There’s a new hog Pokémon called Lechonk, and Filipino fans feel it must’ve been named after lechon

Fans are claiming that the Pokémon’s latest species, Lechonk, is inspired by the Filipino dish lechon. Image: Pokemon UK (Twitter)
Fans are claiming that the Pokémon’s latest species, Lechonk, is inspired by the Filipino dish lechon. Image: Pokemon UK (Twitter)

A new species of Pokémon has just been revealed to the world and local fans are immediately claiming it’s Filipino-inspired.

The official Pokémon Twitter account recently introduced Lechonk, an adorable hog Pokémon whose name is reminiscent of a particular famous Filipino pork dish — namely lechon.

Lechon, a slow-roasted pig dish, is one of the most popular creations of Filipino cuisine and is a common fixture in festive occasions.

“Meet Lechonk, the Hog Pokémon! It may appear fat at first glance, but in reality, the Pokémon’s body is mostly muscle built by constantly walking around in search of food,” the Pokémon Twitter page wrote.

https://twitter.com/Pokemon/status/1532061929706967040

Its abilities are aroma veil and gluttony, the page added.

Fans immediately made the lechon connection upon its announcement.

Although Pokemon creator Nintendo has yet to give any official indication of Lechonk’s origins, Fans in the Philippines have surmised that the name is a portmanteau of “lechon” and “chonk,” the latter a slang term that is used to refer to endearingly fat or chunky animals.

With a gray round body and a large pink snout, Lechonk is set to make its first appearance in Nintentdo’s Pokémon Scarlet and Violet video game, which will be released in November.



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