Why not Litten? It didn't stick out because it's a cat, and we've had so many cat Pokemon. Why not Rowlet? Like Litten, so many birds. I was going to choose Rowlet, but... Mr. Sea lion clown stuck out because we not have many seal-like Pokemon, and the last seal line we had was in Gen 4. Popplio reminds me of my first starter ever, Oshawott. And, here's a nice thing I learned. If Popplio has a higher speed stat than Litten and Rowlet, and learns ice and water moves, they'll be able to beat both starters. Or if they survive one of Rowlet's attacks, they could also land a ice type move. Annnnnddd, we only have two other clown Pokemon, so Popplio sticks out even more. People may it's design is plain, but look at the old starters. Their designs were plain too, yet everybody loves em'.