KowaPoke ("Scary Pokemon") was a Halloween-themed promotional event held in October 2014 by the official Japanese website of the Pokemon franchise. Its most significant feature was a set of drawings by Junji Ito, depicting the Ghost-type Pokémon Banette and Gengar.

Sep 11, 2021 · Banette being a ghost-type pocket monster makes for it being a perfect chance for Junji Ito to cross over into the popular anime franchise that has been enjoyed as both an anime and a video...

Feb 2, 2025 · While Gengar's artwork is more bold with its use of color and clear inspiration from Uzumaki, Junji Ito's take on Banette is far more reserved. This simple black-and-white design features a girl holding a doll with her eyes closed. Little does she know, Banette is creeping up behind her, preparing to strike when she least expects it.

Everyone talks about how PT (leading into Silent Hills) was a collaboration between Hideo Kojima, Guillermo del Toro, and Norman Reedus... You rarely hear anyone mention that Junji Ito was also signed on for the project. I pine for what could have been.

Oct 21, 2014 · "A doll that became a Pokemon over its grudge from being junked. It seeks the child that disowned it," Banette's most recent Pokedex entries read. "Strong feelings of hatred turned a puppet...

Banette is scary on its own. Banette as drawn by Junji Ito? Terrifying. Gengar's even more terrifying. . Thanks to a curse, a young woman is revealed to have layers of her previous skin under her normal skin, structured in layers like a nesting doll.

Oct 27, 2014 · Ito’s first take on Pokémon — part of a larger promotion called Kowapoke — featured the character Banette, also being creepy to a young woman, just less touchy.

Feb 15, 2025 · About a decade ago, Pokémon collaborated with Junji Ito, one of the anime world's most influential horror mangaka. Through Ito's perspective and his legendary style, Gengar and Banette, two of the franchise's oldest Ghost-type Pokémon, …

Oct 21, 2014 · It is that latter Pokemon that Ito, who has under his pen horror comics such as Uzumaki, Gyo, and The Enigma of Amigara Fruit, has chosen to kick off Pokemon's Kowapoke or "Scarypoke"...

In October of 2014, they asked horror mastermind Junji Ito to create a few terrifying Pokémon drawings. Ito’s Pokémon images were standalone pictures, not comics, but they still told an intriguing story. In one image, a menacing Banette stalks a seemingly innocent girl.