002. Ivysaur

I enjoy Ivysaur's design but I feel compelled to mention that it skirts really close to just being a larger Bulbasaur. I have this thought in my head that when pokémon evolve they become larger but there's some key differences in their body design, but maybe I'm wrong. Regardless, it's obvious that the Ivysaur artists seem to have a little trouble finding what makes Ivysaur Ivysaur. It's body stretches out a little wider (although not as much as Venusaur), it get's some more weight to make it's body more stocky, and it seems to get a little more intimidation factor in the expression.

Some artists can really get show Ivysaur without relying on the plant. Ken Sugimori's base set, Hisao Nakamura's EX Crystal Guardians, Atsuko Nishida's EX FireRed & LeafGreen, and plenty others. If you cover up the plant you can still see an Ivysaur in there. They really understand the body type and rowdy-ness of it. 

On the other hand you get Mitsuhiro Arita's Intro Pack (which is a great looking card in it's own right, but relies on the plant), Sumiyoshi Kizuki's EX Crystal Guardians, and even Ken Sugimori's POP Series 2 all give off a fairly strong Bulbasaur vibe. If you covered up the plant you could probably get them confused fairly easily. Then you have the artists that get a little too closet to venusar: Midori Harada's POP Series 3 and Shin-Ichi Yoshida's Best of Game cards get them a little too fat and lethargic. 

So the head is a little elongated to give the impression of Ivysaur's body type but not too much to make it look like a Venusaur. The composition is great with the diagonal ground plane and Ivysaur bounding. throw in some, what I assume, streaks of wind and razor leaves and there you have it. This pokémon is battling and it loves what it's doing.

There was a couple I could consider for Runner-Up but ultimately I went with this one. I think Hisao Nakamura did a great job of showing an Ivysaur without relying on the plant. The body looks distinct enough from Bulbasaur and Venusaur's and it looks a little more rowdy, which is how I've always pictured the species. You've got a crazy tangent with the ear/right fern and the mountain but it's a good piece.

What is going on here? Some weird sideways kick? It's crazy flat and it just feels all around amateurish. It almost seems like someone saw the Bulbasaur line and wanted to use a similar idea for their hit new IP Compact Beasts. Since the art style is so simple it gives off this weird impression that it's Bulbasaur, Ivysaur, and Venusaur all in one.

Again, discuss your favorites, least favorites and anything in between in the comments.