The starter Pokémon for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the mainline games for Pokémon’s 9th generation, were finally revealed today during a special Pokémon Direct. For the first time since 2019, aspiring trainers will have the chance to explore a whole new region filled with brand new Pokémon.
Welcome to the open world of Pokémon.
Embark on an open-world adventure in Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, arriving on Nintendo Switch in late 2022.
❤️💜 #ScarletViolet pic.twitter.com/xZZTNzGgS1
— Pokémon (@Pokemon) February 27, 2022
While the trailer didn’t reveal too many explicit details, the newest Pokémon region seems clearly inspired by Spain or somewhere around the Mediterranean and will take inspiration from the open world of Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends: Arceus. What Game Freak did show us is that three cute new starter Pokémon will be joining us on this new adventure, and the internet can’t get enough of them.
Twitter reacts to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter characters
Meet Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly, the three new friends you can choose from at the start of your journey in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Fuecoco, the “Fire Croc Pokémon,” is the standard Fire-type starter, and also looks a bit like a red bell pepper. Quaxly, the “Duckling Pokémon,” is the regional Water-type starter and also happens to bear a striking resemblance to a certain cartoon duck. Lastly, Sprigatito, the “Grass Cat Pokémon,” is the game’s Grass-type starter and also solely responsible for getting “weed cat” trending on Twitter.
So far, the Pokémon community’s online reaction to the new trio has been generally positive.
the gen 9 starters are pretty darn cute #pokemon pic.twitter.com/ktsbPhtwgm
— oli @ black friday sale! (@olivinearc) February 27, 2022
THEY ANNOUNCED GEN 9 ALREADY AND OMG LOOK AT THE STARTERS AHHHHHHHHHH pic.twitter.com/7xVEnp41mG
— Maku (@TropicalMaku) February 27, 2022
While some were quick to react to the new starters’ overall cuteness, others didn’t hesitate to get their jokes in.
the gen 9 starters look dope af pic.twitter.com/Ipe6ov7PBR
— CEO of Sinnoh 🌟 (@sinnoh_CEO) February 27, 2022
Gen 9 Starters look great pic.twitter.com/bwl1EpzDDw
— Taku➡️Yamacon (@Yotakuboi) February 27, 2022
Quaxly fans can’t stop making Donald Duck jokes.
Quaxly Duck's second and third stage evolution. Really obvious where Generation 9's water starter is going. #ScarletViolet pic.twitter.com/xDbcia570J
— Kritzlr (@kritzlr) February 27, 2022
Meanwhile, Fuecoco enjoyers are obsessing over this little guy’s cute design and chill vibes.
Me when I saw the new Pokemon starters, Fuecoco in particular pic.twitter.com/MkMrfUhmG7
— Kimerson (@TheKimersonShow) February 27, 2022
fuecoco is a good little boy!!!!#Pokemon pic.twitter.com/9BkRiA9Glz
— scooter 🎨🛵🌈 comms closed :v (@cocopudu) February 27, 2022
You’ve heard of “Smugleaf,” now it seems Sprigatito, now affectionately nicknamed “weed cat,” is keeping up the tradition of Grass-type starters turning into memes. The design on Sprigatito’s face shares some qualities with a familiar-looking plant, and Twitter has had a field day with it. Since the announcement dropped, “weed cat” started trending on the social media platform with over 8,000 mentions.
absolutely obsessed with the weed cat right now #PokemonDay #Pokemon pic.twitter.com/kPfl2Mi5Yl
— 䨺 (@Purah_Pad) February 27, 2022
so for gen 9 we got another stoned pokemon? pic.twitter.com/sN5orPBum4
— ⭐️Mar⭐️ (@TheSketchFox) February 27, 2022
scrunkly weed cat pic.twitter.com/jtluQ2IGQx
— Tristan Y (@trisketched) February 27, 2022
According to the trailer, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set to release in November 2022 for the Nintendo Switch.
