...Manafi? (Warning: Possible spoilers for anime and Diamond/Pearl)

[mr_pikachu]

Well, in one of my periodic strolls through the internet, I happened to notice a bit of buzz about a Pokemon called Manafi. It was apparently revealed in Corocoro magazine, and it supposedly will play a role in the ninth Pokemon movie. It is rumored that it is an "egg Pokemon" (although whether that means it is a pre-evo, simply a new first form, or something else entirely is unclear), and it is supposed to be very energetic.

A picture of Manafi can be found here.

Also included in the picture are a series of three silhouettes (jeez, can they use a new idea already?) which will likely be other Pokemon introduced in the fourth generation. Speculation has already begun about these new Pokemon and any relationships to existing Pokes.

So, any thoughts on this? What do you think about Manafi and the others?


(Thanks to Pokemon Palace and Pokebeach for information and theories.)

[Magmar]

Chao from Sonic the Hedgehog much?

[rinku]

If Manafi is the focus pokémon of a movie, it's almost certain that it's a legendary. I'd be guessing that Lucario is the Mewtwo/Lugia/Rayquaza (powerful legend obtained at the end of the game) and Manafi is the Mew/Celebi/Jirachi (promotional legend) for the 4th generation.

The water sillhouette looks very much like a Mantine. Good chance it's a pre-evo. No idea on the split tail one, but the "musical note" one looks a lot like a bird. Possibly a genuinely new type, or maybe something to do with Skarmory?

[The Blue Avenger]

Just a nitpick, but the offical trademarked name is Manaphy.

I'm interested in the music note bird. Some speculate that's it related to Farfetch'd, which I would love. A lot.

The baby Mantine thing could be interesting as well; Mantines were also underused but still good Pokemon.

[mr_pikachu]

Actually, I'm not certain of the bird assumption at all. It is suggested by the beak-like thingie on the left side of the shadow. However, I can't get it out of my head that the spike looks remarkably like Absol's scythe.

[DarkestLight]

Chao I can see, but ...sea monkey ugly pos much? That's the first UGLY Promotional Legend ever . I'm shocked and appalled that Nintendo would screw it up like this.


Actually ...no, I'm not. u_u

[Charles Legend]

TBA: true but it's Enlish name has not been confermed as of yet but then again the same thing happen with Lucario/Rukario as wellso it's namy may indeed be Manphy.

Manafi: forth little legend known as the prince of the sea, and I Agree that it looks like a Chao, it's not that bad but mew an Cerebi look better... they look more orignal... --;;

1st shadow mite be a mantine pre evo.

2nd shadow, I am not sheer but it mite be a grass type.

3rd shadow(the bird) some sort of none legendary thunderbird?

~Charles legend

[*Murkrow]

Translations of the scan have chucked up three possible names of the shadowed Pokémon: Tamanta, Perappu and Buizera. Beats me who actually translated them, though; Filb lists them and they're being debated elsewhere.

Random edit from while I was typing and searching: Apparently all three names are trademarked, though that could mean nothing. It also seems that the three names were obtained by looking in the trademark database.

Translations of the captions besides the shadows:

Left-most pokemon: "This pokemon looks like a new fish pokemon."
Center pokemon: "Notice how its tail has split in two."
Right-most pokemon: "This individual has a (musical) note shape to it."
Courtesy of Dogasu over at BMGF.

I'm really interested already in the bird like one; I've been waiting for a parrot shaped Pokémon for bloody years and the basic shape does seem to fit. Though I'll admit (and agree with what Mr. Pikachu pointed out)- what looks to be the beak could be something else (maybe the end of the musical note Corocoro mentioned?); others have also pointed out that it's tail could looks similar to a bagpipe.
Regardless, I still hope it's a parrot xD It helps that I think a parrot type thing would suit more a novelty Pokémon which this could be. I would have loved it if it was an evolution of Murkrow, but if the music thing is true then that seems unlikely. Hoping it's nothing to do with Farfetch'd either.

The middle one is also weird, simply because unlike the other two, it is pretty hard to actually get a friggin clue what it's meant to be.

I'm not too fond (already o_O) of the other two. The other shadow left is way too similar to Mantine (not very fond of it) for my liking; I don't like pre-evolutions that much and seeing as chances are it is one, well....just no.

And Manaphy is just hideous. I don't mind cute Pokémon, but that thing is just way too cutesy for my tastes.

[Zak]

PLEASE don't let this be the fourth little uber-secret legendary i.e. Mew/Celebi/Jirachi...

[rinku]

Well, I think we have to be expecting a *lot* of pre-evos in DP. Assuming they intend to add 100+ new pokémon as before, it's a *lot* simpler to just add new ones that won't alter the mix of competitive pokémon. Having said that, there are sure to be plenty of genuinely new species... but also expect many that are more or less variations on previous ones (i.e. Arbok -> Seviper, Pidgeot -> Swellow). They may well fill in the missing type combos, though some they will need to be very careful of (Dragon/Steel springs to mind, as does Ghost/Normal).

I don't mind Manaphy* at all. It's no cuter than Jirachi. And Zak... it's pretty much certain that it is, if it's the focus of a movie and cutesey.

(*Thanks for the correction. I was just reading it off the katakana)

[soggy_cardboard]

I've been waiting to see something like this.
I agree with Zak on the blue blob. We need to have some variation on legendaries. *gag* I hope its a pure flying type.

Shadows
Left: Personally i cant see this being a baby form of Mantine. If it was, wouldnt it be symetrical? I think it looks like a snail.
Center: Looks nice, even though its only a shadow. My guess is a normal-type similar to raticate/furret/linoone. Pity we cant judge by size. It could also be a huge dragon of some sort.
Right: Interesting theory on the bagpipe. I agree too. If you look at the "tail" it seems to be in the same fashion as some bagpipes. Maybe its built into the parrot type bird (reminds me most of a Kea) with perhaps some sound-based moves?

[Chris 2.1]

Obviously shadows are little to go by (seeing as Manyula's shadow looked like an alien of some sort x_x) but if the left-most is a Mantine pre-evo, it looks like a really crap one. It's just a dwarfed Mantine from the general outline. Although, as said, we dont know much about its appearence based off a silhouette

The next one reminded me of Breloom and Ampharos for some reason. I'm intrigued. It could be a poison type, with its forked tail having stingers or something *groan*. The last one seems nice, death parrot seems interesting, but Murkrow evolution would be even better.

[Magmar]

If you ask me, they just keep getting cuter and cuter.

[rinku]

Well, the three silhouettes have been revealed - looks like the expected pre-evo Mantine (Tamanta), indeed a parrot with a musical note for a head (Perappu) and what looks to be a split tailled otter (Buizeru).

Tama is Japanese for a ball, so I'd guess that's where Tamanta's name comes from. My guess for its English name would be something like Mantot or Manteen.

Rappu is "rap", so possibly the bird's colour text has something to do with hip-hop. Parrap? Rappot?

Bui is katakana for "buoy"... possibly something to do with floating? Looks like a float tube around its neck... perhaps Flotter?

Neither Perappu nor Buizeru seem to sound like parrot (oumu) or otter (rakko, kawauso), but I'm only going by my Japanese e-dictionary - I'm not really fluent.

[mr_pikachu]

Tama is Japanese for a ball, so I'd guess that's where Tamanta's name comes from. My guess for its English name would be something like Mantot or Manteen.

Really? I had thought that the Japanese "tama" translated roughly into "turtle"... Then again, I'm only going by inferences made from watching anime...

>_>

<_<

...What?

[Blademaster]

Huh... I was thinking that that first one looked more like a Wailmer than a Mantine... :-/

[rinku]

Really? I had thought that the Japanese "tama" translated roughly into "turtle"... Then again, I'm only going by inferences made from watching anime...

Nothing in e-dict to indicate "tama" meaning turtle. "Kame" is a word that means turtle or tortoise that could sound similar, I guess.

[The Blue Avenger]

Bui is katakana for "buoy"... possibly something to do with floating? Looks like a float tube around its neck... perhaps Flotter?

Neither Perappu nor Buizeru seem to sound like parrot (oumu) or otter (rakko, kawauso), but I'm only going by my Japanese e-dictionary - I'm not really fluent.

I think Buizeru sounds more like weasel, myself. Could see it being called Bouysel. Or maybe Vweasel, because of the shape of its tail. However, I could also see problems between its name and Sneasel if it gets translated like that.

Also, could Perappu be a subtle reference to Parappa the Rapper?

[mr_pikachu]

Well, looking back, "Tama" was an abbreviated version of "Tamago". Of course, since that means "egg" rather than "turtle", I'm still very confused. (Turtle egg? No, that still doesn't make sense... )

But as for the new Pokemon, who thinks that Tamanta is a major waste of a Poke? I mean, it's practically exactly the same as Mantine, just a little smaller. Heck, Geodude and Graveler have more differences between them than Tamanta and Mantine.

[Blademaster]

Yeah, but I guess we're just gonna have to live with that, too... Japanese or not, the name 'Tamanta' seems to reinforce what this new guy is...

[mr_pikachu]

Yeah, but I guess we're just gonna have to live with that, too... Japanese or not, the name 'Tamanta' seems to reinforce what this new guy is...

Well, that, along with its picture.

At least Perappu and Buizeru look a little more creative...

(Many thanks to Pokebeach for alleviating any need to link to the green forums.)

[The Blue Avenger]

But as for the new Pokemon, who thinks that Tamanta is a major waste of a Poke? I mean, it's practically exactly the same as Mantine, just a little smaller. Heck, Geodude and Graveler have more differences between them than Tamanta and Mantine.

Counterpoint: Pichu, Azurill, Plusle, Minun, etc. I'll wait on passing judgment on Tamanta until I find out if it can pass any cool moves onto Mantine, make Mantine more useful, or if it can do anything cool on its own. It's far too early to be making decisions about whether or not it's a waste of space.

[Blademaster]

Oh, you've gotta be kidding me...

What is happening in the world of Pokemon? A micro-Mantine, a parrot, and Tails from the Sonic the Hedgehog games? This is what Game Freak and Nintendo has been reduced to?

Oy, vey...

[The Blue Avenger]

Keep in mind these are only the first few Pokemon revealed. Let me ask you something: what were your feelings on Azurill (a Pokemon much like Tamanta - an early-release Pokemon, a seemingly pointless baby) when it was released to the public? And what are your opinions on this generation of Pokemon as a whole?

[Blademaster]

(looks around again)

...Who, me?

Well, I think Azurill sucks, but not because of its similarity to Marill - I think Azurill sucks because it's not consistent. At all. How can a pre-evolved Marill be a Normal-type? How can a Normal-type have the Thick Fat ability? It's moronic...

This generation? What, the Hoenn generation, the D/P generation, what?

[The Blue Avenger]

What I meant was that just because a few pre-released Pokemon looked bad doesn't mean that Nintendo and Game Freak are being reduced to anything, as you put it. As you said, you hated Azurill, but surely you didn't hate the GBA generation as a whole?

[rinku]

I'm hoping Buizeru will be Water/Normal. Not exactly a high-demand type, but it would be neat to fill out the possible type combos. I'd expect Perappu to be Flying/Normal as usual for birds, though. Soundproof would be a likely ability for it, which would a new type/ability combo.

Hmm... Bouy-Weasel could very well be on the money. Katakana for "Weasel" would be something like U-I-I-ZE-RU, making a smooth combination name just like lots of others we've seen in the past.

[Blademaster]

As you said, you hated Azurill, but surely you didn't hate the GBA generation as a whole?

Oh, Hell no. The Hoenn generation brought what was probably the best MPR (mass-Pokemon release). If you check the 'My Favorite Pokemon' post, you'll notice that all 3 of my favorites are Hoenn Pokemon.

It's just like with Yu-Gi-Oh! cards - there are a few sucky ones for every several dozen or so...

Gotta catch 'em all? Maybe...

But I don't gotta like 'em all.

[The Blue Avenger]

Naw, I'm not saying that you have to like them all. My point was just that it's too early to judge the generation as a whole, and it seemed to me that that's what you were doing.

[homeofmew]

Manafi is water/psychic, its like Jirachi,Celebi, the "Mew" of its' era

[The Blue Avenger]

What's your source? I haven't seen that yet on any news sites. :|

[Chris 2.1]

Azurill was ok really, it has a different breed-on-movepool so Azu/Marill has access to refresh, sing and encore among other moves. Sure, theyre not great but they can help in UU.

Anyway I agree Pre-Tine is a bit cack. Bonsly and Munchlax: Thumbs up. They are linkable to their evolved forms without looking like dwarfed versions. Pre-tine looks like a Mantine following fin amputation. I dont think it needed a pre-evo or an evolution (maybe more of a fish-like pre-evo would have been nice)

Note: Pre-Tine's colours are that of Mantine's shiny ones. Interesting.

Also: The weasel rocks. Parrot is ok and Manafi is just weird.

[Blademaster]

My point was just that it's too early to judge the generation as a whole, and it seemed to me that that's what you were doing.

...

(gets 1,000,000 lawyers after you)

Lawyers: Slander! Slander! Slander! Slander!

:biggrin:

No, I don't think I'll hate this generation, because... uh... Pre-Snorlax and Pre-Sudowoodo look pretty cool, and Evo-Sneasel just rox, as does that Steel/Fighter I've heard about...

I just don't like Mantwerp or Portuguese Man-a-fi. :-/

[Phoenixsong]

Personally, I haven't got much of a problem with Manaphy, even though I've never really cared too much for Mew, Celebi or Jirachi either. As for all of these prevos, well... I can honestly tell you I severely dislike all of them. I can't stand any of the things they evolve into (Mantine, Sudowoodo, Snorlax, Mr. Mime with its idiotic name), and so I therefore would avoid breeding for these things at all costs except for Pokedex purposes. That's just me, though... I'm really not too fond of any baby Pokemon at all. At least there isn't a prevo Nosepass, the second most idiotic Pokemon idea ever... at least, not yet... oh, please, God, don't let them... what a horrible insult to Easter Island... anyway. Now that I'm done quivering at the thought of baby Nosepass, I'll get on with my point.

Now what they NEED are things like prevo Zangoose and prevo Seviper (or else evolved forms, which would also be awesome). Names like maybe Rikkitavi and Senaga would work for either babies or evos... And evolved Absol... and evolved Pinsir (I hate Pinsir with a passion, but I know it's good and I want a cool evolution as an excuse to put up with it)... evo Swalot (I hate Swalot, too, but again there's room to make it really, really cool if they handle it just right)... evo Kecleon... something with Spinda... and then maybe different evolved forms for Castform, one for each type of weather (a Normal type evo for plain weather, a Fire type evo for sunlight, etc.)... if they're going to make evos and prevos then I personally think those are much better candidates than Pokemon trash like Sudowoodo and Mantine.

What else... more Eeveelutions, maybe a genderless/either sex Nidoran line and then fossil Pokemon that are actually dinosaurs and not trilobites and seaweed. Those would be much better uses of Pokemon slots, IMO. But anyway, back on track...

Hmm... whoever it was that hoped Manaphy would be pure Flying, well, it probably ain't, but I've wanted one of those for a while now, too. Flying is the only Pokemon type that has never stood alone, to the best of my knowledge... or they could at least fill out the set and add a Fighting/Flying type and a Ghost/Flying type. That's all that's missing.

And I happen to like Perrapu and Buizeru (or however you spell 'em), especially Buizeru. I've wanted an otter Pokemon for a long time now, and unlike many Water types it looks like something fast and cute and not so darn defensive that I'd actually use. A parrot is a cool idea, too... hmm... names... Aqueasel and Keanote? Hydracana and Maciano? Or maybe just Bouysel and... oh, I dunno, it's hard to think of names for the parrot. Whatever they're called, I like 'em. Now, when are they gonna reveal some starters... I want to know if my tradition of liking the fire starter best is going to continue for the fourth generation in a row...

Well, anyway, to the best of my understanding (which means I have no proof and am just guessing) the 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place prizes in the Pokemon Journey Across America tournament nationals will include Diamond and Pearl, presumably before they're released to US gamers. I could be misunderstanding the official rules and when they say "5 future Pokemon games to be released in the US" they could just mean they haven't been released as of the time the rules were published, not that they won't have been released by the time of the nationals... hmm... anyway, the point is that if I possibly win that (not likely, but heck, I AM going to nationals at least) and they haven't gone ahead and released all the names/pictures, I'd be happy to put 'em up somewhere on TPM... but they'll probably have gotten most of them out by then, so whatever. I'm going to shut up and go away now. *skips away doing her "I'm going to nationals" dance*

[mr_pikachu]

At least there isn't a prevo Nosepass, the second most idiotic Pokemon idea ever... at least, not yet... oh, please, God, don't let them... what a horrible insult to Easter Island... anyway. Now that I'm done quivering at the thought of baby Nosepass, I'll get on with my point.

We just have to have a baby Nosepass now. Runnynose will rule Diamond and Pearl! XD

A parrot is a cool idea, too... hmm... names... Aqueasel and Keanote? Hydracana and Maciano? Or maybe just Bouysel and... oh, I dunno, it's hard to think of names for the parrot.

Just as long as they don't name it "Polly"...

Well, anyway, to the best of my understanding (which means I have no proof and am just guessing) the 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place prizes in the Pokemon Journey Across America tournament nationals will include Diamond and Pearl, presumably before they're released to US gamers. I could be misunderstanding the official rules and when they say "5 future Pokemon games to be released in the US" they could just mean they haven't been released as of the time the rules were published, not that they won't have been released by the time of the nationals... hmm... anyway, the point is that if I possibly win that (not likely, but heck, I AM going to nationals at least) and they haven't gone ahead and released all the names/pictures, I'd be happy to put 'em up somewhere on TPM... but they'll probably have gotten most of them out by then, so whatever. I'm going to shut up and go away now. *skips away doing her "I'm going to nationals" dance*

Hmm. This would be awesome, but I have to say it seems pretty unlikely, especially considering that Japan is still in the early spoilers stage of DP... I don't think there are even any screenshots yet. Now, what they might do is give a coupon for a free copy of Diamond/Pearl when they're released in America. While the early release thing would be great, it just doesn't seem feasible.

[rinku]

Well, according to the CoroCoro page posted on PE2K, Perappu is Flying, the others are Water. Slightly disappointing (like we really needed more pure Water types...), but if true, we finally have a pure Flying type.

I'd take it with a small grain of salt, as they might just be giving one of two types... but I don't think that fits with previous teaser info.

[mr_pikachu]

Well, new Water types are pretty much unavoidable in any new generation, so long as the new land has a body of water somewhere. Some people might get tired of battling the same Pokemon in every pond, lake, river, and ocean as in previous generations... and I kinda doubt we'll be trekking through Russia in Diamond/Pearl. Now, they don't necessarily have to be pure Water types, although you can only get so creative with combos.

As for a pure Flying type, I'm definitely hesitant to believe it. Every simple flyer we've ever had has been part Normal (obviously), so I won't hold my breath. Watch it end up as part Fighting or something crazy like that.

[Hatake Kakashi]

I don't believe the "musical note" thing for the last one. It looks like a scythe to me, so I'm gonna say it's a Murkrow evo.

Reapen(Reaper + Raven?) or something would fit.

The second one in looks like it might be a Furret evolution. That line is in need of a third form.

[Chris 2.1]

The otter/weasel uses its double tail, Tails style, like a propeller underwater. I saw some scans somewhere and it was cute. I'll try and find the movie scans (I think there were 4 I saw) with some good artwork of the new Pokemon.

[rinku]

I don't believe the "musical note" thing for the last one. It looks like a scythe to me, so I'm gonna say it's a Murkrow evo.

Reapen(Reaper + Raven?) or something would fit.

The second one in looks like it might be a Furret evolution. That line is in need of a third form.

Which info are you looking at? There have been a few more updates over the last two weeks - Perappu is listed (in Japanese on the CoroCoro scans) as the "musical note" pokémon quite clearly.

And while it's possible Buizeru could be an evo of a non-water type, it's not likely IMHO. Not to say there can't be a third evolution for Sentret/Furret as well, though.