Gene Simmons 'flattered' by new Pokémon that looks like a Kiss member

Gene Simmons, frontman of the flashy rock band Kiss, has seen the new Pokémon Obstagoon and he is a fan.

Simmons said that not only is he very aware of Pokémon, he is flattered by the game's apparent homage to Kiss, the singer and bassist told Newsweek Wednesday.

"To see Pokémon pay homage to KISS, is flattering," he said.

Obstagoon is a new Pokémon being introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield and was revealed in a new trailer for the games on Wednesday. The Pokémon is a unique evolution of the new Galarian regional variant of Linoone and bears a number of features that make it look like it could be a part of the Kiss lineup.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

First of all, there's the obvious black and white color palette that matches Kiss' iconic look. There's also the star-like pattern on Obstagoon's eyes that are reminiscent of Paul "Starchild" Stanley's facepaint.

And then there's the long tongue, which seems like a nod to the notoriously long-tongued Demon himself, Simmons.

It's possible that the likeness of Obstagoon to one of the most iconic rock bands of all time is pure coincidence, but we won't tell Simmons, who noted that Pokémon has been a part of his life for a long time.

"Pokémon has been a part of our household for decades, ever since our kids first discovered them," Simmons told Newsweek.