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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 Oranguru.
The Orangutan is one of the most intelligent non-human primate species. They scratch the chin under their wise faces, communicate with trainers using sign language and imitate human beings’ use of tools. In Planet of the Apes, the Orangutan Doctor Zaius is the main villain and the face of the apes’ intelligence. In Japan, he can still be seen in Gachapon toys, posters and as the inspiration of Andross in Star Fox.
Long before even the original Planet of the Apes movie, or the French Novel that loosely inspired it, Japan’s mountains were said to be home to the Satori, a breed of yokai that resemble monkeys and read human minds. Sometimes violent, they are usually described as peaceful, intelligent beings related to the gods.
Oranguru is a normal and psychic type pokemon which resembles a white orangutan seated in a meditation position, holding a folding fan.
Moon
Deep in the jungle, high in the lofty canopy, this Pokémon abides. On rare occasions, it shows up at the beach to match wits with Slowking.
The Orangutan has been nicknamed The Man of the Forest, and Oranguru is similarly mistaken for a human sometimes.
Sword
With waves of its fan—made from leaves and its own fur—Oranguru skillfully gives instructions to other Pokémon.
Scarlet
People used to mistake Oranguru for a human when they saw it issue command after command to the other Pokémon of the forest.
The name Oranguru combines an orangutan with a guru, a wise master of some kind. The Japanese name Yareyuutan takes the English name of the ape and combines it with Yare, an order to “do it”, as this pokemon commands others.
Ultra Sun
It normally spends its time meditating in the treetops. It throws Poké Balls and gives other Pokémon orders as it pleases.
Oranguru puts this into practice with the signature move Instruct, which orders its partner Pokemon to repeat the last move it used. This can be used to great effect in competitive doubles battles, letting a player use a powerful monster twice in one turn. With a bulky Oranguru that also has trick room, quite unique niche sets are possible.
I’ve always been fascinated by apes and monkeys with their almost human expressions and behaviors. If the Planet of the Apes uprising ever comes, I’d take my orders from an Orangutan over most leaders in todays’s human world.
Music for Luke Loves Pokemon was composed by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork for the show is by Katie Groves. Funding is by supporters at patreon.com/podcastiopodcastius.
I love hearing from listeners! Get in touch on youtube, social media or email and let me know about your favorite monsters. Coming up next are Passimian and Wimpod, so let me know your thoughts about those or any other monsters.
Even if you don’t feel like doing any of that, thank you so much for listening.
I love Oranguru. And remember, I love you too.