While its pre-evolved forms are based on {{wp|otter}}s, Samurott’s design is also heavily based on a {{wp|sea lion}} and an armored {{wp|samurai}}.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20101228065540/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/sp/index5.html (archived link)</ref><ref name="Dream">[http://lavacutcontent.com/ken-sugimori-nintendo-dream-3/ Translation of an interview with the developers of ''Pokémon Black and White Versions'' on volume 201 of Nintendo dream].</ref> While it was decided that {{p|Oshawott}} would be based on an otter, the designers had issues in creating a fully evolved form which was more interesting than just a bigger otter standing on two legs. At that point [[Yusuke Ohmura]] went to see real-life otters at an exhibit, but his attention was rather caught by the strength displayed by a nearby sea lion, and thus decided that the fully evolved form would possess the latter animal's body shape.<ref name="Dream"/> Furthermore, to represent the variety in the human population of [[Unova]], it was decided that the [[List of Pokémon by evolution family|evolutionary families]] of the [[starter Pokémon]] would be based on the West, China and Japan. In the case of the Oshawott family, it had to represent Japan, and thus was based on Japanese samurai.<ref name="Dream"/> Samurott's inspiration also comes from the lifespan of a samurai, from a child (Oshawott) to a military commander (Samurott).
While its pre-evolved forms are based on {{wp|otter}}s, Samurott’s design is also heavily based on a {{wp|sea lion}} and an armored {{wp|samurai}}.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20101228065540/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/interview/irbj/sp/index5.html (archived link)</ref><ref name="Dream">[http://lavacutcontent.com/ken-sugimori-nintendo-dream-3/ Translation of an interview with the developers of ''Pokémon Black and White Versions'' on volume 201 of Nintendo dream].</ref> While it was decided that {{p|Oshawott}} would be based on an otter, the designers had issues in creating a fully evolved form which was more interesting than just a bigger otter standing on two legs. At that point [[Yusuke Ohmura]] went to see real-life otters at an exhibit, but his attention was rather caught by the strength displayed by nearby sea lions, and thus decided that the fully evolved form would possess the latter animals’ body shape.<ref name="Dream"/> Furthermore, to represent the variety in the human population of [[Unova]], it was decided that the [[List of Pokémon by evolution family|evolutionary families]] of the [[starter Pokémon]] would be based on the West, China and Japan. In the case of the Oshawott family, it had to represent Japan, and thus was based on Japanese samurai.<ref name="Dream"/> Samurott's inspiration might also come from the lifespan of a samurai, from a child (Oshawott) to a military commander (Samurott).
Samurott's tail may be based on a {{wp|Japanese war fan}}. The "helmet" over its head appears to be based on the {{wp|Murex trapa|rare-spined murex}} shell. The markings on its chest make it reminiscent of a {{wp|giant otter}}. Its ability to withdraw, attack with, and return its blade may be a reference to {{wp|iaido}}, a Japanese martial art that uses similar swordplay in combat.
Samurott's tail may be based on a {{wp|Japanese war fan}}. The "helmet" over its head appears to be based on the {{wp|Murex trapa|rare-spined murex}} shell. The markings on its chest make it reminiscent of a {{wp|giant otter}}. Its ability to withdraw, attack with, and return its blade may be a reference to {{wp|iaido}}, a Japanese martial art that uses similar swordplay in combat.
Poster showing Samurott standing on its hind legs and carrying its unsheathed seamitar
Samurott is a quadrupedal, blue, sea lion-like Pokémon. It has two pairs of pointed teeth, one in the upper jaw and one in the lower. Long, white whiskers extend from its snout and head, and it has a red nose and eyes. On the back of its head is a large, rounded beige helmet-like shell with spikes and a spear-like, pointed protrusion in the front. A dull bluish-gray seashell-like carapace covers its underbelly, and its limbs are covered with beige, sectioned bracer-like coverings, that appear to be made of seashells. The forelimbs' bracers contain swords called seamitars. The lower two segments of these bracers are the scabbards for the two swords, and the upper segment and spike make up the seamitar and its handle. Samurott possess three black digits on each limb, and a fin-like, splayed tail with the innermost section being beige.
When in battle, Samurott can stand on its hind legs and use one of its blades as a sword to fight. In the time it takes a foe to blink, it can draw and sheathe the seamitars attached to its front legs. One swing of its seamitar can beat opponents. It can silence foes with a glare or a howl.
A female Samurott made her main series debut in The Road to Humilau!, under the ownership of Cameron. Cameron first used Samurott in his Gym match against Marlon and his Mantine, which he won. During the Vertress Conference, Samurott was used against Bianca and her Escavalier, which she defeated, but she then lost to Emboar. During Cameron's match against Ash, Samurott defeated Pignite but lost to Pikachu.
Samurott, the Formidable Pokémon and the final evolved form of Oshawott. Protected by armor, Samurott can defeat opponents with one sword swipe. Its glare can silence them as well.
Both Cheren and Arata have Samurott, with the latter obtaining it as an Oshawott.
Pocket Monsters BW: Meetings with the Legends
Touya has a Samurott, which evolved from his Dewott.
Pokémon Adventures
Cedric Juniper has a Samurott that first appeared in At Liberty on Liberty Garden. It is used in the final battle with N, along with Black's Emboar and White's Serperior. It was formally an Oshawott intended to hand to starting trainers, until N came to attempt to liberate the starter Pokémon. The Oshawott remained, while the Tepig fled and N made off with the Snivy (the same Snivy who eventually joined White).
Samurott, Serperior, and Emboar all share the same base stat total of 528.
At 2.099 seconds, Samurott has the longest cry of any starter.
During an interview, Yusuke Ohmura said he designed Samurott before Oshawott after going to an exhibit and seeing how strong sea lions are.
Samurott appears in Pokémon Battle Chess BW Version. It acts as a bishop piece in chess, but can also move one square directly forward.
Samurott is the only fully-evolved Water-type starter Pokemon that is not in the Water 1 egg group.
Origin
While its pre-evolved forms are based on otters, Samurott’s design is also heavily based on a sea lion and an armored samurai.[1][2] While it was decided that Oshawott would be based on an otter, the designers had issues in creating a fully evolved form which was more interesting than just a bigger otter standing on two legs. At that point Yusuke Ohmura went to see real-life otters at an exhibit, but his attention was rather caught by the strength displayed by nearby sea lions, and thus decided that the fully evolved form would possess the latter animals’ body shape.[2] Furthermore, to represent the variety in the human population of Unova, it was decided that the evolutionary families of the starter Pokémon would be based on the West, China and Japan. In the case of the Oshawott family, it had to represent Japan, and thus was based on Japanese samurai.[2] Samurott's inspiration might also come from the lifespan of a samurai, from a child (Oshawott) to a military commander (Samurott).
Samurott's tail may be based on a Japanese war fan. The "helmet" over its head appears to be based on the rare-spined murex shell. The markings on its chest make it reminiscent of a giant otter. Its ability to withdraw, attack with, and return its blade may be a reference to iaido, a Japanese martial art that uses similar swordplay in combat.
Name origin
Samurott is a combination of samurai and otter.
Daikenki is the complete on'yomi (Chinese sound) reading of 大剣鬼 daikenki (big, sword-wielding demon). This is a combination of 大 dai (big), ken (sword), and ki (demon), with 剣鬼 kenki meaning "sword-wielding demon" or "sword master". Its Chinese and Korean names are based on this reading. 大 dai may refer to Samurott's place in the evolutionary line, as the biggest and therefore final evolution.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
ダイケンキ Daikenki
From the complete on'yomi (Chinese sound) reading of 大剣鬼. A combination of 大 dai and 剣鬼 kenki (剣 ken, and 鬼 ki).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
Expert Belt (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Samurott images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
