Pokemon SwordandPokemon Shieldhave created quite a stir amongPokemonfans, as players eagerly await the opportunity to explore theGalar region. The excitement over a new regional area to explore has also gotten fans thinking aboutPokemontwists on other real world locales, leading one talented artist to think about Australia and one of its most popular figures.
Instagram artist Vivinkart has dreamed up the late Steve Irwin as a Pokemon trainer, and shared her art with the world. The drawing depicts Steve Irwin in his signature khakis - including comfy and easy to wear shorts - looking ready to start a battle, Pokeball in hand. Appropriately, the two Pokemon depicted with Irwin are Totodile and Krokorok, inspired by the crocs that Irwin was famous for wrangling on-camera that earned him “The Crocodile Hunter” as a nickname.
Most fans of Steve Irwin and his family’s work would likely approve of this rendering, especially given whenPokemonSwordandShieldwere revealed. Thetrailer forPokemon SwordandShielddropped shortly after Steve Irwin’s birthday, so it’s a timely and touching tribute.
With the upcomingPokemon SwordandShieldheading to the in-universe version of the United Kingdom, it’s unlikely that gamers will get to see them head to Australia anytime soon. Of course, it could still happen, as priorPokemongames have already had regions based off of Japan, France, and the United States. If a future entry to the series does ever find itself there, it’s not completely out of the question for a Irwin-inspired trainer to make an appearance, as priorPokemongames have had references to celebs in the past, includingBatman Pokemon trainersand Ikue Otani, the voice of Pikachu.
In the meantime, the prospect of a newPokemongame has gamers plenty excited already, especially with the number ofPokemon SwordandShieldleaksand fan renderings of the starter Pokemon’s evolutions making the rounds on the internet. There’s a lot yet to be revealed about the new games, but in the meantime, fans will keep making new creations imagining what the future could hold for the series someday.
