Obstagoon Is Pretty Much the Gene Simmons Pokémon

Pokémon fans have often criticized the Pokémon Company for scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to inspiration for new Pokémon designs (i.e. Vanilluxe being an ice cream cone, Klefki being a key ring), but no one is complaining about the inspiration for Obstagoon, because Obstagoon is straight up mother-effin Gene Simmons.

Obstagoon debuted in Wednesday's Pokémon Sword and Shield trailer as the new evolution of the Zigzagoon line. Zigzagoon is a Normal-type Pokémon encountered early in the third generation of Pokémon games, but in Pokémon Sword and Shield, it appears Zigzagoon, Linoone, and new evolution Obstagoon will be Dark/Normal types and the preferred Pokémon of new antagonistic group Team Yell. Each of the Pokémon has gotten a bold black and white redesign that many have noted strongly resembles one of the world's most famous rock bands: KISS. And Obstagoon is the KISS-iest of them all.

With his its long tongue, spiked face paint, and bold shoulder pads, Obstagoon's similarities to KISS bassist Gene Simmons appear more than mere coincidence. Twitter users noticed this too, excitedly pointing out that finally, KISS is represented in the Pokémon games.

But not everyone thought the new Zigzagoon line was an homage to KISS. Others were reminded of another popular group known for its black-and-white face paint.

Whether you see KISS or Insane Clown Posse in the new Zigzagoon line, one thing is clear: these Pokémon are the newest badasses of the Pokémon universe (and, if you have a Fighting type on your team, they're gonna get absolutely smoked).