As a concept, being a Pokémon trainer seems like an awesome occupation. Embarking on a Pokémon journey is so captivating that a simulation was eventually developed to mimic the phenomenon in the form of Pokémon Go! Interestingly, Pokémon Go! revealed a fair amount of the realities Pokémon trainers have to deal with.
Not only is it necessary to keep on the move and travel far to find different Pokémon, but trainers also need to network with each other to find rare Pokémon. Oh, and inventory space? Who'd have imagined that would become such a problem? But remember, Pokémon Go! is only a simulation, so it can't encapsulate all the in-universe obstacles the average Pokémon trainer needs to face. There's a lot more out there that poses a challenge.
10 There's No Guarantee They'll Make Money Or Win Battles
It's easy enough for the beginner trainer to get their first Pokémon from the local Pokémon professor, but once they're on the road, there's no telling whether they'll be able to win any Pokémon battles. It's true that there are plenty of in-world resources available to teach them the ropes, such as books and television shows, but theory is very different from practice. Trainers don't know what their opponents are packing until the Poké Balls have been thrown, and they might find themselves in over their heads once the Pokémon are on the field.
9 They Have To Live A Life On The Road
Someone aiming to be the region champion has no choice but to get out there and explore what their region has to offer. And if they're dedicated to filling out the Pokédex, that means they'll have to scour every last area where Pokémon can be found. It's true that Pokémon Centers can be accessed, and some cities have hotels, but chances are that trainers will be camping on the road. In fact, this reality is something that makes the addition of camping in Pokémon Sword & Shield much more enjoyable.
8 Some Pokémon Are Really Scary & Dangerous
One point that absolutely can't be overlooked is the fact that Pokémon are essentially wild animals. And on top of that, some Pokémon have questionable Pokédex entries. For example, does Drifloon really kidnap children? Because that'd be more than problematic. Ghost Pokémon aside, larger Pokémon like Garchomp can be dangerous to encounter if they're found in a bad mood.
Even encountering common Pokémon like Beedrill comes with risks. It probably takes a lot of guts for the average person to stare down a wild animal and try to subdue it, and the same can be said for Pokémon.
7 Pokémon Aren't Guaranteed To Obey Their Trainers
In the world of Pokémon, a trainer's gym badges are an indication of how skillful they are at raising Pokémon. But what if a trainer isn't able to win any gym challenges? And more importantly, Pokémon are living creatures with their own feelings and opinions. Take Ash and Charizard for example. Ash actually did have the necessary badges to earn Charizard's respect, but Charizard was stubborn about giving in. Ash had to do a lot more for Charizard to think he was impressive enough to be obeyed, and this won't be any different for other trainers with rebellious Pokémon.
6 They Might Not Have The Talent To Make It Big
Most trainers who embark on a Pokémon journey are doing it with some goal in mind. Whether it's to be a top Pokémon breeder or caretaker, the region champion, or to complete the Pokédex, they'll need a lot of grit and determination to get through. But talent also plays a role. If a trainer isn't able to win their Pokémon over or if they simply don't have the talent to win battles, it will make their goals that much harder, and their goals may never be achieved.
5 Resources Can Be Hard To Come By
In the video game world of Pokémon, trainers have access to a backpack or other bag that has a seemingly endless amount of space to fit things in. But in a real-world sense, a bottomless bag is impossible. With that said, only the most important of necessities can be taken along for the journey. Considering a lot of time is spent on the road, it's possible that resources will run out before reaching the next town or Pokémon Center. And while in-game players are lucky enough to find items conveniently scattered around the world map, there's no guarantee that'll happen for trainers like Ash.
4 They May Encounter Rude Trainers Along The Way
This is technically a rule for anyone in most places, fictional or otherwise, but for Pokémon trainers on the road, the kindness of strangers will be a welcome relief. There's a good amount of respect for trainers in the idealized world of the in-game Pokéverse so folks playing the video games don't need to worry.
One would hope that all trainers would be respectful of one another in the world of Pokémon, but young trainers like Ash have been on the receiving end of scams or disrespect more than once throughout the anime.
3 They're Separated From Friends & Family
Ideally, a trainer's companion Pokémon will become friends with them, but that's no replacement for the friends and family left behind to embark on a Pokémon journey. And depending on what goal the trainer is trying to accomplish, they may or may not have the luxury of catching a quick ride back home to visit. Loneliness is a real challenge for anyone trying to achieve something that keeps them far from home, and it takes a lot of endurance to buckle down and carry on.
2 They Might Run Into Team Rocket Or Other Pokémon Criminals
The potential for bad guys to take advantage of Pokémon has been a staple in the series from the very beginning when players (and viewers, for anime watchers) were introduced to Team Rocket. Pokémon are strong and capable creatures that will fight on behalf of those who have power over them, meaning that raising Pokémon should be done mindfully and ethically. But those who are power-hungry will do whatever it takes to fulfill their evil goals, including stealing and abusing other people's Pokémon.
1 If A Trainer Does Get Famous, They'll Have To Defend Their Title
Realistically speaking, the Pokémon journey doesn't end once a trainer achieves their goals. Instead, that leg of the journey ends and another one begins. Any champion or record holder has a duty to protect their title, especially since that title was hard-fought for. Being a top Pokémon trainer shouldn't be an exception to this, and regional champions are expected to test new trainers and their dreams to be the very best. So Pokémon champions aren't able to simply rest on their laurels. They need to continually strive for excellence.