Sudowoodo
Pokémon character
First gamePokémon Gold and Silver (1999)
Designed byKen Sugimori
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon
TypeRock

Conception and development

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Sudowoodo is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.[1] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[3] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[2]

Its Japanese name, usoki, comes from "uso," meaning "false," and "ki," meaning either "tree" or "wood."[citation needed] In English, the name "Sudowoodo" is a pun on "pseudo wood."[4] Its name is German, Moglebaum, translates to "cheating tree," while its name in French, "Simularbre," translates to "acts like a tree."[5]

Design

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Appearances

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Critical reception

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TheGamer writer Stacey Henley expressed surprise by how disliked Sudowoodo seemed to be by many people, saying that she is not able to understand why this is the case. She stated that it was among her favorite Pokémon, believing that its name was the cleverest Pokémon species name, both for the pun on "pseudo wood" and for the name's rhythmic timbre. She also enjoyed its appearance in Gold and Silver, comparing its role to Snorlax and noting that it had an "added surprise" due to its status as a Pokémon not being known before fighting it. She also commended the quality of its design and its mannerisms, speculating that the reason it may appear on so many worst designs lists is due to being well-known, leading it to being noticed more than worse Pokémon.[6] Music producer Simon Ebener-Holscher named his band after the German name for Sudowoodo, Moglebaum, commenting on how it is both "tricky and cunning" despite not being a powerful Pokémon and stating that he chose the name due to his interest in fantasy worlds. Vice writer Rachael D'Amore discussed how the sounds of Moglebaum's music fit well with the concept behind Sudowoodo, citing his use of field samples.[7] As part of their "Pokémon of the Day" series, IGN staff commented on how "boring" a Pokémon it was despite finding his typing and appearance to be "unique," adding that its originality somewhat made up for this.[8]

Authors Weneson Victor Diniz Sarges and Lucas C. Marinho and discussed how Sudowoodo's concept of a Rock-type tree derives from real-world petrified trees, noting how these trees have, over time, become fossilized through the replacement of organic materials replaced with minerals.[9]

References

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  1. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (December 25, 2016). "Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN 9780520938991.
  3. ^ Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook. Scholastic Inc. July 28, 2015. p. 5. ISBN 9780545795661.
  4. ^ Zwiezen, Zack (August 31, 2019). "Sudowoodo Is Loved By Millions Of Old People". Kotaku. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Peters, Megan (November 25, 2019). "A Viral Discovery About Sudowoodo Prompts Hilarious Pokemon Lesson". Comic Book. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Henley, Stacey (April 9, 2023). "It Has Come To My Attention That Some Of You Don't Like Sudowoodo". TheGamer. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  7. ^ D'Amore, Rachael (May 22, 2015). "Meet Moglebaum, the German Producer Making Everything but Techno". Vice. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Pokemon of the Day: Sudowoodo (#185)". IGN. February 13, 2003. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  9. ^ Sarges, Weneson Victor Diniz; Marinho, Lucas C. (July 2022). "Pokémon como ferramenta de divulgação científica em diferentes universos" (PDF). Universidade Federal do Maranhão. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
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