Summary
Many avid fans of thePokémonfranchise will be aware of the divisive theory proposing thatthe fire-type starterPokémonare each based on an animal of the Chinese Zodiac.The concept of the Chinese Zodiac classifies each year that goes by within a twelve-year cycle, and each year in the cycle is represented by a different animal: Rat, Bull, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog & Boar.
Of these twelve animals, eight have had a clear match with one ofthe fire-type starterPokémon.But with the introduction ofGen IX Starter andPokémon Horizons: The Series(2023) star Fuecoco, the streak appeared to be broken. Fuecoco and its evolutions, Crocalor & Skeledirge, are clearly based on Crocodiles, with both Fuecoco and Crocalor even being classed as the ‘Fire CrocPokémon’.However, of the four remaining Zodiac animals - Horse, Snake, Bull & Goat -a case could be made regarding two of them that the theory is alive and well.
Which Pokémon Best Represents You Based on Your Zodiac Sign?
In the Pokémon world, it it likely that the Zodiac Signs would be based on Pokémon themselves - but which ones?
Could Fuecoco Represent the Snake?
PokémonWithin This Theory Have a History of Taking Leaps
When taking the other fire starters into consideration, some have admittedly a stronger link to one of the Zodiac animals than others. While it’s clear that the likes of Litten and its evolutions Torracat and Incineroar have a clear connection to the Tiger Zodiac,there are two that could be considered a stretch: Cyndaquil as the Rat & Fennekin as the Dog.While Cyndaquil is the ‘Fire MousePokémon’,its design more closely resembles that of a hedgehog or an echidna, and unfortunately, neither of its evolutions resemble a rat either. As for Fennekin, the ‘FoxPokémon’,its design and namesake are evidently meant to resemble a Fennec Fox rather than a dog.
Having said that, a mouse or echidna could be seen assimilarto a rat, with all of them somewhat falling into the ‘rodent-esque’ category, and a fox could definitely be placed into the canine category with dogs. With these examples, would it be too much of a jump to say that a crocodile and a snake are simply both elongated reptiles? To that end,it is therefore possible that Fuecoco, Crocalor and Skeledirge are Game Freak’s Snake Zodiac representative.
Could Fuecoco Represent the Bull?
Crocodile Terminology May Reveal the Answer
Assuming the Snake Zodiac theory proves too far a leap, there is another slightly sneakier angle that could show where Fuecoco’s place lies within the Zodiac. Much like the animals of the bovine family,male crocodiles are known as ‘Bulls’ and females are known as ‘Cows’. This could therefore mean that the fan-favorite fire croc ofPokémon Horizonsis actually the representative of the Bull Zodiac.
Again, this answer is not a perfect match, but it certainly raises the point that the theory may not be as dead in the water as it would first appear. If Fuecoco does indeed slot into either the Snake or Bull role, there would still be three animals left within the Zodiac. This, of course, means thatonly time will tell if the Zodiac Theory is one hundred percent true, which only makes the wait for newPokémoncontent that much harder to bear.
Pokémon Horizons
Cast
Pokémon Horizons: The Series follows Liko and Roy as they explore and uncover secrets alongside characters like Friede and Captain Pikachu. Released in 2023, this addition to the Pokémon franchise invites viewers into exciting new adventures with familiar and new faces.
