Pokemon entered our lives more than 25 years ago, and during that time it has become real in many ways. From video games to anime, from iconic trading cards to even VR variants, the franchise has deeply embedded itself in many people’s lives. But all of this begs the question, what if Pokemon were real? It feels like the series has not overcome the last horizon. And while we’re happy about it, we’re happy no need real pokemon running around the world, it’s still fun to imagine what realistic pokemon would actually look like. Luckily, the incredibly talented Joshua Dunlop is on hand to help us out with some unique visual effects. Dunlop recently completed his collection of realistic Pokémon Generation 1 artwork and is now turning it into an art book via Kickstarter. Let’s take a look at the most unique Pokémon evolutions of all – real-world evolutions.
Since 2016, Dunlop has been challenging himself to create lifelike paintings of all 151 Gen 1 Pokemon. This project is there Pokémon Zoology. The participating pieces, he shares, are meant to “evoke a sense of nostalgia and bring a new perspective to the Pokémon that started it all.” And they certainly do! With 151 realistic parts Pokemon art complete, Dunlop is ready to combine them all and create an exciting proposition for Pokemon fans everywhere. From Dragonair to Bulbasaur and everyone in between, you can see some of our favorite Pokemon below as they make the leap into the real world.
This realistic Pokémon art combines fantasy and science
Of course, these works are realistic Pokemon The art is not only the product of Dunlop’s imagination. Dunlop notes that his work “embodies the spirit of the beloved Pokémon while grounding them in real-world biology. No detail has been overlooked in these intricate images, from feather textures to large-scale patterns. Accurate anatomy gives a new perspective on even the most familiar species like Pikachu and Charizard.” Ultimately, the project “brings imagination and science together in a visually striking package perfect for Pokemon fans, biology buffs, artists, and educators!
The Pokémon Zoology Art Book Kickstarter
And that brings us to Pokémon Zoology Art Book Kickstarter. It takes a collective effort to bring this book to life. But luckily, Pokémon trainers are everywhere. Dunlop is hoping to raise $12,077 or £10,000 to give his lifelike Pokemon the home they deserve. Fortunately, at the time of this writing Pokemon The art book Kickstarter was fully backed and made more than double the goal.
In exchange for their pledge, backers will be rewarded with digital and physical copies of the art book, postcards, prints and more. The Kickstarter will run until October 30th. You can keep up to date with Dunlop’s art and Kickstarter via TwitterInstagram, Facebook and ArtStation.
If you’re on the fence about pledging for this Pokemon book, just look into the eyes of Dunlop’s realistic Pikachu. How can you say no to this face?
Originally published on October 3, 2023.
