>>43790011Red is commonly associated with Dark-type as well; several Dark-types are red. Nanu, Grimsley, and even Piers have some shades of red in their design. Black and red are edgy colors. Red contrasts with blue over black, and that's why the Dark-type one is red. Dark was chosen over Fire due to the contrasting nature of martial arts.
Some martial artists pursue strength and victory at all costs, even when it is to destroy an opponent in the ring. There's a reason why evil martial artists exist in media and video games. People so obsessed with results and power that they get corrupted in their own madness. Martial arts also tries to get people to control the emotions in their hearts. Urshifu Single Strike is impurity and destruction.
Water-type exists because water has a purification association with Eastern culture. Living beings need water to survive. Water cleanses dirt and contamination, dilutes pollution, grows plants, supports animals, etc. Urshifu Rapid Strike style is all about precise control of both one's body and limbs, as well as the user's heart. Urshifu Rapid Strike is not violent or power-obsessed; it just goes through the motions and flows of life, traveling across the stream of time like gently running water. Rapid Strike seeks to cleanse the opponent of all of their impurities and evil, through the spiritual power of water.
This is a symbolic contrast between power and precision, destruction and purification, harming and healing, uncontrollable rage and calm expression, and selfishness and altruism. This is a much deeper connection than blue - water, and red - fire. Single Strike is "end justifies the means." Rapid Strike is "means justifies the end." You're essentially picking between a villainous martial artist and a heroic one.
