Discover Lesser Known Pokemon Facts and Trivia
Looking for some lesser known Pokemon facts? These are the surprising, shocking, and simply strange tidbits of Pokemon knowledge that even the biggest, most dedicated Pokefan may not be aware of. Whether you’re a die-hard or just a passing fan, these Pokemon secrets and tidbits of trivia will send you into fits of excitement.
The world of Pokemon is vast, and over the decades since the franchise’s inception in 1996, the Pokemon enterprise – from the games to the anime – has grown to staggering proportions. That said, it’s not surprising that some of the smaller details have slipped under the radar.
From lesser-known companions to Ash’s main cast, to lesser-known facts about the games and the world itself, here are the most surprising and shocking lesser-known Pokemon facts.
The first ever Pokemon design was Rhydon
We all know that Pikachu was the first Pokemon ever designed, but what you may not know is that Rhydon – the horned, rhino-like Pokemon – was the second. That’s right, Rhydon was literally the second Pokemon ever conceived.
Rhydon was the first Pokemon to appear in the anime, debuting in the very first episode, and it is the only one of the first ever designs to still be in the series. It even has its own Mega Evolution.
Ditto may be failed Mew clones
In the anime, it’s explained that Ditto is able to transform into other Pokemon because it is the ‘best at transformation’. However, fans have also theorised that Ditto is also a failed Mew clone, since it shares several similarities with the Mythical Pokemon.
The fan theory claims that Mew was the first Pokemon designed, with Ditto coming later, since it’s ability to transform is flawed. It’s also well-known that Mew can only be obtained in Generation 1 via a glitch in the game, so perhaps Ditto was the first attempt at making a Mew-like Pokemon.
Pikachu’s name comes from Japanese phrases
The name ‘Pikachu’ has always been a bit of a curiosity for fans, but the Pokemon Company has recently revealed how the adorable electric rat’s name came about. Pikachu’s name is actually a combination of two Japanese phrases, ‘Pi’, which refers to light, and ‘Kachu’, which refers to the sound a mouse makes.
Team Rocket, Ash’s enemies, have their own signature Pokemon
In every Pokemon game, there’s a group of villains who oppose the heroic main character. In the main series of games, these villains consist of Team Rocket, a group of criminals who use Pokemon to commit crimes. They typically send out a Pokemon known as Meowth, a cat-like Pokemon with a bizarre French accent.
Meowth has its own Pokedex number, and is even a member of the ‘Mascot’ Pokedex category, alongside Pikachu. However, Meowth is unique in that he’s not a friend of the protagonist, but rather an enemy.
Pikachu and Meowth have a rivalry, as their Pokedex numbers are reversed – Pikachu is #025, while Meowth is #026.
Slowbro, with a Shellder on its tail, can devolve
While it’s well-known that many Pokemon can evolve, there’s a lesser-known feature that some can utilise called ‘devolution’. Devolution is when a Pokemon’s evolution can revert back to their previous form. Slowbro, a large pink water-type, is one such Pokemon.
The Shellder that peppers Slowbro’s body can be removed, revealing the Slowpoke underneath. Slowpoke, who first appeared in Generation 1, is the pre-evolution of Slowbro, and can be obtained in the wild in some games.
The main character in Pokemon games is often fatherless
While you may think that the main character of the Pokemon games is typically a child, without a father figure in the picture, you’d be wrong. The main character in the vast majority of the Pokemon games is either childless, or has a father.
However, there are two exceptions – Ruby and Sapphire, which are also two of the most popular games in the series. In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the protagonist’s father, Norman, is the leader of the Petalburg Gym. In Alpha Sapphire, the protagonist’s father, Brendan, is a sailor.
Lugia is a Legendary Pokemon that lives under the sea to prevent destruction
Legendary Pokemon are the rarest and most powerful Pokemon in the world, but it turns out that one Legendary, Lugia, has a very interesting backstory. In the anime, it’s explained that Lugia is a Legendary that can fly at such high speeds that it can create powerful storms. Because of this, Lugia has been locked away in the Brass Tower so as not to cause destruction.
However, it’s also revealed that Lugia is the guardian of the oceans, and lives under the sea to protect them from those who would do them harm.
Eelektross and its pre-evolutions are the only line of Pokemon
There are tons of Pokemon lines where certain members of the line are completely immune to a certain type of move.
