Pokémon Sun and Moon Update: What We Know So Far
Hello, fabulous
people of the Internet! This week I
decided to change things up with a post on something that I don’t typically
talk about on Hanime on Anime all that much.
And I say that for two reasons. First,
this is on a video game, and unless you’re new here, I don’t typically talk
about video games. Second, it involves Pokémon,
something I’m too ashamed to talk about on Hanime on Anime-the anime, not the
video game. Despite that, the Pokémon
franchise has been getting a lot of press lately, especially with celebration
of its twentieth anniversary and the hype from Pokémon Go recently. But no, this post doesn’t talk about any of
that. I’ll actually be talking about one
of the franchise’s other most talk about game this year: Pokémon Sun and Moon! Over
the past few months since the game was announced, new details about the game’s
plot, setting, characters, and Pokémon have been released. Today, this post is going to talk about those
details. So hold tight cause I’m going
to give you the lowdown on what is currently known about the Pokémon Sun and Moon games!
Part 1: The Plot, Region, and Characters
Pokémon
Sun and Moon will be the seventh generation games in the Pokémon game
series. Both games are set to be release
November 18, 2016. The games are set in
the Alola region, a series of tropical islands plus one manmade island. The Pokémon professor in the game is
Professor Kukui, a laid back surfer-looking guy -a nice but odd twist to the
game given the franchise’s more proper professors from previous games. Some other characters Trainers will encounter
include Lillie, Prof. Kukui’s mysterious assistant who is said to play a very
important role in the games’ plot, and Hau, the friendly but assumed rival of
the Trainer. So yeah, that’s the basics
there.
New to the games is an online
feature called Battle Royale. This feature
allows Trainers to connect and play with other Trainers in four-way battles. Based on what I’ve seen and hear from about
this, it pretty much amounts to a free-for-all.
Another really cool feature not necessarily
part of the storyline was the Pokédex. If
you haven’t heard or watched any of the leaks that have been steadily streaming
into the Internet, Pokémon Sun and Moon
has created Pokédexes that use Rotoms! To
clarify, Rotom is a Ghost and Electric type Pokémon from the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl series games
that is known for taking over electronic appliances. This capability also changes Rotom’s
typing. For example, in Rotom’s Refrigerator
form, it becomes a Ghost-Ice type. In
the Sun and Moon games, Pokémon
experts-presumably Prof. Kukui-have made it to where Rotoms can become part of
the Pokédex. It certainly gives players
an interactive experience with the Pokédex.
By far this is probably one of my favorite features of the game.
Part 2: The Starters and Legendaries
Next on the list of leaks from the
game are the most important Pokémon of any Pokémon game: the starter and
legendary Pokémon. And don’t worry, I’ll
talk more about the other Pokémon later.
So first I’m going to talk about
the legendaries because, well, they do grace the covers of both games.
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| Solgaleo |
Solgaleo is a Psychic and Steel type
Pokémon and is only available on the Pokémon
Sun game. It has its own ability
called Full Metal Body, which prevents its stats from lowering caused by
another Pokémon’s moves or Ability. It
also has a signature move called Sunsteel Strike.
 |
| Lunala |
Lunala is the second known
legendary in the game and is a Psychic and Ghost type Pokémon. It is only available on the Pokémon Moon game. Like Solgaleo, it also has its own Ability
and specialty move. Lunala’s Ability
Shadow Sheild lowers damage taken from a move if Lunala’s HP is full. Its signature move is Moongeist Beam. Of the two, Lunala is probably my
favorite. Let’s face it, I kinda have a
thing for the dark and gothic. Plus it
looks so epic (not to say that Solgaleo doesn’t either)! And although its Ability doesn’t compare to
Solgaleo’s, Lunala would probably be my personal choice, meaning I would
probably get Pokémon Moon.
Moving right along, let’s talk
about the starter Pokémon. Aside from
the legendary Pokémon, the starters were the first Pokémon introduced from the games. And right off the bat, these Pokémon have
already stirred up some controversy.
More on that later. But for now,
the starter Pokémon for Pokémon Sun and
Moon are Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio.
Litten is the Fire-type starter, Popplio is the Water-type starter, and
Rowlet is the Grass-type starter-although it should be noted that Rowlet is a
Grass and Flying type.
 |
| Rowlet |
So far, Rowlet and Litten have been
the fan favorites. For Rowlet, its not
hard to see why; IT’S SO CUTE!! But
Rowlet has more going for it than just its adorableness. As I said earlier, Rowlet is a Grass and Flying type. It’s been awhile since we’ve seen a starter Pokémon-particularly
a Grass type- with a second typing.
Seriously, it hasn’t been seen since Bulbasaur. While this is rare, it pretty much sets up
the typing for its evolutions. Rowlet is
also capable of learning a new move called Leafage. So far Rowlet is my favorite amongst the
starters
 |
| Litten |
Litten was the second choice among
fans. And I honestly hope that it’s
because it’s a Fire-type; Litten is so far my least favorite. This in and of itself is odd personally
because I normally pick the Fire-type starter when I play the games. What seems to bug me most about this Pokémon
is its looks-shallow, I know. I’ve heard
some people say how cute Litten is, but I honestly don’t see it. Every time I look at this Pokémon, I think of
Hello Kitty’s pissed off looking penguin friend. Sure, it looks and meows like a cat, but-unless
it’s Grumpy Cat- with eyes that say “I hate you,” it’s not cute. I may be quick to judge, but that doesn’t
mean its final evolution may not be really cool and I’ll eat my words. But for the time being, I’m staying away from
this one.
 |
| Popplio |
And that leaves Popplio. This Water-type starter has so far been the
least favorite for the same reason why I don’t like Litten; it’s looks. This Pokémon has gotten a lot of haters. I heard a woman on Polygon.com call it a “sh*tty,
nominal derivative of Piplup (ouch).”
Personally, I think it’s sad. I
actually thought Popplio was cute-not as cute as Rowlet, but cute nonetheless. Besides, it’s a baby seal! Baby seals are some of the cutest creatures
on planet Earth! Sure, they bark and
smell like fish, but I have dogs and cats who are just as bad and I still love
them. Granted, Pokémon fans may also be
speaking on Popplio’s stats and moves, but still, I don’t think Popplio is a
terrible starter. But much like Litten,
I’m really hoping that Popplio has some awesome evolutions that will make fans
eat crow. In any case, my heart goes out
to you, little guy!
So amongst the three, Rowlet would
be my first pick with Popplio taking a close second (sorry Litten).
The debate on what these Pokémon’s
starters has been a hot topic on the Internet.
Theories have been tossed back and forth about Popplio and Litten’s
evolved forms-Rowlet’s is pretty much determined. Fans have suggested a Fire and Dark typing
and even a Fire and Ground typing for LItten.
I personally would like to see Litten stay a Fire-type. As for Popplio, fans have suggested a Water
and Fairy-typing with a Water and Psychic typing coming in at second. In this instance, I would rather see the
Water and Psychic typing happen, although I’m not opposed to the other. The final evolutions have not been revealed,
but there has been a photo that’s been gaining attention. A Chinese website revealed a possible leak
with some amazing theoretical evolutions (especially of Popplio). Since this leak, it’s been quickly taken off
the Internet about as fast as it was put up.
People have suspected that because of this, these might be the final
evolutions. However, this is only a
rumor. Now, to keep this post from being
taken off the Internet, I will not be posting this picture, but I do have links
to YouTube videos below that do show these pictures.
Part 3: THE NEW POKÉMON!
And now ladies and gentlemen, the
moment you’ve been waiting for! This
part of the world of Pokémon has always my favorite part: meeting the brand new
Pokémon! Many of the leaks up to this
point have been revealing new and awesome Pokémon. Now, I won’t be talking about all of the new Pokémon,
just the ones with new typings and/or Abilities and those of special interest.
So first, there have been some new Pokémon
in the new games that have some new typings.
The first few that were revealed were Drampa and Cutiefly. Drampa is the first Normal and Dragon type Pokémon. This Pokémon can also possess a new ability
called Berserk. Another Pokémon with new
typing is Cutiefly, which will be the first Bug and Fairy type. One other Pokémon that has gained some
attention with its typing is Salandit.
This Pokémon will be the first Poison and Fire type Pokémon. Another interesting thing about this bad boy
is its attacks. No, it doesn’t have high
Attack stats as far as I know. What’s
most impressive is the fact that its Poison-type moves can affect any Pokémon, even Steel types (which
usually have no affect on)! This is due
to Salandit’s Ability Corrosion, new to the Pokémon games. Finally, there were also two other Pokémon
recently leaked that also have new typings.
Kitergumura is the first Normal/Fighting type for the franchise-not
counting Mega Lopunny. Another Pokémon
called Mimikkyu will also be the first Ghost/Fairy type. Currently these Pokémon do not have English
names and only made official appearances in CoroCoro Magazine and limited
screen time in the Japanese release trailer.
 |
| Togedemaru |
While these Pokémon have gained
attention with their typing, there are some Pokémon that have gained some
attention as well. Grubbin, a Bug type,
has been revealed to be the first completed evolution set in the Sun and Moon games. Grubbin’s two other evolved forms are
Charjabug and Vikavolt. Aside from
Grubbin, these forms are Electric/Bug types, a combo that has not been seen
since Generation 5 with Joltic and Galvantula.
Another Electric type that’s also been of interest is Togedemaru. This hedgehog looking Pokémon will be the
only other Pokémon, aside from the Magnamite evolutions, that will have the
Steel/Electric typing.
 |
| Tapu Koko |
Regular Pokémon aside, the mythical
Pokémon have also been making a splash.
Among one of the first mythical Pokémon
to be leaked was Tapu Koko. This Pokémon
was mentioned by name in an early leak, but was later revealed in another leak
to be the “Guardian of Melemele Island.”
This Electric/Fairy type Pokémon possess a new ability called Electric
Surge and knows a brand new move called Nature’s Madness. I’m hoping that this won’t be a legendary but
a rare Pokémon that players can obtain later through gameplay, much like
gaining a Lucario in the Pokémon X and Y games. And for existing legendaries,
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| Zygarde 100% Forme |
Zygarde will
have new forms: Cell, Core, 10%, and 100%.
I can’t say much for these forms, but I will say that the Zygarde’s 100%
Forme is the most epic thing I have ever seen-more epic than Houndoom’s Satanic-looking
Mega Evolution (again, dark and gothic stuff interests me)!
 |
| Magearna |
One last Pokémon that has been the talk of
the town is the mythical Pokémon Magearna.
This Pokémon originally made its debut in the most recent Pokémon movie
in Japan. Little was known about it at the
time the information on it was leaked because it came prior to Pokémon Sun and Moon’s announcement-but
don’t quote me on that. What we know now
as that it’s also referred to as the “Artificial Pokémon” and is a Steel and
Fairy type Pokémon. Magearna also knows
a new move called Fleur Cannon and possess a new ability called Soul Heart.
Well, that just about wraps up this
post. Again, it was a strange post, but
well worth the research. Granted, I know
I didn’t include everything known about the game currently. Whether or not I will get the game is a
mystery, but it has been fun keeping tabs on it. Anyways, what do you think about Pokémon Sun and Moon? Are you excited about it? Who’s your favorite Pokémon from the game so
far? And is there any Pokémon fan out
there besides me that thinks Popplio is cute?
I wanna hear what you have to say, people! Until next time, stay tuned for an early
release of Character of the Month next week!
If you have a request for another topic you’d like for me to discuss,
let me know!
-Hanime
on Anime
Check these sites for more information about the games
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