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Concept Art

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This is a sub-page of Development:Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.

Within the HaveSomeFun__RandomFromBoxEnt\ポケモン_ルビー・サファイア folder in the October 2024 Game Freak Leak, various pieces of artwork can be found, including early concept art.

Image captions in this article are formatted as English translation (original Japanese title) - last modified date. Captions with no parentheses indicate that the title was already in English or otherwise doesn't need translation.

Sub-Pages#

Ruby and Sapphire folder#

Filepath: HaveSomeFun__RandomFromBoxEnt\ポケモン_ルビー・サファイア

A handful of miscellaneous images are found here.

Notes
  • "Wynaut Pass" shows various drafts of Wynaut's potential torso shapes and eyes. The bottom left one matches the final design.
  • "Duskull Pass" shows Duskull in various colors, some with the wisp on its head fading to pale orange or yellow. They have proportions and eye positioning similar to Duskull's November 2001 sprite. The top left one matches the final design.
  • "starter3" features a rabbit for the water starter, labeled ワラビット (Warabitto).
  • "Deoxys Rough" has the same artstyle and date as a file titled "Deoxys Rough 2" in the Character Design folder. They may be the work of Hironobu Yoshida, who designed Deoxys.12

Character Design folder#

Filepath: \HaveSomeFun__RandomFromBoxEnt\ポケモン_ルビー・サファイア\キャラデザイン

Mostly concept art with an unusually gritty artstyle. Though several are dated July 29, 2002, it's likely that this isn't their creation date, and they were simply modified in some way on that day. The true date may be closer to August 28, 2001, which "New Character 5" bears. Writing in "New Character 4" specifies that it was designed by Jun Okutani, and the concepts in general have a similar style to Okutani's work.3

It is interesting to note that in an interview regarding the development of Ruby and Sapphire, Ken Sugimori and Junichi Masuda spoke on how they worked with 8 designers, having then to rework their concepts to fit Sugimori's unified artstyle.4

Like "Deoxys Rough," "Deoxys Rough 2" may be by Hironobu Yoshida.

Notes
  • Cactus 2 bears a striking resemblance to Cacturne.
  • A pair of Psycho Dog-like sprites appear in Ralts's sprite scratchpad, alongside a handful of other Pokémon's sprites.
  • Armored Scorpion bears a resemblance to Metagross.
  • New Character 3 bears a loose resemblance to Clamperl's November 2001 design.
  • New Character 4 has Unown writing on its side, spelling out "OKUTANI JUN O DESIGN NANODAYO".
  • The name and later date on "Deoxys Rough 2" suggest it was based on already established concepts. A similar image titled "Deoxys Rough" can be found in the general Ruby and Sapphire folder.

New Pokémon folder#

Filepath: \HaveSomeFun__RandomFromBoxEnt\ポケモン_ルビー・サファイア\新ポケモン

A single PSD file containing art of an unknown Pokémon, simply titled "1." Its date is earlier than most files in the Ruby and Sapphire folder and subfolders.

TreNavi folder#

Filepath: \HaveSomeFun__RandomFromBoxEnt\ポケモン_ルビー・サファイア\トレナビ

A couple concepts for the Pokémon Navigator (PokéNav), using a non-final name that likely stands for "Trainer Navigator."

Pokédex Text folder#

Filepath: ポケモン_ルビー・サファイア/ポケモン図鑑テキスト/ポケモンファイル_20020325-1 and ポケモンファイル_20020325.sea

March 2002 revisions of Pokémon designs seen in November 2001. The FileMaker documents these images extracted from also contain a variety of data and other information.

Note that most of the images are downsized, compressed JPEG's in the documents, resulting in reduced quality.

File Name (Romanized)

Final Japan Name (Romanized)

Early Art

Final Art (if applies)

Notes

a_278_ペリカーゴ (Pelicargo)

ペリッパー (Pelipper)

Has flatter shading, and it is missing the bill shine the final art has along with tail detail, but the basic design is identical. The colors appear more saturated, too. This was accidentally included in the anime model sheet.

a_283_ルリリ(Ruriri)

Same as final

Has a different pose and expression. This was used in an anime model sheet, and requires CMYK color conversion.

a_284_カクレオン (Kakureon)

Same as final

Early design which differs from sprites after November 2001. Back sports a row of spikes rather than the final design's 'fin', the yellow details are green and the eye consists of a large, white sclera and red iris.

a_285_ホエルコ (Hoeruko)

Same as final

Side view, used as a reference for the anime. Requires CMYK color conversion.

a_288_アメタマ (Ametama)

Same as final

Darker shadows, black outlines on cheek "blush," and some legs fade into white tips on the feet.

a_290_ヤミラミ (Yamirami)

Same as final

Earlier design has fin-like ears, 4 fingers, defined ribs, no gems on its torso. Its pose was also changed for the final art, and the claws have been given subtle highlights.

a_292_シャコウド (Syakoudo)

ネンドール (Nendoll)

Lacks an alternating eye pattern of one open, one shut, and shading was redone, as compared to the final art. Filename is more direct in the 遮光器土偶 (Shakōki-dogū) design inspiration.

a_296_キノココ (Kinococo)

Same as final

Early design which has similar saturated yellow to the 2002 sprite with some notable differences from it, such as having Shroomish's characteristic grumpy face. Its feet are brown, smaller and more defined, with its body covered in white polygonal spots rather than the final design, which features darker circular spots and round nub-like feet.

a_297_ビスキャル (Biskyal)

N/A

Renamed from Gyarubi, apparently emphasizing hibiscus.

a_298_カンボック (Kanbok)

N/A

Renamed from Podī, apparently with 灌木 (kanboku) shrub. May also pun "come back" due to its resemblance to a roly-poly toy.

a_299_コマリ (Komari)

N/A

Renamed from Katakata.

a_305_コドミン (Kodomin)

N/A

Receives the same update as its sprite.

a_306_モスミー (Mossmy)

N/A

Recolored with darker green to match the updated color scheme of Kodomin. Replaces the light-green bud-like part on its forehead with a yellow flower-like one.

a_312_ソーナノ (Sohnano)

Same as final

Both ears or arms down in the earlier image, and has flatter shading compared to final. Used in an anime model sheet.

a_313_ヨマワル (Yomawaru)

Same as final

The eye gazes directly at the viewer, with flatter, less complex shading compared to the final art. Used in an anime model sheet.

a_316_バシャーモ (Bursyamo)

Same as final

Early revision of the 'Elhawk' design, bringing much it closer to modern Blaziken though still fairly different. It has yellow fluff on its head and torso with two bangs coming from the head over its shoulders, a single horn-like tuft of hair, fiery wings, less defined chest feathers which reach past its shoulders, and yellow hands with wrists wrapped in what appear to be bandages or sports tape. Its head connects to its yellow head-feathers differently, with a more Typhlosion-like eye. The wings were mentioned in the February to May 2002 Dex Data, and a reused development pic found in 'Pokémon Diamond and Pearl' mockups shows it being used as placeholder for Combusken.

a_318_チリーン (Chirean)

Same as final

Red face pattern has an outline, with a similar style of shading that was redone in the later art.

a_322_マルノーム (Marunoom)

Same as final

Flipped, with simpler shading. Whiskers are a two-toned purple and yellow, unlike the final's solid yellow color, and the eyes are smaller.

a_323_トロピウス (Tropius)

Same as final and English

The shading was redone in the later art.

a_325_フラーネ (Flane)

N/A

Likely an update of Furapōto with a new name and white petals, possibly for better resemblance to 風蘭 (fuuran) wind orchids.

a_327_ハンテール (Huntail)

Same as final and English

Matches final's pose. This would split to start Gorebyss and Final Huntail.

a_330_ハリテヤマ (Hariteyama)

Same as final

Shading was adjusted for the final art.

a_331_オトマ (Otoma)

N/A

Replaces the CD-like purple disk with the red one resembling a phonograph record, and the teal tail with the black eighth note, while also being a tadpole.

a_334_プレパス (Plapass)

N/A

The spots of the November 2001 to February 2002 design were removed. While the earlier sprite is colored green, it is colored blue here, giving it a resemblance to Akua, the cut Generation 2 Pokémon.

a_335_エネコロロ (Enekororo)

エネコ (Eneco)

Eyes are open, and it's missing its nose. The shading was redone later. Takes the final name of its evolved form.

a_336_ドンメル (Donmel)

Same as final

Has a black ring around its eye, instead of the final's brown. The mouth is uncolored. Shading was redone for the final art.

a_344_ハスボー (Hassboh)

Same as final

The body is brown instead of blue, it has beady yellow eyes lacking a pupil, and utilises different shading.

a_350_ピッパー (Piper)

N/A

Renamed from Evolotto, likely with an onomatopoeia.

a_359_アブソル (Absol)

Same as final and English

Shading refined in the final.

a_362_ライライ (Lighli)

チルタリス (Tytalis)

Would eventually become Altaria, though elements of it such as the dragon-like motif eventually may have resulted in Rayquaza.

a_368_ワング (Wang)

ポチエナ (Pochiena)

Has a lower, hunched posture, with 2 black stripes for underbelly, and overall it's less cute. The final's sprites are based on this design.

a_369_ラティアス (Latias)

Same as final and English

Different pose. The anime's model sheet matches.

a_370_ラティオス (Latios)

Same as final and English

Different pose. Identical to the anime model sheet.

a_374_アーケオン (Archaeon)

ジュプトル (Juptile)

The Archaeopteryx Pokémon which would later be reworked into Grovyle. It's colored red and blue with suggestions of two darker stripes on the back, instead of the blue and yellow palette seen on the sprite.

a_385_リリディ (Riridi)

Ryllidy

May be based on a Red Spider Lily, this art is a design revision to November 2001 to February 2002's design, removing the yellow gradient coloring on its body and eyelids.

a_415_バルビート (Barubeat)

Same as final

Shading altered, along with the tail glow.

a_426_キモリ (Kimori)

Same as final

Shading heavily redone, with redrawn right hand fingers.

a_429_フィヨコ (Fiyoco)

アチャモ (Achamo)

Still has rabbit-like ear feathers, with a completely different slight downward perspective, compared to the final's front facing one.

a_432_ミズゴロウ (Mizugorou)

Same as final

Shading altered, with its right forefoot, whiskers, and fins redrawn.

People#

Some character concepts and multiple pantone color sheets for them can be found at GFDocs\開発素材DB\CrossLead\XYデータ\再登録用ファイル140127\02_人物・どうぐイラスト\人物設定画(三面図・色設定・その他)\06_RS.

Protagonists#

May
May_RS_Concept.png
Concept art for May for her back design and her front view without her bandana.
Brendan and May
RS_Playable_Pantone.png
Pantone color sheet for Brendan and May.

Gym Leaders#

Roxanne
Roxanne_RS_concept_art.png RS_Roxanne_Pantone_Sheet.png
Concept art for Roxanne, alongside her pantone color sheet.
Brawly
Brawly_concept_art_rs.pngBrawly_pantone_sheet.png
Concept art for Brawly, alongside his pantone color sheet.
Wattson
Wattson_concept_rs.pngWattson_RS_Pantone.png
Concept art for Wattson, notably also including art of him without his jacket, alongside his pantone color sheet.
Flannery
Flannery_rs_concept.pngFlannery_RS_Pantone_color_sheet.png
Concept art for Flannery alongside her pantone color sheet.
Norman
Norman_RS_concept_art.pngNorman_RS_pantone_sheet.png
Concept art for Norman alongside his pantone color sheet.
Winona
Winona_rs_concept.pngWinona_pantone_sheet.png]
Concept art for Winona alongside her pantone color sheet.
Tate & Liza
Tate_concept_art_RS.pngLiza_concept_art_rs.pngTate_and_liza_pantone_color_sheet.png
Concept art for Tate & Liza alongside their pantone color sheet.
Wallace
Wallace_ruby_sapphire_concept_art.pngWallace_ruby_sapphire_pantone_sheet.png
Concept art for Wallace alongside his pantone color sheet.

Team Magma and Aqua#

Team Magma Grunts
Team_Magma_grunt_concept_art_rs.pngTeam_magma_grunt_pantone_rs.png
Concept art for the Team Magma Grunts alongside their pantone color sheet.
Team Aqua Grunts
Team_aqua_grunt_concept_art_rs.pngTeam_aqua_grunt_pantone_sheet_rs.png
Concept art for the Team Aqua Grunts alongside their pantone color sheet.
Maxie and Archie
Maxie_archie_back_rs.pngMaxie_pantone_sheet_rs.pngArchie_pantone_sheet_rs.png
Concept art for Maxie and Archie's back view alongside their pantone color sheets.

Elite Four and Champion#

Sidney
Sidney_pantone_rs.png
Sidney's pantone color sheet.
Phoebe
Phoebe_rs_pantone_sheet.png
Phoebe's pantone color sheet.
Glacia
Glacia_pantone_rs.png
Glacia's pantone color sheet.
Drake
Drake_elite_four_rs_pantone.png
Drake's pantone color sheet.
Steven Stone
Steven_stone_rs_concept_art.pngSteven_stone_rs_pantone.png
Concept art for Steven alongside his pantone color sheet.

Miscellaneous#

Professor Birch
Birch_pokemon_rs_pantone.png
Professor Birch's pantone color sheet.
Wally
Wally_rs_concept_art.pngWally_rs_pantone_sheet.png
Concept art for Wally alongside his pantone color sheet.
Mr. Stone
Joseph_stone_rs_concept_art.pngJoseph_stone_rs_pantone_color_sheet.png
Concept art for Mr. Stone alongside his pantone color sheet.
Lanette
Lanette_rs_pantone_art.png
Lanette's pantone color sheet.
Trainer Class Lady
Rs_trainer_class_lady_pantone_sheet.png
Trainer Class Lady's pantone color sheet.

References#


  1. 1↩︎
  2. 2↩︎
  3. Jun Okutani on Facebook↩︎
  4. Sugimori and Masuda on Gen 3's Development, published in volume #84 of Nintendo Dream magazine (February/March 2003), translation by Dr. Lava.↩︎