Very Fake Gen 9 Pokédex Leak Briefly Convinces Fans They'll Meet A Pokémon Named 'Shartle'

Pokémon fans have a bit of a reputation for being extremely gullible when it comes to leaks, and this morning, a very funny but very fake "leaked" Pokédex for the upcoming Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games had fans aghast that The Pokémon Company had crafted a new 'mon named "Shartle."

THEY REALLY NAMED A POKÉMON SHARTLE LMFAO pic.twitter.com/CRdHZTxLuc

— milk. (@milkdoughh) March 10, 2022

No, The Pokémon Company has not made a new Pokémon named "Shartle." The "leaked" Dex came from Twitter user @gooompy, whose post is much more effective when viewed as a meme than as a legitimate leak.

INSANE #ScarletViolet leaks just dropped gettem while they're hot! gargantuan if factual (which they are) pic.twitter.com/rDngyHwzuQ

— Gooompy Art (@Gooompy) March 10, 2022

There are some very good jokes in @Gooompy's fake dex. For starters (literally), they've dubbed Sprigatito's final evolution "Bipetal," a clear reference to fans' fears that the cute cat Pokémon would end up standing on its hind legs a la Pokémon Sun and Moon's Incineroar. Other strong bits include the Dark/Steel-type Pokémon "Sledgehog," a sly reference to the Coldsteel the Hedgeheg meme, Yamask's new evolution "Amonrigus" and Eevee's new evolution "Eeeveee," a "Normal/Normal" type Pokémon. In case the gag wasn't clear enough, one string of "new Pokémon" gives the game away: "Aniwon," "Canmaka" and "Faekleek" ("Anyone can make a fake leak").

Most fans caught onto the game pretty quickly and praised @Gooompy's "leak," but some fans still bought it at face value and actually thought a Pokemon named "Shartle" was legitimate.

No one talk to me I fell for it https://t.co/LU37qg7RP9

— 🌸 💖Eve💖🌸 (@Gaba_Ghouls) March 10, 2022

THEY DONE NAMED A POKEMON SHARTLE https://t.co/w6M1FTfsiR

— 👍 Justiφ's ※ (@Shinken_Oh) March 10, 2022

Uh oh, looks like the paws are coming off the ground sprigatito https://t.co/GrKbyvlVmz

— Quaxly stan ☘️ (@DuskCorvid) March 10, 2022

Always remember kids, everyone goes on the internet and tells lies, but at least sometimes the lies can be funny.