The Symbiotic Enigma: Fan Theories & Conspiracies About Mantine & Remoraid
In the vast and often logical Pokémon world, the evolutionary relationship between Remoraid and Octillery is famously puzzling. But an even deeper biological mystery lies with Mantine and the Remoraid that cling to its wingtips. This isn’t a standard evolution; it’s a perpetual, symbiotic partnership that has sparked theories ranging from the ecological to the cosmic, questioning the very nature of what defines a Pokémon.
See also: Fan Theories in Pokémon World, What is Fan Theory and Conspiracy Theory in Games and Anime
The Foundational Paradox: A Failed Evolution?
- The “Aborted Metamorphosis” Theory: The most prominent theory posits that the Remoraid clinging to Mantine is not a separate Pokémon, but a developmental stage that failed to complete. According to this idea, Remoraid have two potential evolutionary paths: the standard path into Octillery (a land/rock-based artillery form) and a “symbiotic path” triggered by attaching to a Mantine at a critical juvenile stage. This attachment halts its physical evolution into Octillery, instead causing its nervous system to fuse partially with the Mantine’s, creating a single, combined entity. The Remoraid becomes a permanent living turret, trading independence for protection and mobility.
- The “Shared Consciousness” Hypothesis: Building on this, some believe the bond goes deeper than behavior. The Remoraid and Mantine may develop a rudimentary hive mind or psychic link. The Remoraid isn’t just hitching a ride; it acts as Mantine’s primary sensory array and defensive weapon system, scanning for threats and food with its keen eyes and firing Water pulses. Mantine provides the propulsion and bulk. They are less two Pokémon and more one composite organism, a biological fighter jet and its pilot/gunner.
Mantine as a Living Ecosystem & Nursery
- The “Flying Reef” Theory: Mantine’s massive, flat body and gentle nature are seen as analogous to a mobile coral reef or a living island. The theory suggests that in ancient times, Mantine evolved to attract smaller fish Pokémon (ancestors of Remoraid) to clean parasites and provide alerts. Over millennia, this relationship specialized to the point of dependency. The Remoraid are not pets or partners; they are an integral part of Mantine’s biology, a cleaning symbiosis turned into a co-evolved offensive/defensive mechanism.
- The “Nursery School” Conspiracy: A lighter, but widely believed, theory is that Mantine serves as a mobile training ground for young Remoraid. Juvenile Remoraid cling to an adult Mantine to learn hunting techniques, predator evasion, and how to aim their Water attacks from a stable, moving platform under the protection of a giant. The “Remoraid” seen on a Mantine’s back in battle is thus not a permanent fixture, but the current “top student” earning its place. This explains why a Mantine can be seen without one—it’s between students.
The Darker, Weaponized Theories
- The “Bio-Weapon” Origin: Observing Remoraid’s evolution into the heavily-armed, tank-like Octillery, some theorists propose this entire line was artificially designed. In this conspiracy, an ancient or modern organization (possibly a precursor to Team Aqua, or a military research group like the one that created Porygon) engineered Remoraid as adaptive living ammunition. The standard evolution creates a ground artillery unit (Octillery). The Mantine symbiosis creates an air-to-sea/air bioweapon platform. Mantine was either also engineered as a carrier or was a wild species hijacked by the Remoraid’s programming.
- Remoraid as a Parasitic Controller: This theory flips the mutualism on its head. What if the Remoraid is the true master? Its simple, suction-cup attachment might allow it to secrete neurochemicals or emit low-level psychic pulses that influence Mantine’s behavior, directing it to rich feeding grounds or into conflicts where the Remoraid can “practice” its attacks. Mantine’s dopey, peaceful demeanor could be a side effect of this mild manipulation. The symbiosis is a parasitic slavery so subtle it appears cooperative.
Connections to Legendary Pokémon & Ancient Seas
- Servants of the Sea Titans: Mantine’s majestic, gliding movement is often compared to that of Lugia, the Guardian of the Seas. A popular theory posits that Mantine (with Remoraid) are lesser attendants or distant biological relatives to Lugia. Their role is to patrol the middle depths and surface, maintaining balance and order among sea life. The Remoraid acts as Lugia’s “Aeroblast” on a miniature scale—a focused water jet to enforce the peace.
- Fossil Evidence of a Lost Symbiosis: The existence of ancient Mantine fossils (implying it’s a very old species) and the general lack of Remoraid fossils leads to a theory that the symbiosis is a recent evolutionary adaptation. Perhaps Mantine once had a different partner, or the original Remoraid species went extinct, and modern Remoraid are a different Pokémon that filled the ecological niche. The current pairing is a fragile, new equilibrium.
- The “Kyogre’s Remora” Grand Theory: The most epic theory connects them to the Sea Basin Pokémon itself. It suggests that Mantine are miniature, benevolent echoes of Kyogre, and Remoraid are echoes of the ancient, parasitic or symbiotic organisms that once cleaned or fed off the primal Kyogre. Their relationship is a scaled-down, stable reenactment of a primordial, world-shaping bond from the age when the oceans were forged.
The Ultimate Theory: A Challenge to Pokémon Taxonomy
The Mantine/Remoraid duo presents a fundamental challenge to the Pokédex and the very definition of a Pokémon species. This leads to the grand, meta-theory:
What if “Mantine” is not the Pokémon? What if the combined entity is the true, singular Pokémon species?
In this view, the creature we call “Mantine” is just the vehicle body, a biological chassis. The Remoraid is the “core” or “pilot” that animates and gives it purpose. A Mantine without a Remoraid is an inert, barely sentient creature—like a computer without an OS. The “Remoraid” we catch separately is a dormant, juvenile form of this core, waiting for a host body. This would mean our entire understanding of them as separate species is a categorical error by Pokémon researchers. We are looking at a chrysalis and a butterfly and calling them two different animals.
They are not two Pokémon cooperating. They are one Pokémon revealed. This theory suggests there may be other such “composite Pokémon” hiding in plain sight, their true nature obscured by our limited perception. The ocean, it seems, holds secrets far stranger than any Pokédex entry can contain.
