Pokémon has become an essential part of popular culture for over 25 years. However, this vast and rich universe is still filled with interesting details that many fans haven’t noticed. Whether you’re a beginner trainer or have been traveling the Pokémon world for years, here are 15 of the most interesting and lesser-known details in the Pokémon universe.
1. Real Animals in the Pokémon World
In the first seasons of the series, there were references to the existence of real, non-Pokémon animals. There were scenes where Ash went fishing, and characters mentioned chicken and beef. There was even an episode where Pikachu was described as a mouse. However, as the series progressed, the creators reduced and eventually completely removed the presence of real animals, making Pokémon the only animals in the ecosystem.
2. Lavender Town’s Dark History
Lavender Town in the Kanto region is one of the darkest places in the series. Pokémon Tower is a cemetery where deceased Pokémon are buried. The music in the original games was so disturbing that it reportedly caused headaches and discomfort in some children. Even more interestingly, Pokémon Tower was later converted into a radio tower in subsequent games, with the graves being moved to another part of Kanto.
3. Ditto’s Connection to Mew
A long-standing theory suggests that the shape-shifting Pokémon Ditto is actually a failed experiment during Mew cloning experiments. Evidence supporting this theory includes both being the same color, only these two being able to use Transform, having the same weight, and both containing the genetic material of all Pokémon.
4. Cubone’s Tragic Story
The skull worn by Cubone is actually the skull of its deceased mother. According to Pokédex entries, Cubone’s crying is due to longing for its mother, and the sound coming from the holes in the skull is the echo of this painful cry. This is quite a dark backstory for a game targeting child players.
5. Galar Region and UK Connection
The Galar region, introduced in Sword and Shield games, was inspired by the United Kingdom. However, a little-known detail is that the region map is actually an inverted map of the United Kingdom. Additionally, many Pokémon and character names in the game are filled with references to British culture and folklore.
6. Mimikyu’s Real Face
Mimikyu, introduced in the Alola region, is a creepy Pokémon trying to resemble Pikachu. According to the Pokédex, Mimikyu’s real appearance is so horrifying that people who see it either get sick or die. That’s why it hides itself with a Pikachu costume. Mimikyu’s real face has never been shown in the games or anime.
7. War References in Pokémon Games
In the first generation Pokémon games, the character Lt. Surge introduces himself as the “American Lightning of War” and mentions that his electric Pokémon saved his life in the war. This is one of the rare references to a real war in the Pokémon universe and adds historical depth to the game’s world.
8. Some Pokémon Are Extinct
Fossil Pokémon (Aerodactyl, Omanyte, Kabuto, etc.) are actually extinct ancient Pokémon. In the games, these Pokémon are revived by extracting DNA from their fossils. This shows that even in the Pokémon world, some species can become extinct.
9. The Origin of Raikou, Entei, and Suicune
In Gold and Silver games, it’s implied that the legendary dog trio known as Raikou, Entei, and Suicune were actually three unnamed Pokémon that died in Brass Tower. Ho-Oh revived these Pokémon and transformed them into legendary beings. This is one of the rare examples of the theme of death and rebirth in the Pokémon universe.
10. Mewtwo’s Original Designer
Mewtwo was cloned from Mew’s DNA by Dr. Fuji. However, a little-known detail is that Dr. Fuji’s reason for starting this project was the hope of cloning his deceased daughter Amber. This story was told in a segment of “Pokémon: The First Movie” shown in Japan but was removed from the Western version.
11. Unown’s Secret Messages
The alphabet-shaped Pokémon Unown found in Gold, Silver, and Crystal games actually contain secret messages in the game. By solving puzzles in the Ruins of Alph, you can read ancient writings formed by the arrangement of Unowns. These writings provide clues about prehistoric periods of the Pokémon world.
12. The Gengar and Clefable Theory
A long-standing fan theory suggests that Gengar is actually Clefable’s shadow or dead form. This theory is supported by the similar body shapes of the two Pokémon, their opposite types (Fairy and Ghost), and color palettes that appear to be negatives of each other. Although Game Freak hasn’t officially confirmed this theory, many fans accept it.
13. Real World References in Pokémon Games
There are hidden references to real-world locations in Pokémon games. For example, the Kalos region in X and Y games is based on France, and Lumiose City is a version of Paris. Prism Tower is an interpretation of the Eiffel Tower. Similarly, the Alola region is based on Hawaii, and the Unova region is based on New York.
14. Yamask’s Human Past
Introduced in Black and White games, Yamask is a Ghost Pokémon carrying an ancient human spirit. According to the Pokédex, the mask it carries is actually a copy of its face when it was human, and it sometimes cries looking at this mask. This is a creepy detail implying that some Pokémon might actually be the spirits of dead humans.
15. Eevee’s Evolutionary Biology
Eevee is one of the most interesting species in the Pokémon universe. Its ability to evolve into eight different forms makes it genetically unique. According to in-game explanations, Eevee’s unstable DNA is extremely sensitive to environmental factors, leading to different evolutions under different conditions. This is a reflection of real-world evolution theory in the Pokémon world.
While the Pokémon universe may appear childish and simple on the surface, it’s actually filled with complex stories, dark subtexts, and thought-provoking details. These 15 interesting details are just the tip of the iceberg of this rich universe. Each new game, anime season, or spin-off continues to expand this fascinating world.
Would you like to share interesting details you’ve discovered in the Pokémon universe? Perhaps you know a secret piece of information or theory that isn’t on this list!
