So far, only a handful of new Pokemon from upcoming main series gamesPokemon ScarletandViolethave been revealed. Although the games are releasing in only a few months, the creatures which reside in the still-nameless region remain largely mysterious. As a result, fans have begun to speculate about the small number of Pokemon that have been teased. In particular, Pawmi, one of the new additions toPokemon ScarletandViolet,has gathered fan attention and sparked a debate about whether it will possess an evolved form.
Pawmi, also known as the “Mouse Pokemon,” was revealed in a trailer alongside fellow early-game PokemonLechonkand Smoliv as well as the Legendary Pokemon that will be featured onScarletandViolet’sbox art. It is a round, quadrupedal Electric-type Pokemon that is noted to rub its paws against its cheeks in order to generate powerful electric shocks. Pawmi is approximately one foot tall, weighs around five and a half pounds, and can naturally possess the abilities Static or Natural Cure. Its habitat is currently unknown. Some fans currently theorize for a number of reasons that Pawmi will not evolve to or from any other Pokemon.
RELATED:Pokemon Leaker Confirms Scarlet and Violet Will Have DLC
Pawmi May Be This Generation’s “Pikachu Clone”
Beginning with now-iconic series mascot Pikachu, almost every generation of Pokemon has had a rodent-inspired creature that is at least part Electric-type. This large group of “Electric Rodents” have also been referred to as “Pikachu Clones” or “Pika-Clones” for short. Pawmi, as a pure Electric-type that looks like a small mammal and is nicknamed the Mouse Pokemon, seems likely to be the Pikachu clone for the Generation 9 games. It is currently speculated to be inspired by the alpine marmot, which lives in the Pyrenees Mountains on the border between Spain and France. The alpine marmot is a popular theory for Pawmi’s design inspiration because it is likely thatPokemon ScarletandViolet’sregion will be based on Spain.
Although Pikachu itself is the middle stage of an evolutionary line between Pichu and Raichu, many of the"Pikachu Clones"in subsequent generations have not evolved at all. Some examples of “Electric Rodents” which do not evolve include Pachirisu fromPokemon DiamondandPearl,Dedenne fromPokemon XandY,Emolga fromPokemon BlackandWhite,and, most recently, Morpeko fromPokemon SwordandShield.Because this trend has continued for several generations, it would make sense for Pawmi not to evolve like its predecessors.
Rival Nemona Battles With a Pawmi
In the trailer which revealed Pawmi, one was shown in the possession ofNemona, a Pokemon Trainer who will likely serve as a rival to the player character. In addition to a Pawmi, Nemona also possesses a Lechonk and a Smoliv, two other Pokemon revealed during the same trailer. The remaining members of her team are still unknown. She is not the first rival to have a “Pikachu Clone” Pokemon in her lineup; Marnie inPokemon Sword and Shieldprimarily battled the player using her Morpeko, and anime protagonist Ash has encountered a number of Pikachu-and Raichu-wielding Trainers, such as Kanto region gym leader Lieutenant Surge.
Traditionally, rival characters will have at least one Pokemon in their party that is part of a single-stage evolutionary line. In addition to the aforementionedMarnie, Hop from the same games utilizes a Pincurchin, Hugh inPokemon Black 2andWhite 2has a Bouffalant, and Hau fromPokemon SunandMoonstarts with a Komala in the original games before adding a Tauros to his team inUltra SunandUltra Moon.While it is also possible that Lechonk, Smoliv, or an unrevealed creature could be Nemona’s Pokemon that does not evolve, Pawmi is definitely a valid candidate for this role.
RELATED:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s Pokedex Entries Should Reflect Pokemon’s Stats More Accurately
Pawmi May Get the Morpeko Treatment
If Pawmi indeed does not evolve inPokemon Scarlet and Violet,it is possible that it may instead receive an alternate form to differentiate itself from previous “Pikachu clones.” Fans particularly suspect that this might be the case because Pawmi ispure Electric-type, and does not have a secondary typing to make it unique. This secondary form, if it exists, would likely trigger when a certain condition has been met, such as using a particular move in battle or encountering a specific type of weather. The form may be purely cosmetic, but, more likely, it would somehow affect Pawmi’s combat performance.
A recent example of this wasMorpeko, which first appeared inPokemon Sword and Shield.Morpeko possesses a unique ability called Hungry Switch, that allows it to switch between “Full Belly Mode” and “Hangry Mode.” In “Full Belly Mode” the offensive move Aura Wheel will be Electric-type, while the same move will be Dark-type if the Morpeko is in “Hangry Mode.” The creature’s physical appearance also changes, going from yellow and brown to black and purple and switching expressions between contented and angry. Other examples of “Pikachu Clones” that have utilized a gimmick like this are the Alolan form of Raichu and Plusle and Minun, two Generation 3 “Electric Rodents” with similar appearances but slightly different stats and abilities.
What If Pawmi Does Evolve?
Pawmi’s evolutionary status, or lack thereof, has not yet been confirmed. However, one Pokemon fan did share a purportedleak of an evolved version of Pawmionline. The rumored Pawmi evolution shows the Mouse Pokemon standing on its hind legs in battle. Its tail has grown longer, and the hair both on top of its head and around its neck has become spikier. Some fans insist that the leak must be fake and is clearly an edited image, while others claim that it is faithful to the art style ofPokemon ScarletandVioletand is thus more likely to be a genuine leak.
If Pawmi does gain an evolved form inPokemon ScarletandViolet,it could gain a secondary typing rather than remaining purely Electric-type. Which secondary typing Pawmi would gain remains unknown, but some fans have theorized that it will be Fire-type because of Pawmi’s orange coloring, Normal-type because of its relatively simple appearance, or Fairy-type because of its cute, rounded design. Others are hoping for anElectric/Fighting-type Pokemon, as this is a currently unused Pokemon type. However, it is likely that any evolved form - or pre-evolved form - of Pawmi, should one exist, will not be revealed for a while yet.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletwill release on June 18, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Could Feature Story Choices With Branching Paths
