Beta Celebi – The Original Design of the Legendary Pokémon

Celebi, known to fans as the adorable, green, fairy-like Pokémon, is one of the most recognizable mythical creatures in the Pokémon universe. However, few know that the character’s original design differed significantly from the final version we know today. Thanks to leaked data from early versions of the Gold and Silver games, we can learn a fascinating story of its design evolution and the inspiration behind its original appearance.

Celebi Beta Version Discovered

In 2020, Nintendo released a massive data leak, known as a “gigaleak,” that revealed a wealth of previously unpublished information about the creative process behind various games. This data also included early designs of second-generation Pokémon, including the original concept art.

Dr. Lava, a renowned historian and researcher of the series’ development history, analyzed this material and shared his findings regarding the beta version of Celebi. According to his findings, the original design of this mythical creature dates back to 1997 and was part of an early version of the Gold and Silver games.

Beta Celebi’s Original Appearance

The initial design differed drastically from its final version. Instead of a charming green fairy, Beta Celebi was an all-black creature with a sinister appearance. Its most distinctive feature was the long, trumpet-like snout that dominated its silhouette. It also possessed tubular arms and clawless legs, and three tail-like appendages protruding from the back of its head.

This early design was decidedly more disturbing and dark than the final version we know from the official games. The all-black silhouette with its pronounced, elongated snout created a character that resembled a sinister creature more than a friendly guardian of the forest.

Kokopelli’s Inspiration

One of the most fascinating aspects of the beta version is its inspiration. According to Dr. Lava, the creature’s original design was based on Kokopelli, a deity from Native American mythology from the American Southwest.

Kokopelli is a deity of fertility, agriculture, and music, often depicted as a hunchbacked flute player with a long, curved instrument. A trickster figure, he is associated with fertility, abundant harvests, and the changing of the seasons. In many depictions, Kokopelli plays the flute, and his music symbolizes the arrival of spring and new life.

This inspiration is particularly interesting considering that the final version is also associated with nature, renewal, and the cyclical nature of time, although its appearance has been completely altered. The long, trumpet-like snout can be interpreted as a reference to Kokopelli’s flute, providing a direct connection to this mythological deity.

Design Evolution

Celebi’s design underwent a significant transformation from its initial concept to its final version. Dr. Lava presented the evolution of the creature’s design, showing that there was also an intermediate version that combined elements of the original and final designs.

In this intermediate version, it retained some features of its original appearance but began to take on a more friendly form, similar to the one we know today. This design evolution demonstrates how the creators gradually moved away from its Kokopelli inspiration toward a more universal, friendly appearance based on Japanese Shinto beliefs.

Interestingly, it was also classified as a Normal-type “Plant Pokémon,” as opposed to the final version, which is a Psychic/Grass-type Pokémon known as the “Time Traveler Pokémon.” This change in type and classification reflects a broader transformation of the character’s concept.

From Native American Deity to Japanese Nature Spirit

Celebi’s transformation from a Kokopelli-inspired design to its final form reflects a shift from Native American to Japanese inspirations. The final version is clearly based on the nature spirits (kami) of Japanese Shinto beliefs, better fitting the overall aesthetic and mythology of the series.

In Japanese Shinto mythology, kami are spirits or deities associated with various aspects of nature. They are often depicted as small, green beings that inhabit forests and protect nature. This concept aligns perfectly with their role as the “Voice of the Forest” and guardian of nature.

The shift from Kokopelli to kami can be seen as part of a broader process of adapting the Pokémon games for a global audience while retaining their Japanese roots. While the original inspiration from the Native American deity was compelling, the final version, based on Japanese beliefs, better fits the cohesive world presented in the games.

Potential Reasons for the Design Change

There is no official information explaining why Celebi’s design was so drastically changed, but it’s possible to speculate on several possible reasons:

1. Series Consistency – The final version better fits the overall aesthetic of the Pokémon series, which typically depicts legendary and mythical creatures in a majestic or charming manner rather than a sinister one.
2. Role Fit – As a forest guardian and time traveler, its friendly appearance better reflects its role in the setting.
3. Marketing Considerations – The cute, green Pokémon has greater marketing potential, especially among younger players, than its dark, original version.
4. Cultural Consistency – The shift from Native American to Japanese inspirations may have been motivated by a desire to maintain cultural consistency within the game world.

The Legacy of Celebi Beta

Although the beta version of Celebi was never officially released, its discovery sheds new light on the creative process behind the Pokémon series. It shows how drastically character designs can change from initial concept to final version, and how different cultural influences shape the game world.

This discovery also inspires fans to create their own interpretations and artwork based on this alternate design. Some artists, like Reddit user rc1246, are creating their own versions, exploring what the character might have looked like had the original design been preserved.

Other Unreleased Versions of the Forest Guardian

Besides the beta design, there are also other unreleased versions that have been discovered in game code. One example is the GameStop Celebi, which was found on the same distribution card as the GameStop Shiny Legendary Beasts. Although it was replaced by the Winter 2011 Celebi before the event officially began, some GameStop stores began distribution earlier, resulting in some copies being given away.

Another example is Agate Village, which was found in the North American version of Pokémon Colosseum. Its counterpart was available on the Japanese bonus disc.

These unreleased versions of Celebi, while visually identical to the standard form, demonstrate the many variants and special releases planned for this mythical creature.

Celebi’s Role in the Pokémon Universe

In its final form, it is known as the “Voice of the Forest” and the guardian of Ilex Forest. It possesses the ability to travel through time and exist simultaneously in different time periods. Wherever it appears, plants flourish and nature is reborn.

Celebi plays a prominent role in numerous Pokémon media, including the film “Celebi: Voice of the Forest,” where its temporal abilities are a key plot element. In the games, he often appears as a special reward for distribution events and can trigger unique sequences, such as meeting Giovanni in HeartGold and SoulSilver.

This role as a guardian of nature and time traveler differs significantly from what may have been intended for his original Kokopelli-inspired version. It’s possible that beta Celebi was intended to be more connected to music (as suggested by his trumpet-like snout) and fertility (like Kokopelli), rather than time and nature.

Summary

The story of beta Celebi is a fascinating insight into the creative process behind one of the series’ most iconic mythical creatures. From a dark figure inspired by the Native American deity Kokopelli to a charming, green guardian of the forest, his transformation reflects the evolving concepts and cultural inspirations within the series.

While we’ll never see Celebi’s beta in an official game, its discovery enriches our understanding of the Pokémon universe and reveals the many fascinating concepts and ideas behind the creation of this beloved series. It also reminds us that the creative process is full of changes, adaptations, and evolutions that ultimately shape the final creation that ends up in players’ hands.