Kartana may be based on origami and samurai. In particular, it bears a distinct resemblance to noshi, a ceremonial origami attached to gifts for congratulatory occasions, as a token of good luck. It may also draw inspiration from paper cuts, given its codename and that the vast majority of its moveset involves blades, cutting, and slashing. It may also reference shikigami, paper figurines cut into the shape of a person or animal and imbued with spiritual power, often used by priests to ward off negative energy.
Kartana may be a combination of katana and art or charta (Latin for paper). It may also incorporate the name Curtana, the British ceremonial sword used at the coronations for kings and queens, or kartana, a Sanskrit word for “cutting.”
Kamitsurugi may be a combination of 紙 kami (paper), 神 kami (deity), and 剣 tsurugi (sword).
No: 798
English Name: Kartana
Japanese Name: Kamitsurugi
Generation: 7
Type: Grass, Steel
Species: Drawn Sword Pokémon
Abilities: Beast Boost
Evolution: –
Kartana is a small, humanoid Pokémon that resembles origami. It has a mainly white body with a red underside, with its head seemingly folded inside of its body. Its head has a four-sided star in the center that functions like a mouth and two horns or antennas protruding from the top. No discernible eyes or other facial features are present. It has long, thin arms that resemble katanas, which connect to the center of its body through a yellow sheath-like area. It has three yellow protrusions by the sheath, and its legs appear creased. Its body is completely flat, as if it was made entirely out of paper.
Despite its small size compared to the other Ultra Beasts, Kartana is extremely dangerous, as every edge of its body is impossibly sharp. It is able to cut down a gigantic steel tower with one stroke of the blades on its arms, and any opponents that try to attack it will be similarly cut apart. Its light, paper-like body allows it to evade most attacks by simply floating out of the way, but it also makes it highly vulnerable to fire and moisture. Kartana is the only Pokémon that can learn Cut by leveling up.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon SUN: This Ultra Beast came from the Ultra Wormhole. It seems not to attack enemies on its own, but its sharp body is a dangerous weapon in itself.
Pokemon MOON: One of the Ultra Beast life-forms, it was observed cutting down a gigantic steel tower with one stroke of its blade.
