Okay we'll see. But something just feels off about the designs. And I'd argue that all the designs you mentioned weren't that far off. But we need to see the second stage of the starters to tell for sure if the Chinese "leak" is real, from Combusken to Blaziken it made sense, same goes for Pignite to Emboar. But you're right about Samurott that was kind of bizarre and a bad design even though the actual pokemon is very good and powerful. We'll see when they show the second stage of the starters.
Right you are, Artemis! Only time will tell, though I'll hardly be convinced by middles stages alone... they'll certainly give us insight into the direction of their designs; however, on more than one occasion we have been dazzled and amazed by unexpected final stages, including Blaziken and Samurott, two excellent pokemon who proved impossible to envision before hand. Oh, and we mustn't forget that the concept art is separate to the Chinese leak, hence why it's disproval odes not hinder these evolutionary possibilities.
Technically the evos make plenty of sense, from how they are designed to how they relate to the actual animals.
Rowlet is said to have good eyesight, is stealthy, and can fire projectiles. His supposed evo is an archer, who have great accuracy, masters of stealth and are basically snipers, and of course fire projectiles. It even fits with the extinct creature theme that all grass starters have with it being based of a stilt-owl, an extinct bird which used to live in Hawaii, which Alola is based off of.
Litten also makes sense in two ways. One, it's bio states that it's calm, monotoned, and hides it's emotions, which is bound to change by the fact they even stated that trait. His final evo looks to be very emotional and angry, which does sound like it was forshadowed by Litten's bio. Two, tigers are pure muscle. Having Litten evolve into something muscular only makes sense to the animal. It seems to even keep it's trait of lighting itself on fire and uses that for attacks.
Popplio even makes sense. And you can put that together with the facts we know about it now. Popps is based off a performing seal, he loves to entertain so keep that trait in mind. Seals and sea lions make very loud barks and calls. They can even be harmonious. We can see in the E3 demo, that Popps will probably learn plenty of sound moves. Do you know what other creatures have harmonious voices? Sirens. Both are aquatic beings that uses sound. Back to the entertainer trait, Popplio's final form seems be another type of entertain that learns it has another skill, and that is to sing, and it knowing plenty of sound moves seems to support this. So combine Popps becoming a singer, along with how sea lions make calls, and how sirens have beautiful voices when they sing, this evo makes plenty of sense conceptually if not a brilliant origin to base it off of.
Really all of those evos make sense, even if they are fake, the artist definitely put a lot of thought in them, gamefreak levels of thought and design.
Well spoken! I've combed over their finer cruces, and aimed to analyze the essence of their designs; I, likewise, envision them as quite plausible for a multitude of reasons. They are magnificently crafted and purposefully expressed in both concept and mien; that doesn't make them authentic or in any way validate the concepts in a manner of proof, but should they actually be leaked evolutions, none can argue against their fine aesthetic and clever execution. Everyone is free to believe whatever they choose, reasonably speaking; are they bonafide? Unlikely, but possible in lieu of evidence to the contrary. Are they fan fabrications? As of yet unprovable, but still quite plausible. There just so happens to be nothing to discredit their relevancy to this or any other discussion, though I have many unanswered questions in adjudge to this topic:
1) Has an artist come forward, admitting to their creation? Why hasn't anyone at least attempted, either for attention or misdirection?
2) Has the concept sheet been linked to anyone in particular? Any educated guesses?
3) Does anyone even know who posted it originally? I don't recall any such information... they just seemed to have appeared in the quietest fashion.
4) Has anyone at Game Freak, Nintendo or on the official twitters or web sites ever acknowledged or addressed them in any way? Informally?
5) Who would have access to such concept art or "anime test sheets?" Does anyone have any insight?
6) How would something akin to this sheet be "leaked" in the first place? It seems to be an obvious scan... could it have been copied and smuggled?
My, those questions delineated into the extreme... but there are still so many queries to address about these mysterious figures; coming from myself, no less, having been a defender of their credibility for ages now. None the less, they have captured the hearts and minds of many, as much as they have repulsed and disappointed many others. Regardless, not holding them in the highest of regards does not equate to their immediate discharge from the realm of possibility, as the only two residing factors to dispelling their authenticity at this point in time are suspicion and personal opinion. The very same notion applies to those who deem them a possible reality.
Simply put, one does not have to take a definitive side of this issue to discuss them objectively, nor does examining them compromise anyone's intellectual honesty. It's good fun,
especially in the event that should they reveal themselves officially.