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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 Slither Wing and Iron Moth.
Volcarona is a beloved Pokémon, perhaps one of the most popular from the fifth generation games. It has a beautiful design, is competitively useful and also made a good impression by being found in an in-game overworld encounter akin to a legendary Pokémon. On top of all of that, it serves as Pokémon’s tribute to the legendary cinematic monster Mothra.
Factor all of that in, and consider that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet already had a high concentration of references to Godzilla and other Toho monsters, and it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that Volcarona is one of the only pre-existing Pokémon to which the Ninth generation gave not one, but two new Paradox counterparts.
In Pokémon Scarlet, we are introduced to Slither Wing. A shaggy, flightless bug and fighting type Pokémon which resembles an overgrown moth cosplaying as a stegosaurus, it holds its wings aloft in a manner common to now-extinct insects and today found only in a few insects, like dragonflies.
In Pokémon Violet, we instead get the fire and poison type Iron Moth. This one resembles Volcarona more in its shape, but is of course a robotic machine with hovering solar panel-like wings.
Every incarnation of Mothra, more so than even Godzilla, treats it as an ancient creature which has been worshipped as humanity’s guardian since before time, so it makes sense as a pick for a prehistoric Scarlet paradox Pokémon.
Scarlet
This mysterious Pokémon has some similarities to a creature that an old book introduced as Slither Wing.
Violet
This Pokémon somewhat resembles an ancient form of Volcarona that was introduced in a dubious magazine.
Enigmas of Paldea, File #08
Slither Wing: A Prehistoric Volcarona, Revived?!
There have been precious few sightings reported of the ultra-mysterious Slither Wing, a being whose name is taken from that of a similar-seeming creature described in the ever-puzzling Scarlet Book. Slither Wing shares traits with Volcarona, so some theorize that it may have been revived from fossils from a prehistoric era that we have discussed in these pages. However, no Volcarona fossils of that era are known to have been found.
It is amusing that here, at almost the end of our discussions of Paradox Pokémon, we get one which speculates it may just come from the Jurassic Park-esque fossil regeneration technology which is very much real in the Pokémon universe.
Unlike Godzilla and King Ghidora, there has never been a Mecha Mothra, so it is slightly more surprising to see Volcarona given a Violet future Paradox incarnation.
Scarlet
This Pokémon resembles an unknown object described in a paranormal magazine as a UFO sent to observe humanity.
Violet
No records exist of this species being caught. Data is lacking, but the Pokémon's traits match up with an object described in an old book.
August
Enigmas of Paldea, File #08
Iron Moth: A UFO sent to Spy on Humankind?!
The name Iron Moth was borrowed from that of a flying object
described in the era-defining Violet Book. It was said to resemble Volcarona
and would descend from the skies, following people around and occasionally even
attacking them. Some point to Iron Moth’s aggression as a sign that it is, in
fact, a UFO of sorts being controlled by alien life. Perhaps something out
there is using Iron Moth to observe us, waiting for the moment to mount an
invasion…
Aliens and UFOs are a big presence in Toho monster movies, even being the origin behind some versions of mecha Godzilla or the other mechas, so this does fit.
Volcarona has been a perpetually viable competitive Pokémon, and both Slither Wing and Iron Moth share that trait. Slither Wing trades special attacking power for physical attacks, and the only thing stopping it being absolutely top tier is that a couple of other paradox monsters do it better. Iron Moth, on the other hand, sticks with Volcarona’s special attack specialty but has a typing which is less vulnerable to things like stealth rock, making it an absolute beast to deal with.
I enjoyed the Paradox gimmick. I’m a big fan of dinosaurs and prehistory, so the Scarlet monsters were right up my street. I’m also a science fiction, transformers and Terminator fan, so robot Pokémon from a dark future, despite needing a little getting used to, were a cool addition for me. Volcarona is an all-time Pokémon for me, and the addition of these two Paradox moths solidifies both the gimmick and the monster.
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 Iron Leaves, Iron Boulder and Iron Crown, 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 Slither Wing and Iron Moth. And remember, I love you too.