How Pokémon's Art Director James Turner Draws Pokémon

While visiting Game Freak for Game Informer's new cover story on Pokémon Sword And Shield, we spoke with the new game's art director James Turner about his career while he drew his favorite Pokémon. Learn more at gameinformer.com/pokemon.

[@McSandwich121]

I love this man. He's such a pure sweetheart. I'll never forget when he replied to me on Twitter. I told him I love the Vanilluxe line, and that the hate for it is dumb. But he replied and told me basically to let my love outweigh the hate it gets. It really changed my view on the more hated Pokemon that I love.

[@averyloudbirb7504]

Marie's Real Husband Sure makes him drawing Vanillite in this video mean a lot more to you!

[@McSandwich121]

@@averyloudbirb7504 Definitely does!

[@gamingwithkev8208]

You don't even know him psycho

[@Windsguidance]

@@McSandwich121 Maybe he thought about your specific tweet for this interview when he thought "Alright, which pokemon should I draw?"

[@user-io9hj9ip2d]

Too bad the more "unpopular" pokemon wont be in SwSh since they literally said theyre prioritizing putting in more fan favorite pokemon.

[@chovue2363]

I kinda wanna see the artists with the pokemons they each designed!

[@MrYuntu]

I think some of them don't really like getting a spotlight. Well I atleast recall one female designer (I sadly forgot her name) rarely being public.

[@Puffytosser]

Cho Tube yeah they mentioned a few female designers (not by name) and I’d like to hear their reasoning and ideas.

[@CloverJade]

@@MrYuntu Atsuko Nishida. =)

[@chovue2363]

Shoots, didnt know. But a quick google search will show their names with the pokemons they designed! Its quite interesting seeing why some pokemon have more drastic evolutions because theyre designed by different artists.

[@thelastdaybreathinginetern1385]

Cho Tube it'd be funny if he drew pikachu lol

[@dubiousdeliquite6641]

Huh, because of how chill he is about it and how he described it I have a new appreciation for vanillite I didnt think it was terrible before but now I like it a bit more

[@Source-Z-rer]

Of course he's chill about it... He's drawing ice cream!

[@mahoushoujojihen]

Our pure boi vanillite!

[@Sparx632]

I never really hated it either but I used that line in Pokemon Black and found a new appreciation for them.

[@impIicit]

i was not a fan of it to be honest and still am not but i like him

[@JoshArtisto]

I didn't mind Vanillite line. The only Pokemon I really have distaste for is Garbodor.

[@Blackvoid2me]

Aw..he's like a kid at heart..his soft spoken voice etc.

[@servantofthemosthigh2525]

yeah....you 2 should get a room...

[@ocelotslime]

@@servantofthemosthigh2525 what is the point of this reply?

[@Terranigma23]

@@ocelotslime ah it's just a other toxic people on the internet, don't give him some attention.

[@sikorskifamily1382]

THATS WHAT SHE SAID

[@anthonyapgz4936]

@@servantofthemosthigh2525 fuck off

[@meiu7652]

James Turner: *sees job opening for official Pokémon designer* _"Yeah, I think I can do that."_ XD Love how casually confident this guy is.

[@i.f.llamas3922]

True. With no talent in sight

[@meiu7652]

@@i.f.llamas3922 I'm not a fan of his Unova designs, but it seems he's found his footing in Galar.

[@sourpuss5951]

@@i.f.llamas3922 It's all about having connections. Talent or none, he still climbed his way up to Director.

[@alexdiaz3311]

Is he jewish?

[@shatteredsentient5321]

James really loves drawing Vanillite judging by his Twitter

[@impIicit]

Sobble Wobble i wonder if he’s compensating for the fact that everyone hates vanillite

[@afarensis9720]

@@impIicit their hate only makes Vanillite stronger

[@impIicit]

ghostly lol! i’m sorry i couldn’t help it!! :p

[@jimmymackinnon8474]

I like Vanillite. I like this guy’s designs very much. After all, he came up with the awesomeness that is Guzzlord ;)

[@largenaq2935]

I think most people are fine with vanillite and vanillish but not vaniluxe, which I kind of agree with in terms of creativity. However, I’ve always appreciated the lore behind how they are icicles that dress themselves with snow to look like ice cream, and they’re all just fun little guys having a good time :)

[@tadhgogorman3459]

Crazy to think gen 5 came out almost 10 years ago

[@Pigninjius]

Yesterday, I was a kid and I didn’t even think gamefreak would release a gen 6. Now there’s a gen 8 and I’m approaching adulthood What happened?

[@Pinnaporaptor]

Don't say that it weakens my bones

[@Daichifan1]

*I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THIS STOP IT*

[@ChrisJohnstonVA]

My back aches and it's all your fault

[@cheese4987]

WUT THE FUCKKKKK

[@JavaDebo]

He seem like a very kind hearted man.

[@bluebearyq]

Ur jawline man... 👌

[@youngcuba12]

Hey, big head 😊

[@gunsinspace6579]

He seems like a man

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

@@bluebearyq what about it?

[@TheManOfGold7]

Game freak should have contests where people can design a Pokémon and send it in and the winner gets to have it in the games

[@tyennille]

That kinda happened with mega Sableye

[@YawnBlue]

That's definitely been a thing in Mega Man and Digimon anyway.

[@gustavju4686]

@@tyennille Really?

[@Azaela]

I agree, this would be a great thing to see. There should be certain themes that you have to keep in mind for the drawings.

[@tyennille]

@@gustavju4686 6h I heard they saw a kid with the design at a vgc tournament and decided to add it in, which is why it pissed me off fl6lygon was denied his mega

[@LittleParade_]

"Every Pokemon, you feel like, you could be friends with" I think that's the most pure method of Pokemon creation. There's some kind of appeal to every Pokemon, even the ones many might think are weird or ugly. I really appreciate how much value they put into each and every Pokemon design!

[@jambr055]

LittleParade except Klefki

[@monsterhunterdude5448]

Even trubish? He is rubbish

[@LittleParade_]

@@monsterhunterdude5448 my old 3D animation teacher adored Trubbish! So yes, even Trubbish!

[@monsterhunterdude5448]

@@LittleParade_ 😂😂😂, ok

[@summerharmony6415]

monster hunter dude trubbish is so cute he is literally just a babie

[@reccerplayz2392]

I wish i could draw like that, he is so chill about it too

[@DaSheepKiller]

Well of course he's chill about it because he's drawing an ice type.

[@peterlionhead6519]

@@DaSheepKiller niceeee

[@SirBaconFace]

@@DaSheepKiller budum tssssss

[@reccerplayz2392]

Karina Peters yuh me too but i also follow a tutorial vid

[@londy4002]

Then maybe actually practice?

[@Schneeregen_]

Honestly, Polteageist looks like one of his designs, especially with the face.

[@ShizuruNakatsu]

So does Litwick.

[@ED-fu5lz]

i dare to say many pokemon with weird designs come from this man..this is the whole reason i really dont like western designers because they dont draw 'pokemon' they basically just drawing cartoons instead..lol

[@Schneeregen_]

@@ED-fu5lz I mean we have plenty of weird designs from earlier games, like chimecho and Electrode

[@ED-fu5lz]

@@Schneeregen_ thats true..buts chimeco and electrode still acceptable...polteageist is just too much, i think..

[@Schneeregen_]

@@ED-fu5lz In your opinion, my point is just that it looks like his style

[@abohsukampret]

Step 1: Draw a circle. Step 2: Draw the rest of the damn Pokemon.

[@ZGlove.]

First you draw a head. Then you erase some of the architectural details. And 1..2..3... ...a Pokémon, thingy.

[@dreska255]

Draw a circle, draw a line across the center, boom! a voltorb

[@user-sr7qm2xu7g]

dreska better yet, draw a circle and it’s an upside down voltorb or electrode seen from above!

[@agareverie]

Jigglypuff seen from above

[@chaoman5867]

@@user-sr7qm2xu7g or a jigglypuff from above

[@titofox666]

"I tend to end up drawing rather strange Pokemon" And that's why I love your desings, they are very cool, no matter what other people thinks

[@ShadowofLegacy]

Yes because the newer designs aren't lazy and just adding a object to a Pokemon or turning an object into a Pokemon. His designs are way better than unique designs like Froslass, Swampert, Garchomp, Pikachu, Umbreon and many others. A ghost Pokemon living inside a teacup, a Weezing with a top hat and a dragon that looks like a cigarette lighter are much better😒

[@ilovepokemon-fe6hd]

@@ShadowofLegacy genwunner detected

[@ShadowofLegacy]

@@ilovepokemon-fe6hd 🤔Calls me a genwunner yet I mentioned Pokemon like Garchomp and Swampert who are in much later gens, being good. Also my icon is that of a Kalos Ash and not Kanto Ash....nice logic. You one of those people who automatically calls someone a genwunner because they don't blindly like every new thing Pokemon does huh? If you are gonna call someone a genwunner then at least know what it is before you open your mouth and sound stupid.

[@user-pp6pr5fg8w]

@@ShadowofLegacy not every design appeal to the same people. That doesn't gives you the right to discourage an artist's design, because everything as we know is SUBJECTIVE

[@ilovepokemon-fe6hd]

@@ShadowofLegacy that still doesn't mean you have the right to be a dick and call people lazy. Different people have different tastes in Pokémon.

[@eruditocollective]

Someone wrap this man in a blanket, give him some tea and tell him everything is going to be alright.

[@treespeak4296]

He and Sobble are definitely kindred spirits.

[@beeowo7030]

Treespeak Sobble is his favourite of the three actually

[@slothy7600]

omfg you’re cringy

[@smolpeepee245]

@@slothy7600 omg harambe is that you?

[@pkness5220]

@@slothy7600 for real I hate when people treat everything like little babies

[@internetboy774]

I really love the interviewer in this one, the kind and gentle way he regards Turner is a nice chance of pace from typical interview rigidity

[@MariaLuiza-tp2dc]

This is so wholesome and chill. It's relaxing to hear the silence, y'know? The sound of his markers gliding through the paper and how down to earth his way of speaking is. So chill.

[@BerKeLP]

This warms my heart so much!

[@pokestav9300]

Ok Goku ultra instinct

[@edashakaku768]

Mood

[@pokestav9300]

i see you are no longer goku ultra instinct

[@BerKeLP]

​@@pokestav9300 Yea... now im a scary tree

[@mashed5560]

*I r o n i c*

[@crabsapple8173]

I always liked the vanillite line. So,e people say its “unoriginal” but its much better than a pokeball with eyes i think we can ALL agree

[@lil.alliegator]

100% agreed all the way

[@raveoreynolds6049]

It's really ironic to me that people's criticism of the line is that it's unoriginal, when up until that point, there were no food based pokemon. And in fact, the majority of ice types were simply real life animals that live in cold climates.

[@ifiinch]

Vanillite and Swirlix walked so Alcremie could run

[@Shinynyancat213]

Gen 5 fanboy

[@crabsapple8173]

ShinyNyancat that was uncalled for

[@magentacyan6086]

James Turner designed Shadow Lugia at Geninus Sonority, of course they'd take him.

[@stanleywoodwardiii3194]

That is cool he was working in battle revolution and designed shadow lugia. Thats awesome.

[@awfullyawful9779]

Well who designed Lugia? Cause shadow Lugia has a very small amount of changes compared to the original.. lol

[@calebreader5818]

Stanley Woodward Shadow Lugia is from XD...and Shadow Lugia really is just a palette swap, hardly an original design

[@MrRcmc]

Damn I wish Genius Sonority was still making spinoff Pokemon games 😔 Pokemon Colosseum and XD were honestly some really solid games. XD is arguably one of my favourite Pokemon games of all time

[@Kirbychu1]

*recolored

[@spaceowl9246]

I really like James Turner. He seems so chill and cool

[@xyackhart]

"I worked for a company called genius sonority" Me: POKEMON COLOSSEUM!!!

[@Pigninjius]

Pokémon Colosseum and XD were excellent games. Battle Revolution sucked in terms of gameplay, but the animation gave personality to every Pokémon, and I really have to applaud them for that.

[@B-Man-69]

Yeah, i was overjoyed when I heard that. Genius Sonority made notable Pokemon games that I like including Colosseum, Gale of Darkness, Battle Revolution, Trozei and Shuffle!

[@sleepyva7281]

Yup! He's the one who created shadow lugia

[@mopearound]

naw DENPA MEN

[@HaohmaruHL]

Explains why the two pokemon games look so hideous

[@rgbymnky]

"Every Pokemon, you feel like, you could be friends with" Gigantamax Eternatus: *I AM THE HAND OF AN UNCARING GOD*

[@bendyandtheinkmachinezeekg3733]

Zac Blac Eternamax*

[@largenaq2935]

He’s so chill! Ive always appreciated Vanillite’s lore as an icicle who dressed itself with snow to look like ice cream, and I think it’s evolution line gets too much unnecessary hate. Not to mention he inspired phantump, who’s definitely one of my favourite Pokemon. I love this guy.

[@pinkygengar]

I had no idea that's the idea behind vanillite. How cool

[@katiarepublic7057]

Phantump is baby and no one can convince me otherwise

[@PepeOPT1]

I really like James's designs, Buzzwole and Guzzlord are IMO two of the best UBs in SM/USUM and I never got the hate for the Vanillite line. Plus he looks super chill and friendly, would love to talk with him.

[@mrsatan2632]

Ikr! Vanilluxe is cool af!

[@GcorpCoPrez]

Vanillite is adorable~ especially the episode when it lost it snowy fluff. Awww

[@JGirDesu]

I disagree about Guzzlord. That thing is a mess, but I love Buzzwole, Kartana, and Poiple.

[@EliC09]

@@JGirDesu ultra beasts look like they belong somewhere other than Pokemon. Perhaps Digimon?

[@GcorpCoPrez]

eliborio camacho nah if it was a digimon it needs guns

[@tylertichoc7330]

James Turner has seriously given me a boost of confidence with my hopes of becoming a better artist. And what he said is something that I can strangely understand on a personal level. There's been a design forming in my mind for a few weeks of a Ghost and Fairy Type Coocoo Clock Pokemon. Time to see what I can come up with. 👈⏰👉 ⏳

[@larsnyheim7911]

Sounds cool 😀👍

[@Sandrake7]

I love that idea, what an awesome concept. I would to see your design 👈⏰👉

[@larsnyheim7911]

@@Sandrake7 same here 😊👍

[@Sonic171K]

Good for you. Doesn't work for me. lol

[@fatcoconut]

sound good, leaving a comment in case you decide to actually post and share a link here.

[@MaybeNotARobot]

This is the guy who designed the Golurk line, so he's got my respect.

[@TalesofTaylor]

Fun Fact: James Turner actually has a Pokémon card that he drew too! I’m hoping he gets to draw more on the TCG. I love his stuff!

[@Canyouactuallynot]

Is it official? If so which card from which set? I’m intrigued

[@4564568b]

Despite other's opinion,I absolutely adore vanillite and it's whole line. I love it since I saw it in white. I mean,IT'S A LITTLE HAPPY CUTE ICECREAM THING.

[@walotherebel]

笨蛋洪 I love Vanillite, Vanillish and Vanilluxe!!! I just wish ice type could be stronger! 😭

[@panbat2367]

Really hope the hate doesn't get out of hand and also target this guy. He is a very nice person.

[@mavericktoaster4109]

I tweeted to this guy once thanking him for making Buzzwole since it's my favorite Pokemon and he actually responded he's such a cool dude

[@CloverJade]

I read that he was also part on Colosseum and XD, my favorite titles. He was the one designing Shadow Lugia. And now the fact that es favors Sobble from the Galar Starter-Pokémon, I like him. =)

[@immaturityexplained]

I've always liked Vanillite, I feel like folks were always unfair to its design.

[@sorenmine7765]

Yeah! It's atleast way more creative than Seel.

[@spaceowl9246]

Now that I know who made it, I like it more. James is such a nice guy :) Hope he reads some comments here and know how much the community appreciates his designs and his personality. :)

[@Rainygirl3100]

I've always loved Vanillite. It's super cute and fun, and perfectly captures the cool nature of ice cream. I feel like people just "hated" it because it was popular to make fun of for being an ice cream Pokemon, and because genwunners always seem to try and find ways to bash new games in any way they can (even though there was a literal rock with arms in gen 1 and a pinecone pokemon in gen 2)

[@sorenmine7765]

@@Rainygirl3100 gen one had a rock with arms, seal with horn, sludge, bird, red bird, crab and a lot of the evolutions pretty much just make them bigger. Gen one(while still being darn good) probably was most uncreative. Which is all understandable because it was the beginning.

[@TFG1122]

For all my gripes with some of the gen 5 designs, vanillite isn't one of them

[@polarizeluke]

This guy would be amazing at asmr

[@jude_210]

or guided meditation

[@InfinityReptar]

I don’t understand people’s fascination with asmr, but to each their own

[@Fargusno7930]

James Turner Draws Pokémon and Gives You Motivation ASMR

[@beeowo7030]

Farhan Gustama *YES*

[@HaohmaruHL]

Wish he'd better be amazing at art instead. He's the one responsible for those ugly fuckers in gen5 and some ugly ultra beasts.

[@arelyspopys]

He’s not used to signing his art omg why is that so wholesome? Lol

[@LuisGustavoSodre13]

This is WHOLESOME! My favorite kind of interview! Thanks a lot, GI!

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

I hope to be like him someday! I'm working on mastering the art style! Wish me luck!

[@Tanemo1609]

Good luck :)

[@InfinityReptar]

Hope it goes well!

[@veledwin1]

I've always loved the Vanillite line 🍦🍦🍦 I hate how people complain about any inanimate Pokémon design as if that automatically invalidates the design or as if there haven't been those kinds of Pokémon from the start. Every Pokémon has a special place in someone's heart

[@RyeBreadMels]

This man is so wholesome and does not deserve for his ice cream pokemon to constantly get shit on by the masses

[@dubiousdeliquite6641]

RyeBreadMels ikr! Its not even that bad of a design, and people call it uncreative even though there are way more boring pokemon, like pidgy and stuff

[@ethan37066]

I wish you’d have asked him about being a western designer in japan

[@SilverShion]

Does it matter?

[@nerdycurls6253]

But he lives in japan dosent he? Plus europe isnt the west

[@ethan37066]

Nerdy Curls Europe is most definitely the west, it’s the birthplace of western culture

[@nerdycurls6253]

@@ethan37066 but its north of japan??

[@ethan37066]

Nerdy Curls that’s not what that means, you’ll have to look it up

[@TheThundertwig]

I wanna party with James, he seems like a swell guy and we're lucky to have him at game freak, a sort of bridge between worlds.

[@namahshrestha3226]

You work at game freak?

[@ScorbunGame]

Thank you James, thank you for creating some of the most memorable Pokemon in the series.

[@hintamagaming549]

Guzzlord and his famous scream correct?

[@matthewreyes9640]

Most Definatly

[@ScorbunGame]

@@hintamagaming549 AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[@almond2954]

He gives off such a gentle approach and it makes me so happy/comfortable

[@infernoseph6867]

Ever since I got white as a kid I liked the vanilliuxe line a lot, so I was really surprised when most people seemed to hate it

[@watzegtu116]

Personally, I don't like pokemon which are based on real life "objects" like keys, icecream or gears. If you enjoy them, more power to you.

[@flick2flick]

@@watzegtu116 same. Pokemon based on objects are horrible imo. Personally I'm not a fan of this guy's designs. I prefer the designs of the O.G. or even designs that aren't humanoid.

[@kurtmalburg]

This dude is so down to earth. I really enjoyed this video! Not a fan of the kind of Pokémon he is in to but I can appreciate his chill personality and the advice he gives for the artists out there. What a cool dude!

[@sowhatsthislol]

he doesn’t connect his lines..., INTERESTING

[@pelicanromance]

It’s actually a great way to have fluid lineart!

[@davineo.]

i also do that

[@adararelgnel2695]

For me, as a digital artist, it was mildly infuriating!!

[@pelicanromance]

Adara Relgnel how so? Lots of digital artists use this technique and it looks fine?

[@aimee4424]

@@pelicanromance they're probably talking about using the fill tool

[@TheManInBlueFlames]

You can hear how his accent has been changed from British to a more Japanese style. Overall, I respect this guy for his work in Battle Revolution and I do love the Vanillite line (despite most people hating on it).

[@MultiFruitshoot]

Yeah it's crazy, I was wondering why he had a slight accent haha

[@kylef4559]

What did you do to Snoke sounds Dutch to me but my ear is not that great

[@yokaiju8909]

@@kylef4559 he's English, but living in Japan has slightly altered his accent. Maybe that mix just sounds slightly Dutch?

[@defearl]

I’m a Japanese native, and I don’t really see how his accent is influenced by Japanese. When did he move to Japan? Usually it’s believed in linguistics that one loses the ability to alter his/her accent after the age of 12. (commonly referred to as the 12 years old cutoff)

[@Cadialvaro]

He’s so lovely and passionate about his job, I wanna hug him so badly 💛

[@Critical_HitZ]

I knew he was going to draw Vanillite the moment he picked up the blue marker

[@pedrouchoa472]

Well... i knew when he said he would draw Vanillite, like on the first 5s of the video

[@shatteredsentient5321]

Yup

[@enimo9241]

I thought he would draw Sobble

[@gabrieldabriel]

“Im gonna draw Vanniluxe” *draws Vannilite*

[@hoodlumscraggy1801]

Maybe it just sounded like vanniluxe but it was actually vannilite

[@Sean35267]

He categorically said vannilite.

[@JoshucaVA]

The way he talks about his craft gives me a new found respect for art directors.

[@AliceSpeltRight]

He’s got such a dream job, I’d love to design characters for one of my favorite game series ever.

[@BrandonThompsonBT]

This is just so wholesome. I love it. Also, I like how you guys at Game Informer are still using an AF100. Though I've upgraded twice since, that may be my favorite model camera I've ever owned.

[@Windsguidance]

The fact that this man likes to draw cute little creatures is adorable honestly

[@soko4710]

why, how tall is he

[@Raiceuu]

I've really been getting back into drawing and art and stuff like that, so just watching professional artists and explaining their tips and tricks for designs and doodles really motivate me to keep on imagining and putting my thoughts on to paper. Thank the Lord for Pokémon!

[@robbob7840]

This dude created some of my favorites, being Golurk, Phantump, Guzzlord, and the Poipole line. I love them all

[@Silky___]

This made me appreciate the icecream Pokémon

[@temmie2032]

I Always loved vanillite, but vanillish and vanilluxe are a bit... Weird, but still cute.

[@rhys5430]

I love the line, I just think they could have done more than just do a double vanillish

[@robletch123]

They're icicles not icecream

[@Kleavers]

The man debuted with an ice cream cone Pokémon. Let that sink in.

[@raccoonchild]

Ice cream is good and tasty. Letting this guy be the art director for Gen. 8 though, now that was a mistake.

[@CaitlinKoi]

I love that, according to the art director, the one thing above all that makes a Pokemon look like a Pokemon is the ability to feel friendship towards it. That's so wholesome.

[@mattiacicchetti4728]

James Turner is fantastic, my depression is my worst enemy but I want to be an artist and if I do well I can complete my unique personal pokemon and all I want

[@jamethen]

This is why we respect James. He has awesome art, a calm voice, and of course... The best name ever. (So do i!)

[@AceTrainerBanana]

I could never draw as good as that. I suck at art. :( Of the Pokemon James has come up with, I'd say Poipole is my favorite. It looks cool and cute and I really like the overall design and color of it. With Pokemon designs, I love it when cuteness and coolness come together. To me, cuteness and coolness are what makes the best Pokemon.

[@temmie2032]

true!

[@robbinmulder5460]

100% agreed!

[@KeithTheGeek]

It's gonna sound cliche as heck, but you don't need to be good at art to have fun drawing. The most important thing you could do is just draw. It doesn't have to look good, it's more important that it's something you created. Feel free to experiment too, with different tools and materials. Art might have rules, but if you're stressing too hard about following those rules it stops being enjoyable.

[@ZGlove.]

I think the cute and cool ones are the best as well. 😲😎

[@Pigninjius]

KeithTheGeek This actually inspired me as a person who can’t draw, but likes drawing stuff once in a while. Good job.

[@tgrey519]

Phantump is one of my favorite Pokémon, it’s so cool that he had a part in designing it!

[@ChocolateVanilluxeTV]

This glorious artist made my favorite Pokemon. MAD RESPECT MR. TURNER!

[@sakonan4883]

The pokemon having a level of friendliness really is an important part of Pokemon design I think the roundness is what gives that appeal

[@williammartin9585]

Would love to see the artists try and draw each other’s designs

[@Ok-kc2sh]

vanillite is the only pokémon card i have since i was in middle school! always will have a special place in my heart 💕

[@Dratini__]

Thank you for asking about the fragmented lines! That was the first thing I wanted to know when watching him draw.

[@jwanie366]

It was nice to hear more about how James got started at Game Freak. Looking forward to SwSh!

[@muayboran6111]

Not a fan of his design tastes but he’s living the dream of all pokemon fans

[@ser-yo4582]

I love this! Am a kid and I’ve drawn fakemon since I was very little and this vid helped me so much!

[@n.l.g.6401]

This man made me do a complete 180 on the ice cream mons. His live for them is infectious.

[@Hot18Shot]

I don't know what it is, but when it comes to GameInformer interviewing people from GameFreak they fucking nail it.

[@iphu3niax]

Looks like the ninth doctor is drawing aliens for Game Freak.

[@JM-gv5eq]

I completely geeked out when he drew the pokeball:)

[@almondtofuboba]

this man might just be my artistic hero. i first got super into pokemon during the unova region's first reveal. the vanillite line is one of my favorite ice type pokemon and i always will have one on my team. pokemon is what originally got me into creating art so i feel like if this man didn't create such loveable creatures (and all the other artists), i wouldn't be creating things to say

[@carlosanderson4479]

Now, before I hate on a design, I have to remember that a person worked hard to design that poke, and I appreciate it much more.

[@xxo5294]

Bless him and his love for vanillite but I can’t believe he’s the one that’s given us the new awesome designs thus far

[@LDtheGreatandPowerfulYoutubing]

This is weirdly soooooo relaxing. I'd love to watch an hour long video like this

[@Hollywd_64]

And there we go, the man just sketched a small fortune after he signed it. 👌

[@ShockEntertainment3209]

As much as I respect him and like some of his designs I still miss the old ken Sugimori style

[@sourpuss5951]

I want his style to come back for at least one peokemon. Like what would he create in 2020?

[@gushernandez25]

Definitely, wish they would atleast bring the generic Pokemon eyes back from the original.

[@silversobe]

The original designs were the best. The newer ones don't have the same quality at all. Wish they would hire multiple artists to make the most quintessential designs possible. Pokemon deserves no less. They really don't seem to try very hard at GameFreak..

[@gushernandez25]

@@silversobe That is what I said. The new versions look like cute little animals from a different game.

[@PixelBraint]

@@gushernandez25 The older designs looks like creatures rather than plushies imo

[@stealthlock6634]

I like some of his designs. Not all, but some. I guess it all comes down to individual artists and tastes. It’s exactly like he said: different artists draw things they themselves like. He likes some things that I like, and some things I don’t. List of Pokémon he designed according to Bulbapedia, graded by my enjoyment of them. Feel free to disagree with any of my opinions XD Shadow Lugia A+ Vanillite B Vanillish C Vanilluxe C- Golett A- Golurk A Vullaby D- Mandibuzz C+ Phantump B- Trevenant B+ Buzzwole C+ Guzzlord B- Poipole B Naganadel D He also FINALIZED the design for Bruxish. Which I neither like nor dislike.

[@stealthlock6634]

ChandSlam List of Pokémon he designed according to Bulbapedia, graded by my enjoyment of them: Shadow Lugia A+ Vanillite B Vanillish C Vanilluxe C- Golett A- Golurk A Vullaby D- Mandibuzz C+ Phantump B- Trevenant B+ Buzzwole C+ Guzzlord B- Poipole B Naganadel D He also FINALIZED the design for Bruxish. Which I neither like nor dislike.

[@shatteredsentient5321]

All are A+ for me

[@wesleywinklaar]

ChandSlam This list will probably 3x after SWSH

[@stealthlock6634]

Sobble Wobble Eyyyyyyyy good for you buddy!

[@kbop8474]

I like Phantump. I kinda resembles to Vanilite actually haha only in darker color.

[@TheOneTrueOfficialLordGod]

He's a pretty cool guy. Glad he's friendly online too. Very easy to talk to.

[@Astral_thee_God]

I was describing to my dad what some of the more...questionable pokemon designs have been over the years and naturally I mentioned the Vanillite line. I always thought it was pretty cute and hearing James talk about it and watching him draw it just kind of reaffirms that. And learning he's basically behind the design of Phantump and that he did design Shadow Lugia is actually insane. He seems like such a kind and gentle person

[@victorndende5981]

james turner's signature design style is about leaving blank dots between the lines. it is really great.

[@lizadonrex]

No wonder the Pokemon design change so much.

[@Terranigma23]

He seem always so calm and chill.

[@DylansLappalterCopium]

Vanillite is awesome, I mean isn't it one of the cutest pokemon ever?! Tiny arms but big eyes omg

[@violettheviolent25]

I saw "James Turner" and immediately thought of my beloved Sims Supply 😂

[@predololol_]

the sound that the markers make made me *REALLY* uncomfortable

[@oscarsoto8428]

I've always wanted to see of video of James Turner, one of the very few Westerners to work at Game Freak. It makes sense for him to lead the art design on an England-based Pokemon region. What an awesome job. I wish I had a talent for drawing.

[@lindzloot6134]

He seems like such a sweetheart & it was relaxing to hear him talk. Really enjoyed this.

[@sawyer2532]

This is really cool. Could you do an interview like this with the sound and music director? As a prospective sound designer for games, I could learn a lot from an interview like that

[@sourpuss5951]

Maybe it's just me but I feel like the sound workers get underappreciated in stuff like this. Even though it's not something I do or want to get into, I still want to learn more about how they work.

[@HaohmaruHL]

Ken Sugimori: "am I a joke to you?"

[@npthedarkside27]

This is just delightful, thank you for this interview. I needed this today.

[@Toria1982]

I appreciate his success. He's from a little village in my area. It gives my son hope that he could do the same thing one day. I like to tell him James Turner is from down the road and he was the art director on sword and shield! It's inspiring for him.

[@bilfbilfbilf]

I hope he designs more pokemon like vanellite, I really love pokemon like that!

[@JackalKuyo]

Simplicity is a beautiful art aspect. Too bad many people don't get that.

[@awekeningbro1207]

I mean who wouldn't love ice-cream?

[@dom604]

@@JackalKuyo the irony in that is that there's a big overlap in people who whine about Vanillite (I probably butchered that) being too simple or generic and hail stuff like Voltorb and Grimer as amazing designs. We've always had these kinds of designs in the series but somehow an ice cream cone is too weird after a pile of gunk, an upside down pokeball with eyes or letters.

[@JackalKuyo]

@@dom604 I know what you mean. Too weird after that? Honestly, I don't see it.

[@JackalKuyo]

@Bo Bo I didn't say that. I basically said it's a great Pokémon design. Not "what makes Pokémon designs great".

[@daven5323]

Can we win that art by James Turner tho? Because that is a masterpiece! 👍👌

[@LuckySketches]

It's been my dream for a very long time to be a concept artist, so people like James Turner really inspire me.

[@cmrobles]

This is a very wholesome comment section and it was warmed my cold cold soul. You go, people!