Summary
- Chimecho may have been a scrapped Gen 3 Pokemon re-added late in development.
- Chimecho’s index number in the game data does not match its place in the Pokedex.
- Some fans theorize Chimecho was originally intended to be a Mythical Pokemon.
Pokemon fans 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. The theory was backed by some Pokemon fans 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 in Pokemon 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 in Pokemon Diamond and Pearl. In the Pokemon anime, James of Team Rocket caught a Chimecho during 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 in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: The Teal Mask.
Related
Pokemon TCG Pocket Fans Are Worried About Iono
Pokemon TCG Pocket players voice their concerns about an incoming Supporter Card featuring Iono, the Electric Gym Leader of the Paldea region.
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 of Ruby and Sapphire. StaySuspicious4370 cited the infamous 2024 Teraleak as part of their theory’s basis. Early development builds of Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire had 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 in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire.
It is unclear why the Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire development 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 been initially related to Jirachi since 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. With Pokemon Legends: Z-A slated to launch later in 2025, it remains to be seen if Chimecho will join other Hoenn critters in Lumiose City.
