LEGO and Pokemon

by Joe Meno.
Last Updated by Joe Meno.

Public Categorized as Public.

Gotta Build Them All!
Article and Photography by Azumu Kawasaki

Everybody knows about “Pocket Monsters” or “Pokemon” these days. It is one of the most popular video games amongst children across the world, and has been translated into anime, toys, and more. The reason I started to build Pokemon characters out of LEGO bricks relates to my job. I am a game creator and my main work is to create game plans and scenarios.

At the time I began building them, I was a member of the scenario team for a game called “Pokemon Colosseum” for Nintendo Game Cube. There were lots of little Pokemon figures on my desk, and I thought it would be fun to add some LEGO Pokemons to the display. My team members liked my LEGO Pokemons, so I kept adding them.

So they should not disturb my workspace, I made them relatively small, about five centimeters tall, which is 1/10 scale of the size in the game, and somehow I have used the same scale for my other LEGO Pokemons.

My first LEGO Pokemons were Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip (above, right) which are the characters in “Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire,” the newest Pokemon game at that time, and the most famous character of all, Pikachu. Since Pikachu is so popular, even people who don’t play Pokemon games know it, it was the most well responded to.

As all Pokemon characters have their distinct designs, I carefully observe character materials and visualize LEGO parts that would match the character when I build one. How should I show unique features of the character? Is my selection of colors correct? Most of all, does it look pretty and adorable? These are the things I always keep in mind when I build each one.

I think imagination and creativity are required when making small figures, as they require showing unique features with fewer parts. It always makes me smile when I’m satisfied with the each expression of the characteristic features of Pokemon I create.

How best to make eyes is also important. When I began to make eyes by putting lever parts from the back of the base, it gave me a wider range of expression for the characters. We have a saying in Japan that goes “eyes are as eloquent as the tongue.” When I make good facial expression including eyes, I find higher satisfaction in it.

As most of Pokemon characters are colorful and their designs based on animals, it is fun to build them. The recent increase of color variation of LEGO parts is also very helpful, but there are many colors that don’t have enough parts. On the other hand, it gives me a challenge to build a character with limited parts and I enjoy the challenge.

After “Pokemon Colosseum” I became one of scenario staff of “Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness.” And, after that, I haven’t been engaged in Pokemon games as a creator. But it doesn’t mean I’m no longer attached to Pokemon. In fact, I am. So I still build Pokemon sometimes.

When my son became old enough to play Pokemon, I started to show him my LEGO Pokemon when I build and ask him if they look good. His opinion is really helpful and encouraging.

It is amazing that the Pokemon world has grown to about 490 characters. I have only built about 40 characters. That means I have 450 more to make! Will I ever be able to make all of them? Pokemon is still growing with new games with new characters, and I have a long way to catch up. I must say I’m lucky to have kind and patient AFOL friends, because they never argue when I show them new LEGO Pokemon which they’ve never seen or heard of.