When the Pokémon brand was first launched, the initial concept was to create creatures that had specific powers that were often beyond reality. However, as time went on and the series developed, designers increasingly “strayed” from their original vision. The result is that Pokémon designs have become not only unique but also… fantastical to the point of being hard to believe.
Below are the 10 most surreal Pokémon designs, showing just how far the series has come from its initial inspiration.
10. Porygon
Porygon is the first artificial Pokémon from Generation I, featuring a square design in bright blue and pink colors that make it look completely out of place in the natural world. Its geometric shape and appearance are unlike any real creature, making it one of the most surreal designs in the series.
9. Magnezone
In Generation IV, Magneton, like many other Kanto and Johto Pokémon, received a new evolution. Magnezone resembles a UFO, with parts combining to form a new Pokémon. This design is not only eccentric but also illogical, making it one of the strangest Pokémon in existence.
8. Throh and Sawk
Sawk and Throh are counterparts from Generation V, inspired by Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee from Generation I. These fighting-type Pokémon have designs that resemble martial artists, with one representing judo and the other karate. Their strong, bulky builds and expressive faces contribute to their unique and somewhat surreal designs.
7. Garbodor
Garbodor is a living garbage bag, designed to represent the concept of waste. Although it symbolizes an unpleasant idea, the notion of a trash bag Pokémon that can move and interact adds a surreal layer to its design, making it truly fantastical.
6. Vanilluxe
Generation V marked a turning point where Pokémon designs began to heavily lean towards surreal concepts. Vanilluxe resembles a double-scoop ice cream cone with two faces, embodying a whimsical and fantastical notion that strays far from traditional Pokémon designs.
5. Revaroom
Revaroom is a Steel/Poison-type Pokémon that resembles a living vehicle, with metallic parts and a face made from a car’s front. While inspired by a real object, the idea of a sentient vehicle makes Revaroom distinctly surreal in the Pokémon universe.
4. Gholdengo
This Pokémon is formed from 1,000 Gimmighoul coins and resembles a friendly, floating figure. Its design leans heavily into the surreal, with elements that seem more mythical than realistic, making it intriguing yet hard to relate to in the Pokémon world.
3. Mr. Rime
The existence of Mr. Rime, the evolution of Galarian Mr. Mime, raises many questions. While Mr. Mime is known for its mime-like qualities, Mr. Rime resembles the legendary Charlie Chaplin with its quirky attire. This strange character design, inspired by a real person, adds a layer of surrealism that is hard to ignore.
2. Koraidon and Miraidon
Legendary Pokémon can often feel like mythological beings, crafted from the imagination down to the very essence of their creation. Both Koraidon and Miraidon are designed with futuristic elements, with their forms suggesting they could be vehicles themselves. Their designs are incredibly sleek and imaginative, reinforcing their surreal nature.
1. Ultra Beasts
These extraterrestrial creatures come from various dimensions and are designed to resemble nothing found on Earth. Their unique and bizarre designs stand out significantly, embodying a level of surrealism that separates them from any ordinary Pokémon.
According to CBR
