Classified as a Fire-type Pokémon, Fuecoco is the first stage of an evolutionary line, eventually becoming Crocalor and later Skeledirge, gaining the secondary typing of Ghost in its final form. It is one of the three Pokémon available at the start of Scarlet and Violet, alongside Sprigatito and Quaxly. Fuecoco has been met positively, primarily for its cute and appealing design.
Conception and development
Fuecoco is a fictional species of Pokémon created for the Pokémon franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the video games Pokémon Red and Blue for the Game Boy.[1] In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon, and some can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.[2]
Fuecoco is a small red crocodilian Pokémon.[3] It is one of the three Pokémon players can obtain as their first in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and it can evolve into Crocalor (アチゲータ, Achigēta, Achigator) and Skeledirge (ラウドボーン, Raudobōn, Laudbon) after gaining enough experience. It and its evolutions are all Fire type, and Skeledirge has a secondary Ghost typing it gains when Crocalor evolves into it.[4] Fuecoco is voiced by Zeno Robinson in the English dub of Pokémon Horizons: The Series,[5] while it is voiced by Daiki Yamashita in Japanese.[6]
Fuecoco has received positive reception, having become a fan favorite due to its "goofier design and big happy smile" according to Fanbyte writer Imran Khan.[14] In a Famitsu reader poll, Fuecoco was voted the second best starter from Scarlet and Violet.[15] Another popularity poll put Fuecoco as the fourth best Pokémon available in Scarlet and Violet, as well as the most popular Scarlet and Violet starter.[16] An Inside Games poll also ranked it as the most popular starter in Scarlet and Violet, with Inside Games staff noting that readers found it stupid and cute.[17]Esquire writer Josh Rosenberg regarded Fuecoco as his favorite Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, praising its design and expressing his cute aggression- a desire to affectionately squeeze cute things- for it.[18]Den of Geek writer Matthew Byrd called Fuecoco "objectively cute," feeling that, in combination with its Fire typing and strength, would enable it to make it more popular.[19]
Hindustan Times writer Paurush Omar responded positively to Fuecoco in Pokémon Horizons: The Series. They stated that its singing ability and cuteness contributed to the its overall likability and popularity. In addition, they felt that its "childlike disposition" made it relatable, saying that it crying over losing its food would "make anyone's heart melt."[20]Kotaku writer Sisi Jiang agreed, calling Fuecoco the "breakout star" of Pokémon Horizons, noting how its appearance in the anime has led to fans picking Fuecoco as their favorite. They stated that the positive reception was due to both its cute appearance and its singing ability.[21] Fellow Kotaku writer Ashley Bardhan felt that it was the best starter, attributing its popularity to its design, personality, and power.[22] Similar to fans not wanting Sprigatito to stand on two legs when it evolved, there was also a fan reaction for people who wanted Fuecoco to not stand on all fours when it evolved.[23]
^Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN9780520938991.