November 6, 2024

Raging Bolt (Paradox Raikou)

Raikou #Raikou

About

Raging Bolt also known as Paradox Raikou is an ancient form of the Pokemon Raikou appearing in the newest DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. The Pokemon quickly became a meme as it’s long-necked design led to many different memes and reactions being made shortly after it’s premiere. It’s the second legendary Pokemon from generation two to receive an ancient Paradox version, leading to speculation that Entei will receive a new form in the next DLC.

Origin

On August 8th, 2023, the official Pokemon YouTube Channel released a Pokemon Presents to go over updates to several of their games, with Scarlet and Violet being the last game touched on in the presentation. As part of upcoming DLC for the games, a quick look at Paradox Raikou was shown, with him roaring his head and moving his long neck. The presentation itself was viewed by over 100,000 people during it’s stream time (shown below).

Immediately after it was shown, screenshots of the presentation featuring the Paradox Raikou, later named Raging Bolt, started to show up on X. X user @CallMeMikeDee uploaded a reaction during the livestream that shared a sentiment that was echoed by the majority of fans, that the initial joy of seeing Raikou was overshadowed by confusion over his design choice (shown below).

CEO of Sundress SZN @CallMeMikeDeee YESSIRRRR!!!!!!! MY BOY RAIKOU IS BAC- #pokemonpresents 9:34 AM - Aug 8, 2023 33K Views Spread

Fan opinion of Raikou was split, with different fans having wildly different feelings towards the design. On August 8th, 2023, the X user @BallofBandagez uploaded a screenshot showing the two extremes of opinions shared by @WolfeyGlick and @UltimaShadow, in where the latter absolutely hated the design while the former loved it (shown below).

Ultima @ EVO @UltimaSha... 10m: WHAT DID THEY DO TO RAIKOU I AM SO F------ LIVID 49 252 O 17 Wolfey @WolfeyGlick. 7m I LOVE HIM 1,089 21.5K il₁ 150 658 ₁19,979 L :

Fans of the game who are artistically inclined began to try and fix the model in a way they thought seemed correct. This lead to images of the Pokemon propagating in which the long neck was removed, as well as images in which the long neck was exaggerated further in an attempt to replicate other Long Neck memes. This is seen in the upload by @SamtheDynamite and @PurpleKeira97 (shown below).

Keira (Update in Progress : 13%) @PurpleKeira97 ... Not a huge fan of the long neck and the red accents, so decided to do a quick modification. Had to use mouse to do it tho, might do a proper version at some point. #Pokemon #pokemonpresents #PokemonScarletVioletSam @SamTheDynamite I watched that new Pokémon Presents and... That new ancient Raikou pokemon huh? #pokemonpresents #Pokemon wiki ! Various Examples A EXA 12r/pokemon • 5 mo. ago by Archist2357 ORIGINAL Cursed Paradox Entei and Raikou, I'm sorry 15K ↓ scorching skull U 449 ↑ Share 7 nimbus neck Join ⠀* It's possible that you may have a problem. @sephiroth1204DO9BELLBESSA AKU. 6.3.2 3.2022 Girafarig and Furigiral #PokemonScarlet Violet 94 t 7,960 54.4K DOS BELLBESSA 3 ↑it's a giraffemy life is falling apart Without Pokémoy Mystery Dungeon but at least i have Giraffe Raikou Search Interest External References

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