So, where do I begin? How about from the first page to the last:
Rugarugan:
Rockruff's evolution finally is revealed (or at least he next stage of it) and its indeed a split evolution like many have predicted. When filled with solar power it'll evolve into Rugarugan Midday Form or if filled with the power of night (what was wrong with saying lunar rays? Keep the Sun & Moon theme) it'll evolve into Rugarugan Midnight form. Though how it evolves it still a mystery, does it evolve at a certain level or will it need max happiness? We also weren't told their types nor Abilities so all we have to talk about is their appearance (though I'm going to guess September 14th's news will give us more details). Let's look at each form individually:
- Rugarugan Midday Form: Taking a form or a more traditional wolf, it also looks what a "proper" evolution for Rockruff would look like. There's really nothing more to say then it now looks like a wolf with sharp rocks jutting from its mane. I personally like it, if only because we FINALLY have a traditional wolf Pokemon which isn't combined with something else (Mightyena & Suicune). If I was to comment on possible typing I would say it remains pure Rock, maybe Rock/Normal if they make Middnight Form into Rock/Dark (so they share similar type match-ups, mainly quadruple weakness to Fighting (notice they included an image of Gumshoos and Alolan Raticate)).
- Rugarugan Midnight Form: Not only do we have a traditional wolf, we also now have a werewolf! It's alright, they went a bit more cartoony with it I guess to contrast with the more realistic looking Midday Form. I think the cartoony style is throwing me a bit off though I can't find any real complaints with it aside how it looks distant from Rockruff, only rock ribs telling you its Rock-type. Speaking of which, I'm guessing Rock/Dark with it, because it looks evil with the sharp teeth and glowing red eyes. It looks more like what should have been Gladion's Signature Pokemon, maybe he still uses one for all we know. I also know a lot of people are saying it looks like Zoroark which it does a bit but only because of its color scheme and bipedal, base designs I would say are different enough.
If I catch a Rockruff I think I'll let it evolve naturally instead of aiming to get a specific one. I'd prefer Midday but I don't want to not give Midnight a chance. Of course since it seems like an early game Pokemon I might replace it later so. I'll let the game decide for me.
Ultra Beasts:
Wow, that was fast. The second Ultra Beast is revealed to us, both of them. UB-02 Beauty and UB-02 Expansion (personally I would have called it "Muscle"). I don't quite understand why they're both called UB-02, kind of beats the point numbering them if two are going to share a number. Yes, yes, version exclusive (at least the battle with them), but still unless they're the same Ultra Beast they should have their own numbers but we'll let the game explain why that is. I would look at them individually but I have nothing to really say about their design I can't say about the other despite them looking vastly different from one another. Unlike UB01 they both look VERY alien from Pokemon, mainly due to their complex design and humanoid appearance. I kind don't like it, I'm hoping not all other Ultra Beasts look like that. UB-02 Beauty gives me the creeps, especially with the face, and UB-02 Expansion just looks ridiculous especially with those humanoid hands (also I think it has four feet).
We also got confirmation you are going to battle the Ultra Beasts! You fight UB-02 Expansion in Sun and UB-02 Beauty in Moon, and to show they're super strong in screenshots they're battling Tapu Koko (unless at that point of the story we get control of Tapu Koko or we watch Hala/Tapu Koko on its own battle them). Guessing UB-02 Expansion will use Physical attacks while UB-02 Beauty will use Special attacks.
BUT that's not all that was revealed, UB-01 is back but its revealed it also has a subtitle but it's for now being kept secret as "UB-01 ????". So I think it's time for me to readjust my theory:
- Previous Theory: Lillie is an Ultra Beast, UB-00, who was brought over to our world by an experiment done by the Aether Foundation years ago. A young and scared Ultra Beast, UB-00 took the younger form of the first thing it saw: Lusamine. Realizing what they had at hand, the Aether Foundation started raising UB00 giving her the name "Lillie", Lusamine specifically treating her as her own daughter. However Gladion, Lusamine's son, felt Lillie was taking his mother away from him and grew a grudge against Lillie, seeing her as a monster. Years later Gladion finally runs away, taking Type: Null (a failed attempt to make a Pokemon as powerful as a Legendary to fight Ultra Beasts) with him and joined Team Skull. Gladion's hatred of Lillie makes him believe she's a monster who threatens the world and plans on fighting against the Aether Foundation with Team Skull in order to destroy Lillie. Meanwhile Ultra Beasts are now crossing over to get Lillie back, UB-01 taking on her behavior to try and connect with her.
- Updated Theory: My theory remains the same, but I have some slight alterations. Lillie is a UB-01, but different from the UB-01 we're shown and both her and that UB-01 will have different subtitles. And expanding on my theory, I think these Ultra Beasts are Lillie's actual family (or whatever the Ultra Beast version of that is). UB-01 ???? is Lillie's "sister", which is why she takes on her behavior as she's trying to connect with her sibling to show they're alike. UB-02 Beauty is Lillie's "mother", taking on a form similar to Lusamine as that who Lillie sees as a mother figure. UB-02 Expansion is Lillie's "father" and it's just a brute so the Ultra Beasts have muscle power behind them if they need it (I don't think its based on Gladion despite some similarities. UB-01 ???? and UB-02 Beauty looks very similar to Lillie and Lusamine why would UB-02 Expansion look very different from Gladion if that was the case?).
Anime:
I made a post about my thoughts on the Sun & Moon poster
HERE.
Though I will say this here: Guy, Ash is making a goofy face because he probably feels silly doing the Z-Move pose.
Pokemon Go:
Hey, what's with that Pokemon Go thing? It's showing a image of Pokemon Go with arrows pointing to Alolan Pokemon. Is this some kind of confirmation of compatibility? Can you send Pokemon from Pokemon Go to Sun & Moon and they'll turn into Alolan Pokemon (which makes no sense and honestly would be better if they remained in their normal form, but whatever)?
