>>36638242It feels fair to say that there's a difference between a Pokemon inspired by a cultural, in a sort of thematic sense, and a Pokemon inspired by a specific legend, practice, or ideal.
Xatu is recognizably Native American in design. I don't know its exact inspiration, and I don't have to in order to understand that it's based off of Native American culture. If I had to guess, I'd say it's one of the desert ones, like the Hopi or something, given the poncho-like appearance of its wings.
Chingling, alternatively looks like a jinglebell. That's the extent of my context for it; the red and white braid might signify something, but from my perspective, you tie that shit to a one horse open sleigh. Chimecho isn't much better in that regard, I can tell it's some kind of wind chime from the tail.
Drawing inspiration from a culture makes total sense. Look at Serperior. You get the Western aristocracy vibe from it right away, thanks to the haughty expressions and fleur de lis pattern. It isn't based on any one specific Western legend, it's a broad concept adapted into an animal. What about Castform's design tells the audience that its based on a Japanese weather doll schoolchildren hang outside their classrooms or whatever the fuck it is. The countless Pokemon based on yokai or specific myths are lost to the global audience without digging.
