It has been more than 20 years since Pokémon was first created, and now with the new Switch console, Nintendo has created two new games to compliment it’s release. We have had a plethora of Pokémon to find, capture, and bond with over the years, but it wasn’t up until now that a new face is joining the Pokédex.
Meltan, the newest edition to the roster has been leaked through the “Pokémon GO” app, showing up as a Pokémon you can catch, but once caught, it would transform into the Pokémon know as Ditto. Many were speculating what this new Pokémon was, but after a while, The Official Pokémon YouTube Channel released a video explaining who this new fellow is and their link to the upcoming games, “Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu!” and “Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee!”
But the look of Meltan is what is most alarming to some of the fans. Pokémon always had some poor designs, but they all were linked to a theme. In Generation 1, Voltorb and Electrode were just Pokéballs with faces. Generation 5 had Trubbish who was a trash bag. But Meltan is something else, it does not have a definitive theme towards it. The design just looks to be some objects crammed together in the hopes it would look somewhat acceptable among the rest of the cast.
Meltan has been defined as the Hex Nut Pokémon, also revealed to being a Steel-type, but by its appearance it can already be concluded that it would be one. Whether or not it will be a duel-type is another matter. On the Pokémon website, a description was added about this new enigma.
“Most of Meltan’s body is made from liquid metal, and its shape is very fluid. It can use its liquid arms and legs to corrode metal and absorb it into its own body… Meltan generates electricity using the metal it absorbs from outside sources. It uses this electricity as an energy source and also as an attack that can be fired from its eye.” as described on the Official Pokémon website.
As interesting as it is depicted, the design just seems lacking in some aspects, the most glaring problem being what looks to be a red tail on the end. It may serve a purpose, but for now it seems out of place.
Nintendo always have tricks up their sleeves, and who knows what new additions they will add next. For now the clock ticks down towards the release of “Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu!” and “Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee!” only time will tell what new friends will be introduced in the series.
Julia Peralta // Graphics Dept.