Lion and cub. Dog and pup. Perhaps a mix of both. Whichever you prefer, Arcanine and Growlithe are two iconic Pokémon. Furry coats and strong flowing manes, this fiery duo is a hot take on what good Pokémon design looks like. Take a real-life animal, accentuate their most prominent features and then provide them a regional typing. This winning characterization was also done in Avatar: The Last Air Bender & Legend of Korra with Appa and Naga. A flying bison and a polar bear dog each typed to their cultural and geographic region of origin. Simple, relatable, and memorable. Arcanine and Growlithe received similar treatment. A dog-like appearance with a lion’s size and mane. Combine this with a tiger’s black stripes and orange coat to give the hint of fire-typing and there you have it. A Pokémon grounded in real life but perfectly suited to the Pokémon universe.
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