by aladin. Today, Aladdin is thought of as a middle eastern tale and part of the Arabian Nights, but it was added to that compilation later by a French translator. The story itself actually originated in China, and told of a young man who is tricked into stealing a magic lamp containig a powerful genie.
Hoopa is a ghost and psychic mythical Pokemon which resembles a mischievous, partially corporeal child with horns and a collection of gold rings.
X
This troublemaker sends anything and everything to faraway places using its loop, which can warp space.
Y
It gathers things it likes and passes them through its loop to teleport them to a secret place.
When Hoopa appears, its ability to open these portals is the main gimmick, be that in animes or in videogames. The name Hoopa of course literally comes from the word Hoop, but might also incorporate the acronym Oopa, Out Of Place Artifact. This term refers to objects found in archaeology or Palaentology which appear to be in the wrong time or place. This can tell us about old trade networks or unexpected contact, and of courser also leads to speculation of time travel or interference by other powers. In the Pokemon world, with teleportation and interdimensional travel rife, I assume it’s a major issue.
A little spirit which can travel between dimensions does suit a genie Pokemon, though the gold rings as weapons could be a reference to another Chinese hero, Ne Zha. This child warrior wielded a weapon called the Universe Ring, and while he wasn’t well-known outside China until recently, his 2019 movie and its 2025 sequel set massive box office records.
Ne Zha is also capable of transforming into a six-armed, monstrous form. As it happens, like the genie in Aladdin, much of Hoopa’s power is contained in a bottle. When this power is released, adorable little Hoopa Confined becomes the fearsome Hoopa Unbound.
Omega Ruby
In its true form, it possess a huge amount of power. Legends of its avarice tell how it once carried off an entire castle to gain the treasure hidden within.
Alpha Sapphire
It is said to be able to seize anything it desires with its six rings and six huge arms. With its power sealed, it is transformed into a much smaller form.
Hoopa Unbound has a dragon-like face and multiple floating arms. It takes a boost to attacking and speed stats, becoming a real monstrous threat. As a mythical it has no competitive career, but in the movie Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, it makes a real mess, particularly by using its dimension-hopping powers to summon multiple other legendary Pokemon into battle.
As of now, my experience with Hoopa doesn’t extend beyond acquiring one through a convenience store campaign and throwing it into my box. Very soon, though, we will meet Hoopa again in the Mega Dimension DLC, where I feel I will inevitably face it in battle. I eagerly await the challenge.
Music for Luke Loves Pokemon is by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork for the show is by Katie Groves. If you enjoy the podcast, find out about my other shows at podcastiopodcastius.org, get in touch on bluesky @podcastpodcast, or support the show at patreon.com/podcastiopodcastius.
If you want to see my slow playthrough of Pokémon Legends Z-A, check out twitch.tv/buskalilly. I love hearing from Listeners! Up next is Volcanion then our Z-A Mega Roundup, so hit me up about those or any other Pokemon. Even if you don’t feel like doing any of that, thank you so much for listening.
I love Hoopa. And remember, I love you too.