The Pokemon fanbase undoubtedly has one of the most artistically talented fanbases of just about anything in pop culture. This can be seen through the myriad of artwork constantly being churned out and posted online for all to see. While there are a variety of popular mediums to work with, one Pokemon fan is going viral for their incredible origami figure of Shaymin.
For those unaware, Shaymin is a Grass-type Mythical Pokemon first introduced as part of Generation 4. Debuting in the original Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, the Pokemon was previously only attainable through localized events and store giveaways. However, in the remakes Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, a limited-time event is going on right now which allows players to catch a Shaymin of their very own.
Posted onto r/pokemon, a user by the handle of ino87origami showcases their extremely impressive origami rendition of Shaymin. Unlike most Pokemon, Shaymin has the ability to change back and forth between a land form, which is reminiscent of a hedgehog, and a sky form, which looks somewhat reindeer-esque. Choosing to make an origami of the former, the folded paper creation manages to expertly capture all of the Mythical Pokemon’s signature features. In addition to getting the coloring correct, the artist recreates both the grass-like fur covering its top and the pink flowers resembling Gracidea.
The origami Shaymin is clearly a hit with Pokemon fans, garnering hundreds of likes and compliments about the artwork. While the creation is impressive, it isn’t the first from ino87origami. Just a few weeks ago, the same artist went viral for their incredible origami of Scyther. Another Grass-type, and one of the more iconic Pokemon from the first generation, the origami Scyther is every bit as impressive as the Shaymin, with all the signature features recreated with the utmost precision. The Pokemon fan has also created plenty of others from the franchise, including Charizard, Lucario, Dragapult, and more.
In addition to Pokemon origami, the other hot trend in the Pokemon fan art world is crocheting. There have been numerous posts on the same r/pokemon page in recent weeks of various crocheted Pokemon, ranging from everything from the original Kanto region starters to the anime series’ Squirtle Squad, Meganium, and more. One of the most recent viral posts was of a pair of adorable crocheted Heracross, getting well over 10,000 likes. Whether crochet, origami, or some other medium, Pokemon fans certainly have some serious artistic skills.
While the tutorial link for the origami Shaymin is provided in the post’s comments, not all fans have the motivation, time, and skill to make their own. Fortunately, Pokemon fans can get one right now for free to use in a game. Pokemon Legends: Arceus is giving away Shaymin, but only if players meet certain criteria.
