Pokémon Scarlet & Violet's The Indigo Disk parallels the Tales of Urashima Taro in many ways. Read on about some of its various similarities with the legendary Japanese folklore in our article.
Pokémon SV: The Indigo Disk Has Parallels With Classic Japanese Folklore
Turtles All The Way Down
In the many versions of Urashima Taro's story, it starts with the titular protagonist saving a turtle from cruel children. Similarly, The Indigo Disk is set around the legendary turtle Pokémon, Terapagos, which holds the secrets of the region's unique Terastalization phenomenon.
Four Seasons in Four Terrariums
The underwater Dragon Palace where Urashima Taro was invited to after he saves the turtle has a view of the four seasons. Meanwhile, the Terarium and Blueberry Academy are located in the oceans near Unova. The former features four distinct zones which comprise of a coastal area, a savannah, canyons, and a polar region, which can be associated with the different seasons.
Role Reversal Guide
In a notable reversal of roles, the first character you meet in the Indigo Disk DLC will be Lacey (Japanese: タロ Taro). Instead of the tale's Otohime, Princess of the Dragon Palace Ryuugyuujou, this female Taro will act as your guide around the Academy, which is essentially said Dragon Palace.
Eldest Character is a Dragon Type Trainer
The oldest character (barring Cyrano, who might as well be a bag of bones) is a trainer called Drayton. He specializes in Dragon-type Pokemon, namesake of Otohime’s father, Ryujin (lit. Dragon God). His name also seems to be a reference to this.
The Jeweled Box Of Time
At the end of the Tale of Urashima Taro, he receives a box laden with jewels (the tamatebako). Contained inside was the decades that he unintentionally spent at the Dragon Palace, where time flows much faster than it does on land. This box effectively protected him from old age. Despite being warned by Otohime that he shouldn't open the box, Taro still does so absentmindedly after the grief from losing his friends and family to time got to him. In an instant, he aged into a disheveled old man.
In The Indigo Disk, you are also presented with a gift at the end. However, instead of a parcel that isn't meant to be opened, the player obtains the 19th Tera type from it. Perhaps on purpose, the theme for Terastalization also involves Pokémon transforming with jewel-like effects, similar to the jewel box Taro receives. It also makes heavy use of "time," with the series' signature Paradox Pokémon coming from the region's past and future.
