All hail Nessa, the new water-type gym leader from Pokémon Sword and Shield

We have decided to stan a queen

Look, I’ve never so ready to end a 22-year-old relationship with a character that I grew up with, but Misty, it is time to step aside. Nessa is the new all-time master of water-type Pokémon.

Nessa is the second gym leader announced for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. E3 attendees will be able to battle her as part of the show floor demo. So far, all we know about her Pokémon lineup is that she will battle with a Dynamax Drednaw. We don’t know if she is the second gym leader that we’ll battle in-game.

Game Freak/Nintendo

Her character design is fire, or uh, I mean, water. She rocks perfectly applied eyeliner and purple eye shadow. I’m obsessed with her hoop earrings and she dons a Poké-inspired swimsuit fit for an athlete. Also, she has floaties on her sandals? OK. Nessa also has fans excited because she is also among a growing list of Pokémon Sword and Shield character cast that are dark-skinned (along with Leon and Hop). This is important given that many Pokémon characters are often white.

And I’m not the only one getting excited at her announcement. The internet is freaking out about her as well.

WE HAVE DECIDED TO STAN NESSA FOREVER pic.twitter.com/pWU39SbEJq

— rose (@kerocore) June 11, 2019

Only thing I could think of after seeing the new Water type trainer. #PokemonSwordShield #Nessa #Memes pic.twitter.com/a1LU80xFdF

— MechatheTecha (@Themechaguy) June 11, 2019

Fans are already rushing to produce fan art of her. It is less than a couple hours out from the Nintendo Direct, and Nessa already has a steady stream of fan art on Twitter. We stan!

Loving the new pokemon gym leader #nessa #pokemon #PokemonSwordShield pic.twitter.com/3QWRWf3WXC

— Happy Lollipop (@tenkoso) June 11, 2019

she’s perfect!!!#PokemonSwordShield #Pokemon #Nessa #E3 pic.twitter.com/CWfGSaFbga

— Kit (@strucktrue) June 11, 2019

Hi, I love her! #Pokemon #Nessa pic.twitter.com/XQQZBbNo4y

— Syertse @ AnimeNext (@Syertse) June 11, 2019

I’m tired but had to draw #Nessa from #PokemonSwordandShield #Fanart pic.twitter.com/okkE4LGMlE

— ️‍ Pwide uwu ️‍ (@Appleblotch) June 11, 2019

Gym Leader, Nessa! pic.twitter.com/s6TqebTpfF

— 「 GUREPYON 」 Animagic BOOTH (@GurepyonArt) June 11, 2019

nessa… good…#PokemonSwordShield #NintendoDirectE3 #Nessa #Sobble pic.twitter.com/WvW5XwFbb6

— krustin art account (@krust1n) June 11, 2019

thanks i love her ✨ quick bust between commissions! #nessa #pokemonswordshield pic.twitter.com/FUO2VHJHXo

— mary (@gumaeart) June 11, 2019

Nessa is my wife now pic.twitter.com/MqyknjAtSM

— gatos @ Yeticon (@nintengatos) June 11, 2019

Sketched #Nessa from #PokemonSwordShield while watching #NintendoDirectE3 Idk if I drew her right ;; I might have missed some details pic.twitter.com/5PHGzJ4hCz

— Tema ★ SOBBLE SQUAD (@temachii) June 11, 2019

I love her so much and am so excited to challenge her to a battle.

Pokémon Sword and Shield will be released on Nintendo Switch Nov. 15.

Source: Polygon