>>52174294Gen 4. It's such a drastic leap from Swampert to Empoleon.
The first three are just aquatic monsters, Blastoise's cannons being the oddest thing among them. Then it's been consistently human-like features, clothing-like features even, since Gen 4.
Empoleon's suit pattern, Samurott's armor, Greninja's tongue scarf, Primarina's hair, accessories and frilly flaps, and now Quaquavel's entire feathers patterns.
Anyone who says it's a relatively new thing is a coping zoomer, this has been going on for over a decade.