So I wanna talk about Pokemon Design | JoCat 

But Nintendo _has_ redesigned some Pokemon. Remember fat Pikachu?

Jocat: also four years of design college *flex flex* Jocat on the inside: please give me validation for going to college I'm in so much debt right now

Hey don't pick on Voltorb. You know he has self-destructive thoughts.

Gamefreak making Sobble 'Hmmmm this water lizard is great, but its missing something....' *how about extreme anxiety?* 'PERFRCT!! That seems to be exactly what it needed!'

"We cant have just a magnet with a face..." Voltorb: *explodes*

I'm gonna be honest, i think you're non-crap guide videos are waaaay too underappreciated

meanwhile Digimon: "Hello, this is Beelzemon, my young nephew helped design him, as you can see he's a, uh.. cool dragon man with leather clothes, spiked boots and a motorcycle. Also a pair of guns" [everyone at the conference proceeds to clap and promote him so hard he ascends to a higher plane of consciousness]

"They can't all be as perfect as Mimikyu" Liked, favourited, subscribed and sending you my liver in the mail.

Let's take a moment to look at Sonic and wonder; do we really want "improvement" ?

"Add facial features" Unless the Pokemon name begins with "REGI-"

"Sobble has blue dots under its eyes that resemble teardrops and tangible anxiety " Mood

"Now you know how to design Pokemon, you're welcome"

I'm surprised you didn't mention the Alolan variants. They're a new spin on older designs, whilst still keeping (most of) the original ideas. And Dugtrio's hair. Can't forget about that.

there is already division in the pokemon community about the progressive slimming of pikachu, redesigning old pokemon would be very dramatic

How to design a digimon: Rule 1: There are no rules

“There is beauty in simplicity.” If they were to change the looks of the Pokémon going forward, they would look like they don’t fit in the universe. It’s a design of the overall world rather than the individual character. The design of Pokémon and the limits set make them look like they are part of the universe. Legendaries seem to have more detail to male them look powerful. I feel like this is on purpose just to show the evolution of the artists.

I think Mega evolution was game freak’s attempt at updating older Pokémon designs

Now I understand why some early digimon looked overly designed, it was future proofing

11:53 I'm convinced they did Druddigon dirty. Its CLEARLY supposed to be a gargoyle with its spikes, wings, long-forelimbs & the fact it can't learn fly. If they fixed the face a bit & redid the colors, it would be way better.

"So let's make it all anime-cute" Literally inflates its head like a god damn balloon

At step #2, I would go with "pick a theme or gimmick" instead of element, as the theme itself will decide it.

All I want now is JoCat sailor moon transforming into his Crap Guide Persona

i just love the details he puts in his character, like the way that when he moves his head his hair shakes.

Jocat when holding just a sword "I feel naked need shield"

your a designer. YOU DON’T SAY YOU SMOOTH ANIMATED GORGEOUS MAN

"And tangible anxiety" Oh my god, stop, my poor baby

"They can't be as perfect as Mimikyu." I see that you, too, are a man of culture.

I really like the style that the artists who draw Pokemon have perfected, they do a really good job of mixing the complex and simple designs to such a level that it has become a staple for the franchise.

Oh my gosh Jo that animation is soooo sleek!!! great work as usual aaaaa

I was expecting a Crap Guide to Pokémon Design, but this is an enlightening guide! 😃

I know this video is almost a year old but I’d argue they do update their design philosophy while also sticking to the basics. New Pokémon use much softer lines and simpler shapes, compare Scatterbug and Caterpie, or Toucannon and Fearow. Also it’s noticeable how the designs get more creative because they have the technology to do so, for example Rhydon has a very large head because they needed to show it on a small Gameboy screen, Aggron, a similar Pokémon, has a smaller head comparetively thanks to GBA’s higher resolution. Newer Pokémon like Stonejourner wouldn’t make sense on a Gameboy screen, it would look like a bunch of rectangles. But higher resolution and the ability to animate the designs let them make a Pokémon like that. Another example is Inteleon, it has really thin arms and when transferred to a 3DS they are literally 1px wide during battle. Also notice how most gen1 and gen2 Pokémon use very limited color schemes? Archeops or A-Muk wouldn’t be possible on a Gameboy Color. Regional forms are also a good showcase of how their design philosophy changed, Galarian Rapidash has smoother lines, larger eyes and doesn’t stick to a realistic horse bone structure like classic Rapidash does. Same applies to Alolan and regular Persian, or alolan and regular Raticate

"They can't all be as good as Mimikyu" Yes they can and I will prove it! *goes into Sprite editor and throws cloth over all of the sprites* Ha! Toldyaso!

Jo, this is so clean and concise and you have SUCH a good line of thought, and it travels extremely well throughout the whole video. Animation is clean as HELL, and it’s nice to hear these sweet dulcet tone talking about that sweet sweet character design. I really love this video essay format you have, and how consistently you out do yourself, and how you’re constantly surprising me. This was DEFINITELY and excellent topic to cover, and I think you did an amazing job covering all of the bases. Especially when you’re discussing League, Pokémon, and World of Warcraft, somethings I’ve been deeply invested in, and really taking a critical eye to how ambitious and tedious it would be for a game studio (even if it is a monolith like game freak) to redesign/update the characters. This video is such incredible quality, and I’m glad to hear your thoughts on things like this! Keep on trucking uwu

"These Pokémon are just BIRDS." --Pokémon Rusty

As someone who has zero idea or skill in graphic design, it's immensely interesting to listen to you talking about the subject :D Good stuff, Jo!

Wait, you're that -Scary Monsters- dinosaur headed dude who makes crap guides for D&D? Wow... you actually look and sound nice...not insane, like I thought you were.

Nah,Voltorb is trash Look at Electrode,HE is a really well designed pokemon!

Game Freak: Hey! How about we just not bring back the old Pokémon? Can’t compare Pokémon visually if they’re not in the game! Everyone: Wait no

loved this. also, one way they’re slyly doing the “updating” is through megas, dynamax forms, regional forms, etc.. twists the standard design, but not permanently. it’s a cool solution.

Holy shit this guy's animation is so clean. From him moving his arms, to his mouth forming the shapes of the sounds he's making.

I'm loving this format, reminds me of Trope Talk and Blue's videos on OverlySarcastic

Gorgeous animation! Also, love these kind of videos! Also, you sound much healthier. Good to hear you are doing better. New best quote: "Flex Flex"

I need so many more of these. I recommend watching Overly Sarcastic Reviews, specifically Red's Trope talk and Blues history summarised videos; this style is very similar and maybe it'll spark some inspiration. Loving this channel, can't wait to see what else you come up with!

This video was an interesting look into some of the elements of design that make for a cohesive look in the Pokemon games. It's especially interesting to consider how they handle the complexity of their characters, and that reminds me of a similar game franchise: Spectrobes. Another channel called Subjectively took a look at the design in the Spectrobes games a little while ago, and I think it's very interesting to compare the monsters in that franchise to the ones in Pokemon. I know that Spectrobes has far fewer designs to create, but they seem to stick to a mythological background for theirs as well, which I also think is interesting because Pokemon seems to vary so much in where they draw inspiration from. Thanks for reading my monologue - A Chronic Lurker P.S. I like your room scene and the slight changes you made to it.

I think that's why GameFreak made Alolan forms to see what people would think about them

In before this gets copyrighted by Nintendo. Hah ahhh... Also holy heck that's some nice smooth animation for yourself.

This was honestly really interesting to watch, awesome job on the video!

I loved this video! Thank you Jocat! It was wonderful hearing the things that might go into the designs, and guess which pokemon you were referring to

Spheal is my favorite pokemon design ever, it's just an adorable spherical seal.

Yesss, more ChairCat please!

i love how hard you went on the animation in this video. the lip-syncing! the smooth motions! plus it’s just really interesting content :)

Hey, JoCat. I just wanted to say I know you may be feeling some anxiety about the content being different from what you normally put out, but I really enjoyed the video and it was also informative. I got to learn about how many of my favorite game characters are designed. It's also cool to see you getting to flex your design knowledge on the rest of us, haha! I would love to see more content like this. Keep up the good work!

MORE ANIMATED JOCAT? AFTER I JUST WATCHED THE KLONOA VIDEO?! HAHA GOODBYE SLEEP HELLO QUALITY CONTENT!

Don't dis my voltorbs like that *comforting six voltorbs*

One of my favorite videos ever! Blew my mind on game design and pokemon as a whole

This video is fantastic! Great progression of thought, and well picked examples from other games

The simplicity of Pokemon is what I love about it!

Color me impressed. Your animation/video setup is clean, easy to follow, and high quality. Excellent work man, keep it up!

Enjoyed this format man, keep doing what you enjoy! It shows when your enjoying yourself

Please do more game design videos! or even just design videos about something you like, this one is just pretty damn good!!

Ive been working on a fakedex for a long LONG time and ive definitely had problems with design creep as i continue to grow as a designer so goodness was its cool to hear about it hhaha.

Smooth animation, good voice and pacing, an interesting subject… A great video!

It’s so strange to go from his hyperloud/superconfident crap guide series to my favorite college professor with animations that are way too smooth to not get him an amazing job

That New Frame Plus logo on top of the shelf, hell yeah!! Awesome video btw, came right from Dan's animation video, I wanna show this it to all my Pokemon fan friends and try making our own

Hi, Jo! ✨ I loved the video. Nice take on Pokemon designs. Regarding the design creep talk in comparison with LoL, Pokemon company already tried redesigning stuff to their new standards with Alolan versions of Pokemon and Mega Evolutions. Again, as you I don't work at Game Freak, but I imagine that they took the chance to introduce these re designs for that same reason you mention here. And yet again, some hate them, some love them, and some spam the crap out of them (Mega Venusaur FOR THE WIN) Great video and late HB!

I really liked the video, but then you called Mimikyu perfect. Now I LOVE the video!

Even if it isn't the exact method it's still a cool breakdown into design and why or how things do work. I appreciate this.

thanks for this video, i really struggle with making creature designs in general and this has helped my designs SO MUCH.

Wait sobble is a chameleon Edit: also whoa this was a very well done video, smooth animation, and also an amazing comment on that whole controversy.

I actually enjoy this more then the crap guides, which I like a lot

The ring on the shelf ... It is nice to see that you carry on elements from your other video. Especially one as good as the Klonoa one.

just coming back from your Klonoa video and wanting to check if the ring is still in its rightful place ontop of your shelf~ turns out it indeed is, amazing details

I think the biggest difference between new and old Pokemon is the basic elements used. Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle all have odd head-shapes, archway eyes, big bodies, thick arms that thin at the bottom with claws on the end, one large indicator of type beyond color (bulb, flame, shell), and one or two indicators of pattern (spots, underbelly, shell/tail). Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble all have the same head shape, round eyes, small bodies and big heads, a small or no indicator of type beyond color (twig in hair, nothing, fin I guess), and several indicators of pattern (eye mask/leaf hair/muzzle and hands/ears and tail, fluff/red coloring/bandaids, cheeks/tail/face and underbelly/fin). The new pokemon are overdesigned, and they put less emphasis on the more unique bodies and more emphasis on the identically-shaped heads. That’s just my take on the issue.

Look at this boi being animated and all. Amazing work, this was very entertaining! Keep it up!

This was a very informative video, and I do agree with a lot of the points. One box I would add to checklist of how Pokémon are designed is choosing certain mons to fit the theme/location of the region. My idea on the “design creep” is that I think it’s good certain Pokémon; for example, gen 1 keep a more simplistic design this, in a way, kinda diversifies Pokémon designs from being very simple while also having the ability to be complex.

Hey dude, I really enjoyed this video and found it to be extremely interesting. As a fan, I think you should keep doing videos like this! It is so nice to hear from an actual designer (who went to college and shit) in a way that the audience can understand. Really nice dude, keep it up!

I actually really like this style of video. I wasn't expecting this but it's really a treat to watch.

YES PLEASE MAKE MORE! The animation is so slick! Video quality is so good, very entertaining and informative, would love to see more of your Graphic Design related video! Love both you and Dan, fantastic content creators

Nice to hear interesting thoughts from a designer’s perspective! I just watched a Game Informer interview with James Turner, an Art Director at The Pokémon Company International (not sure if he still works there, interview was from 2020). Every time the interviewer asked about surface level design elements that “define” Pokémon (ie. templates), James pushed back a bit. He explained that the design concepts making up a Pokémon should be cohesive, but the art style is meant to be flexible. Basically, the ideas behind a Pokémon should make sense in the world- in the context of “would this Pokémon befriend me.” Can you see yourself going on an adventure with the creature throughout the world of Pokémon? These ideas really stuck out to me. Sounds like The Pokémon Company wants the art style to be flexible, so it can be adapted across various media (ie. Pokémon Evolutions: The Series, psychedelic TCG art by Tomokazu Komiya). I almost think of it like the various, stylized multiverses from Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.

I love this video!!!!!! Really gave me an appreciation for character design

This is so good! Thank you for more and higher quality content JoCat :D

Awesome! I had watched your other video in this style and was hoping for more. Great work 👍🏻

What a great video! As someone who hasn't done design, this was fascinating to learn! Nice work :D

8:08 I'm currently developing my own Fantasy/Sci-Fi TTRPG for my friends and I to play and I've been working on it for about a year now. One of the first things I did was the races. Not only do I keep adding new ones as time goes on (I'm currently at 11) but I also keep re-designing the earlier concepts. My friends love them but they just look out of place to me... It's a struggle

"Sometimes new designes work perfectly" -> _Shows the H4 Master Chief armor which was made fun of for its body-builder V-shape and pretty much the whole community was happy when they saw it won't come back in H:infinite_ Oh boy! Luckily we're not on Waypoint right now! 😂

"dark blue cheek spots that resemble teardrops and tangible anxiety" gonna gatekeep a bit here and say you aren't a real independent creative if Sobble isn't your spirit animal

you voice and designs are all quite pleasant i cant wait to see your game

I thought the gen 8 starters were REALLY stupid but they have grown on me and now i like them

Celesteela looks like something that is design by my favorite author of manga. Ohh wait, haruko ichikawa WAS involved in gen7.

Another Klonoa 2 type format! YES! This so deserves the traction to become another series! (Please talk more about your design experience, I live for this content)

... I see that Aegis behind you Jocat, never before have i been so happy to be subscribed to your channel.

Oh- that game that you made looks really cute- I would totally play it!!

Damn, all the animation and even the background is entertaining to watch! ... I had to watch it all over again because I realised I hadn’t listened.

Great video. I'd be totally down for some Pokemon redesigns. Only ones that need it though, someone like Gallade with their UFO hips or Jynx's...everything. Some shiny redesigns would also be welcome. Just imagine a white Pikachu with red eyes.

Noice animation my dude very smooth. 👌

This was AWESOME, JoCat! I LOVE IT : D

I loved this video format it was interesting and entertaining.

Sonic and Yoshi are Pokemon, confirmed. They both totally follow these guidelines

I don't remember the last time that I wanted to describe a youtube video to a friend and used the word interesting. Good job mate.

Underrated channel. You got urself a new sub dude