Redstar45
The Anime/Special's canon know it all.
KUSAKA would just not use them and make some referencing to it and made some Easter egg (pun intended) and hope he do nod to ani trios this time alround if he do just that .Ah but you missed something. I did say the starters are Pikachu & Eevee but I'm also thinking that the original Kanto starters aren't far off as gift Pokemon like in the Let's Go games right? Speaking of which, I don't think it's also far off for the three trainers to get Alolan variants lol through trade maybe. Perhaps Trace will get Alolan Marowak somehow, Chase will get Alolan Ninetales, the exclusive of Let's Go Eevee and Elaine will get Alolan Sandslash, the exclusive of Let's Go Pikachu. Also maybe to keep things fresh, Chase, Trace and Elaine don't evolve their Kanto starters.
Chase - Pikachu/Flareon/Squirtle/Alolan Ninetales
Elaine - Pikachu/Vaporeon/Charmander/Alolan Sandslash
Trace - Pikachu/Jolteon/Bulbasaur/Alolan Marowak or... maybe...
Trace (Alternative) - Raichu/Eevee/Bulbasaur/Alolan Marowak
What do you think so far? Personally I don't know about you guys but we really haven't seen a lot of Squirtle in his starter form outside of some cameo's.