Hariyama

Hariyama's origin

Hariyama seems to be based on a sumo wrestler, or rikishi, with its bald head and long hair resembling a chonmage hairstyle before it is tied into a topknot, and its two-toed feet resembling geta or zori wooden sandals. The square flaps around its midsection resemble the sagari strings that hang off a wrestler's mawashi belt, and its large hands, category, and ability to learn Arm Thrust may reference harite, an open-hand strike used in sumo.

Hariyama on cards

Hariyama's earliest cards were two 2003 Ruby & Sapphire printings, an Uncommon by Ken Sugimori and a Holo Rare by Naoyo Kimura. Deoxys added a Hariyama ex illustrated by Ryo Ueda, and Delta Species gave it a further Uncommon by Hisao Nakamura. The Mega Evolution set added a Rare illustrated by GOSSAN, and Hitoshi Ariga drew its Fusion Strike card.

Cards to know

• Hariyama (Ruby & Sapphire #8)

  Hariyama's earliest Holo Rare, from 2003 Ruby & Sapphire, illustrated by Naoyo Kimura.

• Hariyama ex (Deoxys #100)

  A Deoxys Hariyama ex illustrated by Ryo Ueda.

• Hariyama (Delta Species #44)

  A Delta Species Uncommon illustrated by Hisao Nakamura.

• Hariyama (Mega Evolution #073)

  A Mega Evolution set Rare illustrated by GOSSAN.