It’s been a few months sincePokemon ScarletandVioletlaunched on the Nintendo Switch. While the games' lack of polish has divided the fanbase somewhat, many are impressed by the new approach Gen 9 games have taken to a traditionalPokemonjourney. Building off of the partial open worlds found inPokemon Legends: Arceus,Pokemon ScarletandViolethave introduced a largely unbroken open region for players to venture through. The idea has been a rousing success, and many are hopeful that with further refinements, thePokemonfranchise will be headed in the right direction.
On May 24, 2025, the Pokemon Day celebrations capped off with a Pokemon Presents stream. Many anticipated thePokemon ScarletandVioletDLC to be revealed at this event, and they were not disappointed. In the midst of other announcements for things throughout thePokemonfranchise, it was also revealed that a couple of new legendaryParadox Pokemon would arrive as Tera Raid Battleslater that day. Walking Wake forPokemon Scarletand Iron Leaves forPokemon Violethave joined the ninth generation’s roster, though their existence has also thrown a wrench into the community’s discussions ofPokemon’s future.
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Why Paradox Suicune Was Considered Evidence For Pokemon Legends Johto
There have been many discussions about whatPokemon ScarletandViolet’s Paradox Pokemon mean for futurePokemon Legendstitles.Legendsis ripe for more entries, as manyPokemontitles have implied or explicit histories behind them. Regions likeSwordandShield’s Galar andSunandMoon’s Alola are obvious ones, but even older titles likeGoldandSilver’s Johto hold a lot of lore. Johto in particular has been onPokemonfans' minds for the past few years as a likely remake candidate, possiblydrawing inspiration fromPokemon Let’s Go!. With Generation 5’sBlackandWhitealso on track to follow up Generation 4’sBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearl, many were unsurprised at Suicune and Virizion receiving Paradox forms.
Those forms weren’t what fans expected, however.Pokemon ScarletandVioleteach had Scarlet or Violet Books featured in their endgame, which teased combined versions of Generation 2’s three Legendary Beasts, Generation 5’s Swords of Justice, and a mysterious third legendary that may have been revealed as theturtle-like Pokemon Terapagos. The prospect of Johto’s Legendary dogs receiving a common ancestor was anticipated by many fans, as it added extra lore to their story and more fuel to theories about a potentialPokemon Legends: Johtotitle. However, Walking Wake looks nothing likeScarlet’s teased creature, and that has put a strain on many theories.
Walking Wake’s Design Makes Pokemon Legends Johto Theories Crumble
Arguments forPokemon Legends: Johtohinged on the combined legendary dog in the Scarlet Book originating from any point in the past. It’s established that the modern Legendary Beast trio died when the Brass Tower burnt down within a couple of centuries ofPokemon GoldandSilvertaking place and were brought back to life by Ho-Oh. Presumably, aPokemon Legendsgame in ancient Johtowould go back at least that far and show the three Beasts in their prior forms. The Scarlet Book Pokemon could also have shown up as a shared ancestor to the trio. Now, though, there’s no guarantee that said combined design will ever be used.
Pokemon Scarlet’s Paradox Pokemon come from a far more distant past thanPokemon Legends: Arceus. Walking Wake’s design exemplifies this, as it has molded the mammalian Suicune into a raptor resembling Koraidon. The inclusion of this Pokemon, with or without Paradox forms for Entei and Raikou, puts the existence of their combined design in jeopardy. Said combined legendary would work better in a feudalPokemon Legendssetting than the prehistoric Walking Wake, so if it never manifests, thentheories about aPokemon Legendsset in Johto will take a major blow. Only time will tell if this creature was just a preview for other Paradox Pokemon, or holds a distinct and potentially lore-altering role of its own.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare available now for the Nintendo Switch.
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