>>14228963It doesn't discount anything.
Manaphy and Phione are different takes on the sea angel concept. Multiples of the same creature can exist--so long as they're different takes. See Cacturne (sinister cactus scarecrow) and Maractus (cheerful dancing mariachi cactus), Pineco and Burmy/Wormadam, Drowzee/Hypno and Munna/Musharna. Sliggoo is already shaping up to be a VERY different execution. It doesn't even live in water, and it's not really a cute sea guardian like Manaphy.
Also, a lot of Pokemon that take from mythology (or even from a more abstract concept or idea) have their design grounded in something more "real," like an object or a real animal or even a style. Arcanine is a shiisa, but it's more recognizably canine and has tiger stripes. Jynx is a yama-uba and looks like a woman in ganguro makeup. Abomasnow is a yeti, but it's a tree. Honchkrow is a mafia crow. Wailmer and Wailord are beach balls and blimps in the form of whales.
