Starter Pokemon Will Never Be the Same

Over the course of 9 generations, starter Pokémon have "evolved" in the way that they're designed. In Pokemon Red and Blue, they started out as basic animals with elemental powers, with Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise. Over time, it became normal for the final stages to have a gimmick, such as being a wrestler, singer, etc. With each generation of Pokemon giving us more and more outlandish starter designs, as we can see from the starters of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, I wanted to take a look back at that progression from simplicity to increasingly more gimmicky starters. If you enjoyed this Pokemon Video Essay, make sure to like and subscribe for more Pokemon Content!
My videos are all about Pokemon! Whether it be Pokemon battles, Shiny Hunting, Pokemon tier lists, Pokemon quizzes and challenges, or gameplay ranging from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to Pokemon Firered or Emerald Nuzlockes, you can expect all things Pokemon here on the Fargus channel!
#pokemon #Pokémon #pokemonscarletandviolet

[@FargusPhil]

Wanted to echo what I said in the video that starters becoming more humanoid and more like characters is NOT necessarily a bad thing, I’m just making the point that we may never see starters that don’t have that trait again which makes me a tad sad. I love some starters of newer generations, especially Decidueye, Greninja, and Rillaboom and think they are amazingly designed Pokémon. If you’re new here and like Pokémon though feel free to subscribe and check out the channel! I’ve got a nuzlocke on the way that I can’t wait for everyone to see! And be sure to like the video if you did enjoy it!!

[@BoomBoom-ym5oy]

Really wish gamefreak actually gave a fucc

[@Houlgravely]

I personally think Fuecoco is the best designed Fire starter since Charmander. Skeledirge is also one of the few final forms (other than Charizard and some of the grass starters) that is not humanoid in any way.

[@juanmaldonado4787]

Turd gen of Pokémon are fugly

[@Oniguma]

It is. And it's all Blaziken's fault Fuck Blaziken

[@TheWesinatorvids]

I’ve had these exact thoughts for years now. Ever since Gen 6, starters have stopped feeling like species and started feeling like characters. I agree that it would be great to see them go back to something that feels more like a believable species of animal, and that yeah the starters with the best balance between species and character is definitely Gen 4.

[@TylerChou230]

At least Skeledirge is the only “new” starter Pokémon that keeps its animal traits (ie quadrupedal instead of bipedal/furry)

[@Ui_Raizen]

I think the Gen 7 starters were good

[@hailthequeenFM]

​@TylerChou230 What's with Pokémon fans thinking pidedal=fury. If you see a pidepal Pokémon and think fury, it says more about you than anything else.

[@Kagura750]

@@hailthequeenFMwho the fuck thinks that?

[@WindGuardianofX]

​@hailthequeenFM WAY too many people think bipedal animal=furry. That's why people call certain pokemon "furry bait", even though it's a kid's game, why would they try to bait furries.

[@rockowlgamer631]

The reason why the bird is with skeledirge is due to it being excess energy from the starter line itself. In crocalor it's an egg. Some birds have a co dependency on crocs in real life to get food from their teeth and by doing so clean the crocs teeth in the process. Same thing here

[@FargusPhil]

good to know! thank you!

[@rockowlgamer631]

@@FargusPhil Skeledirge is best boi of gen 9. If I had to choose favorites, it'd go Squirtel, Chickorita, Torchic, Turtwig, Snivy, Froakie, Rowlett, Sobble, and of course Fuecoco.

[@WaffleHouseIsBetterThanIhop]

​@@rockowlgamer631 I agree with everything except Chikorita, but well it's your opinion and I respect it

[@sammyhorace7523]

people just don't read the Pokedex entry and then start assuming why does it have this in it design.

[@hailthequeenFM]

​@@FargusPhilPokémon aren't beating the illiterate allegations.

[@perfectcell5111]

the water type starters have been wack as hell last couple of years

[@TheGreatAmarant72]

Remember when squirtle was just a cute turtle but the anime decided to turn him into a delinquent in charge of a group that terrorised a community? You could do that “because” there wasn’t a pre established character.

[@BET2381]

Gen two failed mostly because they had awful movesets

[@malmasterson3890]

Arguably among the best base forms though, and pretty solid middle forms.

[@Jackie-cl2qe]

I don't like the humanification, at what point do we have to give them the right to vote

[@chadgosier4999]

It’s like gorilla it’s human like but at the end of the day it’s just a gorilla

[@Jackie-cl2qe]

@@chadgosier4999 thank you for explaining pokemon to me chad

[@thezemag]

Starters are better when they resemble monsters not humans.

[@heathed4945]

I appreciate gen 5 starters for basing their designs on different cultures as Unova is based in America and America is a melting pit of cultures.

[@heathed4945]

Pot*

[@FargusPhil]

great point!

[@a.x.x8184]

I’m happy gen 5 went Back to gen 1 routes in terms of designs. Gen 5 starters being actual animals was cool to see after gen 3’s humaniods. Gen 5 has emboar sure but it STILL looks like a Pig unlike Gen 3’s Blaziken being a literal man and not a chicken anymore.

[@smackjack78]

Honestly, it doesn’t bother me that we’re going down this route of starters being identified by their other role instead of just being an animal for two reasons. A. These roles help make them stick out compared to other Pokemon, and in a good way. Gives them an identity that isn’t just “fire fox”, “water penguin”, or “grass owl”. B. The formula has proven to work , at least for me, as it gave me plenty of personal bangers. For example, Cinderace is one of my favorite pokemon ever, in my Top 4. It’s a rabbit with soccer player elements blended together. It takes things I really like of both the animal and role and fuses them into a Pokemon I enjoy a ton. Like how can you not love it igniting pebbles into fireballs? That’s incredible! That being said, I get why people would love the starters being just animals. Hell, I like some of them too. But the idea that these identities are ruining starters now I think is wrong. It’s moreso they can give more or take away from the starter that I can understand

[@FargusPhil]

Exactly I totally agree, decidueye is a fantastic Pokémon and it has that extra element too. So I don’t think it’s ruining them at all, that’s why I said it’s not necessarily a bad thing! Just wanted to take a look at that evolution and how it’s impacted starters in both a good and bad way

[@corcortinez5361]

It seems like you can also see how together the three tie to their region. For example, the sinnoh trio relates to myth and history, and sinnoh is tied deeply to that, or how the galar trio is based on British entertainment because of how the gym challenge is such a big deal in Galar especially

[@lasercraft32]

I don't mind the starters feeling like characters, I just wish they weren't _always_ like that. Wish we could have more animalistic ones every so often.

[@banzaimarten9114]

decidueye's the only starter i've really clicked with in the entire 3D era, aside from Hisui's variations of old favorites. it's not so much the simplicity vs complexity (i love the johto trio) as it is how intensely humanized they are - galar doesn't have a starter trio, it has a panel at ConFuzzled.

[@madnessarcade7447]

You never got to know them and gave them more of a chance u just dismiss them U need to use them more and spend more time with them

[@madnessarcade7447]

The point of the franchise is that they are partners and friends not pets Maybe ur just prejudice

[@Watch-0w1]

Then they're not pocket monster that you got catch them all

[@casteddu6740]

While I don't necessarily hate the new approach taken for starter Pokémon I'd like to see less humanoid designs. I remember someone interpreting these design as the Pokémon taking traits from it's trainer upon evolving, but I prefer my starter to just be a pet that becomes cooler looking upon getting stronger. There are some animals with which the antropomorphic design works like frogs, which have a similar anatomy to humans, or birds which are bipedal by default but you know, a goat that for one is just a goat that happens to spit fire just works. It also helps convey more than one single personality rather than the one you're going to assume from a design like that of more recent starters. And before someone accuses me of disliking the new generations' starters know Emboar was my first starter and I love all of the Alola trio

[@madnessarcade7447]

1:06 that was back when the lore was basic The more they expanded the lore and worldbuilding the more they got creative with character concepts All these things tie in together

[@a.x.x8184]

Emboar is sick far better than Blaziken in terms of design. Gen 5 starters are a top notch for being actual animals. A snake & water starter on all fours being overhated bc of emboar being the 3rd fire fighting and bipedal is dumb. Emboar looks cool & still looks like a pig compared to gen 3s humaniods.

[@Watch-0w1]

Your point it legit. Look all gen 3 starter , they're bipedal. The problem I have when the pokemon become character or job is what happen when you have 2 more in a environment. Do they have the same like and traits

[@nibbletman]

I find it easier to bond with my starter when their design isn't telling my what their personality and traits are supposed to be like. The design doesn't have to be simple, but it does have to feel neutral, to give space for its identity to grow as our journey together progresses. I want a pet that feels like a creature, rather than a humanoid with animal features (and a profession for some reason). Then again, I am pretty much a boomer when it comes to this topic, and I guess the good folks at the Pokemon Company know what the kids want, and what will sell the most lunchboxes.

[@EevsterEevee]

The Chickorita line’s simplicity is why it’s my favorite line, with the Sprigatito and rowlet line close behind

[@lasercraft32]

Inteleon actually isn't based on "guns." Its based on James Bond and super spy films in general. XD

[@degreeskelvin3025]

Honestly, the starters in gen 8 were amazing at representing Britain, better than any series

[@zayneharring9570]

I think if there wasn't such a nostalgia bias towards gen 1 that gen 3 would be the most popular trio. That or gen 4. Just pure perfection. They all look sooo badass.

[@FargusPhil]

IMO the only generation where all 3 are straight up S tier, peak pokemon

[@returnofskurk1633]

I disagree hard. Blaziken and Sceptile really ruin gen 3 starters imo. Swampert is perfect, it just looks like a monster. But a big humanoid martial art chicken is no different from a humanoid ninja frog to me.

[@returnofskurk1633]

@@GamenessViejo That's all cool and everything, doesn't change the fact it proves this all started with the gen 3 starters in Blaziken.

[@returnofskurk1633]

@@GamenessViejo I prefer Sinnoh and Kanto, but Johto has my favorite starter in Feraligatr, unfortunately is has a bad stat spread.

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@FargusPhilthat’s every gen imo

[@espio329]

Emboar is based off of the Pig demon Zhu Baije that Sun Wu Kong encounters along his journey and a chinese general Zhang fei from the romance of the 3 kingdoms. Unova's starters were supposed to be melting pot of eastern and western designs as seen with their designs which makes me like them alot compared to the other gens.

[@IsleofPigsStudios]

I love the Alola and Paldea starters, but Galar’s are so plain in their types and the region they are associated with makes me mad (mainly Charizard). Now the old Starters aren’t perfect either, sure Bulbasaur, Squirtle and the Hoenn Starters are great. But the Johto Starters also have plain types, and Charizard makes me mad.

[@Xinneon]

What's wrong with the galar region being based on the UK?

[@IsleofPigsStudios]

@@Xinneon It’s not that Galar’s based on the UK. That’s good. My problem is Dexit and the Charizard thing. Charizard was the only Pre-Gen 8 Starter that didn’t need Home or DLC to be available. And even then only the Kanto, Hoenn, and Alola trios are available with DLC and Home, so you can’t get the Johto, Sinnoh, Unova, or Kalos Starters.

[@felipefigueiredo5698]

I really don't like humanoid pokémon, and they keep getting more and more humanoid. I'm 33, and I've followed pokémon since gen 1, so I've felt they're differentiation through the years. Since gen 6, my favorite starter is Skeledirge, probably because since then it's the least humanoid, but I'm still bothered by the exaggeration in his details. I like simple, rustic pokémon. From new generations, I like Pokémon like Glimora, which looks like and early gen pokémon. I much much prefer older starters. But really I'm just commenting to help grow the channel. ;)

[@vernessawashington9007]

I'm kinda the opposite the simple designs are boring to me but I dont like hyper humanoid mons then can be human like just not straight up a human in a fursuit (lopunny)

[@rpgfanatic9719]

@@vernessawashington9007 I can excuse lopunny because of the playboy reference.

[@penitente3337]

Glimmora is super cool, honestly. I don't mind the overall more detailed designs, but what does bother me is that (especially for Litten and Sprigatito), you're often going from a cute animal that I'd love to pet to something that's so human it feels weird to even think about it. I don't dislike humanoid designs, Lucario and Floragato are very cool. But some just feel TOO human.

[@giantenemycrab1192]

Ok but then you have the machamp line which is just buff dude essentially. Or even jynx is humanoid. Then there is hitmonlee and hitmonchan. Those are the main humanoid pokemon i can think of from gen 1, but the point is that there has always been these humanoid designs they are just more talked about now because of the starter pokemon being more humanoid.

[@penitente3337]

@@giantenemycrab1192 Most likely, it's because they're starters, you use Machamp exclusively if you want, but many people want to keep their starters until the end of the game for tons of reasons, so they end up feeling forced to use a Pokémon they dislike it.

[@IgnitewithiXcasully]

Tbh, while I definitely do want more traditional starter Pokémon that are humanoid, I don’t really mind the humanoid designs (inteleon and meowscrada are my favorite mons as of recently) but having an actual cat starter (water type ofc) that doesn’t stand on two feet would definitely be cool.

[@Watch-0w1]

Because they become less monster collection and more rpg party member

[@Espurr.8]

The starter Pokemon design have definitely got more interesting over the years

[@skaylingop9673]

I would argue less interesting.

[@Espurr.8]

@@skaylingop9673 to each there own

[@shaunavant532]

​@@skaylingop9673 quqaval would like to talk

[@DarioCorselli]

You mean more furry

[@shaunavant532]

@DarioCorselli dude there animals,how could they possibly be categorized as furries

[@EthanMiguelScott]

I mean, the gen 1 starters all kind of look prehistoric.

[@cjhf4152]

They are monsters

[@TheReZisTLust]

Looks at turtle 😐: Yup this heres a pachycephilasuarous jr or white turtle for short

[@maniaceu]

@@TheReZisTLust what are you on about

[@rollihd714]

prehistoric canons?

[@Watch-0w1]

They're pet.

[@arghaguha7967]

A very well thought out video with ample research. kudos to u!

[@A_Randomkid5]

Erm actually the first 3 starters are based on pets you have lizard,turtle and frog🤓

[@logan_wolf]

1:35 Yeah, that's actually a really good point: think of how many younger audiences that have never played the early gen games know about Charizard, Blastoise, and Venusaur, while those who haven't played the newer generation games have no idea what the latest starters are. Older generation Pokemon had that "presence" that supercedes their generation and makes them known, and will make them stand the test of time, which the newer starters seem to lack.

[@larando02]

Although they are regressing in terms of design, they sure make them competitively much more viable which I love to see

[@FargusPhil]

definitely, if only they stayed viable for vgc after they reintroduced all the legendary threats. Incineroar obviously gets past all that though lol

[@madnessarcade7447]

It’s not regression they have gotten more creative because they put a bigger emphasis on lore

[@mariusa.5863]

It is a regression, they‘ve gotten more and more ridiculous. I wish I had never seen this disgusting freak called "Primarena". Why, just why? 😖

[@dragonmaster3207]

If they put out the gen 1 starters now, I don’t think people would like them as much as they do.

[@durk5331]

Sports, Acting, & Music, that's what the Gen 8 Starters Represent, basically things you'd see at a Theater/Stadium >.> Y'know like all the Gyms in the Region? Also the Magician, Singer, and Dancer Themes all Work into Celebration!

[@sammyhorace7523]

I get what you're saying and I understand this design philosophy has changed over the years however they they are still called Pocket Monsters they are not straight up animals that you find in the wild I feel like some people forget it and say that "it doesn't feel like a monster" just to make them look more like generic animals. A monster is some sort of an imaginary creature with the many shapes and sizes not a regular animal. A characters is the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual so a pokemon design doesn't feel the same just because it have a job in there designs but if you look at Pokemon outside of starters like gen 1 like muschamp line, hitmonchan, hitmonlee I'm not sure if poliwart count but you get the idea so this argument is just "Pokemon doesn't feel the same" it's getting old and valid keep in mind this is my opinion.

[@jaykun182]

While it's true they are called pocket monsters, it was introduced basically that these are the animals of this world. More natural beings, now it feels like cosplay.lol

[@sammyhorace7523]

@@jaykun182 Blastoise with cannons on his back muschamp line, object Mons and other humanoid Pokemon from gen 1 so there was no introduction of Pokemon being animalistic in the first place.

[@jaykun182]

@sammyhorace7523 Yes, it was. Animals with a twist. That is why even in the pokedex entries, they reference our world animals. They eat pokemon in this world as well. Even in gen 1 the non animal esc mons still had a style that showed more soul and life in their eyes. Besides magnemite

[@sammyhorace7523]

@@jaykun182 that doesn't mean that new mon less animalistic on monstrous pokemon back then where way too close to real life animal and not the most interesting design that why flamingo was so hate it because he was too close to a real animal.

[@HimekoIzayoi]

Still mad Quaxly didn´t evolve into a pirate. Like, if you insist on giving the starters jobs at least give them cool jobs. If my life was in danger I would want a ninja or a marksman to protect me, not... a soccer player. Or a dancer. Or a drummer. That´s laaaaame.

[@nathanmcclung3564]

I think people miss the point when it comes to the starters and why they are the way they are. It is not like pokemon never used roles for mons since the very beginning, in fact all mons have some connection to some myth or legend or some animal design that is based on the area that the region is from. For example, Nintales is well the ninetailed fox. That said they was not as strong in those points in the first few gens given that pokemon was a newer company without the reputation and prestige that it has today. As time goes on the starters especially are used to promote the highlights of each region basically becoming mascots for the culture of which the region is based on such as in Paldea and their ties to magicians, singing, and traditional dance. Just as much as the pokemon are animals they also are creatures heavily pushed to feel like they belong in the region they are in often taking on roles and appearances that one would expect a fantasy based game to take them. It is like having the digimon togemon in the desert because it is a cactus. It would make sense given what it is and the environment. One also has to point out that in a video game having the creatures just be animals is a good way to go bankrupt. While animals with powers is a fun idea if they was only that they would be less unique as over time similar mons would blend in with each other to the point that they would feel more like a clone of one another than a new mon. A good way to point that out is noctowl and decyidue. If you would remove the archer robin hood theme it would be just another owl as the typing would not matter as just the same mon with a different typing would make it digimon given how many of them literally is just the same mon with a different look.

[@namo2403]

i will say though, for gen1 in particular alot of people are forgetting that pokemon quite literally copied dragon quest but "made it cuter" while you could argue some of the more animal-like pokemon could be up for debate stuff like gastly, koffing, geodude looks like an exact replica (you can't even use "there's only so much interpretation one can derive from folklore", well... its gen1, their first game and that doesn't hold up)

[@nathanmcclung3564]

@@namo2403 Gen 1 I feel was them just making mons and see what happens. Some was a bit more thought out while other was simple. Something you would expect from a first game of any monster making company. That said it was not that they did not make some mons with more myth and legend thought in mind just that given it was the first game and that they was low on time they fit them where they could and improved the ideas later as time went on.

[@andrewschaosson]

And I'm thankful for that.

[@justareplica]

Hot take but Bipedal starters are just cooler for the "main character" vibe. If you like quadrupedal Pokémon then there are non starters like Arcanine, Luxray and Mightyena. Plus if anything is to blame, it's the game design. Future games need to accommodate more battle animations so we can see Pokémon in different battle stances like swimming, diving, flying, running and getting on all 4s ready to pounce. Feraligatr for example, could get on all 4s to increase it's speed just like its Gen 4 Dex says.

[@ducestat06savage99]

Bro we went from having a literal dragon and water tank turtle to literal furrys im sorry but imo it just went down hill

[@logan_wolf]

💯

[@brogames8677]

This video is so great love your channel

[@JDWalker495]

They basically became less animalistic and more human like

[@michaelmartin8728]

Personally, I'm glad for the gradual changes of starters, I've been playing since Gen 1 and giving them the design based on real world and mythology, they started to feel like partners not just magic monsters with few exceptions. Edit: Love my Meowscrada

[@Ace-jw1lt]

I miss the starters being chunky. These skinny starters don’t do it for me

[@TheStormRX]

I have mixed thoughts on modern starters too. Personally, I like the idea of Galar's starters, being pretty simple with real world inspiration, but execution wise they dropped the ball a bit Also, this video was very well constructed. You earned a sub, keep it up Bruv 🔥💯

[@FargusPhil]

That’s a great way of putting it, the execution was definitely off (except Grookey & rillaboom, I actually really love them). And thank you! Much more to come soon

[@noahberan6498]

I personally love Inteleon, and don't really see why people don't like it. It looks like a Basilisk lizard

[@FargusPhil]

Heliolisk is actually one of my all time favorite pokemon! Not to knock inteleon but heliolisk is a much better basilisk pokemon in my opinion. Gmax inteleon though is honestly kinda cool

[@noahberan6498]

@@FargusPhil Heliolisk is a frilled lizard though isn't it? I also love Heliolisk though, but Inteleon is such a cool lizard Pokemon to me. Mixing lizard traits with spy traits was top tier imo

[@madnessarcade7447]

Nah it was unique tying in the British culture specifically

[@ankitdey7065]

Gen 1 will forever be my favourite

[@MaxEdrox]

I find funny that the lastest Pokémon Gen are more designed to be their own characters instead of being their own species and still no new Mystery Dungeon have arrived to exploit that. Personally I don't like them to be characters but I don't like them to be just an animal with an elemental detail either, I prefer a perfect balance, but good enought for people to add them any kind of personality, I have read a webcomic of a naughty Abra, it was hilarious how it caused a lot of trouble to the trainer 😄.

[@ChocolottoOriginal]

8:47 that movement is wild😅😂😂

[@murtadhaamin3654]

I literally played through scarlet without using my starter lol 💀

[@FargusPhil]

LMAO fair honestly

[@madnessarcade7447]

You should give them a chance that’s on u

[@madnessarcade7447]

The point of the franchise is that they are partners and friends not pets Maybe ur just prejudice

[@dannik9932]

Me too (but Violet). My partners were Clodsire, Houndoom, and later Lokix. The starters designs didn't speak to me. I like the basics, but their evolutions were meh...especially Fuecola. It is so awful to look at for me.

[@kraken4o699]

Great video!

[@spbot2]

Like what you did with the music❤

[@rpgfanatic9719]

It makes me tear up not even about the quality of any of the Pokemon but the fact that they're all obtainable across 7 generations of games. Even the most forgettable of Pokemon are not forgotten and are even updated. Classic handheld main series Pokemon is my favorite rpg series for this reason.

[@jakariashafin8685]

Also you missed several details and design inspirations like the fact meowscarada is based on ouss and boots or skelederges bird is based on the fact crocodiles have symbiotic relationships to birds in the whiled to name a few

[@FargusPhil]

Like I said in the video, I am aware that there is a reason for that aspect of the design but I think it looks clunky and isn't as easy to understand that inspiration for casual viewers

[@jakariashafin8685]

@@FargusPhil ah I see

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@FargusPhilI think that forces them to do research and dive deeper into the lore 1:06 that was back when the lore was basic The more they expanded the lore and worldbuilding the more they got creative with character concepts All these things tie in together

[@HimekoIzayoi]

The thing about pokemon designs, in my opinion, is that no matter if a pokemon has the most intriguing concept or mythological/folkloric inspiration, if the execution is bad then the design fails as a whole. Most people, especially casuals, are also not gonna bother looking up why Skeledirge has a random bird on it´s head.

[@jakariashafin8685]

@@HimekoIzayoi true I suppose but execution is still subjective I think vanilux is stupid but stuff like real world inspiration adds actual measurable sorta aspects to it

[@Timidogbumplasm]

0:42 been a thing since gen four arguably gen one if you count there cryptid theming Venasaur is a living dinosaur cryptid Charizard is a fire salamander Squrtle is based on a minogami Gen 2 has the theme of the past totodile literally evolves into a caveman crocodile Gen 3 is nature Of course you all know the rest Ps. The reason charizard isn’t dragon type is because its not one in the fire salamander myth there mistaken for dragons so charizard is that brought to a cartoony pokemon style

[@SkyStrikerBarage]

I Personally think that most gens did a great job because even when the implemented a trait it made sense for the Animal they chose about Gen 4 Torterra does a pretty great job because it honestly it shows it's concept and is totally believable to exist in the Pokémon World Infernape when you think about it a simple fire monkey like simisear or Darmanitan they are Fire monkeys but luck any sort of greatness so adding the mythological Monkey King really does the Difference because now more than that is your Guardian has a design to prove it and Empoleon is an Emperor Penguin what better concept could they think than have an influence from a real Emperor and one that traveled the sea is just nice implementation Gen 5 Serperior did well a regal flower snake is a good concept because both snakes and plants are symbolism that we see through out the history in royalties Emboar design is a bit weird but instead of Ground they went with Fighting the concept of fighter tries to implement a Warrior most likely western design in my opinion did a good job but the fighting type was what ruined it Samurott honestly it's hisuian version does a much better job on its design Gen 6 7 8 9 is we're the design were the ones than went with concept first but worked great with Chesnaught Grenninja representing Knights and Ninjas but Delphox went overboard with an idea that Braixen did way much with of Dark Magician girl vibes Decideye was a very amazing concept because not only it did Robinhood but also got inspiration from Greek Mythology as well with Athena using a bow and Owls being her Signature animal Incineroar is just perfect he might be wrestler but it shows also its dark type by following the concept of countering the previous starters is their answer to their trope Primarina wrong doing is that it looks too feminine which kinda kills it and like Delphox is over designed Gen 8 I think giving items to Pokémon is a little ridiculous like Rilaboom is useless without its drums or what if they Break and it's kinda ugly and simplistic unlike infernape which is very good Rillaboom is boring without its drums Cinderace is good Simplistic but gives nice bugs bunny vibes and the concept of football it might be weird but at least is something that is acceptable to say is possible since honestly football is something that any Person or animal is going to play with just give a ball to a dog or a Dolphin and they will play around with it Cinderace shorts in my opinion add to the design and without the current starter trope it is quite an interesting Pokémon as for Inteleon a slick Lizard is nice the concept of Spy it is farfetched but I still okay because a lot of lizards shoot their tongue at incredible speeds the gun fingers are the exaggeration but is really to personal opinion here I think Inteleon needs to be in a Pokémon Movie we're a Galarian Spy and his Inteleon try to take down an evil syndicate would be awesome and the only that would Inteleon justice and finally as for generation 9 Quaquaval is the only one that does fit with its concept o because is a peacock and they use dancing to mate or fight so being a capoeira dancer is very good and clever but it's the current starter trope that kills it Skelliderge is very nice designed if the changed its flames and not have the bird change into a mic it would be awesome and it's the first instance we're the design doesn't allude to any trope rather is the move that creates its problem and Meawscarada is like braixen goes fully the Dark Magician girl way and that is because honestly we live in a date and age we're Waifus sell and also people who Braixen or Meawscarada like Pokémon so the Pokémon company follow what today's world likes the tried with Primarina Delphox but they were not successful I honestly I strongly believe that these kind of Pokémon ( Braixen Delphox Primarina and Meawscarada are the ones that do the greatest offense to the current starter trope and ruin the other two members of their respective region) Inteleon could fit there too but the Difference is that its concept looks Gender Neutral and is clever but really needs to fulfill its concept that is inspired by Spy films to have its own film to show the Pokémon true Potential as for the ones that say Incineroar I say that it's cartoon like look would really loved if the five Pokémon I mentioned didn't exist and might be the only one that is also Great Competitive which can really help a Pokémon. So Chesnaught Grenninja Decideye Incineroar Cinderace Skelliderge and Inteleon are great showcase of their trope and all would really be more loved if Delphox Primarina Inteleon and Meawscarada went for animalistic appearance and Rillaboom didn't had its stupid drums. Gen 4 and 5 really were animals first and concept as an addition and the first three Gens did a good job but they also are locked to the fact that they cannot move too much away from their concept exception to this is Charizard and the Gen 2 starters which are really versatile in their designs Charizard can get 50 different forms and still look amazing proof of an amazing Pokémon no wonder Charizard is loved by everyone ❤

[@startedlizard8678]

I literally just realized it but i think skeledurges bird is because there is a type of bird that has a sybiotic relationship with crocs, and they also used it to be the microphone. This realization made me like skeledurge a bit more.

[@BepisQueen]

Did the gen 5 starters actually get signature moves? What were those moves? And how was the introduction of hidden abilities a knock on those three? It was a mechanic widely distributed amongst most Pokemon, and included all of the previous starters

[@FargusPhil]

Emboar got Heat Crash, Serperior got leaf tornado, and Samurott got razor shell! It wasn't a knock at all, I just meant that the hidden abilities they got weren't special to them like the gen 6 starters

[@BepisQueen]

@@FargusPhil oh yeah, heat crash for sure, but those other two moves weren’t exclusive. I don’t believe they count as signature moves

[@BepisQueen]

@@FargusPhil I must admit tho, based on the short list of Pokemon that learned leaf tornado and razor shell that the moves were probably designed with the starters in mind. Probably what happened in gen 6 too so that’s honestly totally fair

[@endlessdanger]

Imo Gens 1-3 were the best ever. All the pokemon from starters to the legendaries were the best looking etc. Gens 4 and 5 were alright tbh, I liked them too but just not as much as 1-3. Gens 6 onwards not so much. Still played those as well but honestly nothing beats 1-3.

[@qpeocn]

Oversaturation is what's killing Pokemon.

[@logan_wolf]

Later generations still had some good Pokemon designs, but you're right, you had to look outside the starters and legendaries by necessity in order to find them. The beginning and end of regional Dexes has just plummeted straight into the toilet.

[@madnessarcade7447]

9:15 delphox is a mage That’s different than a. Magician Meowscarada is based on stage magicians which is just smoke and mirrors it’s not real magic it’s a deciever Also skeledirge being a funeral singer is very unique imo Also quaquaval is a samba dancer not salsa It’s based on Brazilian culture

[@b.d.s8662]

Emboar and Incineroar are also slightly different, Emboar is more of a sumo wrestler, while Incineroar is more like a wwe wrestler

[@takarijbartleby]

I would agree most modern Starter Pokémon designs have "occupations" ie Intelleon is a spy, Primarina sings, etc. These use tactics developed by humans which could be seen as unnatural in the wild. Iirc since Gen 6 the developers went with the philosophy that the Starters should be somewhat anthromorphized as characters or roles to let them be more impressionable and develop closer bonds.

[@ChrisBPlaying]

I personally don’t mind the second role they have to fulfill. I just really hate the fact that most of them are becoming humanoid less animal like.

[@crylec6534]

My issue with gen 8 starters is how shallow their movepools were. I like how the starters over old had diverse move sets as it allowed them to be that ol’reliable

[@guillermoolivaiii9550]

I grew up with Pokemon, since the 90's and i seen Pokemon change through out its timeline, especially Ash himself till he finally finished his journey to which still baffals me. So, I did not see too much of the issue with the Starters that we have currently, hence designing new Pokemon is becoming not easy anymore, therefore the best way to bring new Pokemon species at this point is adding variants because it would make more sense to add variants to Pokemon that may had a different appearance at a certain time period. Over all, I did pay attention to your whole video, therefore you elaborate the issues very well in a professional way from a Artist's stand point and additionally, i do agree to an extent if i have to be honest even as someone that grew up with Pokemon ( 34 here still enjoy).

[@TheRealWoopSlap]

A good mix of both is the way to go. Diamond & Peral/XYZ did it great.

[@sebastiangeorge6394]

You should check out Lockstin and Gnoggin. He does a deep dive into each starter

[@FargusPhil]

need to check those videos out! I used to watch him a lot a few years ago

[@WaffleHouseIsBetterThanIhop]

Imo the old ones are very plain and boring (except blaziken) the new ones are way better in looks and in moves, but well, they couldn't add too much on pokemon back then so I guess its understandable that they look boring

[@jaykun182]

Not trashing your opinion whatsoever. But I think pokemon is essence had simpler designs and they felt like they were believable creatures for the world. They feel like animals just with powers and fun characteristics. Starters now don't feel like anything like that and almost lost the pokemon essence or simply the point of pokemon to begin with. But that's just Mt opinion

[@WaffleHouseIsBetterThanIhop]

@@jaykun182 guess you're right

[@reeseseater12]

I get your point and do agree. Sometimes the designs get too convoluted when they add themes in and sometimes when nothing special is added or it's kept too basic it's kinda....bleh. I don't mind themes, I actually kinda like them, however I think gens 3 & 4 nailed it with nailing each of the designs for every starter. If I had to rank the gens based on how all their starter designs (final evo) are I'd go; Toss up between gens 3/4 (4 was the best of the theming gens, 3 was best of non theming imo), gen 1, gen 6, gen 9, gen 7, gen 8, gen 2, gen 5 (last 3 hard for me to order).

[@wednesdayswithwes5275]

I personally wanna see a different type trio for gen 10, like fairy, fighting, steel. It would be a nice change of pace imo

[@itsyaboiherman]

NOTHING beating gen 1 starters

[@jermainespeid4934]

I don’t care what people say about meowscarada I love it

[@dennisrooks9680]

Humanoid starter pokemon never bothered me.

[@jakdekayen]

I heard the reason Meowscarada is a magician/jester is because Spain had famous Jesters from a local from Spain who used frequent a toy shop i worked at in a mall, i dunno if its true or not but there was a famous jester named Calabazas, who was a jester in the court of King Philip IV of Spain depicted in a famous painting.

[@swaggypepper]

That's the reason why I didn't evolve my starters since Gen 4 :D

[@daneherron7014]

Decidueye is actually ghost type because it’s based on an extinct owl species and because deciduous trees “die” every year in the fall.

[@austinharris3139]

I can agree with the Sword and Shield starters, they were the first trio of starters I didn’t like. With the cons outweighing the pros.

[@Ui_Raizen]

I am biased with Gen 7 and I think they’re all really cool(decidueye is my favorite) but I don’t mind Gen 8 either

[@FargusPhil]

Decidueye is easily one of the best starters ever

[@Ui_Raizen]

@@FargusPhil fr

[@chubbztheplug]

The sword and shield starters do mean something remember Galar is based on the UK Inteleon was based on James Bond English Spy, Rillaboom is based on punk rock bands from the UK there is history there and Cinderace is based on football players UK favourite sport

[@ashreef.r35]

how many pokemon come and go. the connections Ash had with Squirtle, Bulbersaur and charmander where on another level.

[@thetacticalpuertorican]

The bird is a reference to real live birds that sit on crocodiles and eat bugs that tend to gather around their eyes.

[@madnessarcade7447]

1:06 that was back when the lore was basic The more they expanded the lore and worldbuilding the more they got creative with character concepts All these things tie in together

[@penitente3337]

I have to disagree here, this is Pokémon. The lore and worldbuilding isn't expanded. There barely is any. In any way, normal Pokémon are still mostly "magical animals" especially in the games. This is fine for _actual_ Pokémon characters, but many people don't like the Pokémon themselves being so humanoid and personified because they never were "characters" in the games. I don't hate them, but it definitely feels off because designs like Meowscarada and Incineroar just feel way too human. I just want a cute little cat, why does it have to suddenly turn into a guy!? It feels very off to consider it a pet/companion when it just looks and behaves like it's a human...

[@frostbyte2899]

I recall someone saying that Skeledirge’s head a stage. The bird is a singer and the flames on it’s head are pyrotechnics

[@MEOWSCARADA_149]

I can see why they are changing design philosophy, as time moves forward thier target is changing, but keeping same elements such as dancer fighter magician is not creative. They need to look back what they did on gen 4,completely unique designs compare to previous gens, with some sorta royalty to it. Next gen bring an astronaut monkey water type, a geologist fire type, a traveller grass type.. If they don't give me any of those, I'm not buying that game 😤

[@GODHAND42]

Quaquaval is one of the most visually offensive Pokémon I’ve ever seen

[@andrewharris1344]

I personally tend to like more of the newer starters because of how they tend to go a little extra. I mean it’s not like you can capture them in normal gameplay so giving them that extra touch seems warranted. Also I do feel the gen 8 starters should have been dual typed so they can get more aspects to them, and probably be better received by most players ( I want my water/ghost inteleon).

[@ahmirworthy6191]

Mango starters are house hold child pets… lizards, frogs and turtles. They have a theme too

[@AnimeEdits2823]

Gen 1 is different times. Bulbasaur is the old times (like dinosaurs, I think) Charizard is the mid times (when dragons were first things or smth) And blastoise is the newer times. With the metal All gen 2 starters resemble some types of dinosaurs The rest I forgot

[@mylesedgington4229]

I definitely have felt myself not liking the starters as much. Love Skeledirge though. I think how you feel about the more humanoid pokemon definitely influences this whole debate. I don’t hate the more humanoid pokemon, but I’ll usually take the one that feels more like a creature especially in more recent gens. But keeping good balance of both helps cater to each individual taste.

[@DremunH]

Delphox is actually based on Delphic origins which explains why it can see into the future.

[@WaddleD33]

I think the lil bird could be representing the birds that rest on top on crocodiles and hippos maybe?? 🤔

[@Realhuman111]

Literally put all my thoughts into words (except for Gen 8!)

[@solarium-z8230]

About Primarina being a sea lion thing, Gaijin Goomba had it covered.

[@spartax8986]

Gen 8 was a nod to certain british entertainment. I actually appreciated inteleon being a nod to 007 lol. Gen 4 still my favs tho

[@Ungodly01]

I liked gen 8 a lot, and I thought it had some great designs, but it was the first gen where I didn’t like ANY of the starters

[@syedkruz1888]

If your saying theme: (just my opinion) Gen 1 could be fantasy style with lizard with wings, a walking flower and turtle with canon. Gen 2 could be realistic with crocodile on water, weasel torn as fire, sauropod ate leaf. Gen 3 seems like a martial art to me with fire as karate, water as sumo and grass as kung fu nunchuck. Gen 4 historical icon Gen 5 mix of jpn chs history and martial art with fire zhang fei, water samurai, grass as an emperor that uses grappling judo Gen 6 more like a kingdom theme where u choose knight, ninja or wizard kingdom Gen 7 obviously circus where there’s stuntman wrestler, clown and the archer that shoot apple on top of head. Gen 8 more like rare occupation Gen 9 entertainer

[@elecro-bolt1721]

And that's why deciduleye is my fav pokemon❤

[@johannlothe]

My biggest reason for liking Pokémon at all is literally just the looks. I want 6 badass looking creatures in my party. The last 3-4 games has been lacking in that department, imo.

[@l2blank940]

Skeledirge is supposed to be a crocodile type Pokémon the bird supposed to symbolize a plover bird which is a species of birds that get their food source by picking bits of it from crocodiles teeth

[@oetic5016]

I think something between the gen 4 and 6 would be ideal!

[@pointman3672]

It took me now to realize there is even a bird on skele…

[@rchannel736]

Agree.. some design pokemon in new generation are weird aswell

[@edgargaebolg9307]

I like how starters from gen 5 kinda represent the region's culture in some way but the humanoid designs are a no for me

[@ShadowFiend777]

Humanoid in gen 5 or did you mean in general? Cause I wouldn't call any of the gen 5 starters humanoid except maybe pignight and emboar to a degree.

[@H_tudor]

I wouldn’t even call those two kind of humanoid

[@madnessarcade7447]

The point of the franchise is that they are partners and friends not pets Maybe ur just prejudice

[@edgargaebolg9307]

@@madnessarcade7447 They're adventure partners, not romantic partners for your furry a$$. Maybe you're the one with prejudice if you think only humanoids deserve to be seen as more than pets like you're implying

[@hansdykstra3869]

I want a grass starter fairy type based on the Irish elk

[@HighWoody]

Gen 1 will always be the best starter Pokémon.

[@keithbushsuarez7445]

I mean, quick clarifying thought, Intelleon's design is based off of james bond/ super spies/ snipers so it fits really well with the UK based region of Galar, I thought Cinderace was too human looking at first but it ended up being my favorite starter line of the three, it's the only time I've ever picked a fire starter in all 9 gens and it's one of my favorite starter designs because I have rabbits and I love them, and it's a confident soccer player, it's just so cool... I loved Gen 8 though. I wish Primarina had more of a prevalence of females rather than the majority male percentage likelihoods for it, that's my one big complaint about any starter since the series began I think, maybe that and all the bipedal/ human looking final starter evos, esppecially all the fire fighting combos although I guess the designs have been good for those as well.

[@XYZRobZombie]

I would argue that actually the first pokemon to have a "job" was Blazekin. its the first that was very clearly based off of Muay Thai fighters. It was also teased the first in the anime. I get that fans love Septile but that happened slowly over the course of the anime/lifespan of gen 3. Blaziken was the pokemon that defiantly had the early marketing push early on.

[@madnessarcade7447]

While there are some wrestler influence in pignite emboar is more based on Chinese generals/warlords and the pig demon from journey to the wear

[@nash6568]

Okay I don’t necessarily hate the whole ‘humanoid’ thing. But I do see the point. Either way I always enjoy the starters 😊

[@NM_Mattuz]

Also newer starters are truly fitting for the region now. I never want to see them go back to the old design philosophies, because that's too boring for your partner Pokémon. The first one you get should be special, not just element + animal. I feel very strongly about the lorigins™.