The Pokémon Go team has shared a new piece of artwork for the mobile game's 9th anniversary, hinting that a few familiar faces may be joining very soon.

This artwork reveals Paradox Pokémon - which first appeared in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet - could well be heading to Pokémon Go. Paradox Pokémon are a special collection of Pokémon, and are either a futuristic or prehistoric version of a present day Pokémon. In the new artwork, we can see both Great Tusk (an Ancient Pokémon) and Iron Treads (a Future Pokémon).

In addition to these two, we can see a Gigantamax Butterfree, another yet-to-be-released Pokémon for PoGo. The steel/ghost type Pokémon Aegislash is also in the artwork, and will be arriving with the Steel and Scales event this month.

In addition to potential and confirmed upcoming Pokémon, it also looks like a new feature will be coming to PoGo. This is based on the character towards the left-hand side of the anniversary artwork, who is getting a thumbs up from a wrist communicator. Some have suggested remote trading, but it remains to be seen for now. Any thoughts?

Meanwhile, the inclusion of Zygarde 50 percent Forme may well be hinting at a future Route / Zygarde event. Hopefully the Pokémon Go team will reveal all soon, stay tuned!

For more on the Pokémon Go's 9th Anniversary celebrations, be sure to check out our guide: Pokémon Go 9th Anniversary Party event.

Earlier this year, Pokémon Go developer Niantic was sold to Saudi-backed Monopoly Go maker Scopely as part of a $3.5bn deal. In April, the company opened up about its recent acquisition, assuring its staff as well as players that the tentpole franchise will "not undergo any major changes".