What If Pokémon Existed?

Imagine a world filled with Pokémon—catching them, training them, and going on epic adventures together. At first, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But when you really stop and think about it, there are some obvious hang-ups that might make us rethink this fantasy. Let’s first explore why having Pokémon in real life could be awesome and 10 reasons it might be so great after all.

1. Real-Life Adventures

Ash’s whole thing starts off messy. He gets chased by Spearow and ends up sticking with Pikachu after the two of them barely get through it. Having real Pokémon around would turn regular days into wild rides packed with twists, close calls, and moments that really show what someone’s made of.

2. Built-In Emotional Support

Some Pokémon do more than listen. Espeon and Lucario are known for sensing emotional shifts, but it’s Pokémon 3: The Movie that drives it home. There, the Unown twists reality itself in response to Molly’s grief. These creatures are emotional companions on a whole other level.

3. Work With Pokémon

Pokémon helps out on the job. In Sun & Moon, Blissey works at the Pokémon Center in Alola to pitch in with everything from checkups to calming patients down. Having real Pokémon on the team could make work feel way less robotic.

4. Powers Everywhere

In Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys, the city of LaRousse integrates Pokémon-based technology for transport and security. In the real world, such integration could reshape urban planning and sustainability and offer more flexible systems where Pokémon amplify rather than replace human infrastructure.

5. No More Boring Pets

In Go West Young Meowth, Meowth teaches himself to talk just to impress another Pokémon. That’s not your average pet move. Real-life Pokémon would probably have deep personalities and grow with their humans, not just follow commands or wait around for treats.

6. Epic Friendships

Trust would come first with real Pokémon—they’d want loyalty earned, not expected. When Charmander’s dumped by his trainer in Pokémon: I Choose You!, Ash doesn’t command him; he rescues him. That’s what makes the connection strong from the start.

7. Global Trainer Community

Trainer communities already exist through events like the Pokémon World Championships, held annually with participation from over 30 countries. If Pokémon were real, the camaraderie seen during the Lily of the Valley Conference in Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl could become an everyday reality.

8. Pokémon Teach Life Lessons

Imagine learning trust and bravery from a Pokémon. That’s what The Power of Us brings to life—Zeraora’s fear divides people, but Ash doesn’t back down. He hangs on, proving that real strength means sticking together, even when things look rough.

9. Magical Worldbuilding

In Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, the Tree of Beginning keeps the world in balance using living crystals that heal. Stuff like that shows how Pokémon stories blend science and nature. If they were real, they’d totally shift how people see life and meaning.

10. Healing Centers Everywhere

Pokémon Centers operate without fees or delay. In nearly every region, trainers trust Nurse Joy with their partners’ lives. This recurring structure, seen repeatedly in movie and series episodes, shows a healthcare model focused on access and efficiency. Real clinics could aspire to the same.

Wishing that Pokémon were real is easy, but living with them is a whole different thing. Here's where the dream starts to unwind, one fire-type meltdown at a time.

1. Destruction

Mewtwo wrecks an entire arena in The First Movie with one blast, and that’s just him getting started. The kind of damage a single angry Pokémon can do is on par with earthquakes or hurricanes. Cities built for traffic and weather wouldn’t stand a chance against daily Hyper Beams flying around.

2. Wild Weather

A fake Groudon created by Butler’s machine causes erratic storms that nearly destroy Forina in Pokémon: Jirachi, Wish Maker. In reality, weather-based Pokémon like Kyogre, as seen in the movie Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, could throw climate systems into chaos.

3. Ecological Chaos

In the wild, Pokémon wouldn’t play nice. Grimer’s sludge could poison rivers, and Sudowoodo could mess with local forests. Nature already struggles with basic invaders. Add Pokémon like in Sun & Moon, and things might spiral fast.

4. Trainer Battles

It’s common for strangers to demand battles on sight. While exciting in fiction, this culture would be exhausting in reality. Legal disputes and public disturbances would rise, especially in urban areas. A peaceful walk to work would turn into a battlefield.

5. Unpredictable Evolutions

Some Pokémon evolve into unpredictable forms, and without proper control, the results could be dangerous. A Charizard suddenly evolving in a crowded area could wreak havoc. Evolutionary changes in Pokémon might be exciting in theory, but in reality, they could be dangerous.

6. Overcrowded Cities

Pokémon: Sun & Moon depicts Alola’s cities where Pokémon roam freely through public spaces, creating a vibrant scene. In reality, this would quickly become chaotic. A subway swarming with Zubats or Snorlax blocking crosswalks would overwhelm the infrastructure built for human traffic.

7. Ethical Gray Areas

In Pokémon: The Movie 2000, humans mess with the balance of nature, and Lugia nearly pays the price. That’s a warning. Catching creatures that think and sometimes talk would spark serious questions about control and what it really means to “own” a Pokémon.

8. Expensive To Maintain

Brock’s obsession with food and Pokémon care across multiple series hints at a deeper truth: raising Pokémon isn’t cheap. From specialized diets to healing tools and shelter, real-world costs would pile up. There wouldn’t be a Nurse Joy around every corner handing out free services.

9. Pokémon Crime Syndicates

Team Rocket might be a joke, but groups like Team Galactic or Cipher from Pokémon Colosseum show what happens when things get serious. Real-world criminals would go after powerful Pokémon for profit or control. And honestly, most law enforcement wouldn’t be equipped to handle that kind of firepower.

10. Government Pokémon Control

Shown in Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, the Kingdom of Rota once used Pokémon as military assets. The same would happen in our world. Governments would likely regulate Pokémon use and monitor citizens. The dream of freedom and partnership would quickly become a heavily surveilled nightmare.