A teaser forPokemon Scarlet and Violetasks the question “Who’s that Pokemon?” but internet leaks have already given fans some significant clues. On the morning of July 16, 2025, The Pokemon Company International released a three-and-a-half minutevideo introducingPokemonfans to a gym leader, who describes a Pokemon that sounds a lot like one previously confirmed through said leaks. However, all that was known is the Pokemon’s type and that it resembles a frog. Fans now know Iono was referring to Bellibolt. Still, the video was a bit of a letdown considering the buildup to it.
Just one week after the “Jump Into a Paldean Journey” video, fans were given a familiar cliffhanger to hold them over before the next big announcement. In the heyday of thePokemonanimated series, commercial breaks would routinely ask the question “Who’s That Pokemon?” featuring a black cutout of the outline of the Pokemon’s image. Over two decades later, the tradition stands strong.The 9th generation ofPokemongamesare set to release exclusively on Nintendo Switch in November. The buildup to these games has enticed fans with several elements of gameplay being revealed, but the Iono teaser has been hampered by leaks.
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Pokemon Fans Saw Iono’s Partner Coming
In the official video forPokemon Scarlet and Violet, Iono, the Levincia City Gym Leader, introduces herself to the masses through her VTuber influence show the “Iono Zone.” She poses a question to the masses: “Who is my partner Pokemon?” In a surprise for thePokemonvideo game franchise, this isthe firstPokemongym leader to speakwith a voice actor. Iono talks on her show about the weather and picnicking with Pokemon (two clear references to what players can expect on their in-game adventure). After lamenting that her lavish lifestyle doesn’t allow for such “liberties,” she leads viewers to guess her partner Pokemon.
Iono describes theElectric-type Pokemon, and the viewers have to guess who it is. To keep with her influencer motif, viewers are encouraged to guess the name in the comments. It’s like the commercial breaks from the TV show, except the Pokemon’s shape and size wasn’t revealed, even in shadow. Iono describes the Pokemon in an abridged20 Questionsstyle calling it sluggish and easy-going, and describing two large bumps on its head people mistake for eyes. As Iono becomes more excited, she tells the audience that her partner Pokemon’s body “expands and contracts to generate electricity in its belly.”
Unfortunately for Iono, fans already had a pretty good idea of who the Pokemon is. Recent leaks suggested the existence ofa frog Pokemonin the Paldea region with dual Electric/Psychic typing, so it seemed clear what she was talking about. While the leaks weren’t perfectly accurate, the Electric-type frog Bellibolt has since been revealed as part of Iono’s party, failing to surprise any fans who read the leaks and thought of this creature.
Regardless of the leaks, “Guess Iono’s Partner Pokemon” may sound fun, but for fans who didn’t spoil Bellibolt for themselves, it was a wild goose chase with nothing to do but sit until the next video. The TV show would give much clearer hints as to what the Pokemon was before the commercial break. However, while Iono’s reveal video fails to introduce Bellibolt in a good way, it at least presents a gym leader with a lot of personality, which in turn keeps general interest inPokemon Scarlet and Violethigh. It’s just a shame that leaks sidestepped the Pokemon Company’s intentions.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetare set to release on Jul 27, 2025 for Nintendo Switch.
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