The Pokemon series has been around for over 25 years. In that time, many artists have drawn their own versions of Game Freak's characters. Gamers have mashed different pocket monsters from the Pokemon series together, drawing them in the style of other video games and as characters from movies.
Some artists have redesigned Pokemon in unique styles that give them new life. One artist has done this by fusing Pokemon with classic Japanese ideas, creating amazing artwork that has its own flair and feel.
A Redditor going by the handle LVL225 drew a number of Pokemon as samurai and ninjas. Pocket monsters such as Snorlax, Sceptile, and Poliwrath were drawn with armor and weapons in mostly black and white. A few of the Pokemon were given a small amount of color, adding a bit of character and intensity to the drawings. This includes Sceptile, who has an orange belt, and Croagunk with yellow eyes. The artist even drew the Pokemon Clefairy as a small samurai, sporting a spear and flag. The samurai and ninja style fit the characters that LVL225 chose, leading to amazing pieces that give an interesting new take on the creatures that gamers are familiar with.
LVL225's art has garnered a number of fans. Many feel that the pieces are amazing and stated that the works should be made available as prints. One commenter mentioned that these bits of Pokemon art would make great tattoos, while others said that they like the minimal use of color with a few of the characters. There were also requests for other pocket monsters to be drawn in this style, including Tyranitar, Greninja, and Bisharp. Many fans love the way that Clefairy was drawn, feeling that it is so cute and sweet. The artwork is quite impressive and shows the pocket monsters in a style that is rarely seen and yet fits so well.
LVL225 is not the only one imagining Nintendo's creatures in new and creative ways. A Redditor known as shunixe drew the Pokemon Raikou as a monstrous robot ready to pounce, creating a terrifying new look for it. The drawing keeps many of the aspects and details of Raikou that players would recognize, while giving it small aspects that help lend to the fact that it is now a mech. This includes taking the clouds on the Pokemon's back and turning them into what now look like electric turbines. The piece has a very intimidating feel to it, and the design would work well as an alternate form for Raikou.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet will release in 2022 for Nintendo Switch.