Pokemon fans who have followed the franchise for several generations understand that half the fun of each new game is the build-up. It's not only the trickle of Pokemon reveals from Game Freak, but the never-ending celebration of the franchise among fans. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are no different in this regard. And just like with previous Pokemon releases, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are already receiving their own fan art, fan theories, and faked leaks, like this "concept art" for a regional Wooper variant.
The piece of art, mocked up to look like a piece of concept for Game Freak, is currently being shared across social media. It depicts a regional variant of the Pokemon Wooper, a popular arm-less Water/Ground-type Pokemon first released in Pokemon Gold and Silver. The regional variant is now a Poison/Electric-type Pokemon with yellow skin, plus-shaped eyes, and purple branching gills that now look like lightning rods.
A second Pokemon, a regional variant of Wooper's evolution Quagsire, is also shown. The Quagsire is a much different Pokemon than what fans will remember. It apparently now has an orange hoolahoop around its waste, big orange orbs on its arms, a fork/crown tail akin to an electrical plug, and is apparently "Starving!" There's even a bit of drool on its chin. Perhaps it's hungry for electrons. This Quagsire is also notably a Poison/Electric-type Pokemon.
What's especially fun, if not hilarious, about this "leaked" concept" is that it tries to mimic some things from past real leaks. For instance, the big red "Confidential" symbol in the bottom right corner is a throwback to the official leaked art for Gen 7's starter evolutions, Decidueye, Incineroar, and Primarina. Now every fake leak tries to recreate a similar style of concept art, always with the big red confidential logo included.
To be clear, this piece of "leaked" art is all but certainly faked. It isn't just the funny confidential logo, but the quality of the art and the silliness of the designs (especially the Quagsire). Any fan of Wooper, for instance, should be able to see several instances of how this design deviates from the original, whether it's the way the gills attach to its head, the shape of its feet, the lack of a neck, or otherwise.
Fake or not, it's always fun to think about possible Pokemon leaks for the upcoming games. While this piece of art is rather obviously fake, perhaps there are other leaks that could be true. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will likely have regional variants, after all, and there are bound to be some creative new Pokemon to discover.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release on November 18 for Switch.