83 Pokemon Tattoos for Men
If nostalgia is your game, then there’s no better way to play it than with Pokémon ink. For over 20 years, millions of people across the world have been deep in the throes of Pokémon fever and the release of each game has brought a new resurgence in popularity.
Now that Pokémon GO has a firm grip on the zeitgeist, it’s never been a better time to get one of the pocket monsters scribed on your body.
One of the best aspects of any Pokémon design is the open-ended capacity for meaning. There are over 700 different Pokémon across all the games, each with their own unique character and attitude.
Purists will want a Pikachu or even just a Pokéball. If you want something more silly or fun, Jigglypuff or Wobbuffet can easily fill that need. If you’re more inclined to show off your inner strength against a world you don’t fully understand, Mewtwo can sympathize.
Another advantage of Pokémon related ink is the universal recognition. No matter where you go or what language you speak, someone will recognize your piece and instantly have a connection.
Though the possibilities are infinite, you can find something to inspire in our gallery of Pokémon tattoos drawn straight from your childhood.
1. Black & gray Pokemon tattoos
Just because the game itself is colorful, don’t feel restricted in your choices when it comes to Pokemon tattoos. As you can see, black and white and dotwork offers incredible ways to show off your love of the game without applying full–color ink.
While many of the above examples are a bit on the darker side, black-and-grey doesn’t always mean spooky or frightening. It’s your skin – if you want a happy-go-lucky Pikachu tattoo rendered in black, go for it! However, if you do happen to want a Pokemon tattoo with a slightly dark-side twist, black and white is an innovative choice to make.
2. Stylized Pokemon tattoos
Stylized tattoos are a great choice for anybody wanting a Pokemon tattoo but also looking to put their own spin on the original artwork. By using various artistic techniques, simplifying an existing design or changing the artwork in a way that speaks to you, you can create a one-of-a-kind Pokemon tattoo that is yours and yours alone. Get ready to explain your ink – a lot. However, in the end it’s your skin and what you want to put on it is entirely your choice!
Some currently hot styles which would lend themselves well to a stylized Pokemon tattoo include Trash Polka, Watercolor, Dotwork and Origami. Bright, splashy Watercolor ink plays extremely well with the bold lines and colors of original Pokemon artwork, evidenced by Gengar above. Gyarados’ background waves are a beautiful use of Hokusai-inspired Japanese artwork.
These are just a few options – explore all the different styles out there and find a way to make your Pokemon stand out in a truly personal way. Pokemon tattoos can also include stylized elements alongside traditionally inked characters.
3. Realistic Pokemon tattoos
Ideal for purists who want to showcase their Pokemon love in a way that fans everywhere will instantly recognize, realistic Pokemon tattoos stick close to the artwork’s original style. They can be large or small and feature popular characters like Pikachu or slightly obscure ones like Bulbasaur. Some of these tattoos also feature innovative single Pokemon ball tattoos in discreet spot.
Be sure to find an artist who can adhere to the linework, color usage and saturation of the original. Cartoons are a realm of art all their own, and they present different challenges to old-school and photo-realist tattoos. Once you’ve found an artist who excels at cartoon-style work, you’re all set for some uber-realistic Pokemon ink!
4. Sleeves, partial sleeves & large Pokemon tattoos
Committing yourself to a sleeve, half sleeve or other large piece is a powerful way to convey your love for…well, just about anything in the world of body art. Using up prime skin real estate with a Pokemon sleeve is a beautiful way to show just how important the game was or is to you.
They’re also a great way to pay homage in a lesser-known character such as Aromatisse or Pineco while keeping your Pokemon tattoo recognizable to casual fans. If you want to include numerous characters, scenes or any mixture thereof, consider expanding one sleeve into two. It takes dedication, but also ensures that nobody gets left out in the cold.
5. Small & Singular Pokemon Tattoos
With bright colors and near-universal recognition, Pokemon tattoos are a brilliant way to make a big impact with a relatively small tattoo. Whether you choose color or black and gray, stylized or traditional, a small yet strategically placed Pokemon tattoo is a fun, classy and playful choice.
Do you want to explain your tat constantly, or only reveal it to fellow fans? Choose placement carefully based on these questions. Remember that small is a relative term. For some, it may mean a tiny Pikachu tattoo behind their ear or on their thumb. For others, it might represent a six-inch Gengar on the back of their calf.
6. Colorful Pokemon tattoos
When it comes to colorful characters, it’s difficult to beat Pokemon. A bright and beautiful realm filled with equally colorful characters, it’s a playground for those who love vivid, saturated colors, then playing those colors against each other with contrast and quality placement. A boldly colored Pokemon tattoo is great for setting off existing or future black-and-grey artwork or blending into other vibrant ink!
7. Pikachu tattoos
While some haters might call him the obvious tattoo choice, we just call him straight-up adorable. Not to mention iconic – even those who aren’t fans of the game immediately recognize Pikachu! Who better to represent your love of the game that one of its most famous characters?
If you have a deeper connection to or appreciation for Pikachu, all the better. He’s a legend deserving pride of place in your body art collection. Remember that Pikachu can be represented in a style true to the original artwork but can also be stylized and modified in a way that makes your tattoo one of a kind.
If you caught all of these Pokemon tattoos but are looking for more Anime inspiration, click on the links below for more galleries.
