ThePokémonseries features countless creatures with cute exteriors and deeply disturbing backstories. On its surface, the Pokémon franchise is about joyous exploration and competition with semi-sentient animal-esque creatures with supernatural powers. However, the reality is that the Pokémon universe is absolutely terrifying when examined at a closer level. Not only is it a world where animal fighting is the pre-eminent sport, but it’s also a land where children are encouraged to go on cross-country trips by themselves while putting themselves in constant danger.
In addition to the big logical holes in how Pokémon society works, many Pokémon have frankly horrifying backstories. Not only do some Pokémon delight in torturing and feasting on lesser Pokémon species for sport, but others also have supposedorigins pulled straight out of ghost storiesthat would keep you up at night. And while some Ghost-type or Dark-type Pokémon are expected to have horrifying backstories,many cute Pokémon also have some very dark stories tied to them.
10Sandygast
First Appearance: Pokémon Sun & Moon
The Ground/Ghost-type Sandygast appears to be a humble sandcastle with a small sand trowel sticking out of its head. However,this unassuming Pokémon actually possesses victimsto help it grow. According toPokémon Moon’s Pokédex entry, “[Sandygast] takes control of anyone who puts a hand in its mouth. And so it adds to the accumulation of its sand-mound body.”
As for Sandygast’s origins, the Pokémon is actually an accumulation of the “grudges of the dead” that has possessed a child’s sandcastle. It’s unclear why the dead saw fit to take over a simple pile of sand built by a joyous child, butSandygast makes going to the beach a dangerous experiencein the Pokémon universe.
9Ogerpon
First Appearance: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet’s Teal Mask DLC
Ogerpon is a new fan-favorite Pokémon who first appeared in last year’sTeal Mask DLCforPokémon Scarlet & Violet. The adorable Grass-type Pokémon is an ogre that lives in solitude in the Kitikami region, keeping a close hold of a powerful mask tied to terastallization. Over the course of theTeal Mask DLC, players learn aboutOgerpon’s dark and murderous history.
Pokémon TCG Reveals New Set Of Prismatic Evolutions Eeveelution Mini Tins That Form A Complete Picture Together
Eevee-loving Pokémon Trading Card Game fans will soon be able to get their hands on special mini-tins featuring eight Eeveelutions.
In the ancient past, Ogerpon befriended a mask maker who made her four masks. However, a group of Pokémon (corrupted by the Mythical Pokémon Pecharunt) attacked the mask maker and killed him while stealing three of the masks. In revenge,Ogerpon hunted down the three Pokémon and killed them out of revenge, making her one of the only Pokémon to canonically commit murder. Despite having Pokémon blood on her hands, players canstill befriend Ogerponand have her fight the Pokémon she murdered in the past before capturing them.
8Dreepy
First Appearance: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
Dreepy and its evolved forms Drakloak and Dragapult are the powerhouse Pokémon of the Galar region. The Pokémon is a bizarre one, as they are technically ghost versions ofa prehistoric Pokémon species that used to live in ancient seas.Because they’re now Ghost-type Pokémon, they don’t need to eat, but they still occasionally nip at Pokémon like Clauncher out of habit.
What’s truly odd about Dreepy is its present-day behavior. The Pokémon are raised by Drakloak and Dragapult, but they’re also used as weapons by the Pokémon. Dragapult (who resembles a fighter jet) actually shoots Dreepy at opponents at hypersonic speeds. According toPokémon Shield’s Pokedex entry,“the Dreepy inside Dragapult’s horns eagerly look forward to being launched out at Mach speeds.“Presumably, that’s becauseDreepy can’t be killed upon impact, as it’s already a dead Pokémon.
7Bounsweet
Many Pokémon attacks originated as some kind of defense mechanism, but Bounsweet’s innate defenses have unfortunately backfired on it. According toPokémon Shield’s Pokédex entry, the Pokémon understandably sweats when under attack. Unfortunately,the Pokémon’s sweat smells sweet and delicious, which only draws more enemies towards it.
Multiple other Pokédex entries note that Bounsweet is considered a treat by other Pokémon species, including Toucannon and Greedent. While Bounsweet has other defense mechanisms like the ability to spin the leaves on the top of its head, these are usually useless endeavors. Based on how delicious Bounsweet sounds,it’s amazing that the Pokémon wasn’t over-hunted into extinction.
6Sliggoo
First Appearance: Pokémon X & Y
Like many other Pokémon, Sliggoo is a friendly Pokémon species that likes to make friends. However, this slug-like powerhouse Pokémon from the Kalos region has poorly developed eyesight and a small brain,so its friends often become victims of its extremely caustic slime. According toPokémon Sun’s Pokédex entry, “[Sliggoo] has trouble drawing a line between friends and food. It will calmly try to melt and eat even those it gets along well with.” Apparently, Sliggoo uses its slime to help dissolve its food into an edible form, so it can slurp up its friends after they’ve melted into sludge.
The Newest Pokémon Game Isn’t What You’d Expect, But It’s Still Surprisingly Good
A new Pokémon Monopoly was just released, with several new mechanics that make the game feel like the first true Pokémon board game in a long time.
Other Pokédex entries are very critical of Sliggoo’s evolution, remarking that its eyes are devolved and that its brain and other vital organs are all located in the small sack on its back.The only developed part of Sliggoo is its horn system, which it uses as a high-powered radar system. It seems unusual that a Pokémon would have a radar system but still can’t tell its friends from food, but maybe that’s because it just doesn’t care that much.
5Litwick
First Appearance: Pokémon Black & White
The pleasant and cheerfulLitwick and its evolutionsare some of the most horrifying Pokémon in the game. Litwick’s strange flame is not only capable of absorbing the life force of both people and Pokémon,but it also uses that life force as fuel to keep its flame burning.What’s more, Litwick pretends to be a guide to lure people closer to absorb its lightforce. ThePokémon Omega RubyPokédex states that “while shining a light and pretending to be a guide, [Litwick] leeches off the life force of any who follow it.”
This gets particularly terrifying when considering that Litwick also acts as a guide to lost children to “guide them to the spirit world,” according toPokémon Sword’s Pokédex. One has to wonder if those poor souls actually reach their destinationor if they just become fuel for Litwick’s ghastly light.
4Parasect
First Appearance: Pokémon Red & Blue
Although Parasect appears to be a pleasant Bug/Grass-type Pokémon that symbiotically combines flora and fauna similarly to Bulbasaur, it actually has a darker backstory.Parasect’s sentience isn’t from the crab-like bugbut rather the large mushroom on its back. According to the Let’s Go, Pikachu & Eevee Pokédex, “The bug host is drained of energy by the mushroom on its back. The mushroom appears to do all the thinking.”
Sadly, Parasect having its body hijacked by a parasite isa reflection of a phenomenon sadly common in the insect world.There are countless mentions of “zombie parasites” that gradually take over their host’s body and consume it from inside. Parasect’s dead eyes are likely a sign that the bug host body is also on the verge of death.
3Cherubi
First Appearance: Pokémon Diamond & Pearl
On its surface, Cherubi appears to be a pleasant fruit-like Pokémon that evolves into Cherrim once it absorbs enough nutrients. However, how it gets the necessary nutrition to evolve is absolutely horrifying. Cherubi’s design includes a second, sleeping head resting on its stalk. However, Cherrim only has one head… and that’s becausethe other head dies as part of evolution.
Multiple Pokédex entries mention that Cherubi uses the “small ball” to house nutrients, which it then discards once it evolves. However,players can clearly see that the “small ball” is in fact a second head.What’s worse is that Cherubi’s “small ball” is eaten by other Pokémon after it’s discarded, meaning that the poor secondary head is killed, disposed of, and then unceremoniously eaten after its nutrients are sucked off by the dominant head.
2Spoink
First Appearance: Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire
On its surface, Spoink just looks like a pleasant little pig with an oversized, springy tail. However,Spoink’s tail is crucial to staying alive.Pokémon Ruby’s Pokédex entry notes that “Spoink bounces around on its tail. The shock of its bouncing makes its heart pump. As a result, this Pokémon cannot afford to stop bouncing - if it stops, its heart will stop.”
Pokémon TCGP Promo Card Gives This Gen 1 Starter The Status It Deserves
Several upcoming promo cards for Pokémon TCG Pocket have been leaked and one of them gives a Gen 1 starter the status and respect it deserves.
Unfortunately, it appears that Spoink’s biological evolution was constructed so poorly that its heart can’t beat on its own. From the moment of birth,Spoink is cursed to perpetually move or face sudden cardiac arrest and death.That’s a terrifying prospect that can cause those in the know to wince when thinking of someone picking up a Spoink.
1Phantump
First Appearance: Pokemon X & Y
Phantump has some of the saddest lore in all ofPokémon—it’s literally a dead child.According toPokémon Y’s Pokédex,“according to old tales, [Phantump] are stumps possessed by the spirits of children who died while lost in the forest.“Instead of moving into the next life, Phantump gets trapped inside a dead tree and eventually becomes a tree ghoul when it evolves.
What’s more, Phantump might encourage the cycle of child death in forests. According to Phantump’sUltra SunPokédex entry, Phantump continues to imitate the voice of a child to cause people to get hopelessly lost deep in the forest. While Phantump is just trying to make friends,it causes people to get lost in the woods,with some of them almost assuredly taking up possession of a tree stump when they die. However sweet the intent, Phantump earns a place as the darkest of all adorablePokémoncreatures.
