This watercolor Pokemon game idea is too cool to only be a concept

Sugimori style

I can’t let you get through the rest of your weekend without spotting this mock-up of a Pokemon game inspired by the watercolor style of Ken Sugimori’s classic illustrations. It’s a brilliant idea for a first-gen Pokemon Red/Blue/Green remake from artist @pokeyugami.

I’d be writing this article if the source was just an image, but it’s a full-blown video:

これは時空の歪みによって生まれた、懐かしくも新しい『ポケットモンスター 初代』！
(トキワの森編)#pokemon pic.twitter.com/Mm7bF4M80F

— ポケモン時空の歪み研究員 (@pokeyugami) May 20, 2022

In the clip (via The Escapist), Red strolls through the forest as a few Caterpie and Weedle scooch by while a Bug Catcher boy stands guard, ready to show off his beauties.

On Twitter, a fan tacked on the Viridian Forest music for the full classic effect.

Not to tear down some of the official Pokemon remakes we’ve gotten over the years (most recently the chibi-ified Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl on Nintendo Switch last year), but dang. This fan art is so wonderful. It’s how adults like me imagined Pokemon as a kid.

If you’re on board, you should also check out some of @pokeyugami‘s other work on Twitter. I love this generation-spanning Gym Leader illustration, as well as this Professor piece. Their art combines the old with the new in a novel way.

What are the odds?

Just the other day I was thinking about another similar fan project — a custom Gengar plush with Sugimori-esque painterly detailing. There’s a growing passion for this stuff among creators, and a riled-up audience of fans all ready to go, cash in hand.

With the power of nostalgia and the way trends seem to circle back around, I feel like it’s only a matter of time before a real Pokemon game taps into this watercolor vibe.

What is it with me getting my hopes up as a once-die-hard Pokemon fan? I need to chill!