A fan artist recently created a Pokémon line inspired by creatures from Filipino legend.
As detailed in a report from Esquire, these new monsters are the invention of Jhay Alejo, who, after noticing the trend of artists creating their own original Pokémon designs and regions, decided to follow suit as a way of sharing Filipino culture with others. The artist created over twenty new designs featuring Pokémon of various established types, including but not limited to grass, water and fighting.
The Fakemon Pay Homage to Filipino Culture
Three of Alejo's Pokémon, Bambakas, Sproutoo and Bambelle, are grass-types based on the legend of Malakas (strong one) and Maganda (beautiful one), which is a Filipino tale of how the first man and woman came to exist. According to the legend, in the beginning, there was only the sky, the ocean and a bird. Because of the bird, the ocean becomes populated with islands. As the bird searches these islands for its new home, it comes across a bamboo pole, whose nodes the bird angrily strikes until the pole splits into the male Malakas and the female Maganda. The more intimidating Bambakas embodies Malakas, while Bambelle represents Maganda. Sproutoo presumably represents one of the bamboo nodes.
Two of Alejo's other folklore-inspired Pokémon are Trikbalang and Blakunawa. Trikbalang, whose pre-evolved form is Foalish, is based on the "Tikbalang," an evil trickster spirit with the head and hooves of a horse and the body of a man. It is believed that these creatures haunt mountains and forests and mislead unwary travelers. "Blakunawa" is based on the "Bakunawa," a serpent-like dragon that is believed to be the source of multiple natural phenomena, including eclipses and earthquakes.
As for Alejo's other designs, there is a mouse-like Pokémon called Starsier, who, true to its name, has a starry night sky reflected in its large eyes. There is also a Pokémon called Steewilis that is shaped like a fishing lure and evolves into a bigger, ridge-backed fish Pokémon called Steelapia. The fawn-like Pilandy evolves into Chevorest, a grass-type deer, while the sparrow-like Mayni evolves into Mayala. Calucalf is a water-type cow Pokémon that evolves first into Tamahorn and then into Karabreak. The remaining three-tier evolutionary chains feature insect Pokémon and reptilian Pokémon.
Those who are interested in seeing more of Alejo's work, which includes other Pokémon fan art as well as illustrations of Filipino gods and goddesses, can check out his Instagram and Twitter page. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the next major installments of the Pokémon video game series, launch on Nov. 18.
Source: Esquire, Instagram, Twitter
