The Substitute Being (or Doll)

The world of Pokémon is full of all sorts of creatures or beings. They may be small or big, and typical or wondrous. But among these creatures, there may be one that every so often escapes the notice of even diehard fans like me, and I'd like to discuss one of them. As indicated by the title, that creature would be what I call the "Substitute being"; of the descriptors above, it's a small being, and a wondrous one at that. For its size and wonder, it does seem to deserve a discussion.

True to its name, this being is related to the move of Substitute, one of the hundreds in the main series games. When this move is invoked by a Pokémon, the Pokémon "creates a decoy" in the form of this being. The Pokémon disappears, though it returns when it's time to make more moves. When the decoy takes enough hits, it disappears, and the Pokémon fully returns. Thus, this being is inextricably linked to this move, and those who mostly play games outside the main series might not recognize this being due to the move and therefore the being not being present.

Its appearance is rather distinct. It is gray-green in color, or even chartreuse if one prefers to describe it as such. Its actual looks almost resemble that of Larvitar, which might suggest that the two might have some kind of linkage. Though it has appendages, it is depicted sitting rather than using some or all of them. Its appearance is unassuming, but there's a sense of pleasantness about it with its closed eyes and the shape of its mouth line. Appearance-wise, it is enough to resemble a creature. For that, I liken it as "the Pokémon that isn't".

Even so, with its unassuming appearance, it does seem more proper to call it a doll because it does appear as such, as a doll-like illusion in battle and actual doll outside of battle in the main series games, and a real doll in real life. The doll also sometimes appears in the anime, at one moment even becoming a "target" for a certain Pokémon. It's not much more than an actual being that lives and breathes, though it does make a little more sense than a log that certain ninjas like to use in much the same manner. "Doll" remains as an apt descriptor by way of its characteristics.

However it's called, it is very much a part of Pokémon. It looks quite like the other beings or creatures of this world and has a relationship with some of them. On the other hand, it does seem like it does not quite measure up as such, and it's often invoked by something that some people are not exposed to often with regard to Pokémon. Therefore, it's easy to forget the existence of this, which is why I chose to discuss it in this post - so that I won't forget and still take notice, and the hope is that other fans do so as well.

One year ago: Family Affairs
Two years ago: Rethinking Salt
Three years ago: Tournament: Local Friendly, 1/7/2017