General Pokémon

[Waddle Bro]

It looks awesome.

[BlackDragonSlayer]

M'kay, see this:


I have a theory!!!
Metapod was originally intended to have a split evolution, one evolving into Butterfree (for purposes of making everything simple, I'm using the names we're familiar with), and another evolving into Venomoth.
However, the developers thought that Venonat should have an evolution, so, they intended to put Butterfree as the evolution (with a few minor changes to make them appear more similar). However, they accidentally put Venomoth as Venonat's evolution.

They realized their error, but there wasn't much time to change it before the game came out, lest they risk an entirely glitchy game (imagine, all the current glitches times 10 or more). They simply recolored the sprites and, in later generations, tried to hide the similarities as much as possible.

In conclusion, if it was an error, it might have been better to just admit it and fix it in Gen 2 (or not...).
I've also heard about other "errors," such as Remoraid and Octillery, but that's a different story.

[Nebbles]

But... since when do cocoons from caterpillars turn into moths?

I mean Caterpie is supposed to follow the caterpillar -> cocoon -> butterfly thing and I really don't think there was any mix up?

[BlackDragonSlayer]

But... since when do cocoons from caterpillars turn into moths?

I mean Caterpie is supposed to follow the caterpillar -> cocoon -> butterfly thing and I really don't think there was any mix up?

Venomoth could easily be a butterfly as well, especially given its Japanese name, Morphon, and similarity to butterflies. Butterfree actually looks more "compact" like a moth, similar to Dustox. Also, what we know as Venomoth could have easily been called "Butterfree," and visa-versa.

I don't recall fluffy gnats turning into moths either... In some cases, though, they have been seen to take "creative liberty."

[Nebbles]

it's Pokemon, it's FULL of creative liberty!

[Bubbles]

Dustox and Venomoth have the same basic shape, as do Beautifly and Butterfree, so I think they were meant to be what they are. Personally I think this theory started because someone noticed that Venonat and Butterfree had the same eyes/hands, so they just assumed that Venomoth went with Metapod and Caterpie. Maybe the artist creating them didn't realize that he recycled a pattern?

[Waddle Bro]

don't argue with pokemon logic

[BlackDragonSlayer]

Dustox and Venomoth have the same basic shape, as do Beautifly and Butterfree, so I think they were meant to be what they are. Personally I think this theory started because someone noticed that Venonat and Butterfree had the same eyes/hands, so they just assumed that Venomoth went with Metapod and Caterpie. Maybe the artist creating them didn't realize that he recycled a pattern?

Ok, ignore colors for a moment. Look at Metapod. Look at Venomoth. Look at Caterpie. Look at Venomoth. See all the similarities (e.g. yellow spots in original artwork, the three-pronged head)? Venomoth is essentially an altered Metapod with wings.
Look at Venonat. Look at Butterfree. In the first game, Butterfree essentially IS a larger Venonat with wings.

[Bubbles]

Butterfree's body is basically two joined circles, while Venomoth's is a long Metapod-shaped thing like you said. That reflects real-life butterflies in moths, at least how you tell the difference in cartoon images

Plus everyone knows butterflies are prettier than moths, which is why Butterfree is prettier than Venomoth

EDIT: Whoops got my names mixed up

[the_last_sheikah]

So by this logic, Magikarp was supposed to evolve into Dragonite because they are orange.  Also, Dratini's final form would have been Gyrados because they are all long and blue.

[Waddle Bro]

So by this logic, Magikarp was supposed to evolve into Dragonite because they are orange.  Also, Dratini's final form would have been Gyrados because they are all long and blue.

Another mistake done by Nintendo!

[Nebbles]

So by this logic, Magikarp was supposed to evolve into Dragonite because they are orange.  Also, Dratini's final form would have been Gyrados because they are all long and blue.

bahahah the image of a little fish evolving into a giant dragon is hilarious

Magikarp and Gyarados are based off mythology anyway I believe, so trying the "mistake" route is absolutely wrong.

[Bubbles]

^But Magikarp already does evolve into a giant dragon

[Waddle Bro]

Magikarp and Gyarados are based off mythology anyway I believe

Yes, the legend of the waterfall.

edit:

[the_last_sheikah]

I know, I was just making fun of his theory cause he has no hard evidence.