Pokemon have been a cultural phenomenon since first debuting in the mid 1990s. With their cute appearances and fun battling mechanics in video games, Pokemon seem harmless on the surface. However, some religious and concerned parent groups over the years have criticized Pokemon for supposedly promoting violence, the occult, and other negative influences. Are these concerns valid? Let’s analyze some of the major claims about Pokemon promoting evil.
Use of Evolution
One of the most common criticisms of Pokemon is that it teaches children about evolution, which some religious groups believe contradicts biblical creation stories. In the Pokemon universe, Pokemon evolve into new forms as they grow stronger. While this game mechanic uses the term “evolution,” it’s very different from the scientific theory of evolution. Pokemon evolution is portrayed more like metamorphosis, with a Pokemon instantly transforming into a more powerful creature. Given the fantasy nature of Pokemon, most kids understand Pokemon evolution is fictitious and doesn’t conflict with their religious beliefs about how animals and humans came to be.
Promotion of Violence
Another concern is that Pokemon encourages animal fighting and violence. In the video games, Pokemon battles are integral gameplay. But these battles are portrayed in a very cartoonish manner, with Pokemon fainting and then recovering with no long term injuries. Most Pokemon also appear to enjoy battling, treating it like a friendly competitive sport. So while battling is a core game activity, it’s presented in a lighthearted, non-realistic way. And the Pokemon anime and movies focus much more on themes of friendship, teamwork and adventure rather than violence.
Occult Influences
Some religious conservatives have characterized Pokemon as occult or satanic primarily because some Pokemon have psychic powers or magical abilities. They also point to the type matchups in the games, with psychic and ghost type Pokemon having advantages over others. However, these elements are common in children’s fantasy fiction and mythologies worldwide. The magical aspects allow for creative gameplay mechanics and fantasy adventure storylines. But Pokemon does not actually teach or promote any real-world occult practices. And most children can distinguish fact from fiction to know Pokemon powers aren’t real.
Addictive “Gotta Catch Em All” Slogan
Others argue the Pokemon slogan “Gotta Catch Em All” promotes an unhealthy addictive attitude towards always acquiring more possessions. While it’s theoretically possible kids could become obsessed with catching Pokemon, there’s little evidence this slogan has caused widespread issues. The slogan is clearly intended as an enthusiastic tagline to excite kids about the many interesting Pokemon rather than materialism. Most kids enjoy Pokemon as one hobby among many others in moderation. And the collection aspects can help satisfy a child’s natural curiosity about cataloguing different animals and creatures.
Distraction from School/Religion
Some parents and religious leaders consider Pokemon a time-wasting distraction that detracts from more important priorities like school and religion. It’s true kids may sometimes overindulge in Pokemon related media and games at the expense of responsibilities. But the same argument has been levied at everything from comic books to rock music over the decades. In moderation, Pokemon provides entertainment and even social connections with peers. Completely banning Pokemon usually backfires, while discussing time management and balance is better parenting.
Subliminal/Hidden Messages
Over the years, some Pokemon videos and games have allegedly contained subliminal messages through backwards audio masking or visual flashes. While a few debatable examples exist, most have reasonable explanations or are hoaxes. Game Freak has no incentive to hide sinister messages which would seriously damage their brand if uncovered. And given the billions of Pokemon media consumed, a few coincidental audio/visual anomalies are statistically likely. Overall there’s no solid proof Pokemon media deliberately contains real hidden messages.
Potential Seizure Triggers (Porygon Episode)
In one heavily publicized incident, a 1997 Pokemon anime episode featured flashing red and blue lights that triggered seizures in hundreds of Japanese children. This led to widespread concern that Pokemon was physically harming kids. However, the anime staff made a serious visual effects error in that single episode which they acknowledged and never repeated. All Pokemon media since, including video games and apps, goes through extensive testing to rule out any flashing or strobe effects that could cause seizures. This was a short-lived problem not indicative of the Pokemon franchise as a whole.
So is Pokemon evil? While critics over the years have pointed to various game elements as alleged proof of sinister influence, these claims generally lack solid grounding. Much of the controversy stems from generational misunderstandings, spiritual beliefs dictating that any fantasy magic must be literal satanism, or knee-jerk reactions without examining wider context. Of course parents should still make informed decisions about what media is age-appropriate for their child. But there is little evidence Pokemon promotes any seriously concerning behaviors or beliefs in most children. With its positive themes about adventure, imagination, perseverance and friendship, the Pokemon world brings more good than bad. And as long as kids can distinguish this fantasy universe from reality, Pokemon remains a wholesome childhood memory for generations growing up. I sincerely hope you find this “Are Pokemon Evil” article helpful.