Nintendo is a company built on it’s mainline IP’s. Among all the different mascot, there’s a certain group of elites. These IP’s are Mario, Legend of Zelda, and Fire Emblem. But there’s actually a fourth one, and that’s Pokémon.
Pokémon is unique in that it isn’t solely owned by Nintendo, actually, Nintendo only owns about 33% of the copyright.
Game Freak, now known as the Pokémon Company is another part own and are the main developers behind the Pokémon games. And honestly, the Pokémon Company is a rarity that has managed to stay profitable mostly due to one IP. Not many companies can survive solely by making games on one IP, but Pokémon is just that popular. They’ve been in the mainstream since 1996 and have released a new Pokémon game almost entirely annually since then. In just 22 years Game Freak has made 76 different Pokémon games. That is an insane amount of characters, writing, story details, and of course Pokémon to think up. It’s only natural that in all that time, and all those games, that some things go unanswered. Whether it’s in the games, the animated series, or even among the films, Pokémon has its share of mysteries. Some of them should have been answered 20 years ago and it’s hilarious that they still haven’t. Meanwhile, others are a bit nitpicky and can easily be ignored. Either way, if you deep dive into the Wikipedia and forums, you’ll find that the Pokémon franchise is brimming with unanswered questions. To save you some time, I’m here to tell you all about 15 Crazy Unanswered Questions in Pokémon (and 15 That Should Have Been Left Alone).
30 Unanswered: How Do Kids Survive On Their Own At 10?
Pokémon is a children’s franchise. Sure adults can enjoy it and there’s plenty of writing in it for an older audience, but at the end of the day it’s primary demographic is children.
Therefore, to make it as relatable as possible, a majority of the main cast are kids.
Children start their Pokémon Journey at the age of ten, camping, eating, and completely surviving on their own. But the question is, how? I’ve never met anyone under the age of 18 who even knows what fiscal responsibility means. So how can tiny little Ash from Pallet Town balance his checkbook?
29 Unfortunately Answered: Do Pokemon Age?
This was a sad truth to find out as a child. But Lavender Town in Pokémon Red and Blue opened the eyes of many children. Sure Pokemon may be tiny creatures with immense power, but they don’t live forever.
Turns out Pokémon get old and pass on, in fact, they most likely age relative to their species.
The answer of yes, Pokémon do pass on is tragic. But it opens up hundreds of other questions. Do Growlithes age in dog years? Do Beedrills only live about a year at most? Talk about morbid curiosity.
28 Unanswered: What Is The Penalty For Ending Someone Else Pokémon?
We know Pokémon can reach the end of their lives, they’re not immortal. We also know they can pass on from natural causes or sickness. But, what about during a battle?
What happens if there’s a particularly…different member of Team Rocket who doesn’t stop his Arbok even after your Caterpie faints?
And what’s the punishment for both the Pokémon and Trainer when that happens? It’s an incredibly dark topic to think about. But, Game Freak opened that can of worms by including Lavender town back in the 90s. So don’t blame me.
27 Unfortunately Answered: How There Are So Many Joy’s And Jenny’s
Before the Pokémon Cartoon, Nurse Joys were just assumed to be a technical holdover from the early years of the Gameboy. Game Freak only had so much time to create NPC’s and why not just use the same sprite for every Pokecenter nurse?
But once the show was created, things suddenly got weird.
Now instead of a tiny little sprite on your Gameboy, there was a fully fleshed out character. Apparently, the “Joy” family is known for their large family, and every Nurse Joy is related. While funny, what about Johto? Every other region? That’s like 100 kids Mrs.Joy, slow it down!
26 Unanswered: Why Do Pokémon Only Say Their Own Name?
I don’t know about you, but when my dog barks, he doesn’t shout “DOG” every time. And my cat also doesn’t meow with a long, drown out “caaaaat”.
Animals make noises, but those noises aren’t their names (most of the time).
So why is it that Pokémon only say their own names? I mean the easy answer is it’s adorable and great for branding. But let’s take the hyper-nerd approach instead and demand a real answer. Why is my Kadabra, who has a higher IQ than me, only able to say it’s own name? The world needs to know.
25 Unfortunately Answered: Why Are Starter Pokémon Not Easily Found In The Wild?
Since the first games, upon starting out on your Pokémon Journey, you’re given the opportunity to choose between 3 Pokémon as your first. These Pokémon have more unique designs, better stats, and are generally all around amazing. But why aren’t there more of them? We’ve seen groups of Bulbasaurs and Squirtles in the cartoon but it’s almost impossible to see them in the wild in-game.
Turns out thats simply so having a starter would be more rare, and special.
And while I understand that, it breaks the continuity a bit that your starter is the lone member of its species.
24 Unanswered: What’s The Inside Of A Pokeball Like?
While the entirety of Pokémon does bring forth many questions, one that has been around since it’s inception is about it’s most recognizable aspect. The Pokeball.
Pokeballs, are the most recognizable icon in the Pokémon franchise (other than Pikachu).
But what are they? Yes, they catch Pokémon and most likely turn them into data. But what’s inside one? How does the mechanism work? And if they actually shrink down the Pokémon, What’s it like in there? If they’re data does it simulate a “happy place” for the Pokémon? So many unanswered questions about the main feature of the games.
23 Unfortunately Answered: Pokémon Become Data Inside The Pokeball
So it’s been basically all but confirmed that a Pokémon becomes data inside the Pokeball. At least in the cartoons and games. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Pokémon actually do shrink down into the ball.
But, if we’re talking about the mainline media, they become data.
This explains why Pokémon don’t seem upset being in them for long amounts of time, or why Pikachu hates being in one. Also, it lets trainers transmit that Data to the PC in order to store all their captured Pokémon in what is essentially Purgatory. Turns out Pokémon is a lot more sci-fi than we thought.
22 Unanswered: Can Objects Become Data As Well?
But, If Pokémon are able to be shrunk down and transformed into raw data, why can’t other things?
Wouldn’t the first step in a world where this was possible be to see what else you could do it with?
Why isn’t Ash able to keep a car in a “Car Ball” on his waistband? Why can’t Gym Leaders travel the world and put down a gym building from their “Gym Ball” whenever they encounter a challenger? It seems mighty odd that such an advanced society would leave the tech alone after only Pokémon were able to be converted.
21 Unfortunately Answered: How Did Mega Stones Come To Be?
Mega Evolutions are such a cool concept. It’s very anime. To break the limiters on your Pokémon and allow it to temporarily evolve into a stronger form. Unfortunately, the reception from the fans was lukewarm at best.
But, where did Mega Stones, which allow Pokémon to Mega Evolve, come from canonically?
According to Professor Sycamore, they’re evolved evolutionary stones (fire-stone, sun-stone etc..) that have been irradiated by the energy of either Xerneas or Yvetal. While that is interesting, it makes no sense. Honestly, this mechanism could have been better received if its backstory was more, well written.
20 Unanswered: Whatever Happened to Gary’s Raticate?
In the original 1996 Red and Blue games, your rival Blue had a Raticate. This Raticate followed him everywhere and was a core part of his team up until the S.S. Anne.
After defeating him aboard the cruise ship, the next time you encounter Blue, his Raticate is nowhere to be found.
And later after that, you run into Blue in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender town. It’s assumed that he’s visiting the grave of his dearly departed rodent friend, thanks to you. This has never been confirmed by Nintendo and I’m honestly kind of glad. I don’t know if I could handle that on my conscious.
19 Unfortunately Answered: Where Is Ash’s Dad
Who is Ash’s dad Game Freak?! Who is it! It’s been like 20 years, Ash is still somehow a teenager, and we still don’t know who his dad is. How is that even possible?
Ash Ketchum has been around the world, making a name for himself, encountering Legendaries, and fighting the Pokémon League.
How has his last name not become even somewhat famous? According to his mom Delia Ketchum, both Ash’s father and grandfather are still on their own journey’s as Trainers. But if she’s willing to tell Ash that much, can’t she give him his name? Delia, you’re being too protective.
18 Unanswered: What Happened To Past Playable Characters?
If you follow many of my Pokémon articles, you’ll know I bring up the “Pokémon Adventures” Manga a lot. In each section of these comics we follow the protagonists from the games on their adventures, and even after they settle down we’ll see them appear in other chapters.
The games don’t do this as much. The only times it has was with its first two generations.
We fight Red on Mt. Silver and again Red and Blue show up in Alola. But other than that, fans have no idea where the protagonists of these games go after they conquer the Pokémon League.
17 Unfortunately Answered: What Happened To Red And Blue?
And along that same line of thought, when the Pokémon games did bring back past protags, it wasn’t in the capacity people wanted. Recently, In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Red and Blue make an appearance. They show up in the Postgame section and are obviously visiting the region on Vacation.
It’s amazing to see the characters we loved as kids, all grown up.
Kudos to Nintendo for really nailing their older designs. But, its nothing like fighting Red on Mt. Silver. To this day, that battle really felt like a passing of the torch from one character to another.
16 Unanswered: Kangaskhan Hatches With Baby In Pouch?
So obviously this issue isn’t just with Kangaskhan. But, it is the most disturbing example. Pokémon hatch from eggs, this much is known.
But because of the unique designs of some Pokémon, hatching from eggs has some weird implications.
Like the fact that Kangaskhan is born with its child in its pouch. How can a Pokémon be born already a mother/father? How are the child and parent any different in age? And this is only one example. Don’t even get me started on how Cubone comes out of the egg with its mother skull already on.
15 Unfortunately Answered: Team Rocket’s James Is Super Rich
Team Rocket is the primary antagonist group in the first couple of Pokémon games. The Rocket team we know best is, of course, the trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth.
These characters are the comedic relief of the cartoon.
But, how did they end up as criminals? Well in the case of James it’s a bit disappointing. Turns out James is a runaway rich boy from a millionaire family. He ran away because he hated his fiance and high society in general. But, when we return to James’ old life, we find the backstory isn’t as tragic as it seems.
14 Unanswered: Do People Eat Pokémon?
Alright, Game Freak it’s time to pick a side, are Pokémon food or not? It’s been a rollercoaster ride since the 90s and I want off! The cartoon nowadays would like the pretend like Pokémon are just your friends, and any edible aspect isn’t harmful to the Pokémon.
But, then Game Freak does a 180 with Pokedex entries about how delicious Krabby are and how Crabrawler claws are a delicacy.
You can’t have it both ways. Either Pokémon are friends, or they’re food. I mean do trainers struggle between catching a Crabrawler and eating it? Is this a dilemma I wasn’t aware of?
13 Unfortunately Answered: Is There A Pokémon Black Market?
For every good Trainer out there, there are just as many bad ones. Since Pokémon is already essentially dogfighting, what’s left for there to be a black market for? The answer. Plenty.
There have been a variety of criminals in the Pokémon animations and movies that use Pokémon for nefarious reasons.
There’s Team Rocket that steals Pokémon to sell to the highest bidder. But there are also rare Pokémon Collectors out there such as Lawrence III from Pokémon: The Power of One. Turns out just like our world the Pokémon universe has an underbelly where criminals can thrive.
12 Unanswered: Crime Committing Pokémon? Do They Go To Jail?
So we know that Pokémon can be put down in battle, that some Trainers commit crimes, and that there is a police force in the Pokémon universe.
But, what about the Pokémon that willfully commit crimes? What happens to them?
If a wild Pokemon is caught attacking a town, what happens to them? Is there a Pokémon Prison? Is there one for Trainer Pokemon and one for wild ones? One where they’re put in Jail Balls and kept on ice? It’s horrible to think about, but if we’re breaking down just how much in this setting has gone unanswered, it has to be asked.
11 Unfortunately Answered: Are There Pokémon That Attack For Fun?
And speaking of Pokémon with dark pasts, there are a ton of Pokémon that commit awful crimes.
Psychic and Ghost Pokémon, in particular, being supernatural in nature, are the worst offenders.
There’s Hypno who literally hypnotizes and takes children, Gengar who scares people so bad they pass on, and even Yamask who is literally the soul of a human. Ghost Pokémon are mega creepy, and while that’s part of their charm, it also is part of their curse. How can anyone keep a Yamask in their party when it could just as easily be the soul of their grandmother?
