Nintendo’s creature-collecting RPG seriesPokemonis as popular as ever, with the recent mainline entriesPokemon SwordandShieldselling over 18 million copies on Switch. The franchise has inspired people to make some impressive artwork, with its reach extending into merchandise, multiple animated series, and an ongoing card game.
Artist and 3D modeler Christian Calinawan, who goes by Emocookielover on Reddit, posted their render of a specialPokemoncard that was converted into a 3D diorama using Blender to the r/pokemon subreddit today. The card is a Shuckle from theSwordandShield-themed Rebel Clash setthat appears in a swampy forest. Calinawan made it so the otherwise flat card looks to have an entire world on the inside, almost like a museum display with Shuckle looking curiously out at its audience beyond the fourth wall.
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While the artist admits this Shuckle is likely not viable in the TCG, even with their impressive edit, their looping video that shows the card moving back and forth is pretty mesmerizing. Calinawan points the public to their Instagram account where there are almost 400 posts of mostlyPokemon-themed 3D models they have created, including other diorama cards featuring monsters like Haunter and Jirachi.
ThePokemontrading card game has been around nearly as long as the video games, and neither show any signs of slowing down anytime soon.Pokemon SwordandShieldhave kept on the forefront thanks to DLC content as well as spin-off games likeNew Pokemon Snapbeing announced for the future, meanwhile additions like theChampion’s Path expansion continue introducing cards into the TCG.
Because the franchise has remained in the public consciousness as long as it has, there are tons of fans producingPokemonart alongside Calinawan. One player named PTickles on Reddit recently garnered a lot of attention because of a series creatingnew evolutions for Eevee based on types like Fightingthat it has yet to receive.
Pokemon’s popularity also extends to real-world events, though some have been compromised due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that also shut down production on the animePokemon Journeysfor a time. The annualYokohama Pikachu Outbreak was cancelled due to health concerns, for example. In its place, many have taken to the Internet to share their affection for the series, andPokemonartwork like Calinawan’s 3D Shuckle card is just one great piece available online.
