One of the most beloved Pokémon is Snorlax. Meet the man who inspired the character.
In a recent interview with Japanese newspaper Yomiuri, Pokémon art director Ken Sugimori confirmed that planner Koji Nishino served as the model for Snorlax.
https://kotaku.com/after-six-generations-of-pokemon-games-snorlax-finally-1446098469
Nishino has worked on the series since Red and Green
Is Snorlax a bear?
— MAGNEDETH (@MAGNEDETH) May 16, 2017
Previously, it seems, that it wasn’t 100 percent clear the character was based on the game developer.
“(Nishino), with this (huge) appearance, was the model for the Snorlax Pokémon,” Sugimori was quoted as saying. “Though, he’s abnormally fussy about cute things.”
@MAGNEDETH Snorlax does have an official origin though! http://t.co/viJHAu0XGe pic.twitter.com/IjLdBwpAss
— 梅子＠日本語能力試験N1レベル合格‼️㊗️ (@Umekopyon) January 29, 2015
Prior to this official confirmation, there was an image of Nishino circulating online (above) with a quote from him reading, “Snorlax is like my kid.”
In Japanese, Snorlax is called “Kabigon,” which, according to Pokémon urban legend, was Nishino’s nickname. The reason is that “kabi” (カビ）means “mold,” and apparently, Nishino would even eat food that had gone moldy.
He really looks like Snorlax.
Or, better yet, Snorlax really looks like Nishino.
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