Across the world, trainers have fallen head over heels for Pokémon. Whether as trusted battle companions, adorable digital pets, or even just iconic collectibles, Pokémon have cemented themselves in the hearts of millions. We have raced through forests, scaled mountains, and surfed oceans to catch them all.
But never have we really stopped to think about one chilling truth that the Pokémon universe itself quietly confirms: Pokémon are food. Yikes! It's a realization that feels almost like biting into a delicious treat, only to discover it has a sour face.
Evidence of Pokémon being part of the culinary world has appeared in the games and anime for years. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, players whip up curries that suspiciously include ingredients like "Fancy Apple" and "Pack of Potatoes" that somehow seem... very Pokémon-adjacent. Veluza, a fish-like Pokémon from Scarlet and Violet, literally sheds parts of its body to attack, and yes, people apparently eat it.
Remember the notorious Slowpoke tail scandal? In Gold and Silver, shady individuals sold Slowpoke tails as gourmet delicacies and ate them as curry meat in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
The anime does not shy away either. In one episode, Ash and friends happily snack on roasted Magikarp, and in another, Farfetch’d is described as a Pokémon that was once nearly hunted to extinction because it tasted great when cooked with leeks.
These examples are like hidden ingredients sprinkled throughout the franchise, only noticed if you dare to read the fine print.
Yet the thought feels utterly unfathomable. Pokémon are not just pixels or plushies. They are living, breathing friends. How could anyone take a bite out of Wooloo’s fluffy fleece or consider munching on a Pidgey drumstick?
Pokémon designs are crafted to tug at every emotional heartstring. They are adorable, majestic, and sometimes even absurdly charming. How do you explain eating something like a Goomy, who is basically a living blob of goo with wide, trusting eyes? Or a Mareep, who looks like it would rather give you a warm hug than be served at dinner?
The thought alone feels like watching a horror movie where your beloved dog is turned into stew. Simply put, Pokémon are more than just creatures — they are companions, and our bond with them is too strong to see them as mere meals.
But grim as it sounds, the world of Pokémon operates much like ours. Just as humans coexist with and consume animals, Pokémon, too, have their place on the food chain.
If there are fishermen, farmers, and chefs in the Pokémon world, it stands to reason that Pokémon are on the menu. The Pokédex entries and stories suggest that while some Pokémon are loved and cherished, others might be, well, enjoyed with a side of spicy sauce.
Perhaps it's a concept we, as trainers, must accept. Pokémon are not just partners but also part of the natural cycle of life in their universe.
So next time you bite into a heaping plate of Alcremie pie or dig into a Slowpoke tail curry, just remember, it is a Gastly thought, but very much a reality. Pokémon might be caught, trained, and battled, but sometimes they are also sautéed, grilled, and served. Looks like catching them all might just mean catching them for dinner too. Bon Appétit, trainers!