Human
Humans (Japanese: 人 human) are a species that exist in the Pokémon world.
The very relationship between humans and Pokémon is what the series mainly revolves around, featuring them in the vast majority of games, anime, manga, and other media.
In the core series games
Humans usually live in harmony with Pokémon, in a world similar to that of the real world. Humans who own and use Pokémon for a number of different purposes are called Pokémon Trainers and are found throughout the regions of the Pokémon world. Throughout the Pokémon series, humans have befriended Pokémon and used their help in tasks like battling, Pokémon Contests, protecting nature, and other vital roles. However, some villainous teams have used Pokémon as tools for selfishness and evil.
Characteristics
Humans in the Pokémon world appear to be biologically very similar to humans in the real world. However, some humans appear to possess supernatural abilities beyond those of real-world humans, such as having Psychic or Aura powers. According to a folktale, Pokémon and people were once considered equal and even intermarried. Additionally, some Pokédex entries contain references to humans turning into Pokémon, most of which are Ghost-type Pokémon such as Gastly, Yamask, and Phantump that are rumored or stated to be the reincarnated souls of deceased humans.
Culture
The human culture of the Pokémon world, much like the technology, is depicted as revolving around Pokémon. The care and research of Pokémon is shown to be of primary importance, Pokémon feature in many forms of entertainment and media, such as movies and magazines, and Pokémon battles are an almost universal pastime. Facilities such as Pokémon Centers, Gyms, and even entire arenas and stadiums have been built to this end. So important are Pokémon to humans that they were revered or even outright worshiped in certain parts of the world, especially Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, so named because of their prominent roles in myths and legends. However, this fascination with Pokémon is not always benevolent; various individuals and organizations with motives ranging from greed to megalomania have repeatedly tried to exploit Pokémon to further their own agendas, often at the expense of the well being of Pokémon, other people or even the very world and universe itself. In addition, war is not unknown to the Pokémon world, Lt. Surge having fought in at least one. Firearms and other weapons exist, but are not used as often as Pokémon are. Ultimately, humans are equally as capable of good as they are of evil, and are able to see the error of their ways and learn from their mistakes.
- Environmentalism
Humans in the Pokémon world live, for the most part, in an extremely environmentally friendly society. Automobiles are apparently used at a minimum, with walking or riding Pokémon being the preferred methods of transportation, as demonstrated by the many traveling Trainers who have not been shown to use public transport. However, bicycles are common. Many vehicles are seen with virtually no visible emissions such as smoke, suggesting that technology may have allowed for environmentally friendly transportation. Towns and cities are often deeply integrated with the surrounding environment, and often allow surrounding forests to encroach on the city borders.
The population of humans appears to be much lower than that of the real world, as seen by the immense stretches of forest and fields, untouched by human development. There are also many examples of human developments, both ancient and modern, that have been abandoned for one reason or another that have since been reclaimed by nature and Pokémon.
- Economy
Humans in the Pokémon world exchange money for goods and services, suggesting a capitalist economy. There are very wealthy humans, some even being referred to as aristocrats, and Trainers can become wealthy by battling and winning prize money. However, full-time employment does not seem to be necessary for survival.
- History
The history of the Pokémon world is notably different from the real world, and seems to be dictated primarily between the interactions between humans and Pokémon. There does not seem to be a major world religion, but some believe in the ancient myths based around Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, so it is plausible that the population believes in Pokémon as their religion. Backing this up, most people are generally kind and respect Pokémon. Shinto shrines and crosses have both been seen. In Hearthome City, the Foreign Building appears to be a Christian church. Also, in the Pokémon anime, Brock made reference to the story of Noah featured in the Old Testament of the Bible in Pokémon Shipwreck. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Wanda and Riley had a Christian-like wedding in Verily Vanquishing Vileplume II.
- Language
The existence of foreign Pokédex entries, different Unown markings, and characters like Lt. Surge (in the Japanese anime and games), the Meister, Fantina, and Looker point to the fact that there are other languages in the Pokémon world. The Kalos region is implied as a bilingual region, with many signs being written in French such as menus, and people often drop occasional French words into sentences. The same can be said for the Alola Region, where Hawaiian words are occasionally used in sentences, and location names directly use Hawaiian words. This also applies to the Paldea region and Spanish words.
However, another explanation besides bilingualism would be the trope of translation convention, that is, when a work translates for its audience the native language spoken by the characters to an audience that does not speak their native language. In the original versions of the games (except Generations I to IV) this language is translated into Japanese, and in the English versions of the games, in English. If the original version (in the case of Pokémon franchise games, the Japanese version) already employs translation convention, sometimes a certain version is actually the accurate version, such as the English versions of Pokémon Black and White and Pokémon Sword and Shield, the French version of Pokémon X and Y or the Spanish version of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
Technology
Humans in the Pokémon world have achieved a level of technology which surpasses that of the real world. For instance, teleportation, which was made possible through the use of the Infinity Energy developed by Devon Corporation, is relatively common in the Pokémon world.
Much of the technology appears to be based around the relationship between humans and Pokémon; this technology includes the ubiquitous Poké Ball as well as data transfer systems designed to store and move caught Pokémon at their Trainer's convenience. Humans have also created artificial Pokémon and many items designed to improve a Pokémon's performance in certain activities.
Many devices to allow people to communicate with each other, such as the Xtransceiver and the Holo Caster, as well as media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication, such as television and radio, have also been developed. Additionally, personal computers are used to aid people in carrying out numerous tasks.
Apparently, this knack for technology dates back to ancient times as there are many examples of lost civilizations that utilized similar technology. It would seem strange that humans remain dominant over Pokémon, as it is mentioned in many occasions that some Psychic-type Pokémon (e.g. Alakazam and Slowking) appear to be far more intelligent and powerful than humans, however, this has not been explored much aside from Pokédex descriptions.
As time passed, humans started to use Rotom as a way of improving their technology, as seen with Rotom Pokédex, Rotom Phone, Rotomi and Drone Rotom.
Human organizations
- See also: Organizations
- International Police: A law enforcement organization.
- Pokémon Association: Handles legislation regarding Pokémon.
- Pokémon League: Regulates Pokémon Gyms and oversees the regional League Conferences.
- Villainous teams: Always human outside of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, the villainous teams would threaten the region, and serve as antagonists to be defeated. They can range from mere crime syndicates, such as Team Rocket or Team Yell, to groups with extreme ideological beliefs, such as Team Galactic or Team Plasma.
Occupations
- Pokémon Breeder: Raises and mates Pokémon for genetic improvements such as moves, individual values, and Natures.
- Nurse: Heal up fainted or wounded Pokémon, more commonly found in Pokémon Centers throughout the regions.
- Doctor:
- Instructor/Teacher: Teach School kids, boys and girls in many different Pokémon Academies all over the world. In the Naranja AcademyS/Uva AcademyV, teachers are known as instructors.
- Fossil researcher:
- Pokémon Coordinator: Raises Pokémon to compete in Pokémon Contests, by feeding them snacks used to enhance their appearances and teaching them moves designed for particular appeals.
- Gym Leader: Challenges Trainers to test if they are skilled enough to take on the Pokémon League challenge. They hand out a Badge to Trainers who defeat them in battle.
- Pokémon Professor: Researches certain aspects of Pokémon and the Pokémon world, such as Evolution and habitat. They also hand out first partner Pokémon to aspiring Trainers.
- Pokémon Trainer: Raises, travels with, and battles with Pokémon.
Ancient civilizations
Many references to ancient human civilizations have appeared in many forms of Pokémon related media. It is their existence and their interactions with Pokémon that eventually gave rise to many fables, myths and legends regarding different Pokémon, legendary or not. These ancient people didn't only leave behind stories, but ancient artifacts and even whole ruins which have since been reclaimed by nature and Pokémon. While many civilizations have been referenced, only a few have been explicitly named:
- Abyssal Ruins's inhabitants: Said to have created the burial monument for an ancient King, it features a different writing system to those seen in other ruin sites.
- Claydol's creators: A civilization dating 20,000 years ago, they modeled clay dolls after something that descended from the sky and it was given life by a myserious ray of light.
- Draconid people: A tribe of Dragon-type-users who resided in Meteor Falls on Hoenn and worshipped their Dragon Lord, Rayquaza.
- Tanoby Ruins's inhabitants: People estimated to be 1500 years old, it shows evidence of ancient Unown scripture, also seen in the Ruins of Alph and Solaceon Ruins.
- Diamond Clan: A clan who had a rivalry with the Pearl Clan and resided in the Diamond Settlement on Hisui, they worshipped "Almighty Sinnoh", who has power over time.
- Pearl Clan: A clan who had a rivalry with the Diamond Clan and resided in the Pearl Settlement on Hisui, they worshipped "Almighty Sinnoh", who has power over space.
- Galaxy Expedition Team: A team formed to together research on Hisui and its Pokémon, it is heavily implied to be the connected to a team in present time, Team Galactic.
- Ginkgo Guild: A guild of merchants who resided in their cart in Jubilife Village on Hisui.
- Celestica people: A tribe who used to reside in Sinjoh before moving to Hisui and starting to worship Dialga, Palkia and Giratina, along with Arceus, who they referred to as Almighty Sinnoh.
Human-like beings
Beings similar to humans can be found through different worlds in Ultra Space, but their true species is never confirmed in the games.
- Ultra Megalopolis's residents: An advanced civilization of blue-skinned beings who live in a lightless world. Among them are also the Ultra Recon Squad.
- Ultra Ruin's residents: A civilization of beings who live in an alternate version of Alola's Hau'oli City. Most of them abandoned the planet due to Guzzlord, with the exception of a man wearing a Guzzlord-like suit.
- Ultra Forest's residents: A civilization of elder-looking beings who live in a peaceful japanese-looking forest along with many Kartana. All known residents of this world are known as Ultra Forest Kartenvoys.
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Ranger series
A Pokémon Ranger protects wild Pokémon and their habitat from natural disasters, poachers, and others that threaten to do them harm. Using the Capture Styler, they harness the power of Pokémon in the wild to assist them in their missions.
The Ranger Union is an organization with the intention of fighting people who mistreat Pokémon and threaten peace.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series takes place in the Pokémon world, inhabited solely by Pokémon. However, in all of the games except for the WiiWare titles, the player is a human who has been turned into a Pokémon. In Gates to Infinity and Super Mystery Dungeon, humans are established to be thought not to exist by most Pokémon, existing only in children's stories.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team, a greedy Trainer grabbed a tail of a Ninetales. The resulting curse was taken by his Gardevoir, and the Ninetales prophesied that the human would be reincarnated as a Pokémon in the future during a time of natural disasters. The player is summoned to the Pokémon world by that Gardevoir to stop a falling star from destroying the world, losing their memory in the process. After meeting their partner and calling upon Rayquaza to destroy the meteor, the player leaves the Pokémon world, but decides to return when their partner pleads to Gardevoir. Decrepit Lab is also mentioned to have been built by humans.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky, the player and Grovyle were trying to solve the mystery of the paralyzed planet and traveled to the past. There, they were separated when Darkrai attacked them, and the player was turned into a Pokémon. Having lost their memory, the player washes up on the Beach and is found by their partner. After traveling to Temporal Tower and saving the world from paralysis, the player is erased from existence, but is brought back when Dialga feels the partner's sorrow.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity, many humans have been summoned from an alternate dimension to the Pokémon world by Hydreigon, the Voice of Life, to save the world from the Bittercold. However, all of them were defeated by Munna and her gang and sent back to the human world. The player was then summoned, the only human left to save the Pokémon world. After meeting their partner and defeating Bittercold, the player is sent back to the human world. Their partner later makes a wish at the Worldcore for the player to return and be allowed to travel between the human world and Pokémon world, and the player is brought back from the human world.
In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, Dark Matter once attempted to attack the Tree of Life, which would have caused the planet to crash into the sun, but was defeated due to the efforts of a human and Mew. However, they failed to completely destroy Dark Matter, so the player is brought from an alternate dimension to the Pokémon world by Mew to save the world when Dark Matter begins to rise again. Finding they have lost their memory, the player meets Nuzleaf and their partner. After traveling to the Tree of Life and defeating Dark Matter, the player realizes that at some point, they must have to return to the human world. However, the player's partner, a reincarnation of Mew, leaves the player instead, having fulfilled their role by helping to save the world. Various characters who make a cameo from previous Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games also reference other humans from those games.
In the anime
For comedic purposes, characters in the Pokémon world, particularly the Pokémon anime, are often depicted with greatly exaggerated physical strength or durability. However, this is rarely seen outside the anime.
Technology
Videophones have been featured in the anime since the original series.
Human organizations
- Pokémon Activities Committee: Organizes and coordinates Pokémon Contests and related events.
Occupations
- Pokémon Connoisseur: Specializes in identifying the compatibility between Pokémon and their Trainers.
- Pokémon Performer: Raises Pokémon to compete in Pokémon Showcases.
- Pokémon Stylist: Sketches and designs clothing and accessories for Pokémon.
- Pokémon Watcher: Studies Pokémon, their habits, behaviors, and interactions.
Ancient civilizations
- Kingdom of the Vale: A kingdom which once lived in peace with both Pokémon and nature using the power of the Dragon Force, before it fell to ruin due to war between the two princes, which resulted in the Dragon Force going out of control. Known structures linked to this civilization include the Relic Castle, built 2,500 years ago; and Dragonspiral Tower, said to be the oldest structure in Unova.
- Michina Town Ruins: Thousands of years ago Damos was granted the Jewel of Life's power, which made the area a prosperous agricultural heartland, after he rescued Arceus. Shrine ruins near Sinnoh's Michina Town remains the only evidence of the ancient society.
- People of the Water: A race of people who left behind Samiya, a sea temple activated by crystals.
- Pokélantis: A lost empire in Kanto that was destroyed by Ho-Oh when its king wanted to abuse Ho-Oh's power.
- Pokémopolis: Another ancient civilization in Kanto. Had artifacts that contained Giant Pokémon.
- In Control Freak! an ancient tablet discovered by Tierra revealed that thousands of years ago a Queen could control Pokémon within the boundaries of her own village using high frequency waves from a mask and staff. Neither the name of the people nor the civilization were given.
Trivia
- In the Battle Tower from Pokémon Sword and Shield, a female Office Worker claims to be a robot in human appearance.
In other languages
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See also
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