Ever stared at a Dunsparce and felt a deep, localized sense of betrayal? You aren't alone. For decades, the Pokemon community has looked at certain creature designs—the ones that feel unfinished or neglected by Game Freak—and decided to take matters into their own hands. This isn't just about drawing cool monsters. It's about a massive, global subculture of artists creating fan made pokemon evolutions that often rival, or even surpass, the official designs we see on the Nintendo Switch.
People call them "Fakemon."
It sounds sort of dismissive, doesn't it? But the craftsmanship behind these projects is staggering. Artists like Subjectively or practitioners on DeviantArt spend hundreds of hours studying "Ken Sugimori style"—that specific mix of watercolor textures, thick-to-thin line work, and large, expressive eyes that defines the Pokemon aesthetic. They aren't just making "fake" monsters; they are essentially performing digital archaeology, trying to find the "lost" evolutions that should have existed in Red and Blue or Gold and Silver.
The Psychology of Why We Love Fan Made Pokemon Evolutions
Why do we care so much? Basically, it’s a mix of nostalgia and a desire for closure. When a Pokemon like Skarmory or Lapras goes generations without an evolution, it feels like a missed opportunity. Fans fill that void. They look at the biological inspirations—like how Remoraid is a gun-fish that "shoots" into Octillery (the tank)—and they try to find the next logical step in that weird, wonderful Darwinian ladder.
Sometimes, the official designs actually catch up. Remember the years of fan made pokemon evolutions for Farfetch’d? People were obsessed with giving that bird a knight-like upgrade. When Sirfetch’d finally dropped in Pokemon Sword and Shield, it was a rare moment where the official canon aligned with the collective fan psyche. But usually, the fan versions are bit more... daring. They don't have to worry about the technical limitations of a handheld console or the "brand safety" of a multi-billion dollar corporation. They just make what looks awesome.
The "Regional Form" Revolution
The introduction of Alolan and Galarian forms changed everything for the Fakemon community. It gave artists a "legal" way to reimagine existing favorites without breaking the lore. Suddenly, you weren't just making a "better" version of Arcanine; you were making a "Regional Variant" Arcanine that lived in a volcanic tundra.
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This shifted the focus from pure power-ups to ecological storytelling. You'll see artists designing entire "Fakedexes" based on real-world locations like Australia, Brazil, or Greece. They look at local folklore—like the Bunyip or the Minotaur—and weave those myths into the evolutionary lines of existing Pokemon. It’s incredibly deep work. They aren't just drawing; they're world-building.
Where Game Freak and Fans Disagree
There is a tension here. Honestly, if you look at modern official designs like Gholdengo (the 1000th Pokemon), they can be pretty polarizing. Some fans think the designs are getting too "object-based" or over-designed. This is where fan made pokemon evolutions shine. They often stick to the "monster" roots of the series.
- Simplicity: Early Pokemon designs were basically "pigeons with an attitude" or "rocks with arms." Fans tend to honor that simplicity.
- Biological Logic: If a Pokemon is a Fire-type based on a goat, a fan evolution will likely lean into the "Satyr" or "Chimera" mythos rather than turning it into a literal motorcycle.
- The "Middle Stage" Struggle: Everyone knows the awkward teenage phase of a starter Pokemon is the hardest to design. Fans spend an inordinate amount of time trying to fix the "ugly" middle stages of official starters.
It's not all sunshine and roses, though. The Fakemon community has its own set of "clichés." You've probably seen a thousand "Mega" Flygons or "Dark-type" Eeveelutions. After a while, they can start to look a bit samey. But every once in a while, an artist like Smiley-Fakemon or TrueGreen7 drops a design that makes you wonder why they aren't on the payroll in Tokyo.
The Technical Art of the "Fake"
Making a convincing Pokemon isn't just about being good at Photoshop. It’s about understanding the "Golden Ratio" of creature design. Pokemon generally have two or three main colors. Their silhouettes need to be recognizable from a distance. If you add too many spikes, it looks like a Digimon. If you add too much detail, it looks like a Monster Hunter boss.
The best creators of fan made pokemon evolutions understand the "Subtraction" rule. You draw a cool dragon, and then you start erasing parts until it looks like something a ten-year-old could draw from memory. That is the secret sauce. That’s why we get so attached to these fan projects; they feel like they belong in our childhood backpacks next to our Game Boys.
Real Examples That Shook the Community
Let's talk about the Pokemon Uranium or Pokemon Sage projects. These weren't just art pieces; they were full-blown games. Pokemon Uranium featured over 150 original Fakemon, including a "Nuclear" type. The designs were so professional that the game was downloaded over 1.5 million times before Nintendo sent the inevitable Cease and Desist.
Then there is the "Mewthree" phenomenon. This has existed since the 90s. Before the internet was a household staple, rumors of a Mewthree were the schoolyard currency of the decade. Today, we have thousands of fan made pokemon evolutions for Mewtwo, ranging from horrific biological experiments to divine, celestial beings. None of them are official, but in the minds of many players, they are part of the broader Pokemon mythos.
Is the AI Threatening the Hobby?
With the rise of generative AI, the world of Fakemon is changing. You can now prompt an engine to "create a Water-type evolution for Dunsparce," and it will spit out something decent in seconds. But it lacks the intent.
A human artist chooses to give a Pokemon a specific scar because of a lore reason. AI just puts pixels where it thinks they should go. Most hardcore fans can spot an AI-generated Fakemon from a mile away—the eyes are usually a bit too "glassy," and the anatomy doesn't quite make sense for an animal that needs to move. For now, the "soul" of fan-made designs remains firmly in the hands of human illustrators who actually play the games.
How to Get Involved in the Fakemon Scene
If you're looking to dive into this world, don't just look at Pinterest. Go to the source.
- Instagram and TikTok: Search for hashtags like #FakemonArtist or #PokemonEvolution. You'll find "Regional Forms" that look like they were leaked directly from a developer's computer.
- Reddit: Subreddits like r/Fakemon are the wild west of design. You'll see everything from "my first drawing" to professional-grade concept art.
- YouTube: Watch "Design-a-thon" videos. Seeing the process of how a circle becomes a "Grass/Steel" type turtle is fascinating and teaches you a lot about character design in general.
The Legal Gray Area
Let's be real: Nintendo is protective. They own the IP. However, as long as you aren't selling the designs or making a standalone game that competes with their sales, the community usually thrives in a peaceful "look but don't touch" state. Most artists use their fan made pokemon evolutions as a portfolio to get jobs in the actual gaming industry. It’s the ultimate resume.
What to Do With Your Own Ideas
If you've got an idea for a "Mega Ludicolo" or a "Pre-evolution for Onix," start sketching. You don't need a Wacom tablet. A napkin and a ballpoint pen worked for the original creators of the 151.
Once you have a concept, think about the "Why." Why does this Pokemon evolve? Does it need a certain stone? Does it only evolve when it's raining? The best fan made pokemon evolutions are the ones that feel like they have a place in the ecosystem. They aren't just bigger versions of the previous form; they are adaptations to a fictional world.
Taking the Next Steps
Stop just scrolling and start analyzing. Next time you see a fan design you love, ask yourself why it works. Is it the color palette? The silhouette? Use those observations to develop your own "eye" for design.
If you're an artist, try the "Pokemon Fusion" challenge first to get a feel for the proportions. If you're a writer, try coming up with the Pokedex entries for your favorite fan designs. The community is huge, and there is always room for one more "fake" monster in the tall grass.
Go check out the "Smogon" forums or the "Project Azurite" archives if you want to see the pinnacle of what fans can achieve. These people aren't just fans; they're the unofficial keepers of the Pokemon spirit, ensuring that even the most "boring" creatures eventually get the evolution they deserve.
Stay creative. Keep hunting for those "lost" designs. The next great Pokemon evolution might not come from a corporate boardroom in Minato, Tokyo—it might come from your own sketchbook.
Actionable Insights for Pokemon Fans:
- Study the "Sugimori Style": If you want to create your own, look for tutorials on "linear gradients" and "watercolor brushes" specifically tailored for the Pokemon art style.
- Follow the "Two-Element Rule": Most successful designs only combine two distinct concepts (e.g., "Fire" + "Centaur"). Adding a third often makes the design feel cluttered and "un-Pokemon."
- Join the Community: Participate in "Monthly Design Challenges" on Discord or Instagram to get feedback from veteran Fakemon artists.
- Respect the Lore: When designing a regional form, research the real-world geography and mythology of the region you're "visiting" to add depth to the design.