A Pokemon fan artist shares a dozen designs of the legendary birds Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres, with their original and Galarian forms and their base and Shiny colors on full display. However, the Pokemon fan artist drew each legendary bird as a human, or gijinka, and incorporated different motifs and colors with each design.
As the first trio of Legendary Pokemon in the entire Pokemon franchise, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres hail from the Kanto region. In Pokemon Red and Blue, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres can each be found waiting in plain sight in the Seafoam Islands, the Power Plant, and the end of Victory Road, respectively. Each legendary bird can be fought and captured at level 50 at their respective locations, so saving the game before approaching them is recommended. However, the Legendary birds of Kanto are notorious for having low catch rates across the Pokemon series to go with their dangerous attacks. In short, some patience, luck, and dozens of Ultra Balls are often necessary to add the Legendary Birds to the Pokedex.
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Pokemon Fan Artist Shares Impressive Gijinka Designs of The Legendary Birds
Although the Legendary Birds have received various art tributes from Pokemon trainers over the years, one fan artist chose them as the main subjects of their latest art pieces. On the official Pokemon subreddit, a Redditor named Goku-MIEL10032002, also known as Miel the Mouse, shared their takes on what Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres could look like with human-based designs, or gijinka. Each gijinka depiction of the Legendary Birds was drawn in both their original and Shiny forms, with the birds themselves also shown off as a point of comparison.
Articuno was depicted as a woman with blue hair, black thigh-high boots, and a blue sword sheathed by her left hip. By comparison, Zapdos was drawn as a young girl with short, spiky blonde hair, orange boots, and an umbrella in her right hand. Moltres' human form was drawn as a man with a scar on his face, and wore traditional Japanese clothing that included flame patterns.
Along with designing their original appearances, Miel the Mouse also drew the Galarian regional variant forms of Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno. Similar to their appearances in Pokemon Sword and Shield: The Crown Tundra, the Legendary Galarian Birds bear different designs compared to their Kantonian counterparts. Galarian Articuno was depicted as a man in a violet and black suit, with black under-rim glasses and short purple and black hair. Similar to the female depiction of Zapdos, Miel the Mouse's depiction of Galarian Zapdos had short spiky hair.
However, Galarian Zapdos was drawn as a man in a sleeveless orange top, with black boots and a stern look on his face. Galarian Moltres was also drawn in clothing inspired by Japan. However, Galarian Moltres was depicted as a woman with dark skin, black and pink hair, wearing a black and pink kimono with a sash tied in the middle, and holding a pair of folding fans.
Gijinka Fan Art is Popular With Pokemon Trainers
It is worth mentioning that Miel the Mouse has designed some Pokemon gijinka forms before. In October 2025, they shared some redesigns of the Legendary Golems as humans, including Regidrago and Regieleki. Each of the gijinka depictions of the Legendary Golems was well-received by Pokemon fans. In response to Miel the Mouse's latest handiwork, Pokemon trainers complimented them for their dedication and their attention to detail when creating the gijinka depictions of the Legendary Birds.
Miel the Mouse replied that their next project would focus on the Treasures of Ruin from Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, a quartet that includes Dark-type monsters like Chi-Yu and Wo-Chien. With the Pokemon franchise turning 30 in 2026, it remains to be seen what Pokemon fan artists will create and share in the year ahead.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
WHERE TO PLAY
LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.
CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.
ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest.
Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.
Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?
WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Number of Players
- 1-4 players (online)
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date
- October 16, 2025
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
