Calling for Better Summer-Themed Costumes: Pokemon Go Players Critique Dressed Pokemon Designs

By Carlton Murphy Last updated Jun 10, 2023

After criticizing some “lazy” designs from earlier events, Pokemon Go enthusiasts want to see better summer-themed costumes for Pokemon. Pokemon Go will frequently release a selection of Event Pokemon, also known as dressed Pokemon by the community, for unique events centered around a particular theme.

These Pokemon stand out from other members of their species thanks to their clothing. Pokemon in costumes include Sunglasses Squirtle, Flying Pikachu, and the most current Team Leader Pokemon. However, after calling attention to some of the “lazy” costume designs from earlier events, some trainers have urged Niantic to implement better-dressed Pokemon moving forward.

Fans of Pokemon Go desire better-coiffed Pokemon

Following the release of Drip Lapras in May of last year’s Season of Alola, a fan posted a screenshot they had made, and the post on the Pokemon Go subreddit quickly acquired popularity among the community. According to the post’s OP, I am reposting this from last year to demonstrate how beach-themed Lapras should look. With their vanilla hat mon recycling, Niantic is so lazy.

Reposting this from last year to show what a beach themed Lapras should look like. Niantic are so lazy with their vanilla hat mon recycling.
by u/Qwopmaster01 in pokemongo

Many spectators considered the choice of the Drip Lapras, specifically, as a strange choice for a summer-themed tournament; one player even commented, “Wait, do you not wear a bowtie to the beach?”. Another trainer compared the costumes in Pokemon Go to those in Pokemon Unite and stated they “would cry to have such cute Lapras.” However, other trainers questioned whether Niantic had complete creative control over the creation of dressed Pokemon, as some believed.

Given Niantic’s efforts, one trainer questioned: “To give them credit, I do wonder how much of this is the Pokémon Company not allowing them to do too much to the designs of the Pokémon, as they’re just licensing Pokémon and Japanese companies are pretty well known for being protective over their IP.” How much creative freedom Niantic has when creating costume Pokemon is questionable. While not all trainers believed that costumes for Pokemon needed to be exceptional, many enthusiasts think the choices lately have been disappointing.