The Exciting Launch of Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A and the Kalos Region Revival
As the Pokémon community eagerly anticipates the launch of Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A, there’s a renewed excitement surrounding the Kalos region. The thrill of exploring Mega Evolutions, Fairy-type Pokémon, and the fascinating Aura Trio has captured the imagination of fans once again. This vibrant resurgence coincides with the release of the sixth generation of the Pokédex Ilustrada, a remarkable project crafted by the talented individuals from Ilustradoras Unidas, which debuted on March 27th.
In an exclusive discussion with five of the six creative minds behind this project—Costanza (C.a.cosas/An Ordinary Frög), Karen (chibichubi), Camilla (Kitara), Bakustrider, and Lucy (Achy)—we delved into the intricate process of bringing this ambitious initiative to life. Together, they collaborated with an impressive roster of 121 artists, all united in their admiration for the Pokémon X and Pokémon Y games.
A Milestone for Ilustradoras Unidas
For the team at Ilustradoras Unidas, launching the sixth generation of the Pokédex Ilustrada signifies a significant achievement. Costanza reflected on their journey, stating, “We never imagined we would reach this point. We’re already looking forward to the next generations.”
Karen echoed this sentiment, expressing surprise at the overwhelming interest from artists: “I didn’t think it would become so popular or that many artists would want to participate. I always thought we wouldn’t get that far, but here we are—stressed out, organizing it.” Camila also shared her thoughts, noting: “I don’t even know how the Pokédex gained so much momentum. It feels like just yesterday we were working on the first generation.”
For Lucy and Baku, who joined the organization during the previous Pokédex, the experience offered them a unique perspective. Lucy praised the team’s commitment, saying, “I really admire the organization for taking on this challenge. My full admiration goes to the team.” Baku added, “I hope we make it to the ninth generation and beyond.”
Navigating the Challenges of the Sixth Generation
The sixth generation is particularly notable for introducing the least number of new Pokémon, which presented a unique challenge for the Ilustradoras Unidas team. They creatively compensated for this by incorporating Mega Evolutions, various postcards, and alternative designs for certain Pokémon, such as Meowstic and Vivillon. The Mega Evolutions were highlighted as a special feature, with the first Mega Evolution showcased on a postcard as a nod to dedicated fans.
“¡Viva las Mega Evoluciones!” Baku exclaimed, showcasing the team’s enthusiasm for this unique aspect of the Pokémon universe.
Initially, the team sought to infuse the French-inspired aesthetics of the Kalos region into the Pokédex. However, they opted for simplicity, incorporating these elements into a postcard instead. The postcards served a dual purpose—illustrating the lore of Team Flare, the Pokémon War, Yveltal’s incredible powers, and AZ’s unforgettable bond with Floette.
An intriguing addition to the Pokédex was a section dedicated to Dedenne, conceived by Karen to address the blank pages that resulted from missing postcard submissions.
Diverse Love for the Kalos Region
Each member of Ilustradoras Unidas had their unique reasons for their fondness for the games. For Karen, it was the enchanting setting inspired by France. Baku highlighted the introduction of Fairy-type Pokémon, stating, “I needed that more as a person than as a Pokémon Trainer. I think it spoke more to me and my tastes than it contributed to the adventure itself.” Costanza expressed her love for the captivating story and the charming Sylveon, while Camila and Lucy emphasized the significance of Mega Evolutions and the thrill of hunting for Shiny Pokémon.
The enthusiasm for participation in this project was palpable. “We received 300 applications,” Constanza shared, emphasizing the overwhelming interest. Camila described the situation as “total chaos.” Karen noted, “All the slots were taken. Everybody wanted to join.” Baku reflected on the bittersweet nature of this enthusiasm, expressing concern for artists who couldn’t secure a spot: “Seeing the increase in the number of artists interested in the Pokédex means more people are interested in Pokémon. But at the same time, it means leaving many of those artists out, and that’s discouraging.”
The Complexity of Artist Selection
One of the most challenging aspects of the Pokédex Ilustrada project is the selection of artists and the assignment of Pokémon. The team has maintained a system based on the order of applications received since the first generation. Camila explained, “So many artists don’t understand that we have a system that has worked for us in previous editions of the Pokédex. They criticized us harshly because the Pokémon they wanted were already taken.”
Constanza added, “To be honest, this is the most chaotic Pokédex we have ever worked on—not only because of the number of applicants and the limited number of available Pokémon, but also because several people didn’t submit their illustrations on time. We had to make many adjustments to the layout and change the order more than once, which was a lot of work.”
Learning and Evolving
Reflecting on their experiences, the team highlighted valuable lessons learned during the process. The focus was on improving data organization and refining the artist selection process. “We were talking about it as a team,” Constanza noted. “And I think the biggest lesson is always how to improve for the next editions by making the explanations shorter, streamlining the process, and always encouraging the artists to participate.”
Given their involvement in the Kalos region for this Pokédex, we also inquired about their expectations for the soon-to-be-released Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A. Lucy expressed her excitement, stating, “The game looks pretty interesting and entertaining. I’m looking forward to exploring more of the lore. I just hope they improve the animations of Pokémon and the battles.” Constanza shared similar hopes, emphasizing her interest in AZ’s relationship with Floette.
Baku and Camila chimed in, intrigued by the changes in the battle system and hoping for a more dynamic and cinematic experience in the upcoming game.
As fans await the launch of Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A, they can immerse themselves in the wonders of the Kalos region through the artistic expressions of the talented contributors who brought the sixth generation of Pokédex Ilustrada to life. The anticipation builds as players look forward to uncovering the mysteries and adventures that await in this beloved Pokémon universe.
