Fan art is one of the key waysPokemonfans celebrate their favorite creatures and other elements of the franchise, especially during the wait for new games like the upcomingPokemon Scarlet and Violet. But it turns out thatPokemonfan art is no longer being made by just humans, as an AI has taken a stab at creating an evolution for Dunsparce, a Pokemon long known for not having one. The results, however, may leave flesh-and-blood fans confused and a bit unnerved.
Recent months have seen AI image generators explode in popularity. Programs like Craiyon (formerly known as DALL-E Mini) are capable of creating images based on written prompts. This makes it very easy for users to make all sorts of weird and creative ideas a reality, ideas ranging fromRed Dead Redemption’s Arthur Morgan in the style ofMetal Gear Solidconcept art toThe Witcher’s Geralt of Rivia going to McDonald’s. Such a tool would be perfect for quickly designing evolved forms for Pokemon that have never received one, such as Dunsparce. Or, at least it would on paper.
RELATED:AI Image Generator Shows What Red Dead Redemption 2’s Arthur Would Look Like in Metal Gear Solid Concept Art Style
Inspired by rumors of Dunsparcefinally getting an evolved form inPokemon Scarlet and Violet, a Reddit user known as FlareBlitzBanana typed “Dunsparce evolution” into Craiyon to see what it would churn out. However, things immediately take a turn for the unsettling. Here, the winged slug-like Pokemon starts off as a blobby outline that, over a series of drawings, gradually mutates into a semi-photorealistic biped with fin-like hands and a head that protrudes in the back. While it certainly gets the “evolution” part down, it’s hard to see the “Dunsparce” in these alien-esque illustrations.
It appears not a lot of fans have stumbled upon FlareBlitzBanana’s Reddit post as of this writing, and among those who have, the reactions are generally varying degrees of amusement. One stated that they were horrified by Craiyon’s idea of an evolved Dunsparce but still wanted it anyway, while another jokingly said it’s hot. And another joked that the AI-generated Dunsparce looks more likesomething out ofBloodbornethanPokemon, which is, frankly, understandable.
For the time being, it remains to be seen if the rumors of Dunsparce receiving an evolution soon will end up being true, though withPokemon Scarlet and Violetlaunching in three months, it won’t take long to find out. Considering it’s been around for over 20 years now, it’s safe to say thatDunsparce is overdue for a new form of some sort. Whether that form ends up anywhere near Craiyon’s eerie version, though, remains to be seen.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violetlaunch November 18 for Nintendo Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Trailer 3 and What Else to Expect from Pokemon Presents
