We know that Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon take place in the islands of the Alola Region, which game developer Game Freak has based on the islands of Hawaii. We also know that the developer's adaptation of Hawaiian topography caused the Pokémon to evolve. What we didn't know is that Alolan's environment caused Dugtrio to grow hair!
That's right. The burrowing, round, brown, pink-nosed set of Diglett triplets, which was once bald, now has hair on all three heads. And based on what @ruiisuD tweeted, Dugtrio is blond.
Alolan Dugtrio, ~video version~ pic.twitter.com/GaVGJGrldf
— Luis~☆ (@ruiisuD) October 18, 2016
It doesn't take much to see the surfer reference with this new iteration of Dugtrio. However, one look at Pokémon Sun and Moon's version of Dugtrio brings the American pop rock band Hanson to mind. You may remember them from such hits as "MMMBop" and "Penny and Me." Pokémon lovers who are anticipating Pokémon Sun and Moon's release have come up with plenty of puns and memes that tie up Dugtrio with the 90s band.
90s kids remember... pic.twitter.com/L4yAZ1jag1 — Kevin Budnikula (@knittedsweater) October 18, 2016
However, this should not come as a surprise. A few months ago, the Pokémon Sun and Moon version of Exeggutor was also revealed along with other classic Pokémon. According to the lore, because of the abundance of sunlight and environmental pressures in the Alolan region, Exeggutor, which was originally a grass/psychic Pokémon, somehow mutated to a grass/dragon type.
And with the dragon classification comes the Pokémon's towering figure that is five times taller than Exeggutors in other regions, along with a tail that has a head. The Exeggutor's Alolan form looks like a proper coconut tree rather than a pineapple-coconut hybrid. Quite a big leap from a Pokémon that starts as a pile of eggs in its most basic form.
Continuing with Pokémon Sun and Moon's dive into the Hawaiian culture, Comfey, a small, light green Pokémon that surrounds itself with flowers, was also unveiled in July. Game Freak most likely took inspiration from a lei when Comfey was designed.
Mimicking the Hawaiian tradition of welcoming guests by giving them leis, Comfey will hand out flower rings to those it likes. This Pokémon also laces flowers with oil, which makes them emit a soothing fragrance that can affect allies and Comfey itself.
Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon will be released worldwide for the Nintendo 3DS on Nov. 18 to commemorate the Pokémon franchise's 20th anniversary. However, the European release won't come until Nov. 23.
A hat tip to Kotaku for bringing Dugtrio's Alolan form to light.
