>>48089143>lesser bad designI get the intent was likely to be a back-handed compliment, but I unironically think Rillaboom is a great design. He walks with an ape-like stance, he has a stylized bare-chest without having literal abs or muscle definition (and real gorilla's abs are covered by fur anyways, like him), and his proportions are perfect: not overtly muscular, but not too skinny. His arms don't look too heavy to move, but not light enough to just snap like a twig (and real Gorillas do have the same arm shape he does, including thinner fur at the joint). His hands are appropriately primitive, and while his feet aren't exactly a Gorillas, he still uses them the same way and they don't look human either (being too wide and animalistic). And his face looks perfectly like a monstrous cartoon gorilla: a stylized "v" nose, the frowning muzzle, and a furrowed brow with eyes deep in the head. But it keeps it's ears and orange face from it's prior forms as well, giving it consistency. It's leaves are also well done, not fully covering his body but giving him a distinct silhouette and making him feel more like a unique planimal. When at rest, he puts his tools away, and the drums and sticks are given reasonable carrying places in his body that also serves to justify those leaves in his design beyond just being "put grass on it because it's a grass type" (he stores the drum in his bushy hair, and he keeps his drumsticks in his leafy sleeves). And not only do Gorillas rhythmically beat their chest like drums, but music has been proven by studies to actually help plants grow, and drums were commonly used in shamanistic rituals. Plus, apes are well-known for using tools.
Conceptually, it's literally fucking perfection. A Gorilla who uses rhythms to help plants grow and fights by using his tools and nature magic. They even gave him an animation where he pounds his chest while roaring. He'd be my favorite starter if I didn't have a nostalgic attachment to Venusaur.
