Pokémon is a rare property that’s able to completely dominate whatever medium it tackles, whether it’s video games, anime, mobile spinoffs, or even a collectible Trading Card Game. There’s still much excitement surrounding each mainline Pokémon title. Now, Generation IX’s Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are set to rejuvenate the RPG series with new creatures, features, and environments.
Some of the new Pokédex additions in Scarlet and Violet introduce completely new types of Pokémon, but many "fresh" designs feel oddly familiar and are influenced by past Pokémon. These new Pokémon Scarlet and Violet creatures prove that it’s not always misguided to return to an old idea.
10 Farigiraf Extends The Lifespan Of An Overlooked Pokémon Oddball
Girafarig is one of the odder Pokémon to come out of Generation II’s Kanto region, yet it’s a compelling creature who’s primarily been neglected across the series’ span. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Farigiraf is an original Pokémon, but one who is clearly connected to the Kanto creature.
Farigiraf is a Normal-Type Pokémon, but it’s also a Psychic-Type hybrid, opening its attack arsenal to some exciting possibilities. Farigiraf is not better or worse than Girafarig, but it’s a fresh take on an already interesting design.
9 Great Tusk Exudes Prehistoric Pokémon Pride
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet introduce several new ideas to the franchise, but one of the most exciting developments is the debut of Paradox Pokémon. These are said to be past and future versions of current Pokémon, but they all still have distinct Pokédex entries. Ancient Forms are found in Pokémon Scarlet, while the Future Forms are specific to Pokémon Violet.
Great Tusk is the Ancient Form of Generation II's Donphan, one of the series’ first Elephant Pokémon. Great Tusk is both a Ground- and Fighting-Type. It's not radically different from its original version, but the Pokémon's violet and pink color pattern is a pleasant shift.
8 Wiglett And Wugtrio Make A Big Splash With A Signature Pokémon
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet revise old designs through its Paradox Pokémon and its Paldean regional variants for multiple creatures. There are also original Pokémon that should look familiar to many seasoned trainers, even if they’re not new evolutionary forms for classic creatures. Wiglett and Wugtrio are new to Paldea, and everything about them brings reliable Generation I Pokémon, Diglett and Dugtrio, to mind.
Wiglett and Wugtrio aren’t especially strong, but they’re Water-Type Pokémon as opposed to their Kanto equivalents' Ground- and Steel-Type roots. It’s a simple change that adds a lot of value to these Pokémon.
7 Scream Tail Adds Even More Flair To A Fan-Favorite Pokémon
Some Pokémon pop more than others, and Jigglypuff is one creature who’s seen a particular amount of love that’s extended into the anime series and even as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Scream Tail is the Ancient Form of Jigglypuff, and it easily trumps the original Pokémon.
Scream Tail has a luxurious mane of hair that seemingly extends into a tail. Scream Tail is a Psychic- and Fairy-Type hybrid Pokémon, and it’s actually a little intimidating to consider this Pokémon wreaking havoc in the past.
6 Flutter Mane Is A Mix Between A Ghoulish Ghost And Frilly Fairy
Ghost-Type Pokémon represent some of the creepiest creatures from the entire franchise, and Pokémon has gotten especially creative with its Ghost-Types in recent years. Flutter Mane is a Paradox Pokémon that trainers will find in Pokémon Scarlet, the Ancient Form of Generation II favorite, Misdreavus.
Flutter Mane is true to its name and ostensibly a more luxurious and fluffy version of Misdreavus. Flutter Mane is also a Fairy-Type, in addition to a Ghost Pokémon, which is a curious dichotomy for the creature. In the past, it’s possible that Flutter Mane was both feared and praised by different groups of people.
5 Klawf Is A Rocky Take On A Classic Crustacean
Aquatic Pokémon are always prominent in each region, and there’s bound to be some crossover in creatures over time. There have been Crab Pokémon since the start of the series, and it’s been hard to top the elegant simplicity of Krabby and Kingler.
Less can often be more in Pokémon, and Scarlet and Violet’s Klawf doesn’t overcomplicate the equation. Klawf is a Rock-Type Pokémon, which initially may come as a shock for a Crab Pokémon, but the creature is covered with stony formations and growths. It’s a natural look that feels like the work of evolution in the Paldean terrain.
4 Iron Bundle Turns A Silly Bird Pokémon Into A Mechanical Menace
The Paradox Pokémon that Scarlet and Violet introduce look at alternate versions of classic creatures from the past and way ahead in the future. Pokémon Violet contains these Future Forms, many of which look like android upgrades to old designs.
Some of these Future Paradox Pokémon are a little lazy in their execution, but Iron Bundle improves upon Generation II’s bird-based oddity, Delibird. Iron Bundle is an Ice- and Water-Type Pokémon that is reminiscent of Delibird’s dopiness, but looks much more prepared for battle.
3 Toedscool And Toedscruel Are Foreboding Forest Foes
One of the more creative reinventions in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet is Toedscool and its evolved form, Toedscruel. These Pokémon bear an unmistakable resemblance to the Kanto region’s Tentacool and Tentacruel, but they’re a whole new species found in the forest rather than the water.
These Paldea Pokémon are Grass- and Ground-Type Pokémon that have more in common with a mushroom than a jellyfish. Toedscool are even said to be quite edible, whereas it’s likely not a good idea to bite into a live Tentacool.
2 Sandy Shocks Grounds A Classical Electric-Type Pokémon
Pokemon's Magnemite evolutionary line has provided reliable creatures throughout the franchise who often don't get to be major players, but are typically around when a factory or electrical-based epidemic arises. It always seemed a little unnerving that Magnemite and its evolved forms could just float through the air.
However, Pokémon Scarlet's Sandy Shocks, the Ancient Paradox Form of this creature, manages to be even creepier. Sandy Shocks takes the basic Magneton formula, but it has a strange set of legs that allow it to stumble around. It's a minor revision, but adding a Ground-Type component to this Electric-Type Pokémon gives it a distinct personality.
1 Iron Thorns Is A Futuristic Version Of A Dangerous Behemoth
Tyranitar is a pseudo-Legendary creature that can be as dangerous as any of its generation's fully evolved Starter Pokémon when it's in the right hands. Tyranitar is a ferocious kaiju-like beast that seems like it could be any more threatening. However, Pokémon Violet features Iron Thorns, the Future Paradox Pokémon of this behemoth.
Iron Thorns looks like a giant mecha version of Tyranitar, and it's said to have come from a billion years in the future. Plenty of technologically advanced Pokémon exist, but Iron Thorns looks like he's one of the most dangerous Pokémon from the future.