Pokemon ScarletandVioletwill likely add a number of newPokemonto the ongoing series,possibly even bringing the total number of species over one thousand. However, so far, fans ofPokemon ScarletandViolethave gotten to see only a few of these new creatures, leading to speculation regarding other designs that may appear in the Generation 9 games. Speculation has been particularly high regarding the Fossil Pokemon, a type of ancient Pokemon appearing in every generation of games and often requiring special steps to obtain.
Fossil Pokemon are defined as Pokemon that were alive long ago, but are no longer found in the era when the games take place. Players must typically acquire a fossil via digging, completing requests, or other special tasks, and then revive that fossil using technology. Previous fossil Pokemon have been based around various prehistoric animals such as Tyrannosaurus rex,Archaeopteryx,Ammonites, and others. With the region ofPokemon ScarletandVioletpossiblydrawing influence from Spain, it would not be surprising to see Fossil Pokemon inspired by prehistoric residents of the Iberian Peninsula, which comprises Spain, Portugal, and part of southern France.
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Nuralagus, The Rabbit King
With so many Fossil Pokemon already drawing inspiration from dinosaurs, it may be high time for a newFossil Pokemonbased on a prehistoric mammal instead. One possibility is Nuralagus,an enormous rabbit found only on the island of Menorca off the coast of Spain. Potentially weighing up to 26 pounds, Nuralaguswas the largest member of the lagomorph family and approximately six times larger than the standard modern rabbit. It is believed to have gone extinct due to a collision between the islands of Menorca and Majorca.
While a number of Fossil Pokemon have possessed the Rock-type due to literally being reborn from the earth, a potential Nuralagus-based Fossil could add some new types or type combinations to this fairly shallow pool. It could easily be a Normal-type Pokemon, or perhaps a Psychic- orFairy-type Pokemonif it draws inspiration from certain cultural connections between rabbits and the moon. It could also feature a fluffier and cuter design compared to many of the rough, sharp-edged Fossil Pokemon.
Agriarctos, The Proto-Panda Bear
Today, pandas are found almost exclusively in Asia, with many species dwindling in population and facing endangered status. However, the ancestor of these slow-moving creatures was actually a much smaller, tree-dwelling animal known as Agriarctos,or the “Dirt Bear.” Agriarctosis believed to have lived during the Miocene epoch, approximately 11 million years ago, and was likely native to Spain. It spent most of its time in trees and likely lacked the distinctive black-and-white coloring for which the giant panda is known today.
Like Nuralagus, Agriarctos could be the inspiration for a cuter Fossil Pokemon that lacks the standard Rock- or Ground-type. It could be Normal-type due to its mammalian nature, Grass-type due to living in trees, or Dark-type due to its theorized mostly-black coloration. While Pokemon inspired by panda bears already exist, most notably Pancham and Pangoro from the Generation 6 games, an AgriarctosPokemon could provide a cute prehistoric twist on the idea. Perhaps an AgriarctosFossil Pokemon could even serve as aregional Pokemon variantfor the Pancham line.
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Aragosaurus, The “Spanish Lizard”
There have been a number of Fossil Pokemon inspired by dinosaurs, includingShieldon, Cranidos, and Tyrunt. However, the majority of dinosaur-based Fossils have focused on carnivores like Tyrannosaurus rexand Velociraptor.A Pokemon inspired by Aragosauruscould break from this trend, as the “Lizard of Aragon” was a long-necked sauropod that ate only plants. While this Pokemon might not be as intimidating as a fully evolved Tyrantrum, Aragosaurus’powerful legs and neck could help provide a more battle-ready appearance.
Amaura and Aurorus, previous Fossil Pokemon inspired by long-necked herbivore dinosaurs,were both Rock/Ice-type Pokemon. An Aragosaurusfossil Pokemon could set itself apart by being land-based rather than ice-based and having Grass or Ground as its type. It could also feature coloration or patterning inspired by the autonomous community of Aragon, the part of Spain from which Aragosaurus draws its name.
Hadrosaurs, The Duck-Billed Dinos
While not strictly exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula, the Hadrosaurs - also known as the “duck-billed dinosaurs” - likely spent a great deal of their time there. Spain is home to the Basturs Poble Bonebed, a “mega-bonebed” where over one hundred Hadrosaur fossils were found. Discoveries on the Iberian Peninsula have helped scientists learn a great deal about this family of dinosaurs, which were known for the flat appearance of their snout bones and clawed, birdlike feet and contains subspecies includingParasaurolophus,Edmontosaurus,and more. Fans have been hoping for a Hadrosaur Fossil Pokemon for a long time, andPokemon ScarletandVioletcould be the perfect chance to finally make it happen.
Because many subspecies of Hadrosaurs were believed to walk on two legs, this Pokemon could work as a Ground-type or even a Fighting-type. Additionally, the inclusion of a Fossil Pokemon based on the Hadrosaur would be a great way to bring back a mechanic similar to theDigging Duo, a pair of NPCs who could be paid to unearth fossils and other items for the player inPokemon SwordandPokemon Shield.
Fans have theorized thatPokemon ScarletandVioletmight feature a “past vs. future” theme, based on the names of the new Professors and the appearance of two new Legendary Pokemon, one of which is animal-like while the other seems mechanical and robotic in nature. If this is the case, then Fossil Pokemon may be exclusive to whichever game features the “past” theme, which is currently theorized to bePokemon Scarlet.This could be a controversial way of handling the Fossil Pokemon, which are generally available in every game of a generation, but it would certainly help drive the theme home.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletwill release on June 30, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch.
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