Tangrowth is the lone remaining resident when Pokémon Pokopia begins.
The game opens in a world where Pokémon and humans once lived together happily, but the environment has withered and the humans are gone. Tangrowth is presented as the only apparent resident still living in that desolate setting, giving the opening a markedly different tone from the cheerful town that players gradually build.
Tangrowth is a Grass-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IV. Its vine-covered design makes it especially appropriate for a story about overgrown landscapes, plant life, and restoring habitats. In Pokopia, the Pokémon is not merely a background species reference; it helps establish the condition of the world before the player begins rebuilding it.
Tangrowth can be confused with other plant-themed Pokémon such as Torterra or Trevenant. However, the official Pokopia premise specifically identifies Tangrowth as the lone remaining resident at the start.