I’ve been a diehard Pokemon fan since, well, as long as I can remember, and the announcement of Generation 7 and Pokemon Sun and Moon once again marks the start of a multiple-month-long period before the release of every new main-series Pokemon game that consists of refreshing Serebii.net daily and counting down the days to the next CoroCoro magazine issue. Since they were announced back in February, we have been given looks at a slew of new Pokemon, all showcasing the types of new life that come with the Hawaiian-themed islands of the Alola Region. Now, I’m going to give my clearly expert opinion on these latest ones, including the ones that were just announced yesterday in a brand new trailer!
Rowlet (Grass/Flying), Litten (Fire), Popplio (Water)
We’ll begin with the new trio of starters, Rowlet (top), Litten (right), and Popplio (left). Even though Rowlet is absolutely adorable with its dapper little leaf-bowtie, my favorite of the trio is going to have to go to Popplio. It’s just so darn silly-looking, and I love sea lions. Also, I’m pretty excited about the prospect of a potential Fairy-type clown-themed starter. Like I said, Rowlet is probably my second favorite, and I’m curious to see if they continue to build on the “gentleman owl” theme they seem to be going for. Litten isn’t bad either, but it does seem the most plain. However, that just means that it has the biggest potential to surprise us. Overall, I think this is a solid set of starters, and the first one in a while where I could theoretically see myself choosing any of the three starters depending on what their final evolution look like (which is always the most important factor of choosing a starter, of course).
Rockruff (Rock), Komala (Normal)
Next are the two Pokemon revealed in last month’s CoroCoro issue, Rockruff (left) and Komala (right). First thing that came to mind when I saw these new Pokemon: I want that puppy. I want it now. Not only is Rockruff adorable, based on new information that states that Rockruff loves howling at the moon and gets increasingly wilder as it get closer to evolving, it seems like we might be getting a Rock-type wolf Pokemon! Maybe even a Rock/Dark-type, a type combination currently exclusive to Tyranitar? Komala, on the other hand, is intriguing more than anything: yeah, it’s extremely cute, especially how it attacks by swinging itself Maypole-style around the log pillow it carries, but its Ability to make itself immune to all statuses except Sleep is really interesting. It’s definitely a new take on familiar abilities like Insomnia and Limber, and its potential in competitive play is definitely there, provided its evolved form has decent enough stats. But, I mean, above all, it’s still a koala. A koala that sometimes wraps itself around a Trainer’s arm it trusts. So cute.
Pikipek (Normal/Flying), Yungoos (Normal)
The next set of Pokemon come from the Sun and Moon demonstration at this year’s E3: Pikipek (left), Yungoos (right), and Grubbin (see below). These three are probably the Pokemon I care for the least out of this list, to be completely honest. Pikipek is Alola’s answer to the obligatory bird Pokemon, and while a woodpecker Pokemon is something that hasn’t been done yet, Pikipek itself looks very plain. Hopefully this is more of a Talonflame situation where the final evolved form is a large step-up from the first stage, as opposed to Unfezant, which was basically just a lateral move from the equally unimpressive Pidove of Generation 5.
Yungoos is honestly my least favorite Pokemon revealed so far. While the idea of a predatory animal introduced to a region to deal with overcrowding is interesting, that’s about it. It looks like a smaller Linoone that likes to sharpen its teeth like that weird chick from The Hunger Games. It’s Ability, Stakeout, which makes it deal increased damage to a Pokemon switching into battle, has incredible competitive potential, I’m honestly not sure Yungoos and its evolved form are ever going to get there: the standard “first route Normal-type” Pokemon have very rarely been even close to competitive viability (see: Rattata, Bidoof, Patrat), with the closest being Diggersby. Who knows, maybe Yungoos will be the one to break the stereotype? It’s still not my favorite.
Grubbin (Bug), Charjabug (Bug/Electric), Vikavolt (Bug/Electric)
The last Pokemon is Grubbin (left), which appears to be the “first route Bug-type” Pokemon of the Alola region. By itself, it’s another Pokemon that doesn’t seem too interesting, but as of yesterday we’ve gotten information on the rest of Grubbin’s evolutionary line, and I must say it is quite impressive design-wise. Grubbin evolves into the striking Charjabug (middle), the Battery Pokemon, which acts as the intermediary cocoon Pokemon in this line. Finally, Charjabug evolves into Vikavolt (right), a Pokemon unabashedly inspired by the Vic Viper ship from the Gradius series! What’s even better is how these Pokemon interact with each other: Vikavolt carries around Charjabugs as battery packs, getting extra electrical power from them as needed! I think this line is incredibly inspired in terms of design, and if this is the kind of quality of Pokemon evolution we are going to see this generation, I can’t wait for November.
Drampa (Normal/Dragon), Cutiefly (Bug/Fairy)
Charjabug and Vikavolt weren’t the only Pokemon announced yesterday. Drampa, the Placid Pokemon, is the first Normal/Dragon Pokemon that we’ve seen, and oh my god I love this thing so much. It’s an old man dragon. A DRAGON GRANDPA. I really enjoy the new trend of making Dragon-types more than just ferocious; with the adorable Goodra introduced last gen and now this thing, I’m happy that we’re getting some variety. It also comes with the new Ability Berserk, which raises its Special Attack by one stage if it drops below 50% HP. I can’t wait to use Old Man Dragon on my team, and help him get all of these whippersnapper Pokemon off his damn lawn. We also get Cutiefly, the Bee Fly Pokemon with another unique typing: Bug/Fairy. There’s not much to say about this Pokemon, besides that I’m excited to see what this thing evolves into. It’s another Pokemon that has a ton of potential.
Bruxish (Water/Psychic), Togedemaru (Electric/Steel)
Next, Bruxish. It’s a Pokemon that seems to be getting a lot of hate because of its design, but also hides a lot of subtlety within its flashy exterior. The species Bruxish seems to be based on is the reef triggerfish, which is actually the national fish of Hawaii. This explains its presence in Alola. Furthermore, and this is just speculation, but I’m thinking Bruxish might also be referencing drag queens with its gaudy eyelashes and lipstick. The term “fish” is often used in the drag community as a term for looking authentically female, and I think Bruxish being an extremely feminine-looking creature that’s an actual fish references this. All of this paired with the brand new Ability Dazzling, which negates all damage from priority moves, Bruxish is definitely going to be a Pokemon to watch. Next, we have the Pikachu-clone rodent of the Alola region: Togedemaru, the Roly-poly Pokemon. Yep. It’s a little round hedgehog, and it’s here to steal your hearts. And go fast. Being an Electric/Steel type, Togedemaru brings something a little new to the Electric-type rodent series, hopefully sporting a high defense stat. This, along with its Ability Iron Barbs, could maybe make it competitively useful.
Tapu Koko (Electric/Fairy)
The last Pokemon revealed during the announcement yesterday is the guardian diety Pokemon of the Melemele Island of Alola, Tapu Koko. I love this thing’s design; I think it’s incredibly appropriate to the region and I can’t wait to see how it compares to the rest of the island guardians that we are likely going to be getting. It’s Ability, Electric Surge, which places Electric Terrain down whenever it enters the battlefield, is a great new way to incorporate the “Terrain” series of moves that were incredibly underused and underappreciated last generation. It also gets a brand new Fairy-type move called Nature’s Madness, which halves the HP of the opposing Pokemon.
Solgaleo (Psychic/Steel), Lunala (Psychic/Ghost)
Finally, we get to the legendaries of this generation: Solgaleo and Lunala. While both of these look awesome, I think my personal favorite is going to have to be Lunala. It just looks so regal, and I think the design is just so pretty, especially when it spreads its wings and becomes the full moon itself. Solgaleo is just badass, and while it kind of looks like it belongs more in the Digimon universe, you can’t deny that both it and Lunala are going to both be great legendaries. Mark your calendars, because Pokemon Sun and Moon come out on November 18th in the US and Japan, and on November 23rd in Europe.
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