A Pokemon fan and artist uses polymer clay to create realistic versions of Diglett and Dugtrio

Talented Pokemon fan online used polymer clay to create incredibly realistic versions of both Diglett and Dugtrio. These amazing creations make it possible Pokemon fans will see two classic Gen 1 designs in a brand new light with tons of cool details.

One of the coolest things about Pokemon the community is a way for fans to use their unique talents to pay tribute to the series. Artists come in many forms, and in the three decades since the franchise's inception, fans have been more than happy to share their artwork in whatever form it takes. Another great example was recently Pokemon fan who created red horse-themed envelopes to pay homage to the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse. It's a testament to the longevity of the franchise that fans are still finding new ways to stay creative with different Pokemon designs and stay excited enough to show off their tributes to others.

Pokemon Pokopia has already defeated ZA legends

The upcoming cozy life sim Pokemon Pokopia has seemingly surpassed Pokemon Legends: ZA in one key area, which is an impressive feat for a spin-off game.

This is how Diglett and Dugtrio look like realistic clay figures

Redditor Mpickardart recently shared his realistic versions of the iconic Gen 1 Pokémon, Diglett and Dugtria. They were recreated in polymer clay and given a lot of details that are not present in game and anime designs. Unsurprisingly, both Diglett and Dugtrio look just like a mole, and it's fun to watch how they look with their realistic heads sticking out of the rock formations around them. According to Mpickardart, the main change in design silhouette “comes from giving them more prominent snouts to help them navigate underground burrows.” It's quite interesting to see how the user considered real-world utility for the design when creating realistic versions of these Pokemon.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Who is that character?

Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.

Easy (7.5s) Medium (5.0s) Hard (2.5s) Permadeath (2.5s)

Realistic Pokemon redesigns often venture into the uncanny valley. After all, they are designed to be stylized, so translating it into real life is a very difficult task for any artist. Mpickardart did a good job of avoiding this problem with Diglett and Dugtrio, and both are fully believable as real animals. One user in the thread praised how the artist balanced realism while “still maintaining a cute, over-the-top feel,” while several fans asked about the possibility of creating an Alolan form of Dugtrio, complete with blonde wigs. The lifelike versions of Diglett and Dugtria are part of the artist's long-term project to create all of the original 151 Pokemon using polymer clay, and a look at their profile reveals that they've already created several iconic designs like Raichu and Meowth. It's a very cool idea that will always be exciting for fans to see come to fruition.

Since Diglett and Dugtrio are both Gen 1 Pokemon, they are extremely popular when it comes to Pokemon fan creations. This is true of many elders Pokemon suggestions. After all, fans have had nearly 30 years to get to know these Pokémon, while newer designs simply can't boast the same longevity. The classics will always be iconic and it's hard to imagine them ever falling out of favor with fans for projects like this.

Back in the gaming realm, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year Pokemon. The franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and The Pokemon Company isn't going to let such a milestone pass without big plans. It's been over three years since the release of Gen 9 and rumors of Gen 10 are still circulating, but nothing is confirmed at this point. However, Pokemon Pokopia is due out next month as the franchise puts its own spin on the life-sim genre. In addition, The Pokemon Company recently revealed that Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen are coming to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 later this month, so fans have a lot to look forward to in the near future.