Which Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Starter Is The Cutest

Trailers for the Gen 9 Pokémon games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, have introduced a variety of new, interesting, and adorable Pokémon. So far, eight new Pokémon have been shown in trailers, including the games’ starter Pokémon and box art legendaries. Fans have already begun discussing the final evolutions for the starters, what abilities they may have, and of course, which is the cutest.

There are a variety of new Pokémon appearing in Scarlet and Violet, and as usual, players have a lot of opinions about them. Most of the new designs are colorful, veering heavily toward being based on real animals, though some (such as Scarlet and Violet's Legendary Pokémon for each version) are a little more creative - and divisive. Even so, the revealed starters are an exceptionally cute bunch, and the battle for which is the cutest rages on.

For some concrete evidence, aside from just looking at Twitter and forum posts, a Reddit poll that appeared on the Scarlet and Violet subreddit on June 30 asked Pokémon fans which of the new Pokémon they felt was the cutest. Over 24 hours, 764 votes were cast, enough to get a general feel of the fanbases feelings towards the new Pokémon. Coming in dead last was Quaxly, a water-type Pokémon resembling a duckling. Quaxly’s self-assured grin and feathers stylized like a pirate hat were enough to net it a few fans, it gaining 68 votes, but were not enough to keep it from last place.

The Voting For Cutest Starter Pokémon In Scarlet & Violet Is Contentious

Fuecoco, a fire-type crocodile, gained almost double Quaxly’s votes, earning 133 votes before the poll closed. Fuecoco’s simple expression and goofy smile may have contributed to its success. Interestingly, Fuecoco’s stem-like protrusions on top of its head and chili-pepper-like body have led some fans to speculate it is inspired by chili-peppers and may give us the first dual Fire/Grass-type Pokémon.

In addition to the three starters, three other new Pokémon were listed as options on the poll: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Smoliv, Pawmi, and Lechonk. Pawmi, this generation’s requisite Pikachu knock-off, barely managed to beat Quaxly, gaining only 81 votes. Pawmi’s similarity to other Pokémon may have left fans feeling disappointed by it, worsened by the fact that unlike some other Pikachu clones like Mimikyu or Emolga, Pawmi seems to lack anything to make it unique.

Smoliv, a grass-normal Pokémon that looks terrified in its official artwork, gained 118 votes. Lechonk, a normal-type Pokémon resembling a piglet, did the best out of the non-starters, gaining an impressive 172 votes. Lechonk’s simple design and darkly humorous Pokémon name have made it a new favorite among fans. Still, Lechonk’s popularity was not enough to gain it the top spot on this list - even if not a starter.

The winner of the poll, with 192 votes, was the new Grass-type starter, Sprigatito. Sprigatito’s success seems simple: It’s a kitten, kittens are cute, and this one always seems to have a smile on its face. Furthermore, according to its Pokédex entry, Sprigatito has the ability to release a calming, therapeutic aroma by rubbing its paws together (though it's unlikely this was used to sway the poll results). Sprigatito and these other Pokémon will find their ways to fans in November, when Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are released globally.

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