List of unused Pokémon and character designs

There are Pokémon and characters that were just a few of many different designs that Game Freak created. Only a few were added, and even those often went through redesigns before making it into the final product.

Unreleased Pokémon

Kurusu

Kurusu

The only known information about this creature is its name and image. While it resembles a seal, this image appeared in magazines after the release of Red and Green so while many fans believe it may have been an early version of Seel, this may not be true because Seel already existed at the time. However, it is most likely a Template:Type2 and could have been a scrapped pre-evolution for Lapras or an extremely early version of a member of the Spheal evolution family. In the alpha of Gold and Silver, its National Pokédex number was 212, it was a Template:Type2, and knew the moves Growl, Water Gun, and Tackle. Despite the numbering, it was the Water-type starter in the alpha demos.

Honōguma

Honōguma

Honōguma's name is a combination of 炎 honō for flame, and 熊 kuma for bear. Like Kurusu above, its name and image are all that is known. While not confirmed, its name almost definitely means it was a Template:Type2. It bears a slight resemblance to Raichu, but doesn't share the same type or species of animal (Raichu being a rodent and Honōguma being a bear), so it is highly unlikely it was related to it. Given its name refers to it as a bear, it could have been an early version of the Teddiursa evolution family, or, while not a bear, but having the same bipedal stance and being Fire-type, an early version of the Cyndaquil evolution family. In the alpha it was a Template:Type2, and knew the moves Ember, Scratch, and Leer; and was the Fire-type starter.

Unnamed creature

Unnamed creature

This strange creature appeared as art but was never given a name. Its extremely odd appearance is somewhat similar to Hitmontop; namely the multiple feet around its midsection. Although this creature has its point located on its bottom, and Hitmontop has its point located on its head, this creature is most likely a very early version of Hitmontop, possibly before the designers decided to add it to the Tyrogue evolution line.

Unnamed turtle

Unnamed turtle

Nothing is known about this turtle Pokémon. Notably, it barely resembles anything that was released in Generation II. Some fans have speculated it may have been an alternative take on Magcargo or Donphan or maybe an extremely early, and different take on Corsola or Pupitar. The Pokémon it most closely resembles is Squirtle, but Squirtle was in Red and Green, which pre-dates the appearance of this image. Torkoal from Generation III, and the Turtwig evolution family from Generation IV bear the closest resemblance prior to its appearance, but it is highly unlikely they are related. It also bears a resemblance to Purutoga and Chobomaki, both from Generation V.

Unnamed bear
	The only known information about this creature is from its brief apperance in EP072. It seems to be a bear, possibly a scrapped version of Teddiursa, Ursaring, or Honōguma. Although the artifact has brown markings, since all the other Pokémopolis Pokémon seen in the episode had similar markings, it is unlikely that this would be a normal feature. Whether or not it was even intended to be in the games is unknown.

Altered Pokémon

Happa

Happa

Main article: Chikorita (Pokémon) Happa's name simply means "leaf" in Japanese. Happa is the early version of Chikorita. Happa resembles Chikorita without its body and legs. It isn't known why the design was changed, but without the body and legs, Chikorita would have been significantly smaller than the other two Generation II starters; Cyndaquil and Totodile. In the alpha, it was Pokémon 152 and knew the moves Leech Seed, Tackle, and an unknown move called "Serene".

Marill

Marill

Main article: Marill (Pokémon) An early version of Marill. While they are recognizably similar, they are visually quite different. The pink/purple color is the main difference as well as the notably missing large ears. It also sports a thinner body, more resembling a rodent, but does not sport Marill's erratic tail pattern, though with this being a concept art, small details were most likely not a concern at the time.

Girafarig
	Main article: Girafarig (Pokémon) This concept art of Girafarig shows the original design contained two full-sized giraffe heads, instead of the final version's one. It is also unknown why the design was changed, but overall it remains mostly similar outside of some coloring differences (though, because this is concept art, specific coloring details were most likely not considered at the time).

Bukū

Bukū

Main article: Qwilfish (Pokémon) Bukū's name is derived from "fugu", the Japanese word for blowfish. It is most likely an early version of Qwilfish. Notable differences between Qwilfish and this pre-release version are the colors, and shape of the tail. However, the shape of the tail does appear slightly similar to the length of the tail in Qwilfish's Generation II back sprite. However, this was just an error and no other generation shows Qwilfish's tail that short.

Tyranitar
Tyranitar	Main article: Tyranitar (Pokémon) This early version of Tyranitar is nearly identical to the design seen in the finalized Gold and Silver versions. It was shown alongside two unnamed Pokémon (seen in the section above) on the cover of a Japanese gaming magazine, where it was the only early design to become a released Pokémon. Strangely, it has very few differences compared to the final version. Of these differences, the early Tyranitar design is more heavy-set, has a tan rather than indigo belly, has arms more reminiscent of Nidoking, and dozens of short spikes upon its back rather than a few long ones. It seems peculiar that Tyranitar was nearly completed at the time, but the other two featured Pokémon were never seen in their original designs.

Torchic
	Main article: Torchic (Pokémon) File:255Torchic RS.png This early version of Torchic is nearly identical to the current Torchic, aside from the large floppy ears, rather than its final design's flame shaped feathers on its head, and a flame-shaped marking on the back of it's head.

Blaziken / Latias
Beta design	Sometimes refered to as Latiaziken by fans, this beta image from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire depicts a creature with traits of both Latias and Blaziken. In appearance, it more closely resembles Blaziken. However, some features, including the size, are more similar to Latias. Some of its features don't resemble those of either Pokémon, such a the hands. There is an unused Trainer riding it. It is very difficult to tell what this trainer's role in the games was as she barely resembles anyone. Whether she was a player character, rival, or supporting character is currently unknown.

Treecko
	Main article: Treecko (Pokémon) File:252Treecko RS.png Concept art of Treecko shows numerous designs for the creature before the final design was decided. Many of these early sketches more closely resemble real geckos than the final product.

Unreleased characters

Female main character

Female main character Female in Rare artwork by Sugimori

This art of a female character (with Squirtle) looks similar to Green, as seen to the right. The image was shown on the boxes for the games, as well as in official strategy guides. It is unknown if she was ever intended to be a playable character, like Red, or if she was supposed to be a supporting character, and act similar to the partner/rival of the player in Ruby and Sapphire. When Red and Green were later remade, players finally got the chance to use a female character. It is possible she was based on this character, namely due to the near exact resemblance of this character and Green, who later donned the same outfit as this character in the FireRed & LeafGreen arc of Pokémon Adventures. The lower artwork additionally raises the possibility of the female character being planned to appear in a Generation I game, showing that the same character has been used in several artworks.

Female Trainer

Female Trainer

This unnamed female Trainer art was revealed in a magazine prior to Generation II, but never officially released. It is unknown who this Trainer was supposed to represent, be it a main character, a supporting character, or just an NPC. Visually, she has similarities to multiple Trainer classes. Her age and appearance make her appear similar to a Beauty or Cool Trainer, but the outfit is similar to a Lass or Picnicker.

Male Trainer
Male Trainer	Hiding in the background of the same magazine article as the female Trainer above was a male Trainer that was never used. As with the female Trainer, it is unknown if he was designed as a main character, or supporting character, or was simply representing a Trainer class. However, singling the Trainer class is difficult as the image is small, and low quality. He has notable hints of multiple classes, such as a Tamer, Psychic, Juggler, Burglar, PokéManiac, Gambler, and even a male Rocket Executive.

Trivia

• An episode of Mad once did a segment featuring some made-up "Rejected" Pokémon.

See also

• Beta Pokémon games