RUMOR: Final Starter Evolutions Leaked?

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We CANNOT confirm these images and we also encourage readers to assume things are fake until proven otherwise but I’m sharing these because it is reminiscent of the anime leaks which occurred in Gen V, but then again it also looks like fan art.

There are no names listed for the Pokémon (just Owl 3, Tiger 3, …) but there are some details about each (including color palette):

Rowlet  evolution:

  • Stores arrows in its wings (orange tips), uses the vines from its bow as the string
  • “Hood” closes around its face when it is unhappy

Litten evolution:

  • New attack or fighting style “tiger swing”
  • Fire attacks come from belt

Popplio evolution:

  • Attack seems to be listed but too hard to read

You be the judge:

image

Thanks Crystal Creatures for the heads up.

<3 PJ

ps- this was Noivern’s reference art for the anime in Gen V for comparison

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405 thoughts on “RUMOR: Final Starter Evolutions Leaked?”

  2. They’re all so ugly. The only one I’d be able to even use without barfing would be Popplio’s final evolution line. Rowlet and Litten’s final lines look like Digimon. There’s been so many fake Starter Evolution images making the rounds and for this to come right before E3 is very suspicious… Especially when there was a similar looking concept art sheet of Noivern that was shown during the E3 2013 roundtable.

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  3. honestly maybe IF they are real, their 3d designs will not be bad ( except flopplio gawd it looks so bad and litten is so *snores* )

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  4. Besides, there’s that evidence of Litten being pure Fire, Rowlet being Grass/Ground, and Popplio becoming Water/Fighting. I don’t any of those elements in these three designs at all. I’m sorry but these designs are just so awful and if they’re real and I’m really going to question Ken Sugimori’s ability as an artist as well as his team and if this should be Pokemon’s last set of games.

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    • That evidence isn’t concrete. The type images on the site are uploaded for the purpose of any and all Pokemon. I know its been passed around that they’re sorted under a starter-specific category, but that isn’t true.

      There is a list, internally, of Pokemon that will be revealed, and in what order. Makes sense to upload type images based on that. Starter evos come much later, so why upload those now?

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      • Exactly. I’m very suspicious. A very skilled artist could of just easily took Noivern’s sheet from the E3 Roundtable and warped it to make it look different yet comparable. I mean, this is the most convincing fake yet (if it is fake, which I hope to the Lord Arceus that it is). E3 is right around the corner and with the news of gameplay being featured at the Nintendo Treehouse on June 15th, what better time than to pull a prank?

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    • These types of comparisons are exactly what people defaulted to during the whole Unova final starter leak back in 2010. I believe they compared Emboar to Lickilicky, Serperior with Milotic, and Samurott with something else. I suppose it shows how repetitive Game Freak can sometimes be 😛

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      • exactly. to me seeing similarities like these just confirms me these are real. because they are done subconsciously by their designers. for exacple the popplio evo has similar hair to keldeo’s form

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  6. One big difference between the Noivern sheet (which was for XY, presented at the E3 roundtable to demonstrate how they translated their 2D art into 3D models – not for the anime) is that it breaks down the finest details of the body. The purpose is to do as was just mentioned: best translate Sugi’s 2D artwork into a fully three dimensional model.

    Comparatively, these starter pages just show the concept and actions, and various poses the models could never pull off on the 3DS. Popplio’s final evolution’s page is the most similar to Noivern’s page.

    Still, that doesn’t mean they’re *definitely* fake, just something to consider.

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      • Was there one in particular you were thinking of? I’m looking through them now – the Kalos starter lines – and they do indeed consist mostly various angles of the Pokemon and finer details broken down..

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          • Chesnaught’s shows it at various angles, then shows it using its signature move. It’s exactly what I mean, just not as detailed as Noivern’s (which was going to be *the* most detailed, since that’s the one they started with). Fennekin’s is more like the Alola ones, yeah.

          • Not trying to counter your point, but all three of the starters have a signature move being used. For Litten it’s the flame spiral thing, for Rowlet it’s the arrow, and for Popplio it might be the pose on the bottom left (since bubbles are coming out: a new type of health-regenerating move, perhaps?) Just something to think about.

          • Oh, yeah, I agree they’re showing some sort of move each. My point is more that they go beyond that, start showing dynamic posings or anime scenarios, and just in general don’t seem to share the same focus/purpose.

            For the record, I’m more convinced they’re real than not. Just brought this up because it’s worth considering, imo.

          • That’s trainer art. They always design gym leaders alongside of their signature Pokemon.

            I agree they could be evolving their style/detailing/etc as the games go on. Again, my point is less about content total or anything like that, it’s about purpose. What is the purpose of a lot of what’s presented? Litten’s page especially. If they WERE fake, this is maybe the type of mistake that could have been made. Do you get what I’m driving at?

          • i get what you’re saying but i don’t agree at all. if i were to make a fake sheet i’d make it look similar to the other ones, and not more full, also because that’s more work. and even if it’s trainer art, if someone faked it, it means they also had to see trainer art, which… honestly this is too much work for one person

          • Nah, because you can make fakes without knowing what the original purpose of the sheets were, at least according to Masuda. It’s not like they say it on them, and I’m sure these images are passed around sites like tumblr without commentary. Thus, room for a mistake like this appears. Not sure what you mean when you mention trainer art. What I was saying about trainer art was in response to the image you shared, based on what they said in interviews post-BW release (gym leaders are designed alongside of their signature mons, both inspire each other).

            The “too much work for one person” argument also never really works with game fakes. People go to extremes. They open MAYA and make their own 3D models and everything. There have been more extensive, but fake, leaks than this.

          • Seems to me like the detail varies in relation to the amount of necessary explanations for each design. For example, Noivern is just a bat and doesn’t really have any special gimmicks. Chesnaught does, which is why it makes that a focus. As for the Alola starters, Rowlet 3 and Litten 3 each have a special gimmick while Popplio 3 does not. This is reflected in the confidential art for these Pokemon. I think it’s a pretty solid reason to believe these leaks.

  7. I believe these are legit and I am so in love with them. They just look too damn official. Nothing like I’ve ever seen. Fake leaks don’t really impress me but this one really impresses me so much. I hope they’re real. I just absolutely love the owl <3 It's brilliant. PLEASE BE REAL.

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  8. They do look real to me, I’m convinced by the small details like the Rowlett evos arrow and the Littens evo drawn with the kettle on its belt- it just looks very game freak. I like both Rowlett and Poplios evolutions a lot, definitely. Popplio goes from goof to goddess though ( which I do have issues with because I like some cohesion in starter Pokemon designs). I would like the Litten design if it wasn’t basically every other fire evolution there has been. I really do love Littens scrawniness and if this is it’s evo, then I’d defo choose popplio or Rowlett, and happily because their finals to me look very good ( definitely better than the disgusting creatures which were Greninja, Delphox and Chestnaught)

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  9. my delusional self will still believe they are fake even though the receipts shown in the comments makes me think they they are real

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  11. Okay. The Popplio final evo is growing on me a little. Very quicky. But Litten’s final evolution I HATE! Why da fuq would Game Freak do that? And Rowlet’s final evolution looks so weird. What the hell is the basis behind it’s design?!

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    • I almost agree but I don’t hate littens final evo, I just didn’t want it to come to a fire/fighting but popplio’s line is growing on me too. It reminds me of a Siren

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    • Rowlet’s description on the site emphasizes its eyesight, and being able to strike its prey from afar. This final evolution looks like a hooded assassin, with glasses, and uses arrows. It continues the idea.

      “It flies silently through the skies, drawing near to its opponent without being noticed, and then lashing out with powerful kicks. It can also attack from a distance using the razor-sharp leaves that form part of its feathers.”

      I agree Litten is terrible but I like the other two.

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  12. I’m a little thrown off by the Popplio image, now that I look at it closer. It seems to lack a lot of the detail in the other two images. It doesn’t say “Seal 3” anywhere on the sheet, for instance, and only has a little bit of text. Perhaps that’s because it’s more simplistic and doesn’t need as much explaining through demonstration images.

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  13. More evidence ( not really). Like last year, these evos for the description given for their first forms ( Fennekin ate twigs etc.). Fire coming from the oily fire belt, the logical side of Litten gone completely and replaced with this roaring beast. Rowlett goes from throwing knives to a bow and arrow. Popplio retains its sense of performance.

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    • I’d like to make a comment about Litten 3. In the bottom right, it is carrying what looks to be another wounded Litten 3 away from a crash of some sort. It’s lighting itself on fire along with its cohort, in my opinion, to help share life energy. In other words, it could light itself on fire using its fur and use that to keep its buddy alive. It would align with what we already know about Litten. Who knows, really.

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  14. Dang it, I just thought about this now, I can’t choose popplio’s final evo if there’s gonna be a dolphin Pokemon introduced in this game

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    • Popplio’s final evo on this sheet looks more like a mermaid and kinda reminds me of Florges. I take back what I said earlier. That Evo is kinda growing on me. Rowlet’s final evolution is kinda a in the middle for me. And I HATE Litten’s final evolution completely. Whether or not this is real, remains to be seen.

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  15. I’m not gonna believe anything until they are officially release and to tell you truth I think these are fake but I’ll give props for originality especially with Popplio and Rowlet evos but Litten’s looks like slimmer Emboar.

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  16. Based on the descriptions of the starters on the official english pokemon website, these seem possible. Rowlett is described like a ninja, quick in the trees and throws leaves like razors. Litten has oily flammable fur which makes it pretty explosive. And Popplio is very showy, so it still has that element whether shes clowning around or showing off her beauty. Also in Littens evo where he’s laying down it looks like theres a Popplio and her middle evo. But idk, not entirely convinced these are real.

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  17. Yes, and further more yes. This works, conceptually, and have very strong silhouettes. I’m TOTALLY on Team Real for this. Excellent work, Game Freak. Rowlet’s last evo looks EXTREMELY badass. He deserves every ounce of popularity he’s gotten. Also, it makes sense for a feral cat to become a bruiser.

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  19. Also, I frickin love all of these. Fire/fighting confirmed? Gosh I hope not. I was gonna choose rowlet anyways so I don’t really care. I am a little nervous that I’m gonna see the real evos (if these are indeed fake) and get bummed that they aren’t these awesome designs.

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  20. Another small detail: remember how Littens fur goes red and spikes up? A same thing seems to be happening on its evos belt.

    Damn I’d really like that thing if it was JUST ON 4 LEGS

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  22. The artist I honestly think is using the descriptions of the Starters from the official site and the Noivern concept art sheet to really fool us good. I mean, if these are fake, they’re the most convincing fakes I’ve seen yet. Knowing Game Freak and past rumors, right now, I say this has a 40% chance of being real and 60% chance of being fake. Those percents may change over time. I would bump them higher back in the day, but artists have become smarter since 2013, so you never know.

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  23. Ok I will say like this, if this the Alola region starter pokemon final Evo, then I won´t be too upset for I like the design and Rowlet and Litten´s final evo looks cool, but Popplio´s evo looks a bit weird to me, is nice, but not for me, but I beg on my knees I don´t want anymore Fire/Fighting combo, I was hoping that Litten was going to be a Fire/Ground, for I don´t care that is 4X weak against water, but only time will tell and if Litten becomes the fourth fire/fighting starter then fine, I am a #TeamLitten all the way!

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    • Oh boy. Shit is gonna hit the fan once more of the community gets a hold of this leak. Why, leaks, why? How was this leaked? Where the hell did this even come from?! Was it Hirobyte or something? If he believes than my chances or if it came from him or Melkor, my chances will increase to being 80% real and 20% fake.

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        • It is. I’m very scared. This info just came out of nowhere. And it matches the scheme of things. I still hate the final evolution of Litten, starting to love Popplio’s, and kind of a love and hate relationship for Rowlet, that’s my in-between.

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        • So are you just saying the formatting of what an image would be of the evos fits in the pokedex? Or what? Sorry… It’s late and my brain isn’t thinking.

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          • If you look at the poses of these starters, they match the allotted space given in these Pokedex images. Rowlet 3 is spread out horizontally, either through stretching out its bow or extending its wings. Litten 3 is given more vertical space due to it being a huge bipedal beast. Finally, Popplio 3 is given both vertical and horizontal space because it is both tall and long (due to its tail).

          • While that’s an interesting observation, I have a couple of counter-points: firstly, it’s very doubtful that the Pokemon will be in the same poses and positioning in their Pokedex art as they are in the concept art. Secondly, and more importantly, allotting that amount of space for each of them is a given. Rowlet’s final evolution is bound to need space for a large wing span, as it is a big bird. Popplio’s final evolution is bound to need space for a long tail, as it is a sea lion. And Litten’s final evolution is bound to be bipedal because literally every single Fire Type starter final evolution has been bipedal. No, I’m not making that up. Charizard, Typhlosion, Blaziken, Infernape, Emboar and Delphox are ALL bipedal and tall. 😐

            Anyway, I’m not saying these are definitely fake images, I’m just saying that your reasoning that they “fit in the Pokedex” is a bit shaky, because the general shape of each final evo is pretty easy to assume.

    • So i guess this proves that the mid evos are really small #100%real (not trying to be mean, its just that these dont make sense to me)

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  25. i think these are fake for 3 reasons:
    1. THEY LOOK STUPID AF
    2.They use the “confidential” template from the first trailer that other trailers have shown
    3.Link plz

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