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Description
Raikou, the Beast of Thunder in the Johto Trio, and resurrected by Ho-Oh during the fire at the Brass Tower...
But did you know that Raikou was inspired by two different yokai?
Most obviously, Raikou is inspired by Raiju 雷獣 (lit. "the thunder animal"). Even if this beast is most often represented by a dog or a cat, according to myths it can have the appearance of many other animals. Raiju 雷獣 also inspired the Pokémon Raichu and Manectric for example. Besides, we have the kanji rai 雷, rai meaning thunder.
Raikou is also inspired by the yokai Nue 鵺, a chimera with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger and a serpent's tail. Physically, Raikou is quite similar to Nue, especially in terms of colors and tiger coat. Even the mane looks alike!

Description
Raikou, the Beast of Thunder in the Johto Trio, and resurrected by Ho-Oh during the fire at the Brass Tower...
But did you know that Raikou was inspired by two different yokai?
Most obviously, Raikou is inspired by Raiju 雷獣 (lit. "the thunder animal"). Even if this beast is most often represented by a dog or a cat, according to myths it can have the appearance of many other animals. Raiju 雷獣 also inspired the Pokémon Raichu and Manectric for example. Besides, we have the kanji rai 雷, rai meaning thunder.
Raikou is also inspired by the yokai Nue 鵺, a chimera with the head of a monkey, the body of a tiger and a serpent's tail. Physically, Raikou is quite similar to Nue, especially in terms of colors and tiger coat. Even the mane looks alike!