With over 25 years of Pokémon content, including the latest game Legends: Arceus, fans have created many long-running jokes and memes surrounding the often bizarre content of the franchise. In a world where most of day-to-day life, the economy, and even crime seem to be centered around Pokémon, the logic of it all is often left vague.
Fans shared their opinions on the best fan-made Pokémon memes on a Ranker post, where the ten best provided some great laughs. The memes cover jokes mostly surrounding the anime, as its characters are often the subject of affectionate humor within the fandom.
Bobafett
Combining franchises is a sure way to produce some hilarious memes, and this fan combined the anime fan-favorite Wobbuffet and the also beloved Star Wars bounty hunter Boba Fett for a strange but humorous mash up.
For fans on the internet, making custom Pokémon is not new, as many fans have used their art abilities along with the simplicity of Pokémon sprite designs to create some awesome custom monsters. Though this likely isn't one that'll make it into any games, it's funny nonetheless.
The Pokémon Theme
Fans who grew up watching the original series of the Pokémon anime will have the theme engrained in their brains for the rest of their lives, which is why this meme is so relatable. The Pokémon series shows have had some spectacular intros, but the original will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans.
The jingle is easy to sing along to, and many fans have the lyrics memorized subconsciously. The meme even jokes about the childishness of singing alone with a childhood show's theme tune but shows that the love of the theme will always outweigh any negative thoughts.
Team Rocket Disguises
The Clark Kent disguise works for Superman, so why can't fake mustaches and hilarious outfits work for Team Rocket? A lot of the time, they do! Ash and crew always seem to fall for it. This was one of Pokémon's funniest running gags and one of the most charming aspects of the anime, as it solidified the goofy deviousness of Team Rocket.
It's made more bizarre by the fact that both characters have extremely noticeable hair, and are usually still partnered with Meowth. Cartoon logic is unrivaled in absurdity, which is why it is such a great source for humor. The Pokémon anime broke the rules a lot, including in many of its battles.
Rock, Paper, Scissors
It makes sense why Squirtle's water type would put out Charmander's flame, and why Charmander's scorching fire would give Bulbasaur a rough time - but fans are left wondering why any Pokémon, in particular water, is weak to grass. The meme perfectly captures the question, with a funny illustration of Squirtle with a leaf being thrown at him.
Electric types' effectiveness against water makes far more sense, but it would mess up the paradigm of the trio. It's one idea that's so ingrained in the minds of Pokémon players that the logic is rarely questioned.
Run Away!
Any player of the games has experienced the process of running into unwanted wild Pokémon at the worst possible time. The option to run is always there, but if the player's Pokémon is under level or not fast enough, it could put them in a bad situation if it fails. Luckily, in this case, the wild Pokémon decided to run for them.
Rather than attacking, the wild Delibird proves that Pokémon are more afraid of humans than humans are of them, and gives the player a break. The meme captures the irony of why the wild Pokémon would stop the player from running away, only to do it themselves.
Who's That Pokémon?
For many fans, one of the most enjoyable parts of watching the new Pokémon cartoons as they aired was getting to guess the Pokémon silhouette the program would show during commercial breaks and guessing which one it was.
The meme gives this notion a dose of internet absurdity, joking about the game by cramming a Pikachu into Bulbasaur's silhouette. Not only is the Pikachu illustration hilarious, but the viewer's reaction adds to the comedy of it.
Health Potion
Potions are one of the most reliable items in the Pokémon games for players, as they can be the difference between making it through a dungeon, and having to go all the way back to the last Pokémon Center to run back. The earliest potions in the game heal a Pokémon for twenty health, but later on, the player can acquire bottles of water.
The bottle of water is the equivalent to a super potion, restoring 50 HP, more than double the amount of a normal potion. The meme makes light of the fact that a simple bottle of water is more effective than a scientifically engineered potion, to heal a wounded Pokémon. Despite all that, the Pokemon world is still one of the best anime worlds to live in.
Take This Pokédex!
Professor Oak is the wise elder of the Pokémon world. When a player first meets him in Pallet, they come to the understanding that he has a vast knowledge of Pokémon through years of studying and adventuring of his own, which leaves players wondering why it's their job to fill an empty Pokédex,
Logically, Oak must've filled it out or gotten close in his own journeys, but it would be a boring game if the player went into it already knowing everything. The meme is funny nevertheless, as it points out the bizarre nature of Oak's request, as it's probably something he's already done. Though, NPCs asking players to do something they could easily do themselves is what being an NPC is all about!
Plot Twist
Team Rocket are Pokémon villains fans love, so it makes sense that they feature in many of the fandom's best memes. Another example of the duos antics is displayed in this meme, as they reveal to Ash to not actually be stage Magicians, and are simply just the Jessie and James he's come to know. The meme shows how self-aware the show was, with them ironically using the line "plot twist" to show what the fans already knew.
Combining any form of media with a Friends meme is a sure way to get some love, as Joey's delayed reaction perfectly captures how Ash should be able to spot his long-time foes in their not-so-subtle disguise.
Just Use Your Pokémon
No one is exactly sure of the extent to which Pokémon abilities are used to make human lives easier, but surely if a Squirtle can be used to put out fires, they can be used to hydrate their human companions. In this particular episode in the Hoenn region, Ash and friends get stranded out in the desert.
In the meme, the viewer notes that Ash and his crew have some water types that could probably produce some water for them. Perhaps the Pokémon are dehydrated due to the climate, or maybe they only shoot out saltwater. Either way, the logic of Pokémon is unclear, and it makes for some great memes.