Poll: Does Pokémon Scarlet And Violet Debunk A Fire Starter Fan Theory?
For as long as we can remember, there has been a popular theory about the fire-type starter of each Pokemon generation. For the uninitiated or the unaware, Pokémon fans have long speculated that each generation’s starter Fire-type Pokémon are based on one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Since the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield Gen 8, fans have been speculating about the next Firestarter.
Chinese zodiac fire type starters from pokemon
This is what the trainers have matched with what the Zodiac has been up to this point:
- Rat – Cyndaquil
- Tiger – Litten
- Rabbit – Scorbunny
- Dragon – Charmander
- Monkey – Chimchar
- Rooster – Torchik
- Dog – Fennekin
- Pig – Tepig
Of the 12 animals, only four remain without a Pokemon equivalent – Ox, Snake, Horse, and Goat.
However, with the announcement of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and our introduction of three new starters, the Chinese zodiac thread looks like it’s fraying at the seams. Fuekoko, a Fire Crocodile Pokémon, and a Gen 9 Fire-type starter don’t seem to fit into the remaining four animals at first glance. He is a stupid large-mouthed crocodile whose design is based on chili peppers. And the dragon – another “variety” of the lizard – is already taken. So what’s Fuekoko’s job in busting a hugely popular fan theory?
This theory has always been slice insignificant, and many Pokémon fans have debated its merits over the years. Starting with Gen 2 Cyndaquil, this little guy’s Pokédex entry describes it as a Rat Pokémon, but its Quilava and Typhlosion evolutions are closer to badgers. Alternatively, the entire line could be inspired by echidnas.
Then there’s the Fennekin line, which are all foxes, not real house dogs. However, foxes are part of the Canidae family of animals, making them canines and closely related to dogs. Last up is the OG Firestarter, the Charmander. Being a fire-lizard, Charmander is not technically a dragon – at least until he evolves into Charizard. After all, he flies and breathes fire! So it’s a similar issue with Cyndaquil, except it gets closer to its intended inspiration rather than a different path as it develops.
Pokemon Scarlet violet
However, there is one reasonably plausible way the zodiac theory could turn out to be correct. Trust the artistic side of the Pokémon community to shine with unique Fakémon designs. Painter Bromojumbofor example drew some inspirational interpretations of what he thinks the final evolutions of the starting trio might look like:
The most exciting thing about beginners is to predict what they will turn into!
Here are my predictions of their final forms!#fakemon #pokemon #PokemonScarletviolet pic.twitter.com/NXnuJ7MnWk— JUM🅱️O (commissions temporarily closed) (@bromojumbo) March 1, 2022
All three options are pretty plausible. Fuecoco’s potential latest evolution, the Picolbre, is based on El Cuelebre, the mythical winged serpent. There are also some apparent inspirations from Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec Mesoamerican winged serpent deity.
This design is suitable for zodiac beginners, and a crocodile turning into a snake is not so unintelligent. Especially in a franchise where a fish can turn into an octopus!
The Pokémon Company has never confirmed the zodiac theory, and we don’t expect them to. We won’t know for sure until either Fuekoko’s latest evolution is a snake (or a horse – though the idea of a horse-crocodile hybrid is terrible) or until the 12th generation if this turns out to be true.
What do you think? Is your compatibility with Chimchar because you were born in the year of the Rat? Or are you convinced that the entire Cyndaquil line is deceptively evil honey badgers? Have your say below!
