Splatoon Raiders thoughts and theories

So, Splatoon Raiders was announced on a random Tuesday the 11th anniversary of Splatoon's E3 trailer!

I was normal about that.

Of course I was. So obviously this has been stuck in my mind since it was announced and I need to make it everyone else's problem now.

Theory 1: Salmonids are the main enemy

This one really makes sense!
There's no reason for Octarians to be anywhere near those islands, the glowing pillar does resemble some lights seen on scrolls and an island in the background of some Big Runs and the logo has a familiar green in it. While I do buy it, there has to be some sort of caveat. At least I hope there is. The simple good vs evil storymodes with the Great Zapfish have been fun, but they can do so much better, though I don't expect Octo Expansion levels of storytelling.
Maybe Salmonids live on the island? Maybe they're explored as an intelligent species for once. Deep Cut already knows who Grizz truly was and what he wanted to achieve, but have they grasped what they, and thousands of other Inkfish, have been roped into actually doing?
What if Salmonids were somehow agitated into having unusually long and frequent Runs, but by whom and why?
I don't think Grizz is the culprit. At the beginning of Grand Run, he (or whoever is on the radio) explicitly acknowledges the unusal frequency of Big Runs: "The great migration of salmon used to happen once every 70 years. But about two years ago, it started happening all over. This is the seventh site."
On the Splatoon timeline, this lines up with the debut of Big Runs in Splatoon 3 on Dec 10th 2022. In Splatoon 2, Salmon Run wasn't always available, which was explained in-game as the result of Salmonids not always doing their runs ("We are only able to collect Power Eggs during peak Salmon Run season, so any work is on an irregular basis.").
In Splatoon 3, it is mentioned that Big Runs happen in areas with strong magnetic fields. It's not entirely clear if they're caused by the Salmonids themselves or if they just react to them, but it is a noteworthy little detail... maybe a noteworthy little cat would agree?

Theory 2: Gear vs Grub vs Fun was foreshadowing

I wouldn't call this a theory so much as trivia, because it kind of did, didn't it? I think it'd be fun if the results of the first Splatfest (excluding the sneak peak) impacted the story of Raiders for a change and potentially keeps Past for the next mainline game. Or maybe it doesn't, who knows.

Theory 3: The Mechanic is Agent 4

Would it be hilarious? Yes. I don't think it's likely though. The only way Agent 4 will ever be mentioned again will be during some sort of celebratory animation posted to Twitter with the entire New Squidbeak Splatoon gathered at the shack, Callie going "It's so nice to have everyone here!", Marie replying "Yes, so sad Agent 4 couldn't make it. They're so busy with their art degree.", everyone looking directly at the camera for a second or two before looking back down and the video fading out. And the joke will be completely stolen from Fuller House.

Theory 4: Their colors changed due to the sunlight

This one is worth really exploring. In the trailer, Shiver and Frye's tentacles are a noticably lighter color than usual.

And, well, Big Man is just fuckin greem.

No clue what's up with that.

Additionally, the ends of Frye and Mechanic's tentacles look a little dry. This is interesting, because it has been stated as far back as the first Splatoon arrt book that Inklings can preserve their bodies as they age by sun-drying and that Cuttlefish has done so. Now for the Mechanic this is likely a style choice as their tentacles resemble the bedhead style from Splatoon 3, but not for Frye.

I assume this picture shows them very shortly after the crash. And while I admit you could argue about the ends of Frye's tentacles or the color of Shiver's ink, you can't argue with Big Man's color. He's beginning to look like an Acht impersonator, but he's not as green as other clips show him to be yet. 
The Spirhalite Islands seem pretty sunny without too much shelter around. Maybe Frye and Mechanic (and possibly Shiver and Big Man as well) are involuntarily drying out.
This might explain Frye's knee brace. I'm really curious to see what that is about and if it means she might become disabled. I have enough thoughts on that to warrant it's own blog post, really...

If you've read this far, thanks for listening to me ramble! These fish live rent free in my head. I have so much more to say and I really tried to keep this short. Didn't work out at all but uh. Hey. I was happy writing it and I hope you got to be just as happy reading it :]

Stay Fresh and see you around!

...

Shiver is wearing thigh highs

Where the hell did she get those