Pokémon Scarlet and Violet has been announced to be launching on the Nintendo Switch on 18 November 2022. In the games’ latest trailer, fans were treated to a first look at the new legendaries, professors, and a few adorable critters that will be coming in this generation of Pokémon. Here’s a rundown of what can be gleaned from the brief video and its accompanying press release. 

Starting off with the (very subjectively) most important news, three new Pokémon were announced, and have since become the internet’s newest obsession. Pawmi, the Mouse Pokémon, seems to be this generation’s Pikachu clone. Smoliv, the Olive Pokémon, spends its days sunbathing. Lechonk, the Hog Pokémon, is insisted to not be fat but just muscular. 

A fun fact about Lechonk, whom many netizens have instantly taken a liking to, is that it is said that “as a result of its dining habits, it has come to radiate an aroma resembling herbs that Bug-type Pokémon dislike”. Most likely, this aroma is that of lemongrass, which probably means this rotund fellow is pre-stuffed and flavourful. Also, Lechon is Spanish for a suckling pig. Tasty.

Here’s what the internet had to say about our latest new pocket monsters: 

Lechonk fanclub, assemble #PokemonScarletViolet pic.twitter.com/P38YNWVwIb

— le_castor (@le_castorr) June 1, 2022

smoliv having aove tears is now headcanon 🥺 pic.twitter.com/RlmhxOQeA9

— coco 🌿 (@coco__glez) June 1, 2022

🐭⚡💛 I LOVE PAWMI ! 💛⚡🐭#PokemonScarletViolet pic.twitter.com/y9Ig2Qvxrn

— ✍(◉◡◉)💦 🌹🖍 𝗋𝗈𝗌𝖾𝖽𝗈𝗈𝖽𝗅𝖾 (@rosedoodles) June 1, 2022

Next up, are the two legendary Pokémon exclusive to each version: Koraidon for Pokémon Scarlet, and Miraidon for Pokémon Violet. Not much is known about these two legendaries beyond their visuals and a vague blurb about how they “have powers that far surpass those of other Pokémon”, except that when you translate the first halves of their names from Japanese, you’ll get some pretty interesting references. Korai means “ancient”, while mirai means “the future”. 

From speculation, the design of these two legendaries seem to be based on motorcycles, with wheel-like appendages on both and even jet-powered back legs for Miraidon. To add on to this motorcycle theory, the trailer also revealed the designs for the new Pokémon Centers, which somewhat resemble gas stations. It does make one wonder whether the legendary Pokémon could have an alternate vehicle form that we could use to traverse the land, or something along those lines…

Another interesting new addition to this generation is not one, but two different professors, exclusive to each version. Professor Sada will be available in Pokémon Scarlet, while Professor Turo can be found in Pokémon Violet. It is likely that their names are derived from the Spanish terms for the past (Pasada) and the future (Futuro) respectively. It should come as no surprise that the two professors are strongly linked to Koraidon and Miraidon, though to what extent remains to be seen.

This past & future dynamic can also be seen from Professor Sada’s caveman-esque design and Professor Turo’s futuristic leotard. It almost resembles Opelucid City from Pokémon Black & White, which looks like a technological metropolis in the former, and a rustic village in the latter. 

We also got to see Nemona, who will be serving “as a friend and reliable guide for players on their adventures”. Pawmi, Smoliv, and Lechonk are among the Pokémon that she is said to use. Needless to say, her taste in Pokémon is truly impeccable.

Besides new Pokémon and professors,we got to find out more about this region’s three starters in the press release. The Grass-type Sprigatito is capricious and attention seeking, and has a “sweet aroma” that “can mesmerise those around it” and “has therapeutic qualities and makes opponents lose their will to battle”. Hmm, interesting. Fuecoco the crocodilian Fire-type is laid-back, does things at its own pace, and loves to eat. The Water-type Quaxly is serious-mannered, tidy, and dislikes getting its head dirty. 

Many Pokémon from previous generations have also appeared in the trailer, and are delightfully size-accurate, much like what we’ve seen in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. 

It has been confirmed that Pokémon Scarlet and Violet will have a multiplayer component of up to 4 players, and will be the first open-world RPGs in the mainline series. Players can expect to trade, battle, and even explore the world together with other players. Whether this feature will be available across both versions of the game (Scarlet to Violet) or limited to just one version (Scarlet to Scarlet) remains to be seen, though we already know there is some way to port Legends Arceus pocket monsters over, most likely via Pokémon HOME.

In other news, game developer and composer Toby Fox of Undertale fame has composed the field music for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, as well as a few other tracks that will appear in the game. In reference to his musical cameo in Pokémon Sword and Shield, he also jested that “this time, my music is not optional!!!”

I had the honor of composing the field music for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet! After creating a concept sketch, Game Freak arranged it into many versions that you'll hear throughout the game. You can hear a bit of it in this trailer… https://t.co/dhjv4e9fQN

— tobyfox (@tobyfox) June 1, 2022

Excited fans need only wait till 18 November, when Pokémon Scarlet and Violet arrive on Nintendo Switch.