Ophie
Salingerian Phony
Assuming that Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl has not only every Pokémon from Generations I through IV, but no Pokémon after that, it still leaves some big holes in the National Pokédex spanning Generations V through VII. To that end, in this post, I will list every Pokémon line not found in Sword and Shield or Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, along with my thoughts and how likely I think they'll be there. If we assume Pokémon Legends: Arceus to be the last major Pokémon release of this generation, and they intend to complete the Pokédex by the end of it, then it falls onto this game to fill in all the gaps.
Let me know if I've missed any or accidentally included Pokémon already available in Generation VIII prior to Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
The likelihood I'll predict is based on the following scale:
Confirmed
Highly Likely
Likely
Uncertain
Unlikely
Highly Unlikely
Definitely Not
Snivy / Servine / Serperior - Likely
Since Oshawott is confirmed, then it makes sense that wherever Professor Laventon got Oshawott from, he could also source out the other Unova starters, such as Snivy.
Tepig / Pignite / Emboar - Likely
I put the Tepig line in the same likelihood as the Snivy line due to the means to get Tepig, if it exists, to be the same as the means to get Snivy.
Oshawott / Dewott / Samurott - Confirmed
There's no need to say anything else about this--we already know Oshawott is in this game.
Patrat / Watchog - Unlikely
Patrat and Watchog are based on crossing guards and construction zone lookouts. In particular, Watchog's stripe pattern resembles a reflective safety jacket. While such things existed in the real-world Industrial Age, they aren't quite the same in appearance as they are now. As a result, Patrat and Watchog may look out of place in Hisui.
Pansage / Simisage - Likely
Pansear / Simisear - Likely
Panpour / Simipour - Likely
Though they fall into the same pattern as Patrat and Watchog in that their fur patterns resemble more modern fashions, particularly those of the 1950s, I think they're not quite as pronounced and wouldn't look that out of place. A hindrance, however, may be the fact that they evolve with Evolution Stones, which might not be easy to come by in this game. (Or not. Who knows?)
Blitzle / Zebstrika - Uncertain
They're based on African animals but debuted in a region resembling New York City and northern New Jersey. Anything's up in the air with this line.
Sewaddle / Swadloon / Leavanny - Highly Likely
Hokkaido was a long-time participant in the silk trade by the Industrial Age. Though not exactly the same kind of creatures for inspiration, this whole line could fit right in.
Ducklett / Swanna - Highly Likely
There are no native swan species in Hokkaido, but in the real world, Black Swans were introduced there during the 19th century and became naturalized without becoming invasive. To reflect that, I think they'll put Ducklett and Swanna into freshwater areas.
Deerling / Sawsbuck - Highly Likely
Due to seasons being reflected in this game, it would be a shame NOT to have a Pokémon made for the seasons gimmick in Pokémon Black and White.
Alomomola - Likely
On one hand, an ocean sunfish would not fit in. On the other, a Pokémon dedicated entirely to healing would be useful to have around.
Tynamo / Eelektrik / Eelektross - Highly Likely
Lampreys have long been a staple animal of the Sea of Japan, so why not? (In addition, lampreys have been the victim of overfishing in recent decades, which can make for a plausible explanation for their absence in present-day Sinnoh.)
Meloetta - Highly Unlikely
Most likely saved for a special event.
Genesect - Highly Unlikely
Like with Meloetta, most likely saved for a special event.
Chespin / Quilladin / Chesnaught - Uncertain
As a representative of the last line of starters not yet available, I have no idea how they'll be distributed, if they will at all. If anything, as Chesnaught in particular represents old-fashioned fighters in fantasy settings, there may be in-game events to get a Chespin.
Fennekin / Braixen / Delphox - Uncertain
While foxes' association with fire is a part of Japanese folklore about the kitsune, this IS a starter line, which again means they cannot be found in the wild and must be given to you via an in-game event. I have no idea if such an event may occur though.
Froakie / Frogadier / Greninja - Highly Likely
Would they really turn down a Pokémon based on a ninja?
Scatterbug / Spewpa / Vivillon - Highly Likely
Catching these bugs feels like a very natural part of the game. In addition, Pokémon Legends: Arceus may provide alternate ways to obtain the rare Vivillon wing patterns.
Litleo / Pyroar - Unlikely
Though there are no lions native to France, they appear in a lot of French iconography. As Hokkaido doesn't have any such cultural importance on lions, I don't think they'll be here, or they'll be here in Hisuian forms representing related creatures like lion-dogs.
Flabébé / Floette / Florges - Likely
Hisui is shown to have large fields of flowers. It would not look strange to see Flabébé and maybe Floette and Florges wandering around within them.
Skiddo / Gogoat - Likely
Domesticated goats had arrived in Japan centuries prior to the Industrial Age and soon spread to all islands where people live. Genetically, they are very close to or are the same as domesticated goats elsewhere in the world, so if Skiddo and Gogoat are in this game, they'll be the same kinds as introduced in X and Y. The motorcycle aspects would probably be downplayed, however.
Furfrou - Unlikely
Poodles had existed during the 19th century but were rare and reserved for the elite of society. During Hisui's time, Furfrou probably exists but would not be found in Hisui itself. That being said, it doesn't rule out the possibility of a Furfrou imported in for novelty.
Diancie - Highly Unlikely
As a Mythical Pokémon outside of Generation IV, if Diancie shows up at all, there will be a special event for it.
Hoopa - Highly Unlikely
Like with Diancie, this would necessitate a special event too.
Pikipek / Trumbeak / Toucannon - Uncertain
Though Pikipek, based on a woodpecker, might not look out of place (there are woodpeckers native to Hokkaido), Toucannon, being based on a toucan, would. Hence, I don't know if this line would work or not.
Yungoos / Gumshoos - Highly Unlikely
The story behind Yungoos and Gumshoos being in Alola is pretty thoroughly fleshed out: they came from another region and were brought over as an attempt to control the Rattata and Raticate problem but became invasive themselves. There isn't much room to justify them being in another region except the one they're native to.
Crabrawler / Crabominable - Uncertain
On one hand, they're based on the coconut crab, which exists only on a few select islands in Polynesia. (For the record, Hawaii is a part of Polynesia.) On the other, just like Sinnoh, Hisui is characterized by coastlines up to snowy mountains, the range of environments for Crabrawler and Crabominable to feel at home.
Oricorio - Unlikely
Oricorio was designed to demonstrate divergent evolution (in the Darwinian sense), and it is tied to the fact that Alola has four main islands. In a sense, Game Freak designed Oricorio into a wall with it, as it would struggle to fit in anywhere but Alola. It does look like a nonspecific bird enough that if they don't draw attention to it though, no one will notice.
Minior - Highly Likely
Meteor showers can occur anywhere on the planet (and in fact, as of the time I'm typing this, the Leonid meteors are going on), and Minior in particular is associated with high altitudes. I could see Minior swarming around the Spear Pillar area every now and then.
Komala - Uncertain
We haven't had an Australia-themed region yet, and I think Komala was designed intentionally as based on something that doesn't belong in the very region it was introduced. Unlike the Yungoos and Litleo lines, there is no explanation whatsoever for Komala's presence, so it can potentially show up in any other region completely unexplained.
Bruxish - Unlikely
There are reefs off the coasts of Hokkaido, but they're far too cold to have triggerfish. Unlike with Alomomola, there'd really be no reason for Bruxish to be present in Hisui except for Pokédex-filling purposes, but the Pokémon series has overall not really cared about oceanic conditions and marine Pokémon--as long as it's saltwater, any Pokémon based on a saltwater creature is fair game.
All this said, there would probably have to be a reason they're not in modern-day Sinnoh, and for most of these, I'd have no explanation. Some of the starters as exotic pets maybe, some of them exterminated in later efforts to cull non-native species, but there would be no explanation as to why, say, you could find Minior in historical Sinnoh but not modern Sinnoh considering they fall from outer space and should theoretically still be present today. If you disagree with any of these, feel free to say so too.
Let me know if I've missed any or accidentally included Pokémon already available in Generation VIII prior to Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
The likelihood I'll predict is based on the following scale:
Confirmed
Highly Likely
Likely
Uncertain
Unlikely
Highly Unlikely
Definitely Not
Snivy / Servine / Serperior - Likely
Since Oshawott is confirmed, then it makes sense that wherever Professor Laventon got Oshawott from, he could also source out the other Unova starters, such as Snivy.
Tepig / Pignite / Emboar - Likely
I put the Tepig line in the same likelihood as the Snivy line due to the means to get Tepig, if it exists, to be the same as the means to get Snivy.
Oshawott / Dewott / Samurott - Confirmed
There's no need to say anything else about this--we already know Oshawott is in this game.
Patrat / Watchog - Unlikely
Patrat and Watchog are based on crossing guards and construction zone lookouts. In particular, Watchog's stripe pattern resembles a reflective safety jacket. While such things existed in the real-world Industrial Age, they aren't quite the same in appearance as they are now. As a result, Patrat and Watchog may look out of place in Hisui.
Pansage / Simisage - Likely
Pansear / Simisear - Likely
Panpour / Simipour - Likely
Though they fall into the same pattern as Patrat and Watchog in that their fur patterns resemble more modern fashions, particularly those of the 1950s, I think they're not quite as pronounced and wouldn't look that out of place. A hindrance, however, may be the fact that they evolve with Evolution Stones, which might not be easy to come by in this game. (Or not. Who knows?)
Blitzle / Zebstrika - Uncertain
They're based on African animals but debuted in a region resembling New York City and northern New Jersey. Anything's up in the air with this line.
Sewaddle / Swadloon / Leavanny - Highly Likely
Hokkaido was a long-time participant in the silk trade by the Industrial Age. Though not exactly the same kind of creatures for inspiration, this whole line could fit right in.
Ducklett / Swanna - Highly Likely
There are no native swan species in Hokkaido, but in the real world, Black Swans were introduced there during the 19th century and became naturalized without becoming invasive. To reflect that, I think they'll put Ducklett and Swanna into freshwater areas.
Deerling / Sawsbuck - Highly Likely
Due to seasons being reflected in this game, it would be a shame NOT to have a Pokémon made for the seasons gimmick in Pokémon Black and White.
Alomomola - Likely
On one hand, an ocean sunfish would not fit in. On the other, a Pokémon dedicated entirely to healing would be useful to have around.
Tynamo / Eelektrik / Eelektross - Highly Likely
Lampreys have long been a staple animal of the Sea of Japan, so why not? (In addition, lampreys have been the victim of overfishing in recent decades, which can make for a plausible explanation for their absence in present-day Sinnoh.)
Meloetta - Highly Unlikely
Most likely saved for a special event.
Genesect - Highly Unlikely
Like with Meloetta, most likely saved for a special event.
Chespin / Quilladin / Chesnaught - Uncertain
As a representative of the last line of starters not yet available, I have no idea how they'll be distributed, if they will at all. If anything, as Chesnaught in particular represents old-fashioned fighters in fantasy settings, there may be in-game events to get a Chespin.
Fennekin / Braixen / Delphox - Uncertain
While foxes' association with fire is a part of Japanese folklore about the kitsune, this IS a starter line, which again means they cannot be found in the wild and must be given to you via an in-game event. I have no idea if such an event may occur though.
Froakie / Frogadier / Greninja - Highly Likely
Would they really turn down a Pokémon based on a ninja?
Scatterbug / Spewpa / Vivillon - Highly Likely
Catching these bugs feels like a very natural part of the game. In addition, Pokémon Legends: Arceus may provide alternate ways to obtain the rare Vivillon wing patterns.
Litleo / Pyroar - Unlikely
Though there are no lions native to France, they appear in a lot of French iconography. As Hokkaido doesn't have any such cultural importance on lions, I don't think they'll be here, or they'll be here in Hisuian forms representing related creatures like lion-dogs.
Flabébé / Floette / Florges - Likely
Hisui is shown to have large fields of flowers. It would not look strange to see Flabébé and maybe Floette and Florges wandering around within them.
Skiddo / Gogoat - Likely
Domesticated goats had arrived in Japan centuries prior to the Industrial Age and soon spread to all islands where people live. Genetically, they are very close to or are the same as domesticated goats elsewhere in the world, so if Skiddo and Gogoat are in this game, they'll be the same kinds as introduced in X and Y. The motorcycle aspects would probably be downplayed, however.
Furfrou - Unlikely
Poodles had existed during the 19th century but were rare and reserved for the elite of society. During Hisui's time, Furfrou probably exists but would not be found in Hisui itself. That being said, it doesn't rule out the possibility of a Furfrou imported in for novelty.
Diancie - Highly Unlikely
As a Mythical Pokémon outside of Generation IV, if Diancie shows up at all, there will be a special event for it.
Hoopa - Highly Unlikely
Like with Diancie, this would necessitate a special event too.
Pikipek / Trumbeak / Toucannon - Uncertain
Though Pikipek, based on a woodpecker, might not look out of place (there are woodpeckers native to Hokkaido), Toucannon, being based on a toucan, would. Hence, I don't know if this line would work or not.
Yungoos / Gumshoos - Highly Unlikely
The story behind Yungoos and Gumshoos being in Alola is pretty thoroughly fleshed out: they came from another region and were brought over as an attempt to control the Rattata and Raticate problem but became invasive themselves. There isn't much room to justify them being in another region except the one they're native to.
Crabrawler / Crabominable - Uncertain
On one hand, they're based on the coconut crab, which exists only on a few select islands in Polynesia. (For the record, Hawaii is a part of Polynesia.) On the other, just like Sinnoh, Hisui is characterized by coastlines up to snowy mountains, the range of environments for Crabrawler and Crabominable to feel at home.
Oricorio - Unlikely
Oricorio was designed to demonstrate divergent evolution (in the Darwinian sense), and it is tied to the fact that Alola has four main islands. In a sense, Game Freak designed Oricorio into a wall with it, as it would struggle to fit in anywhere but Alola. It does look like a nonspecific bird enough that if they don't draw attention to it though, no one will notice.
Minior - Highly Likely
Meteor showers can occur anywhere on the planet (and in fact, as of the time I'm typing this, the Leonid meteors are going on), and Minior in particular is associated with high altitudes. I could see Minior swarming around the Spear Pillar area every now and then.
Komala - Uncertain
We haven't had an Australia-themed region yet, and I think Komala was designed intentionally as based on something that doesn't belong in the very region it was introduced. Unlike the Yungoos and Litleo lines, there is no explanation whatsoever for Komala's presence, so it can potentially show up in any other region completely unexplained.
Bruxish - Unlikely
There are reefs off the coasts of Hokkaido, but they're far too cold to have triggerfish. Unlike with Alomomola, there'd really be no reason for Bruxish to be present in Hisui except for Pokédex-filling purposes, but the Pokémon series has overall not really cared about oceanic conditions and marine Pokémon--as long as it's saltwater, any Pokémon based on a saltwater creature is fair game.
All this said, there would probably have to be a reason they're not in modern-day Sinnoh, and for most of these, I'd have no explanation. Some of the starters as exotic pets maybe, some of them exterminated in later efforts to cull non-native species, but there would be no explanation as to why, say, you could find Minior in historical Sinnoh but not modern Sinnoh considering they fall from outer space and should theoretically still be present today. If you disagree with any of these, feel free to say so too.
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