942: Maschiff
942: MaschiffEvery region's gotta have its dog, and Maschiff sure is that dog. Though this one is a little more grounded, rather simply portrayed as a puppy of a mastiff dog. It's Dark type, which usually spells a petty trouble-maker, and that's a case of "does what it says on the tin" with a name like Maschiff. And its personality mostly comes across in more or less being a cartoon character. It makes a goofy scowl apparently in an attempt to be taken seriously, but people just laugh at it. Poor Maschiff!
943: Mabosstiff
Mabosstiff really does feel a bit like it was modeled after somebody's dog in particular, doesn't it? It's so average-dog that it becomes a surprise when it opens its mouth to reveal a surprisingly massive maw.
It still has plenty of personality to it, though. It's an older dog compared to Maschiff, even down to having greying hair and a slicked-back hairdo with markings to give the suggestion of a receding hairline. As well as, of course, its huge mustache as well. For how much it is just some dog, it also comes with a lovably dreary expression that makes it look permanently tired, especially with the big bags under its eyes. Is it any wonder one of the main plots was about one of these guys as Arven's poor sick doggy!?
Mabosstiff also has something of a mob boss thing going on, between the name and the hair, and an emphasis on protecting its family. As well as Dark-type associations. Though these associations don't go super deep, just seemingly a visual shtick cause Pokemon gotta have those. Mabosstiff is fun for what it is. Even if it's not super exceptional.
Personal Score: 7/10
"Every region's gotta have its dog, and Fidough sure is that dog."
ReplyDelete"Every region's gotta have its dog, and Maschiff sure is that dog."
I assume this is a running gag. Coming soon...
"Every region's gotta have its dog, and Greavard sure is that dog."
Because a region with so few new Pokemon (not based on old designs) clearly needed three of dogs.
*sigh* At first I typed "three of them" then meant to change it to "three dogs."
DeleteHey, all three of those dog families are excellent in both their base and evolved forms, unlike how Boltund is significantly more boring than Yamper. We got quantity AND quality for canines this gen; don't see what's so bad about that.
Delete