It’s extremely rare for a series to be able to gain even a fraction of the success that’s been achieved by Pokémon, going on to span video games, anime, live-action films, and so much more. The core tenets of Pokémon remain unchanged since the quirky series’ debut, but there have been gradual revisions that have taken place with each new generation of creatures.
Many of these developments revolve around the Pokémon themselves. There are now more types of Pokémon than ever before, and unprecedented levels of creativity are present. There’s still a lot of pressure to "catch ‘em all," but Pokémon has also gotten some opportunities to highlight both the benefits and disadvantages that wild Pokémon without trainers face on a regular basis.
10 Harsh Reality: Dangers Of Being Hunted By Trainers
The life of a wild Pokémon is full of ups and downs. It may provide plenty of freedom, but that freedom can be its own danger when it comes to the wealth of individuals who become potential threats. Pokémon Trainers or poachers like Team Rocket turn to wild Pokémon to build their parties. This turns every exchange with a human into a tense experience that could unexpectedly result in battle or a Poké Ball getting hurled at the creature, catching them off guard. It’s a stressful existence.
9 Perk: Never Being Restricted To A Poké Ball
One of the signature aspects of the Pokémon series is trainers catching Pokémon by throwing different varieties of Poké Balls at them. These balls are minuscule in comparison to the size of most Pokémon, and the physics involved with this vanishing act is never analyzed too thoroughly, but it certainly doesn’t look comfortable. A major perk that wild Pokémon can enjoy is that they never have to be confined to a Poké Ball and be forced to get removed from their natural habitats.
8 Harsh Reality: Less Likely To Gain Enough Battle Experience To Evolve
Wild Pokémon that are left to their own devices can certainly turn to battle, but it’s not as much of a priority as it is for Pokémon that have owners who consistently turn to them in battles. This increased level of combat for owned Pokémon also means that these creatures evolve more quickly and experience more change in their lifetimes.
Pokémon highlights plenty of creatures that undergo circumstances that help them evolve in the wild, but the push from a trainer to achieve deeper evolutions is definitely needed.
7 Perk: Not Being Forced Into Battles For Badges And Qualifying Rounds
There are lots of different roles that Pokémon fulfill in the series’ universe, but battling and entertainment are some of the primary applications for these creatures. Pokémon seem to get a rush from battle in most cases, but they also don’t have much of a say in the matter, and it’s their trainer that decides when they fight, how often, and against who. A wild Pokémon isn’t forced into this situation and they only have to fight when they want to and not as some exercise to win their trainer some bragging rights.
6 Harsh Reality: Less Exposure To Helpful Items
Pokémon are prone to encounter food items, like varieties of berries, while out in the wild, but it’s extremely unlikely that Pokémon will encounter more expensive and advanced items randomly in nature. A Pokémon’s techniques, a diverse party, and a solid strategy are always useful, but, sometimes, well-utilized items can be the deciding factor in battle. Pokémon can prosper from items in valuable ways, whether they’re used directly on them or equipped in a more permanent capacity. They’re not a component to overlook, even if they often are with wild Pokémon.
5 Perk: No Jealousy Over The Other Pokémon In A Party And Getting Shelved
It’s a major privilege to be one of the six Pokémon that get to represent a trainer in battle, but there’s a natural hierarchy that’s created through this selection process.
Not only do the Pokémon in the party face jealousy over their position and how often that they’re used, but neglected Pokémon can be sent away for safekeeping to be used at a later date. A Pokémon with an owner is liable to spend months stuck in a Poké Ball while they’re not in use. This is off the table for wild creatures.
4 Harsh Reality: None Of The Fame And Attention That A Winning Trainer’s Party Receives
Pokémon has frequently illustrated that, while many Pokémon Trainers focus on battles and gym badges, there are still many different avenues to push creatures, and various talent shows and beauty pageants exist that accentuate other features that make Pokémon special. Pokémon may not want to battle all the time, but it’s hard to argue with the adulation and respect that’s directed towards the winners of various Pokémon contests and certain “Pokémon celebrities.” Wild Pokémon are treated like much more ordinary, unremarkable creatures and don’t get pushed into the spotlight as often as those that have owners who support them.
3 Perk: Freedom To Explore All Regions
A Pokémon with an owner is ultimately restricted to follow them on their journeys, which is often catered towards a specific task, like collecting all of the different gym badges. A Pokémon with an owner might be fortunate enough to travel across many regions, but it’s hardly a guarantee, and plenty of Pokémon Trainers decide to remain in certain regional areas. On the other hand, wild Pokémon have the luxury to travel wherever they want, even if they’re indigenous to a specific region.
2 Harsh Reality: There’s No One To Heal Them And Look After Them
Pokémon can definitely hold their own in battle, but there’s no shame in turning to healing maneuvers to keep a Pokémon in the game for as long as possible. Pokémon that have owners will always have someone who's always there to heal them when they’re in danger or, in a worst-case scenario, take them to Pokémon Centers when they faint. A wild Pokémon has no safety net like this, and their prospects are much grimmer if they face serious damage.
1 Perk: More Opportunities To Develop Their Own Personality
A strong connection definitely forms between a Pokémon and its owner, but it’s possible for the trainer to get caught up in contests and push their Pokémon in directions that reflect their own interests rather than those of the Pokémon. Some Pokémon are born into the care of a trainer, and they never get to know a free life where they can naturally develop without a larger influence controlling all of their major choices. A wild Pokémon can just be itself and figure out how it wants to operate and not just become an extension of its owner.