Summary
Maybe due to the backlash regarding Gen 9’s performance issues on launch or the fact that 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of thePokemonfranchise, it’s all but confirmed now that Gen 10 will see the light of day next year, with 2025 being aboutPokemon Legends: Z-Ainstead. There is no official statement regardingPokemonGen 10 games so far, but leaks and rumors abound and have been for quite some time, starting all the way back withPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s in-game painting, presumably of a European street. Now that Gen 10 is reportedly set in Greece, according to leaks, there is the perfect opportunity for one Gen 1 critter to get a cross-gen evolution.
IfGreece is indeed the setting ofPokemonGen 10 games, then it seems inevitable that some new Pokemon will get designs inspired by the rich Greek mythology, possibly doing the same for a handful of returning mons. Cross-gen evolutions, regional forms, and the new regional fakes make a game’s setting and inspiration more important, often using one or the other to design unique Pokemon. In this specific instance, there is a strong case to be made about Gen 1’s Tauros getting a minotaur-inspired evolution, but it shouldn’t.
Even if It’s Perfect, Gen 10 Can’t Give Tauros Yet Another Form or Evolution
While Bouffalant is arguably similar to Tauros in terms of themes and aesthetics, the two have one major difference: the first is a buffalo, and the second is a bull. Considering that minotaurs from Greek mythology are classically represented as having the head and tail of a bull and the rest of their body of a human being, it would make perfect sense for Tauros to get a minotaur-inspired evolution and not give Bouffalant the same treatment. However,Tauros just got three regional forms inPokemon Scarlet and Violet, and even if they are relatively similar, it could be a bit too much for a single Pokemon across two consecutive games.
Paldean Tauros even became meta inPokemon Scarlet and Violet’s competitive matches, with the Blaze Breed and Aqua Breed in particular dominating the early VGC scene thanks to a mix of Intimidate, good type combinations, and powerful moves. Tauros is still a rather popular Kantonian Pokemon to this day, so it makes sense that it got some love in Gen 9, eventually even making its debut in ranked double battles. Still, no other Pokemon in the series had ever gotten three regional forms before, let alone in a single game.
It’s worth noting thatPaldean Tauros versionsalso have different types. Normal for regular Tauros from Kanto, Fighting for Paldean Tauros Combat Breed, Fighting/Fire for Paldean Tauros Blaze Breed, and Fighting/Water for Paldean Tauros Aqua Breed.
Why Tauros Shouldn’t Get a Minotaur Evolution in Gen 10
As such, giving Tauros a cross-gen evolution may be too much, too soon now, but that’s not the only reason. In fact, Tauros has a sort of counterpart in JohtoPokemongames in the form ofMiltank, which has never received regional formsor further evolutionary stages, so giving Tauros both in the span of two games may feel unfair in comparison. Miltank is also a rather popular critter that even ascended to meme status due to its hard Gym Leader battle in Gen 2.
On top of that, considering the minotaur’s traditional aesthetics and lore, it would be hard to justify a Pokemon inspired by it as anything other than Fighting for one of its types, and with Paldean Tauros being aFighting-type Pokemonin all its versions, this may not feel diverse or exciting enough. There are other possible ways to create a minotaur cross-gen evolution for Tauros, but that remains to be seen. For now, the setting being Greece is not official yet, so fans should take it with a pinch of salt.
