APokemonfan has recreated the Squirtle Squad in their pixel art style, similar to the in-game graphics fromPokemon Ruby and Sapphire. The Squirtle Squad debuted in thePokemonanime series in an episode titled “Here Comes the Squirtle Squad” in 1998, and have been fan favorites ever since.

The episode was the last in a brief three episode arc in which Ash caught the three original starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and then finally Squirtle. Ash’s Squirtle was also originally the leader of the Squirtle Squad, which consisted of Squirtles abandoned by their owners. Famous for their sunglasses and the comical juxtaposition of cute Squirtles playing pranks and stealing, the Squirtle Squad has gained a place on the internet as the go-to example of a cool gang. They’re so beloved that it has recently been announced that theSquirtle Squad will soon return to the anime.

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Pokemonfan addyxiii mentioned the return of the Squirtle Squad in their Reddit post saying that there is no better time to recreate the iconic episode than just asPokemonannounced that the Squirtle Squad is returning to the anime. Their recreation is quite spectacular; aPokemon Ruby and Sapphireera style pixel art rendition of Ash and the gang first meeting the Squirtle Squad, with wild Pokemon around in the wilderness, while Team Rocket float above in their Meowth hot air balloon. One commenter posted to say that they wished forPokemonto release a game that looks that good, and given thatPokemon Scarlet and Violetplayers were not happy about the graphicsas well as the bugs, it’s not hard to see why.

Even thoughPokemongames have been in 3D for quite some time, for many people the series has connotations of crisp pixel art, which is why artistic fans often enjoy recreating Pokemon in a classic sprite style, such as oneScarlet and Violetfan that created Gen 5 sprites for future paradox Pokemon.

Of course, some fans are eager to see thePokemonfranchise step up to current generation standards, with one fan even recreatingN’s Castle fromPokemon Black and Whitein Unreal Engine 5. For most, it seems as though a big draw toPokemonis the aspect of nostalgia as well as cute and interesting monster design, which is why the Squirtle Squad are a perfect representation of the franchise as a whole for these fans.

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