Despite the fact thatPokemonhas been around for over 25 years at this point, the franchise had never created a creature based on a dolphin untilPokemon ScarletandViolet. The ninth generation games introduce Finizen, and its evolution, Palafin; two dolphin creatures that are now part of theover a thousand Pokemon totalthat the franchise has gained over the years. On top of that, these porpoises have a unique way of evolving, as well as a special ability to call their own.
Finizen and Palafin were one of the many critters vaguely leaked beforePokemon ScarletandVioletwere due to hit shelves. As the leakers did their best to talk about the Pokemon without revealing too much about them, Finizen and Palafin were revealed by one leaker posting a picture ofYu-Gi-Oh’sNeo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin and nothing else. The use of this card in particular did great for helping fans expect a buff dolphin creature, but Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin and Palafin are more similar than one might think at first.
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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Finizen and Palafin
Just like the creatures they’re based on, Finizen can be found in the seas surrounding Paldea. In order to get one, fans need to have cleared theBombirdier titan, known as the “Open Sky” titan, as that battle unlocks the ability for Koraidon and Miraidon to surf afterwards. Finizen is a rather simplistic Pokemon, being just a brightly colored dolphin with two-tone eyes and a friendly face. However, its evolution is rather special. Once players get Finizen to level 38 while playing in a Union Circle group with another player, it will seemingly evolve into the same critter it was before, but its ability changes everything.
The “Zero” form for Palafin is the same as Finizen, but with a new red heart on its torso. This almost acts likeSuperman’s “S”, as it signifies what Palafin is truly capable of. It introduces a new ability called “Zero to Hero” to the series, and it changes Palafin’s form when activated. In order to see this new form, players need to use Palafin in battle, switch it out, and then bring it back out later. Once back in its ball the first time, Palafin will transform into a superhero form that looks like it was ripped out of a comic book made for dolphins. This form and mechanic works rather well with Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin.
Yu-Gi-Oh!’s Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin
Neo-Spacial Aqua Dolphin is a rather special monster. Aqua Dolphin, along with all the other Neo-Spacian monsters, were created by the protagonist ofYu-Gi-Oh! GX, Jaden Yuki, as part of a monster designing competition. Part of this competition involved the cards Jaden created being sent out into space on a satellite. Due to the magic that’s been practically embedded into the card game, these cards have their own souls. When Jaden stumbles upon his old Neo-Spacian deck when the satellite it was in crashes back down into earth, Aqua Dolphin talks to him directly to help him remember theold deck Jaden designed.
There’s a theme that ties the Neo-Spacians together, and that’s Jaden’s love for heroes. Jaden’s favorite deck in Duel Monsters dealt with the Elemental Hero archetype, and the Neo-Spacians were built to work alongside Elemental Hero Neos in particular. The Neo-Spacian cards in particular have a less powerful chrysalis form that also plays a part in the deck, which can be used to special summon their proper forms. This means players can play Chrysalis Dolphin to special summon Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin to their field in most Yu-Gi-Oh! duels, like inMaster DuelandDuel Links.
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The Similar Purpose of Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon’s Porpoises
The leaker who teased Palafin may have chosen Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin due to the nature of how it fits the bill as a buff dolphin, but these two monsters from different franchises are actually surprisingly similar. They’re both made to fit into the theme ofcomic book heroes straight from DC and Marvelin terms of both their design and lore, and they both share a weaker form that can “transform” into their superhero one. Even without the comic book inspiration, they coincidentally have rather similar designs down to the red emblems and jewels on their chests.
In terms of differences, there isn’t too much. One notable difference is that Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin is a bit more muscular and humanoid, but that just comes down to how differentYu-Gi-Oh!‘sandPokemon’sart styles are. Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin can also talk to his owner, but at the very least Palafin can “hear its allies crying for help in battle,” which is the reason it transforms according to aPokemon ScarletPokedex entry. It seems that inbothYu-Gi-Oh!andPokemon, fans can count on a super-powered dolphin coming in to save the day.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare available now for the Nintendo Switch.
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