Pokemon fan art imagines impressive Mega Evolution for Arcanine that I really wish was in Legends: Z-A

A Pokemon fan has released a new design for Arcanine that’s turning the heads of a lot of players. While Pokemon Legends: Z-A already has a healthy roster of close to 70 creatures capable of Mega Evolution, Arcanine isn’t one of them, and this Pokemon fan’s design seems like it could make a lot of players happy.

Arcanine is a powerful Fire-type Pokemon that traces its legacy all the way back to the earliest Pokemon games. With Fire being limited to just a handful of monsters in those early days, Arcanine is one of the best Pokemon to use in a Gen-1 playthrough, especially for players who picked Squirtle or Bulbusaur at the start. In addition, its considerable stats in Attack, Special Attack, and Speed still make it a solid choice for players in modern games looking for a counter to Grass, Steel, Ice, or a number of other types.

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Pokemon Fan’s Mega Evolution for Arcanine

Despite its legacy, Arcanine has been omitted from the Pokemon Legends: Z-A Pokedex, at least so far, with other powerful Fire-Types like Charizard, Emboar, Pyroar, Talonflame, and Camerupt providing some admirable fill-in work. But one Arcanine fan has offered up a view of what the big, fiery dog could look like if it were given a Mega Evolution makeover for Pokemon Legends: Z-A or another game in the monster-catching franchise. Reddit user HeroOfMadness has shared this creation, which maintains Arcanine’s glorious, fluffy mane and tail while switching the color palette of its shorter sections of fur to a dark, ashen gray with orange accents, almost as if simulating a field of magma. Additionally, emblazoned quite literally across its chest is a collection of flames forming the shape of an X, which would fit quite well into Pokemon Legends: Z-A, as it serves as a sequel to Pokemon X and Y and shares its setting of the Kalos region.

In creating this design, the artist drew inspiration from the Shisa, the mythological dog-lion guardian spirit from Okinawan lore, which served as the original basis for Arcanine in the Pokemon games. The Shisa has made several appearances across the eras of video gaming, from being a recruitable monster in the Shin Megami Tensei games and their Persona spin-offs to games like Yakuza 3, which is set in Naha, Okinawa, in which they serve as more of a cultural backdrop. The artist also drew on Pokedex entries to solidify some design choices, such as an entry that states its fiery energy is stored within its body, explaining the charred look of its Mega Evolved form.

There is still a chance that players could see a Mega Arcanine make its way into the game, though there’s no clear indication that it will happen. The Mega Dimension DLC is releasing very soon, set for a December 10 launch, bringing 138 returning Pokemon to the game, adding new story content, and letting Pokemon temporarily exceed level 100. New Mega Evolutions confirmed for the Pokemon Legends: Z-A DLC include Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho, Mega Lucario Z, Mega Zeraora, and Mega Baxcalibur, with leaks pointing to more than a dozen others on the way.

List of Mega Evolutions Currently in Pokemon Legends: Z-A

Mega Clefable
Mega Victreebel
Mega Starmie
Mega Dragonite
Mega Meganium
Mega Feraligatr
Mega Skarmory
Mega Froslass
Mega Emboar
Mega Excadrill
Mega Scolipede
Mega Scrafty
Mega Eelektross
Mega Chandelure
Mega Chesnaught
Mega Delphox
Mega Greninja
Mega Pyroar
Mega Floette
Mega Malamar
Mega Barbaracle
Mega Dragalge
Mega Hawlucha
Mega Zygarde
Mega Drampa
Mega Falinks
Mega Beedrill
Mega Pidgeot
Mega Ampharos
Mega Gyardos
Mega Barbaracle
Mega Alakazam
Mega Gengar
Mega Medicham
Mega Manectric
Mega Gardevoir
Mega Gallade
Mega Houndoom
Mega Altaria
Mega Audino
Mega Lopunny
Mega Banette
Mega Camerupt
Mega Garchomp
Mega Sableye
Mega Mawile
Mega Absol
Mega Lucario
Mega Solwbro
Mega Sharpedo
Mega Venusaur
Mega Charizard X
Mega Charizard Y
Mega Blastoise
Mega Glalie
Mega Abomasnow
Mega Scizor
Mega Pinsir
Mega Heracross
Mega Aerodactyl
Mega Steelix
Mega Aggron
Mega Tyranitar
Mega Salamence
Mega Kangaskhan
Mega Metagross
Mega Diancie
Mega Mewtwo X
Mega Mewtwo Y

While a new Mega Evolution form of Arcanine hasn’t made an appearance in Pokemon Legends: Z-A, the Pokemon did get a makeover for the previous Legends game. Pokemon Legends: Arceus introduced several Hisuian regional variants, which included Arcanine and its pre-evolved form, Growlithe. Found at the Cobalt Coastlands and Veilstone Cape, Hisuian Growlithe and Arcanine add a Rock-type to their defensive repertoire, and the latter’s gray and orange color scheme somewhat reflects an erupting volcano, not unlike what this artist conceptualized for the big beast.