Around six years ago, Pokemon fans expected Generation 7 titles Sun and Moon to be followed by something like "Pokemon Stars." This would have made sense as a third version akin to Pokemon Emerald and Platinum, but Game Freak instead released reimaginings of the same story via Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. The latest trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet revealed Team Star, a group of delinquents from either Naranja or Uva Academy (depending on the version). Using stars as a naming motif may be coincidental, but Team Star boss Mela could offer another connection to Sun and Moon through the enigmatic Ryuki.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are the first truly open-world games in the franchise, building upon foundations set by Sword and Shield as well as Legends: Arceus. While exploring the Iberian Peninsula-inspired Paldea region for a "Treasure Hunt" independent study project, players will encounter the Victory Road, Path of Legends, and Starfall Street stories at their own pace. Starfall Street is all about Team Star, taking on multiple squads that are "disturbing the peace and using pushy recruitment tactics." Mela is head of the Fire-type Schedar Squad, and while Team Star uniforms will differ between Scarlet and Violet, her punk aesthetic may be drawing from Ryuki - a famous rock guitarist whose home region has yet to be revealed.

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Pokemon Sun and Moon's Ryuki is Underutilized

scarlet violet team star boss mela possible connection

Plenty of archetypical punk musician characters have appeared throughout 25 years of Pokemon games, from Unova's Poison-type Gym Leader Roxie to Galar's Dark-type Gym Leader Piers. Ryuki isn't in quite the same camp, being a reportedly world-famous rock musician, but he carries a counter-cultural vibe through his red leather outfit inspired by Turtonator's shell.

Ryuki is a Dragon-type expert, representing the typing in Alola where no other trainer in the Island Challenge or Elite Four uses them primarily. In Sun and Moon his role is being a challenger to the player's League Champion status. After players beat the Elite Four once, their subsequent Champion battles are randomly pulled from a pool of trainers including Professor Kukui, former Team Skull member Plumeria, and Route 1 Youngster Tristan. During this match, Ryuki reveals he had to claw his way up the music charts and has "come all the way across the sea" to spread his fame in Alola.

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon give Ryuki a bit more to do, as he appears in Malie City's replica Kantonian Gym (based on Lt. Surge's infamous trash can puzzle). He comments on wanting to become a Dragon-type Leader if Alola develops true Gyms, which is essentially his role in Pokemon the Series: Sun & Moon. Ryuki also makes a brief appearance in Pokemon Masters EX's 2020 Summer Superstars event, performing alongside Roxie in a music festival that pits them against summer-themed protagonist Lyra and Champion Steven Stone - a "star from Hoenn" who apparently knows of his music.

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Ryuki's Possible Connections to Mela in Scarlet and Violet

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Though Ryuki gets little more characterization, Team Star's Mela may provide another window into his background. An official bio for the character on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's website says she's the best "all-rounder" on Team Star who solves problems in a devoted, heavy-handed way that has earned her teammates' respect. She rides a Starmobile that apparently acts as an extra Pokemon for each squad's boss, but battles using a Torkoal.

Using Fire-type turtle Pokemon is one surface-level connection between Mela and Ryuki, as Turtonator is a dual Fire/Dragon-type monster. In terms of their designs, both characters also have red hair with off-white highlights (one could even argue Mela's blonde top better matches Turtonator), and they wear spiky red-and-black boots. Mela has more of a flame pattern to her footwear compared to Ryuki's smaller spines, but the comparison is noteworthy.

Given Team Star is an "evil" organization more like Team Skull or Team Yell; delinquents causing trouble rather than finding a way to destroy the planet; it's easy to imagine their rebellious spirit coming from less mainstream culture. Ryuki may say he's famous (which is corroborated by the questionable canon of spin-off games), but this could mean he found a niche in his home region of Paldea that he hoped to spread into Alola. If he was born in Paldea, Mela's attitude may have been shaped in-part by his early music, explaining their similar aesthetic and choice in Pokemon. Fans will just have to wait and see whether Game Freak draws this connection in Scarlet and Violet.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are set to release on November 18, exclusively for Nintendo Switch.

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