For your Pokemon Go-themed sleeve.
Pokemon and tattooing are more similar than you'd think. They're both friendly to casual fans but really built on collectors. They can both become costly investments over time. And they're both ridiculously popular right now.
It also so happens that Pokemon make for great tattoos and Pokemon trainers are often the type who are willing to commit to showing love for their favorite critters on their skin. For this reason alone, Pokemon and tattoos seem like a match made in heaven.
With Pokemon Go taking over the world for the last couple of weeks, we're taking a look at some of the finest Pokemon tattoos around (in case you're really proud of your collection).
Jose Arvizu
If there's one up-and-coming tattooer who will capitalize on the Pokemon Go craze, it's Jose Arvizu. Tattooing out of Shipwrecked Ink in Sunset Beach, CA, Arvizu was already a Pokemon master tattoo artist long before everyone was staring at their phones while sprinting through Central Park. The rebirth of popularity should only help his brand, and we expect Arvizu to be one of the go-to artists for Pokemon tattoos for far longer than the app will be dominating American culture. Bonus points if you get a Simpsons/Pokemon mash-up tattoo from him.
Troy Slack
From comic books to cartoons, video games to Pokemon, Australia's Troy Slack knows his way around a colorful tattoo. Although we're still early in the saga of Pokemon Go, this is a frontrunner for best Pokemon-themed sleeve of 2016. While we're at it, Slack's also a top-notch choice for Zelda tattoos.
Alex Strangler
No one does cute tattoos better than Los Angeles' Alex Strangler, and what's cuter than about two-thirds of the original 151 Pokemon? From Jigglypuff and Eevee to Chansey and Clefairy, Strangler is as good as it gets for your Pokemon needs. If you ask really nicely, she might even mix a Pokemon into a tattoo of your favorite Nickelodeon cartoon.
Cagatay Ates
Oh, you thought they didn't do awesome Pokemon tattoos in Turkey? Think again. It's not the only Gastly/Haunter/Gengar tattoo you'll see (who doesn't want the three evolutionary stages of everyone's favorite ghost Pokemon?), but it may very well be the best. Pokemon doesn't seem to be a common theme for Ates' tattoos, but awesome artwork certainly is. Think of all the different types of Pokemon you could see on Pokemon Go while you travel the world.
Noemi Barajas
Since Pokemon Go came out, it seems like there's a tattoo shop holding a Pokemon-themed special in just about every city. While art is subjective and you should go to whoever's work you like best, just know that Noemi Barajas probably has more illustration experience than anyone else offering deals on Pokemon. If you're in SoCal, Barajas should be at the top of the list for $100 palm-sized Pokemon tattoos (and most other illustrative and/or Disney designs you may need done).
Ryan Nutini
Ryan Nutini doesn't always do Pokemon tattoos. For that matter, he doesn't even stick to a specific style all of the time. That said, he did this sweet Dragonair tattoo months before everyone and their mother was doing Pokemon tattoos. If you're anywhere near Batavia, IL, he's worth checking out.
Andy Walker
Need a Pokemon tattoo on the other side of the Atlantic? Andy Walker's got you covered. Working out of Hull, England, Walker's illustrative style is perfect for Pokemon, Disney movies and other video game-related ink. We're thinking a Pokemon-themed Super Smash Bros piece might just be right up his alley.
Ly Aleister
The next time you're in Australia, you're going to want Ly Aleister to be your Pokemon guide. Pokemon Go got released on the other side of the world a little before it came out in America, so Aleister had some extra time to work on that along with the tattoos. Sure, you could get a boring Pokemon portrait, but why wouldn't you want the respected tattooer to put a unique spin on one, like the Vaporeon above.
