There's been rumours since god knows when of Z-forms making an appearance. That it's the starters secret. That Kukui studies it, and even the "leak" the Riddler posted mentioned it. Though it's supposedly mixed in with true and false stuff.

It makes a lot of sense. Ash-greninja's heavy promotion is likely a Z-form. And with Ultra Beasts resembling the Aether Foundation staff, I'm guessing their wanting a show down between their "fursona" against your "fursona". A mon you can project your image onto. Its why character customization has been so heavily expanded.

However, why would they make the starters so gender based if this was the case? You can say I'm just stereotyping Popmaid and Luchalitten all you want but the fact remains each have design influences taking from each gender. If your supposed to project your image onto them, why would they make one so masculine and the other so feminine? If ash greninja is to go by, they'll likely replicate our hairstyle. But can you imagine a Luchalitten with pig tails? They should be more gender neutral if anything.

Something doesn't make sense.