Both it and Zorua were the first Fifth Pokémon generation Pokémon to be revealed to the public on February 10, 2010. Zoroark initially debuted as a silhouette before being revealed in full.
Zoroark is a bipedal, slate gray, fox-like Pokémon with crimson and black accents. It has a pointed snout and ears with red insides. It also has some red rimming its eyes and mouth. Zoroark has a large, red, voluminous mane with black tips, which somewhat resembles a ponytail, as a teal bangle down its length separates a mass of the mane from the lower portion. It has a black ruff on its upper body, pointed at the shoulders from which its arms extend. Its upper arms are thin, whereas its lower arms, while still slim, are bulkier. The arms have spiky extensions of fur at the elbows, and it has red claws on its hands and feet. Zoroark's eyes are red-rimmed with light blue irises.
Zoroark can create illusions that are indistinguishable from reality, deluding many people simultaneously. It can even create illusory landscapes in the forests where it dwells, to hide its territory and protect its den. However, Zoroark is incapable of physically changing itself into another form; it is merely capable of casting illusions. When a Zoroark takes the form of a human, it is capable of human speech. It can make convincing illusions of attacks, and these illusions are extremely realistic, enough to fool even cameras and make one believe they're being physically affected, though the illusion does not have any direct physical effect. Lonely Trainers tend to use Zoroark to create illusions in order to ease their own burden of solitude.
Zoroark lives in groups, where unity is strong. It is extremely protective of those it cares about and will go to any lengths to keep them safe, including risking its own life, and it can hold grudges on those who harm its loved ones. Zoroark will hide its Zorua young in its mane to protect them and carry them around. There are stories that say Zoroark punishes those who attempt to catch it by trapping them in an illusion.
Hisuian Zoroark[]
In the Hisui region, Zoroark takes on a drastic ghostly appearance due to dying from the harsh conditions and being reborn through spite. Its main body color is now light grey with red and white accents. Hisuian Zoroark's head and face are similar to its Unova counterpart but colored grey. It has grey ears with black insides and two white markings on both sides of the face. The ears also have light red split parts. The long mane has changed into a longer mane that is colored white with the ends of each tips being colored light and dark red, while covering right side of Zoroark's face. The arms and legs have several red spots and light red fur that dangles around. The claws and toes of Zoroark are colored black. The eyes are now red with yellow sclera.
The illusions channeled through Hisuian Zoroark's long withering fur are full of spite. Uniquely, this spiteful illusion can cause physical harm to its opponent on both the inside and outside. This power comes from the hatred it has for every living thing in the Pokémon world. Hisuian Zoroark's illusion malice is powerful enough to drive anyone who sees it to insanity due to their terror. Despite its extremely hostile and aggressive nature to everything, Hisuian Zoroark can be compassionate to those it cares about, such as Hisuian Zorua. It will become an invaluable ally once someone earns its trust. Hisuian Zoroark prefers to reside in the cold areas where it lingers onto. Like its Unova counterpart, Hisuian Zoroark can make its illusion of humans talking, to the point of easily fooling anyone in order to get food.
Appearances[]
Main Pokémon games[]
Spin-off Pokémon games[]
In Pokémon UNITE, Zoroark is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a melee speedster that starts as Zorua, which evolves into Zoroark at level 5.
Hisuian Zoroark appeared in Pokémon Hisuian Snow. In Fiery Reflections in Snow, where a group of them inhabited Alabaster Forest in Alec's youth. A Shiny Hisuian Zoroark appeared in Two Hues, where it scares an Alpha Garchomp away to save the Galaxy Team and their old friend Alec.
Origin and inspiration[]
Zoroark appears to be based on the kitsune of Japanese folklore, a shape-shifting mythical fox that would trick unsuspecting travelers for fun. Its facial markings may draw from Kabuki and Noh theater makeup. It also resembles a werewolf, due to the fact that it is an anthropomorphic canid with a propensity for shape-shifting. According to Ken Sugimori, Zoroark's large mane being tied into a ponytail is supposed to be a stand-in for its lack of a tail.
Hisuian Zoroark may draw inspiration from vengeful ghosts and revenants. Its coloration may be based on kitsune masks. The red portions on its arms and legs resemble frostbite sores.
With its disheveled white fur, it looks like an embodiment of death. Heedless of its own safety, Zoroark attacks its nemeses with a bitter energy so intense, it lacerates Zoroark's own body.
Alabaster Icelands: near Avalugg's Legacy (mass outbreaks), near Glacier Terrace, Icepeak Cavern, Lake Acuity (only one during Mission 16), massive mass outbreaks
No other Pokémon has the same type combination as Hisuian Zoroark and its pre-evolution.
Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark are also the only Pokémon immune to both of their types.
Zoroark was first revealed by Junichi Masuda as a silhouette in the February 7, 2010 edition of Pokémon Sunday. Its full image was later revealed in the March 2010 issue of CoroCoro, alongside its pre-evolved form Zorua.
Though evolving from Zorua at level 30, pre-release information from CoroCoro suggested it would evolve from Zorua by a method different from known evolution methods. What this method might have been if it was true is unknown.
Prior to Version 1.2.0 of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Hisuian Zoroark's base stats were the same as Unovan Zoroark's. This change was undone when Hisuian Zoroark became available in those games. Similar occurences happened to Hisuian Zorua and Kleavor.
Furthermore, prior to the Version 2.0.1 update, Unovan Zoroark was unable to learn Encore via TM, while its pre-evolution could.
Despite it not actually being a Legendary, Zoroark's trophy appears in the Legend of Pokémon Black & Pokémon WhiteTrophy Box.
Reception[]
Zoroark received a heavy promotional push on its debut, which resulted in comparisons to the Pokémon Lucario which had received similar treatment. Called the mascot of Black and White, its design was heavily praised as fitting its character theme, compared to a kitsune and a werewolf. Meanwhile its ability received similar approval, praised for the strategic element it brought to the games. Hisuian Zoroark received similar praise, but was also regarded as a statement about colonialism, and represented one of the darker aspects of the Pokémon franchise.
