One creative Pokemon fan turned to the past for inspiration when figuring out how to pay homage to the popular franchise, creating a series of gorgeous retro posters featuring some of the series’ most popular characters and creatures. Fans of Nintendo and Game Freak’s acclaimed monster-battling games have been speculating recently about what will be included when the first DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet on the Nintendo Switch launches later this year.
Making its debut with 1996’s Nintendo Game Boy titles Pokemon Red and Blue, the Pokemon franchise has grown to become one of the largest properties in gaming and entertainment over the last several decades. With numerous video games, animated shows and films, and mountains of merchandise dedicated to the distinctive characters and collectible creatures that populate its colorful world, Pokemon is a truly global phenomenon with fans all across the world. This fame has led to franchise fans producing some incredible art inspired by the series over the years, from simple drawings to the massive Pokemon mural recently created by one talented fan.
In a new photo posted to r/Pokemon, Redditor Hyperagua showed off a series of gorgeous Pokemon posters they created to pay tribute to the popular franchise. Featuring a decidedly retro art style that draws heavily on the visual aesthetic of the 1940s, the six posters range from colorful ads for a Pokemon safari to a Team Rocket-themed riff on World War 2 recruitment posters. Small details like simulated creases and water damage on the posters complete the package, giving the posters an aged and authentic look that fits perfectly with their old-school art style.
Fans of Pokemon responding to the post were blown away by the unique posters, with multiple responses inquiring as to how they could purchase one for themselves. While the posters aren’t available for sale, Hyperagua let users know that they are free to print them out if they wish, adding that “A donation can be considered.” Commenting on a wanted poster in the collection listing a paltry reward for the capture of Team Rocket’s Jesse and James, one reply joked about the embarrassment of being “notorious enough to get a wanted poster, but incompetent enough that it only offers 250 bucks for you.” Other comments complimented Hyperagua for including some sly references to classic episodes of the Pokemon TV series in the taglines for some of the posters.
This unique blend of the series’ colorful, anime aesthetic with design cues from the 1940s is a great example of the creative and impressive art the Pokemon fan community has become known for over the years. And with both Pokemon Horizons and the DLC for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet expected to add more never-before-seen Pokemon to the franchise in the near future, there’s no shortage of new artistic inspiration for fans of the legendary franchise.