Pokemondesigns are vast and varied, taking inspiration from a range of sources, such as the real animal kingdom, mythology, and folklore. Due to their diverse and peculiar appearances and backstories, cryptids are the perfect group to draw from for ideas - they’re truly unlike any other creature on the planet.
Related:Pokemon: Unanswered Questions We Have From Pokedex Entries
Pokemon such as Sableye already bear a striking resemblance to these creatures, with Sableye’s appearance being similar to that of the Hopkinsville Goblin. As there are so many different cryptids, there’s a lot of potential when it comes to Pokemon designs andthe lore behind them. Cryptid-inspired Pokemon could go to either end of the cute-creepy spectrum, depending on how they’re interpreted.
10Rolling Around: Hoop Snake
The Hoop Snake is a snake cryptid that has the ability to bite its own tail to make a hoop shape and roll towards its prey. In terms of appearance, the Hoop Snake most closely resembles an Ouroborosfrom Greek mythology, but it also has similarities with the Tsuchinoko, a Japanese yokai.
Although the Hoop Snake has a simple appearance compared to other cryptids, its ability to hunt prey by rolling its body would make it the perfect user for Rollout. In the overworld, a Hoop Snake Pokemon would roll toward you with great speed.
9Fairytale Creature: Jackalope
The Jackalope, a cryptid originating from North American folklore, is an amalgamation of a jackrabbit and an antelope, possessing antlers and a jackrabbit body. The Jackalope’s appearance is the perfect combination for an enchanting Pokemon, as a horned jackrabbit looks like something out of a fairytale.
Its jackrabbit appearance might be unassuming at first, but its antelope horns could be used to ram its foes with great power. The Pokemon could also have more antelope characteristics; for example, its horns could change to represent different types of antelope, providing some variety in its design.
8Pokemon From Outer Space: Flatwoods Monster
The Flatwoods Monster is a cryptid originating from West Virginia. The information behind the creature suggests that it came from space, as a group of boys allegedly spotted a UFO at the time of the first sighting. Another Nintendo property already explored the Flatwoods Monster, as in The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, they terrorize Romani Ranch.
Related:Animals We Haven’t Seen A Pokemon Based On Yet
The appearance of this cryptid is distinctive, with a spade-shaped hood and wide glowing eyes, as well as spindly arms and no visible feet. Some witnesses claimed that the cryptid had a metallic body and was perhaps robotic in nature. Due to this, if the Flatwoods Monster were ever to be interpreted as a Pokemon, it could be a Steel-typewith alien origins, known to torment herds of Miltank on farms.
7Smell It Before You See It: Skunk Ape
The Skunk Ape, as the name suggests, is a primate with a putrid odor like a skunk’s. The Skunk Ape shares characteristics with perhaps the most popular cryptid, Bigfoot, and is in fact known as the “Florida Bigfoot.” A photograph, claimed to be of the creature, shows it among plants, peering at the person behind the camera with glowing red eyes and a grin on its face.
If the Skunk Ape were a Pokemon, it would be a Poison-type on account of its potent stench. If you find yourself in a swamp in the Pokemon universe, and smell something terrible, it might be evidence that a Skunk Ape is in the area.
6The One And Only: Mothman
One of the most well-known cryptids, the West Virginian Mothman is a humanoid moth-like creature, often depicted with a black color scheme and red eyes that glow. An annual festival is held to celebrate the creature and a statue was erected in its likeness.
Mothman would bea nocturnal Pokemon, similar to Dustox, and could have a Bug and Dark dual-typing. Interpretations of Mothman differ greatly, however, with some presenting it as adorable rather than scary. If Game Freak used the Mothman statue as inspiration, though, it could look similar to Buzzwole, with both bugs having a muscular, humanoid appearance.
5A Little Devilish: Jersey Devil
The Jersey Devil is an amalgamation of multiple animals; depending on the sighting, it can possess horse, bat, and kangaroo characteristics, just to name a few. The “devil” part of its name can be attributed to its horns, wings, and cloven hooves.
Related:Pokemon That Could Be The Next Franchise Mascot
Folklore surrounding the Jersey Devil can be traced back to the Leeds family, as it’s said that the mother of the family cursed her 13th child and believed it would be the devil, resulting in the child transforming into the cryptid we know today.Pokemon isn’t afraid to shy away from creepy lore, with multiple Pokemon originally being human, such as Phantump, which is said to be inhabited by the spirit of a child who became lost in the forest. As a result, the Jersey Devil could have a similar tragic backstory, making you do a double-take when you see its Pokedex entry.
4Walk This Way: Fresno Nightcrawlers
The Fresno Nightcrawlers garnered popularity in the cryptid sphere due to their unusual appearance. Their bodies appear to be mostly legs, with supposed video footage showing their strange way of walking that gives them an otherworldly aura. With Pokemon appearing in the overworld, Game Freak could utilize the Fresno Nightcrawlers’ bizarre walk as part of its appeal, just like Toedscool.
The Pokemon design is practically ready-made, as interpretations of the cryptid remain consistent with only a few “confirmed” sightings; however, there isn’t much of a story behind the creatures, allowing Game Freak to take liberties in regard to the possible Pokemon’s lore.
3Hide And Seek: Hidebehind
The Hidebehind is a dangerous cryptid that’s said to have caused people to vanish in the woods, presumably because it has killed them. As the name implies, the Hidebehind stalks its victims by lurking behind them as they make their way through the woods, using trees to camouflage itself in the darkness.
Related:Most Huggable Pokemon, Ranked
As the Hidebehind approaches its victims from behind, there are no clear accounts of what the cryptid looks like, making it all the more scary. With Pokemon such as Gengar using your own shadow to hide in, a Pokemon based on the Hidebehind wouldn’t be amiss - it could stalk trainers walking through the woods, catching them off guard to initiate a Pokemon battle.
2Extra, Extra Clever Mongoose: Gef The Talking Mongoose
Although taking the appearance of an ordinary mongoose, Gef the Talking Mongoose, as the name suggests, had special abilities and could communicate with human speech. Gef was discovered by a family on the Isle of Man in 1931 and supposedly communicated with the Irvings.
Gef was quoted as saying he was “an earthbound spirit,” “a little extra, extra clever mongoose,” and even “a freak.” Gef claimed that looking at him directly would result in you being “petrified”, an ability that would translate well to a Pokemon counterpart of Gef. Similar to Meowth in the Pokemon anime, a talking mongoose Pokemon would be capable of communicating with its trainer, furthering the bond between them.
1Terrifying Reptile-Canine Hybrid: El Chupacabra
The Chupacabra is a cryptid that was supposedly first seen in Puerto Rico and got its name fromits vampiric actions, attacking and sucking the blood of livestock. Depictions of the Chupacabra vary, with some appearing dog-like; however, the most common appearance is reptilian, with scaly skin and spikes lining its back.
The Chupacabra’s peculiar appearance would make it the perfect option for a Pokemon, as Game Freak could take elements from its reptilian and canine anatomy to conjure up a Pokemon unlike any other.
