The Pokémon games are one of the most beloved franchises in the past two decades. The game helped players understand strategy, companionship and has spawned into a multimedia giant with TV shows and movies. Since its initial release with Pokémon Red and Blue, there have been multiple generations and regions that have pushed the amount of Pokémon into the hundreds. However, some of the series' most iconic characters have come from the games and show, along with some of its most peculiar mysteries.
When Pokémon battles take place, they almost always take a massive toll on the creature. Some of them becoming so injured they faint. At the end of the battle, a trainer would take them to a Pokémon Center, a place that specifically focuses on Pokémon care. In the anime, the centers are always run by a kind pink-haired Nurse named Joy. Since she has been around since the franchise's start, one theorist has speculated that she is, in fact, a Pokémon herself.
In the anime, the explanation for the abundance of Nurse Joys (and Officer Jennys) is because they are all related and come from nurses' long lineage. However, other theorists have also claimed that they are clones of one another and placed in each center or town. But, this theory was almost just as quickly debunked because the number of cloning materials needed to make Nurse Joy would be more work than its worth, compared to the simplicity of her only being a Pokémon. The theory has a solid foundation considering the number of unique characters and styles found in the franchise, and every Nurse has the same style.
Pokémon has always specialized in one particular skill. These skills have included everything from the elements to spiritualism. With a range that large, healing would be well within the realm of reason. The theorist believed that because Nurse Joys are so adept at healing, that is their Pokémon ability. It also stands to reason that by working with a Chansey or her other evolutions, those abilities are buffed or compounded to make the healing even more effective. However, the theory's biggest evidence came from an idea that stemmed from an in-universe folk story.
In the Sinnoh region, a folk story brings up how Pokémon were almost exactly like humans in how they acted. However, the story takes a far more interesting turn with the last line that stated, "It was a time when there existed no differences to distinguish the two." Before the Sinnoh region came to be, it was already confirmed that Pokémon had the same or similar emotions and feelings to humans, and Mr. Mime is one of the most humanoid Pokémon in the entire franchise which only adds more fuel to the theory of Nurse Joy also being one.
The quote recognizes and helps to understand how some Pokémon are found and act like wild animals. In contrast, others are more easily domesticated and function in a similar way to humans. It's undeniable that they could learn as quickly as humans and even perform many human tasks. The coexistence between humans and pokémon is legendary, but Nurse Joy being one would prove that there is still a lot to learn in the franchise's universe.
Whether or not the theory is proven to be true remains to be seen. However, with how unique both humans and Pokémon are in the universe, it wouldn't be too far from the realm of possibility. But, no matter the outcome, Nurse Joy is still an invaluable member of the franchise who can always be counted on when there's a Pokémon in need.