Drag artist reimagines classic Mario characters as sickening Pokémon – and we wanna catch ’em all
This SoCal-based queer artist is making waves by reimagining Mario characters as Pokemon (Instagram)
Have you ever wondered what Mario, Peach or Luigi might look like as Pokemon?
Well wonder no longer as drag artist Aaron Rodriquez, aka DearestAntoine, is creating a whole series of artworks entitled Super Poké Bros – and they’re adorable.
Take Tanookio for example, a Pokemon spin on Mario’s iconic Tanooki suit from Super Mario Bros 3, complete with button nose and bushy tail.
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But Rodriquez hasn’t just designed one Pokemon for each character, he’s designed entire evolution lines complete with fitting titles.
Here’s the Princess Peach inspired “Royal Damsel Pokemon” Pechapessa, who evolves from a “Budding Fruit” Pecherie into a “Sweet Pecha” Pescatelle. The Pechapessa spends its life “holding court, sipping the dew of buttercups, the life of a royal pecha berry is sublime”. We’re jealous.
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Or there’s Gooigi from Luigi’s Mansion 3, the “Timid Terror Pokemon” that evolves from the simple Goob. And apparently “he’s just as afraid of you as you are of him!”
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Iconic Mario enemies have been redesigned too, from the Goomba (now Doomba) to the Shy Guy (Coyboy), the Piranha Plant (Piripetey) and Koopa Troopa (now spliced with a warp pipe to form a Kupatrupa).
We’re big fans of the Wario inspired Meowrio, which turns the greedy coin guzzling nemesis into a Conniving Cat Pokemon. “These boisterous fat cats are incredibly territorial, money hungry, and dastardly,” reads the description.
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Perhaps best of all though is the non-Mario look of the bunch. Bulleta is inspired by everyone’s favourite witch queen Bayonetta, described as having flowing moves “with mystical grace, almost as if time itself has slowed down”. She better werk.
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This isn’t the first series Rodriquez has created. The drag artist regularly recreates Pokemon trainer cards (commissions are open), with Animal Crossing and Persona 5 characters also providing inspiration.
Check out their Instagram page for more adorable artwork!
