Pokemon Scarlet and Violet continued a tradition that has been present since the second generation of Pokemon games: adding new evolutions to existing Pokemon evolutionary lines. One new evolution added in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is Annihilape, a Ghost/Fighting-type Pokemon that evolves from the Generation 1 Pokemon Primeape. While some fans enjoy Annihilape for its unique typing and usefulness in battle, its evolution method seems like a missed opportunity to utilize existing lore regarding this particular evolution line.
Mankey and Primeape, pure Fighting-type Pokemon resembling monkeys, were introduced in the very first generation of Pokemon games. Both are short-tempered Pokemon, and, according to their Pokedex entries, can become angry and throw a temper tantrum at the slightest provocation. Things that make Mankey and Primeape angry include not being able to peel their favorite nuts, other Pokemon visiting their colony, or simply not getting enough sleep. According to the Pokedex, some Primeape can become so angry that they die - a fact that was not utilized for their evolution into Annihilape.
Annihilape's Evolution Doesn't Involve Fainting
To evolve Primeape into Annihilape in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, players must have their Primeape use the move Rage Fist in battle 20 times and then level it up once. Rage Fist is a new Ghost-type move that was introduced in Scarlet and Violet. It is a damage-dealing move that becomes more effective the more times the user has been hit in battle. It hits indiscriminately and may affect allies adjacent to the user. The move, which involves the user channeling their rage into power, is well-suited for the short-tempered Primeape line and is considered the signature move of both Primeape and Annihilape.
While using Rage Fist to evolve does fit Primeape's infamous temper, its evolution could have revolved around being knocked out and fainting in battle a certain number of times, to better suit lore. This comes from Primeape's rather horrifying Pokedex entry in Pokemon Sun, which states that Primeape sometimes becomes so angry that it dies, although its face "looks peaceful in death" once it has done so. Given that Annihilape is part Ghost-type, it's hard not to feel that skipping over fainting as part of its evolution is wasted potential. Despite the secondary typing, Annihilape's Pokedex entries do not mention death at all, merely saying that its power has gone "beyond the fetters of its physical body."
Primeape's Evolution Method Doesn't Feel Unique
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduced some bizarre and even ridiculous evolution methods for its new generation of Pokemon. One particular standout is Finizen, which evolves into Palafin only when players use the Union Circle mechanic to explore the Paldea region together. Once Finizen evolves, it becomes even more bizarre by needing to use a special Ability in battle to transform into its more powerful Hero form. Other evolutions introduced in Scarlet and Violet include Gimmighoul, which requires the player to collect 999 Gimmighoul Coins, and Pawmo, Rellor, and Bramblin, all of which need to walk 1000 steps in "Let's Go" mode before they will evolve.
Annihilape's evolution method is especially disappointing when compared to the complicated process needed to acquire a Kingambit, another newly added evolution of a previously existing Pokemon. Kingambit is a Dark/Steel-type evolution of Bisharp, which in turn evolves from Pawniard. To obtain a Kingambit, players must find a Bisharp leading a group of Pawniard and holding an item called a Leader's Crest. Once a player has caught this Bisharp, it must be used to defeat three other Bisharp holding Leader's Crests before finally evolving into Kingambit. This unique and complex evolution method shows that the games' developer was not afraid to think outside the box when designing Pokemon evolutions, leading some players to wish that similar effort had been put into designing Annihilape and its evolution method.
Annihilape Is A Powerful Battler
Despite its somewhat lackluster evolution process, Annihilape is still a generally well-liked Pokemon and one of the more popular new evolutions introduced in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, especially compared to Dunsparce's rather disappointing evolution Dudunsparce, which does little to change the Pokemon's appearance. An evolution for Mankey and Primeape was definitely needed, as it is a Generation 1 Pokemon that has not previously received a regional form or any other variation, despite appearing in the majority of Pokemon generations with the notable exception of Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Evolution aside, Annihilape is popular for its rare typing - it is only the second Ghost/Fighting-type Pokemon after the Generation 7 Mythical Pokemon Marshadow - and its usefulness in battle. It learns a number of powerful Ghost- and Fighting-type moves and has a generally high Attack stat, fitting for its short temper and frequent rage. Annihilape comes with an Ability that prevents either sleep or flinching and also possesses the Hidden Ability Defiant, which increases its Attack when the enemy lowers its stats. The Pokedex may claim that Primeape is able to gain peace in death, but Annihilape subverts that by continuing to rage and lose its temper after evolution.
Annihilape is a powerful ally to have in battle and a difficult opponent to face, something players will experience when battling Eri, Team Star's Fighting-type boss, who has an Annihilape on her team. Eri's powerful team of Pokemon, which includes Annihilape, is one of the primary reasons that taking on the Fighting-type Team Star squad is considered one of the hardest challenges in Paldea, and they are the team recommended to face last during the "Starfall Street" storyline.
Overall, Annihilape is a solid Pokemon with a rather disappointing evolution method that does not take advantage of pre-existing Pokemon lore. Paired with the Paldea region's disappointingly small number of regional forms and the host of rather similar-looking Future Paradox forms available in Pokemon Violet, some fans feel that the Generation 9 games did not do a good job adding to or altering existing Pokemon lines. However, Annihilape's stats and move pool practically ensure that it will earn a spot on many players' teams and may even make an appearance in the competitive Pokemon battling scene sometime in the near future.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are currently available for the Nintendo Switch.