While Pokemon Sword and Shield are filled with quirky characters, sometimes the most straightforward ones end up standing out most. This is the case for fan-favorite rival Marnie, reflected in a new cosplay by Princess_piyo_chan.
Much of players' time in Pokemon Sword and Shield is occupied by battling Hop, the player's friendly yet insecure companion, but there are others completing the Galar region's Gym Challenge. These include Bede, an arrogant pragmatist with a mission from Chairman Rose; and Marnie, a quiet but determined Trainer who hails from the economically-disadvantaged town of Spikemuth. Although Marnie does not end up winning The Pokemon League, she ultimately becomes the Spikemuth Gym Leader following the story's ending.
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Although the cosplay is a few months old, Princess_piyo_chan just shared it on Reddit, where it became a sensation among Pokemon fans. It captures a range of impressive details surrounding Marnie's character and costume, and her facial expression matches well with the one Marnie uses in-game, revealing an alert but reserved personality. While Marnie has shaved much of her head to achieve a sort of spiked pattern, the cosplay accomplishes the same feat with grey highlights instead. Perhaps the only detail missing is Marnie's signature Pokemon Morpeko, with many commenters bemoaning its absence.
Even the background of Princess_piyo_chan's photoshoot evokes the Galar region. The colorful banners bring to mind a stadium-like atmosphere, like the Wyndon Stadium in which the player fights Galar region Champion Leon. It's a stark contrast to Marnie's goth aesthetic and roots as a Trainer specializing in Dark-type Pokemon, but the background only serves to make the bright colors on Marnie's outfit stand out more.
Marnie's popularity extends beyond cosplay as she is receiving a number of high-quality collector's figures, including those from Figma and Nendodroid. Part of Marnie's popularity surely comes from her ensemble, but her restrained facial animations also likely endear her to many. Thus it's no surprise these figures come with exchangeable face plates; fans can re-enact their favorite moments with Marnie and ensure her face remains in-character.
Many other Trainers from the Galar region have inspired exciting projects. These include cosplay inspired by Gym Leaders like Water-type trainer Nessa, bringing the fashion model's distinctive design to life. Another development is the inclusion of Galar trainers in the mobile game Pokemon Masters EX, including Gloria, the female protagonist of the latest Pokemon games. While she is normally silent, the mobile game gives her a distinctive personality and dialogue. Hopefully, giving Gloria a canonical personality will inspire some exciting new fans works.
Pokemon Sword and Shield are available on the Nintendo Switch.