Check out these cool fanmade evolutions of Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott!

Following the announcement of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, fans were excited to see that the starters available would be three Pokémon not native to the Sinnoh region: Cyndaquil, Rowlet, and Oshawott. Not only did the trio fit thematically with the setting, but also made for cute companions while you explore ancient Sinnoh. However, many fans have since begun to speculate that it’s possible your partner Pokémon may evolve differently in ancient Sinnoh and have created a myriad of alternate evolutions for each starter. While it’s not entirely clear who started this trend, many attribute it to the artist, Fakemanss, so today we’re going to look over some of our favorites designs from this trend! Be sure to let us know which of these evolutions you’d like to see in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Oshawott




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First up for Oshawott’s alternate final evolutions, we have Katanagua by Dadrake95. This water/fighting type final evolution uses the samarai theme that is visible in Samurott’s design and takes it to the next level. Moving Katanagua onto two legs, this final evolution gains a katana like sword to strike down its foes with. This is a super solid design that I like a lot since it keeps with the original inspirations of Samurott’s design but also reinvents them into something entirely new.




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Next up we have Shojimaru, the Shadow Pokemon! This alternate evolution of Oshawott is a Water/Ghost type that was designed by the Espiria Region. This fakemon has some interesting lore to it, said to originally have been a swordsman who offended the spirits of the lake and sea. As punishment, the swordsman was turned into Shojimaru! Now the swordsman is destined to roam the world purging his sins, killing demons and evil spirits. That’s such a cool story and fits very well with the design since Shojimaru definitely looks inspired from ronins and other swordsmen in Japanese history.




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Third up is the Water/Rock type alternate evolution, Sheronin! Now if the last design was clearly derived from ronin, this one is even moreso. Designed by Soullian, the large shells that cover its body act as armor and are the reason Sheronin has gained a rock typing! It looks like it could do some fierce damage with that sword so better watch out if you ever cross paths with one.




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Make way for the shogun! The Ancient Samurott designed by Soullian is here and it won’t be leaving until it has achieved victory! This alternate form of Samurott has the otter standing on two legs and wearing shells like the armor of a shogun. It has a very serious and stern look about it, making me think it’d be a strong and ruthless leader. It might be tough to train at first, but once it bonds with a trainer, I’m sure it’d be the most loyal warrior to stand at your side.
Next up is another Water/Fighting type final evolution for Oshawott, Shinsenguwott! Designed by the Zorneo Region, this final evolution is known as the order Pokemon and was inspired by the Shinsengumi Brigade. The influences become very clear when you take a closer look at the design. Shinsenguwott’s fur is very reminiscient of the robes worn by the Shinsengumi Brigade, with the head fur and stance making clear references as well. All in all very cool and well executed design!




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Finally we’ll be wrapping things up with one last Water/Fighting alternate evolution of Oshawott, Rakurai. Designed by Fakemanss, Rakurai is cleared inspired by Samurai and is said to be an incredibly skilled fighter. It uses its sharp blades to carve masks out of its shell which it then uses to intimidate its foes. This is a really creative use of the shell theme from Oshawott’s line and I really like the idea of Rakurai using a shell mask to scare its opponents. This is an amazing design.
Rowlet




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First up we look at an alternate evolution of Rowlet, Deishina by Dreambig_mon. This evolution of Rowlet is Grass/Psychic and has traded in its hood and arrows for a set of flowing robes. This design is really interesting because it appears to take inspiration from the traditional robes and headdress that Japanese empresses wear. All in all a very befitting design for a feudal Sinnoh region.




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Next up we have another grass/psychic type final evolution for Rowlet! This is Yabubosame by Dadrake95. This evolution trades in the ways of Robin Hood for the art of the Yabusame, a type of traditional Japanese mounted archer. It also takes inspired from Bubo Blakistoni, the largest living species of owl and one that is native to China, Japan, and northeastern Asia. It’s really cool to see a design keep to the archer theme for Rowlet’s final evolution but also switch it up to a more Japanese inspired design rather than that of Robin Houde.




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Third up for alternate Rowlet evolutions is Zhugakio, the Destiny Pokemon. This fakemon is a Grass/Dark type designed by the Espiria Region. It is said to have learned dark techniques in order to counter its darkest foes and can do complex mathematical calculations in tenths of a second in order to figure out the trajectory of its arrows. I really like how this design appears to incorporate masks and yukatas, since it gives a whole new element to the stealth aspect of Rowlet’s line.




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Time to bring in some flower power with Yabukura! This alternate evolution of Rowlet is a Grass/Fairy type and was designed by Soullian. I really like the incorporation of sakura blossoms into the design. Not only is it a hallmark of Japanese botany, but it also provides a unique splash of color against the whites and greens that make up most of Yabukura’s design. Using the vine as a bow is a nice touch too since it keeps the same concept as Decidueye while also still mixing it up a bit. A very beautiful design overall.




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Careful! Soyalexalan‘s Decidueye is perched and ready to strike! Shacking things up a bit here, rather than giving Rowlet an entirely alternate final form, instead we have Decidueye’s Ancient Form. Now a ghost type in the modern day, Ancient Decidueye was still party flying! This design incorporates more Japanese fashion with things like the yukata and a bow that is reminiscient of those used in kyudo. All in all a very graceful and well executed design that keeps the original staples of Decidueye while also mixing it up a bit!
Next up is another Grass/Dark type final evolution for Rowlet, it’s Kusarigameye, the Stealthy Pokemon. Designed by the Zorneo Region, Kusarigameye takes the ninja inspirations to the max. Trading in a bow for a Kusarigama, it is able to sneakily and silently strike down its foes. I really like how the theme of plant weaponry stayed true in this design, so that even though the weapon is different, it still fits the Rowlet line quite well. It shakes things up a bit without straying too far from the line it is derived from.




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Wrapping things up for Rowlet is the final evolution that supposedly started this whole trend, the Grass/Psychic type Pokemon, Zenkurow. Designed by Fakemanss, its wings are said to be too small to use as a bow, so it crafts one out of bamboo instead. Using its psychic abilities to concentrade, Zenkurow is said to never miss its shot. This design is very beautiful. While I’m not sure what exactly it is inspired by, it flows together quite nicely even if it deviates from the Rowlet line some. It looks flowly and graceful, which is very fitting for a psychic type, but still has mostly greens and yellows for its color scheme, making it clearly a grass type. Overall this is a great design, and if this is indeed what kicked off this whole trend, I can definitely see why. Also as a bonus, Fakemanss recently released an animated sprite version of this evolution too! Be sure to check that out below.
Zenkurow animated ? pic.twitter.com/8Awf4AbipC
— fakemanss (@fakemanss_) April 4, 2021
Cyndaquil




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First up for Cyndaquil’s alternate evolutions, we have Aeriaco by Dreambig_mon. This evolution of Cyndaquil is part dragon type and takes obvious inspirations from both eastern dragons along with fireworks! While fireworks were initially invented and popularized by the Chinese, as a whole they play a huge role in many east and southeast Asian cultures, so it makes for a perfect fit for an alternate Cyndaquil evolution.




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Next up we have Shinoblast by Dadrake95! This alternate final evolution of Cyndaquil acquires a dark typing and utilizes smokescreens to make quick strikes on its opponenets. Shinoblast is inspired by Shinobi, Ninjas, and Smokescreens, all of which are evident through the markings on Shinoblast’s body. It’s an extremely creative design that I like a lot!




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Third up we have the Fire/Electric type alternate evolution, Hibuyasha! Designed by the Espiria Region, it is said Hibuyasha is both feared and revered as a demon of storms. However, while its power is something that many are terrified of, they also learned from it, allowing for the creation of fireworks and electric lighting. This design is a really sharp turn from the Typhlosion that we all know, but it really works! The bright red definitely drives home the whole “demonic” theme since it’s very reminiscient of the onis from Shintoism.




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Make way for this next design by Soullian, it’s time for Tenrupdra to take the stage! This fiercesome Fire/Dragon type Pokemon seems to be inspired by Eastern dragons, and possibly sumo wrestling given the Shimenawa wrapped around its waist. I like the most beastly interpretation of this design since it doesn’t go for a sleek design and instead aims to go for something intimidating. I really like the execution of this and overall think it’s a great design.




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Is it an earthquake? A volcanic eruption? No! It’s Typhlosion’s ancient form! Designed by Soullian, this Typhlosion is a Fire/Ground type and has an active volcano on its back! As a result, Typhlosion’s body is much bulkier, giving it the appearance of a sumo wrestler. This bulky beast is to be feared though because the fire coming from its hands and shoulders is powered by pure magma. This makes for one spicy take on Typhlosion’s original form.
Next up, it’s time for a series of meditations with the Fire/Ghost type Pokemon, Zenplosion! This design, made by the Zorneo Region, is said to be inspired by monks, but specifically taking a lot of inspiration from the infamous warrior monk, Benkei. While Zenplosion looks more like a lover than a fighter, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t strike hard and fast if it didn’t want to. Sticking a bit closer to Typhlosion’s original design that some of the other alternate evolution, Zenplosion uses its spiritual abilities to fly itself around on a cloud. It’s a very interesting take, especially with a ghost typing rather than a psychic one, but I still think it fits rather well. A well executed design to be sure!




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Last but certainly not least, we have our final alternate evolution, Taifury. This Fire/Dark type alternate evolution of Cyndaquil, that was designed by Fakemanss, has powerful dark energy constantly running through it. It is said only the presence of a trusted trainer is able to calm it down. Without that, it creates large torandoes of fire that cause great destruction. This design is inspired by typhoons, which is a very interesting choice given that most people probably would have used that for a water type. However, it fits very well here since fire torandoes are a rare phenomen that can occur in nature. It just suits the line very well and makes for a great design to end our article with. As a bonus, you can also check out an alternate scrapped version of this design that is pretty cool looking too. You can see it on Fakemanss Twitter.
So did you like those designs? Which was your favorite? Be sure to let us know! And if you want to check out even more, the account, FableFakemon, has accumulated a lot of the other alternative evolutions there! Trust me, as much as I wanted to include every single one, it just wasn’t feasible here. So be sure to check it out there instead since all these artists’ hardwork definitely deserve to be showcased!
Until next time, see ya, Shaymin!
The post Art Spotlight: Your Starter Evolves Differently in Sinnoh! appeared first on Pokémon Crossroads.


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