One Pokémon fan has given their pet poodle a fiery haircut.
In a video posted on TikTok, award-winning groomer Gabriel Feitosa transforms his poodle puppy, Edea, into a near-perfect Arcanine. According to the description, it was Edea's first haircut and couldn't "be nothing less then [sic] a [sic] epic." The video sees the excited puppy showing off her new look by chasing and playing with a stuffed Pokémon ball.
This isn't the first time Feitosa has used his skills and talents as a groomer to give dogs adorable make-overs. His Tiktok account is brimming with videos that showcase puppy transformations into everything from other animals like giraffes and leopards to pop culture characters like The Grinch and The Powerpuff Girls.
The long-running Pokémon franchise began in 1996 with the releases of Pocket Monsters: Red and Green, which were later rebranded as Pokémon Red and Blue, and now stands as one of the most recognizable and beloved IPs in all of pop culture. As such, it serves as a popular source of inspiration for fan-made content. Beyond Feitosa's puppy's Arcanine cosplay, notable examples of recent fan work include a nightmare-inducing painting of Haunter and a series of giant origami sculptures of Togepi, Vileplume and Lotad.
Moreover, the franchise continues to produce official content as well. Over 120 mainline and spinoff Pokémon games have been launched in the decades since the originals' releases. The newest games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, are scheduled to drop on November 18, 2022, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch. The game will introduce players to a brand-new Spain-inspired region and a wealth of new creatures to capture and battle. Fans are already expressing their excitement for Scarlet and Violet's starters, Fuecoco, Sprigatito and Quaxly, with many stating how difficult it will be to choose just one as their partner.
There have also been recent developments in other areas of the Pokémon franchise. In terms of anime, the latest arc of Pokémon Journeys sees Ash Ketchum battling in a tournament alongside the world's strongest trainers, meaning viewers get to see the return of fan-favorite characters like Lance, Cynthia and Iris. Furthermore, the Lost Origin expansion for the trading card was recently announced and is expected to hit stores in September. Not only will the expansion feature new cards like Hisuian Zoroark VSTAR, Hisuian Goodra VSTAR and Radiant Gardevoir, but it will also bring back the popular Lost Zone mechanic.
Source: TikTok via gamesradar+