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-   -   Rival Discussion & Speculation (https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=363863)

AliceBlaze May 14th, 2016 11:22 PM

A video by GameXplain says he may be the Shauna of this game while the protagonist you don't pick will be the true rival just like Calem/Serena in X/Y. They also speculate that the male protagonist may have the default name Shohei which is the name of the boy in the Japanese trailer while the rival may be named Hoku which is the name of the boy that Shohei befriends in the trailer.

illumine May 15th, 2016 1:41 AM

They seem more likely to be a bit of a generic nice-guy kind of faux-rival, as have been used commonly in recent games. They are likely to be one of multiple rivals, as you say, due to the choice. This might lead to something quite similar to recent games when it comes to the 'rivalry' section, which wouldn't really be worth noting.

Quote:

if i wasn't 13/14 in-game, i would ask him on a date
When you're 13/14 and someone says they love you, they'll probably turn out to be a rival.

Xertified May 15th, 2016 1:49 AM

Imma guess, it would be another rival. Fuck you Barry.

blue May 15th, 2016 4:04 AM

If he's chose the starter that is weak to yours, I wonder who picked the remaining starter? Surely we'll also have a rival that has the advantage over us, either that or GF are just making the games even easier.

Jeischita_Homaji May 15th, 2016 4:10 AM

I am skeptical of this. I honestly just don't think that he is your rival. Firstly, from what we have seen he picks the starter that is weakest against yours (Ex; You pick Litten, he picks Rowlet) which makes me think he is just a friend character and the battle against him in the trailer is just for fun.

Second, lets not forget that there are THREE starters. If he picks the starter that is weakest against yours, then perhaps someone else picks the starter that is strongest? I firmly believe that whoever claims the third starter, the one that is strongest against yours will be the true rival. Hoping to see some bad blood rivalry this generation like back in Red and Green.

P.S.--

What are the chances that the kid in OP's picture is Hoku? He looks somewhat like the Hawaiian boy from the Japanese trailer and they are dressed pretty much exactly the same.

TI May 15th, 2016 4:15 AM

His design is cool.

I'm disappointed though because he seems too casual.
Like we need another rival that beats you to the champion spot.
Hardened. Tough opponent.

Like not sure about you guys but I'm not afraid of this guy at a glance.

classiccartoonsftw May 15th, 2016 5:48 AM

This guy seems like a friendly person. But they could add a second rival, who's more like Gary, Silver, Barry, or Hugh. He could pick the starter that's strong against yours.

Iceshadow3317 May 15th, 2016 3:29 PM

As I said, I am really hoping that the opposite gender of what we choose is the 2nd rival. I would be disappointed not to see the female at all if I start as a guy, because she just has the better design in my opinion.

But how do we have proof that he choices the one weaker to your choice? Have I missed something in one of the trailers?

LilBueno May 15th, 2016 3:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcyIce (Post 9244411)
But how do we have proof that he choices the one weaker to your choice? Have I missed something in one of the trailers?

I'm not sure which trailer it is, but it's a bit higher in the thread.
Here it is again:
http://www.serebii.net/sunmoonpokenchi.jpg
The player has Litten and the maybe-rival has Rowlet.

Iceshadow3317 May 15th, 2016 3:38 PM

Ah ok thanks. I saw the photo, but I didn't even pay attention to it. That gives me hope that there is indeed a 2nd rival. I don't see them giving him the weaker one if he is the main rival. That just isn't something they do I don't think.

LilBueno May 15th, 2016 6:12 PM

Personally, I'd be fine if they did away with the 1 main rival and 1 weak rival dynamic and simply make them both strong and worth fighting.
There are plenty of plot points they could use for it: 1 rival who helps against the bad guys and the other is doing the Pokemon League challenge; 1 Pokemon League rival and a Pokedex rival; 1 rival who simply wants to get stronger for a personal reason and the other is more story involved; a traditional rival and the other with a team centered on a battle gimmick (Mega Evolution, for instance).

Blastin'Tyruntz May 16th, 2016 2:48 AM

Seeing as Hoku (this is his name right?) is the "friend" rival, I'd like to see a really rival-rival, like the opposite gender you chose, it's seriously that easy. I mean you're both in the ceremonial stage, and your journy is together, you fight and evolve...basically somehwat like Serena's seriousness

PageEmp May 16th, 2016 3:07 AM

If that guy is the rival then I hope we get a competitive kind of rival. We've had enough friendly ravals tbh, we need a change.

lilyocean May 16th, 2016 5:17 AM

I think you should have one rival at the beginning then you meet another 2 rivals at the professor's lab. The characteristics I'm not so sure about.

illumine May 16th, 2016 2:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeischita_Homaji (Post 9243310)
which makes me think he is just a friend character and the battle against him in the trailer is just for fun.

Generally speaking, for its being weaker to have much impact in these games, it would usually require that they keep going until later on, or in brief be associated with the 'rival' role. Obviously, 'friend' and 'rival' are at this point near-interchangeable in the games, so that's not necessarily that straightforward a distinction.

caminferno30 May 16th, 2016 2:49 PM

I want only 1 rival. I like how in BW, they were more your friends but the posed no real challenge. In XY I like how you had to catch Pokémon to beat one of your rivals but there was no real challenge. It was just a nuisance. Even if you beat him or if you lost he was not a real challenge. In all the other games you had to actually beat the rival to advance in the game. It was annoying if your pokemon weren't ready but it still did not take very long to beat him. I do like how in ORAS you could go back to the routes to face other trainers which would train your pokemon. The only problem was that the only way to go back to the first routes without going through pokemon most likely weaker than you was fly (which was you got at the 6th gym) or use the eon flute (which you get right before you get access to the gym). If they had one rival I would be happy. One harder than May, but not one that got on your nerves like Barry. I want the rival to be hard like Hugh or Blue. I want you to actually have to grind in the different routes. That is what I would want in a rival

Ho-Oh May 17th, 2016 2:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilyocean (Post 9245023)
I think you should have one rival at the beginning then you meet another 2 rivals at the professor's lab. The characteristics I'm not so sure about.

From the looks of it, you're not too far from the professor's lab anyways. More rivals isn't always better though. The majority in XY had no substance. Sticking to two at most - the weaker/carefree one and the serious business one makes for better gameplay. Who wants to compete with a ton of rivals anyways when having only two to prepare for makes everything much easier. c:

Jeischita_Homaji May 17th, 2016 5:28 AM

Friend/Rival Name Speculation
 
This may be reaching a bit, but I have strong evidence to suggest that the hawaiian (or Alolan) boy who is to be your friend and/or rival in Pokemon Sun and Moon is named "Hoku". This stems from the Japanese live action trailer in which the center character, Shohei, bore a striking resemblance to the new game's male protagonist.

"Hoku" In-Game (Enhanced)

http://s32.postimg.org/mov2pxplh/Hoku.png

He shares the same backpack

http://s32.postimg.org/zd0luxtjp/Hoku2.png

And the necklace he wears is the same shape as the decoration on the in-game character's shirt

http://s32.postimg.org/3liungsid/Hoku3.png

I know this is nothing huge, but it is at least enough evidence to justify a discussion on the matter. I realise that certain things could change in the nearly 6 months to the release but I firmly believe that this is the case and that thw character's name in Pokemon Sun and Moon IS and WILL BE "Hoku".

Iceshadow3317 May 17th, 2016 5:49 AM

Hoku is probably the name to be honest. It also just seems to match him. I am not 100% sure what the females name would be or our name.

As for the Manga names, I am thinking Orange, Purple, and possibly Brown, looking at the covers which are both orange or purple. I same brown because I do not know of another name currently that would match a third person. And brown matches Orange and Purple better than other unused names.

Like I have said before, nothing in Live Action pokemon trailers is accidental. They plan well.


Edit: Hoku is actually on of the supposed gym leader names. However, it could be his father or something.

Jeischita_Homaji May 17th, 2016 6:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcyIce (Post 9246325)
Edit: Hoku is actually on of the supposed gym leader names. However, it could be his father or something.

Yeah, but wouldn't the names on that wall be the names of the students in that class? And the kid who says "My name is Hoku" is in that class. He is the one that starts the clapping when Shohei introduces himself.

LilBueno May 17th, 2016 8:57 AM

I completely think that live-action!Hoku was meant to symbolize the rival, who will be named Hoku, but the necklace/shirt comparison really seems to be reaching.
That said, have we had a rival whose parent was a Gym Leader or Elite 4? That could turn out to be an interesting plot point especially if the same rival is also taking on the Pokémon League. Maybe that's why Hoku takes to the newly-moved player, his family is a part of the Alola Pokémon League so he decides to act as your welcome wagon.

Iceshadow3317 May 17th, 2016 9:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeischita_Homaji (Post 9246371)
Yeah, but wouldn't the names on that wall be the names of the students in that class? And the kid who says "My name is Hoku" is in that class. He is the one that starts the clapping when Shohei introduces himself.

I don't think so. There was like 15 students in that class room. There was only 9 silhouettes and they all looked like they were in a battle stance. I find it unlikely that they were supposed to be for the students.

There was also a Caitlin, which we already have an E4 member for. I am not exactly sure why they would name a gym leader that when we already have a member. Unless she reverted back a gym leader because she want to teach beginner trainers.

If you are wondering about the 9th, there is one to the far left in the corner that can hardly be seen. Which could associate the player.

Jeischita_Homaji May 17th, 2016 9:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IcyIce (Post 9246522)
I don't think so. There was like 15 students in that class room.

There could easily be more off camera, its a decently sized classroom. It is incredibly more likely that they are student names as opposed to Gym Leader names, now THAT is grasping at straws, especially when a character in the trailer who is definetly a student (and who is clearly meant to represent the friend/rival character) directly said "My Name Is Hoku"

If the names are an easer egg at all, then the other names are likely the names of the other friends who will join the player on their journey across Alola's many islands. Yes, I am making assumptions, but I am making assumptions based on the more likely scenario. There is little to no evidence tying those names to Gym Leaders, but there is spoken proof connecting the hawaiian boy to the name Hoku.

Desert Stream~ May 18th, 2016 8:15 PM

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed this yet, and it really bugs me.
Your rival in this game chooses the starter that is weak to yours.
I wish gamefreak would treat us like we weren't complete idiots when it comes to video games, and give us a proper challenge.

OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire May 18th, 2016 8:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUDKIP!!! (Post 9248611)
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed this yet, and it really bugs me.
Your rival in this game chooses the starter that is weak to yours.
I wish gamefreak would treat us like we weren't complete idiots when it comes to video games, and give us a proper challenge.

I think "Hoku" (which if people are right will be his Japanese name) is more of the Shauna, than the Blue, Silver, May/Brendan, Barry, Hugh, and Serena of the story. The opposite sex rival might be the one who gets the one strong against our's, or another person if they pull a BW on us. I assume the other rival will be a girl if it's not the Opposite sex MC. Actually not counting OSMCs the only female Rival we've ever had was Shauna, and she wasn't much of a rival in story either, so a stronger Female rival would be welcomed.

MarinoKadame May 18th, 2016 9:42 PM

We had Bianca as a Rival kind of.

OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire May 18th, 2016 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarinoKadame (Post 9248682)
We had Bianca as a Rival kind of.

Forgot about her, but she was like Shauna, a rival without the passion of a rival.

stzy May 19th, 2016 2:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeischita_Homaji (Post 9246312)
*snip*

Wow good eye. I agree with you man I think this might actually be his name. He seems a little weak though so yeah, I'm assuming there will (hopefully) be at least one more rival.

Maybe this has been brought up but what if your rival was your sister/brother? That would, at least for myself, make the rivalry that much more heated. Idk just an idea. I agree with everyone for the most part that we need an actual rival, not a peer or a friend or a fucking gang (even though an actual gang would be pretty tight but not how it was in X and Y that was lame af).

Hikamaru May 24th, 2016 2:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUDKIP!!! (Post 9248611)
I'm not sure if anyone has noticed this yet, and it really bugs me.
Your rival in this game chooses the starter that is weak to yours.
I wish gamefreak would treat us like we weren't complete idiots when it comes to video games, and give us a proper challenge.

You know, if we don't get another rival who chooses the other starter then this could mean that Game Freak might be intentionally making the rival weak against you for the purpose of making the games even more easier to cater with the kid-friendly audience, and that next step they take in making Pokemon games even more easier is breaking the trend of the "main" rival not picking the starter strong against yours (that is, assuming we don't have another rival). And I know that's not going to get the best reactions out of everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire (Post 9248633)
I think "Hoku" (which if people are right will be his Japanese name) is more of the Shauna, than the Blue, Silver, May/Brendan, Barry, Hugh, and Serena of the story. The opposite sex rival might be the one who gets the one strong against our's, or another person if they pull a BW on us. I assume the other rival will be a girl if it's not the Opposite sex MC. Actually not counting OSMCs the only female Rival we've ever had was Shauna, and she wasn't much of a rival in story either, so a stronger Female rival would be welcomed.

One thing to know with the regions that we had an opposite gender protagonist as the main rival were Hoenn and Kalos. The games that take place in those regions (RSE/ORAS and XY) involve a protagonist who had moved to the region from another location, and if this is implied to be the case for Alola then we could be seeing the opposite gender protagonist being the main rival who picks the starter strong against you again.

Bianca and Shauna have so far been the only female rivals outside of the opposite gender protagonists, but they didn't have the same spirit of a rival so you can see why people didn't enjoy them, but Bianca at least had notably good character development.

Pretty Wing May 24th, 2016 3:32 AM

My only real input into this speculation is that I think Hoku is already very charming and cute! Can't wait to see his artwork, and find out more about him. Here's hoping our friendship with him in the game is as thought out and detailed as say, with Bianca and Cheren. Hopefully he has a sizable input into the story, perhaps teaming up with our protagonist to a greater extent than the Kalos rivals, as an example.

I can 100% see Hoku training a Ludicolo or a Golduck!

Hikamaru May 24th, 2016 5:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretty Wing (Post 9255183)
My only real input into this speculation is that I think Hoku is already very charming and cute! Can't wait to see his artwork, and find out more about him. Here's hoping our friendship with him in the game is as thought out and detailed as say, with Bianca and Cheren. Hopefully he has a sizable input into the story, perhaps teaming up with our protagonist to a greater extent than the Kalos rivals, as an example.

I can 100% see Hoku training a Ludicolo or a Golduck!

It really wasn't until around 3rd Gen that we had a rival teaming up with us at some point, but I felt in X/Y it was handled at its worst, and it makes that parade at the end questionable since most of them never really had much of a role in saving Kalos from Team Flare. It was all mainly the main protagonist's work, with Calem/Serena usually doing a bit alongside him/her.

As for Hoku, I think he's an Alola native and he wants to be friends with you when he realizes you're not native to the region.

[email protected] May 27th, 2016 10:02 PM

I would like the Silver kind of rival, who would be too bratty and impolite. His words always pumps me up to do my best.

Hikamaru May 27th, 2016 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [email protected] (Post 9260217)
I would like the Silver kind of rival, who would be too bratty and impolite. His words always pumps me up to do my best.

I can understand the appeal, but since this new rival is looking friendly I guess we'll never be returning to the days of the brat rival. Game Freak do like promoting friendship a lot when it comes to Pokemon.

OreoPark May 30th, 2016 8:30 PM

What if we had another rival who started off with a pokemon that isn't one of the starters, like how Wally started off with Ralts?

OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire May 30th, 2016 8:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikamaru (Post 9260348)
I can understand the appeal, but since this new rival is looking friendly I guess we'll never be returning to the days of the brat rival. Game Freak do like promoting friendship a lot when it comes to Pokemon.

Unless if the possible female rival is mean, while the guy we see in the trailer is a nice rival. Kind of want it to happen now...a Oujo like rival who might be a bit of a Tsundere. Hm...sounds like Erina from SnS... but most fans of that serious love to hate on her so... a mean female rival like that would fit in with Blue and Silver.

Hikamaru May 30th, 2016 9:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OreoPark (Post 9264110)
What if we had another rival who started off with a pokemon that isn't one of the starters, like how Wally started off with Ralts?

We also had two of the rivals in XY had non-starters acting as starters - Tierno with Corphish and Trevor with his Flabébe. I know they were the first Pokemon we saw from them in their rival battles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire (Post 9264118)
Unless if the possible female rival is mean, while the guy we see in the trailer is a nice rival. Kind of want it to happen now...a Oujo like rival who might be a bit of a Tsundere. Hm...sounds like Erina from SnS... but most fans of that serious love to hate on her so... a mean female rival like that would fit in with Blue and Silver.

We never had a mean rival since Silver, and while a female one like that would be a nice change-up I do feel it's in doubt since Game Freak likes to promote Pokemon as friends.

OmegaRuby and AlphaSapphire May 31st, 2016 1:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikamaru (Post 9264128)
We also had two of the rivals in XY had non-starters acting as starters - Tierno with Corphish and Trevor with his Flabébe. I know they were the first Pokemon we saw from them in their rival battles.



We never had a mean rival since Silver, and while a female one like that would be a nice change-up I do feel it's in doubt since Game Freak likes to promote Pokemon as friends.

Maybe for the 20th we'll get another Green/Blue and Silver like character. I do feel that the rival has gotten nicer. I felt a little of a sting from the Opposite Sex rival in RSE, Barry, Cheren, and Hugh, but the Kalos rivals didn't have much of that, they were like Bianca (though I liked Bianca better than the Kalos rivals).

LilBueno June 1st, 2016 12:13 PM

One thing I've noticed replaying Yellow is Blue isn't as terrible as I remember.
I'm at Rock Tunnel so I still have a few battles with him left so my opinion may change as I encounter him again, but he isn't as mean as I remember. He's got an attitude and a bit of a complex, yeah, and he's no Barry/Wally/Calem/Serena, but he still gives the player a few tips (seeing Bill, talking to the captain of S.S. Anne) and isn't trying to beat the player just for the sake of being better (though that is definitely the core of it) but also to see how you've progressed compared to him.
With that and how Silver turns around at the end, all rivals have had a redeemable quality.
I do want that level of meanness back, but I kind of want a nonredeemable rival. I doubt GameFreak would ever go down that path as their games are so kid-friendly so it's usually the Evil Team that ends up nonredeemable.

blue June 1st, 2016 2:06 PM

Both Wally and May/Brendan had great character progression in ORAS particularly. It really felt like they were rivals right until the end yknow? They showed up several times, they helped you out and gave you items when needed. Compare that to X/Y and it's kinda like a whole different story. In those games the abundance of rivals just ruined it for me, having too many at once didn't really give any of them a chance to shine or show true character progression. Shauna stood out a little, but having an extra 3 showing up randomly just threw it off. I think that's why I prefer only having one or two rivals similarly to ORAS or BW.

MarinoKadame June 1st, 2016 8:32 PM

And let's not forget the terrible Rival Gauntlet at the bridge.

Hikamaru June 2nd, 2016 1:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue (Post 9266844)
Both Wally and May/Brendan had great character progression in ORAS particularly. It really felt like they were rivals right until the end yknow? They showed up several times, they helped you out and gave you items when needed. Compare that to X/Y and it's kinda like a whole different story. In those games the abundance of rivals just ruined it for me, having too many at once didn't really give any of them a chance to shine or show true character progression. Shauna stood out a little, but having an extra 3 showing up randomly just threw it off. I think that's why I prefer only having one or two rivals similarly to ORAS or BW.

I did find Shauna interesting as far as the XY group was concerned, but you didn't battle her much (seriously it's so bad that you battle Calem/Serena more and I guess that's because he/she is your main rival) and that hampered her for me as a character.

It also taught me that too many rivals is not the best thing for Pokemon. I'm hoping for something like Hoenn or BW Unova where we had two rivals which I think was a perfect balance.

Desert Stream~ June 2nd, 2016 12:11 PM

The way he said "that gave me chicken skin" just wierds me out. I think I may end up hating him :p

Rivvon June 2nd, 2016 2:48 PM

I know lots of people are tired of getting multiple rivals each time, but I'm really hoping that Hau getting the starter weak to yours means someone else gets the one you're weak to. Because if not, what's the purpose of that? All it would be doing is making the game easier than it already is...

Also what is up with that translation? Is "chicken skin" actually a saying? Why not just go with goosebumps?

Besides that, though, Hau is totally cute. He's truthfully the character helping me stay positive about SM. I genuinely hope he isn't as annoying as the XY Brigade or Brendan........... (knocks on wood)

Hikamaru June 2nd, 2016 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivvon (Post 9268779)
I know lots of people are tired of getting multiple rivals each time, but I'm really hoping that Hau getting the starter weak to yours means someone else gets the one you're weak to. Because if not, what's the purpose of that? All it would be doing is making the game easier than it already is...

I could imagine that if we don't get a second rival who picks the starter we're weak to, it must be a sign Game Freak is making SM even easier than 6th Gen and I know some people won't like that. Also, apparently Hau's name comes from the Hawaiian word for the sea hibiscus flower, which makes sense when you consider the flower pattern on his shorts.

Iceshadow3317 June 3rd, 2016 8:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikamaru (Post 9269308)
I could imagine that if we don't get a second rival who picks the starter we're weak to, it must be a sign Game Freak is making SM even easier than 6th Gen and I know some people won't like that. Also, apparently Hau's name comes from the Hawaiian word for the sea hibiscus flower, which makes sense when you consider the flower pattern on his shorts.

You got to remember that we see both starters in the Poke Dex already. I still think people are taking "I don't like battle" too far when it comes to the girl. She is out age and usually when kids travels, they get a pokemon. The opposite gender worked for the Professors and they still both got starters. We didn't battle them too much, but we did some.

N didn't like battles at all, even more so than Lillie. Yet he still battled.

One of the translations say "I... I am not good with battles when pokemon get hurt. But I will cheer for you."

This could mean that she will still battle the hero because she trusts them. And if she is working for the evil team, which I am honestly doubting, at least not directly, she will probably have to battle eventually. Not giving her a starter is just a bad move.

And giving Hau the weak starter, I don't think effects difficulty at all. Before we battle a rival for a second time, we will usually be able to catch a pokemon that is stronger than the other starters.


People are also looking at early early game play. We will probably circle the island before we even go to the next island, and by then, anything could happen. We could encounter another rival. We could have another rival like N who will battle us.

Hikamaru June 3rd, 2016 8:06 AM

Maybe once we learn more on Lillie, we could try and see how it'll play out.


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