Not only did Pokemon Scarlet and Violet introduce a wide variety of brand-new evolution lines, but the games also gave new evolutions to existing lines as well. While many of the new monsters introduced were fitting given the Spanish inspiration for the Paldea Region in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, one new evolution for a previous line seemed out of place. Kingambit, the third-stage evolution for Bisharp, initially seemed like an odd, Japanese-inspired design for the Spanish region, however, The Teal Mask DLC might help explain some of the design choices behind the Pokemon.
The Teal Mask is a departure from the Spanish flavor of the Paldea Region as players will get to participate in a school trip to the land of Kitakami. From what has been shown so far, this land looks very reminiscent of a small Japanese village amidst a festival with its mascot mons based on the Japanese myth of Momotaro. With a return to a land based on Japan, the inclusion of Kingambit in the Gen 9 Pokedex makes a lot more sense, and the DLC has the potential to feature the mon in a big way.
Kingambit Feels a Lot More at Home in Kitakami than Paldea
Kingambit is one of the most unique creatures added in Gen 9 as it can be difficult to obtain but has a powerful signature move and Ability. A Bisharp will only evolve into Kingambit upon defeating three other Bisharp that are holding Leader's Crests, which can be hard to determine when battling wild mons. However, its signature Ability, Supreme Overlord, grants it a 10% power boost for each ally that has fainted in battle, and its signature move, Kotow Cleave, is a solid STAB move that will never miss.
With all of these features baked into Kingambit's design, it's clear the mon is based on the Japanese samurai warlord or daimyo, who were rulers of large swaths of land during Japan's Edo period lasting from the 17th through the 19th century. As such, it would make sense that Kingambit would be a hard creature to obtain since they represent only the most powerful of feudal Japan's warriors. However, it wouldn't make a lot of sense for these creatures to exist as powerful rulers of territory in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Paldea Region, unless they originated from a place like Kitakami and made their way to Paldea at a later date.
The land of Kitakami has the potential to give Kingambit a greater spotlight as historically small villages were bound to the will of their daimyo much like a mafia boss controls their turf. The Teal Mask DLC could feature a new villainous character who plays a role like that of a mafia boss for Kitakami and uses a Kingambit as their ace Pokemon. While Kingambit is a member of Geeta's team in Scarlet and Violet, it is not her ace, leaving room for Kingambit to be the signature monster of a new character in the upcoming DLC.
Aside from the new creatures Okidogi, Munkidori, Fezandipiti, and the DLC's mascot Ogerpon, not much information is known about The Teal Mask. While the trailer gives the feeling of being transported to a small Japanese village, it's not clear what type of adventure is in store for players of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's DLC. However, given the clear connections to feudal Japan, it would seem like a waste to not feature Kingambit in a prominent role in the DLC's plot, and it would be a great opportunity to expand the lore behind one of Gen 9's most bizarre inclusions.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.
