Fans have been abuzz about the new generation of Pokémon games ever since the announcement of Scarlet and Violet on Pokémon Day. Whether it’s excitement at a new region set in Spain or churning out memes based on the starters, fans are eagerly picking apart the reveal trailer and speculating about the new game. Though there are some who worry about the prospect of a new game so soon after Pokémon Legends: Arceus, one concern has nothing to do with the potential quality of the games themselves.
For some fans, the new Pokémon Fuecoco has raised eyebrows for potentially upsetting a longstanding and popular theory regarding the Fire-type starters of regions’ past. For years, fans have noted that each of the Fire starters aligns with an animal from the Chinese Zodiac. For example, Generation I’s Charmander is the Dragon, Generation III’s Torchic is the Rooster and Generation VIII’s Scorbunny is the Rabbit. Because of this, fans have long entertained themselves with postulating which slot of the zodiac will be filled in future regions.
However, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet bucks this trend. Fuecoco is clearly based on a crocodile, even being called the Fire Croc Pokémon. This, on the surface, seems to spell the end for the Zodiac theory. After all, there are no crocodiles included in the Chinese Zodiac, and Fuecoco bears to resemblance to any of the final four unrepresented animals: the Ox, the Horse, the Snake or the Sheep. Some have speculated that, since the Pokémon is based on a reptile, Fuecoco’s final evolutionary form could adopt more snake-like features, just as Generation V’s Snivy loses its limbs and becomes a the serpentine Serperior.
However, it’s also possible that Fuecoco upholds the Chinese Zodiac theory in its current state without any evolutions — and it also fits perfectly with the inspirations for Generation IX’s still unnamed region. As some fans have noted, male and female crocodiles are referred to as bulls and cows, respectively. Not only do bulls and cows align with the Ox, but they also make thematic sense considering Spain is known for bullfighting and matadors. While it’s unknown whether that will have implications for Fuecoco’s evolutions, it seems that the Zodiac theory still holds, albeit in a subtle way that may imply Game Freak is in on it too
About The Author
