Suicune (スイクン)

Biology: Suicune is a slim, quadrupedal, blue, mammalian Pokémon with white, diamond-shaped markings. Its face and underside are white as well. Suicune has a thick, purple mane that resembles the aurora borealis and two white, streamer-like tails that wave forward. It has a long, white snout. Suicune has a large, hexagonal, cerulean blue crest on its forehead with two prongs on either side of the base. It has red eyes, a small tuft of fur under its chin, and small paws with white paw pads.

150 years ago, Brass Tower in Johto was hit by a lightning bolt, causing it to catch on a huge fire and would be later put out by a sudden downpour. Three unnamed Pokémon perished in the fire, however, the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh granted the trio new life, one of those Pokémon was revived as Suicune, which represents the rain that put out the fire on the now Burned Tower.

Suicune has the power to walk across water and purify dirty water with one touch. It travels across grasslands in search of water to purify by following the north wind. Northern winds always seem to blow stronger in its presence. In Pokémon Crystal, Suicune is said to be the closest of the Legendary beasts to Ho-Oh and shares a cooperative bond with the Unown. Suicune's personality is said to be heroic, serious, and calm during dangerous situations, as depicted in Drifloon On the Wind!. Suicune is believed to be both the embodiment of the north winds and compassion of pure spring waters. Suicune loves Suicune Treats made by Snacksworth, who once encountered and rode with it in the past. Walking Wake shares a resemblance to Suicune and is believed to be its ancient ancestor.

As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Suicune can be observed sleeping deeply in locations where the water is clean. When Suicune awakens, it will start racing around the world once more, following the north wind to purify fouled water. Suicune is known to enjoy eating Suicune Biscuits. Suicune can be lured over to a sleeping spot using the Suicune Incense. Suicune has three different sleep styles it sleeps in, they are called Energy-Storing Sleep, Meditative Sleep, and Northern-Wind Sleep.

Size: 6'07" tall, 412.3 lbs.

Evolution: Suicune is a legendary Pokémon and has no evolutionary relatives.

Facts/Origins: Suicune may be partially based on a leopard. The concept of a leopard, combined with the idea of Suicune representing the north wind, may have been derived from Fūjin, the Shinto god of the wind, who wears leopard skin; additionally, numerous Shinto themes are seen across Johto, such as Mediums (known as Itako in Japanese). Its mane also looks similar to aurora. Its build, crest, and ability to walk on water bear similarities to the Qilin. Water-type Suicune corresponds to the rain that put out the Brass Tower according to its legend; at the same time Raikou represents the lightning that struck it, and Entei represents the fire that burned it. Suicune, along with Raikou and Entei, was designed by Muneo Saitō. When asked if Suicune was based on any particular animal, Muneo Saitō described its creation process to come together easily and fell into a motif that felt "leopard-like". This design is more clearly seen in its design from the Pokémon Gold and Silver Spaceworld '97 demo, where its build is thinner and more cat-like. This design also features a more unshaven, dishevelled Suicune, with bangs covering the eyes and tail fur tied together by an orb. In the final game, Suicune is seen with a purple faceplate and more serious expression, which would be changed to the more familiar design in Pokémon Crystal.