Pokémon fans everywhere have always loved sharing fresh ideas for their favorite franchise. From designing original Pokémon designs, programming and distributing full fake Pokémon titles, modding existing games, generating well over 151 memes, and even designing trainers, the creativity of Pokéfans is astounding.
Pokémon battles are at the heart of every adventure. These artists have executed beautiful trainer and gym leader designs that make us wish we could battle them. These artists thought of everything! Color coordination with their Pokémon, the Types they prefer, even writing them corny one-liners. No doubt any of these trainers would give you a run for your Pokédollars.
10 Katy Perry, The Water Gym Leader
How different would Pokemon Blue or Red be if the gym leader of Cerulean City started to sing “Teenage Dream” while blasting your team with Water Gun? At first glance, the pop star might seem like a weird inclusion in the games, but the artist’s design is flawless and inspired by her outfit from “California Girls.”
Of course, a pop star known for singing about the beach would be a Water-type user. And her twin Sharpedoes compliment the artist’s drawing perfectly. Unfortunately, the artist is unknown but you can view the original post on Buzzfeed.
9 Anoush, The Dark Gym Leader
When #gymsona was trending, Twitter came alive with artists reimagining themselves as Gym Leaders. First up is artist Anoush’s very cool Dark Gym Leader. Thanks to Sword & Shield, she’s not the first Gym Leader to prefer Dark-types. We love that her Cruella De Vil hairstyle matches her Galarian Linoone’s fur and that her hoody is the same color as her Impidimp.
We’re getting Elite Four Karen vibes from that smirk of hers with an added touch of psychic Sabrina’s ruthlessness. Truly a powerful package and not a Gym Leader we’d be excited to tussle with!
8 Shiny Seabass, The Dark Gym Leader
Darkrai artwork via: Yasmin
Artist Shiny Seabass pixelated himself and his entire Pokémon team. He’s another fearsome Dark-type Gym Leader. We love the dedication to the design including the Dusk Ball he’s tossing and the throwback to Generation 1 Pokémon sprites. His team includes the usual scary suspects like Grimmsnarl, Umbreon, and Greninja. This powerful Gym Leader even has a Darkrai.
Watch out for its signature move Dark Void and keep those Awakenings handy. Otherwise, the only memory you’ll have of this Gym Leader will be in your nightmares.
7 John, The Ghost Gym (and Haunted House) Leader
Some artists, like Dr. Mister Cartoon Boy, take the gymsona challenge to the next level. Instead of a drawing, he created a ghoulish gif with John the Gym Leader and his ghostly team of Pokémon.
His gym is a haunted house where John hosts and broadcasts a nightly comedy horror film review. Who knows what terrors await inside of his haunted gym? Too bad the Sylph Scope was only available in the first games.
6 Benji, The Ghost Gym Leader
Artist Mayadile’s gymsona is wonderfully original. Meet Benji, a Ghost Gym Leader who runs a toy shop in Galar. If you’re in the market for a Squirtle voodoo doll or a haunted tea set, that is. Not a reassuring combination. Remember when Sabrina used voodoo dolls and her psychic powers to turn Ash and his friends into literal toys?
And Benji’s not exactly friendly-looking. The art is Disney-like in its complexity, which makes the Ghost leader look like a possessed Gepetto. What’s even scarier than that? Their Gengar when it goes Dynamax. Eeek.
5 Pyayaya’s Spritzee-Inspired Trainer
Red Riding Hood image via: Wattpad
We gotta hand it to the artist Pyayaya. She nailed the Spritzee-inspired outfit for her trainer. We love that the artist’s watery application of pink, cream, white, and lavender match her Spritzee perfectly. Few trainer designs show this level of solidarity with their Pokémon.
This trainer is mysterious as if she just emerged from Kalos’ spooky Route 19 without a scratch. And what about that fencing sword? With her little bag in hand, she’s like a badass Red Riding Hood… with a pink hood.
4 Jackie, The Electric Gym Leader
Jackie, the Electric Gym Leader, is like the female cross-fit version of Lieutenant Surge, but with one critical difference. Her favorite Pokémon to Dynamax isn’t Raichu—not even Alolan Raichu. It’s her beloved Pichu.
We love the artist Jackie’s liberal use of electric yellow, especially the lightning bolt decal on her activewear and her running shoes. She’s even got earrings shaped like lightning bolts. From the overly cocky disposition of the Gym Leader, we just know she’s got a goofy game script, but we’d still love to battle her.
3 Sockie, The Water Gym Leader
Twitter user Sockie/Ren hits a wonderful balance of detail and charm with her Water Gym Leader design. She’s wearing a Staryu-shaped barrette, her hair flows down her shoulders like kelp, she’s holding a Dive Ball, and she’s got a Dynamax band on her wrist.
The watery design looks loosely inspired by Misty’s mermaid costume in the anime episode The Water Flowers of Cerulean City except for Sockie’s undercut fade. Chances are good that with Pokémon like Dracovish and Barraskewda, she’d probably mop the floor with Misty.
2 Chakra X, The Fire Gym Leader
If being cool is about commanding a team of fearsome Fire-type Pokémon, then artist Chakra X nails it. Every creature in his Pokémon is charging, roaring, and ready to light up any trainer. As for the leader himself, the huge shiny sunglasses and the Fast Ball in his hand, says it all. This guy means business! No subtlety here.
The colors are loud and striking like the brightest of flames and the motion lines are an excellent touch. This design is bold and brash and wins for flavor reasons ten times over.
1 Trainer Sockie
Artist Sockie/Ren’s Trainer looks like an updated version of the Ace Trainers on the way to the Indigo Plateau but with way more personality. A masterful design like this belongs in any major Pokémon title. And what’s even cooler? Her design looks like her, down to the green ponytail and ear piercings.
She’s got a powerful team of Ghost, Fairy, and Dragon-types ready to turn any promising team into pudding. She even has a goofy one-liner about curry that’s equal parts charming and smug, and that’s all you could ask for from a random trainer in a Pokémon game.
NEXT: The 10 Coolest Gym Leaders Ever, Ranked
