The Pokémania craze kicked off in the late ‘90s in the states thanks to Pokémon Red and Blue, the Pokémon anime and, of course, the trading card game. Part of the charm behind Pokémon, perhaps captured best in the trading cards, has always been the artistry and imagination put into the design of each Pocket Monster.
In the newest installment in his “The Art Of” series, Youtuber Olivier Laclair takes us through a vignette of the art of Pokémon Red and Blue, guiding us through Red’s (or Blue’s) humble beginnings in Pallet Town as he sets off on his journey to become the world’s greatest Pokémon master. The classic opening sequence between Gengar and Nidorino features an overlay of its concept stills, showing the arrows drawn to choreograph the scuffle, with the top and bottom of the frame scribbled in to illustrate the same widescreen effect present in the game.
Also present are sketches of Red visiting the Pokémon Center and Item Shop in Pewter City, as well as artwork of a battle Red’s Slowbro against another trainer’s Gastly that exudes a profound sense of scale. Plus, the video dances along to an orchestral version of the S.S. Anne theme, making the viewing experience all that much more pleasant.
For more on Leclair’s work, check out his The Art Of Journey video.