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Posted by: PeachyMomo May 9 2009, 02:46 AM

Does anyone else think, "Wow. This is kind of like dog fighting or cock fighting," sometimes when they think about Pokemon battles? By no means do I think Pokemon is promoting animal cruelty, but it is a little abusive xD; Some people say they would use Pokemon to battle even if they were real. But I doubt they think about the connection between that and animal cruelty either. What do you think?

On a semi-related note, I've also always wondered... how it okay to attack humans, like how Ash attacks Team Rocket, with lethal creatures like Pokemon? Thundershock would kill them. >>; [Yes, it is fantasy, but the connection made with reality is a little gruesome.]

Also, why is it okay for Ash to catch any Pokemon he likes but not Team Rocket or other "bad" guys?

And even catching Pokemon... It could be classified as neglect and abuse. Ash and other trainers store the majority of their Pokemon in their PC, and Ash only lets Pikachu walk around with him while the others are crammed into Pokeballs until a battle or emergency [again, dog fighting? xD]. Don't you think those Pokeballs would be... not so roomy? Do you think the Pokemon can think and feel emotion still while in the Pokeball? I'd think they would get restless and bored, at LEAST, if not extremely depressed. Not to mention Ash plays favoritism.

Good thing little kids don't really notice these things.

Posted by: Ness May 9 2009, 02:54 AM

Posted by: Khyrstal May 9 2009, 02:57 AM

I think everyone's thought about the parallels as they get older. All in all, battles are dangerous for both trainer and pokemon. Imagine a stray shadow ball...

Posted by: PeachyMomo May 9 2009, 03:33 AM

Yes, very dangerous.

I've also always wondered... how it okay to attack humans, like how Ash attacks Team Rocket, with lethal creatures like Pokemon? Thundershock would kill them. >>;

Also, why is it okay for Ash to catch any Pokemon he likes but not Team Rocket or other "bad" guys?

There is so much wrong with this series xD

In fact, I am going to add these to the main topic.

Posted by: Kai Reddtail May 9 2009, 09:32 AM

I read an explanation on this on a website somewhere I think....

It's true as you get older you start to notice these things.

But also take note that animals in cockfights and dogfights are forced. They're abused or made to be aggressive. Pokemon want to battle, nobody forces them. Seriously, how is your average human going to force a pokemon to do ANYTHING? Ash couldn't MAKE Pikachu battle, that was clearly evident in the first episode. And that's just pikachu. Think of trianers trying to force a Tyranitar to battle? A Charizard? (We've seen that one too.) Not a chance. The pokemon battle because they enjoy it.

Posted by: PeachyMomo May 9 2009, 11:08 AM

Ah, that is a good point.

I've also wondered, can they die? In some of the movies, they act like the legendaries will die [Giratina] but I thought they could only faint?

Posted by: Mukumuku May 9 2009, 11:17 AM

And then you have to think about some of the other attacks... like hyper beam. How do pokemon live through these things?! It sounds pretty darn painful to me.

About the pokeballs... How do you fit a snorlax into a pokeball? Dragonite? Even something small like Pikachu would still be squashed...

Atill, it IS just a game, albeit a somewhat morally incorrect one. I'd say most people notice these things, but choose to ignore them for the sake of their happy gaming times.

Posted by: PsygnosDoraemon May 9 2009, 11:30 AM

I never thought of that ether, until someone named CheezyWeapon (Not here, I don't think, and he wouldn't bother) viewed the objective as "10 year olds who go out without adult supervision, enslaving animals in the forest or somewhere."

And yes, I'm sure Pokémon do die. Ether the battles become so lethal it leads to a fatality of these creatures, or they come to age like natural animals ether in the wild or in captivity do. The level of these creatures should not resemble indication of age, but they sure do grow quickly.

Posted by: PeachyMomo May 9 2009, 11:36 AM

Yes. I question all these things but I still love Pokemon xD But it's something to ponder, surely.

Posted by: misa acar May 9 2009, 11:41 AM

i think f those things all the time... There are a lot more thing in the pokemon TV series thats not appropetate for little kids either, i willl not point them out though... Also the show sugarcoats things to seperate them from reality, i mean team rocket should be dead, so should half the pokemon, not to mention ash, or a least a few broken bones for some of the characters... I guess the creators dont think of these things they should compare reality, they should at least make another pokemon series that does use reality for older kids(teens) who can pick these things out i think that would be neat

Posted by: Khyrstal May 9 2009, 01:39 PM

Well, pokemon battles only last until someone faints, right? So, I believe if a pokemon keeps attacking a fainted opponent, it will eventually kill that opponent. I think in a real pokemon society, using a pokemon to attack a person would be a crime. It just makes sense when you consider the power even the weakest pokemon has.


"Also, why is it okay for Ash to catch any Pokemon he likes but not Team Rocket or other "bad" guys?"

I hate that. It's the biggest thing I hate about the show. I like seeing Team Rocket grow as characters and letting them catch pokemon is a way for them to grow away from trying to steal some stupid pikachu.

Posted by: Seadragon May 9 2009, 10:55 PM

You are insane. This is a game. None of it actually happens. No one is really hurt. The Pokemon do not feel emotion or pain. They are merely pixels.

Posted by: Artui May 10 2009, 06:54 AM

I think when someone puts a Pokemon into a Pokeball, the Pokemon shrinks until removed from the Pokeball.

Posted by: Artui May 10 2009, 06:56 AM

You have a terrible imagination, dont you?

Posted by: PeachyMomo May 10 2009, 02:21 PM

Why don't you actually READ the topic?

Posted by: DragonSpear May 12 2009, 10:40 PM

I think pokemon introduces the idea of animal enslavement. In one of the anime episodes, do you really think that a rapidash would let ash on his/her back? That's like horse back riding, you whip or spur the poor animal until it gets traumatised to let you ride on its back.

Posted by: Matdredalia May 13 2009, 01:56 AM

I've thought about some of these things, but Pokemon are a lot more self-aware than animals and most of them have some level of choice in what they do. Notice how Ash gets singed, shocked, and whacked more than a few times before his Pokemon learn to trust him?

Also, if I remember correctly, Pokeballs are actually null-space pockets so they actually are quite roomy.

Posted by: Seadragon May 16 2009, 06:54 PM

Mind you, I have as a matter of fact. I just believe it's ridiculous anyone could be influenced by a game to promote animal cruelty. I also believe that no one should debate about Pokemon on a screen and question whether they die or not. It's all very ridiculous and if anything, we should debate about bigger issues than Pokemon.

Posted by: Tommeh Inuzuka May 16 2009, 06:56 PM

Well, this is all a little silly. Come on, it's Pokémon. It's described as a magical place and all that doolally stuff! xD
Animal abuse is much too serious!

Posted by: Xdogking May 17 2009, 05:26 PM

I do think it's a little much for people to call it dogfighting...

Though attacking Humans...That disturbs me. IT should Be Pokemon vs. Pokemon, or Human vs. Human. It reminds me of the Golden compass with the Daemons.

I always imagined Pokeballs as a hotel suite. Go figure.

Posted by: PeachyMomo May 22 2009, 05:16 PM

The only people taking it seriously are you - -; If you read the topic, you would have noticed, "Yes, it is fantasy, but the connection made with reality is a little gruesome." Get an imagination. God, how boring are you?

I debate serious issues all the time, so I make one Pokemon debate and you say we should debate serious issues? Annoying assumptions. Just leave instead of leaving useless, unwanted comments.

Posted by: Supreme Meep May 26 2009, 12:05 AM

I beg to differ on that horseback riding point, since that is not entirely the case. You do not actually have to whip a horse, they dislike the whip because it moves and makes noise.

Besides, I think rapidash are more intelligent than horses, and it has been suggested that all pokemon are more intelligent than any animal (Alakazam, among others, being more intelligent than humans). It would've let Ash on its back because it trusted him. To me, it did not look like there were any whips or spurs involved (or saddles, which makes me wonder how Ash actually stayed on Rapidash's back). Just a Team Rocket plot gone awry. If I remember correctly, they scared it when it was a Ponyta, Ash calmed it down, and it only became a Rapidash mid-race.

Eh-hm. I think Thundershock doesn't kill Team Rocket because really, if they died that easily, wouldn't they have already kicked the bucket when they fell out of the sky after blasting off?

It has been proven that pokemon die (all the towers with pokemon cemetaries), although causes have not been stated. Old age and disease are probably more likely to blame. Oh, and Team Rocket (in the case of Cubone's mother).

Posted by: johnrichard1991 May 26 2009, 12:17 AM

In my opinion, it's not abusive at all.
Pokemon seem to enjoy battling (if they win a decent number of times), besides, it's only a video game after all.
Don't take it too seriously, folks

Posted by: docd May 26 2009, 08:47 AM

Fissure, Guillotine, Horn Drill, and Sheer Cold are all instantly lethal

Posted by: Connie May 26 2009, 08:55 AM

I think it's just best not to think about it really. I mean you can make all those connections, but it's fantasy so normal rules don't apply i suppose

Posted by: Seadragon May 26 2009, 04:58 PM

As stated, I have indeed read the topic. And I have a very active imagination, thank you. I'm simply stating that debating about something as unimportant as Pokemon is pointless. I just stated my opinion, but it's your own fault for getting all defensive about it. I'm surprised you're so immature to say I should leave the site for merely stating my opinion.

Posted by: Pokemonmaster345 Jun 19 2009, 06:03 PM

Yeah, it's really weird how the injuries in Pokemon work. Team Rocket, for example, can be blasted half a mile away by a move that would have been lethal to a normal human, yet get up and walk away to try to get Pikachu in the next scene. However, Zoe trips and falls and sprains her ankle, and can't move the rest of the episode. Bizarre much?

Posted by: Usagi Zakura Jun 20 2009, 04:52 AM

Yeah I have thought about it. And I often joke about it XD (Had a crack crossover fanfic once where I made an Animal Cops-like group who are basically insane and accuses everyone for animal abuse when two animals are fighting, regardless if they were forced to or not).

But what I really hate is how Ash accuses everyone of being mean for not having the same strategy as him or something... Take Paul for instance, he catches several pokèmon and then releases most of them because they don't have the moves he wants. Ash accuses him of being mean TO THE POKÈMON HE RELEASED. Actually they're lucky, I'd be more worried about the poor thing he takes with him. Ash releases pokèmon left and right.
Or "You beat up my pokèmon meanie!" That's what Pokèmon battles are about. YOU do it all the time.
But hey what can you do. Ash is only ten years old (and has been for like 10 years...) so I guess I can't blame him for being childish..

Posted by: Roxas123 Jun 22 2009, 05:53 PM

Pokemon isn't animal cruelty they love to battle!

Posted by: Linda 3046 Jun 29 2009, 11:44 AM

I don't think pokémon battles and dog fighting is comparable at all. The pokémon aren't forced to battle like dogs.. It's like comparing boxing with dog fighting.

Posted by: Valkyrie14 Jun 29 2009, 11:50 AM

I was thinking about that the other day (about the animal cruelty bit) My friend and I then started a conversation on it and more. I was looking at some of the pokémon designs. They have similar features that of animals. I dont think it was meant to portayed at all in that kind of way but it does when you really think about. Still cool though. I wouldnt go out and pretend my dogs were pokémon and make them fight.

Posted by: Saix the Glaceon Jun 29 2009, 12:12 PM

well pokemon in the pc box arent actually in the box, they live in oak's back yard XD

then as for fighting, yeah they like it, its just like boxing, wrestling and karate humans enjoy it...well i do anyway (doing it not watching it of course)

and i think your right about the whole team rocket thing, like it really isnt fair that team rocket cant catch other pokemon and also no one can catch legendaries too

Posted by: Linda 3046 Jun 30 2009, 05:55 AM

Well, the reason why they don't want team rocket to caught pokémon is probably because they use them for crime or threat them badly. I think thats a pretty good reason, just like people who threat they animals badly shouldn't have them.

Posted by: Sandlion Jun 30 2009, 12:35 PM

Y'know, I never thought about it like that.

I mean, I was pretty weirded out when they had the whole slowpoke tail thing. Like, "they can actually put that in the game!?"

But here's another weird thought: If they don't have animals, just pokemon... What do they eat? xD;
More importantly, what do the POKEMON eat?

Posted by: Vanilla Villa Jun 30 2009, 12:45 PM

Wow, I've never thought about this before, 0.o and I suppose cramming Pokemon into tiny Pokeballs and then putting them inside a computer (how do you even do that?) is pretty bad, but you can't sugarcoat everything shown on TV.

Posted by: eagleblackbelt Jun 30 2009, 01:03 PM

Nah, I think that those pokeballs are pretty roomy. I think that your ideas of it being animal cruelty is messed up and makes no sense whatsoever. These animals are made for this, and the attacks don't kill people, I think that Arceus made them that way.

Posted by: exdream Jul 6 2009, 04:44 AM

I can't speak for the anime, but in the game they are just plot devices.

Your entire team of dragons and slugs can't plod around Kanto with you so they have to invent pokeballs. You can't carry 100 pokemon with you because that way, you'd never be defeated. You're supposed to try and only win with 6 pokemon. So they invented the PC, which is a convenient way of retrieving pokemon everywhere.

When a pokemon 'faints' in battle, it has battled to its best of abilities before getting knocked out. They don't say 'die' because it doesn't sound good, but obviously your pokemon HAS to go down in some way or another.

And as for team rocket... How are you gonna tell a 6 year old he can't be a pokemon master? Remember, they're selling these games to kids and they need to make the game run smoothly. I don't think they mean anything bad at all.

Posted by: sqtodd Jul 10 2009, 01:46 AM

ok well yes catching pokemon and making them fight might be mean but it seems they want it. the creators made it that way. thats why Pokemon have personality in the show

yes it wrong how ash always stops team rocket from catching wild pokemon

they are made into pure energy and put in the ball....i think

Posted by: JustNobody Jul 13 2009, 03:43 PM

Pokeballs are supposedly like space pockets, fortified with a hologram of the Pokemon's natural habitat. Or the Pokemon is turned into energy and is held inside the ball. Pokemon fighting isn't like animal fighting because they choose to do it, it's probable that the entire race has a fighting and 'pleasing the master' (like dogs) instinct. I also have a theory that Pokemon's moves are made out of energy, that only causes pain and supeficial damage to the body, witch explains how come Pokemon never bleed. It, however, when attacked enough, it can cause knockouts and even death. That's probably why Team Rocket never dies, the 'lightning' that Pikachu shoots isn't lightning at all, it's compressed energy given off by Pikachus. They probably lie on the ground frazzled for a couple miniutes then get back up and sulk. When a Pokemon is in a PC, maybe they're put into a 'hibernation' state until they're taken out? In the anime Ash just drops then off at Prof. Oak's. Bill originaly created the technology that did that, then it was elaborated on by others, such as Bebe. But I'm probably taking things to seriously. It really is just a game, PCs and Pokeballs are just plot devices......but the whole fighting thing still sends negatice moral issues to some and I think it is something that is worth discussing.

Posted by: chidori5000 Jul 20 2009, 06:07 PM

dude the difference is that the pokemon has a choice like they can run away or something dog are trained to kill sometimes and stuff

Posted by: chidori5000 Jul 20 2009, 06:08 PM

dude the difference is that the pokemon has a choice like they can run away or something dog are trained to kill sometimes and stuff

Posted by: Wonderbread Jul 21 2009, 03:14 AM

The creators of Pokemon made it clear that the Pokeballs created a virtual environment for the Pokemon to be happy in, and the Pokemon like battling, and that when a Pokemon is stored away they are free to roam Professor Oak's ranch.

Posted by: ScHiZoPhReNiC Jul 26 2009, 10:12 AM

once you think about it it is like cock fighting
you pit 2 pokemon against each other
until one "faints" (euphamism for death)
and when you catch pokemon you hurt them
when a pokeball is shaking it is because the pokemon is struggling to get out
but all in all pokemon cant kill people
ash team rocket and dawn would all be dead by electric shocks by now then
so it is not exactly like animal cruelty

Posted by: Usagi Zakura Jul 26 2009, 11:32 AM

In Special both Pokèmon and trainers end up badly injured and bleeding from time to time... I'm pretty sure they could kill to if they wanted too (even though Red got frozen in a block of ice and survived...but hey, cartoon/comic characters are like that)

Posted by: Blue Tomoshibi Jul 26 2009, 12:35 PM

"Sinnoh Folk Story 1"
Pick clean the bones of Pokémon
caught in the sea or stream.
Thank them for the meals they
provide, and pick their bones clean.
When the bones are as clean as can
be, set them free in the water from
which they came.
The Pokémon will return, fully
fleshed, and it begins anew.

^Thats from D/P/Pt
That and several times there are mentions of Pokemon being eaten. Like Farfetch'd, and in G/S/C if you check the fridge in your house, it will say "Mom's Cinnabar Volcano Burgers" or something to that extent

Posted by: FeelingThorny Jul 26 2009, 08:49 PM

....

Now that I think about it, Pokemon is alot more complex then anyone really thinks about

Posted by: CubeB Jul 26 2009, 09:17 PM

I did think about that yes...

However, there are a few things about Pokemon Battles that separate them from real life animal fighting.

One, they aren't forced. A Pokemon will only listen to a trainer it respects. (In the games this is demonstrated through badges, though in other media it's a bit more complex than that).

Next, Pokemon are much stronger and resilient than real life animals. They can die, as demonstrated repeatedly in the games through places like Pokemon Tower and Ghost Pokemon, but they rarely do so as a result of battling. All it takes is a trip to a Pokemon Center and they're patched up as good as new.

In real life, animals don't choose to fight. They're frequently starved prior to fighting, and are forced to fight by their owners. They can't choose not to fight. And if they're injured? A Vet doesn't have a magic healing machine.

For an in game example, look at the Gamecube games:
A Shadow Pokemon is a Pokemon stripped of it's free will, and forced to fight. A normal Pokemon has a free will, and chooses to fight. That distinction is why Cipher is considered evil, while Wes and Michael are both considered good guys.

Posted by: MystykFyre Jul 28 2009, 08:17 AM

I've already thought about the Pokeball thing... but there's a nice video on Youtube that made it seem better. I like to think that each Pokemon has a specialized Pokeball... The Pokemon magically shrinks so the Pokeball is the size of a castle to them, and the Pokemon has whatever they need there... I also sometimes think that maybe being in Pokeballs is like being in a little town, like maybe the Pokemon would have a gym and a theater and a park and a pool and they would all live together, and only be called out for battling. At least, that's what I think to make myself feel better when I catch a Pokemon.

But you're right, some of this does relate to animal cruelty. The Teams especially. Stealing Pokemon is as bad as stealing a house cat (or bunny), and I actually cried the first time I went into Team Galactic's labs and read the description of the Lake Trio's suffering... It's just not right.

Posted by: DragonMaiden Jul 28 2009, 03:47 PM

I've often thought of these questions. I have another question to pose while I'm at it. Have you ever seen any of the pokemon episodes with the pokemon poachers? They always try to stop poachers from taking pokemon to sell, but how is that any different from going out and catching a certain breed of pokemon because you want to trade it for someone elses pokemon? The Pokemon shows seem to promote the idea that you should only catch pokemon you have emotionally bonded with before you caught them. Also how is that right if you find a breed of pokemon you really want and you have to catch it fast or it will run away and you've had no time to "bond" with it? is it all right to catch a pokemon first and then bond with it? Ash always seems to have a bonding experience with a wild pokemon before he catches it and he seems to disagree with catching pokemon you aren't friends with. That question is kinda similar to the one with why the bad guys can't catch any pokemon they want like the good guys. For all of you calling the game just "pixels" by the way, their is a double meaning behind everything in the world, a fact you can choose to ignore or not. If we want to discuss the philosphy of pokemon we should be allowed to, and if you don't want to, that's fine just ignore our conversation.

Posted by: flashytechnique Jul 28 2009, 09:32 PM

Riding is not like that, at all. =^=
Only bad, untalented and cruel horsemen would actually use violence to break a horse. Most of the time, "breaking," which is a term used for getting a horse to take a bridle and saddle, is built around trust between the horse and trainer. A horse has a very good memory, and they would never willingly let someone they did not trust on their back. Many horses form deep, lifelong bonds with their trainers, riders, or other humans they come into contact with. ^w^ I have never used spurs in riding, and the pressure with the heel of a boot (or a light kick if necessary) is the same as someone pushing their child gently to get them to walk faster. There is nothing "enslaved" or cruel about it, unless the riders themselves are cruel.

About Pokemon, I always thought that the Pokeballs must be comfortable, otherwise trainers wouldn't keep their Pokemon in them. I guess the thing with Team Rocket not being able to catch wild Pokemon sort of makes sense, because they are most likely going to use them for bad things, unlike Ash, who just wants to be friends with them and battle with them. But there isn't much of a distinction... >.>

Posted by: Icelilac Aug 7 2009, 04:32 AM

Hmm, it makes you think. I mean, if the Pokeballs were unlike what I've always thought when I was younger, full of room, you'd think the Pokemon would rebel.

But that's maybe a reason Pikachu hates his/her(since it has never really been specified) Pokeball, and Wobbufet always pops out of his/her Pokeball, not just to annoy us.

Yeah, I think I just confused myself.

Posted by: Avu Sep 7 2009, 02:59 PM

As beforementioned, I think free will plays a lot into it; Pokemon LIKE to fight, even though they get hurt (kind of masochistic, but that's the way all of them are, so...?). Also, I don't think morality is questioned in their world, because the trainers have never had dogfighting, etc. to compare it to; that's just the way things work for them. IIRC, some people DON'T battle the Pokemon -- like that lady with Bulbasaur -- and he wanted to fight, in the end.

As for Pokeballs -- don't the Pokemon transform into like, some form of pure energy or something before they go in, and then materialize again when they come back out? I'm doubt it'd be too cramped then, though I can't speak for entertainment...xP

Posted by: Majy Oct 5 2009, 07:01 PM

On the topic of pokeballs i do remember reading some were that each pokeball has its own habitat inside. Depending on what pokeball it is.

Posted by: DuhDuhDeeDee Oct 10 2009, 07:16 PM

Well I do think that it is KIND OF animal cruelety (cantspell it!) but I dont consider it like dogfighting, cuzlike, dogfightings kindof to the death, and in pokrmon, nopokemon haz eva DIED, so yeah...

http://gpxplus.net/AmNjAwVkhttp://gpxplus.net/AmD5AmV0http://gpxplus.net/AmH4BQx2http://gpxplus.net/Amx5BQxjhttp://gpxplus.net/ZGZjZmp2ZNhttp://gpxplus.net/ZGH5AmxmBD

Posted by: Azure Butterfly Oct 11 2009, 11:51 AM

Pokemon cannot die. They can faint, yes, but they never die.

Pokemon are your inner demons. You battle them to overcome them, and catch them in capsules so you have control over them.

Pokemon like battling. It's like a game to them. They can get hurt, but they can always be healed afterwards.

Posted by: Discarded Oct 11 2009, 12:09 PM

sorry that this may sound rude, but this topic is pointless. if pokemon was real, then this question would actually have a meaning.
pokemon is created how pokemon is created. your just twisting the words around. its not like Ash in the anime doesnt say "Pikachu, were gonna be friends forever" for no reason. >_>
and pokemon is a fantasy to begin with. you cant set-up a reality debate on a fantasy subject. :/

- pokeballs were made to be comfortable. if they werent, then why would the pokemon still be with the trainer?
- in the anime, battling with pokemon is classified as a sport, and for most pokemon to evolve, they need battling experience anyways.
- pokemon learning new moves from battling is NOT like teaching an animal a new trick. example - my dog learns how to fetch. this comes in handy by giving my dog some play time and a bit of excersise. my Blastoise learns Hydro Pump. this comes in handy by putting out fires. see the diffrence?

and, as Azure Butterfly just generally classified above, pokemon cant die, because -
1) they can only faint. showing the death of a pokemon would probably be a bit too much for the anime/games.
2) violence is related to death, and they both need each other. so, if the showing of death is kept away, so is violence.

Posted by: SlightSanity Oct 11 2009, 12:26 PM

Lol wow finnaly somone notices what i notice but with the pokemon but on the note of fitting in the pokemon ball if you watch they turin into a red light so my take is they are not physically in it but just kind of like a fog in a ball but i saw a robot chicken episode(i hate that show but there was nuthin else on)but in it pikachu turns super micro sized and then he has like a whole house in it so nobody really knows so i guess you can just think whatever you feel like it

Posted by: Nari Dec 14 2009, 09:41 AM

I've thought about that before, and it does seem like in real life, some of these elements could be rather cruel. For me, I probably wouldn't want to have more than like two or three Pokemon, so that they could stay outside of their pokeballs more often with me. I always liked to imagine that inside the pokeball was a very tiny little world that accommodated the Pokemon's basic needs. Have you ever noticed how in the show, the characters barely ever have -all- their Pokemon out regularly to feed them? Maybe inside their pokeball world, they have at least some food, like berries or something, growing around.

Either way, if Pokemon were real I highly doubt I'd let my Pokemon battle. It would just be too dangerous and rather than "fainting," Pokemon would likely sustain life threatening injuries or even die. Think about a poor Pokemon like Bellsprout being consumed by a Flamethrower attack. o__o There'd be nothing left of the poor thing. xD;

So yeah, I would have a couple Pokemon to be pals with (probably Arcanine and Charmander :>), and also have them for personal protection, but I wouldn't battle with them or anything like that, for the fear that they could get hurt or killed.

Posted by: Drewdawg7 Dec 31 2009, 10:56 PM

Just a comment about the pokemon ball. It doesnt cram em in it shrinks em down into their own personal world.(If u were using sarcasm sorry)

Posted by: wenganator Dec 31 2009, 11:01 PM

I agree with everything you say, except I want to say one thing: the "bad" guys CAPTURE other people's Pokemon or Legendaries and the like by means of tools or devices. They intend to use these Pokemon for bad reasons. Ash and other "good" trainers do not. They simply wish to train them.

Posted by: Netbug009 Feb 4 2010, 03:17 AM

Pokemon, especially the anime, has gone out of the way to show that a Pokemon and its trainer work as a team. The protagonists (mainly Ash) put the Pokemon's wishes first, and antagonists (mainly Paul right now and various minor characters before like Charmander's old trainer) who treat their Pokemon cruelly are brought in to show a difference.

I also feel there's a difference because a Pokemon has a much more developed consciousness than the average animal does. It has the ability to make its own choices more rationally when it comes to human affairs. If a pokemon doesn't want to battle, it will express that, and a good trainer respects that wish.

Posted by: Chu Chu Feb 22 2010, 06:50 PM

This reminded me of when charizard didnt like ash. how did ash survive all his flamethrowers without injury >.>

Posted by: Lord Cybertron Mar 1 2010, 09:01 PM

Fighting is to Pokemon as slleping is to cats.

About the "PC" its sent to a huge professor's ranch where other Pokemon it plays/fights with are there.
And for pokeballs, i read somewhere in Wikipedia that its a HUGE Pokemon friendly world.

Posted by: Zovesta Mar 15 2010, 08:55 PM

I noticed all of your points when I was seven. Don't you give me that. =V

Thanks so much for making this thread... I agree. xD

Posted by: Darcy Wing Sep 8 2010, 10:00 AM

So, if anyone thinks this 'thing' here is expressing animal cruelty/ violence/ etc. ... I strongly believe it does not.

First, Pokeballs, as many before had said, are roomy, comfortable and is like the Distortion World, space isn't stable, but in a good way. That means the space can expand, shrink, form shapes and whatever, while keeping the Pokemon safe and sound.

Also, think about the different kinds of Pokeballs that "makes the Pokemon caught grow friendlier faster/ instantly friendly" ... for example the Luxury and Friend Ball. By just listening to those names, you could really get the impression that goes on like this, "Wow, that must be so trendy, comfortable...." .

Also, (someone might have asked this before), what does Ash, and the other guys eat? Are they complete herbivores, who eat only veggies? Are they Pokevores, who also benefit from Pokemon? Are they omnivores, that do both?

Posted by: Pidgey Pox Sep 8 2010, 11:00 AM

I read somewhere about the Pokeballs creating like a little environment for the Pokemon.
It's weird because you can buy these things at a Pokemart for a fairly low price, but that sounds REALLY advanced. Especially with the Tardis-like technology (bigger on the inside than the outside). Robot Chicken did a pretty nice parody of that.
Although some depictions say that Pokeballs are just storage systems (thus finding items in Pokeballs). The Manga seems to favor this one, as you can see the Pokemon inside of the balls, and the Pokemon is just sitting there.

I never considered them hurting each other to be much of a problem, as you can heal them with a bleepy computer machine. Although attacks like Guillotine and Spacial Rend... makes you wonder.

I think we'll see a lot of issues pertaining to these in Black & White, with Team Plasma and N. Maybe that'll answer some questions.

But it all really makes no sense. It doesn't have to. That's why Pokemon is awesome.

Posted by: RollZero Oct 17 2010, 09:52 PM

Ummm, some Pokemon have died in the movies. Latios & Lucario died. They don't show it often, as it is a kid's show.

Posted by: Glambert Oct 22 2010, 09:27 PM

I never really think about these things much, but I gotta say, if Pokemon was real, it'd be a really scary world. o_o Kids being sent out of their house at age 10 to face groups of adults with animal fighting and such... I don't think I'd be able to handle it. :p

Posted by: rileyup Jan 9 2011, 06:46 PM

theres a differnce poke mon WANT to fight animals dont have a choice

Posted by: TheSecretStaraptor Feb 3 2011, 09:33 PM

The funny thing is, this is the one thing Pokemon NEVER gets accused for. There are people who say Alakazam's mind powers are evil. And then there's the taking out of the Game Corner in Australian copies of Platinum. But Pokemon is never, and I mean never accused of animal cruelty.

Posted by: ComparativelyUnique Feb 6 2011, 12:15 PM

I'll will put it this way: who doesn't love forcing little monsters into small balls, forcing them to kill other little monsters, and also making them breed with pinkish-purple bubble gum to create stronger little monsters.

I totally think that this is basically a legal game about animal fighting. But seeing as it's a fun game and not supporting dog fights around the world (as far as I know) I still play the games.

And to answer if pokemon die, yes. The pokedex will say for ninetales, "This pokemon can live to be over 1,000 years old." This must meant that pokemon die or that wouldn't be mentioned, plus in the manga pokemon die every now and then.

Posted by: Breeder Drew Feb 10 2011, 10:08 AM

Pokemon have a choice. Real animals do not. They want to battle, they want to be with the trainer. Obviously, if they didn't enjoy the trainer's company, they could make them into a pile of bones quickly.

Posted by: DaemonicFae Aug 23 2012, 07:08 PM

Real animals don't usually want to fight unless something is wrong with them or they were specifically trained to. They differ from animals in that respect. Pokemon are also about the same intelligence as humans, to the extent of understanding our languages. Most animals, especially dogs and chickens, aren't and can't.

A lot of theories have been made about pokeballs, one I like was that they're sort of asleep when they're in them. (If that makes sense) Since they're made from apricorns, it's assumed that the apricorns could digest pokemon that touched them, and that taking apricorns off and altering them made it so that they could go back and forth between being normal and being plasma-ish without harm.

In the show, transferring them to the PC put them with Professor Oak, whatever other professor is in Ash's region, or some sort of miscellaneous property. I assumed it worked like that in the game. :'D

Team Rocket tried to steal Pokemon from people, abuse Pokemon, and capture Pokemon that were keeping the environments or city in check. They tried stealing Pikachu about a million times ffs. Ash and his friends never tried to do those things.

I always assumed that humans in the game had built up higher immunities to things like electricity and fire, since they were around things that could kill humans like us pretty constantly. They evolved to be tougher than us, or something. \o/