17 January 2026

Pokemon Wind and Wave have the perfect candidate to bring back the Fire starter’s zodiac tradition

By newsgame

I remember it vividly when Pokemon Scarlet and Violet were first announced, and as I immediately fell in love with Fuecoco as the Gen 9 Fire starter, people online were shaken that it was breaking the 26-year-long pattern of Fire starter Pokemon being inspired by the Chinese zodiac. I will be honest — I always thought that the Chinese zodiac theory was a bit forced. Yet, Pokemon has plenty of strange references and unique sources of inspiration across the board, so there could be something to it. When I learned about Pokemon Wind and Wave‘s details, I started thinking about the Chinese zodiac tradition and how it suddenly made sense for Gen 10 when I read about one setting-appropriate myth.

Based on the leaks, Pokemon Gen 10 will be called Pokemon Wind and Wave, with the games featuring human-like box Legendaries that each represent one of these key elements. The games will reportedly be set in an archipelago inspired by Southeast Asia and Indonesia, which is an interesting location considering the series’ settings being Japanese, American, or European so far. But why would Gen 10 reprise the Chinese zodiac tradition? The answer is simple, and it’s because there is a perfect folklore creature that fits it.

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Everything in the 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 Came Crashing Down

In case you’re out of the loop, the Fire starter Chinese zodiac theory states that each starter with the Fire type could fit into one of the 12 animals represented by the Chinese zodiac. These would be:

Gen 1: Charmander is the Chinese zodiac’s Dragon, which could make sense given Charizard’s design and the fact that one of its Mega Evolutions even has Dragon as a type.
Gen 2: Cyndaquil is the Chinese zodiac’s Rat, which fits since it’s called the “Fire Mouse Pokemon.”
Gen 3: Torchic is the Chinese zodiac’s Rooster, which makes sense because it’s a chicken.
Gen 4: Chimchar is the Chinese zodiac’s Monkey, which again fits since it’s indeed a monkey.
Gen 5: Tepig is the Chinese zodiac’s Pig, and this too is easy to see.
Gen 6: Fennekin is the Chinese zodiac’s Dog, though this is where the theory started showing its cracks, because Fennekin is clearly a fox (and its evolutions prove it).
Gen 7: Litten is the Chinese zodiac’s Tiger, and while the starter is a cat, its final evolution is clearly based on a tiger.
Gen 8: Scorbunny is the Chinese zodiac’s Rabbit, which again fits nicely.
Gen 9: Fuecoco is the true dealbreaker, as the remaining animals in the Chinese zodiac are the Snake, Horse, Goat, and Ox, but it’s clearly based on a crocodile, something its evolutions also keep.

How Pokemon Wind and Wave Can Revive the Chinese Zodiac Theory

Pokemon Scarlet Violet Break Fire Pokemon Zodiac Theory

There is no guarantee that Pokemon‘s Chinese zodiac theory will return 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 pity not to use the perfect creature for this pattern: the Sigbin. The Sigbin (or Sigben) is a creature originating from Philippine folklore that resembles a hornless goat.

According to the myths, the Sigbin has big ears that clap, a long tail that it can use as a whip, and produces a terrible odor. It becomes active at night and is on the hunt for blood, which it sucks from animals’ and people’s shadows. It is said to walk backwards, with reports suggesting it places its head between its legs, and to be able to 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. The possibilities include:

A fiery goat with some physical characteristics of the Sigbin for a pure Fire-type Pokemon.
A goat presenting physical characteristics of the Sigbin, but with a focus on invisibility and sucking blood off of 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.
A goat-like creature inspired by the Sigbin in terms of design, with a focus on the nauseating smell, which could be perfect for a Fire/Poison Pokemon akin to Salazzle.
A goat Pokemon that is inspired both physically and behaviorally by the Sigbin, mixing some traits up for a Fire/Dark Pokemon, like Incineroar.

Why a Goat Fire Starter Makes Perfect Sense in Gen 10

Since the Sigbin has several traits that could make for an interesting concept of a Pokemon, the possibilities are endless for a potential starter. Considering that goats have long been associated with fire as an element due to religious symbols, and considering that there is no Fire-type goat Pokemon, this could be a great opportunity to kill two birds with one stone, creating a myth-appropriate critter based on a local legend. This could enrich the setting of Pokemon Wind and Wave, while also offering an entirely refreshing Pokemon species as a starter.

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 Pokemon‘s Swords of Justice is a goat, but it’s actually based on antilopes, instead, which have different characteristics from 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.