I’m Luke Summerhayes, and I love Minccino.
The Chinchilla is a small mammal found in the mountains of Peru. Technically rodents, they are famous for their amazingly thick, soft fur and the subsequent cleanliness they must exhibit in order to maintain this gorgeous coat. Chinchillas brush their living space with their bushy tails, and bathe themselves using sand because their coat would absorb water too easily.
Alas, this same beautiful coat has meant Chinchillas have been hunted for their fur for millenia. The very name Chincilla comes from the Chincha people who wore their furs in the time of the Inca. Today, Chinchilla are endangered in the wild and though their hunting is illegal, poaching still occurs and chinchilla fur that comes from farms is still sold.
Mincinno is a cute little normal-type Pokémon with the overabundance of fur and the bushy tail famous of a chinchilla. Mincinno even shares the real-life chinchilla’s famous clean habits.
White
These Pokémon prefer a tidy habitat. They are always sweeping and dusting, using their tails as brooms.

Ultra Moon
When its tail has gotten dirty from self-cleaning or from cleaning its nest, Minccino spends a whole day washing its tail in clean spring water.

Mincinno is a very cute Pokémon, and from interviews we know it was created with the specific intention of having an extra cute monster in the fifth generation’s lineup. The task was handed to Atsuko Nishida, famous as the original designer of Pikachu, and she did a great job.
When introduced to a Shiny Stone, Mincinno loses the mini part of its name and evolves into Cinccino.
Cinccino has an abundant white mane which resembles a fancy scarf and coat, making this a chinchilla which has reclaimed the fashion so often derived from the death of these animals.
X
Their white fur feels amazing to touch. Their fur repels dust and prevents static electricity from building up.
Y
Cinccino's body is coated in a special oil that helps it deflect attacks, such as punches.

Cincinno is not a particularly defensive monster in practice. In fact, it is most famous for its unusually great attacking capabilities. Thanks to the ability Skill Link, it has long been able to take advantage of moves like double slap or bullet seed by guaranteeing five hits. A decent selection of moves let it hit a variety of opponents. The introduction of the loaded dice item in Generation 9, which gives a similar advantage to any Pokémon that holds it, didn’t hurt Cinccino. Instead, it let it switch to the technician ability and dish out even more damager per attack. A unique niche in combat.
That name which Andy enjoys combines chinchilla with cino, used in Italian for something small – like a Cappuccino. The Japanese name is very similar – Chillaccino.
Chinchillas are cute animals and I understand a desire to be just as cute and fluffy. I hope we can continue towards a world where we can be as fashionable as Cinccino without hurting any animals to do it.
Original music is by Jonathan Cromie. Artwork is by Katie Groves. Funding is provided by listeners at Patreon.com/PodcastioPodcastius. For just a dollar a month, supporters can listen to episodes a week early and also help cover hosting and fees, making it possible for me to keep making episodes every week.
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I love Mincinno. And remember, I love you too.