New Steel - and Ghost type Pokémon, Honedge, announced at Japan Expo, Paris

Junichi Masuda, Director of Gamefreak, creator of the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y video games, released a special video message today for fans gathered at the Japan Expo in Paris. An all-new Pokémon, Honedge, was revealed together with Mr. Masuda’s personal insights into his inspiration for the new titles - France.

It is now known that Honedge comes into being when a departed spirit possesses a sword that once belonged to humans. It can use the blue cloth attached to its hilt as nimbly as an arm. Pokémon Trainers who carelessly take this blade in hand may find the blue cloth wrapping itself around them and draining their energy.

Honedge can learn the attack Swords Dance, a Normal-type move. Swords Dance is a frenetic dance that uplifts the fighting spirit and sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. The effect can be increased by using this move multiple times in succession, helping Trainers who deploy this move at the beginning of a battle to overwhelm one opponent after another.

Paris was chosen as the location for this announcement, as Mr. Masuda’s message also included insights into France serving as his inspiration for the game’s unique setting. He explains how the team at Gamefreak visited numerous locations across France during 2011, and the information they gathered there influenced the design of the newly discovered Kalos region. Their visit to Paris provided ideas for Lumiose City, the grand metropolis featured in Pokémon X and Pokémon Y.