Nintendo's creature-collecting RPG series Pokemon is as popular as ever, with the recent mainline entries Pokemon Sword and Shield selling over 18 million copies on Switch. The franchise has inspired people to make some impressive artwork, with its reach extending into merchandise, multiple animated series, and an ongoing card game.
Artist and 3D modeler Christian Calinawan, who goes by Emocookielover on Reddit, posted their render of a special Pokemon card that was converted into a 3D diorama using Blender to the r/pokemon subreddit today. The card is a Shuckle from the Sword and Shield-themed Rebel Clash set that appears in a swampy forest. Calinawan made it so the otherwise flat card looks to have an entire world on the inside, almost like a museum display with Shuckle looking curiously out at its audience beyond the fourth wall.
While the artist admits this Shuckle is likely not viable in the TCG, even with their impressive edit, their looping video that shows the card moving back and forth is pretty mesmerizing. Calinawan points the public to their Instagram account where there are almost 400 posts of mostly Pokemon-themed 3D models they have created, including other diorama cards featuring monsters like Haunter and Jirachi.
The Pokemon trading card game has been around nearly as long as the video games, and neither show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. Pokemon Sword and Shield have kept on the forefront thanks to DLC content as well as spin-off games like New Pokemon Snap being announced for the future, meanwhile additions like the Champion's Path expansion continue introducing cards into the TCG.
Because the franchise has remained in the public consciousness as long as it has, there are tons of fans producing Pokemon art alongside Calinawan. One player named PTickles on Reddit recently garnered a lot of attention because of a series creating new evolutions for Eevee based on types like Fighting that it has yet to receive.
Pokemon's popularity also extends to real-world events, though some have been compromised due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that also shut down production on the anime Pokemon Journeys for a time. The annual Yokohama Pikachu Outbreak was cancelled due to health concerns, for example. In its place, many have taken to the Internet to share their affection for the series, and Pokemon artwork like Calinawan's 3D Shuckle card is just one great piece available online.
Source: Instagram, The Pokemon Company