Birds of a feather flock together, so the saying goes. And that concept applies to non-humans as well; it’s not uncommon for pets and their owners to act, and sometimes even look, somehow similar after spending years together. Even in the super popular anime and game series Pokémon, where the aim of the game is to collect as many pokémon as possible, many of the pokémon trainers in the series use pocket monsters that somehow resemble them.
But what the characters of the anime series Free! were pokémon trainers? Which creatures would they have under their well-toned wings? Find out as this Japanese fan puts her imagination to work in a series of awesome Pokémon x Free! crossover illustrations!
Pokémon is a long-running hit series that made its debut in 1995 as a video game for Nintendo’s Game Boy handheld console. It has since blossomed into a mega franchise that spans across various mediums including anime, trading card games, movies, and of course, loads and loads of toys and official merchandise, catering to both children and adult fans of the series.
Free! on the other hand, is an anime series which revolves around the lives of high school boys who are members of swimming clubs. The series was first released in 2013, and subsequently got a second season titled Free! -Eternal Summer- the following year. With its lineup of good-looking young men strutting around in swimwear, plus a bit of friendship and emotional drama stirring in the plot, it is no surprise that the series has captured a substantial fan base (mostly fangirls) in a short span of time.
We never thought the characters of two such different anime genres would play well together, but the crossover fanart created by Japanese Twitter user Ronisuke (@usasuke14) have proved otherwise. The Free! cast look pretty promising as pokémon trainers!
▼ Makoto Tachibana
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/614443669010018304▼ Nagisa Hazuki
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/612994534289453056▼ Haruka Nanase
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/615164077933903872▼ Rei Ryuugasaki
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/613707618788323328▼ Gou Matsuoka
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/618070999498534912▼ Rin Matsuoka
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/614079366775988224▼ Sousuke Yamazaki
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/613364205249388544▼ Seijyuurou Mikoshiba
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/617344069736345601▼ Momotarou Mikoshiba
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/614800231075483648▼ Aiichirou Nitori
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/612627684238098432▼ Kisumi Shigino
https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/616978851386691585 https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/592337528327278593 https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/597392786120450049 https://twitter.com/usasuke14/status/618788394827538432If the guys from Free! were pokémon trainers, perhaps their pokémon would be racing in the pool instead of battling the conventional way?
Ronisuke has done many illustrations of the boys, so if you’re a Free! fan, be sure to check out her fabulous work on Twitter or Pixiv!
Source: Zhaizhai News
Images: Twitter (@usasuke14)
“Gotta catch ’em all, son!” Japanese dad gets game-addicted kid to quit – by making it a chore
Gotta catch ‘em all, right now! Hardcore Pokémon player shows how to quadruple your productivity
Pokémon kimono outfits will have you wanting to wear ‘em all【Photos】
Gotta deep-fry ‘em all! Pikachu cutlet on a stick being sold by Korean food stalls, online shop
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
G-cha & Ba-cha serves Japanese green tea with a heartwarming backstory in Tokyo
Drinking sake just got more convenient with convenience store Family Mart’s new canned brews
The best cosplayers from Day 1 of Summer Comiket 2023【Photos】
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Buddhist priest arrested for using health insurance card he found on the street
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Studio Ghibli croquettes not to eat, but to keep your stuff in, going on sale in Japan[Photos]
Pokémon hot spring footbath opening in Japan this spring
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Move aside, convenience store egg sando – there’s a better version of the iconic sandwich in Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Catch ’em all again! New Pokémon Switch game anticipated to be released as early as this year
Star Wars characters drawn in anime style is the perfect mashup 【Pics】
Pokémon wedding aims to catch all of our hearts, totally hits the mark 【Photos】
Turns out you can draw all four original starter Pokémon with just three colored pencils【Video】
Free Pokémon-catching mini game with all 151 Kanto Pokémon added to Google searches!
Terrifying Pokémon fan art fails to win card design contest, succeeds at scaring everyone【Photos】
New GU Pokémon collaboration: Worth the risk of catching coronavirus?
The internet is already in love with President of the Aether Foundation in Pokémon Sun and Moon
The best, most adorable “Pokémon 20th anniversary” artwork shared online by fans
Fan-made “fierce” Pokémon art of original three starters makes a stunning case for a style change
Introducing the new PikaChu! Amusing character mash-ups bring the Japanese internet to giggles