Moltres

Moltres
National Pokédex Zapdos - Moltres (#146) - Dratini
Series	Pokémon series
First game	Pokémon Red and Blue
Designed by	Ken Sugimori
Voiced by	Rikako Aikawa

Moltres (ファイヤー, Faiyā^?, Fire in original Japanese language versions) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Moltres first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and later in subsequent sequels. Moltres is one of the three winged mirages, along with Articuno and Zapdos. Their names were changed in the English localization to give them more "clever and descriptive names." Moltres, for example, comes from a combination of the words "molten," relating to lava, and "tres," the Spanish word for three.

Known as the Flame Pokémon, Moltres is a large bird, noted for its ability to control fire. It makes multiple appearances in the anime and manga, notably in the film Pokémon The Movie 2000. Moltres also appears in Pokémon spin-offs, as well as in Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Since appearing in Red and Blue, Moltres has received generally mixed reception. Moltres has been featured in several pieces of merchandise, including cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, where a special Moltres card was given away to celebrate the theatrical release of Pokémon The Movie 2000. Moltres has been compared to other creatures from fiction, including the creatures found in Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird, the monsters in Godzilla on Monster Island, and the mythological creature Phoenix.

Design and characteristics

The mythological creature Phoenix, who Moltres has been compared to due to both of them being fire birds.

Moltres was one of 150 different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.^[1][2] Originally called "Fire" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.^[3] Moltres' English name comes from a combination of "molten", relating to lava, and tres, the Spanish word for three.

Moltres is known as the Flame Pokémon, is a legendary Pokémon,^[4] one of the legendary birds, along with Articuno and Zapdos. It is a large bird that is literally ablaze with fire, resembling something related to a phoenix. Moltres has flame-colored plumage, and its dazzling wings and elaborate head crest appear to be covered with flames. It has a straight, pointed brown break, which is the same color as its feet. It can freely create and manipulate fire, and when it flaps its wings, it creates a brilliant flash of flames.^[5] If its body is injured for any reason, it will head towards a volcano and dip its body in the molten magma to heal its wounds.^[6] When Moltres thinks it is in the least bit possible danger, it will summon a flash of fire and seemingly disappear, flying out of sight very fast. Moltres appear to live in hot regions, particularly active volcanoes. It appears to migrate to the south during the springtime,^[7] making many believe that its appearance will bring about an early spring.^[8]

Appearances

In the video games

The first video game appearance of Moltres was in Pokémon Red and Blue versions. It is a highly rare Pokémon; similar to its counterparts Articuno and Zapdos, Moltres appears only once in one game in a fixed location, and is difficult to defeat or capture. If it is defeated, it disappears. It later appeared in several sequels, including the Red and Blue remake Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon Platinum, and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Outside of the main series, Moltres has appeared in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, and in both Super Smash Bros. Melee and its sequel, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

In other media

The first official appearance of Moltres in the anime was in the episode that marks the beginning of the Pokémon League, where it lights the torch which is equivalent to the real-life Olympic Torch. It also plays a role in "Pokémon The Movie 2000: The Power of One",where it was one of the two birds that the villainous collector captured to allow him access to Lugia's power, but the upset of the balance that occurred as a result nearly caused a worldwide weather catastrophe as Moltres was driven to wage war with its two rivals. In a later episode of Pokémon Chronicles, Ash's friend Richie encountered a trainer named Silver who wanted to capture Moltres, battling him with his Salamence. Silver is interrupted by Team Rocket members Butch and Cassidy who attempt to kidnap Moltres. Richie and Silver team up to defeat them and rescue Moltres, although the firebird was badly weakened by the attack. Silver let Moltres go, wanting to catch him in a fair fight when it was at full strength.

Promotion and reception

Since appearing in Pokémon Red and Blue, Moltres has received mixed reception. Moltres has been featured in several pieces of merchandise, including cards in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, figurines, plush toys, and others. A special Moltres card was given away to those who saw the film Pokémon The Movie 2000.^[9]

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer editor Paula Nechak compared the legendary bird trio as well as Lugia to the creatures found in Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird.^[10] Allgame editor Jason White compared Moltres to the mythological bird, Phoenix.^[11] GameAxis Unwired praised Moltres along with Articuno and Zapdos for making Pokémon Red and Blue "cool."^[12] The Daily Texan criticized Moltres' appearance in the film Pokémon 2000, stating that it lacked the "human personality that make the other Pokemon so endearing".^[13] Reeling Reviews editor Robin described the battle conducted between Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos as being similar to battles from the film Godzilla on Monster Island.^[14] Access Atlanta editor Bob Longino criticized the birds' sounds, commenting that the squaking was "way too much for adult ears."^[15] IGN described Moltres along with Entei has the most undeserving Pokémon of their legendary title award.^[16] IGN praised the whole legendary trio; while they stated that in spite of Moltres being "cool looking," Moltres was the weakest of the three legendary birds. However, they found Moltres no less important.^[17][18] In a poll by Official Nintendo Magazine, Moltres was voted as one of the best Fire-type Pokémon. They described it as "Pokémon's own phoenix from the flames", stating that "this legendary bird creates a brilliant flash of flames when it flaps its wings."^[19]

References

1. ^ Staff. "2. 一新されたポケモンの世界" (in Japanese). Nintendo.com. Nintendo. p. 2. http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/vol1/index2.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
2. ^ Stuart Bishop (2003-05-30). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. http://www.webcitation.org/5VSJaR6xT. Retrieved 2008-02-07. 
3. ^ Chua-Euan, Howard (November 22, 1999). "PokéMania". TIME. http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html. Retrieved 2008-09-15. 
4. ^ HAL Laboratory. Super Smash Bros. Melee. "Moltres trophy: As tradition has it, the onset of spring heralds the return of this legendary Pokémon from its southern home."
5. ^ Pokédex: It is said to be the legendary bird Pokémon of fire. Every flap of its wings creates a dazzling flare of flames. Game Freak. Pokémon LeafGreen. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (2004-09-09)
6. ^ Pokédex: Moltres is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control fire. If injured, it is said to dip its body in the molten magma of a volcano to burn and heal itself. Game Freak. 'Pokémon Emerald'. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance. (2005-05-01)
7. ^ Pokédex: Legendary bird Pokémon. It is said to migrate from the south along with the spring. Game Freak. 'Pokémon Crystal'. (Nintendo). Game Boy Color. (2001-07-29)
8. ^ Pokédex: One of the legendary bird Pokémon. It is said that spring will soon arrive if Moltres shows itself. Game Freak. Pokémon Diamond. (Nintendo). Nintendo DS. (2007-04-22)
9. ^ Staff (2000-07-05). "Introducing Pokemon's Articuno". Chicago Sun-Times. 
10. ^ "More is less in ho-hum, moralistic 'Pokémon 2000'". Seattlepi.com. 2000-07-21. http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/pokeq1.shtml. Retrieved 2010-09-24. 
11. ^ http://www.allgame.com/character.php?id=3229
12. ^ "GameAxis Unwired - Google Books". Books.google.com. http://books.google.com/books?id=HekDAAAAMBAJ. Retrieved 2010-09-24. 
13. ^ Ashley, Robert C. (2000-07-25). "Film Review: 'Pokemon 2000' can't even Pika-please Poke-maniacs". The Daily Texan. 
14. ^ Chris Zell. "Show #234 of Reeling: The Movie Review Show with Robin & Laura Clifford". Reelingreviews.com. http://www.reelingreviews.com/reel234.htm#pokemonthemovie2000. Retrieved 2010-09-24. 
15. ^ "Atlanta Movie Theaters/ Movies in Atlanta". accessAtlanta. http://www.accessatlanta.com/movies/content/shared/movies/reviews/P/pokemonthemovie2000.html. Retrieved 2010-09-24. 
16. ^ pokemonofthedaychick (2002-11-18). "Pokémon Crystal Version Pokemon of the Day: Moltres (#146)". IGN. IGN Entertainment. http://au.faqs.ign.com/articles/377/377659p1.html. Retrieved 2010-03-07. 
17. ^ http://guides.ign.com/guides/12045/moltres.html
18. ^ http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/12045/articuno.html
19. ^ Thomas East (29-Sep-2010). "Nintendo Feature: Best Fire Pokémon". Official Nintendo Magazine. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/20118/features/best-fire-pokmon/. Retrieved 2011-04-11. 

External links

• Official Pokémon website
• Moltres on Bulbapedia