Summary
A sculptor andPokemonfan has shared a realistic recreation of Squirtle that is leaving fans in a state of horrified shock and admiration. For many fans who have been around sincePokemon’s earliest days, Squirtle was their first friend in the monster-catching franchise, but this work of art may be making some regret their decision.
Although lagging behind Charmander in popularity, the Water-typePokemonGen 1 starterhas managed to remain a franchise staple in its own right since its introduction back in the 1990s. With its round, shell-encased body, big, glossy eyes, and squirrel-like curved tail, its cuteness is a big factor that has kept it relevant through numerous games, movies, and appearances in the anime and manga.
But a new design seeking to capture the realism of a bipedal, baby blue turtle squirrel monster is landing Squirtle among themost horrifying Pokemonin the franchise. Created by sculptor Pierre Santos, who posts on Reddit under the tag indigo_kid777, this sculpture mirrors the anime version of Squirtle in many ways, from its squat stature to its three-toed feet and segmented, yellow-bellied shell. However, what really makes the sculpture unsettling is the amount of realistic reptilian touches added by the artist. The wrinkling effect over all of its exposed skin causes the usually baby-soft blue to appear as more of a sickly pallor, while its pronounced beak and tiny, leering pupils set against its crimson irises paint a grotesque picture of the beloved Pokemon.
Pokemon Sculptor Makes Realistic Squirtle, and Fans Wish They Hadn’t
Fan reactions to the reveal of the unusual yet instantly recognizable sculpture have been filled with a heavy amount of ambivalence. Many have lauded the artist’s skills, though their ability to transform thecutest of Pokemoninto unsettling monstrosities has prompted several comments like “IT’S TIME TO STOP” and “Thank you, now please un-make him.” Others have compared the sculpture to a Japanese kappa, though that distinction is usually given to Gen 3 Pokemon Lombre.
While this artist has given similar real-world makeovers to monsters like Koffing, Jigglypuff, and Venonat,Pokemonisn’t the only IP to which they have added a realistic flair. A look at Santos' officialIntagrampage reveals numerous other creations, including Warner Bros.' Marvin the Martian, Disney’s Stitch, variousvillains fromThe Powerpuff Girls, Cartoon Network’s Courage the Cowardly Dog, and Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star.Adventure Timeseems to be a particular source of inspiration, as the profile features dozens of photos and videos of sculptures featuring the likes of Princess Bubblegum, BMO, Lumpy Space Princess, and more.
