Thoughts on the designs of Sword & Shield's Protagonists?

[shoz999]

Surprised no one made a thread about this considering all the hype that's going on in the Sword & Shield discussion threads of the Pokemon Adventures and Pokemon Anime section.

Anyways new Pokemon generation mean new protagonists and with that, new designs. A popular discussion of topic for especially Sword & Shield adaptations. In the Pokemon anime, I'm sure many of you know that fans are excited that the female protagonist may or may not appear as the next "pokegirl" as fans call them after SM ends. In the Pokemon Adventures manga, I'm sure a lot of you are also aware that fans are excited that both the male and female protagonist will carry on the torch as the next main characters of the future Sword & Shield story arc, the male protagonist getting Sobble and the female protagonist getting Scorbunny as part of Adventures unbroken tradition.

There's also of course talk about their designs, from the clothing to the hats to the hair-styles to the traditional Ohmori creepiness of the smiles they wear. Let's discuss!

 

[landipan]

I think the girl is adorable, the guy on the other hand....I just don't like the hipster-y look xD.

 

[Bguy7]

Well, I like them better than Alola's protagonists, so that's something.

That being said, these characters continue on the sad tradition we've had since Kalos of the playable characters having plain and boring designs. I fully realize this is done on purpose, as to make it easier to customize them, but that's just leads me to dislike customization as a feature. I'd much rather have the base, canon designs look less plain and more interesting than to be able change the clothes, skin color, or hair color. I wish we could get protagonists that looked interesting alongside customization. Personally, I wouldn't even mind dropping customization, but I am fully aware that I'm in the minority there. At least they're not as plain and lifeless as Alola's characters, so it's a step in the right direction.

That aside, the male character's hat bugs me. What's up with the bizarre protrusion on the top? It's almost as weird as the hat the female playable character had in Sun and Moon. Almost. I might just have to go out of my way to actually change my character's clothes for once to get a different hat. The female is the one that looks better to me, as she seems a little less plain, which is a shame as I won't be playing as her.

 

[Xuxuba]

I think both are cute, but the male trainer's bag is a little too much.

 

[janejane6178]

Well, I like them better than Alola's protagonists, so that's something.

That being said, these characters continue on the sad tradition we've had since Kalos of the playable characters having plain and boring designs. I fully realize this is done on purpose, as to make it easier to customize them, but that's just leads me to dislike customization as a feature. I'd much rather have the base, canon designs look less plain and more interesting than to be able change the clothes, skin color, or hair color. I wish we could get protagonists that looked interesting alongside customization. Personally, I wouldn't even mind dropping customization, but I am fully aware that I'm in the minority there. At least they're not as plain and lifeless as Alola's characters, so it's a step in the right direction.

That aside, the male character's hat bugs me. What's up with the bizarre protrusion on the top? It's almost as weird as the hat the female playable character had in Sun and Moon. Almost. I might just have to go out of my way to actually change my character's clothes for once to get a different hat. The female is the one that looks better to me, as she seems a little less plain, which is a shame as I won't be playing as her.

I agree that gen 7 and 8 ones look plain and generic. But Serena in XY doesnt look generic like them

 

[UltimateNinja]

Love them. Different hats, no jackets, perfect age and inspired. Probably my favourite protagonists design wise.

 

[PrinceOfFacade]

The big stupid eyes are driving me insane.

Other than that, they look great.

 

[Nodame]

If the female was a redhead, she'll look more unique and less generic.

 

[Captain Jigglypuff]

Female mainly because the hat isn’t ugly like the male’s. I know it sounds petty but I personally never liked hats all that much to begin with but the male hat is not that pleasing to the eyes in my opinion and the color makes it looking super boring.

 

[.Aerodactyl.]

Is absolutely love them!!! I know we had to vote for a favourite, I picked girl just because I am a girl and will play as a girl, but I still love the guy design. I really hope that bag and his hat are available for the girl as well, they are just so cool (sorry to y'all who hate his bag and hat).

It's a weird thing to like, but I'm stoked the girl has an actual backpack instead of a purse. I always hated that I'm literally travelling around the country on foot without an actual bag. I have high hopes for thr customization this time around! Gen 7 added more hair styles, make up options, removable hat and hair colors and way more clothes (although I liked kalos clothing better because the variety was better. We had crop tops, dresses, pants, shorts, long sleeves, etc. SUMO was more but all tropical). Even if they only build on it a little, the trend thus far has only been to expand the feature and with the Switch I'm sure it can handle it.

 

[Pokegirl Fan~]

I like the girl's design more. The player designs are better than the last gen characters overall though tbh and I'm glad the female character has a better hat that doesn't look stupid this time around.

 

[Dragalge]

The female’s hat is better but they’re still both very lame and forgettable. Bring us back the best playable characters called the BW1 protagonists (OK GSC/SM’s male protagonist were refreshing with the colors and whatnot but still)!

 

[Satoshi & Touko]

I like both of them; they're both at the upper end of my rankings for base design, but I like the female more (I mean, look at my avatar). I like that they're a bit older; a potential hint imo that they really are going to think more about the older playerbase (who I'm fully confident are the majority). The characters even look, feel, and even act the most human they've done so far.

I'm very optimistic right now for how customization will turn out. I think it could be at least more dynamic this time around, noting the girl wearing something over her dress.

 

[Prof. SALTY]

The girl is pretty cute but I'll probably play as a guy due to my overpowering maleness. Maybe next time, Moira

 

[UltimateNinja]

The female’s hat is better but they’re still both very lame and forgettable. Bring us back the best playable characters called the BW1 protagonists (OK GSC/SM’s male protagonist were refreshing with the colors and whatnot but still)!

Tbh Hilbert was together with Calem the most generic looking male protagonist ever and Hilda also wears the typical cappie like the boys...and well those shorts...

BW2 had way better ones imo.

 

[DannyDark]

They both look good, my main concern is whether the male character will be shafted in regards to clothing options again this time around.

 

[WhiteBlair]

They both look good, my main concern is whether the male character will be shafted in regards to clothing options again this time around.

Yes, please. For that very particular reason, I haven't used any male protagonist since XY.

 

[Ignition]

Ig they’re alright but I’m curious on their names

 

[SoulRebel726]

They both look good, my main concern is whether the male character will be shafted in regards to clothing options again this time around.

Same. I need to see what the clothing options are before I decide. My poor male character in UM being restricted to t-shirts and tank tops is disappointing.

 

[shoz999]

Surprised no one here is talking about the Scottish memes around the female protagonist except for @Prof. SALTY here. The funniest meme I saw was when the female protagonist found out the Pokemon Champion is the Queen of Englad and saw her Lv. 100 Corgi's. The funniest part was how she said final challenge in a particularly serious tone. Speaking of Scotland, apparently the fem protag's hat isn't a simple pom hat but instead a fashioned Tam o' shanter hat or a Tam cap. Seems like I learn something new everyday.