Poké Balls at the ready, everyone. You might just catch an, uh, stray pig in the wild.
The release of Pokémon’s latest video game edition Scarlet and Violet is coming in a few months, and their latest trailer treated trainers to new creatures. The highlight in everyone’s hungry eyes? A hog-like Pokémon by the name of—and get this—Lechonk.
Thus, cue the internet falling into a frenzy. Americans lol’d at the inclusion of “chonk.” Spanish folks, Latinos, and Filipinos feel represented by the wordplay on “lechon,” while combating the urge to put an apple in its mouth and roast this round, meaty, chunky boi.
Unfortunately or fortunately, we can’t, because a) it’s a bunch of pixels, b) look at those teary eyes, and c) it’s a Pokémon. And true to the nature of reason letter C, Lechonk has abilities up in its stubby limbs and we’re here to list them, along with a few FYIs. Say it with me, now: In Lechonk we trust.
Its name has a varied etymology
Speaking about the origins of its name, “Lechonk’s” moniker can be traced back to the Spanish “lechón,” meaning a milk suckling pig or piglet. The word might also be used in the sense of the dish, the roasted pig often used as a centerpiece during special occasions in Latin countries, and yes, the Philippines.
The name could also be a play on the onomatopoeia “oink” and “chonk,” an internet meme word often used to describe fat fluffy animals. “Chonk” has been initially attributed to large housecats, but in the world of chonk, every animal is created equal.
On the flip side, its Japanese name “guruton” may be a combo of “gurume” for “gourmet,” “ton” for “pig” and the unit of measurement, as well as a play on “glutton.”
Its primary ability lies in its nose
Lechonk’s triangular pink nose isn’t just for the “aww”s. One of the hog-type Pokémon’s main abilities in battle is the Aroma Veil, which prevents it and its allies from being affected by attacks like Taunt, Torment, Encore, Disable, and Cursed Body.
The Pokémon itself has a unique sense of smell that helps it hunt and eat the most fragrant wild grasses and the richest Berries in the land. Its second ability, Gluttony, makes it able to take a pinch berry when its HP drops to 50 percent instead of the usual 25.
Because of dining habits, Lechonk emits an herb-like aroma that bug Pokémon dislike. (Which, when you think about it, is probably why it has those tear-shaped yellow growths under its eyes. Maybe it wants bug friends.)
It’s potentially inspired by two kinds of IRL hogs
According to Bulbapedia, Lechonk could possibly take inspo from the black Iberian pig, an animal from the peninsula principally divided between Spain and Portugal.
The hog type also has a high appetite for fruit and nuts, hence, the chonk. Other Pokémons in the game like the Smoliv could have Iberian roots as well, because of Scarlet and Violet’s Spanish-influenced region.
They also trace its skilled sense of smell to truffle hogs, which are domestic pigs used to locate the highly valued gourmet ingredient.
It’ll get a li’l scared, but it’s still pretty strong
Meet Lechonk, the Hog Pokémon! 🐷
It may appear fat at first glance, but in reality, the Pokémon’s body is mostly muscle built by constantly walking around in search of food.
❤️💜 #ScarletViolet pic.twitter.com/sMnhPNRXUD
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) June 1, 2022
Be afraid, but do it anyway—the mantra of Lechonk, probably. If the Pokémon is attacked, it will be surprised, but rest assured, it will still charge. Plus, don’t get fooled by its round physique. The Lechonk is mostly muscle-built, thanks to the constant walking exercises when hunting for food. Meaty, as I’d like to say.
Read more:
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Photos from Nintendo
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