
If you’ve been playing Pokémon Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire, you’ll be familiar with cute little critter, Mudkip, one of the three starter Pokémon in the new game. Mudkip may start life as an adorable water-munchkin, but many Japanese fans felt that things take a turn for the worse when he evolves into Marshtomp.
Gone are the big doe-eyes and baby features, replaced by a glassy-eyed stare that Japanese Twitter users are calling “too scary for words”. Obviously, the only thing to do was to start Photoshopping Marshtomp’s head onto things. What else is the internet for?
It seems that for some Japanese fans, Mudkip’s transformation into Marshtomp was a bit like watching their favourite cute chubby kid turn into a horrible teenager:
▼ “Wanted water Pokémon so picked Mudkip, now he’s evolved into Marshtomp. Those eyes! He looks like a psychopath! He used to be so cute, too… Hurry up and evolve again, Marshtomp!”
御三家は水ばっか選んでるからミズゴロウ。進化してヌマクロー。目怖すぎるだろ。殺人鬼の目だ。可愛かったのに。
— VEGA (@VEGAinfopokemon) November 23, 2014
早く進化してくれ。 pic.twitter.com/jeu83H7Nly
Some pointed out that Marshtop’s one expression could mean anything:
1. “Marshtomp’s face” says this Twitter user, “looks like…
- When you screw up the most important exam of your life.
- When your dad throws out all your videogames and says it’s ‘for your own good’.
- When you’re too sad to feel anything at all.”
Others found his featureless face creepy:
2. “Marshtomp visits his hometown after years away, discovers it’s been razed to the ground.”
https://twitter.com/Raichi2121/status/5379085400572067843. “The Marshtomps go on Splash Mountain.”
スプラッシュマウンテンに乗るヌマクロー pic.twitter.com/MWdOwPk4fy
— 瀬尾 (@Seo_t) November 27, 2014
4. “His head is actually a curling stone you know.”
https://twitter.com/otonashi971/status/5379558810028810245. “When someone makes Marshtomp join in with [Youkai Watch’s] youkai taiso even though he doesn’t know any of the moves.”
https://twitter.com/numa_kuro/status/5379888651269693446. “…can’t hold it back any moooorrrrre.”
なぜこのようなヌマクローさんになったのか #ヌマクロークソコラグランプリ pic.twitter.com/Yu502bShyV
— たなか (@tanakya123) November 27, 2014
7. “When Marshtomp goes out on the town and things get unexpectedly crazy.”
久し振りに飲み会に誘われ着いて行くも大変なことに巻き込まれてしまったヌマクロー#ヌマクロークソコラグランプリ pic.twitter.com/NwS7t5THO6
— よーつん Lv.31 (@coke_zombie) November 27, 2014
8. “That time Marshtomp made a huge breakthrough in stem cell research.”
You can find more comedic Marshtomp-bashing on numa_kuro‘s Twitter.
Source: Oreteki gêmu sokuhou
Featured image: Twitter/Raichi2121

Introducing the new PikaChu! Amusing character mash-ups bring the Japanese internet to giggles
Artist who knows nothing about Pokémon draws pictures of them based only on names【Pics】
Pokémon Store closing down gives fans big old Poké-tears with heart-melting receipt message
The best, most adorable “Pokémon 20th anniversary” artwork shared online by fans
A team of fish in Japan has beaten Pokémon Sapphire【Video】
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Super! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese fish that beat Pokémon video game passes away
A Pokémon glitch no one discovered in 18 years has been found…by a pet fish in Japan?!?【Videos】
Poll asks Japanese gamers if they’d break up with a lover who deleted their Pokémon save
Pikachu panties are part of new collection of Pokémon merchandise for grown-up female fans!
Bootleg Chinese Pikachu plushie gets full makeover from loving fan who won’t give up on it
Life-size Pokémon plushie is here for big Gardevoir fans who want a big Gardevoir in their life