Animals in the Pokémon world
|
This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. |
Real-world animals have been mentioned more than once to exist in the world of Pokémon. Most often, they are mentioned in relation to a Pokémon species. For example, Pikachu is known as the "Mouse Pokémon" and was directly referred to in the anime as an "electric mouse", hinting that real-world mice exist in the Pokémon world. Other than this, all other mentions of animals, aside from humans, are rare. As a result, it is unknown how humans originated, as other real-world primates have not been mentioned.
In the games
- A few Pokédex entries have mentioned the existence of real-world animals, mostly in Generation I.
- In both Raichu's and Gastly's Pokédex entries in FireRed, Indian Elephants are mentioned.
- In several of Bellsprout's Pokédex Entries, it is said that it preys on insects.
- Victreebel are mentioned to use the Sweet Aroma of its honey to lure prey such as bugs, as well as large animals.
- Horsea is said to prey on bugs in several of its Pokédex entries. It is also mentioned to build its nest in the shade of Coral and using it to as an anchor to avoid being washed away.
- Lickitung's Red, Blue, and LeafGreen Pokédex entries mentions it can extend its tongue like a chameleon.
- In Red, Blue, and Yellow Versions, the player makes a comment about crabs while aboard the S.S. Anne.
- In Red, Blue, and Yellow Versions, FireRed and LeafGreen Versions, a Sailor mentions that jellyfish sometimes drift aboard the S.S. Anne.
- In Red, Blue, and Yellow, FireRed and LeafGreen Versions, a chef aboard the S.S. Anne says "Er-hem! Indeed I am le CHEF! Le main course is Eels au Barbecue!" He also speaks of a "Salad le salmon" and a beef/veal dish.
- In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, a man in Celadon City wonders if his Poliwrath will ever evolve into a frog Pokémon, indicating he has knowledge of regular frogs and tadpoles.
- In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, barnacles can be seen in underwater areas.
- In Black and White a Trainer in the Battle Subway says he is so obsessed with Pokémon that his wife is as mad as a hornet.
In the anime
Animals have been seen in the anime. They were more common in the original series as there weren't as many Pokémon species introduced at the time. A picture book based on the Pokémon anime once featured a dog walking past Ash and his friends, and a piece of concept art of the residents of Pallet Town featured a cat. Birds can also occasionally be heard in the background. Foods that contain meat products, such as hamburgers and chicken are often seen.
Animal appearances have become less frequent as more Pokémon have been added to take their places.
- Misty is scared when she sees a Caterpie, and Ash tries to calm her down by reminding her that it's a Bug-type Pokémon rather than a "real" bug.
- Pidgeotto is seen eating a regular worm before being captured by Ash.
- Fish can be seen in the fish tanks inside the Gym. They have made later appearances featuring the Cerulean Gym.
- After Ash, Misty, and Brock fall into the Squirtle Squad's pitfall trap, a dinosaur fossil can be seen.
- More fish can be seen swimming in the ocean near the sunken St. Anne.
- Brock attempts to attract customers to a restaurant by advertising unusual animal-themed dishes, including french-fried flounder, seven-layered crab cakes, squid on a stick, and clam juice snowcones.
- Fish can be seen in the aquarium in Nastina's vision of her completed luxury hotel.
- The Tentacool are referred to as jellyfish in the episode.
The mongoose in The Ghost of Maiden's Peak
- A Gastly created an illusion of a mongoose in order to scare Jessie's Ekans.
- When Charmander lights up the room, a mounted deer head can be seen on the wall.
- One of the signs on Scissor Street features a crab.
- Santa Claus tells Ash and his friends that he has "no reindeer" to pull his sleigh, and uses a Ponyta instead.
- In one scene, James is holding a lobster.
- In the Japanese version, Gary finds an Ammonite fossil. In the dub it is refereed to as fossilized Pokémon dung.
- Meowth compares his voice to one of the chipmunks after inhaling a gas coming from a tank with a Psyduck on it.
- While Ash and his friends are looking for a hotel to stay in, a picture of a tiger can be seen in one of the hotels. Furthermore, during Gary's banquet, a fish is seen sliced up.
- While Ash and his friends are falling down the sewer pipes, several skeletons of unidentified prehistoric animals are seen.
- Miranda talks to seagulls to learn the conditions of the sea.
- There is a swordfish on Victor's wall.
- While Meowth was looking for food, he came across some fish bones. Meowth is also seen eating fried chicken.
- While Ash and his friends are resting, their elderly female host mentions the disappearance of her "muskrat meatballs."
- The characters are eating shrimp tempura.
- Meowth mentions insects.
- A starfish is seen on the sandbar.
- Real fish can be seen in the moment before a young Joy falls into the water.
Kabutops and its prey
- A fried chicken stand can be seen, as well as a chicken thigh, at the Sunflora festival.
- Meowth mentions chicken feed.
- When one of Misty's catches escapes from her fishing line, Ash says that it was probably a catfish.
- Various corals are visible underwater.
In the manga
Animals have also been seen in the manga.
- In How I Became a Pokémon Card, a cat appears in one chapter.
- In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, regular animals appear alongside Pokémon.
- In Pokémon Get da ze!, a snail appears in one chapter.
- In Pokémon Adventures, there were real-life mice, shrews and birds as Bellsprout, Weepinbell and Victreebel's prey at the Kanto Safari Zone.
- In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, the Cerulean Gym Aquarium has real-life fish and whales.
- In Pokémon Adventures, Pika is seen chasing a butterfly or a moth.
In the TCG
Numerous early Pokémon cards featured animals.
- A bird perched on a Weepinbell.
- A bug near a Bulbasaur.
- A frog next to an Oddish.
- A wasp flying near a Venonat.
- A Butterfly flying near a Squirtle, and an Eevee.
- A worm for Magikarp and Spearow.
- A crab next to an Exeggutor
- A fish near a Psyduck
- Coral near Horsea, Quagsire, and Luvdisc.
- Sea anemones near Wooper.
- Butterflies and fish near a Slowpoke.
- The shadow of what appears to be a shark is on the original Super Rod card.
- Fish, or perhaps porpoises, near a Magikarp.
In books
At least three animals can be spotted in the Let's Find Pokémon! series.
- In Let's Find Pokémon!, a dragonfly can be seen near a pond, and a worm can be seen in the beak of a Pidgey.
- In Let's Find Pokémon! 3, a Kangaskhan is eating a fish with rice.