What is it about Pokémon that inspires hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of creative works of art? Is it the wide range of pocket monsters to choose from? Nostalgia? Or maybe it’s the FACT that Pokémon are downright awesome. Yeah, it’s probably that last one.

Mona, an artist from Mexico, has used these inspiring little creatures to create what she calls “Pokemayans.” Drawn in a funky, Mayan-inspired style, these Pokemon are every bit as awesome as the original, but in a completely new way.

▲ Pokemayan Gyarados

▼ Original Gyarados

Image: Sonic Pokemon Wiki

▲ Pokemayan Cyndaquil, Quilava and Typhlosion

▼ Original Cyndaquil evolution

Image: Wikipedia

▲ Pokemayan Gible, Gabite and Garchomp

▼ Original Gible evolution

Image: foolz

▲ Pokemayan Articuno

▼ Original Articuno

Image: Bulbapedia

▲ Pokemayan Gengar

▼ Original Gengar

Image: DLTK

▲ Pokemayan Oddish, Gloom and Vileplume

▼ We know you know what the Oddish evolution looks like, but just in case you need a refresher, here it is.

Image: Pokemon Elite 2000

▲ Pokemayan Bellsprout, Weepinbell and Victreebel

▼ Original Bellsprout evolution

Image: NeoGAF

▲ Pokemayan Lugia

▼ Original Lugia

Image: Pokemon Wiki

Some of these Pokemayans are a little hard to recognize (yet still completely cool), but we’re hoping you’ll be able to identify these two classics:

If you want to check out more of Mona’s epic Pokemayans, head on over to her tumblr. At US$20 for a non-evolving Pokemayan, $30 for two, and $40 for three evolutions of custom, commissioned pieces, Mona’s artwork is a unique, affordable gift for that special Pokemon fan in your life.

Source: Game Park

Images: Monarobot