>>50809891Looking at what we know and/or can reasonably imply about inspirations form dev statements:
>CharmanderSalamander = Fire came first with the turtle and frog inspirations for the other 2, evolved into a dragon because "dragons are cool"
No known Zodiac relation
>CyndaquilStarted as a bear, replaced later with another pokemon that wasn't even originally a fire type, no known theming for the trio, potentially part of a collection of zodiac themed mons in Johto, but more accurate rats exist
No known Zodiac relation
>TorchicBased on a fighting rooster, which gave it the Fighting type, no known theme for the trio
No known zodiac relation
>ChimcharBased on a character from a story with connection to monkeys, shares the theme with the rest of the trio
No known zodiac relation
>TepigBased on the same story as Infernape, also shares a theme of non-american countries with the rest of the trio
No known zodiac connection
>FennekinShares an RPG class theme with the trio, possibly based on foxes being associated with magic, explicitly a Fennec Fox specifically
No known zodiac connection
>LittenBased on performers with the trio, specifically wrestlers known for animal theming, such as a tiger
No known zodiac relation
>ScorbunnyBased on popular entertainment with the restof the trio, specifically soccer. Presumably chosen as a bunny because of the kicking/running connection to soccer
No known zodiac relation
>FuecocoExplicitly a crocodile, no other theming known currently
No known zodiac connection
The fact that there has literally never been a reference to the zodiac that is clear if you aren't aware of the theory presents only one logical conclusion. The only "evidence" for the theory works exclusively if the theory is real. A theory can't be used to prove itself, so there is currently no way to prove it objectively.
