The first mainline Pokemon titles for Generation 9, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, launch this month. Game Freak and The Pokemon Company have slowly doled out information about three major storylines across the open-world Paldea region, as well as a handful of trainers like Electric-type Gym Leader Iono and Pokemon like the Ghost-type Greavard. However, much has been kept under wraps for fans who are avoiding leaks, with one of the most interesting mysteries about Scarlet and Violet being their underlying themes of past and future. An ongoing event in DeNA's mobile game Pokemon Masters EX is a good reminder that Genesect's design could inform more coming to Gen 9.
Genesect is a unique Steel/Bug-type Mythical Pokemon that serves as the last entry in Unova's National Pokedex. Its gimmick is being a genetically modified Pokemon from 300 million years ago, now equipped with powerful weapons. Pokemon Masters is introducing Sync Pairs for Hilda and Victini as well as Hilbert and Genesect to star in the Unova chapter of its Villain Arc story, with Colress and N providing insight into Team Plasma's experiments. The idea of advancing an ancient creature and all its repercussions could play into Pokemon Scarlet and Violet too.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Look Into the Past and Future
Most of the marketing for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet leading into its November 18 release has centered mechanics like Terastallization and auto-battling, as well as the aforementioned new characters. One element that has flown under the radar is the region's apparent time theme that became evident through early reveals such as dual professors Sada and Turo. Professor Sada appears in Scarlet version, wearing an outfit with prehistoric elements to match her name referencing the Spanish "pasado." Meanwhile, Professor Turo appears in Violet version, with his Tron-like bodysuit fitting a name that seemingly references the Spanish "futuro."
The box art Legendary Pokemon Koraidon and Miraidon fit this pattern too, though both are mechanically identical when it comes to traversing Paldea. Koraidon is a scarlet-colored lizard with frills that call to mind Native American headdresses, as well as high-rise motorcycle handlebars. Meanwhile, Miraidon levitates with mechanical features and has a digital aesthetic thanks to elements like pixilated eyes. Leaks point to version-exclusive "Paradox Pokemon" that are Ancient or Future takes on existing monsters, with Koraidon and Miraidon appearing to be unique variants of Paldea's Dragon/Normal-type Cyclizar.
What Genesect Could Say About Scarlet and Violet's Paradox Pokemon
Paradox Pokemon have not been officially confirmed, unlike "regional fake" monsters through Wiglett, but it would make sense for unannounced aspects of Scarlet and Violet's design to fit their apparent temporal theme. Genesect being an ancient monster equipped with technology like a cannon that give it access to the type-changing Techno Blast appears similar to the presumed connection between Cyclizar and Miraidon - a future Paradox Pokemon that takes on digital features and mechanical parts like jet legs.
The Unova region had elements of history and future intertwining through settlements like Opelucid City, which differed between Black and White versions. Of the region's Mythical Pokemon, Genesect exemplified converging traditions and technology better than Victini and Meloetta. It also served as a parallel to Generation 1's iconic Legendary Pokemon Mewtwo, as both are genetic experiments attempting to create a sort of ultimate life form and weapon.
Pokemon based on their future incarnations could involve a mere type change based on whatever environment they've adapted to, but Genesect and Miraidon suggest human technology can and will have a big impact on evolution (in the Darwinian sense). Yet, in Pokemon Masters' latest Villain Arc event, Genesect is able to work past its abuse at the hands of Team Plasma by finding a loving trainer in Hilbert, Black and White's male protagonist. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are primed to play with this concept, introducing modified Pokemon from the future whom players can bond with and hopefully make their lives better.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet launch November 18, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.