The Leek and Pokémon

A couple of years ago, I discussed the link of a certain archetypal fruit with Pokémon, as something that I and many other people like. This time, I'd like to discuss a vegetable that, while it may not represent vegetables in an archetypal manner, still has a good link to Pokémon affairs. That would be the leek, one of the many vegetables that are part of the onion family. It's a simple vegetable, but its link with Pokémon may not be so simple.

Those who are well-versed in Pokémon will recognize the two Pokémon that are most intimately connected to this vegetable, which are Farfetch'd (both Kanto and Galarian) and Sirfetch'd. In fact, both species are pretty much for whom the vegetable becomes relevant. For the former, though it may be described as a "stalk" in the case of its Kanto form - perhaps in part due to its shortness - it is evidently a "leek" regardless even for, due to its distinct appearance, whether short and swift (Kanto) or large and almost awkward (Galarian). Of course, for the latter, the "leek" is sharp and commanding, ready to strike fear into opponents. Either way for the two Pokémon, the "leek" is a combat device of important proportions.

It also becomes obvious that for the species of concern, the leek becomes inseparable. One cannot think of one without the other, especially if that person happens to be a Pokémon fan. This is easily demonstrated by things that occur on the Internet. A popular YouTube channel that shows simple cooking videos occasionally features leeks or its next-of-kin the green onion in some recipes, and often one will see a figure of Farfetch'd - or more recently Sirfetch'd - in the scene where said vegetable is being prepared, often by chopping it down. The creator obviously realizes the connection and includes it. Moreover, the creator is Korean, and I don't need to say much more about how Pokémon is popular there too. Meanwhile, back to Pokémon, a popular reference web site for Pokémon Go is named LeekDuck, which is a totally obvious reference to the ways of Farfetch'd.

Outside of Pokémon, in Japanese pop culture, the leek is known for being associated with a virtual diva of sorts, and for the uninitiated, it would seem that the two might have a link to Farfetch'd as above. In actuality, the origin of this association can be traced back to a meme that also involves leeks and something Japanese, but that something is completely different to both the virtual diva and Pokémon. The overall link between this situation and Pokémon is nonexistent, except that the original meme can be "reformatted" to fit in Pokémon, in which case it can involve Farfetch'd somehow. It can be said that the two are coincidental in regard to one another, even if it were to be thought of otherwise.

It should be conceded that the "leek", especially in regard to the above connection, may be considered a misnomer. The Japanese (commonly) use a kind of green onion that they call negi, which has a specific reference to the Welsh onion and a general reference to other and/or similar plants in the onion family. The "leek" might have come about in the process of adapting Japanese terminology into English for certain pop culture items, which obviously could include any or all of the above references to the plant, Pokémon or otherwise. Overall, it is neither entirely wrong nor entirely correct, but the process may still be regarded as reasonably making sense in certain respects.

The leek clearly has a linkage to Pokémon, even if it's only by way of two particular species that wield them for their combative purposes. But it's a significant link nonetheless, as the association works out in their favor, even in the face of a possible terminological confusion. As a vegetable, it's not exactly representative (as an archetype) of its kind, but for a certain Pokémon representation, it can be regarded as being very much representative.

One year ago: Cosplay: Isekai

Two years ago: A Merchandise Dream

Three years ago: Unified Centers and Marts