Alternate Region Mascots

[pineco-a-go-go]

As we all know, Pikachu is the mascot of the pokemon series as a whole. As one other thread mentioned before, this was not always the case. At some point pikachu was chosen to replace clefairy on Ash's shoulder.

So, just as a thought experiment, let's pretend that the show's creators had created the regions and generations out of order. So, for example, maybe the series had begun only with the pokemon from the the 3rd generation instead of the first. Since the 3rd gen doesn't include Pikachu, a different pokemon would have to take it's place as Ash's primary pokemon. My question for everyone is which one and why?

So that's what I'd like everyone to do. For each generation other than the first, assume that history had been different and the creators of Pokemon had started with that region and its generation's pokemon first. Tell which pokemon from that gen that you think would best fit the role of franchise mascot and why, and if you want, you can also go into who Ash's companions would be, etc.


I'll go first:

Johto: Gligar - Somewhat cute appearance that is not intimidating. It evolves into a stronger, less cute pokemon, but the evolution can be avoided passively. The downside of gligar is that it looks a bit masculine, which could result in the same single gender fan base issue that the show's producers avoided with the clefairy switch.

Morty could have filled Brock's role as the big-brother character.
Whitney would make a good replacement for Misty with cute pokemon replacing water-types.

Hoenn: Spinda - Again, cute and does not evolve... it could be the mascot through the entire series without worrying about an accidental evolution. I can picture Ash having trouble training it, not because it doesn't respect him like pikachu did, but because of its unconventional battling style.

Either Brawley and Flannery could take the places of Brock and Misty respectively, or a duo of Tate and Liza would work too.

Sinnoh: Munchlax. This one's obvious to me. Sure, Pachirisu is pretty much a poor-man's pikachu, but Munchlax is a lovable, huggable, gender-neutral clefairy. The idea behind giving Ash a clefairy was to disappoint him with an unassuming, cute pokemon who ends up having a great hidden strength. That's all Munchlax to me.

Roark could fill in for Brock, and I think Maylene would be an easy fit for Misty's character

Unova: Zorua - Tough call here. All of the pokemon that evolve with stones or are separate from evolutionary chains are very feminine. Zorua is the best gender-neutral fit I think. Minccino is probably the next best pokemon, although it's a bit feminine in appearance.

 

[psyanic]

Johto: I'd put in Aipom, he did own one anyway. It looks pretty "cute" when it evolves, and it's less intimidating than Gligar. I also could see him with a Marill, the water-type version of Pikachu.

Hoenn: Eh, Castform? It doesn't evolve. It also helps Ash's tendencies to use his environment like using moves like Sunny Day, Rain Dance, etc.

Sinnoh: I really don't want to say this, but Riolu. It wouldn't have to evolve into a Lucario, but Riolu itself looks a bit more masculine I guess. Besides, it would be interesting to see how well Ash could use his hidden aura abilities while training it. I can also see one being like Pikachu and not respecting him when he first gets it.

Unova: Minccino would look alright, but it is a bit feminine. I just can't come up with anything from this region.

 

[PlatinumDude]

This will be the Pokemon Ash actually had for the show:

Johto: Chikorita/Bayleef (it was very possessive of Ash until a few episodes after it evolved)

Hoenn: Treecko/Grovyle/Sceptile (it was always cool, calm and collective)

Sinnoh: Gible (not very bright, had an amusing personality)

Unova: Oshawott (same reason as Chikorita/Bayleef, minus the evolution part. He's also good for comic relief)

 

[pineco-a-go-go]

Johto: I'd put in Aipom, he did own one anyway. It looks pretty "cute" when it evolves, and it's less intimidating than Gligar. I also could see him with a Marill, the water-type version of Pikachu.

Hoenn: Eh, Castform? It doesn't evolve. It also helps Ash's tendencies to use his environment like using moves like Sunny Day, Rain Dance, etc.

Sinnoh: I really don't want to say this, but Riolu. It wouldn't have to evolve into a Lucario, but Riolu itself looks a bit more masculine I guess. Besides, it would be interesting to see how well Ash could use his hidden aura abilities while training it. I can also see one being like Pikachu and not respecting him when he first gets it.

Unova: Minccino would look alright, but it is a bit feminine. I just can't come up with anything from this region.

Aipom's a good pick. I forgot about it.
I had thought about Castform, but its moveset is really limited, and to be honest, I didn't like its appearance.
I thought of another pokemon for the Unova region: Emolga - again, another poor man's Pikachu, but still cute.

This will be the Pokemon Ash actually had for the show:

Johto: Chikorita/Bayleef (it was very possessive of Ash until a few episodes after it evolved)

Hoenn: Treecko/Grovyle/Sceptile (it was always cool, calm and collective)

Sinnoh: Gible (not very bright, had an amusing personality)

Unova: Oshawott (same reason as Chikorita/Bayleef, minus the evolution part. He's also good for comic relief)

I have to admit, I didn't really consider the starters as possible mascots for the series. If Chikorita/Treecko/Oshawott were the main mascot of the series, the starters wouldn't be on equal ground in the beginning of the game. One of my favorite things about getting a new game is sitting there for 10 min. straight trying to decide which starter to choose. If Ash's decision were weighted one way or another, it wouldn't be the same.

I do love the idea of Gible as the mascot, though. It's one of my favorites, and I feel sometimes like I'm in the minority by not wanting it to evolve.

 

[Mew~]

Johto:
Togepi. It pretty much worked out well with Misty, giving it a little more personality and promotion, I think it would be a great Mascot. It could probably be seen a little feminine but maybe with would be balanced out with the right personality and maybe a male trainer.

I also think Teddiursa would be a great idea. I can't remember the exact episode. But remember the naughty Teddiursa Misty took a shine to in Johto? I think it would be a great Mascot. I think an anti-hero type of Pokémon could work well for promotion, so yeah - I think that would be funny.

Hoenn:
Aron. I don't really know how I can expand of this point very much. But I think it's a rather cute Pokémon and could not want to evolve too. I think a very male and naughty personality would work.

Sinnoh:
Lucario. Rather than something that just looks cute. I think an Adult Pokémon, or rather- badass Pokémon would be perfect. It could appeal to an older audience too.

Unova:
Palpitoad. I think one rather similar to Ash's would be perfect for comic relief and it a perfect personality. :P