Sprigatito, the Grass-type starter of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, has made its anime debut in a Team Rocket special. The feline is the first of the Generation 9 starters to appear in the animated show.
After months of high anticipation, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet launched worldwide last week. More than one hundred new Pokémon have been introduced in Generation 9, including the classic three starters. At the beginning of the game, players must choose between Fire-type starter Fuecoco, Water-type starter Quaxly, or Grass-type starter Sprigatito as their partner Pokémon. The three are the franchise's first brand-new starters since the 2019 release of Pokémon Sword & Shield.
A one-minute clip of the Team Rocket special focuses on Sprigatito, referred to in the scene by its Japanese name Nyaoha. Decked in adventure gear, Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet land in the Paldea region for the first time in search of new Pokémon. On their forest expedition, the squad stumbles upon Sprigatito munching on a berry and references a book to identify it.
Realizing the creature is Sprigatito, the Team Rocket members ready their Poké Balls to catch the feline. However, Sprigatito rubs its paws together to release a sweet aroma, temporarily subduing Team Rocket. When Meowth snaps out of the daze and begins a squabble, Sprigatito spots Team Rocket in the bushes and becomes spooked. The Grass-type starter quickly bounds away, to the dismay of Team Rocket. Concluding the special, Team Rocket proclaims "Nyaoha smells good."
As the clip has started circulating on social media, fans have expressed their anticipation for the anime debuts of Quaxly and Fuecoco. The Team Rocket special featuring Sprigatito may mean that an animated series set in the Paldea region is in store. If there is to be a new show, some fans hope that a new main character will be featured, in light of longtime protagonist Ash Ketchum's rise to World Champion.
Earlier this week, Nintendo announced that Pokémon Scarlet & Violet had sold more than ten million units within the first three days of release. The two titles have outsold all other Pokémon releases for the Nintendo Switch, including Pokémon Legends: Arceus. With the commercial success of the games, it would be no surprise if a new Pokémon anime exploring Paldea is announced in the near future.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are available now on Nintendo Switch.