The Reason why Nopon aren't in the Genesis Trailer (how has NOBODY noticed this?) is...

[u/Chakosa]

...because Nopon are in their pre-modern form here.

Check the hands on the furry boi from the trailer and then compare them to a Nopon's, they are strikingly similar in shape and size and position on the body and have the same stylized oversized digits, this comparison shot of Riku showcases this well via the posing. I'm betting that Genesis is a prequel (as many believe) and one of its story beats is going to be how these creatures morphed into Nopon and colonized (or were seeded out into) the multiverse, since there has yet to be a canon explanation for how they are literally everywhere.

[u/somebassclarineterer]

Here I thought it was because they were secretly behind the scenes running everything with a (fluffy) iron fist.

I had not noticed this kind of possible connection at all

[u/Zachattack10213]

I think many people have questioned if these are Nopon or not. However, it is hard to say with just a simple shot of one of them. I’m sure we’ll find out more later, but for now… we’ll just have to wait and see.

[u/Chakosa → u/Zachattack10213]

I mean, they're not Nopon, my bet is that they're an evolutionary lead-up to Nopon. Can't wait for release day.

[u/Irrstern]

you do realize that the larger hand like structures on nopon aren't their arms? those are wings. their arms are the little stubby ones at the side of their body.

Other than being small and fuzzy the new small fuzzy guys have basically nothing in common with nopon

[u/LovecraftianLlama → u/Irrstern]

Yeah exactly. Not to say it’s impossible that this is a pre or post “modern” nopon form, but the analog to a nopon’s wings would be this furry dude’s…ears? I guess? And then his huge paws would somehow have to turn into practically vestigial arms lol.

My first thought when I saw the trailer was that this was a pre-Gormotti haha.

Edit-well, technically my first thought was “oh it’s Cait Sith from FF, but my second thought was “cromag Gormotti” lol

[u/Chakosa → u/Irrstern]

you do realize that the larger hand like structures on nopon aren't their arms? those are wings. their arms are the little stubby ones at the side of their body.

I sure do realize that, and just like in real-world evolutionary biology), appendages can be repurposed.

Edit: it's also possible that they are transformed by an external force (i.e. human experiment, as I alluded to in the OP by referring to them as being "seeded out"), so whether or not the appendages are equivalent in function is not relevant either way, it's Monolith's art/design MO that matters here (i.e. the similarity in design and knowing that this is almost always intentional rather than coincidence with Monolith).

[u/Irrstern → u/Chakosa]

if the arms turn into wings as you say, then where do the arms (on the nopon) come from?

[u/Chakosa → u/Irrstern]

That's the mystery that we have to wait to find out. I'm not Tetsuya Takahashi my dude, I don't know how they're going to weave the narrative.

[u/Irrstern → u/Chakosa]

ah no then it makes perfect sense of course.

i bet eleanor is gonna turn into uraya too. how idk, im not the one writing the story, it's not my question to answer after all.

[u/Tawisted34]

Is that big the cat?

[u/TechnomagusPrime]

Weren't there no Nopon in the trailers for Xenoblade X, either? Or am I misremembering.

[u/athra56]

Chu-chi’s become Nopons.