Cut Gen 2 Pokemon Inspired the Move Curse

Key Takeaways

• The Curse move is linked to Norowara, a cut Pokemon from Generation 2, adding a spooky backstory to its origins.
• Norowara could evolve into Kyonpan at level one, missing out on Curse, leading to fan theories and discussions.
• Curse’s effect varies by Pokemon type, affecting opponents’ health when used by Ghost types and altering stats with other types.

Pokemon fans are surprised to learn a spooky detail about the in-game move Curse, as one player pointed out its origins as the final move learned by a cut Pokemon from the second generation called Norowara. Allegedly, Curse began as a move learned by Norowara, a cut character from Pokemon Gold and Silver that appears as a spooky doll with a spike stuck through it.

There is no shortage of spooky lore and creatures from the world of Pokemon, as the franchise’s designs pull from a wide array of sources, ranging from mythology and folklore to urban legends. Naturally, the diverse selection of Pokemon and their origins often pave the way for fan theories and discussion of trivia and facts about the series and its over 25-year history.

One such topic came from Reddit user TheRealPdGaming, who shared an image of a Pokemon that was cut from the second-generation games to the series’ official subreddit, claiming that it was the basis for the move Curse. According to the user, Norowara, a creature originally meant to appear in the Game Boy Color titles Pokemon Gold and Silver, is where the move originally came from.

Cut Pokemon Adds Creepy Lore to an Old Move

Another fan elaborated on the topic in the comments, stating that Norowara was allegedly able to evolve as early as level one into a panda-like Pokemon named Kyonpan, but doing so would prevent it from learning Curse, which it gains at level 100. Since evolution in Pokemon typically means a major stat boost and new moves, this would require players to sacrifice its second form in order to learn the move, as 100 is the highest attainable level.

In the games, the effects of Curse differ depending on the type of the Pokemon who uses it. Ghost types get the more unique effect, as it halves the user’s HP to curse the target, which depletes a quarter of its health with every turn after. For all other types, Curse simply affects the target’s stats, lowering their Speed and increasing their Attack and Defense.

Speculation surrounding Norowara’s main gimmick alleges that trainers have to push the pin inserted into it even deeper each time it levels up, which may have proven too dark for its intended audience. Of course, the series is no stranger to its darker elements, and fans like the one who created Halloween-themed redesigns for the Ghost-type Pokemon Gastly, have openly embraced them.