One of the more surprising leaks ahead of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's upcoming DLC is supposedly a new form for Ursaluna, but the inspiration behind this could actually have its origins in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While players had been anticipating when Hisuian Pokemon first introduced in Pokemon Legends: Arceus would eventually make their way into Scarlet and Violet, the leaked new form was an unexpected twist given how recent the Gen 8 spin-off is. Ursaluna's leaked "Blood Moon" form might have been prompted by Tears of the Kingdom's own Blood Moons.

Though the leaked Blood Moon form could be chalked up as a coincidence between the recent Zelda and Pokemon games, the expanded narrative around Tears of the Kingdom's Blood Moon and now Blood Moons suddenly appearing in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is arguably too close in timing to be coincidental. Ursaluna's new design might take influence from Tears of the Kingdom, or its Blood Moon form may factor Scarlet and Violet's overarching DLC narrative, hence why Game Freak has kept it quiet so far. The Teal Mask is due to launch soon, but an official Blood Moon Ursaluna remains to be seen.

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Connection Blood Moons Between The Legend of Zelda and Pokemon

After first appearing in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the Blood Moon mechanic has been integral to Zelda's Switch games as a means of ensuring players have an endless supply of enemies to fight while overcoming memory limitations. The recent Tears of the Kingdom sequel took its Blood Moon mechanic further as part of its larger storyline surrounding Ganondorf's revival. Having been characterized as both a symbol of the Demon King and an extension of his power and influence, the Blood Moon maintains a recurring presence throughout Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

To now see Blood Moons also factor into Scarlet and Violet with Ursaluna's leaked new form does seem to go beyond happenstance, as Ursaluna itself was only just introduced in Legends: Arceus. Blood Moons were already established in Breath of the Wild which preceded Legends: Arceus and Pokemon's ninth generation, while Tears of the Kingdom was only recently released in mid-2023 sometime after Scarlet and Violet's own launch. Since Hisuian Pokemon were seemingly planned for Scarlet and Violet, the sudden leaked form after Tears of the Kingdom suggests a more direct connection.

What Ursaluna's Blood Moon Form Could Mean

At face value, the leaked new Blood Moon Ursaluna might only be connected to the Switch's Zelda games in name alone with the inspiration behind its design having prompted Pokemon by the success of Tears of the Kingdom. After all, Blood Moons also exist in the real world, and the Teddiursa line has been influenced by the Moon's various stages, from Teddiursa's waning crescent, Ursaring's eclipse-styled markings, and now Ursaluna's cloudy full Moon. With the real-life infrequency of a Blood Moon and its cultural implications, Ursaluna's new form was always going to be a late addition with "evil" connotations.

The leaked design for Ursaluna's new form in Scarlet and Violet could be directly inspired by the Blood Moon seen in Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom, as the Blood Moon form seems to corrupted and monstrous. For example, the Moon symbol on its forehead appears to be breaking through Ursaluna's fur, while one of its eyes has been turned completely black. Just as Malice and Gloom were corrupting forces in Zelda games with ties to the Blood Moon, Scarlet and Violet could be aiming for the same angle, since leaked details about Ursaluna reference it gaining special powers.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available now for Nintendo Switch.

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