Ok charmeleon, Ateez as Pokemon, go!
Aaahhh why would you spring this on me without warning?!?! But this was so fun, I just spent 30 minutes making shitty Pokémon/Ateez collages 😂
Lately I'm pretty fixated on the Eeveelutions (thanks, Pokopia), so I'm going with them!
I really like the idea of all of them starting as little Eevees and then slowly but surely finding their true selves thanks to the support and love they found in Ateez! 💗
I feel like the original 3 Eeveelutions must go to Hongjoong, Yunho and Mingi, aka the original trio of Ateez
Full of energy and 'spiky': his looks and demeanor don't really invite physical touch, but he secretly loves it from the right people; thrives under pressure, in high tension (voltage) situations ⚡
Bubbly and mermaid-like, he lures you in... and then surprises you with a playful and silly personality. But don't be deceived, he will drown you if it means winning 😈
Hot and explosive like a volcano 🌋, but also warm and loyal; fire-water dichotomy with Yunho (+ the coloring reminds me of Halazia Mingi, one of his best looks); fire type bc he's a Leo, THE fire sign lol 🔥
Espeon and Umbreon got introduced as a pair in gen 2, it seems fitting they go to Mother and Problem Child; they only evolve after establishing a high level of friendship: the world didn't get them, but Ateez see and love their true selves
I mean, look at those eyes 👁👁; highly intuitive (Psychic type) and caring, the perfect balance to Jolteon's hyper energetic personality, they form a great duo to take care of the whole team; despite his looks (collected, unfazed) he's actually very delicate: you must treat him gently (or Jolteon will kill you) 💜
Literally the black cat of Ateez; overly friendly but ONLY with people that deserve it, if your vibes are rancid you are dead to him (remember how much he cares about dongsaengs bowing and showing respect?), playful and mischievous 😈
Fairy-like, whimsical, usually underestimated because of his looks, people forget he's super effective against literal Dragons; only obtainable after forming a very deep bond (even deeper than the friendship required for Espeon and Umbreon): Yeosang only reveals his true self to the people closest to him/Ateez; it took years, but he's finally there 💪
(tbh I think Yeosang and Mingi could be swapped? Mingi is all cool 😎 on the outside but in private he's the magical Princess 🧚♀️ of Ateez, while Yeo looks calm and gentle, but hides the energy of a volcano 🌋)
Leafeon and Glaceon got introduced as a pair in gen 4, so it feels right that they go to the Choi 'brothers'
Mountain -> nature -> greenery, he's gentle but protective and can stand his ground; one time I heard that his parents named him San because his older sister is named Haneul (sky) and thus she's like the Sky always watching over the Mountain and I loved that so much 😭 and it solidified in my mind the idea that San is connected to nature 🌿
To everyone else he appears unfazed, untouchable, cold, but to Ateez he reveals his true Baby self, playful, pouty and cuddly (also it's hilarious that Glaceon "hides" his forehead just like Jongho lol) 💙
On a final note, Mingi being compared to Psyduck when Torchic is right there?????? A literal baby chick 🐤 with Halazia Mingi coloring!
Lil Torchic's middle evolution is Combusken and his final evolution is Blaziken, I feel like all 3 stages represent Mingi in various phases: Torchic when he plays cute and the others baby him, Combusken when he's being his chaotic self, Blaziken when he's Mr. Fix On or when he gives life advice like an old sage. Ah, the triality of man 🔥
For Hongjoong I wish I could say some sort of squirrel Pokémon, but unfortunately I don't like Skwovet nor Greedent nor Pachirisu 😕 so I'll go with Pikachu for him! I feel like he has an affinity for electricity ⚡ Pikachus enjoy cuddles from people they trust but use their electric charge to shock and keep away strangers or people that invade their personal space... tell me if that's not Hongjoong! Pikachu is also the most unusual starter Pokémon a trainer could have, and again it fits Hongjoong: the beginning of his career was quite unusual and unique!
Toxtricity is an option too, for him, Seonghwa and Mingi, since it's connected to punk rock music 🤔
... but I feel like we're going more in a "Ateez's Pokémon teams" rather than "Ateez as Pokémon" direction so I'll stop here lol
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ASK!
