Ken Sugimori - gamebastion.com

With just around the corner, one of the biggest questions is regarding which starters will be featured. While a classic Fire, Water, and Grass trio will likely remain in, these starters will probably have a similar twist to the one seen in. Because is set in the Kalos region from, it's likely that the starters will get Kalos regional variants never seen before. Much like the starters in, though, they may be starters from previous generations with a special connection to the region.

Following journey through the historical Hisui region (Gen 4's Sinnoh), this new title seemingly ventures into the future Kalos region from Gen 6. If it follows ' method, then the starters of will come from somewhere other than the Kalos region but be Pokémon previously seen in a past gen. Because Kalos is based on real-world France, the starters will ostensibly be tied to French history or culture.

Snivy, the Grass-type starter from Gen 5, is a strong contender for the Grass-type in. Since the Unova region, where Snivy originates, hasn't been revisited recently, including Snivy as a starter would show the region some love. Snivy's final evolution, Serperior, has a design that aligns perfectly with the presumed French cultural theme of . Serperior's design references European nobility, which is evident in its regal posture and air of superiority. Furthermore, the fleur-de-lis, a symbol steeped in the nation's history, is adorning its collar and directly connects it to France.

Ken Sugimori confirms that Serperior's design was influenced by Lady Oscar from, a French historical fiction manga (via ).

Compared to other potential Grass-type starters, Snivy has a unique combination of regional relevance, historical connection, and design synergy with the French theme of. While Bulbasaur, the Kanto Grass starter, is iconic, its region is far removed from Kalos or French inspirations. Similarly, potential options from later generations like Chespin or Rowlet wouldn't offer the same level of

Ken Sugimori