Pokemon ScarletandViolet’s massive open world has a lot for players to discover, from Mass Outbreaks to rare Tera type mons, and even elusive shinies. However, one secret that players might not take notice of is seen within the opening prologue. Taking a peak inside their rival Nemona’s house in the starting town of Cabo Poco,Pokemon Scarlet and Violetplayers may notice a unique depiction of what appears to be a Greninja, but this painting’s abstract appearance could be hidden hint toward a potential Paradox form of the Gen 6 Water-type starter.
Recent generations ofPokemonhave introduced unique iterations of popular monsters from the past. The Gen 9 games have already received a handful of new forms including Paldean regional variants of Wooper and Tauros, convergent species like Toedscool and Wiglett, and the mysterious Paradox Pokemon brought to Paldea from different time periods. With potential DLC on the horizon that could see players return toPokemon XandY’s Kalosregion, it’s not too much of a stretch to predict a new form for Greninja could be on the way.
RELATED:Every Possible Gen 10 Region Tease in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Greninja’s Popularity Makes It a Contender for New Forms
As one of the more popular creatures in the series, Greninja tends to get special treatment when it comes to events and forms.Greninja heads the latest 7-Star Tera Raid Event, which marks the first time players can acquire it in Gen 9. So far, only other popular starter mons like Charizard and Cinderace have been featured, demonstrating the level at which Game Freak views Greninja’s popularity.
It also received its own unique form in the past with the abilityBattle Bond that lets Geninja take on the appearance of thePokemonanime’s longtime protagonist, Ash. Those who played the demo forPokemon SunandMooncould receive this special Greninja in Generation 7, but with Ash-Greninja no longer obtainable inPokemon ScarletandViolet, the door has been opened for this popular monster to receive a new form.
Pokemon Games Have a History of Teasing Future Content
The painting in question can be found inside Nemona’s house, telling the player that its title is “The Hidden Ninja.” While this could simply be a reference to Spanish artist Pablo Picasso with a take on Greninja in his iconic abstract style, recentPokemongames have tended to tease new content with hints that most players won’t think twice about. In the Gen 6 games, players could acquire an item called the Strange Souvenir from far off region. Upon the release ofPokemon SunandMoon, players found it was a hint for the Gen 7 region of Alola, where this item can be bought.
In the Gen 7 games, a strange poster can be seen in the Game Freak offices in Heahea City that appears to depict Gen 8’s Gigantamax Toxtricity. Prior to the release ofPokemon SwordandShield, players would likely have never paid this poster any mind, but hindsight reveals it was a glimpse at the future. Taking these hints into consideration, the strange Greninja painting could just be decoration, but given Greninja’s absence from the initial launch ofPokemon ScarletandViolet, there’s a chance its inclusion is a clue about future a Gen 9, or even Gen 10, form for the fan-favorite starter.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare available now for Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Area Zero Could Solve a Mystery Introduced in X and Y
