Summary
- A fan artist created a Water-type Pikachu, with a tail seemingly made of bubbles and gill-like sacs.
- The Water-type creature was named Pikablu after a rumored variant from the early days of the franchise.
- According to the artist, Pikablu is an ancient relative of Pikachu that lost out to its land-dwelling cousins.
One Pokemon fan has put an aquatic spin on the classic Pikachu design, imagining what the Electric-type would look like with the Water typing. While the rumored “Pikablu” from the early days of the Pokemon franchise never came to fruition, this latest fan art shows the potential of a new Water-type Pikachu variant.
As the mascot for the Pokemon franchise, Pikachu is recognizable to many gamers, even those who do not play the games. Given its popularity, the Electric-type Pokemon frequently stars in fan art, with artists imagining new versions featuring different types. These reimaginings of the creature often put a new spin on the classic design and attract those who wonder what these designs could look like if incorporated into official games. While the odds of The Pokemon Company taking inspiration from fan art are slim, that has not stopped artists from sharing more creative designs.
Pokemon Fan Designs 'Sad' Water-Type Diglett Variant
A Pokemon fan gives Diglett and Dugtrio an adorably sad Water-type makeover with a heartwarming message behind their artwork.
Recently, one fan artist known as Matratzfratz on Reddit created their own version of an aquatic Pikachu. Using Pikablu as the name, the design imagined a creature with a predominantly blue coloration. While it had a relatively similar appearance to the original Electric-type Pokemon, there were some key differences. For example, the Pikablu design changed the tail from the iconic lightning bolt to one made seemingly of bubbles. In addition, the creature had bulbous sacs on its face that resembled gills.
Pokemon Fan's Water-Type Pikachu Variant
When sharing the design on Reddit, Matratzfratz provided a brief description of the new variant. According to the post, Pikablu was an ancient relative of Pikachu who lived before Pokemon inhabited land. However, the creature was “subsequently outcompeted by its land-dwelling, type-advantaged cousins.”
This Pikablu concept is not the first that fans have seen from Matratzfratz on Reddit. The fan artist frequently posts new artwork that imagines new takes on classic pocket monsters. For example, they recently shared a new chest form for Crustle, giving the Pokemon a treasure-themed makeover. In addition, they have designed many other custom variants for fans to check out on their Reddit page, such as a sad Diglett variant, a Steel-type Eeveelution, and much more.
While fans continue to create new artwork based on popular pocket monsters, many gamers are anticipating the release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A. The upcoming game promises the return of Mega evolutions, and many gamers have taken the opportunity to design their own versions of these powered-up Pokemon. As players wait for the eventual release of the Gen 9 game, time will tell what new Mega evolution designs and other concepts are shared by Pokemon fans.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- October 16, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak, Creatures Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
WHERE TO PLAY
LIVE THE LIFE OF A POKÉMON TRAINER IN THE STREETS OF LUMIOSE CITY
Whether you’re a die-hard Pokémon fan or about to toss your first Poké Ball, the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game has plenty to offer for Trainers of all types. Experience classic gameplay with modern twists that are sure to revolutionize your Pokémon RPG experience.
CATCH, BATTLE, AND MEGA-EVOLVE—ALL IN REAL TIME!
Step onto the battlefield and command your Pokémon directly—there are no turns! For the first time in the Pokémon RPG series, Trainers and their Pokémon can both move around in real-time battles, and your Pokémon will unleash their moves when you tell them to. Strategically swapping out your Pokémon and accounting for each move’s timing and area of effect will greatly help you in this new style of battle.
HARNESS THE POWER OF MEGA EVOLUTION
When Trainers have a strong bond with their Pokémon, a Key Stone worn by the Trainer resonates with a Mega Stone held by their Pokémon, allowing Mega Evolution to take place.
ROGUE MEGA EVOLUTION
Rampaging Rogue Mega-Evolved Pokémon are threatening Lumiose City. These Pokémon are extra tough to beat, but if you do manage to defeat them, you'll receive valuable Mega Stones as a reward.
RISE THROUGH THE RANKS OF THE Z-A ROYALE
You’re invited to join the Z-A Royale, a competition for Pokémon Trainers to test their skills and determine who’s strongest.
Each night, a battle zone for the competition will appear. Prepare yourself by spending the day in wild zones, catching and training Pokémon, then venture into the battle zone and take on other Trainers.
Be strategic and complete bonus card challenges as you battle to speed up your climb from Rank Z to Rank A. Can you climb the ranks and reach the top?
WELCOME TO LUMIOSE CITY
Visit shops, restaurants, and more, all centered around Prism Tower. An urban redevelopment plan is underway to shape the city into a place that belongs to both people and Pokémon.
BATTLE WITH TRAINERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
With a Nintendo Switch Online membership*, you can battle up to three other Trainers at once, locally or online, in frenetic real-time battles!
- Franchise
- Pokemon
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
