"The reason why Lugia is not Water-type (official answer)"

Sorry for spamming, but I was surprised that the official answer has never been translated into English. I feel that more people should know this, so I don't have to see people asking the same question again (lol)This is what Morimoto Shigeki said when asked why Lugia is not Water-type, quoted from Nintendo DREAM November 2009 issue. まず、ルギアは羽が生えたグラフィックをして飛んでいるので、１つ目のタイプとして「ひこうタイプ」が決まり、もう１つのタイプは、当時は強いポケモンの象徴として「エスパータイプ」があって、ルギアにも強いポケモンのイメージをつけるために、「みずタイプ」ではなく「エスパータイプ」がつけられたそうです。よって、ルギアが水中を泳いでいるのに「みずタイプ」ではない理由は、見た目の「ひこうタイプ」は外せず、当時の強いポケモンの象徴として「エスパータイプ」が選ばれたからだそうです。なお、グラードンとカイオーガは陸と海、ディアルガとパルキアは時間と空間というように、対になる伝説のポケモンは対立概念的なイメージがつけられていますが、ホウオウとルギアの場合は、ストーリー上で直接ホウオウとルギアが関係してくることはないものの、イメージとしては太陽と月、昼と夜、陰と陽、海底と天空、上と下というような意味があるそうです。太陽と月、昼と夜というようなイメージは、ホウオウとルギアが元々、ポケットモンスター 金 銀で追加された時計機能の昼と夜の世界観の中で生まれたポケモンであるからだそうです。To start, the first type was decided to be Flying-type since Lugia have wings. At the time Psychic-type was the symbol of powerful Pokemon. As we wanted Lugia to give the impression of being a powerful Pokemon, we settled on Psychic-type for the second type, instead of Water-type.In short, the reason why Lugia is not a Water-type despite being underwater, is due to its Flying-type-like appearance, and Psychic-type being the symbol of a powerful Pokemon.In addition, legendary duos represent opposite concepts, for example Groudon and Kyogre represent land and water, while Dialga and Palkia represent time and space. In the case of Ho-oh and Lugia, although they do not have a direct connection in the story, we imagine that they represent the sun and the moon, day and night, yin and yang (positive and negative), bottom of the sea and the sky, above and below.Ho-oh and Lugia were born in the world of Pokemon Gold and Silver, for the new feature, time system, gave us day and night cycle. Thus, they represent the sun and the moon, day and night.  Additional info/clarification for people who argue that Ho-oh is Fire-type so Lugia has to be the opposite. Ho-oh was created very early, probably as one of the intended 190 Pokemon in the first game. It was first officially introduced in the first episode of the anime as the main plot device of the series. (source)Lugia didn't exist before the production of the 2nd film. A new Pokemon, at the time known as Pokemon X, was commissioned for the film as the title character. This Pokemon was later known as Lugia. (source)HO-OH AND LUGIA HAVE NEVER BEEN A DUO (in a traditional sense). They are not related in a physical sense (i.e. fire and water), but only in an abstract sense. Therefore, Ho-oh being a Fire-type Pokemon does not mean that Lugia has to be Water-type. via /r/pokemon http://ift.tt/2nlk7wO