Summary
Pokemonfans shared a theory about the third-generation critter Chimecho that focused on it being a scrapped Pokemon that was later re-added late in development. Thetheorywas backed by somePokemonfans who further pointed out that Chimecho’s index number in the internal game data did not match its place in the Hoenn Pokedex.
Known as the Wind Chime Pokemon, Chimecho first appeared inPokemon Ruby and Sapphire. Chimecho is a white-colored Pokemon shaped like a Japanese glass wind chime called a “fūrin” and is considered a pure Psychic-type creature. Chimecho received a pre-evolution called Chingling inPokemon Diamond and Pearl. In thePokemonanime,James of Team Rocket caught a Chimechoduring the Hoenn story arc and treasured the Wind Chime Pokemon to such an extent that he refused to use it in battle. The most recent mainline game appearance of Chingling and Chimecho was inPokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask.
Although Chimecho is a common Pokemon, some trainers suggested its initial purpose was something different. On the r/pokemon subreddit, a user named StaySuspicious4370 started a thread about the theory of Chimecho being a scrapped Gen 3 Pokemon that was later added back during the development ofRuby and Sapphire. StaySuspicious4370 citedthe infamous 2024 Teraleakas part of their theory’s basis. Early development builds ofPokemon Ruby and Sapphirehad Chimecho in them before the Wind Chime Pokemon was cut from the Hoenn Pokedex for unknown reasons.
Pokemon Fans Debate Chimecho Development Theory
However, StaySuspicious4370 added that the way index numbers and Pokedex order numbers are aligned gives data miners a way to indicate if a Pokemon was added later in development. This happened to Chimecho since its index number is last in the Hoenn Pokedex among individual Pokemon, not next to Tropius or Absol like inPokemon Ruby and Sapphire.
It is unclear why thePokemon Ruby and Sapphiredevelopment team changed their minds about Chimecho. In response, other users theorized that Chimecho may have also been intended to be a Mythical Pokemon, given that it was re-added late into development. One Redditor speculated that Chimecho could have beeninitially related to Jirachisince its wind chime body looks similar to the wish tags that adorn Jirachi’s head.
Although Chimecho is not classified as a Mythical Pokemon, it is still a rare Psychic-type that trainers may miss when exploring the wild. WithPokemon Legends: Z-Aslated to launch later in 2025, it remains to be seenif Chimecho will join other Hoenn crittersin Lumiose City.
