There are plenty of old characters from Original Series (and beyond) we would like to see, obviously. Personally, I wouldn’t even mind grand “Lysandre’s Return” if done right and involving some space-time shenanigans. It’ll never happen but you get the idea, just pick a name, there are so many candidates!
But here are two of the most recent pokemon anime villains I would love to see again, because I believe their potential to influence a series would be amazing and they’re fresh enough to justify their inclusion.
The good doctor made his debut during hardcore “serious” plot of Best Wishes but I’m sure his stereotypical “einstein” design and personality would match a subtle comedic tone as well. He is a Namba to the TRio but he seems more respectful and less of a buffon than Namba. He is often seen helping out the TRio and giving them advice on how to accomplish their objectives. Furthermore, while he doesn’t use his own Pokemon, he is a capable field leader/partner, willing to get his hands dirty or accept failure -> Zager orders retreats when missions are failing and doesn’t try to put the blame on his subordinates.
Whenever there is a Pokemon science that needs investigating Zager would be the next best person to contact - and yeah, often it would make more sense than direct line to the boss. I’m not saying we need him in the main antagonist role because that’s the exact opposite of what I wish for- but giving him a role similar to SM Matori sounds like an amazing opportunity. They are allowed to stay in touch with the doctor, report to him about curious phenomena and use some of his expertise or help when needed. Sometimes - in a series that’s less hardcore than BW - we might be able to learn something nice or funny about him as a person, so even more amazing. I always thought the decent partnership between Zager and TRio was something pretty cool and really really unexpected. There is so much more that could be done with it. Meanwhile, most of the fans hated Zager (because they think TRio are entitled to always working alone...), and despite Matori’s presence and her resurgence as a character during Sun and Moon, he has not been seen or mentioned in any episodes since.
Which is really strange, considering the fact he appeared during Decolora Adventures’ ending, assisting the TRio with detailed plans for their Basculin-shaped submarine. Would the world turn upside down if Zager was allowed to contribute to the plot and some of their newday mechas? I think not!
Calamanero - The Most *Terrifying* Pokemon
At first, I wasn’t quite sure whether they were a scrapped Team Flare plot or something else, due to storyline confusion and some obvious similarities between the two. But now I’m 99% sure they were NEVER planned as part of Team Flare’s storyline and have no connection to Team Flare and Xerosic whatsoever. There was always a distinct difference between how those three “evil” Calamanero are characterized and how wild Calamanero AND Xerosic’s Calamanero are characterized. You can feel this difference and Xerosic’s Calamanero is just your “regular” Calamanero, nothing special about it. Furthermore, I finally figured out how the two episodes connect (for certain) and my initial connection (Ultimate Weapon, based on the XY games) was wrong.
Honestly, those Calamanero are among the most powerful and mysterious pokevillains. In the first episode the chief!Calamanero was conducting some kind of enviromental experiment in that sealed chamber of the abandoned observatory - the close-up on the spikes is important because these are prototypes/smaller versions of the same triangular devices we see in XY054 and part of their “system of great significance.” This is also what Kojiro’s line “I’ve seen this before” is supposed to indicate and the chamber being filled with gloomy, alien flora aligns with Calamanero’s goal of “changing the Earth’s enviroment.”
The alien themes thoughout the episodes AREN’T coincidental and “Pokemon from space” is mentioned multiple times. I believe those “highly intelligent” Calamanero are extraterrestrial Pokemon from a creepy alien planet, maybe in part inspired by the rumors of upcoming Sun and Moon games and Ultra Space. In the end, they decide to leave Earth but promise to return one day... and the energy accumulated in their devices is still there (could it be that same energy corrupted Zygarde’s roots were connected to and the very same malice Satoshi’s Gekkouga is fighting against?). Calamanero are native to Earth (though their power is lesser compared with those specific ones) but Evil Calamanero’s goal was obviously the alteration of Earth’s environment... Why? They don’t need it to survive on Earth... so in service of... whom or what? Certainly something ALIEN. Or maybe they are in love with madness and distortion and that’s why they want to reshape the planet. Bill Cipher mood? I know, I know, this is Pokemon and things like that don’t ever happen, and even UBs in SM anime were... kind of a letdown, without their fun worlds... but... MAN, THOSE GUYS ARE STILL OUT THERE! They are as creepy as Eternatus!
Just imagine if their promise was fulfilled one day. Just imagine the possibilities. They would be able to contribute to any plot that involves aliens or distorted space time (which includes legendaries such as Eternatus) and I would give anything to see them move and be creepy in the new Pokeani animation! They were amazing Pokemon villains.
