Pokémon Generation 10: Everything We Know So Far About the Next Era (2026 Leaks, Starters, Region & Rumors)
It’s happening again. After the global phenomenon of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, the Pokémon fandom is buzzing with talk of what comes next: Generation 10.
From rumored names like Pokémon Wind & Waves to speculation about a brand-new region inspired by Southeast Asia, leaks and whispers have started to swirl. So, is Gen 10 real, and when are we actually getting it? Here’s a complete look at everything we know — and everything fans are hoping for — about Pokémon Generation 10.
🕹️ Will There Be a Pokémon Gen 10?
Absolutely — though not yet confirmed by The Pokémon Company, every generation since 1996 has launched roughly every three years. With Scarlet & Violet releasing in late 2022, the timeline points directly to a 2026 release window for Generation 10.
Insiders and dataminers have hinted that Game Freak is already deep into development of its next mainline games, reportedly codenamed “Wind” and “Waves.” It’s consistent with the studio’s usual production cycle and with Nintendo’s rumored Switch 2, which many expect to host Gen 10 as a launch-year title.
🌏 Rumored Titles: Pokémon Wind & Pokémon Waves
The most talked-about leak so far comes from multiple unverified insiders who claim the next games are titled Pokémon Wind and Pokémon Waves.
The theme reportedly revolves around balance and infinity — the meeting of air and sea, change and stillness. If true, these titles would symbolically echo the dual-version format while exploring a brand-new natural aesthetic.
Game Freak has previously taken inspiration from real-world geography — France (X & Y), Hawaii (Sun & Moon), the U.K. (Sword & Shield), and Spain (Scarlet & Violet). Gen 10 could continue this pattern with another culturally rich and visually vibrant setting.
🗺️ Where Is the Gen 10 Region Set?
Here’s where things get interesting. Early rumors pointed toward a Greek-inspired region, supported by internal concept art of marble columns and blue coastlines. But more recent leaks from data trackers and alleged insiders have shifted the compass toward Southeast Asia — possibly a region inspired by Malaysia, Indonesia, or the Philippines.
That would mean:
- Dense rainforests and volcanic islands for exploration
- Coastal cities surrounded by coral reefs
- A mix of tropical Pokémon and ancient ruins
It also fits the “Wind & Waves” theme perfectly. Imagine surfing across archipelagos on your legendary Pokémon while monsoon winds and seasonal tides shape the map. If these details hold up, Gen 10 could be one of the most visually diverse Pokémon worlds ever created.
🌟 What Are the Pokémon Gen 10 Starters?
As of October 2025, no official starter Pokémon have been revealed, but the rumor mill is working overtime.
One persistent leak suggests players will chase the three starters across a busy harbor city before choosing — a nod to dynamic introductions similar to Scarlet & Violet’s outdoor classroom scene.
Predicted typings (unconfirmed, of course) include:
- Grass/Dragon – a small lizard with leafy frills
- Fire/Fairy – a mischievous fox that glows like a lantern
- Water/Steel – a dolphin or shark-inspired design
While fan art is already flooding social media, it’s worth remembering that nothing has been confirmed. Still, the pattern of mixing unique secondary types — like Fuecoco’s Fire/Ghost or Meowscarada’s Grass/Dark — is almost certain to continue.
⏳ Pokémon Gen 10 Release Date: 2025 or 2026?
Here’s the timeline that makes the most sense:
| Event | Expected Timing |
|---|---|
| First Teaser / Pokémon Day Reveal | February 2026 |
| Full Trailer & Starters Reveal | June 2026 (Summer Showcase / Nintendo Direct) |
| Game Release | November 2026 |
That’s a four-year gap since Scarlet & Violet, the same length as between Sword & Shield (2019) and Scarlet & Violet (2022).
A few optimistic fans still hope for a late-2025 surprise, but most industry trackers now agree: Gen 10 is a 2026 release, likely marking Pokémon’s 30th-anniversary celebration.
⚔️ Gameplay Mechanics: Still Turn-Based — But Bigger Than Ever
Fans worried about Pokémon abandoning its classic roots can relax.
Leaks suggest Gen 10 remains turn-based, with refinements to the open-world design and new weather-influenced battle mechanics. Rumored features include:
- 🌪️ Dynamic Weather Moves: Wind speed or tides change move accuracy and damage.
- 🌊 Territorial Battles: Certain Pokémon gain buffs near beaches, caves, or mountaintops.
- 🌈 Environment Fusion System: Combining weather conditions could create temporary field effects (like misty rain or storm surge).
This aligns with the “infinite natural forces” theme that early leaks emphasize. Expect Game Freak to build on Scarlet & Violet’s seamless open world with improved visuals, physics, and performance — especially if the game launches on the Switch 2.
🐉 Legendary Pokémon and “Infinite” Mechanics
The legendaries of Pokémon Wind & Waves are said to embody infinity itself — one controlling air currents, the other mastering ocean tides.
Concept art from anonymous sources (take with salt) shows two serpentine dragons resembling ancient sea-and-sky deities, one blue and one white-gold.
A new “Infinity Form” mechanic may let certain Pokémon temporarily merge with elemental energy — think of a spiritual successor to Dynamax, but linked to nature rather than size.
While unverified, this direction would fit Game Freak’s pattern of introducing a unique battle gimmick each generation (Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, Terastalization).
🎬 The Anime: Is Ash Ketchum Coming Back?
After Pokémon Journeys concluded Ash’s story in 2023, many believed that was the end of an era. Yet, whispers persist that Ash might return in cameo form during Gen 10’s anime series — perhaps older, serving as a mentor or regional champion.
The current anime (Pokémon Horizons) focuses on new protagonists Liko and Roy, but its open-ended structure allows crossovers. With Gen 10 marking a huge anniversary, it wouldn’t be shocking if Ash made a surprise reappearance to celebrate 30 years of Pokémon history.
💰 Is Pokémon Ending After 25 Years?
Not even close. Pokémon remains one of the highest-grossing entertainment franchises on the planet — spanning games, anime, cards, and merchandise.
Instead of ending, The Pokémon Company appears to be restructuring how it releases games and handles animation. Scarlet & Violet’s technical issues reportedly led to a new internal workflow emphasizing stability and polish — a positive sign for Gen 10’s long-term development.
💡 Community Reactions & Fan Predictions
The fandom is already deep into theorycrafting:
- Some expect a dual-region game, letting players visit both the new Wind/Waves region and a smaller post-game island.
- Others think we’ll finally see the return of Mega Evolution, a mechanic fans have begged to revisit since Gen 6.
- A bold minority theorizes that the “Infinity” theme could tie every generation’s legendaries together into one lore-driven finale arc.
Whether those ideas come true or not, one thing’s clear — hype for Gen 10 is massive, even years before launch.
🔢 Fun Fact: The 1000th Pokémon
The milestone 1000th Pokémon is Gholdengo, introduced in Scarlet & Violet (#1000 in the National Dex).
It marked a new chapter for the franchise, and fans expect Gen 10 to begin the “next thousand” of the Pokédex — possibly starting around #1100.
📅 What to Watch For Next
Keep your eyes on these likely announcement windows:
- February 27 — Pokémon Day 2026: Traditional date for major reveals
- June 2026 — Nintendo Direct / Pokémon Presents: Gameplay trailers, region confirmation
- Late 2026 — Release: Mainline titles plus anime tie-in
Until then, watch fan communities on Reddit, Twitter (X), and Bulbapedia for verified news, and treat any “leaked screenshots” with caution.
🧭 Final Thoughts
Pokémon Generation 10 looks set to be a new milestone — blending open-world adventure, elemental mechanics, and a possibly Southeast-Asian-inspired map.
Whether it’s called Pokémon Wind & Waves or something completely different, fans can expect a celebration of 30 years of Pokémon with modern gameplay, improved performance, and endless new creatures to discover.
The next evolution of Pokémon is on the horizon — and if the leaks are even half-true, 2026 can’t come soon enough.
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Explore all the latest Pokémon Generation 10 leaks, rumors, and predictions. Discover Gen 10’s possible title (Pokémon Wind & Waves), release window (2026), new region, starter Pokémon, and whether Ash Ketchum will return to the anime.
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