The Best Pokemon Character Designs of Every Generation 

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lol the bots probably came because my reply or u being a simp half the video

I made some Fakemon!

@@ElementalWyatt I wanna see them

since your'e also an artist i was excited for the title but a bit disappointed when i started watching. it kinda beats the purpose if you pick a design from gen 7.5(Let's Go) for gen 1 design. if you actually do it generation wise i think it'll be more interesting cause we can see how the design evolves.

Same here. A classic saying for me is "there are 2 things Pokemon get right in every game. Music and character designs."

I personally prefer it beeing more tame and fitting but I see the appeal of going into more extreme designs.

That's why I love Pokemon Masters, which places an emphasis on the main series characters we know and love.

Same the last gen I was really bumped out by the games itselves but the character and pokemon design were at the top of their game.

@@alexbrown8900 I think there’s still a good variety A lot of the designs are still subdued like the trainers, the rivals (generally), villains have been pretty chill since xy, characters like oleana and wicke, supporting characters our sonias and peonies

GOD I agree! He's hot as fuck and I love he

@S92 I see it somewhat

Man, since i first saw him in the trailer, I fell for him just like Raihan. Anytime he beefing with Irida, always took his side. He picked him to travel with me at the end

He's incredible, I want his gender

@@Bird_Nerd_Kae so true FR i love him too

Great observation

lol yeah your right

I mean that makes a lot of sense for designers to go with the fashion trends at the time of making the characters.

It's almost like those characters were made on those time periods or something.

Another example is like valerie from x and y reminds me a lot of when J fashion was huge vs marnie from swsh when alt fashion is a lot more popular nowadays

I loved her design the second I saw it. Especially since she's the Pearl clan member who lives by the coast area

I already knew about the Haeneyo from Jeju island, but I didn't know Japan also had something similar!

Me too

Same

BDSP is such a failure

or anything new at all

The lack of redesigns was a massive hype killer. I realllllyyyy wanted to see Byron get redesigned.

It says a lot that the only good Pokémon character in BDSP is the only one that was already perfect as-is and therefore could not be ruined by the chibification.

Mars made for a good chibi as well

Candice looked so great as well!

I also like how as pokemon fans, we’ve adopted poke-hyperbole’s andd thats just rly rly cool

I will always stand by Saturn. Cynthia's neat, but eh...Give me a pretty boy with my favorite military status (Commander) AND planet (Saturn), and you can pretty much have what's left of my energy source.

I respect your opinion but in term of character design, I personally think the serie has gotten wors over time. I just really love the gen 1 and 2 league members, I think they are all just so iconic, Misty, Erika, Surge, Blue, Jeanine, lance, Mortimer and jasmine are just amazing and Albert, will, karen and sabrina are some of my favourite designs ever. But in general I like the art style of the character design, and they provide a wide range of personality and appearance. Theyare realistic enough to not appear goofy, but yet have clear design elements that make them unic and recognizable. And by the way, I know these designs are the result of years of anime appearances, multiple video game redesigns and I'm certainly not praising the RBY sprites and I'm sure modern designs could surpass them with the same level of redesign, but as they are, HGSS sprites just look like perfect to me. In another hand, I'm sorry but I just don't really like modern trainer designs, even my two favourite pokemon games (X and Black) just doesn't make them anymore appealing. I just find the designs either one dimentional or caricatural, making them less appealing as actual characters. I will be fair, there are exeptions, for exemple I think Elesa's design is fantastic but in general I find the average design way wors, and I'm still trying to find a design that impresses me in Alola.

As for Sword and Shield characters ... I'm sorry I just really dislike most of them. To be fair, I like Kabu and Marni's designs, Hope and Sonya despite being annoying in the game have fairly decent designs as well. But the rest of them are either umemorable and random or strait up awful. The fairy and dark gym leaders look like crush candy papers to me. These designs just lack death, subtility and humanity, they just feel like jokes because of how overly caricatural they are, but at last still doesn't give me any impression. Anyways, I'm happy someone like them, it proves that there are things for everyone, I hope you didn't take this comment too seriously.

@@artimist0315 I completely disagree. The earlier designs are only more iconic because: A) They had more time to flourish B)Pokemon as a franchise was at its peak around that time The newer designs incorporate various unique elements, broaden the cast of characters in multiple regards(diversity, syncronity with Pokemon and types, etc.), and have much deeper personalities than previous gym leaders. For example, the Galar water type gym leader, Nessa, is much more fleshed out than Erika due to how she incorporates more water elements compared to the amount of grass elements Erika includes, but also has a much deeper character and conflict as she is struggling to balance both modeling and gym battling.

@@thatsprettyfarfetchd9888 Again my problem is that they are too caricatural to feel like real characters. Like the Kanto gym leaders were characters that happened to be specialised in a certain type. The newer gym leaders feel in my opinion too much like embodiments of their types. You took nessa as an exemple but most of the newer character designs are way more extreme. And even nessa looks sort of dead inside, like she has a personality but her design really do not convey it at all. And even then, the writing in these game is so awful that a good idea can very easily turn into a 10 years old's homework. Also their designs completely differ from the original art style of pokemon to become very cartoonish. It's not necessarly a bad thing but the problem is that they are in a game where older designs are still their so it's really incoherent, unlike in franchise like Zelda where the whole game change its artstyle to match the new aesthetic. I think one of the problem is the way they were created. The gen 1 designs weren't definitive at all when the game launched and had the room to grow deepen and change over the course of the franchise. They could easily reinterpret a character to make it more appealing. In newer generation, when a character is revealed, it is already in its definitive state and can no longer change, so if a character is launched in an underwhelming state because the devs weren't inspired when the game launched, it will remain underwhelming. They aren't versatile enough compared to older designs.

@@thatsprettyfarfetchd9888 also when you have designing errors like gordie's left leg, it doesn't really help to take the designs seriously 😏

I agree with Bianca in BW2. She became more adult-like while still has the clumsy cute charm. For her wearing glasses, maybe because she became Prof. Juniper assistant. So she kinda overworked her eyes. But something intrigued me. Cheren lose his red rimmed glasses in BW2, while Bianca wears a red rimmed glasses in BW2. Coincidence? Did Cheren recommend her his favorite glasses brand? Or... Did he give her his glasses as a present?

@@justawanderingoldman7699 headcanon that Bianca tried on Cheren’s glasses as a joke but was like “holy shit trees have leaves??” and that’s how they found out she needed glasses

YES

Why is nobody talking about Agatha's literally perfect design? Matches her type so well and a character like her is super rare

I totally agree with Bianca and Cheren, Im so glad to see them aged up, they are stunning.

i hope they do much better than the main protags (not difficult btw)

Hopefully we get some good ones!

@@subzero1784 Yeah I hope they don't look like the nintendo switch sports mii replacement like the protaganists

@@johannesboomsma4680 dude but what if the champion is Matt the mii, that would be hype

@@subzero1784 Agreed

That's dumb and it's weird that people celebrate simping randomly some times

Allow me to join you

😂

@@Dan55888 It’s a joke ever heard of it 🥴

You too?

Shes 100% my favourite pokemon character in all of pokemon. She seems like someone i would be rlly good friends with irl :D

Marnie's role is also perfect because she compliments the other rivals. She isn't as happy-go-lucky as Hop all the time but that's only really because Team Yell constantly cheering for her which embarrasses her. And she's definitely not as sharp tongued and mean like Bede

Hard agree. This opinion should be fact; Love Gardenia's hair and colour, plus Morty is just my guy!

Morty is dope

@@haunterboy28 "this opinion should be fact" has to be the worst sentence i've read in my entire life

Guzma ain't blue, chief...but yeah! Purple is more my thing but blue is very versatile

Guzma?

@@PolarPanda73 i agree purple is my favorite color

Guzma tho

flint and volkner are a pair, do not separate

I always loved how connect these two feel especially when battling. They both love challenge and one gets energized after a tough battle (especially when losing) with the other getting burnt out.

Tldr

I'm just kidding I totally agree

Wait why does it say my comment is highlighted lol

While Calem is my preference, I do agree that Victor's design is awesome and severely underrated. I honestly have my character in Pokemon Go always wearing Victor's hat and jeans because I think they look nice and stylish, and also suit me well.

Same, I love everything about his design. Like the jeans with the peak of plaid on the side, the knitted beanie, and his shoes are nice too.

Victor looks so tacky though & really I guess that just goes to show how drastically different opinions are. Gloria was only mid tier at best in terms of design while Victor is bottom tier for me.

@@bookmew1081 well I guess tacky has a different definition in your eyes, opinions differ especially around appearance

Victor’s design is actually super awesome, it’s honestly so sad to see that people just forgot that he exists

I agree there! They present some interesting dualities with being more morally gray. Sidney and Karen are not above using shady tactics in battle, but they accept loss gracefully and offer great insight about what being a Trainer is all about. And Piers is the definition of punk rock, but also an undoubtedly chill and nice guy.

Eh, if you count Grimsley's willpower to fight his gambling addiction by surfing in Alola as his mindset, then you're pretty right about that

Funny you say this cuz i drew hilda yesterday

@@giratina2220 Extremely valid, she has an awesome design

@@pokemoss9223 yup my favorite protagonist

@@giratina2220 Also extremely valid

Siebold´s design to me looks like a potential Kalos champion design. And Drasna kinda looks like a design that could be a champion as well but for the unova region.

I also love how (based on recent previews) the anime gave Drasna black eyes without any highlights. It just adds to her designs since it gives her a cold, soulless stare to her opponents whenever she gets serious, just like a dragon preparing to attack its adversary.

Drasna is my favourite character in XY because shes just straight up nice to you while everyone else is mean in the e4

@@beckhampang191 Wasn't she extremly condescending in the games ?

@@artimist0315 no? She was friendly af and the only one who congrats you on making it this far

I didn't really like N at first, but as I saw how he developed in the story, I definitely can see that in him. That plus the fact that N probably got very little social interaction with people in his early life other than those affiliated with Ghetsis and Team Plasma. As someone with autism as well, I can appreciate this representation and believe this theory to be true. It brought him to tie with three others for my favourite rival.

I also can see Ash as ND

@@kamikazesenpai21 Ash is not neurodivergent. He is optimistic and cares for Pokemon to an extreme extent, but at the same time is extremely sociable and seems to understand people well. I don't see any traits that could classify him as such.

@@thatsprettyfarfetchd9888 it’s just a headcanon

Yeah, as a girl with high functioning autism I agree that N is pretty much definitely on the spectrum. Hell, even if I _WEREN'T_ on the spectrum I'd have to agree... However....whole looking up some stuff related to the subject... I somehow stumbled upon a 4chan board where everyone just seems to be hardcore dunking on autistic people--especially autistic girls... And like....Jesus Christ that's the most scumbag thing I've ever seen on the internet....even if it's all trolling (which, if it is it went _WAY_ too far) some of the things they said were just outright sexist, ableist, and downright demeaning.... The second I read the sentence "I doubt people would want to date an autistic girl It’s like being an unpaid tard wrangler" I knew I was in for a wild ride... And honestly it was just filled with drama and while I don't recommend anyone go looking for it it was honestly kind of intriguing to see how chaotic things got...

N is most likely a pokemon disguised as a human, the trinkets are some animals/pokemon would be interested in. "Neurodivergence" has to be the most hilarious way of coddling I've ever seen though.

@@Lee-km7qq it’s not ‘coddling’ to see myself in another character for traits that I have always felt alienated from the rest of the world for my entire life, as well as facing prejudice. Good for you for never having to experience that alienation and prejudice, but that doesn’t mean you get to be rude for a completely valid read of the character. And even if the traits he has as from him being a Pokemon as opposed to being a neurodivergent human, his outward behaviour still mirrors mine and is relatable to me, and could still be seen as an apt metaphor for my own experiences. And as far as I know, N being a Pokemon still hasn’t been confirmed as canon, so he can still just be as easily read as an autistic or neurodivergent human, especially with traits like favouring being around animals, not seeming to care much for casualties in conversations, and ‘strange’ speaking patterns. TLDR, you don’t get to say I’m somehow fucking ‘coddled’ for recognising similar traits in a fictional character to myself, shut up.

@@Lee-km7qq apparently people can't find characters relatable anymore okay

@@Lee-km7qq I love the smell of ableism in the mornings /s

@@Lee-km7qq not the first time I’ve seen someone refer to our stimming/fidget toys as something for animals…

And when he gets serious at the end, he flings it off!

Unless it is gen 7 then they are an unphased mannequin with a creepy half smile watching everything.

@RedThunderDan the only bad thing about alola lol

@@Dan55888 at least they emote during cutscenes.

@@falsnamae3511 I’m taking abut the non in game cutscenes like the one at ather when the first portal opens up. I played moon recently and saw it happen. Those are what I mean but cutscene. I think your ok about yur in hand dialogue

Someone gets completely absorbed by an alien SM protagonist: 0-0

Meh, seemed forced

@@Lee-km7qq Yeah the more i listen to the video the more i can find that hes definitely reading through a script which makes it sound that way

@@r0ode445 of course he's reading through a script. What else did you expect? Half an hour of improvisation?

@@abdullahkuzhan7247 lmao yeah what a stupid comment

@@Lee-km7qqhow is it supposed to sound?

My alltime favorite is crasher wake haha

I always thought something was off about Lenora's design. Doesn't help that the other obviously black characters in those games are basketball/football players, dancers, and the Fighting-type Elite 4. Marshall having that spot isn't the worst, but to me it's not a good look that he's the "brawns" when all the other Elite 4 are "brains" in some way.

Since it’s out there Marlon just being a tanned white guy makes me uncomfortable. They easily could’ve just made him brown

if you’ve already seen my weird essay then don’t look at it here; here’s an explanation of my opinions on Alolan character designs for you (lol); Gen 7 is my favorite generation in almost all aspects. Sometimes it falls short in character design that convey personality, or use basic designs. Some examples would be Mallow, Lana, and Sophocles, which kind of seem like they’re just… happy all of the time, even when they change expressions. Sure, they work, but a bit bland. Most are mediocre or just good, like base design Kukui and Lillie. Then there are better ones, for example Lusamine Transformed, Kiawe, and Plumeria. These convey their character well and aren’t expressionless or just happy. And then you have my three favorite designs in Sun and Moon, which far surpass nearly all of Generation 8. The Masked Royal, Olivia, and Guzma. Not many like the Masked Royal design, but I feel like it conveys the character of Kukui as the Royal perfectly. Then Olivia; she is really pretty, with a ton of beautiful details and a bunch of jewelry that really suits her look and aesthetic. And perhaps my favorite character design in the entire Pokémon franchise- Guzma. His facial expressions are amazingly expressive, his black, white and gold color scheme is truly beautiful and simplistic, possibly referencing his past trauma. All of the skull details like the tattoos, gold necklace, and back of the jacket skull that all get crossed out or removed after the game ends. The goggles and hair are my favorite part of his design because they feel so different and yet so in keeping with his character. And also, he’s hot. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. (I just realized I wrote an entire essay in a random comment section LOL hope you read this far.)

People go on about wanting Pokémon to be "more mature" and then they dismiss SM as being baby games because of a little handholding at the beginning. What do people even WANT?!

@@BJGvideos My only complaint with that game is the cutscenes, either makem shorter or makem skipable. That game is such a slog for replays and nuzlockes.

Adaman is so handsome. He is a S+ tier character.

I honestly thought adaman was a girl at first.

THANK YOU!!!!!! She is literally my favorite character design in all of Pokémon. It gives otherworldly beauty and heightened fashion. Also I watched Mandjtv’s video about how she could be champion if she had a Mega Mawile and that made me love her 1000 x more( I think the video is called people who could beat the champions in their respective regions)

@@anjealousanaconda9692 Mega Mawile is really powerful, so that does make perfect sense. That unique beauty has led to me having a bit of a crush on her. I even once started to write a fan fiction with her as the love interest for the main character, though I never finished writing it (but I still wasn't to).

Valerie has probably one of my favourite designs in all of pokemon and shes definitely design wise an amazing introduction of what fairy type gym leaders could be!

@@tbknick6703 true that!

@@chrisshorten4406 like the "creepiness" people talk about fits perfectly bc it is a new type which we didnt know alot about and valerie has that feeling of mystery like: okay what kind of trainer will this fairy type gym leader be. Its perfect

Who doesn't love ya boi?

Also he wears less than half of a shirt for some reason.

I feel like ORAS Wallace is almost a spiritual successor to Kuja from Final Fantasy 9. They don't *look* much alike, but the overall *feel* is very similar

Who's your favourite XY?

@@Dougbro1 Maybe He hasn’t PLAYED Pokémon X and Y.

@@Dougbro1 The PLAYER CHARACTER Of Pokémon X and Y Are The Best Characters

@@Dougbro1 But Pokémon X and Y Have PRETTY MUCH FORGETTABLE CHARACTERS.

No One Likes Pokémon X and Y, Such Bad Pokémon Games

And if James T poses its team Rocket.

@@alexbrown8900 That's what I was gonna say in the og comment but decided to keep it simple lol.

@@Jellyman4 Great minds think alike

@@alexbrown8900 👊😎👌

Bede looks like he could be a 5th member of the Go-Rock Quads from Ranger

I know right?! And they Ultra came out and they tried to pretend it never happened but like, they let that jellyfish out and they should live with the consequences.

How is Jasmine the personification of Steelix?

HOW IS A- B- C- D- nothing, other than jasmine there is none lmao

My favorite of all time is crasher wake XD

*cough* Swordward *cough*

So, Im gonna write quite a bit here. Gen. 8 has most of my favorite character designs, like Nessa, Raihan, and Magnolia. But… Gen 7 is my favorite generation in almost all aspects. Sometimes it falls short in character design that convey personality, or use basic designs. Some examples would be Mallow, Lana, and Sophocles, which kind of seem like they’re just… happy all of the time, even when they change expressions. Sure, they work, but a bit bland. Most are mediocre or just good, like base design Kukui and Lillie. Then there are better ones, for example Lusamine Transformed, Kiawe, and Plumeria. These convey their character well and aren’t expressionless or just happy. And then you have my three favorite designs in Sun and Moon, which far surpass nearly all of Generation 8. The Masked Royal, Olivia, and Guzma. Not many like the Masked Royal design, but I feel like it conveys the character of Kukui as the Royal perfectly. Then Olivia; she is really pretty, with a ton of beautiful details and a bunch of jewelry that really suits her look and aesthetic. And perhaps my favorite character design in the entire Pokémon franchise- Guzma. His facial expressions are amazingly expressive, his black, white and gold color scheme is truly beautiful and simplistic, possibly referencing his past trauma. All of the skull details like the tattoos, gold necklace, and back of the jacket skull that all get crossed out or removed after the game ends. The goggles and hair are my favorite part of his design because they feel so different and yet so in keeping with his character. And also, he’s hot. But yeah, I mostly agree with you. Thank you for coming to my TED talk. (I just realized I wrote an entire essay in a random comment section LOL hope you read this far.)

@@ichadpromax outlier his hair’s dumb af and I vote to strike it from the record

No, Gen 3 Have The Best Characters Design. Gen 8 is A CLOSE SECOND Though.

& Gen 2 Have The Worst Character Design Because Gen 2 introduced The Least Amount Of Characters and Some Of Them ARE RATHER FORGETTABLE.

A legends game in galar would be amazing! Imagine an open world with dynamaxed Pokémon raging during the darkest day. It could be like the noble Pokémon but I think it would be more interesting if they could occur randomly

@@ilexontrooper9688 I agree but they would have to be like the space time distortions so you can only get hurt if you're within the disclosed area

Hmm I wonder why

So... simping...

How did you arrive because 1 day

@@darhumaz Members get two days early access