Summary
APokemonfan artist has drawn their vision of what Bulbasaur and its evolutionary line might look like as a Ghost-type. This model is only part one of the artist’s project to draw the original 151Pokemonas Ghost-types.
Bulbasaur and its evolutions Ivysaur and Venusaur are all Grass/Poison types, and their appropriately leafy designs are notable for the plant that eventually grows and blossoms as it does. While the ranks of the Pocket Monsters have swelled considerably since the first 151 were introduced in Pokemon Red and Blue, the -Saur line retains a considerable fan base, and art celebrating the ‘mon that comes first in the original Pokedex circulates regularly. But as more games come out, occasionally there will benew regional variant Pokemonwith different looks and sometimes new types, such as those that appear in the Paldea region.
Here, artist bunopsia imagines what Bulbasaur and its line would look like as a Ghost/Poison type, and the results are appropriately spooky. Bulbasaur looks less determined than it usually does, and its bulb has wilted somewhat. But growing into Ivysaur it grows more zombie-like, with a rotten bud on its back and protruding, disturbingly purple veins, with an expression that seems more ghastly than grassy. Things only get more terrifying as it evolves into Venusaur, gaining a demented expression, massive size, and oozing black bile dripping from its gaping maw, a far cry from thecute and adorable Bulbasaurfans are familiar with.
The idea to draw the original 151 as Ghost-types seems to be a callback to thePokemon Blackcreepypasta legend. The story centers around an unnamed author who describes finding a bootleg copy of one of the original Game Boygames where the player can receive a starter known simply as GHOST. GHOST doesn’t attack like the other starters, instead using a move called “Curse” that’s heavily implied to kill Pokemon it encounters, as well as their trainers. At the end of the game, the player, now an old man, is confronted with sprites of those that have fallen to GHOST, and a final battle ensues between the player and GHOST that kills the player character.
The Darker Side of thePokemonWorld Explored
Pokemon Blackdid become a real game, but as a mainline addition alongsidePokemon White. The original ghost story has become somewhat of a cultural touchstone among older fans, fascinated by the idea of a darker take on a series that’s usually light-hearted and fun. There iscanonical creepyPokemonloreout there that inspires artists just as much as a campfire ghost story, inspiring master horror artists like Junji Ito to imagine a more terrifying take on the little guys, making bunopsia’s creation another addition to the grim gallery of darkPokemonfanart.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
