How to pronounce Pokémon Legends: Arceus

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is a major departure for the Pokémon games, bringing a whole host of new game mechanics to the traditional Poké-format. There are plenty of new elements to dive into, but seeing the game’s title float around brings a very pertinent question to mind: How the heck do you pronounce Arceus?

This is not an example of a New question. The all-powerful mythical Pokémon was introduced with Generation IV (so 2006 in Japan and 2007 in America and Europe), with the Diamond, PearlPlease see the following: Platinum games. Arceus is basically a Poké-god, one who shaped the Pokémon universe with its 1000 arms. This powerful friend has been around for 15 years and as the literal creator of the Pokémon world, it demands respect. So, really, any Pokéfan should know the proper way to pronounce the name of the almighty. Is it in lowercase or hard? What is the point? Doctor House of House M.D. say “Ar-SEE-us” in this clip when you remember them saying “Ar-KEY-us” in one of the movies?

Actually, the answer is simple. In Japanese, it’s Ar-SEEU, and in English it’s Ar-KEYU. The trailer and the old Nintendo Direct both have English translations. Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, and the Japanese pronunciation in this Pokémon Legends gameplay trailer. According to the Pokémon wiki, the voice director of the anime at the time opted for the hard c pronunciation, because the Japanese version could be mistaken for “arse.” But there have definitely been moments in official Poké-media where this discrepancy has been a bit muddled. For instance, in 2019’s Detective Pikachu, Ryan Reynolds’ Pikachu says “Sweet mother of Arceus” with the soft c at one point.

But when it comes to Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the answer is clear: Ar-KEY-us in English and Ar-SEE-us in Japanese.

We can only speculate as to why Dr. House believes it is the Japanese way.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus Available now for Nintendo Switch