Every starter in a new Pokémon generation erects an army of staunch defenders, but like it or not, some monsters are loved more than others. And for a couple of decades now, it seems like fire-type starters and grass-type starters keep taking turns stealing the spotlight. But when was the last time a water-type starter turned the collective Pokémon fandom’s head?
Fans seemed receptive to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet‘s Quaxly, but the blue duck was ultimately overshadowed by the cult of Sprigatito. I barely saw any hype for Sobble in the generation preceding Scarlet and Violet. The adorable Popplio did inspire a defense squad, but that support was a response to the widespread hatred the poor circus sea lion suffered when it was initially revealed. Oshawott was adorable, but Snivvy’s smile stole more hearts back then. Piplup had some champions, but its fandom was pitiful compared to the church of Mudkip that preceded it.
Really, there hasn’t been a water-type starter in a long time who has inspired the level of cultural cache or devotion that Mudkip did, and that was more than two decades ago. (Froakie is beloved due to Greninja, its final evolution, but that generation debuted in 2013. We can split hairs about when the last truly significant water starter happened, but ultimately it has been a long time.)
Pokémon’s water starters often get the short end of the stick
This is the curse of the water starter, who has had the bad luck of sporting some of the weakest designs out of any given trio for at least a few generations of games now. Gequa, the water gecko introduced for Pokémon Winds and Waves, might be the first real contender to the throne. Already, fans keep joking that it is the better version of Sobble, the slack-jawed water starter from the previous generation.
Like the proceedings following any Pokémon starter reveal, fans are busy trying to imagine what Gecqua’s evolutionary line will look like. Some fans believe that the lizard is based on the real-world fat-tailed gecko, leading to debate over whether Gecqua can run on water. Whatever awaits down the line for Gecqua, there’s no denying one fundamental fact: Its design is fantastic.
The water starter’s round cherubic features immediately pull the viewer’s attention toward its face. Though Gecqua’s head is disproportionally large for its body, the imbalance doesn’t veer into uncanny territory. I’m reminded of the stubby nature of Hello Kitty characters, whose design combines the gravitational pull of an adorable baby with the squeezable nature of a plushie.
Most of Gecqua’s visage is composed of its enormous periwinkle eyes, which form a striking contrast to its steel blue frame. Gecqua’s long, protruding eyelashes emphasize the power of its eyes all the more. The official Gecqua art poses it in an evocative way, with its head turned slightly away from its body. This coquette detail is Pokémon equivalent of the Girl with Pearl Earl Earring. And that slight, almost imperceptible smile? I don’t know what Gecqua’s secret is, but I do know that Mona Lisa was just found dead in a ditch.
“Gecqua is out here giving Snivy competition for the biggest diva of the starters,” one YouTube commenter writes.
“Gecqua might be one of the few times I step out of the fire starter first train,” another says.
“I literally screamed when I saw them!!!!” a leopard gecko fan exclaims.
Winds and Waves’ starters are top-tier designs
This early, lion cub Pombon is leading in the proverbial starter polls. There’s plenty of chatter surrounding Browt, but much of it seems focused on its meme-like similarity to Angry Birds characters. Based on social media posts on places like Reddit and Facebook, Gecqua may not be leading the pack, but it does stand tall among them. Gecqua’s followers are currently comparable to the other starters, which is not how things usually go in a new generation of Pokémon games. Typically, there’s always a black sheep starter. This underrated starter will have a following (all Pokémon do), but it is generally understood to be the less-popular pick. Gecqua defies all of that.
There’s almost an undertone of surprise whenever fans discuss Gecqua — like they weren’t expecting to like it this much. Water starters don’t have this type of swag. It’s Gecqua, not its peers, that is being posed as a standout design by fans. Who knows? By the time Pokémon Winds and Waves come out in 2027, perhaps Gecqua will sway the majority. Given the aquatic theme of the new generation of Pokémon, a Gecqua kingdom would be fitting. Now all Game Freak has to do is nail Gecqua’s entire evolutionary line. Easier said than done!