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Pokémon Character Designer Sugimori Shares Original Gym Leader Sketches
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Ken Sugimori, the original character designer behind the successful Pokémon video game franchise, posted his original design sketches for the series' first generation Gym Leaders. The sketches show shirtless Brock (Takeshi), Misty (Kasumi) in her swimsuit, Lt. Surge (Matis), and Erika.
初代ゲームボーイの開発はドット直描きだった事も多くデザインの紙資料が少ないのです pic.twitter.com/nUMeurPLia
— 杉森 建/KEN SUGIMORI (@SUPER_32X) June 16, 2015
From Sugimori's pictures, you can see how the game series' first generation sprites were born.
Sugimori posted the designs after the upcoming shirtless Brock figure was announced. He noted that more figures might be made if enough people show an interest.
Sugimori released his first ever artbook last year. The book collects art from his 25 year career, including Pokémon, Quinty (known in North America as Mendel Palace), and Jerry Boy (known in North America as SMART BALL).