The latest Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trailer has given fans a ton to chew on, revealing several dominant themes about the new franchise. Perhaps the biggest eye-catcher is, similar to Pokemon Legends: Arceus, how much the pair of games focus on time. The biggest giveaway of this comes in the form of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s new legendaries, Koraidon and Miraidon, as the former looks more like an ancient lizard, while the latter is more of a futuristic mechanical lizard.
Yet, there are traces of this everywhere. For the first time ever, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feature different professors, and their names aren’t based on trees. Professor Sada appears in Scarlet, with her name being based on the word “Pasada” or past. Professor Turo appears in Violet, with his name being based on the word “Futuro” or future.
This main theme of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet has already led to a ton of rumors and speculation, such as Koraidon and Miraidon perhaps being the same base Pokemon—represented in the past and future. Some have speculated that this is also why the Pokemon Scarlet and Violet region name has yet to be revealed, because it’s actually two names like the Hisui/Sinnoh connection with one region named/set in the past and the other named/set in the future. It all makes sense, but given this theme runs deep, it has some major implications for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s gimmick.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Gimmick Rumors
For weeks now, rumors, speculation, and leaks have pointed to one element for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s gimmick, which has yet to be revealed. Many believe that it will somehow feature the ability to change a Pokemon’s type, either replacing one with a third type or adding a third type to the pool. The latter would no doubt be complicated, so many have led with the former. For example, it could be that a Pokemon could shift from a Fire-type to an Electric-type mid-battle.
The emphasis on types, as seen in the giant circle in one city, has led many fans to believe this, with many also assuming that this ability is represented by a six-point star (based on the Japanese Pokemon Scarlet and Violet logos.) What’s interesting, though, is how this new theme of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet very clearly ties in with this. The emphasis on time adds new context to both the circle and the star symbol.
Both could represent things that could tell time. For example, the circle seen could be based on a sundial, while the star could represent the Northern Star (which can be used in conjunction with constellations to tell time). These are small possibilities, but then it makes sense with how much Pokemon Scarlet and Violet emphasize time.
How Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Gimmick Rumors Logically Tie Into This Theme
Looking at the speculation that Koraidon and Miraidon are essentially based on the same Pokemon, the transition from type to type makes sense. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Koraidon and Miraidon types are currently unknown, but the most obvious answer is that one is Fire and the other is Electric. While one Pokemon Violet leak suggests Miraidon is rideable, it seems both are as many have deduced that both Pokemon also seem a bit like bikes. It’s a bit of a stretch, but then that means Koraidon is a form of travel based on fire (similar to a steam engine) while Miraidon is a more futuristic form of travel based on electricity. Fire-based energy precedes electricity-based energy.
Thus, Koraidon could represent the past and essentially have time pushed through them to be Miraidon (in a way) in the second game. It’s unlikely this would be technically possible for these Pokemon, but it would make sense in-game if Pokemon Scarlet caused Pokemon to shift back in time, with their elements following logically, while Pokemon Violet shifted Pokemon forward in time. It would be a logical extension of Space-Time Distortions in Pokemon Legends: Arceus.
New Pokemon Pawmi is another good example of this. Although shown as an Electric-type Mouse Pokemon, it’s hard to ignore how it also looks like a Fire-type. While some typing would be harder to pinpoint and some would no doubt hinge on how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet defined the evolution, or it could depend on each Pokemon, this could take the form of back and forth between certain types. For example, the Rock-type could be pushed forward in Pokemon Violet to become Steel or pushed back in Pokemon Scarlet to become Ground, depending on the general design of the Pokemon.
It's harder to imagine how this could work for some types like Fighting, Fairy, Dragon, and so on, so perhaps it’s something only certain Pokemon with certain types and designs could do. After all, it's not like every Pokemon has a Mega Evolution. Perhaps it’s more of a roulette wheel. It ultimately remains to be seen, but it would not be surprising to see some concept of time, past and future, tie into these the new generation’s gimmick.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet release on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.