Beta Gyarados – The Fascinating Story of a Rejected Project

In the world of pocket creatures, few concepts have undergone such a drastic transformation as the early beta design of beta Gyarados. This powerful aquatic creature, now known as a majestic, dragon-like monster, was initially intended to look completely different. Early sketches and data from the beta games reveal a fascinating alternative vision that could forever change the perception of this iconic evolution of Magikarp.

Original Concept – Namazu, Not a Dragon

Contrary to popular belief, the beta version of beta Gyarados was not inspired by a worm or roundworm, as often described in English-language media. A closer examination of early designs indicates that the original concept was based on the Japanese legend of Namazu – a giant catfish that, according to mythology, caused earthquakes and destroyed cities.

The early sprite depicted the creature with a segmented body, a huge, round snout full of sharp teeth, and distinctive whiskers (barbels) on the top of its head – characteristics typical of a catfish. What many interpreted as “claws” were actually small fins on the sides of its body. The design also included a barely visible eye located on the side of its head, near a massive, serrated mouth.

Mythological Origins

The inspiration from the Namazu legend perfectly matched the descriptions of Gyarados in the Pokédex. In the original games, the creature was characterized as incredibly destructive, capable of destroying entire cities during its rampant attacks. According to mythology, Namazu appeared during conflicts between humans, a fact also reflected in the descriptions of Gyarados, which was said to appear during times of war and conflict.

Interestingly, Namazu’s history is directly connected to Lake Biwa in Japan, which served as the inspiration for the Lake of Rage in the games. In 16th-century Japan, catfish in Lake Biwa were observed moving in unusual patterns just before earthquakes, giving rise to the myth of Namazu as a deity responsible for causing cataclysms.

From Catfish to Dragon – A Conceptual Shift

Ultimately, the creators decided to abandon the catfish concept in favor of another Asian legend – the myth of Longmen, or “Dragon Gate.” According to this Chinese tale, a carp that manages to climb up a waterfall and jump through the Dragon Gate is rewarded with a transformation into a dragon.

This conceptual shift seems more consistent with the evolution of Magikarp (inspired by the carp) into the powerful, dragon-like Gyarados. The transition from one fish (the carp) to a larger, destructive fish (the catfish) may have felt too subtle, while the transformation from the unassuming carp to the majestic water dragon offered a more dramatic contrast that became one of the series’ most iconic elements.

Alternative Name – Skulkraken

An interesting aspect of this character’s early development was the planned English name – “Skulkraken.” This name combined the words “skull” (skull) or “skulk” (to lurk) with “kraken” (a mythical sea monster, usually depicted as a giant octopus or squid). Ultimately, however, it was decided to retain the original Japanese name, Gyarados, for all language versions of the game.

The choice of the name “Skulkraken” suggests that the developers considered various mythological inspirations for this creature – from the Japanese catfish Namazu, to the Chinese legend of a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, to the Norse Kraken. The French version of the game introduced yet another association, calling it “Leviator” – a reference to the biblical Leviathan, a legendary sea serpent.

Influence on Modern Design

Although Gyarados’s final design differs significantly from the beta version, some remnants of the original concept can be seen. Its segmented body, though now more draconic, retains a certain “segmented” character. The aggressive nature and destructive tendencies, originally inspired by the legend of Namazu, remain a key element of this creature’s characterization.

In newer game generations, Gyarados received a Mega Evolution, which changes its type from Water/Flying to Water/Dark, which can be interpreted as a subtle nod to the dark, destructive nature originally inspired by the legend of Namazu.

Alternate Forms in Newer Games

An interesting discovery is the game files found in “Pokémon Scarlet” and “Violet,” which contain the names “OKAKINGU” and “OKAGYARADOSU.” This suggests that alternate forms of Magikarp and Gyarados were considered for these games, but ultimately abandoned in favor of introducing Toedscool and Toedscruel.

It’s open to speculation whether these alternate forms would harken back to the original catfish-based concept or perhaps introduce a completely new interpretation of this evolutionary line. Regardless of the intentions, the very fact that alternate forms were considered demonstrates how important this pair of creatures is to the series’ creators.

Beta Gyarados – Summary

The story of Beta Gyarados is a fascinating example of how a concept evolves through the creative process. Moving from inspiration from the Japanese catfish Namazu to the Chinese legend of a carp transforming into a dragon, the developers experimented with various mythological references before settling on a final vision.

While modern fans may be grateful for the final decision to adopt the dragon design, which has become one of the most recognizable and beloved in the entire series, the alternate vision based on the legend of Namaz remains a fascinating “what if” in the franchise’s history. Perhaps in the future we’ll see a regional form or special evolution harkening back to this original concept, paying homage to a scrapped design that could have completely changed the perception of one of the most iconic evolutions in series history.