The water-type starter of Pokémon “Winds and Waves,” a gecko named Gecqua, is drawing widespread praise from fans for a design that could end the long-running pattern of water starters being overshadowed by their fire and grass counterparts.
According to a report for Polygon, while every new generation of Pokémon features three starter creatures with devoted followings, fire- and grass-type starters have repeatedly captured the spotlight. Water starters—including Quaxly in “Scarlet” and “Violet,” Sobble from the preceding generation, Popplio, Oshawott, and Piplup—have generally failed to match the cultural devotion inspired by others, most notably Mudkip more than two decades ago.
Gecqua may be the first real challenger to that trend. Fans have already begun joking that it is the better version of Sobble, the “slack-jawed” water starter from the previous generation, and are speculating about its evolutionary line. Some fans believe the lizard is based on the real-world fat-tailed gecko, prompting debate over whether Gecqua could run on water.
The article describes Gecqua’s design as particularly striking, with disproportionately large periwinkle eyes contrasting against a steel-blue frame and long eyelashes. The official Gecqua art poses the creature with its head turned slightly away from its body, prompting comparisons to famous painted smiles.
“Gecqua is out here giving Snivy competition for the biggest diva of the starters,”
The reaction has been broadly enthusiastic. A leopard gecko fan exclaims, “I literally screamed when I saw them!!!!” Another suggested Gecqua might be “one of the few times I step out of the fire starter first train.”
A standout among the starters
In early unofficial polls, the lion cub Fire-type Pombon is leading, while Browt has generated plenty of chatter, much of it focused on its resemblance to Angry Birds characters. Based on social media discussion on places like Reddit and Facebook, Gecqua may not be leading the pack but is standing out among its peers.
This is unusual for a new generation, where there is typically always a less-popular “black sheep” starter. According to Polygon, Gecqua’s fan support currently matches that of the other starters rather than trailing behind them.
The report notes almost an undertone of surprise whenever fans discuss Gecqua—like they hadn’t expected to like it so much—and that it is being posed as a standout design by fans.
Pokémon “Winds and Waves” is scheduled for release in 2027. The article suggests that if Game Freak successfully develops Gecqua’s full evolutionary line, the water starter could win over the majority of players—particularly fitting given the aquatic theme of the new generation.
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