By Joanna
I’ve always had a thing for cats, so it’s only natural that I’d become fond of Pokemon based off from felines. The newest fifth generation cats were no exception; and I’m sure many others were charmed by the new cat-like dark-types just because of what they’re based off from. Truth is, though, that there’s so much more to Purrloin and Liepard than just that.
Purrloin is an eggplant colored cat with cream colored markings. Its heavy lids are colored pink and it has large, green eyes. Its head appears to be a bit too large for its small, feline body. The tip of its tail is curved, and resembles a scythe. According to its pokedex entries, they steal from people for fun. When people let down their guard around them, they find their items taken. Due to their appearance, though, their victims can’t help but forgive them. That’s what makes their deceptively cute act perfect. Purrloin attack with their sharp claws. Purrloin seems to be based off from a black cat, its shiny form seems to only make that theory more apparent. Its name probably comes from the word ‘purr’ (the sound that a cat makes when it’s content) and a corruption of the word “purloin” (which means “to steal, in violation to one’s trust”).
Purrloin evolves soon after its canine counterpart, Lillipup, into its final form once it reaches level 20. Its evolution, Liepard, is a bit larger than Purrloin and seems to share its spots with the leopard or cheetah. It is primarily a purple color while its chest fur, lower half of its legs, and face (including its whiskers and ‘eyebrows’) are all yellow. It has rings the same color yellow on the upper half of its legs and back. It has a pink ‘mask’ surrounding its green eyes and a tail in the shape of a scythe, though curves into a question-mark shape. Its pokedex entries state that Liepard vanish and appear unexpectedly. It stealthily sneaks up on its targets, striking from behind before its victims have a chance to react. Apparently many trainers are drawn to them because of their beautiful form and fur. Liepard are known to move silently and elegantly, taking their opponents down by using stealth, a similar trait found in large cats. Despite their elegance and beautiful fur, Liepard are known as the Cruel Pokemon, as they act just as mistrustful as their pre-evolution. Considering its size, Liepard seems to be based off from the leopard cat a type of small, wild cat that inhabits South and East Asia. Leopard cats share characteristics with house cats, as well as leopards. Liepard’s name seems to be a combination of the words ‘lie’ and ‘leopard’.