Summary
- A Pokemon fan created a horrifying rendition of Arceus as an eldritch abomination, replacing metallic parts with bone and transforming its head into a tentacle.
- The artwork is reminiscent of H.R. Giger, known for designing Alien's xenomorph, featuring biomechanical elements and eldritch body horror.
- Fans love the cosmic horror version of Arceus, comparing it to Bloodbourne and Warhammer 40,000 creatures, while others would be both scared and intrigued to encounter it in a Pokemon game.
A Pokemon fan recently reimagined Arceus as a horrifying eldritch abomination. This excellent piece of artwork showcases a very different and terrifying version of the god-like being from the Pokemon universe.
Since its introduction in Gen Four, Arceus has captivated Pokemon players with its power and majesty. Known as the Alpha Pokemon, its popularity was so great that it became the titular character of Pokemon Legends: Arceus, and is the catalyst for the plot of the game.
Now, Pokemon fan and artist Ann Maren, also known as Slyfoxmaren and Artonauts, has rendered Arceus in a truly unique and terrifying way. Her illustration of Arceus reimagined it as a terrifying, alien being. Maren replaced the Pokemon’s metallic parts, including the large halo-like ring around its midsection, with bone spurs, flesh, and chitin, and transformed its elongated head into a long, prehensile tentacle. This Lovecraftian version of Arceus makes even Giratina, the Alpha Pokemon’s nemesis, look friendly in comparison.
The art style used by Maren is reminiscent to that of H. R. Giger, a popular Swiss artist best known for being the designer of the xenomorph from the iconic sci-fi horror film Alien. His unique, airbrushed style of blending humanoid and machine elements came to be known as biomechanical. Maren admitted Giger was a huge inspiration to her own art, which features similar elements of eldritch body horror.
Maren’s fellow Pokemon fans loved her cosmic horror version of Arceus. Some gamers said her rendition would fit perfectly in games like Bloodbourne, and that it reminded them of a tyranid or Chaos daemon from Warhammer 40,000. Indeed, some players would be absolutely horrified to come across her version of Arceus in a Pokemon game, though other players would want to catch the legendary even more if it looked this scary.
Fans of Maren’s style can find more of her work on her Instagram accounts. She has dozens of illustrations of various creatures and characters in several styles, including many that are reimagined in the horror style used in the Arceus drawing. In addition to Pokemon, fans will find tributes to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, My Hero Academia, and Sailor Moon among her work, as well as plenty of classic video games like Sonic and Spyro. Were that not enough, Maren also makes adorable pixel art pillows, charms, and other trinkets, all of which are available for custom order. With the ability to create both creepy and cute artwork, Maren is a master of her craft.
Source: Instagram/slyfoxmaren_art