The PokéRogue transphobia drama and politics in Pokémon

This is probably my favorite video on this channel, quite thoughtful and emotional.

Bruh Pulseman was one of my favorite characters to have in my M.U.G.E.N just because of his design.

They may have gone to art school but the imo never captured the charm and soul of Sugimoris art. There is something about coloring and the angles that makes it so comfy not just for pokemon but check out Bushi Seiryūden: Futari no Yūsha too see what I mean.

As a kid, I always looked up to pokemon as it's always been a big part of my life growing up, watching the anime and playing the games. It has still stuck with me today because loving pokemon will never change for me and it will always be something that I treasure immensely in my life.

I can definitely relate to the struggles that one faces as an artist aspiring to make comics, that having to battle your inner self doubts and not feeling good enough is never an easy thing. That we all tend to be the worst critics of ourselves because it's human nature. That sometimes it can be quite difficult to not compare ourselves to others, and with a growing social media, it doesn't help us feel any less insignificant at times, because social media is also part of that problem.

But instead of seeing the negative things in our works, and feeling down that we haven't reached a level that others who are far ahead of us are at, we should instead see how far we have come in our own pokemon journey and accept that we all improve at a different time and pace.

When we learn to be patient with ourselves, we begin to realise that it isn't about rushing to get to the destination, but about taking the time to enjoy what we draw and create.

Everyone has different levels they're at, and while a lot of people are ahead, some are where we currently are, and others have just started. The important thing is to not over think things, and understand that we all work at our own pace and we should just continue to have fun with what we do.

Also to add, never give up on your dreams because some day, they will come true.

Wow, I never would have guessed that Ken Sugimori would be so... unfulfilled, I guess? I mean, I've always seen him as a towering success. He's THE most prominent artist behind the creation of the world's biggest media franchise, who defined its art direction from then on. And what's more, by all evidence he was pretty much calling his own design shots, rather than working directly under an art director or producer or whatever. Pokemon may have had a rough start, but after all was said and done, he came up with his own designs, and worked in his personally preferred style, and reached tremendous commercial success doing so. That's living the dream as far as I'm concerned. But now I realize that Pokemon itself wasn't quite HIS dream, and that's surprisingly sad.

I know that personal satisfaction is just that— entirely personal— and it's ultimately his own perception that determines his own creative fulfillment. But I wish that instead of just seeing the flaws and shortcomings Pokemon represents to his own creative journey, he could see his Pokemon work the way his fans do. Through the eyes of those of us who love it. To me, those old Sugimori watercolor illustrations aren't the work of some C-tier wannabe manga artist. They aren't what I settled for because Game Freak didn't have a better artist. Those illustrations are the top tier stuff that I've idolized and seek to emulate for most of my life. His artwork was integral to Pokemon being so great, not the other way around. And it's not just me who sees it that way, countless others love his old stuff. If the enduring popularity alone doesn't speak loud enough already, I absolutely know it's loved because I've been commissioned multiple times to make original work emulating his style. And nothing, and I mean nothing, says you love someone's art more than being willing to search out a specific creator out and then pay them actual money just to get an imitation it. So again, his feelings and reasons are ultimately his own, but I really wish he could see the value in his Pokemon work that everyone else does, because it's not right for him to find so little joy where it's so abundant for everyone else. He deserves better.

This was very informative

As an artist who grew up with Pokemon from year 1...Thank you. This video almost had me in tears

Do you have any GTA content you could do?

What a story. Hope he comes around to thinking more of himself as an artist one day

this is a really heartbreaking and fascinating account of one of the most well known pop culture artists ever. thank you so much for your work in documenting this. Ken's feelings about his work are very relatable.

"The man is a ghost" hit me. His name is what comes to my mind when thinking about the designs even now.

Im feeling sorry for him i love his artwork since gen 1 - but there is no reason to not becomming a mangaka these days. Everything sounds like some lazy excuses, for whatever reason. He have enough money, skill and a wellknown name, to become one.

Kinda melancholic... But his Story is not uncommon, lots of artists get pegged into that one thing that was really successful and nobody cares the rest of their work

😢 oh ken

MY HEART

I love how Sugimori's birthplace on Wikipedia was corrected the very same day this video came out. There's no way that's a coincidence.

I know he's not famous because of it, but I wish other creators who made obscure games like Pulseman got recognition like this.

The water colour work of pokemon that he made is something I miss. I hope they go back to it someday.

DRILL DOZER MENTIONED

Bro so cool he made friends through his art, as a kid who moved from school to school a lot, I also found it to be a good way to impress others and make friends

This video was so dope man. 😅😅 What a great cover great job and video ❤❤❤❤

I can't believe Pokemon was inspired by DQ ❤😅😅😅

childhood

I know a neighbor that is studying art at almost 80 years old!!! he still has so much time man

I respect him enormously but I also want to slap him. He made the best design in history and isn't even content with it. It infuriates me. He deserves to be so proud.

Im subbed for life now

That was my first time actually seeing gameplay from pulseman and I wanna try it

"I don't have such lofty dreams of creating something that will last for perpetuity".
Bro, you already did.
You've inspired generations of artists and even programmers like me to become what we are today.
The fact you're revered as an inspiration without any formal training just speaks to your ability.
Took a lucky opportunity and ran with it. Sacrificed everything for your friends. Helped make good art a standard for games.
It don't matter how ya start, it's how ya finish that counts.

These videos were exactly what i wanted to study

Awesome video! Thank you and for all the contributors for digging out and translating all this old material! Truly lots of stuff that I never knew about Ken Sugimori! Kinda sad that he didn't really want this kind of success, but he really did create some of the most memorable characters for one of the most popular games of all time - and he'll go down in history for that. Ken is the goat.

"Jerry Boy"? 😂 It's obviously Jelly Boy.

This is a great video. For me, Pokemon died when Tajiri's involvement died. After Gen 2, it lost its soul and never felt the same again.

Sugimori needs a friend to give him a slap. He never achieved his dreams, most of us don't. However he achieved incredible things he can be proud of in ways he never expected. That's special because most of us don't get that.

That makes me so sad. Ken Sugimori is so talented in his works. His ideas are so interesting and where Pokémon came from is always so inspiring to me.

Man, this was a bummer. I ADORE his art style. Seeing the original Pokémon in their watercolors made me feel like I was embarking on a journey and learning about these wondrous creatures I may find. The new art style just doesn’t convey that feeling. The new art makes it feel like it’s a kids game. I don’t know how to explain it, but it feels that way. Anyway, in an alternate timeline, Nintendo would have remastered Red/Blue in Ken Sugimori’s art style in all its glory. Yeah, I’ve seen those videos featuring such a concept. It’s amazing.

Seeing this a few months ago, I thought y'all were implying that that he outright died. Though giving up 1's dream can be about the same. I do wonder how he's doing, since he hasn't posted on Twitter in a year...

His original watercolor art for Pokémon is gorgeous

Did you know?
I work in Japan as English Teacher, I taught Ken Sugumori’s son, I later discovered that Ken Name the Pokémon “Mew” after his son “Miyu”.

There's much I can say, but as someone who loves Pulseman. The fact I share a favorite with the man himself
is very touching in a way I dunno how to articulate, I too wish he was recognized as a character designer
without having to attach Pokémon to that. It's all both beautiful and heartbreaking to hear

Sugimori’s the epitome of “I never wanted to be a janitor~”

I was like that I was "good " at drawing so my "friends" the other students would ask me to do art homework as, drawings hey can you sketch this for me " for posters etc

I could draw I wish I had a job

Спасибо!

What a legend.
Sad to see him gave up his dream.
Also sad to see how bad the designs of the pokemon now.

i wish there was a way to tell him the english expression of the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, the second best time is now. he can still be a mangaka, there are older ones out there

glad we can finally get this man's story!

This is a great video and should be presented in a Legends of the Industry sort of series. His name should be more known and his story as well. He has an incredible talent with so much personality and humor to even his sketches!

:( Oh his feelings really hit home

I am just here to say a big thanks to this man !! Thank you !