Summary
One of the more surprising leaks ahead ofPokemon ScarletandViolet’s upcoming DLC is supposedly a new form for Ursaluna, but the inspiration behind this could actually have its origins inThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While players had been anticipating whenHisuian Pokemon first introduced inPokemon Legends: Arceuswould eventually make their way intoScarletandViolet, the leaked new form was an unexpected twist given how recent the Gen 8 spin-off is. Ursaluna’s leaked “Blood Moon” form might have been prompted byTears of the Kingdom’s own Blood Moons.
Though the leaked Blood Moon form could be chalked up as a coincidence between the recentZeldaandPokemongames, the expanded narrative aroundTears of the Kingdom’s Blood Moon and now Blood Moons suddenly appearing inPokemonScarletandVioletis arguably too close in timing to be coincidental. Ursaluna’s new design might take influence fromTears of the Kingdom,or its Blood Moon form may factorScarletandViolet’s overarching DLC narrative, hence why Game Freak has kept it quiet so far. The Teal Mask is due to launch soon, but an official Blood Moon Ursaluna remains to be seen.
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Connection Blood Moons Between The Legend of Zelda and Pokemon
After first appearing inThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, theBlood Moon mechanic has been integral toZelda’s Switch gamesas a means of ensuring players have an endless supply of enemies to fight while overcoming memory limitations. The recentTears of the Kingdomsequel took its Blood Moon mechanic further as part of its larger storyline surrounding Ganondorf’s revival. Having been characterized as both a symbol of the Demon King and an extension of his power and influence, the Blood Moon maintains a recurring presence throughoutBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom.
To now see Blood Moons also factor intoScarletandVioletwith Ursaluna’s leaked new form does seem to go beyond happenstance, as Ursaluna itself was only just introduced inLegends: Arceus. Blood Moons were already established inBreath of the Wildwhich precededLegends: ArceusandPokemon’s ninth generation, whileTears of the Kingdomwas only recently released in mid-2023 sometime afterScarletandViolet’s own launch. SinceHisuian Pokemon were seemingly planned forScarletandViolet, the sudden leaked form afterTears of the Kingdomsuggests a more direct connection.
What Ursaluna’s Blood Moon Form Could Mean
At face value, the leaked new Blood Moon Ursaluna might only be connected to the Switch’sZeldagames in name alone with the inspiration behind its design having promptedPokemonby the success ofTears of the Kingdom. After all, Blood Moons also exist in the real world, and the Teddiursa line has been influenced by the Moon’s various stages, from Teddiursa’s waning crescent, Ursaring’s eclipse-styled markings, and now Ursaluna’s cloudy full Moon. With the real-life infrequency of a Blood Moon and its cultural implications, Ursaluna’s new form was always going to be a late addition with “evil” connotations.
The leaked design forUrsaluna’s new form inScarletandVioletcould be directly inspired by the Blood Moon seen inBreath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, as the Blood Moon form seems to corrupted and monstrous. For example, the Moon symbol on its forehead appears to be breaking through Ursaluna’s fur, while one of its eyes has been turned completely black. Just as Malice and Gloom were corrupting forces inZeldagames with ties to the Blood Moon,ScarletandVioletcould be aiming for the same angle, since leaked details about Ursaluna reference it gaining special powers.
Pokemon ScarletandVioletare available now for Nintendo Switch.
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