Why doesn't Jynx have an evolution?

[ItWasABadDream]

Electabuzz, Magmar, and Jynx were all given pre-evolutions in the 2nd gen.

Then came Electivire and Magmortar.

But Jynx was left alone. With useful typing like that, why?

--->

---> ???

 

[Sun]

I believe it's because the controversy it caused during Generation I, when Jynx's face and hands were colored in black. They don't want to cause any more controversy, that's why not even a Mega Form is given to her.

I believe Froslass might be intended as Jynx's evolution, though the initial design might be different than the Froslass that we see today (think Blaziken/Latias' initial design, before they completely split into 2 different Pokémon). I just couldn't ignore the fact that they are both Female species, both are good at Speed stat(actually Jynx's S.A is better than her Speed), while Froslass is completely based on the Yuki-onna, Jynx is partly base from that snow lady. They share the same 'skin color'.

Spoiler:

*bulbagarden.net image removed**bulbagarden.net image removed*

 

[ItWasABadDream]

I believe it's because the controversy it caused during Generation I, when Jynx's face and hands were colored in black. They don't want to cause any more controversy, that's why not even a Mega Form is given to her.

I believe Froslass might be intended as Jynx's evolution, though the initial design might be different than the Froslass that we see today (think Blaziken/Latias' initial design, before they completely split into 2 different Pokémon). I just couldn't ignore the fact that they are both Female species, both are good at Speed stat(actually Jynx's S.A is better than her Speed), while Froslass is completely based on the Yuki-onna, Jynx is partly base from that snow lady. They share the same 'skin color'.

Spoiler:

*bulbagarden.net image removed**bulbagarden.net image removed*

I really like this theory, especially because I like Ice Pokémon with a second type. I never thought of Jynx's and Froslass' similarities. It actually gives me some ideas about modifying some roms to make Jynx evolve into Froslass, change Froslass' typing to Ice/Psychic, and increase its base stats accordingly. I know that makes no sense, but it would definitely be cool. There's some 3rd gen rom hacks out there (Yet Another Fire Red Hack, Rocket Strike) that include Froslass in the Pokédex, so it's definitely possible.

And I actually don't fully understand the Jynx controversy. I'm aware of it, but it doesn't really make sense. Jynx's "skin color" really depends on the platform on which you're playing the game, you know what I mean? It would depend on which game (R/B/Y, G/S/C) you're playing on which platform (GB, GBC, Super Game Boy) what Jynx's appearance would be. Is the whole controversy based off the anime then???

 

[Sun]

I really like this theory, especially because I like Ice Pokémon with a second type. I never thought of Jynx's and Froslass' similarities. It actually gives me some ideas about modifying some roms to make Jynx evolve into Froslass, change Froslass' typing to Ice/Psychic, and increase its base stats accordingly. I know that makes no sense, but it would definitely be cool. There's some 3rd gen rom hacks out there (Yet Another Fire Red Hack, Rocket Strike) that include Froslass in the Pokédex, so it's definitely possible.

And I actually don't fully understand the Jynx controversy. I'm aware of it, but it doesn't really make sense. Jynx's "skin color" really depends on the platform on which you're playing the game, you know what I mean? It would depend on which game (R/B/Y, G/S/C) you're playing on which platform (GB, GBC, Super Game Boy) what Jynx's appearance would be. Is the whole controversy based off the anime then???

Thanks, I tried doing that Jynx on one of my few ROM-hack testing. I'll not elaborate further as that is off-topic, hahaha!


For those who aren't aware about the controversy, as some players were too young during that time.

Carole Boston Weatherford, a cultural critic, claimed that Jynx, which appeared in Holiday Hi-Jynx, was a negative racial stereotype of African-Americans in an article titled "Politically Incorrect Pokémon" on the magazine Black World Today. She chiefly compared Jynx to the racist characters in The Story of Little Black Sambo, and further compared Jynx to Mr. Popo of the Dragon Ball franchise, a character who is also potentially offensive in his design.
Weatherford's complaint caused many repercussions in the Pokémon franchise. The sprites of Jynx in the Western releases of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal were edited, and EP250 was cut from international airings of the anime. A sequence depicting Jynx in its original design in All Things Bright and Beautifly! was also cut from the dub. Jynx's design was officially revised by Game Freak to be purple rather than black, and this change was reflected in later core series games, including in Japan and South Korea, beginning with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and in the anime starting in Mean With Envy. Jynx has also been recolored in VIZ Media's reissues of Pokémon Adventures. Although the manga is colored in black-and-white, Jynx appearing in the manga are recolored as a dark gray rather than a straight black, suggesting that they are purple instead of black. It is also recolored to purple on the back cover of the reissue of Volume 4. The Virtual Console versions of Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Trading Card Game also recolor Jynx's face.
In recent years, some fans of Pokémon have noted that Jynx may be inspired by ganguro, a Japanese fashion where women tan heavily, bleach their hair, and apply large amounts of makeup, instead of a black stereotype. This theory is mainly based on Jynx's long, straight, blonde hair, a common attribute of ganguro fashion. Another theory is that Jynx is based on a Nordic princess as per the legends saying things like due to the blistering cold, a princess's skin turned black. They argue that Jynx's hair looks more like royalty than an African stereotype. They also say that being based on a Viking could reason why they are Ice type. This is further expressed by Jynx sharing traits with the iconic opera singing "Fat Lady," who is pop-culturally portrayed dressed as the valkyrie Brünnhilde.

So yes that's probably why there's no Jynx evolution.

But various official Pokémon merchandises indicate that Jynx is actually not a solid being, excluding her hair and dress. Jynx actually resembles a shadow-like figure, think Gengar alike, whose body aren't solid. This is evident by Jynx's faint animation in the Pokémon Stadium series -- only her hair remains when she faints. If you look beneath her dress (yes I know this sounds wrong, but don't take it that way.) through the XY Pokédex, it's actually a hollow there, unlike Gardevoir or Gohitelle.

It's very unfortunate that she didn't get an evolution on Gen IV like her other two peers, because of that controversy. Interestingly, Alakazam gets a Mega form, but then and again, the one who garnered the controversy is actually Kadabra, the pre-evolution form, not Alakazam itself.

 

[BettyNewbie]

Yeah, Unapologetic Sunflower pretty much said it. After the controversy flared up over Jynx's skin color 15 years ago, GF has pretty much shoved her into the background and left her alone. Not only was she passed over for both an evolution and a Mega, but she's gotten few to no buffs, period, over the course of the Generations. Even her very typings, Ice and Psychic, are two of the most severely nerfed in the game.

Furthermore, Jynx also hasn't been seen in the anime since the AG series, so it appears that the anime would also rather not do anything else with her. Even worse, many of her pre-AG appearances are either banned or edited out because of her skin color. Poor Jynx. :(

 

[Sun]

Yeah, Unapologetic Sunflower pretty much said it. After the controversy flared up over Jynx's skin color 15 years ago, GF has pretty much shoved her into the background and left her alone. Not only was she passed over for both an evolution and a Mega, but she's gotten few to no buffs, period, over the course of the Generations. Even her very typings, Ice and Psychic, are two of the most severely nerfed in the game.

Furthermore, Jynx also hasn't been seen in the anime since the AG series, so it appears that the anime would also rather not do anything else with her. Even worse, many of her pre-AG appearances are either banned or edited out because of her skin color. Poor Jynx. :(

Jynx is unexpectedly part of the Kalos Pokédex, it might be a good sign? Let's hope she's going to receive her well-deserved evolution or at least a Mega form!

 

[BettyNewbie]

Jynx is unexpectedly part of the Kalos Pokédex, it might be a good sign? Let's hope she's going to receive her well-deserved evolution or at least a Mega form!

Yeah, that is interesting. Believe it or not, the Kalos Dex is the first Regional Dex she's been a part of since Gen 2! And, I know she was rumored to be a top candidate back before XY came out. Take a look at this list of trademarked Pokémon:

Charizard, Blastoise, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Pinsir, Jynx, Gyarados, Aerodactyl, Mewtwo, Ampharos, Scizor, Houndoom, Tyranitar, Heracross, Gardevoir, Absol, Medicham, Banette, Latias, Latios, Aggron, Abomasnow

With the exception of Jynx, all of these Pokémon eventually got Megas. (At the time it was released, only Kangaskhan's, Mewtwo's, Ampharos', and Absol's Megas had been revealed.)

 

[Sun]

Yeah, that is interesting. Believe it or not, the Kalos Dex is the first Regional Dex she's been a part of since Gen 2! And, I know she was rumored to be a top candidate back before XY came out. Take a look at this list of trademarked Pokémon:



With the exception of Jynx, all of these Pokémon eventually got Megas. (At the time it was released, only Kangaskhan's, Mewtwo's, Ampharos', and Absol's Megas had been revealed.)

They still don't want to risk it. Jynx missed twice of her promotion chance. :/

They can't completely alter Jynx's design through a Mega Evolution or a simple Evolution, as that would garner criticism and anger from the fandom, while simply altering her designs for a Mega might potentially cause an another wave of controversy. Dilemma, poor Jynx and Game Freak they are stuck.

 

[mew_nani]

I remember back a couple years ago when I actually tried to make an evolution for Jynx for a fan game. It came out alright; it was different but you could still compare it to the original and see one could logically evolve into the other.

I don't see the whole controversy with Jynx though. Maybe it's just me but I always looked at her and saw an opera singer. Really look at that dress; all she needs is a viking helmet.

 

[rarmstar]

Might sound weird but I'd like an evolution for Jynx that was more icy...

But that just might be because I really want a Pokemon like the ice titan from Hercules!!

 

[Perriechu]

Honestly I think this whole Jynx racism thing from way back when has been put away and no one is bothered by it anymore, to counter it they changed her from black to purple so Jynx not getting any buffs or an evolution is simply down to the fact that they have more promising Pokemon ahead of her, but she was trademarked so maybe our next game will give her one.

And even so looking at all the megas the majority are very popular, Jynx isn't a very popular Pokemon among the fandom so it's natural that she was skipped over when they were getting the important megas ready.

 

[BettyNewbie]

They still don't want to risk it. Jynx missed twice of her promotion chance. :/

They can't completely alter Jynx's design through a Mega Evolution or a simple Evolution, as that would garner criticism and anger from the fandom, while simply altering her designs for a Mega might potentially cause an another wave of controversy. Dilemma, poor Jynx and Game Freak they are stuck.

Yeah, at this point I wouldn't be surprised if they just retconned Smoochum and Jynx out of the games and hoped nobody would notice. Even though her skin has been purple for more than a decade now, she'll never be able to live it down. (I mean, she's in the Jim Crow Museum, for crying out loud.)

And even so looking at all the megas the majority are very popular, Jynx isn't a very popular Pokemon among the fandom so it's natural that she was skipped over when they were getting the important megas ready.

While many of the Megas are of super popular Pokémon like Charizard, Mewtwo, and Lucario, not all of them are. The likes of Ampharos, Banette, and Audino usually don't rank high on most people's favorite Pokémon lists. On the flip side, the very popular Dragonite doesn't have a Mega (making it the only pre-Gen 5 Pseudo to not have one). Jynx might still have a chance, however slim.

 

[Somewhere_]

Maybe because they are trying to play her down?

Also Jynx isn't very popular or used much, so an evolution is unnecessary. In addition, the design be weird or overdone imo.

 

[ItWasABadDream]

There's been plenty of 'Mega Jynx' sprites created. Most of them are pretty good IMO. If I could find a back sprite for any of them I'd throw it into a Gen 3 rom hack like Fire Red Omega or Emerald Omega. Here's some examples of sprites for an evolved form of Jynx...

Seriously, if I had a back sprite I would totally include this in a PokéDex of my favorite rom hacks...

Also, I see nothing racist about the 4 sprites above and I don't see how they could be made racially derogatory ~_~

 

[Guest123_x1]

When I first found out that Electabuzz and Magmar were getting evolutions, I was assuming that Jynx would also at some point. All three got pre-evolved forms in Generation II. Then again, with all the claims of Jynx being "racist", I don't believe an evolution for her is ever going to happen. Just shows how one complaint and misinterpretation of things can cause a lot of trouble.

 

[mew_nani]

Yeah, at this point I wouldn't be surprised if they just retconned Smoochum and Jynx out of the games and hoped nobody would notice. Even though her skin has been purple for more than a decade now, she'll never be able to live it down. (I mean, she's in the Jim Crow Museum, for crying out loud.).

That in itself is a crying shame. She was never meant to BE racist; she was based on a kind of youkai. You would think that because she came from Japan she wouldn't be meant as a racist caricature... It's as if the fact that she's ice based, looks like an opera singer, has a pre-evolution that constantly preens itself and melts into a puddle when defeated isn't enough for those guys.

I guess it's like those fundamentalist preachers who tried to convince parents that Pokemon was a demon summoning program. Imagine if the makers of Pokemon caved into THOSE demands?

 

[WingedDragon]

When I first found out that Electabuzz and Magmar were getting evolutions, I was assuming that Jynx would also at some point. All three got pre-evolved forms in Generation II. Then again, with all the claims of Jynx being "racist", I don't believe an evolution for her is ever going to happen. Just shows how one complaint and misinterpretation of things can cause a lot of trouble.

Its only racist in America. Probably by the NAACP or "Rev" Al. I doubt any other country viewed this way. Considering Jynx was like that until I think the 4 gen maybe 3rd. This is one thing you can blame America on. People who get any sort of camera time are the most sensitive people and complain the most because they are offended someone sneezed the wrong way.