Pokemon Scarlet and Violet were announced almost two months ago, but after the initial trailer for these Generation 9 games, there has been a drought of information. As is customary prior to any major release for mainline Pokemon games, fans are already debating whether they should pick a given starter over the other two, but as of now the choice is based on the critters' designs and base types. Type combinations and themes for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's starters will be an important factor for many players, and while there have been numerous alleged leaks, at this stage it mainly comes down to speculation.
One of the most interesting rumors and theories surrounding Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Sprigatito is one that sees this cute Grass-type cat's evolution embody elements of flamenco dancers. This could go hand-in-hand with the theories about Sprigatito evolving into a Grass/Fairy Pokemon, but if proven true, it also means that many fans will be disappointed with the final design. Ever since Sprigatito was revealed as one of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's starters, many players have been expressing their desire for the cat to remain a quadrupedal creature throughout its evolutions.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Sprigatito Might Not be Staying on All Fours
If Sprigatito actually evolves into a Pokemon that resembles or is inspired by flamenco dancers, that also means that its evolutions will most likely be bipedal creatures due to the very nature of dancing. Flamenco dancers are renowned for flamboyant gowns and frilly dresses, which could easily make their way into the design for Sprigatito's evolutions and make the Pokemon more human-like. Seeing how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet draw inspiration from Spanish culture and the Iberian Peninsula as a region, the hypothesis of a flamenco dancer Pokemon doesn't seem so farfetched.
While many fans have been repeatedly asking for Sprigatito to remain a quadrupedal Pokemon, if the flamenco themes could fit the critter's design and that of its evolutions, the chances of them becoming bipedal are high. There is also a precedent in the Pokemon series set by Pokemon Sun and Moon's Litten: a cute little cat Pokemon that ended up evolving into a bipedal wrestler tiger. While Incineroar was one of the most successful Pokemon in its Generation, many fans were disappointed by it standing on two feet at the end of its evolutions.
Yet, it's worth mentioning that Pokemon are often designed with two principles in mind, especially for starters and their evolutions: they should look like creatures that players could befriend, and they should have a theme of growing alongside their trainer. As such, it doesn't come as a surprise that many Pokemon games end up having multiple anthropomorphic critters, with them often becoming more human-like as they evolve. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's starters could be no exception to this rule.
In that case, it's likely Sprigatito will evolve into a bipedal Pokemon as early as its second stage - or, more like Litten, with its third and final stage. More information about Pokemon Scarlet and Violet is likely to come with time, and many believe that May could be when players get to see a new trailer. Regardless, it is not impossible that the evolutions for Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco will only be revealed or leaked closer to the release of Gen 9 games, so their designs could remain a mystery for many months to come.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled to release on Switch in 2022.
