Pokémon: New Lapras Evolution Appears Online After 30 Years

Published Oct 11, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT

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Introduced in the very first Pokémon generation, Lapras is certainly a familiar face to the franchise as the dual-type Water/Ice Pokémon best known for being able to ferry people across the water. Appearing in virtually every mainline Pokémon entry as part of its ever-growing roster, as well as multiple spin-offs, Lapras debuted back in 1996 with the launch of Pokémon Red and Green.

Since then, it has been a key figure of the franchise. However, as a standalone Pokémon, it does not have any evolutions. Instead, it boasts a temporary transformation in titles such as Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon GO called Gigantamax Form, turning them into a large vessel capable of ferrying large groups of people.

That being said, leaks over the years have revealed that Lapras could potentially have had a pre-evolution design, but it was later scrapped for reasons unknown. Now, that design has leaked once more, and Twitter/X user Centro LEAKS recently shared it, simply stating, "Scrapped Lapras Pre-evolution."

The low quality art shows a much-smaller Lapras, looking almost like a small bug in comparison to its standard form. However, the designs are blacked out, showing only silhouettes, so it is difficult to see any detail in this scrapped design. From what we can see, it looks like a very cute design, but it is seemingly one that will never see the light of day, as Lapras is still yet to welcome an evolution despite being a part of the Pokémon franchise for three decades.

Nevertheless, fans took to the comments to share their thoughts on the leak. "Lapras always looks a little too big and bulky to be an only stage Pokémon," one user shared. Another said simply, "Lapras pre-evolution sounds like the cutest thing Pokémon never gave us. Fans would go crazy for this."

With many saying that Lapras deserves an evolution, especially after all these years, one comment read, "I mean, we could still get it in Winds and Waves...."

Set to launch some time in 2027 to kickstart Gen 10 of the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves mark the next mainline installment on the horizon, and considering that it is set in an archipelago region with plenty of accessible underwater areas, it would make for the perfect location for a Water-type 'mon. Hmm, much to think about.

At the time of writing, a potential Lapras evolution has not been hinted at by Game Freak, but with details still scarce on Winds and Waves, it is definitely not impossible. What better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon than by giving fans the Lapras evolution they have been campaigning for all this time? For now, however, we can only speculate, as these leaked designs take the internet by storm.

Pokémon is a Japanese multimedia franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, launched by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures in 1996. Centered on fictional creatures called Pokémon, the series spans video games, trading cards, animation, films, merchandise, and competitive events. Players assume the role of Trainers who capture, battle, and trade Pokémon. It is one of the highest-grossing entertainment franchises in history.