Pokemon Scarlet & Violet were recently announced, and the internet can't get enough of the ninth generation of mainline games. The brief glimpses at the region and wild areas make it apparent that this game's design will heavily resemble that of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, with quality of life improvements expected.
Spain and the entire Iberian Peninsula seem to be the main source of inspiration for the games. The first trailer ends with the reveal of the three base forms of the starter Pokemon, those being Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. The Grass-type, Fire-type, and Water-type creatures you'll begin your journey with. These are some other Pokemon we hope to see get a gen nine evolution and appear alongside them.
10 Furfrou
Furfrou, the Poodle Pokemon, was introduced in the sixth generation and is known for its various appearances based on how it's groomed. Spain and the entirety of the Iberian Peninsula are known for their love of long-haired canines, so adding an evolution to this dog Pokemon from Pokemon X & Y just feels right.
In terms of what that evolution could look like, it'd probably end up looking similar to the Catalan Sheepdog and likely keeping its Normal-type.
9 Drilbur
With regional variants, not only has it allowed the Pokemon series to give attention to lesser-beloved creatures, but it allows them the flexibility to give base Pokemon new evolutions. This was most recently seen in Pokemon Legends: Arceus where both Scyther and Sneasel, Pokemon with already existing evolutionary forms, were given additional Hisui region evolutions in Cleaver and Sneasler, respectively.
The Ground-type mole known as Drilbur could have a branching evolution that could give it the secondary typing of Rock, which would differentiate itself from its evolution Excadrill which adds the Steel-typing.
8 Chatot
Music is a big part of Spanish culture and Chatot, the Music Note Pokemon, feels like a Pokemon that could really benefit from the region chosen to represent the ninth generation of Pokemon mainline games.
Without any evolutions, its base stats are all rather underwhelming, so it needs an evolution in order to make it viable in battle. With Chatot being a niche Pokemon in a lot of ways, this gives the designers the flexibility to really go wild with its evolution without worrying about how the fandom will receive it.
7 Dunsparce
Dunsparce has also felt like the definition of untapped potential. In the same way that Magikarp or Feebas appear useless but evolve into incredible final forms, Dunsparce in the Pokemon fandom's eyes has been robbed of this character arc.
Since it is slug-like in design it feels as though a middle evolution focused on defense followed by a final evolution that has it sporting giant wings and a ferocious appearance feels like the most natural progression of things. It should also shed its Normal-type and lean into a dual-typing that makes it feel unique and powerful.
6 Dewgong
The Iberian Peninsula, by definition, is surrounded by water on three of its four sides. This means that Pokemon Scarlet & Violet will likely feature plenty of ocean surfing and water-gliding throughout. Water-type Pokemon that dwell under the water's surface will be abundant, meaning the chance to see new creatures will be at an all-time high.
Though Dewgong is the final form of Seel, it's never felt like a true final form for some reason. By giving it a third evolutionary form that's inspired by a manatee it will not only provide a Pokemon based on an animal that hasn't been used yet, but also breath new life into a forgotten Kanto region Pokemon.
5 Skiddo
The Ibex is a common land mammal in the Iberian Peninsula and seems like the type of creature GameFreak would want to feature in a region based on that real-world location. This could easily come in the form of a brand-new creature, but with the sixth generation of games standing on shaky ground, this could be an opportunity to shine a light on one of that generation's neatest Pokemon designs.
Normally Skiddo, a Grass-type goat, turns into Gogoat, but in a new region, this friendly little thing could find itself evolving into an Ibex-inspired final form instead.
4 Staryu
As mentioned earlier with Dewgong, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are going to have plenty of water to traverse. Despite Staryu being a part of the original 151, the most notoriety it ever got was solely because it and its final form Starmie were attached to Misty, one of the Pokemon anime's main characters.
Regional forms or region-dependent evolutions offer Pokemon designers the chance to take an older design like Staryu and tackle its evolutionary process from a different angle. Staryu's design focuses on gems and jewelry which could be the basis for an interesting new regional final form.
3 Heracross
For years, it feels like the Pokemon fandom has yearned for an evolution to Heracross. The beloved Bug and Fighting-type from the Johto region has been gifted a Mega Evolution, but in terms of regular evolutions, it still has yet to receive that in any capacity.
Rhinoceros beetles seem to be the clear inspiration for the Single Horn Pokemon, and with the real-life insect calling Spain home, a regional form of Heracross paired with a new evolution could finally deliver what fans have wanted since Pokemon Gold & Silver were released over 20 years ago.
2 Oricorio
Oricorio is a bird Pokemon native to the Alola region and has four different forms that are based on what flower nectar it digests. Not only does this nectar change its appearance, but what its secondary-typing is in partnership with its base Flying-type.
Its Baile Form, with Baile meaning 'dance' in Spanish, feels like an appropriate situation for an evolution to occur in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet. In that form, Oricorio is a Fire and Flying-type and its evolution could imbue the fiery and passionate charisma Spanish culture showcases on the dancefloor and give trainers a Fire-type to add to their team during their journey.
1 Tauros
With the ninth generation of games taking place in a region that is very reminiscent of Spain and the Iberian Peninsula, it would feel like a missed opportunity if they didn't give Tauros an evolution. It's one of the last original Kanto native 151 Pokemon to not have some sort of pre-evolution or additional final evolution.
Fans were shocked when Bouffalant was revealed for Pokemon Black & White, and it wasn't a Tauros evolution. This is The Pokemon Company's chance to not only right its wrong, but give Spain's matador traditions a representation in its world by providing the Normal-type bull with a new lease on life by way of an evolution.
Source: Read Full Article