Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina
{{Short description|Pokémon species}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina
| multiple = Yes
| image = File:Popplio,_Brionne,_Primarina.png
| image_size = 200
| caption = From left to right: Brionne, Primarina, and Popplio as they appear in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
| series = Pokémon
| firstgame = Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016)
| voice = Eileen Stevens (English, 2017-2018)
Laurie Hymes (English, since 2018)
Rikako Aikawa (Japanese, Popplio)
Risa Shimizu (Japanese, Brionne, Primarina){{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LaurieHymes/status/1630276832036630529|title=Happy #PokemonDay 🎉🎊So grateful to be a part of the #Pokemon family!!|website=Twitter|date=February 27, 2023|access-date=April 1, 2024|url-status=live|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323230539/https://twitter.com/LaurieHymes/status/1630276832036630529}}
| species = Pokémon
| lbl21 = Type
| data21 = Water (Popplio, Brionne)
Water and Fairy (Primarina)
}}Popplio ({{IPAc-en|audio=Popplio Voice Line.ogg|ˈ|p|ɒ|p|l|iː|oʊ}}), Brionne ({{IPAc-en|audio=Brionne Voice Line.ogg|b|ɹ|iː|ˈ|ɒ|n}}), and Primarina ({{IPAc-en|audio=Primarina Voice Line.ogg|ˌ|p|ɹ|iː|m|ə|ˈ|ɹ|iː|n|ə}}), known as {{nihongo|Ashimari|アシマリ|lead=yes}}, {{Nihongo|Osyamari|オシャマリ|lead=yes}}, and {{Nihongo|Ashirene|アシレーヌ|lead=yes}} in Japan, are a trio of Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. The three were introduced in the 2016 video games Pokémon Sun and Moon. Popplio is a Water-type pinniped Pokémon that is primarily blue. After gaining enough experience, it evolves into Brionne, and then into Primarina.
Responses to the trio have generally been mixed. Popplio was met with a strong negative reception upon its debut for its design, though it has retrospectively been viewed in a better light due to the designs of its evolutions.
Concept and design
Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina are a trio of 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.{{cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=December 25, 2016 |title=Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001192920/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |magazine=Game Informer}} 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.{{cite book |last=Allison |first=Anne |title=Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination |date=May 2006 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520938991 |pages=192–197}} Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.{{cite book |title=Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook |date=July 28, 2015 |publisher=Scholastic Inc. |isbn=9780545795661 |page=5}} 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.
All three first appear in the sequel titles Pokémon Sun and Moon. When developing the games, director Shigeru Ohmori wanted to put the spotlight on the Pokémon themselves, re-examining the concept of them as living creatures and how humans interact with them. In an interview, he described "nature" and "abundant life" as two of the central themes of the game, while also wanting to explore concepts of "Pokémon that have a more playful element or a gimmick".{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/interview-first-time-pokemon-director-shigeru-ohmori-opens-up-about-sun-and-moon |first=Kat |last=Bailey |website=USgamer |via=VG247 |title=Interview: First-time Pokémon Director Shigeru Ohmori Opens Up About Sun and Moon |accessdate=2024-10-30 |date=2016-10-19}} As the games also represented the 20th anniversary of the franchise, the development team were encouraged to explore a "funny element" to Pokémon design, as it was seen as a special occasion. Consideration however was also given to "find a balance of cool [and] serious" Pokémon designs that would fit the game's Alolan region,{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-creators-of-pokemon-explain-why-sun-and-moon-has-ri-1788191518 |title=The Creators of Pokémon Explain Why Sun and Moon Has Ridiculous Monster Designs |first=Patricia |last=Hernandez |accessdate=2024-10-30 |website=Kotaku |date=2016-10-25}} which was based on Hawaii.{{cite web |website=Time |title=Why the New Pokémon Are Called {{'}}Sun and Moon{{'}} |accessdate=2024-10-30 |url=https://time.com/4536438/pokemon-sun-moon-interview/ |first=Matt |last=Peckham |date=2016-10-19}}
Popplio are sea lion Pokémon that can do tricks and form water bubbles from their "clown-like nose".{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/these-are-your-pokemon-sun-and-moon-starters-1775713166|title=These Are Your Pokémon Sun and Moon Starters|first=Brian|last=Ashcraft|date=May 10, 2016|website=Kotaku|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714082441/https://kotaku.com/these-are-your-pokemon-sun-and-moon-starters-1775713166|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Allegra|last=Frank|work=Polygon|publisher=Vox Media|date=May 10, 2016|access-date=June 13, 2016|title=Take a closer look at Pokémon Sun and Moon's new monsters|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/10/11649106/pokemon-sun-and-moon-starters-legendaries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614001722/http://www.polygon.com/2016/5/10/11649106/pokemon-sun-and-moon-starters-legendaries|archive-date=June 14, 2016|url-status=live}} Around its neck is a light blue ruff, which extends past its shoulders. It has four flippers. The front flippers are larger than the hind flippers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2016/10/27/13437178/pokemon-sun-and-moon-popplio-evolution-sorry|title=An apology to the pokémon Popplio for all the things I said|first=Megan|last=Farokhmanesh|date=October 27, 2016|website=The Verge|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714082425/https://www.theverge.com/tldr/2016/10/27/13437178/pokemon-sun-and-moon-popplio-evolution-sorry|url-status=live}} Popplio is able to snort bubbles of water from its nose, which it uses as part of its battle strategy. On land, it uses the elasticity of its bubbles to perform acrobatic stunts and jumps. It evolves into Brionne, which takes on a more feminine appearance, gaining a dress-like design along its body. Brionne is stated to be a highly positive Pokémon to the point of putting on a facade and hiding its sadness around others. Brionne later evolves into Primarina.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318228/pokemon-popplio-final-evolution|title=Popplio's evolutionary line is Pokémon's best ugly duckling story|first=Allegra|last=Frank|date=October 18, 2016|website=Polygon|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714082428/https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/18/13318228/pokemon-popplio-final-evolution|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/starter-pokemons-feminine-evolution-is-bothering-some-f-1787416839|title=Starter Pokémon's 'Feminine' Evolution Is Bothering Some Fans|first=Patricia|last=Hernandez|date=October 5, 2016|website=Kotaku|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714082439/https://kotaku.com/starter-pokemons-feminine-evolution-is-bothering-some-f-1787416839|url-status=live}} Primarina can manipulate the water bubbles with its voice, allowing it to control and move them at will.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2016-10-27 |title=Pokémon Sun and Moon's newest Pokémon are one-of-a-kind |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/27/13435352/pokemon-sun-and-moon-final-starter-evolution-legendaries-cosmog |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219215418/https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/27/13435352/pokemon-sun-and-moon-final-starter-evolution-legendaries-cosmog |url-status=live }}
Appearances
Popplio originally appeared in Pokémon Sun and Moon and later Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon as a first partner Pokémon.{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/games/2017/09/pokemon-ultra-sun-moon-trailer-mantine-surfing-alola-photo-club/|title=Pokemon Ultra Sun & Moon Trailer Shows Off Mantine Surfing|first=Eli|last=Becht|date=September 22, 2017|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714082440/https://heavy.com/games/2017/09/pokemon-ultra-sun-moon-trailer-mantine-surfing-alola-photo-club/|url-status=live}} Popplio can evolve into Brionne, and later Primarina, after gaining enough experience. Primarina has a unique "Z-Move"- a one time use powerful attack- named "Oceanic Operetta," which involves Primarina using its voice to attack the opponent with a massive water bubble.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=2016-11-14 |title=New Pokémon Sun and Moon video reveals more Ultra Beasts, Z-moves for starters |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/14/13622250/pokemon-sun-moon-ultra-beasts-z-move-starters |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208080922/https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/14/13622250/pokemon-sun-moon-ultra-beasts-z-move-starters |url-status=live }} They are not obtainable in the base version of the games Pokémon Sword and Shield or Pokémon Scarlet and Violet; instead, they were added as part of post-game downloadable content for each: The Isle of Armor{{Cite web |last=Knezevic |first=Kevin |title=Pokemon Isle Of Armor: Here Is What You Get For Finding Every Lost Diglett |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-isle-of-armor-here-is-what-you-get-for-fin/1100-6478827/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722125704/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-isle-of-armor-here-is-what-you-get-for-fin/1100-6478827/ |archive-date=2020-07-22 |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} and The Indigo Disk.{{Cite web |last=Armughanuddin |first=Md |date=2024-02-02 |title=Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: How To Get Popplio, Brionne & Primarina |url=https://gamerant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-how-get-popplio-brionne-primarina/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Game Rant |language=en |archive-date=2024-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208060616/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-scarlet-violet-how-get-popplio-brionne-primarina/ |url-status=live }} Popplio and its evolutions have also appeared in Pokémon spin-offs, including Pokémon Go,{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Julia |date=2023-03-27 |title=Pokémon Go Spotlight Hour: Can Popplio be shiny? |url=https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-go-guide/23658843/can-popplio-be-shiny-spotlight-hour-march |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603192246/https://www.polygon.com/pokemon-go-guide/23658843/can-popplio-be-shiny-spotlight-hour-march |url-status=live }} and as a partner Pokémon to the character Elio in Pokémon Masters EX.{{Cite web |last=Dwyer |first=Theo |date=2021-04-16 |title=Popplio, Rowlet, and Rayquaza Available in Pokémon Masters EX Update |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/popplio-rowlet-and-rayquaza-available-in-pokemon-masters-ex-update/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}
In the anime, Lana, a protagonist in the Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, owned a Popplio as her main Pokémon. Lana's Popplio evolved into Brionne and then Primarina during the course of the series.{{Cite web |last=Edmundson |first=Carlyle |date=2023-10-18 |title=All of Ash's Companions, Ranked By Number of Pokémon Caught |url=https://screenrant.com/all-ash-companions-ranked-number-pokemon-caught/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018211345/https://screenrant.com/all-ash-companions-ranked-number-pokemon-caught/ |url-status=live }} In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Popplio is owned by Professor Kukui and later becomes a Primarina.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-anime-rare-appearances/|title=10 Pokémon That Rarely Ever Appear In The Anime|date=June 30, 2021|last=Rose|first=Edward|website=CBR|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714221315/https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-anime-rare-appearances/|url-status=live}}
Reception
In contrast to the positive reactions to Rowlet and Litten, Popplio initially received negative reactions across social media platforms; however, these reactions have generally become more neutral or positive over time, leading many to see Popplio as a polarizing addition.{{cite web|first=Patricia|last=Hernandez|work=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=June 13, 2016|title=Pour One Out For Popplio, The New Pokémon Starter That Nobody Likes|url=http://kotaku.com/pour-one-out-for-popplio-the-new-pokemon-starter-that-1776125803|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613170803/http://kotaku.com/pour-one-out-for-popplio-the-new-pokemon-starter-that-1776125803|archive-date=June 13, 2016|url-status=live}} A 2016 community poll by Destructoid ranked Popplio as the least popular Pokémon starter.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/damn-yall-hate-popplio/|title=Damn, y'all HATE Popplio|last=Hansen|first=Steven|date=May 13, 2016|website=Destructoid|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715130736/https://www.destructoid.com/damn-yall-hate-popplio/|archive-date=July 15, 2021|url-status=live}} In a Twitter poll held by The Pokémon Company International, Popplio was the least popular of the three starters, receiving only 21 percent of the vote.{{cite tweet|user=pokemon|number=730467743384801281|date=May 11, 2016|access-date=June 13, 2016|title=Now that you've met Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio, which do you think has the most potential? #PokemonSunMoon|author-link=The Pokémon Company}} According to Kotaku
In response to the criticisms, Pokémon Sun and Moon director Shigeru Ohmori stated that "I personally think that Popplio was very cute and he'll be very popular with a lot of people."{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=October 19, 2016 |title=Pokémon Sun and Moon's Devs Respond To The Popplio Backlash |url=https://kotaku.com/asked-for-their-favorite-even-pokemon-sun-and-moons-cr-1787943425 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714082533/https://kotaku.com/asked-for-their-favorite-even-pokemon-sun-and-moons-cr-1787943425 |archive-date=July 14, 2021 |access-date=July 14, 2021 |website=Kotaku |language=en}} Vice writer Joel Golby responded positively to the creature, highlighting its "fun" design and the associated atmosphere that came with it, while Donald Theriault of Nintendo World Report highlighted the underdog status of the creature, expressing excitement for the Pokémon's future evolutions.{{Cite web |last=Theriault |first=Donald |title=The Case For Popplio - Feature |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/42714/the-nwr-pokemon-sun-and-moon-starter-debate-the-case-for-popplio |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Nintendo World Report |publication-date=May 16, 2016 |archive-date=2024-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402025515/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/42714/the-nwr-pokemon-sun-and-moon-starter-debate-the-case-for-popplio |url-status=live }} As a result of negative perceptions towards the Pokémon, supporters of Popplio began to defend the creature, with writer Christian Hoffer of Polygon noting how Popplio's fans formed a 'Popplio Defense Squad' dedicated to send out "positive vibes." A subreddit dedicated to the creature was formed, and massive amounts of fanworks, such as fanart, were created based around the Pokémon.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/23/13727620/pokemon-sun-moon-popplio|title=The cult of Popplio was created to defend, cherish Pokémon's divisive monster|first=Julia|last=Alexander|date=November 23, 2016|website=Polygon|access-date=July 14, 2021|archive-date=July 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714082424/https://www.polygon.com/2016/11/23/13727620/pokemon-sun-moon-popplio|url-status=live}} The reactions to Popplio became so intensive that they led to the creature becoming an internet meme.
File:The Ugly Duckling cropped.jpg
Popplio's further evolutions, Brionne and Primarina, were noted as drastically changing perceptions of Popplio.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2016-10-04 |title=Pokémon Sun and Moon's starter evolutions may sway you on which partner to pick |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/4/13161682/pokemon-sun-and-moon-starter-evolutions |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401211846/https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/4/13161682/pokemon-sun-and-moon-starter-evolutions |url-status=live }} Brionne received mixed responses initially, with The Verge
Brionne and Primarina were additionally noted for representing and symbolizing growth and the process of growing up, with many noting, both positively and negatively, that the evolutionary line was similar in nature to the ugly duckling story.{{Cite web |last=Shrdlu |first=Etaoin |date=2019-05-06 |title=Ranking the Pokémon Starter Middle Evolutions |url=https://www.fanbyte.com/legacy/pokemon-starter-middle-evolutions-ranked |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=Fanbyte |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219230150/https://www.fanbyte.com/legacy/pokemon-starter-middle-evolutions-ranked |url-status=live }} Polygon writer Allegra Frank noted that Popplio symbolized how many "were downright hard to look at in our youth" citing that its evolution into Brionne showed the Pokémon becoming more confident. They further stated that "Popplio is a precious flower, a gorgeous soul and a true beauty." Farokhmanesh noted this further, stating that they "saw a little of myself reflected in your big, soggy eyes. I think I always have." They further highlighted the growth of Popplio into the "majestic" and "confident" Primarina.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- Popplio on Bulbapedia and [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/popplio Pokemon.com]
- Brionne on Bulbapedia and [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/brionne Pokemon.com]
- Primarina on Bulbapedia and [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/primarina Pokemon.com]
{{Pokémon Generation 7|state=expanded}}
{{Pokémon directory}}
Category:Pokémon introduced in generation VII
Category:Video game characters introduced in 2016
Category:Video game characters with water abilities
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