(Artwork by hajimikimo)
Back during E3 2013, Satoru Iwata reported that Pokémon will have a new type introduced in the latest games: Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. It was the Fairy-type, and when that was officially introduced, it was a big thing among Pokémon fans. Not only are there new Pokémon with this type, there are some other Pokémon that will be converted to this type, such as Marill, Jigglypuff and Gardevoir. This leave fans speculating on which current Pokémon will become Fairy-types. Some hardcore fans were already prepared for this, though. Why? The next couple of paragraphs explain it.
Back in mid-May, a rumour surfaced that the Fairy-type will be introduced. A brief history is needed at the moment. At that time, Xerneas, Yveltal and Sylveon didn’t have their types revealed, so it was always a mystery. The most common guesses were based on existing types, so there were people thinking that Sylveon will be Normal-type or Flying-type. Xerneas was probably a Grass/Steel-type or Normal-type. Yveltal? Let’s just say almost every speculation got its type right. The suggestion that a new type would be given to the new Pokémon was scoffed at by some, although others are starting to believe that it might be the case.
Back to what the rumour was about. The rumour stated that both Sylveon and Xerneas will be Fairy-type, while Yveltal will become a Dark/Flying-type like everybody guessed. That rumour also mentioned that some Pokémon will be re-typed as Fairy. In addition to this, a Dragon advantage was also mentioned. Normally, rumours are not to be trusted, but this one’s different. The source who provided this rumour is also a trusted source, having also leaked Unova’s entire Pokémon listing before Pokémon Black and Pokémon White were released.
Since this source was trusted, fans had to face the inevitable. Still, it’s a good thing the source is reliable, because that means fans will be prepared for this new type. On the other hand, it diminished the surprise factor, so what will be revealed won’t be a surprise to them.
Currently, after around four months with the knowledge that Fairy-types are a thing, there are still people who didn’t warm up to this idea. Perhaps it might have to do with having to learn a new type, or it could be that it affects the types that are their favourites, or maybe their favourites are converted to Fairy-types (don’t know if Whitney likes that idea).
A type that has been popular among fans is the Light-type. This idea stemmed from the existence of the Dark-type, so the idea of a Light-type is to be their counterpart, or perhaps a type to be an advantage over them. It is a certainty that there are people who are opposed to this idea, since years had gone by without a new type. One argument is that the Fighting-type is considered a “light”-type, for their represent goodness (usually).
When this new Fairy-type was introduced, it wasn’t what those who wished for Light-type wanted, so they would be disappointed, while there are some who saw it as a decent substitute for their wanted type. In this example, fans warm up to the new type at different rates.
There is definitely a contrast when you compare now and the time two new types were introduced: Dark and Steel. When Pokémon was new, the idea of additional types weren’t exactly a lot of work. Moreover, the idea of new types was exciting, because not only does that mean more Pokémon ideas, it also balances things out.
It was also introduced at a time when some fans would have retired from the franchise for numerous reasons. One could be that they had lost interest in Pokémon through growing up, or it could also be that the inability to transfer to the newer Generation made them give up. Essentially, it means that older fans who saw the new types weren’t all there, and newer fans were ushered when Dark and Steel existed. Notably, Hoenn is the first time when Dark-types are part of the region rather than being somewhat foreign.
It is possible that there were a few fans that didn’t like the idea of Dark and Steel, but you don’t hear about them these days, because the idea had been around for a long time, so they either adapted to their existence or they retired. Maybe there are few that held some kind of grudge, but that group is never seen.
In the same way, if the years gone by with Fairy-type, then new fans will be accustomed to the idea of a Fairy-type on top of Dark and Steel. Older fans will similarly either adapt or get out, because it’s going to stay. Getting used to the idea is harder compared to before, since things that are introduced late don’t have the same impact as when it was early, but that takes time like every other new idea.
From my point of view, when I heard about the Fairy-type, I was sceptical at first, but there are two things that made me open to this idea: One, this information was provided by a reliable leaker; Two, the idea that one of my favourite Pokémon (Clefairy) becoming this new type is enough for me to put faith in this idea. It paid off for me in the end, because it turned out to be true.
There is a possibility that new types will exist in the future if the situation calls for it. Perhaps the complication of a new type will be a problem, but it allows the designers to review the changes the type chart need. Design-wise, there will be more possibilities to enjoy. In any case, there will always be people who won’t be open to a new type, but like anyone else, they have their reasons.
Do you like the idea of new types periodically being introduced? What was your impression when Fairy-type was confirmed? Will you be open to a new type when it were to be introduced? Sound off your answers in the comments. I would love to hear or read what you think. I hope you enjoyed this article as much as I have writing it.
Thanks for reading.
