Pokémon Sun and Moon, released for the Nintendo 3DS in November 2016, introduced players to the enigmatic Ultra Beasts—a group of Pokémon whose origins and designs set them apart from the series’ traditional roster.
Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, Pokémon Sun and Moon marked the first mainline entries in the franchise’s seventh generation, bringing newer mechanics and a fresh approach to Pokémon design. The Ultra Beasts hail from 'Ultra Space,' featuring intentionally unconventional, sometimes unsettling appearances that contrast sharply with standard Pokémon aesthetics.
Their unique design origins were recently detailed by Yusuke Omura, the lead Pokémon designer on Sun and Moon and a veteran illustrator formerly with Game Freak.
Addressing a trending discussion on social platform X, Omura clarified how these distinct creatures evolved from his earlier, rejected Pokémon proposals. According to Omura, many ideas he contributed during his tenure were previously turned down by then-lead artist Ken Sugimori.
Instead of discarding these concepts entirely, Omura revisited the traits that led to their rejection and made them the defining characteristics of the Ultra Beasts.
As Omura put it, the unsettling and atypical nature of these designs was a deliberate artistic choice, grounded in the very reasons they were not accepted into the main games initially. Omura explained, "I designed the Ultra Beasts by recalling some of the concepts that Mr.
Sugimori had rejected in the past.
I intentionally focused on the reasons for those rejections, using them to steer the direction of the Ultra Beasts’ designs.
In a sense, they became a manifestation of my own unresolved feelings from having those ideas set aside." Despite the creative tension, Omura emphasized that his relationship with Sugimori remains amicable.
In a light-hearted note, he recalled Sugimori joking after reviewing the Sun and Moon designs, noting there were certain Pokémon he might still have left out given the choice. The result is clear in the Ultra Beasts’ diverse roster: from Buzzwole's exaggerated musculature and Xurkitree’s sinewy limbs to the imposing form of Guzzlord.
These designs, originally conceived outside traditional Pokémon guidelines, ultimately became a celebrated aspect of the seventh generation's identity. Pokémon Sun and Moon’s impact on the broader franchise is notable not just for innovative gameplay on Nintendo 3DS and strong sales—over 16 million units sold worldwide—but also for expanding the creative boundaries of Pokémon creature design.
The Ultra Beasts stand as a testament to Game Freak’s willingness to explore new artistic directions, offering fans memorable monsters that challenge expectations and honor the creative process behind one of gaming’s most beloved franchises.
Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, Pokémon Sun and Moon marked the first mainline entries in the franchise’s seventh generation, bringing newer mechanics and a fresh approach to Pokémon design. The Ultra Beasts hail from 'Ultra Space,' featuring intentionally unconventional, sometimes unsettling appearances that contrast sharply with standard Pokémon aesthetics.
Their unique design origins were recently detailed by Yusuke Omura, the lead Pokémon designer on Sun and Moon and a veteran illustrator formerly with Game Freak.
Addressing a trending discussion on social platform X, Omura clarified how these distinct creatures evolved from his earlier, rejected Pokémon proposals. According to Omura, many ideas he contributed during his tenure were previously turned down by then-lead artist Ken Sugimori.
Instead of discarding these concepts entirely, Omura revisited the traits that led to their rejection and made them the defining characteristics of the Ultra Beasts.
As Omura put it, the unsettling and atypical nature of these designs was a deliberate artistic choice, grounded in the very reasons they were not accepted into the main games initially. Omura explained, "I designed the Ultra Beasts by recalling some of the concepts that Mr.
Sugimori had rejected in the past.
I intentionally focused on the reasons for those rejections, using them to steer the direction of the Ultra Beasts’ designs.
In a sense, they became a manifestation of my own unresolved feelings from having those ideas set aside." Despite the creative tension, Omura emphasized that his relationship with Sugimori remains amicable.
In a light-hearted note, he recalled Sugimori joking after reviewing the Sun and Moon designs, noting there were certain Pokémon he might still have left out given the choice. The result is clear in the Ultra Beasts’ diverse roster: from Buzzwole's exaggerated musculature and Xurkitree’s sinewy limbs to the imposing form of Guzzlord.
These designs, originally conceived outside traditional Pokémon guidelines, ultimately became a celebrated aspect of the seventh generation's identity. Pokémon Sun and Moon’s impact on the broader franchise is notable not just for innovative gameplay on Nintendo 3DS and strong sales—over 16 million units sold worldwide—but also for expanding the creative boundaries of Pokémon creature design.
The Ultra Beasts stand as a testament to Game Freak’s willingness to explore new artistic directions, offering fans memorable monsters that challenge expectations and honor the creative process behind one of gaming’s most beloved franchises.
