The Pokemon Company has revealed the man who was the inspiration for Snorlax’s design in the early days of Pokemon Red and Green’s development.

In an interview, Pokemon artist Ken Sugimori told Yomiuri Shinbun that Pokemon planner Koji Nishino’s huge and adorable appearance was the inspiration for Snrolax’s design. In Sugimori’s own words…

(Nishino), with this (huge) appearance, was the model for the Snorlax Pokémon. However, it is abnormally demanding with adorable things.

It was also revealed how Snorlax’s Japanese name Kabigon came about. Kabigon was the nickname of Nishino, and “Kabi” means “mold” in Japanese, in reference to Nishino eating food that have become moldy.

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