Is Squishy A Zygarde Cell? Unraveling The Mystery Of Kalos's Guardian
For many Pokémon fans, especially those who followed the XYZ anime series, the name "Squishy" brings to mind a lovable, enigmatic creature that traveled alongside Ash, Serena, and Clemont. This adorable green blob played a pivotal role in protecting the Kalos region from the nefarious Team Flare. But despite its prominent appearance, a common question often arises: Is Squishy a Zygarde Cell? Or is there more to this unique legendary Pokémon than meets the eye?
The answer, in short, is no. Squishy is not a Zygarde Cell. It is, in fact, a Zygarde Core. To fully understand this distinction and appreciate the complexity of Zygarde, we need to delve into the fascinating biology of this guardian of the ecosystem.
Understanding Zygarde: More Than Just a Single Pokémon
Unlike many other legendary Pokémon that exist as singular, complete entities, Zygarde is a creature defined by its collective nature. It's a fascinating concept, introduced to us through the Pokémon games and the anime, where Zygarde's power and form are directly tied to the assembly of its various components. This unique structure comprises two main elements: Zygarde Cells and Zygarde Cores.
The Zygarde Cells: The Building Blocks of Power
Imagine tiny, scattered pieces that, when brought together, form something much larger and more powerful. That's essentially what Zygarde Cells are. These are the fundamental components of Zygarde, and they are found scattered throughout a region, most notably Kalos. Here's what we know about them:
- Small Portions of Power: Each Zygarde Cell possesses only a small portion of Zygarde's overall power. They are like individual pixels that make up a grand image.
- Not Sentient: Crucially, the cells themselves are not sentient beings. They don't think, move independently with purpose, or have personalities. They are inert building blocks, waiting to be gathered.
- Surveillance Cameras: As the data suggests, Zygarde Cores, like Squishy, use these scattered cells as a network of "surveillance cameras." This allows the Core to keep a regular check on nature and monitor the ecosystem across the entire region. If something is amiss, the Core will know through its cells.
- Essential for Forms: The primary purpose of Zygarde Cells is to be gathered. They are the raw material required to form Zygarde's various, more powerful forms.
- Targeted by Villains: Villains like Team Flare recognized the power inherent in these cells and sought to capture them for their own nefarious research and control.
The Zygarde Cores: The Brains of the Operation
If Zygarde Cells are the building blocks, then Zygarde Cores are the architects and the brains. These are the central, sentient parts of Zygarde, responsible for its actions and decisions. Squishy is a prime example of a Zygarde Core.
- Part of Zygarde's Brain: Zygarde Cores are explicitly described as being "part of Zygarde's brain." This highlights their crucial role as the command center for the entire Zygarde entity.
- Sentient and Independent: Unlike the cells, Cores are sentient. They can move, think, and act independently. Squishy, for instance, is shown to be a very resolute and independent creature, often separated from the group but still actively monitoring and taking action.
- Ecosystem Guardians: Zygarde Cores are known to "take action when the ecosystem changes." This is their primary directive – to maintain the balance of nature. They are the ones who detect threats via their cell network and then initiate the necessary response.
- Multiple Cores: The anime introduced us to not just one, but two Zygarde Cores: Squishy and Z2. This indicates that there isn't just one "brain" but potentially multiple operational units.
Squishy's True Identity: A Zygarde Core in Action
So, to reiterate and firmly establish the fact: Squishy is a Zygarde Core. It is a wild Zygarde living in Kalos, a sentient entity that serves as the central processing unit for the larger Zygarde entity. Its green, blob-like appearance is merely its default Core form, capable of independent movement and thought.
Throughout the XYZ anime, we witnessed Squishy's capabilities as a Core:
- Nature Monitoring: As a Zygarde Core, Squishy was constantly "keeping a regular check on nature through the Zygarde Cells scattered throughout Kalos." It effectively used these cells as its eyes and ears across the region, allowing it to detect environmental disturbances.
- Initiating Transformations: When the situation called for it, Squishy, as a Core, would begin to gather Zygarde Cells to form more powerful battle-ready forms.
- Resilience and Determination: Despite being captured by Team Flare and held in a glass case at Lysandre's lab, Squishy demonstrated incredible resolve. It tried to protect the Zygarde Cells and eventually managed to escape and continue its mission.
- Team-up for the Ultimate Form: In a climactic moment, Squishy eventually convinced Z2, the other Zygarde Core, to work together. This collaboration allowed them to call upon 100% of the Zygarde Cells, forming the awe-inspiring Zygarde Complete Forme to save the day from Team Flare's destructive plans.
Zygarde's Forms: A Symphony of Cells and Cores
The beauty of Zygarde's design lies in its ability to adapt and change forms based on the number of cells a Core has gathered. This concept was revealed in the October 2015 issue of CoroCoro magazine and later expanded upon in the games and anime. Here are Zygarde's known forms:
- Zygarde Core: This is the most basic form, essentially the "brain" itself. Squishy and Z2 are examples of Zygarde Cores. At this stage, it's little more than a part of the Pokémon's brain, but a crucial one.
- Zygarde Cell: Not a form of Zygarde itself, but the individual components that make up the forms. They are inert and non-sentient.
- Zygarde 10% Forme: This form occurs when a Zygarde Core gathers a small number of Zygarde Cells (around 10%). It takes on a sleek, dog-like appearance, known for its speed.
- Zygarde 50% Forme: Introduced in Pokémon X and Y, this is the serpentine, imposing form most players were familiar with initially. It occurs when a Zygarde Core gathers 50% of the scattered Zygarde Cells. This was the form captured by Team Flare for their research.
- Zygarde Complete Forme (100%): This is Zygarde's perfected and most powerful form, born when all of Zygarde's cells have been gathered together by a Core (or Cores, as seen with Squishy and Z2). This form is immense and uses overwhelming force to neutralize those who harm the ecosystem, radiating power from the orifice on its chest.
Each form represents a different level of power and readiness to defend the ecosystem, all orchestrated by the Zygarde Cores using the Zygarde Cells as their building blocks.
Why the Confusion? Distinguishing Cells from Cores
It's easy to see why confusion might arise. Squishy, in its Core form, is quite small, resembling a blob, which might lead some to mistakenly believe it's one of the "cells." Furthermore, the name "Zygarde Cell" itself implies a fundamental, small unit. However, the key distinction lies in sentience and function:
- Cores are Sentient: They think, move, communicate, and make decisions. They are the active agents.
- Cells are Inert: They are passive components, waiting to be absorbed and contribute to a larger form. They don't have individual will or movement.
Squishy's role as a character in the anime, its interactions, and its proactive efforts to protect Kalos clearly mark it as a sentient being, a Zygarde Core, rather than a mere cell.
In summary, Squishy is not a Zygarde Cell. It is a Zygarde Core, the brain and central command unit of the legendary Pokémon Zygarde. Zygarde Cells are the non-sentient building blocks that, when gathered by a Core, allow Zygarde to achieve its various forms, from the agile 10% Forme to the mighty Complete Forme. This unique cellular structure makes Zygarde a fascinating guardian of the ecosystem, constantly monitoring and ready to act when the balance of nature is threatened.
Mr. Pen- Squishy Toys, 12 Pack, Squishy, Squishes for Kids, Squishy Toy
Squishy Toys
Buy Mochi Squishy Toys 20 Pcs Mini Squishy Animal Squishies Party
