For fans of Pokémon who watched Ash grow up, certain moments from the anime left a lasting emotional impression. Now, one skilled pixel artist is bringing back those memories by remaking classic scenes from the original Pokémon anime — and the reactions are generating buzz throughout the community.
Identified as u/addyxiii, the artist is skilled at bringing the heart of the initial Pokémon shows to life in pixel art based on the nostalgic FireRed & LeafGreen game aesthetic. Their most recent piece perfectly captures the bitter goodbye between Ash and his Butterfree from episode 21, “Bye Bye Butterfree.” The scene is painted with incredible detail, complete with a warm sunset and a cloud of Butterfree flying away — a poignant reminder of the emotional richness of Ash’s exploits.
Aside from that, u/addyxiii has crafted the emotional scene from “Charmander the Stray,” in which Ash and his friends find a deserted Charmander fighting to live. The artist’s attention to minor details in the background, such as water full of Pokémon like Tentacruel and Horsea, adds more brightness and realism to the scene while bringing viewers back to the nostalgic setting of the anime.
The anime has continually added to the franchise its distinctive elements beyond the games. From presenting individual Pokémon personalities to background characters such as the Team Rocket group, the anime has conditioned how the fans live Pokémon’s world. Memorable moments in the form of the initial double battle with Ekans and Koffing, or the introduction of shiny Pokémon by way of the female Butterfree, have left an indelible mark on the community and have impacted game mechanics.
Whereas certain aspects from the anime, such as walking with your Pokémon, have been added to the games, much remains a sole aspect of the show. The anime’s development of Pokémon as well-rounded characters helped create innovative things such as Pokémon-Amie, which enables players to engage with their Pokémon in fresh, meaningful ways.
This pixel art tribute from u/addyxiii perfectly captures the nostalgia and creativity the Pokémon anime continues to inspire. Whether you’ve been a lifelong Pokémon trainer or are new to the franchise, these artistic recreations offer a heartfelt glimpse into the stories and emotions that have made Pokémon a beloved part of many lives.