Because Pokemon generations typically last around three years and Pokemon Sword and Shield came out in 2019, many think that a new Pokemon Gen 9 announcement will happen relatively soon. Of course, the recent release of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, as well as its rumored DLC reveal in April, means that Gen 9 hasn’t dominated the conversation, but it could soon.
When it does, fans will once again go through the motions of fake leaks, news, trailers, new gimmicks, and more. There will be debate over the gen 9 starters, any new Pokemon, the legendaries, which to buy, and so on. But many players may be hoping for a new Eeveelution in Pokemon Gen 9, especially given how Sylveon was added in Gen 6, but that feels very unlikely.
Pokemon Pattern Could Suggest No Eeveelution in Gen 9
There’s an easily identifiable pattern when it comes to how Game Freak adds new Eeveelutions. Obviously, there was the first gen that began with Eevee and its first trio of evolutions: Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. The second generation of Pokemon games would add Espeon and Umbreon, fan-favorites to this day, but then the third generation did not add a new Eeveelution. It was shocking for the time, but not in hindsight.
In Generation 4, Leafeon and Glaceon would join the line-up—bringing the total number of Eeveelutions to 7. But then, generation 5 would not add a new Eeveelution. Gen 6 did though, with the new Fairy-type Sylveon bringing that total to 8. At this point, it’s pretty clear that every other generation, or more specifically every even-numbered generation beyond the first gen, would add an Eeveelution. Game Freak still threw a curveball with Gen 8 though.
- Pokemon Gens Beyond Gen 1 That Added Eeveelution: 2, 4, 6
- Pokemon Gens Beyond Gen 1 That DID NOT Add Eeveelutions: 3, 5, 7, 8
Pokemon Sword and Shield Disrupts and Confuses the Eeveelution Pattern
The problem with this pattern is Pokemon Sword and Shield. Many expected something like a Steel-type evolution of Eevee to join the roster because of the overall theme but also because this was Generation 8. Every even-numbered gen, to this point, had added an Eeveelution, meaning this would probably add one, but it did not. So, with this in mind, it’s not impossible Gen 9 adds a new Eeveelution in place of Gen 8, but there is one potential problem with this.
Technically speaking, Eeveelutions are new forms of Eevee’s evolutions, a small but important distinction to consider because Gen 8 did have a special Gigantamax form for Eevee, something not every Pokemon received. Technically speaking, Gen 8 did add a new form for Eevee, just one through the gimmick and one that’s not technically an Eeveelution but very similar.
Assuming Game Freak is counting Gigantamax Eevee as a new form, somewhat filling that Eeveelution hole, Gen 9 is not likely to add a new one. It’s not impossible, but it doesn’t seem likely. So, as it stands, Pokemon fans may very well be waiting for Gen 10—sometime around 2025 or 2026.
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is available now.
