The relationship between Pokémon and humans–mostly Trainers–has inspired games, movies, anime, successful live-action movies, and a vast and enduring fandom. Training and fighting with Pokémon takes up a lot of gameplay and storylines. But, the question is, how exactly do they actually communicate with humans?
The source evidence is a little spotty and inconsistent; in some cases, it seems like Pokémon can’t understand human speech at all. In other and very notable cases, they can actually speak to humans directly.
10 The Usual Form Of Communication With Humans Is Their Cry
In video games and anime, most of the time, Pokémon can only cry their species’ name. But, each Pokémon has its own cry, and in some cases, it’s quite distinctive.
Pikachu is of course the most obvious example. His Piiika-Chuuuuuuuu cry when he is throwing in a Thunderbolt is different from the way he says Pika-Pi and means Ash. Piplup is another Pokémon who can make his sounds expressive with small variations like Pip-lup-lup.
9 Sometimes, Pokémon Can Speak Through An Illusion
There are a few occasions here and there where Pokémon can speak to humans via illusion, although that ability is temporary. In "Just Waiting On a Friend," an episode of the anime, a Ninetales created an illusory girl named Lokoko who could speak.
In the video games, in Lostlorn Forest, a Zoroark is able to speak to players while disguised as a male backpacker. Since neither Pokémon can otherwise speak, the ability comes with the illusion.
8 Body Language Adds To Comedy In The Anime
Many Pokémon communicate with their Trainers via body language. Once again, Pikachu is a master at using dramatic gestures to communicate with Ash. It becomes almost like a game of charades, and there are many comedic moments in the anime that stem from it.
That extends to things like the way Pikachu's expression will change in games like Pokémon Yellow Version. Each Pokémon's body language will fit its character, like the way Rillaboom's feisty nature and strength come out in his movements.
7 Psychic-Types & Some Other Pokémon Communicate Via Telepathy
Some types of Pokémon can speak directly to humans, and it’s usually through telepathy. Psychic-type Pokémon can naturally do this, as well as many of the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon such as Lugia also communicate with humans telepathically.
Ralts don't appear very often in the Pokémon universe, but they are interesting for their ability to read people's emotions, which is somewhat linked to psychic ability. In "Do I Hear a Ralts?," an episode in season 8 of the anime, Max hears a call for help telepathically from a Ralts.
6 Pokémon Can Communicate Via Intuition With Empathetic Trainers
Trainers who are naturally empathetic, or who, through experience, come to know and understand Pokémon moods and emotions well, can often communicate intuitively. It’s those moments that go beyond logic and language itself, strictly speaking, while not actual telepathy.
For example, in "Saving the World From Ruins!" (an episode from season 12 of the anime), Ash understood intuitively when Pikachu wanted to use Thunderbolt. In "A Crackling Raid Battle!," Goh begins to use his intuition more–and Chloe says it's because Ash is rubbing off on him.
5 Pokémon Can Speak In Special Cases In The Games
There are some instances in the games where Pokémon can talk to players, but the circumstances are limited. In the Red, Blue, and Yellow series, Copycat's Doduo will speak one line when players approach.
The Marowak's ghost is capable of speech, as is Bill when he turns into a Pokémon at his house on Cerulean Cape. In Generation II, Team Rocket's Murkrow will tell players the password to the generator room.
4 Telepathic Communication Through Another Person–Or Meowth
There are several occasions when Pokémon are able to speak via telepathy through another person. In Sword and Shield's The Crown Tundra Expansion Pass, Calyrex can talk through human characters–often Peony–to speak directly to the player.
Often, it’s Meowth who translates Pokémon telepathy/language for humans, such as in "Tentacool and Tentacruel" and "A Shipful of Shivers," both episodes of the anime. In "The Power of One," Pikachu communicates with Zapdos via a Thunderbolt, and Meowth translates for Team Rocket.
3 The Rotom Pokédex Is A Special Innovation To Make It Easier To Communicate
Rotom is an Electric/Ghost-type Pokémon whose transformations look like ordinary household appliances. He doesn't seem particularly special or at all psychic. But, in Sun and Moon, and Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, he can speak via the use of a Generation VII Pokédex.
It's an innovation that allows the Pokédex to be inhabited by the Rotom, who can then speak to humans. Rotom Pokédex are quite rare, even in the Alola region where they were first created to make human-Pokémon communication easier.
2 Some Pokémon Can Be Taught To Mimic Human Speech
It's not direct communication with Trainers and other humans in the same way that Meowth can speak to them, but in some cases, Trainers can teach their Pokémon to mimic or imitate human speech.
In "Hatch Me If You Can," an anime episode, it is revealed that Copycat somehow taught her Doduo to mimic talking. Chatot, a Pokémon that is something like a parrot, can also be taught to imitate speech. In Chatot's case, he often rearranges the sounds he's learned into his own little song.
1 Meowth Is One Of The Few True Talking Pokémon
While it’s not stated outright, it seems like at least some Pokémon can understand human speech without being taught. Meowth can speak, but in the anime, he’s shown learning the pronunciation only–not the meaning of the words, which implies he already knew that. He learned to speak the way he does by practicing.
Pikachu spoke out once in the anime in the episode titled "I Choose You!". The moment came when he thought Ash had died after being attacked by many Pokémon.