There are few video game franchises as iconic Pokemon, with fans often creating tributes to it in the form of cosplay, video essays, sketches, and more. While the number of Pokemon is inching towards 1,000, many long time fans still have a special soft spot in their hearts for the original 151. One fan is showing true dedication to the Pokemon Red and Blue roster by recreating all 151 in Excel.
Redditor Gexuality posted a video showing off one of their creations, which has been crafted by filling in an Excel spreadsheet's cells. The video shows off Charizard, one of the most iconic Pokemon in the games to date. While Excel is a bit of an odd method to draw Pokemon in, it works surprisingly well. Cells are a good proxy for individual pixels, which makes the final product look accurate to the games.
The end of Gexuality's video shows several other Pokemon that the artist has recreated in Excel. Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, Venasaur, Charmander, and Charmeleon are all featured, so the Squirtle evolution tree will presumably be next. With just six down, Gexuality still has a long way to go before they reach the finish line, but the end products are stunningly accurate so far.
[OC] I'm creating a video series where I draw all original 151 Pokemon using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. This is my favorite so far. Thanks for watching! from pokemon
Reddit has been a hotbed for Pokemon fans to share their creations. Last year, one fan went viral for crocheting Pokemon, and while that alone is impressive, there have been recreations of fan-favorite Pokemon in just about any way they can be imagined, and there's no sign that Pokemon enthusiasts will slow down any time soon.
With Nintendo Switch sales booming, there's a good chance more people will be introduced to the Pokemon franchise in the coming months. While that likely means more fans of modern Pokemon fans over the classics, there are still plenty of methods to introduce newbies to the series' longest-lasting icons. Pokemon GO, for instance, still puts a heavy emphasis on some of the oldest Pokemon in the franchise, and its enjoyed continued success for its entire lifespan, with some ups and downs.
With any luck, Gexuality will manage to complete their project, as there is a tendency for some creators to abandon them part way through. It certainly looks like a lot of work, but recreating all the original Pokemon in Excel is certainly worth bragging rights. Gexuality has promised updates both on Reddit and their Instagram page, PixelPatternsPlus, so those wanting to see how the project progresses can follow them there.