Hanamogura
AKA Beta Bayleef. Has to be a middle evo for a Grass Starter that wasn't Chikorita, right? Like this sprite looks to detailed to be a placeholder. Though considering
how simple Chikorita originally looked, maybe this was Chikorita's original evolution. The only thing I can think that would cause the change in direction would be Meganium, they decides on a more sauropod design. Chikorita was easy enough to adjust, but Hanamogura would have needed to be completely changed. Curious what the evo for Hanamogura would have looked like, Meganium's beta name was Hanaryuu which translates to "Flower Dragon". FUN FACT: There's a species of lily called the "
Dragon Lily", called a "drakondia" in Greece because the spadix looked like a small dragon hiding in the spathe... which fits how Hanamogura looks! Also, does that mean beta Meganium was going to be a Grass/Dragon?! Though I guess I can see how that evolve into the sauropod design. I'll admit, just because it looks pretty unique I kind of prefer Hanamogura to Bayleef, wouldn't mind if they made it into its own Pokemon, maybe even go with the full Flower Dragon idea.
Honooguma/Borubeaa/Dainabea
FIRE BEAR! Neat to see the beta Johto Fire Starter did have a full evolution family. Though looking at it looks more lion than bear in the Mid & Final Stage (Final Stage also really looks like a Flareon). The Mid & Final Stage's names also have a relation to Quilava and Typhlosion (and their species name, the Volcano Pokemon), so it could they didn't start from scratch with Cyndaquil but transitioned to it. I have to say I gotta agree with the change... but moreso because I think these designs need to be redone to be more bear-like. I would love a Fire Bear Starter, maybe we could keep this one as a quadruped.
Kurusu/Akua/Akueria
Ooph, would I have wanted the plesiosaur or the crocodile Water Starter. That's a tough choice. Well, thet do already have Lapras but not a crocodile so in the end I think they made the better choice. Infact I could see Kurusu being made into a Lapras prevo and Akueria into a Lapras evo (if they attached a shell to it, of course).
Noctowl
Huh, well, yeah, if I was told to blindly draw an evo for Hoothoot that probably what I would have done. Though its odd that Noctowl drops the standing on one foot behavior that Hoothoot for some reason has, I think the Noctowl we got is definietly better if anythign because it's more nicely detailed. Proto Noctowl looks more simple than Hoothoot which I don't think would have worked.
Mareep
So Mareep's Shiny Color was its original color. I guess this explains why Flaaffy is pink... though Ampharos is still yellow. Anyway this reminds me more of cotton candy than electric sheep, so final design was the way to go but I do like they still kept this as its Shiny color.
Jaranra
Poor Tangela. It's choice of evolutions was either becoming an 18th century powdered wig or a hairy caveman. Well, I guess comparign the two Tangrowth is the better one. I get what they tried doing, but that creepy smile is worse than the blank staring eyes. It was interesting to see that Tangela was going to get both a prevo and an evo, only time that actually happened was with fellow Grass-type Roselia. I think they could have come up with cooler designs for Tangela's evo, but the one we got was better than what they originally thought of.
Haneei
Proto-Mantine, and I really like it. I like the angel & devil design, while Mantine has the natural aquatic camouflage of navy on top (to blend with the ocean depths from those looking from above) and white on bottom (to blend with the surface light from those looking from below) I feel Haneei takes it a step further. In addition to the bottom being white, it also looks like a bird making a below threat possibly think it was just seeing one flying above the surface. Meanwhile those looking from above would see this scary face looking right back at them, making them think there's danger lurking below! Don't get me wrong, I like Mantine too and its relation to Remoraid is certainly interesting, but I think Haneei deserves another shot.
Shibirefugu
Now there's an interesting story connected to this one that I'm seeing. This is Qwilfish's beta evo, and for those who don't know, Qwilfish isn't just a pufferfish but is also based on a naval mine. Why mention this? Well obviously the evolution would be too, that little lightning bolt probably referencing how naval mines have electronic parts (usually sensors to know when to detonate, or rather, discharge). But it was not to be so was shelved... until Gen III where it was recycled and made into its own Pokemon: Whiscash. It always confused me why the Water/Ground earthquake causing Whiscash looked like a Water/Electric-type with a lightning bolt-looking "W" on its forehead. This is why! It's a leftover design when it was a Qwilfish evo that was referencing naval mines having electronic equipment to discharge!
Manboo 1/Ikari/Gurotesu
I like Ikari. The others? Eh, not so much, though Manboo 1 has been replaced by Luvdic & Alomomola and Gurotesu replaced by Huntail. That said, while at first this looks like a random evolution line, like the Remoraid line there is a theme: sea level depth. Manboo 1 is an Ocean Sunfish/Common Mola, a fish that stays close
to the surface as it sunbathes. Ikari is not only a shark but also a boat anchor, it would prefer to stay
deeper in the water and even down
to the seabed. Finally Gurotesu is a combination of fish you'd find in
the adbyssal zone, notably eels and angler fish. It's a neat idea though I don't know how well it would have worked out, Gurotesu is a downgrade compared to Ikari in my opinion. Well here's hoping Ikari is made into a Pokemon one day, if they want to give it a prevo maybe make it a a guppy with a fishing hook for a tail.
Ariados
Proto Ariados stuck closer to Spinarak's concept of a face on its abdomen (which better goes with its dex description of opponent's being confused which side is which) but now its bigger and has TWO horns. It also looked to have the ability to change the abdomen face's expression, from a sinister smile to a grumpy frown. I would say the Ariados we got inches to being better if only because I like the eyes better (and it does look more unique compared to Spinarak).
Animon
I love it. GF why did you toss it? Well, probably because a Ditto with higher stats is still a Ditto. Since it evolve via Metal Coat maybe was meant to be a Steel-type and have boosted defenses so it could survive a turn to Transform. But if they did that they might as well just change Ditto itself which they sort of did with its Signature items. Thankfully Ditto has Imposter nowadays to save it from battling obscurity. May not be needed, but I'm so glad we now know it once existed. I salute you, screaming condom.
Sunflora
Odd how Gen I made sure all of its Grass-types looked somewhat mobile but then during the planning of Gen II they had not one but two Grass-types that would be planed in the ground. Not that Sunflora changed that much, they just made its roots into feet.
Tsuinzu/Girafarig
They had to have worked backwards from proto Girafarig to get Tsuinzu, and even then I don't know how. Ask someone to draw an evolution of Tsuinzu and no way you would get anything approaching a Pushmi-Pullyu. Not quite sure how I feel about Tsuinzu on its own, if they brought it back it would either need to be redesigned to look more like Girafarig or given a new evolution and that can go all sorts of directions.
But now let's talk about about that Proto Girafarig, or rather its "dark" head. I kind of want it. I know! First bring back Tsuinzu as a more Girafarig looking prevo that's Normal-type. But then pull a Tyorgue by having it evolve into a certain kind of Girafarig depending on how you trained it. Teach it a Psychic-type move without also having a Dark-type move and it'll evolve into the Girafarig we all know (called "Ego Form", Psychic/Normal). But if you do the reverge, teach it a Dark-type move without a Psychic-type move, it'll instead be its "id head" that develops while the "ego head" regresses (called "Id Form", Normal/Dark). Finally, evolve it knowing both a Psychic- and Dark-type move and it'll evolve into what Proto Girafarig looks like ("Superego From", Psychic/Dark).
Rinrin/Berurun
It's so cute! Way better than Skitty, I hope it didn't replace it in GF's mind. Though I can see why they would at least get rid of its evolution, looks similar to Umbreon. While I wouldn't want them to mess with perfection, think they should change it from a Dark-type (maybe Fairy-type?). Or they could always make it into another Meowth regional variant...
Politoed
All hail the Hypnotoad! Instead of holding a King's Rock it evolved when exposed to a "Heart Stone". Yeah, I don't see it, heck with that glare there's nothing about it I'd associate with a heart (Politoed's dex entry does say its head swirl is considered its crown by other members of its species). Prefer the Politoed we did get, no matter what it was going to look different from Poliwhirl & Poliwrath so might as well stylize the design.
Ledian
The "star" part of Ledian's species name now makes a lot more sense, though as we'll later see they couldn't quite agree how many stars to give it. And then somewhere along the way they scrapped it being a larger ladybug and made it into an alien, I guess in order to keep that star connection? Despite the confusion, I do like Ledian's final design and just wish now they'd made it a sort of counterpart to Ribombee (Bug/Fighting, Iron Fist, 60/95/70/55/60/124//464). FUN FACT: There are some animals that do navigate via the stars. Sadly ladybugs aren't one of them, though the dung beetle does. When figuring out where to go it'll stand on its dung ball at night and examine the stars.
Taaban:
A mix between what Shellder "evolves" into when it latches Slowpoke's tail or head, it's been a mystery where Shellder could operate as its own Pokemon like that. I guess GF also go the same thought and were gonna answer it. I wonder what changed their mind, was it just a victim of cutting down the dex size or an actual design choice reason (like not wanting to suggest Slowbro/Slowking's Shellder could be removed)? Well I guess Shellder got the last laugh in the end with Mega Slowbro.
Remoraid/Octillery
Boy, if parents weren't already on Pokemon's case for depicting animal fighting and religious taboos imagine how they would have flipped seeing their kid was able to catch a gun Pokemon, lol. But yes, finally after years of speculating it's not "fish into octopus" but "gun into cannon/tank" their proto designs brings the case to a close. I got to wonder how the designer who originally made them feels about having his "clever" designs made into a more generic lookign fish and octopus. "Oh, sure, the devil dog is fine but a literal triggerfish is too far".
Hitmontop
An old interveiw with Ken Sugimori revealed the proto Tyranitar, Hitmontop (which looked like a Clefairy alternate evolution), and turtle Pokemon that appeared on a magazine cover before GS's release weren't actual Pokemon but "Pokemon-like" designs. Now considering that one was obviously Tyranitar who knows if they changed their mind on the three and made them into Pokemon. At the very least they may have made the early "Hitmontop" into an actual Pokemon... and this was their first attempt. You know, considering the early Hitmontop looked like a Clefairy evo, maybe it was meant to look like a flying saucer and so they were trying to keep within that design and capoeira (after shifting it to be part of the Hitmon family)? Now, I kind of like how Proto Hitmontop looks, but I'm glad they changed it to the Hitmontop we have now. Still, maybe find a way to make both it and its prevo, Gongu, into their own Pokemon; maybe Ultra Beasts?
Hoppip/Skiploom/Jumpluff
So, if you're wondering about the cat connection: "neko" is Japanese for "cat" and "nekko" is Japanese for "root". They're cats which have roots. Also, it's a dandeLION (and I know Japan knows about the pun as there's a Yu-Gi-Oh card based on it). Puns aside, I think the design change was welcome because their proto designs look like In-Training Digimon. Jumpluff may not be all that strong but it at least looks fully grown.
Tsubomitto
Oddish got a branched evolution so makes sense its counterpart, Bellsprout, also would have had one planned. Not entirely sure just a bigger Bellsprout was the right way to go, it would probably stuck with the pitcher plant theme so maybe base it on a Cobra Lily? Though I guess the more important question would what changes can they make to Victreebel to justify an alternate evolution? Well, I guess they couldn't, and that's why Victreebel stands alone as Bellsprout's final stage.
Bomushikaa
Now, Volcanion is cool and all, but I do wish this was out first Fire/Water-type. A sea lion that creates a flaming fireball it balances on its nose is so ludicrous, I love it! However with Popplio doing the same thing but with bubbles I think this might have been fullu shelved, but one can still dream.
Kotora/Raitora
A known cut Pokemon Gen I, and Gen II, I wonder if it was added to any other gen (or it's still added early on as a cruel in-joke)? Or maybe they became another Pokemon, an electric feline sounds similar to the Shinx family. Not sure whether I would have wanted it or not. On one hand it's pretty cute, but on the other I would prefer a tiger that looked like a tiger... which we still don't really have yet.
Madaamu
With it being a swan I guess they were going for an Ugly Duckling theme which actually makes a lot of sense considering what Farfetch'd is based on. Many have made a point that Farfetch'd shouldn't evolve as it's purposely made to be a bad trade Pokemon, that's the joke; but having its evolution go with that idea and purposely subvert it feels appropriate. However that would mean Madaamu would have to be good which may have no be in the cards at the time. Oh well, maybe an Ability could have helped it if made one Gen later, but now we have Sirfetch'd which has more interesting origins (even if its an evo for just Galarian Farfetch'd). We also got an Ugly Duckling Pokemon later with Ducklett and Swanna.
Norowara/Kyonpan
I really like them! Sure a voodoo doll evolving into a jiangshi is random, but with some adjustments (make Norowara look more bear-like, make Kyonpan look stitched together and have pins sticking out of it) and I think it could have worked. While Banette has some voodoo doll inspirations, I think there's enough room these could be brought back.
Murkrow
The witch inspiration was more apparaent. Probably simplified the "hat" to make it less in-your-face, which worked in their favor years later for making Honchkrow a mob boss as their hats now also look like gangster hats. But saying that makes me wonder if they should have an alternate evolution more leaning into its original witch inspirations.
Blissey
Remember that Heart Stone I mentioned for Politoed? And see how Proto Blissey has a giant heart on its head? Obviously this means Blissey DOESN'T evolve with a Heart Stone. Like, even if they planned on changing it later just seems like something they would have at the beginning. I do prefer final Blissey's design of looking like a frilly dressed nurse, though I do wish it kept the two egg pouches.
Scizor
It's funny, Proto Scizor looks like a fan drawing of a Scyther and Scizor fusion. Joking aside, I actually do like it; wouldn't mind if this became a regional variant of Scizor or regional evolution for Scyther.
Purakkusu
Since there's no Heracross I wonder if Purakkusu eventually became Heracross. Thus the reason Pinsir and Heracross have a rivalry is because Heracross stole Pinsir's chance of getting an evolution! I'm not entirely sold on Purakkusu, Pinsir more feels like it should have gotten a prevo than an evolution. I think Mega Pinsir is as close to an evolution Pinsir should get.
Urufuman/Waaurufu
Curious is this somehow eventually became Snorunt. Even if it did, both have different origins so I think with maybe some adjustments they could bring back these two. Like instead of a impish creature wearing a generic wolf pelt, how about just making it a Siberian husky which has thick, loose hair it wears like a pelt. I think a Siberian hsuky would make for a good Ice-type dog but think we may have too many dog Pokemon which look like a typical dog (Yamper & Boltund being the latest addition).
Porygon2
Before we begin, let's get this straight: Proto Porygon2 has nothing to do with Pon de Lion (or at least there's no proof). Rather, they both were individually created from the same idea: a cartoony lion made of circles. For Pon de Lion it's because its made of doughnuts, for Proto Porygon2 its because they wanted to show a progression in technology (blocky graphics to rounder graphics). So I can kind of get them wanting to base Porygon2 off an animal that would have more rounded parts to show that off. However I think the Porygon2 we got was overall the better choice as its a much easier comparison to make with the base Porygon. And though I would say they could maybe bring back this design as its own Pokemon but with a group of other Pokemon also based on 3d shapes (cube, pyramid, cylinder, etc.), the fact it does look identical to Pon de Lion probably squashes any thought of doing that.
Nameeru
Looks more like a Lickitung and Slowpoke fusion than Lickitung evolution. Not sure what they were going for with this design, even if I was designing a Lickitung evolution that look like Lickilicky I don't think I would come up with something like this (probably would look more like a chameleon). Hot take: I wish Lickilicky was a better design, but I think it's a better design than this.
Kingdra
I kind of like this Kingdra as it looks like what I'd imagine a Dragon-type evolution of Seadra would. Kingdra isn't a bad design and I know it more looks like the Leafy Seadragon Seahorse, but to me it just looks like an elderly seahorse than a fierce dragon seahorse. Future regional evolution for Seadra?
Rai/En/Sui
So, the short animation series Pokemon Generation had an episode where
Eusine visits the Burned/Brass Tower. In that episode we get a flashback to when the tower burned and got to see the three Pokemon that perished and then reborn into the Legendary Beasts.
These Pokemon were kept in silhouette but you could tell they were canines. An interesting choice, especially with the popular theory they were the original three Eeveelutions. However it now makes a lot more sense seeing their prototype designs! And they're not bad designs, I would say what we got was a bit better but these wouldn't have been bad. And with the Legendary Birds getting regional variants it makes me hopeful they could touch up these designs and release them either as a regional variant or even as an alternate form.
Sneasel
Sneasel was much cuter originally. Though it now does look more like a weasel, I think the Sneasel we got was the better choice. I don't think Sneasel would be fondly remembered without that edginess.
Leafeon
Ever since the early days of Pokemon fans made up a Grass-type Eeveelution, felt so obvious with the Leaf Stone. And now here we are in 2020 and not only do we have Leafeon but to evolve it you now just need a Leaf Stone. I like the Leafeon we got, the root feet feel a bit much.
SO MANY BABIES! Gonna split these guys into different categories:
- Proto Designs: Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff
Funny how Pichu & Igglybuff started out so round and Cleffa was very star-shaped. Now Pichu is more defined, Cleffa is rounder, and Igglybuff... well it's still round.
Mime Jr., Smoochum, Elekid, Magby
Speaking of round, first attempt at a Mr. Mime prevo I'm not sure they knew what they wanted it to be so glad the Mime Jr. we did get had much more fun to it. I'm curious for Smoochum if it was made before the Jynx controversy being it looked exactly like Jynx and what we got now matches the purple version. Elekid reminds me of something you'd fight in Earthbound, very strange and prefer the one we got. On the flip side I like this version of Magby, sure itl ooks like Bart Simpson but it doesn't look like like an old mean when it's supposed to be a baby.
- Wasn't Needed: Monja, Gyopin, Para, Koonya, Puchikoon, Betobebii
Monja removes the vines showing what's underneath which I feel defeats one of the charming things about Tangela. I understand Gyopin is based on a fish fry but that doesn't mean Goldeen needed a prevo. Para I'm mixed on, unneeded but at the same time has some neat lore behind it with it being the parasite to the mushroom (or Para eggs are laid in the mushrooms that'll one day overtake them). While at first a Meowth prevo makes sense, not sure I quite get why Koonya has 3 coins floating above it (unless those aren't supposed to be there); even if they weren't the design is still too similar to Meowth. Puchikoon is just a smaller Ponyta, only way this would have been acceptable if Ponyta was given a horn and Rapidash a pair of wings. However Betobebii had no such chance, its more of a slime puddle than Grimer is.
- Wished Was Made: Mikon, Hinaazu, Gongu, Pudi
Mikon is a neat reference to Vulpix's dex entry that says it's born with one tail that splits as it gets older. Hinaazu is a pretty clever design, it's fur is so fluffy (which chick feathers are) that with the three heads it looks like a nest; but where does the third head go when it evolves? Gongu may not have made for the best Hitmon prevo but I think it could be made into its own seperate Pokemon just fine; actually it gives me a bit of a Makuhita vibe. Now honestly Pudi should probably be with the "wasn't needed"... but how can you say no to such a good boi? Actually Pudi reminds me of a puppy Baby Pokemon I made which gimmick was that it evolved either into Growlithe, Snubbull, Houndour, Poochyena, and Electrike (I think this was during Gen III; know there's a few more dog Pokemon to add to that list); though that idea is a bit extreme.
