| Zoroark | |
|---|---|
| Pokémon character | |
 Zoroark artwork by Ken Sugimori | |
| First appearance | Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions (2010) |
| First game | Pokémon Black and White (2010) |
| Created by | Atsuko Nishida[1] |
| Designed by | Atsuko Nishida[1] Ken Sugimori (finalized)[2] |
| Voiced by | Romi Park[3] Ryota Iwasaki[4] |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Pokémon |
| Type | Dark Normal and Ghost (Hisuian) |
Zoroark (/ˈzɔːroʊɑːrk/), known in Japan as Zoroaku (Japanese: ゾロアーク, Hepburn: Zoroāku), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. First introduced in the film Pokémon—Zoroark: Master of Illusions and later in the video games Pokémon Black and White, it was created by Atsuko Nishida with the design finalized by Sugimori. Since Zoroark's debut, it has appeared in multiple games including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise. In media related to the franchise, Zoroark is voiced by Romi Park and Ryota Iwasaki.
Classified as a Dark-type Pokémon, Zoroark evolves from the Pokémon Zorua. With both initially available through a special event in the original game, it is a large fox-like creature with a dark-grey body and a large red mane, capable of using illusions to disguise itself as other living creatures. A regional variant was added in Pokémon Legends: Arceus called Hisuian Zoroark. Featuring a white-bodied design with a more disheveled mane, it represents Zoroark that died after being chased from their natural habitat and is classified as a Normal- and Ghost-type.
Zoroark received a heavy promotional push on its debut, which resulted in comparisons to the Pokémon Lucario which had received similar treatment. Called the mascot of Black and White, its design was heavily praised as fitting its character theme, compared to a kitsune and a werewolf. Meanwhile its ability received similar approval, praised for the strategic element it brought to the games. Hisuian Zoroark received similar praise, but was also regarded as a statement about colonialism, and represented one of the darker aspects of the Pokémon franchise.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
creatorwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
sugimoriwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ 劇場版 ポケットモンスター ダイヤモンド&パール 幻影の覇者 ゾロアーク [Pokémon Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Zoroark, Master of Illusions]. まうまう [Maumaumau] (in Japanese). Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ 岩崎諒太 [Ryota Iwasaki]. まうまう [Maumaumau] (in Japanese). Retrieved October 9, 2024.