It appears to be based upon sea serpents or ryu, traditional Japanese dragons or Chinese dragons who bring good luck. Its constant growth is similar to that of Jörmungandr, a serpent in Norse mythology. Its reclusive nature, aquatic habitat, and the fact that for a long time it was considered a myth are reminiscent of the Loch Ness Monster.
Dratini is a combination of dragon and a corruption of tiny; tini-tiny is a phrase to indicate smallness. -ini is also an Italian suffix, applied to a word to imply endearment or smallness. Despite this, it is fairly large for a Pokémon, being 5’11” (1.8 m) in length. The name therefore may be in comparison to the size of Dragonair, whose length is 13’01” (4.0 m).
Miniryu is a combination of miniature and 竜 ryū (dragon).
No: 147
English Name: Dratini
Japanese Name: Miniryu
Generation: 1
Type: Dragon
Species: Dragon Pokémon
Abilities: Shed Skin, Marvel Scale (hidden ability)
Evolution: Dratini > Dragonair > Dragonite
Dratini is a serpentine Pokémon with a blue body and a white underside. It has white, three-pronged fins on the sides of its head and a white bump on its forehead. Above its large, round, white snout are oval, purple eyes.
As Dratini is filled with life energy, it is constantly growing, and can thus reach lengths of over six feet. As it grows, it sheds its skin regularly. Whenever Dratini undergoes shedding, it hides behind a large waterfall. Although this Pokémon was originally thought to be nothing more than a myth, it has been found in colonies living underwater.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Long considered a mythical Pokémon until recently when a small colony was found living underwater.
Pokemon Blue: Long considered a mythical Pokémon until recently when a small colony was found living underwater.
Pokemon Yellow: The existence of this mythical Pokémon was only recently confirmed by a fisherman who caught one.
Pokemon Stadium: Even the young are known to exceed 6′ 6″. It is rare and was long considered to exist only in myth.
Pokemon Gold: It is born large to start with. It repeatedly sheds its skin as it steadily grows longer.
Pokemon Silver: This Pokémon is full of life energy. It continually sheds its skin and grows steadily larger.
Pokemon Crystal: It sheds many layers of skin as it grows larger. During this process, it is protected by a rapid waterfall.
Pokemon Stadium 2: It is born large to start with. It repeatedly sheds its skin as it steadily grows longer.
Pokemon Ruby: Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
Pokemon Sapphire: Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
Pokemon Emerald: A Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
Pokemon FireRed: Even the young can exceed 6.5 feet in length. It grows larger by repeatedly shedding skin.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Long considered a mythical Pokémon until recently, when a small colony was found living underwater.
Pokemon Diamond: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
Pokemon Pearl: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
Pokemon Platinum: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
Pokemon HeartGold: It is born large to start with. It repeatedly sheds its skin as it steadily grows longer.
Pokemon SoulSilver: This Pokémon is full of life energy. It continually sheds its skin and grows steadily larger.
Pokemon Black: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
Pokemon White: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
Pokemon Black 2: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
pokemon White 2: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
Pokemon X: It is called the “Mirage Pokémon” because so few have seen it. Its shed skin has been found.
Pokemon Y: This Pokémon is full of life energy. It continually sheds its skin and grows steadily larger.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Dratini continually molts and sloughs off its old skin. It does so because the life energy within its body steadily builds to reach uncontrollable levels.
Pokemon SUN:It grows by molting repeatedly. Boots made from the tanned cast-off skin are a super luxury item.
Pokemon MOON: After a 10-hour struggle, a fisherman was able to pull one up and confirm its existence.
