I remember it clearly when Pokemon Scarlet and Violet was first announced, and since I instantly fell in love with Fuecoco as a Gen 9 Fire starter, people online were shocked that it broke the 26-year pattern of Fire starter Pokemon being inspired by the Chinese zodiac. I'll be honest – I always thought the Chinese zodiac theory was a bit forced. Yet, Pokémon has tons of weird references and unique inspirations across the board, so there might be something to it. When I found out about Pokemon wind and waves details, I started thinking about the Chinese zodiac tradition and how it suddenly made sense to Gen 10 when I read about a myth that was appropriate for the setting.
Based on the leaks, Pokémon Gen 10 will be called Pokemon wind and wavewith the games featuring humanoid box Legendaries that each represent one of these key elements. The games will reportedly take place in an archipelago inspired by Southeast Asia and Indonesia, which is an interesting location considering the series' settings so far are Japanese, American, or European. But why would Gen 10 repeat the Chinese zodiac tradition? The answer is simple, and it's because there is a perfect folklore creature to match it.
Everything in Pokemon Gen 10 Teraleak Explained
Images and documents related to Pokemon Gen 10 games, allegedly called Pokemon Wind and Wave, have surfaced online detailing their new content.
Pokemon's Fire Starter Chinese Zodiac Theory Explained and How It Crashed
If you're not in the loop, the Chinese zodiac Fire starter theory says that any starter with the Fire type can fit into one of the 12 animals represented by the Chinese zodiac. These would be:
- Gene 1: Charmander is the Dragon of the Chinese Zodiac, which might make sense given Charizard's design and the fact that one of its Mega Evolutions even has Dragon as its type.
- Gene 2: Cyndaquil is the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac, which is fitting since it's called the “Fire Mouse Pokemon”.
- Gene 3: Torchic is the Rooster of the Chinese Zodiac, which makes sense since it's a chicken.
- Gen 4: Chimchar is the monkey of the Chinese zodiac, which again is fitting because it really is a monkey.
- Gen 5: Tepig is the pig of the Chinese zodiac, and this too is easy to see.
- Gene 6: The Fennekin is the Dog of the Chinese Zodiac, although this is where the theory started to show its cracks, as the Fennekin is clearly a fox (and its evolution proves it).
- Gen 7: Litten is the tiger of the Chinese zodiac, and while the starter is a cat, its final evolution is clearly based on a tiger.
- Gen 8: Scorbunny is the rabbit of the Chinese zodiac, which again fits nicely.
- Gen 9: Fuecoco is the real dealbreaker, as the remaining animals of the Chinese zodiac are the snake, horse, goat, and ox, but it's clearly based on a crocodile, something its evolution also holds.
How Pokemon Wind and Wave could revive the Chinese zodiac theory
There is no guarantee of that Pokémons Chinese zodiac theory returns in Gen 10, but if Pokemon wind and wave leaks are true, and the games are set in Southeast Asia and Indonesia, it would be a shame not to use the perfect creature for this pattern: the Sigbin. The Sigbin (or Sigben) is a creature from Philippine folklore that resembles a hornless goat.
According to the myths, the Sigbin has large flapping ears, a long tail that it can use as a whip, and produces a terrible smell. It becomes active at night and is in search of blood which it sucks from the shadows of animals and people. It is said to walk backwards, with reports suggesting it places its head between its legs and can become invisible. Despite the terrifying appearance and behavior, this could easily become a Pokemon, possibly the final evolution of the Gen 10 Fire-type starter. Possibilities include:
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A fiery goat with some physical characteristics of Sigbin for a pure fire-type Pokémon.
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A goat that exhibits Sigbin's physical characteristics, but with a focus on invisibility and drawing blood from shadows, for a potential Fire/Ghost starter. This is unlikely because Pokemon Legends: Arceus and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet had a Fire/Ghost starter in Hisuian Typhlosion and Skeledirge.
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A goat-like creature design-wise inspired by the Sigbin, with a focus on the nauseating smell, which could be perfect for a Fire/Poison Pokemon similar to Salazzle.
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A Goat Pokemon that is inspired both physically and behaviorally by Sigbin, mixing in some traits of a Fire/Dark Pokemon, like Incineroar.
Why a Goat Fire Starter makes perfect sense in Gen 10
Since Sigbin has several characteristics that can make for an interesting concept Pokemon, the possibilities are endless for a potential beginner. Given that goats have long been associated with fire as an element due to religious symbolism, and given that there are no fire-type goat Pokémon, this could be a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, creating a mythical animal based on a local legend. This can enrich the setting of Pokemon wind and wavewhile offering a completely refreshing Pokemon species as an appetizer.
Finally, since Skiddo and Gogoat are the only true goat Pokemon, it would make sense to have more based on this animal. One could argue that Cobalion from Pokémon's Swords of Justice is a goat, but it's actually based on antelopes instead, which have different characteristics than goats. As such, a Sigbin-inspired Pokemon would be perfect for Gen 10, and it could revive the Chinese zodiac theory – at least for a little while.
- Released
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16 October 2025
- ESRB
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All 10+ / Fantasy violence, in-game purchase
