Ever since the debut of the original Pokémon games in Generation I, several mysteries have swirled around the franchise. What was the war Lt. Surge of Vermillion City fought in? What exactly are Ghost-type Pokémon? Some mysteries have been more or less confirmed as of now, including the truth that some Pokémon are indeed used by humans in cooking.
However, in both the original games and the Pokémon anime, several mysteries remain. Many of these questions revolve around not just the world itself, but Ash Ketchum and Pikachu. Other inquires are based on the people Ash is connected to, including his own father.
10 What Exactly Happened in Lt. Surge’s Past in the Pokémon Anime?
The Pokémon World Experienced a Mysterious War
In the present day, Lt. Surge acts as the Electric-type Gym Leader in Vermillion City, located in the Kanto region. As Ash Ketchum soon learns, Lt. Surge is not only known for his powerful Raichu, but his tendency to evolve his Pokémon as soon as possible. Raichu proves to be a tough opponent for Pikachu in the first match, even making the young Trainer consider evolving his friend. However, in the second match, Pikachu was able to defeat Raichu, and chose to remain the same.
Very little is known about Lt. Surge himself, but in the games, it is revealed he was once in the army, and acted as a commanding officer as well as a pilot. Lt. Surge also tells the player how Electric-type Pokémon saved his life in the war he fought in, and thus always wished to work alongside them. However, nothing is known about this exact war, or which regions it relates to. The Pokémon franchise has worked with the theme of war before, in both the Kalos history narrative and in the backstory of Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
9 What Do the Pokémon Diglett & Dugtrio Actually Look Like?
The Ground-type Pokémon’s Lower Halves Are Covered by Dirt
First introduced in Generation I, the Ground-type Diglett remains one of the most well-known Pokémon. A very common Pokémon in several regions, especially in caves, the Mole Pokémon tends to prefer dark places. This is because, according to the Pokédex, Diglett has thin skin, and thus grows weak in direct sunlight. At level 26, Diglett will evolve into Dugtrio, a trio of Diglett working together, as they were formed from their previous form.
Because Diglett and Dugtrio (along with their Alolan forms) are partially covered in dirt, no one knows what their true form looks like. Even in the anime, if one of these Ground-types is picked up, a clump of earth is also picked up, hiding their lower half. Even the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon franchise is aware of this odd phenomenon, with several characters in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (as well as the recent Nintendo Switch remake) surprised when they learn that Diglett does indeed have feet. The same mystery follows Wiglett and Wugtrio, two Pokémon species ecologically similar to Diglett and Dugtrio, as they are also partially covered in dirt.
8 How Did Tobias Obtain Latios & Darkrai in the Pokémon Anime?
Tobias Is the Mysterious Trainer of the Lily of the Valley Conference
In the Sinnoh region, Ash took part in the Lily of the Valley Conference, an event well-remembered due to its high stakes and narrative connected to Ash and his rival Paul. Ash’s Infernape was once owned by Paul himself, and subjected to mistreatment as a Chimchar before being abandoned for being «weak». Thanks to Ash’s kinder method of training, Chimchar evolved into Monferno and then Infernape, becoming one of Ash’s best Pokémon in history. He also managed to defeat his former Trainer’s ace Pokémon in a fierce battle, proving his former Trainer wrong once and for all.
However, a later battle would sadly be the final match for Ash in the Lily of the Valley Conference. Tobias, a mysterious Trainer based in Sinnoh, appeared with not just the Mythical Pokémon Darkrai, but the Legendary Pokémon Latios. Darkrai managed to defeat three of Ash’s six Pokémon, but was later defeated by Sceptile. However, the Grass-type and the other two team members would be knocked out by Latios, giving Tobias the win. How this mysterious Trainer managed to find both a Mythical Pokémon and a Legendary Pokémon remains a mystery, not to mention who his other four Pokémon could have been.
7 What Happened to Ash’s Father in the Pokémon Anime?
Ash’s Father Is Said to Be a Pokémon Trainer Himself
Ash grew up in Pallet Town, just like the legendary Red, and always wished to become a Pokémon Master when he grew up. His dream is constantly supported by not just his friends and peers, but by his mother, Delia Ketchum. Little is known about Delia’s own past, but she does have a major supporting role in Pokémon 3: The Movie, where it is revealed she has known Professor Oak for many years. As for her unnamed husband, even less is known about him, including his whereabouts.
Even in flashbacks, Ash’s father is never shown. All fans know is Ash’s father is a Pokémon Trainer himself, and currently on a journey to improve his skills, as he was apparently not a very good Pokémon Trainer and found it difficult to defeat the many Pokémon Gyms. Delia is revealed to meet up with her husband whenever possible, though Ash never appears to actually see him for himself, even in the anime. Any other narrative about Ash’s father, or even his name or Pokémon team, remains hidden from the audience as of now.
6 How Did Some Ghost-type Pokémon Originate?
Many Ghost-Type Pokémon’s Backstories Remain a Mystery
Every Ghost-type Pokémon is different, yet a common trait with many of the type’s species is that some Ghost-types truly are spirits. For example, the good-natured Greavard and Houndstone are the reborn ghosts of deceased dog Pokémon, and they hold no ill will toward humans and will remain loyally by their side. Meanwhile, the legends surrounding the Ghost/Grass-type Phantump say this Pokémon was once a human child who died while lost in the forest. Other Pokémon, such as Banette, are said to be misplaced or thrown-away toys come to life, seeking revenge for being mistreated.
However, there are several other Pokémon with unknown origins, whether they have always been a ghost or were once living things. For instance, the Pokémon Gastly’s backstory remains mostly unknown, with one entry in the Pokédex believing five percent of its body contains the souls of those who died due to its toxic gas. However, the remainder of its body, the gaseous spirit, is perhaps an entirely different being. Another Ghost-type, Misdreavus, loves to scare people, yet whether it was always a mischievous spirit or once another Pokémon (or even a person) remains a mystery.
5 How Do the Pokémon Cubone & Kangaskhan Work?
Kangaskhan Always Has Their Baby, While Cubone Is Always Without Its Mother
Kangaskhan, the Parent Pokémon, is never seen without its baby. This little Kangaskhan is usually always in its mother’s pouch, unless the two of them have used the power of Mega Evolution. However, the Normal-type Pokémon does not have a pre-evolution, and when it is born, automatically has a baby with it. This leaves the question of not only where the baby Kangaskhan came from, but the supporting inquiry about why there is yet to be a pre-evolution to solve the mystery of this puzzling Pokémon.
In the meantime, Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon, is always known to wear its deceased mother’s skull atop its head, trying to survive on its own. In some cases, Cubone has always worn this skull, even when its mother was alive (as seen in the anime). However, a popular theory suggests other Cubone could be an orphaned baby Kangaskhan, becoming Cubone after their mother’s passing. As time goes on, a Cubone will always evolve into Marowak, a Pokémon who, despite everything, has forged an unbreakable spirit.
4 What Exactly Are the Unown in the Pokémon Anime?
The Legacy of the Symbol Pokémon
A Psychic-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II, Unown is easily one of the franchise’s most peculiar. Very little is known about these Pokémon, with many researchers dedicating their lives to try and understand the Symbol Pokémon. What everyone does know, at least, is that Unown comes in all sorts of shapes relating to the Latin alphabet and punctuation. There have also been ancient hieroglyphs found which appear to relate to Unown, as they look just like them. No one truly knows which came first, these ancient artifacts or the Psychic-type Pokémon.
The Unown of the Pokémon world have a leading role in Pokémon 3: The Movie, adding to their overall intrigue. While researching the Symbol Pokémon, Molly Hale’s father disappears, leaving her alone. Once the young girl discovers the texts herself and summons the Unown, she wishes to create a new family with their immense power. However, the abilities the Unown carry are powers which very few can truly control, even the Pokémon themselves.
3 What Happened to the Regular Animals in Pokémon: Indigo League?
Ash Is Seen Looking at Some Real-World Fish
For many years, fans wondered if some Pokémon were actually used in cooking. In the Pokémon world, some Pokémon act as prey to other species; for instance, bird Pokémon are known to seek out Bug-type Pokémon as meals. However, whether people themselves actually ate Pokémon remained a mystery until it was confirmed in the games and anime. For instance, in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, people in Galar will use Kingler meat in their dishes, as the Water-type Pokémon is crab-like.
However, in Pokémon: Indigo League, Ash is shown looking at a tank filled with fish that look just like real-life animals. This phenomenon of real-life animals being shown in the anime is rare, but it still leads the audience to wonder how exactly that works in the Pokémon world. Meanwhile, in the original games, real-life animals are mentioned, but almost never appear. As such, it is quite possible either normal animals exist alongside Pokémon yet are rarely seen, or that Pokémon are the only animal-like beings living with humans in their world.
2 What Happened to Pikachu’s Family in the Pokémon Anime?
Pikachu Was Raised by a Wild Kangaskhan
In the first episode of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, the backstory of Ash’s Pikachu is finally revealed to fans. Long ago, when he was still a Pichu, the Electric-type was cared for by a kind Kangaskhan, and found a sibling in the Parent Pokémon’s baby. However, Pichu soon left after realizing carrying both him and the baby Kangaskhan was putting a strain on his adoptive mother. The love he had for his adoptive family caused Pichu to evolve into Pikachu, and he was later caught by Professor Oak.
Before meeting his adoptive mother and sibling, Pikachu wandered alone, implied to have lost his birth parents in the past. The topic of death in the Pokémon franchise is not something that is ignored, as there are many instances in the overall media that speak of or even showcase character death. The Pokémon Cubone is perhaps the most infamous example of this, a Ground-type based around its grief relating to its mother’s sudden death. However, how Pikachu lost his own parents remains a mystery to this day, as well as how the little Pokémon was able to fend for himself before meeting his adoptive family.
1 Where Did Ash & Pikachu Venture Off to at the End of Pokémon Journeys: The Series?
Pokémon Fans Had to Say Farewell to the Iconic Duo
Ash and Pikachu are one of the most iconic duos in anime history, ever since their debut together in Pokémon: Indigo League. The two have come a long way, especially since Pikachu initially did not care for his Trainer in the slightest. A chance encounter with a horde of furious avian Pokémon would later change Pikachu’s mind, as Ash, despite how the Mouse Pokémon treated him, refused to abandon him. This event would lead the two to become real friends, a duo rarely seen without the other.
After many seasons, Ash and Pikachu finally returned home after traveling from Kanto to Galar. The final episode of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, and thus the original Pokémon anime, has Ash flipping a coin to determine his and Pikachu’s next adventure, a journey which remains unknown to fans today. The audience has been left wondering what happened to Ash after this event, and how many years have passed since then and the start of Pokémon Horizons: The Series. Many speculate he might make a cameo in the new anime, but as of now, whether that will happen or not remains a true mystery.
Pokemon
Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.
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Pokémon
TV-PG Action Adventure Animation 60
Cast
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Rica Matsumoto Pikachu (voice)
Mayumi Iizuka Satoshi (voice)
Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.
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