User blog comment:KawaiiPandicorn/Cure Mermaid is a Pokémon/@comment-9442368-20161021185826

This was actually brought up a couple of months ago when those leaks were first starting to gain traction. There was this alleged official piece of art going around that was pretty much confirmed when one of the trial leaders (the actual title slipped my brain) matched the official art. I think I pretty much have my starter choice set in stone.