The Pokémon anime premiered in 1997. When viewers first met Ash and Pikachu, the young trainer from Pallet Town aspired to be the very best, like no one ever was. Twenty-four years later, he's still trying, and fans around the world are still with him.
The franchise has more than a few loose threads. The timeline of the anime is murky at best, but it goes beyond that. The Pokémon world seems too good to be true, and some things don't add up. And while fans of the franchise easily forgive these inconsistencies, casual viewers may not be so quick to ignore them.
Why Do All Nurse Joys And Officer Jennys Look The Same?
The anime treats the similarity between all Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys as a quirk of the Pokémon world. Apparently, all the nurses and officers are related, and "Joy" and "Jenny" are actually family names, thus explaining why they all look the same and share the same name.
Considering this is a cartoon about pocket monsters, it's easy to forget about these groups of women who could very well be clones of each other. The truth about them, however, will most likely stay hidden.
Why Do Pokémon Journeys Start At Such A Young Age?
Children who desire to become trainers receive their Starter Pokémon at the tender age of ten. Then, they leave their home and go on their Pokémon journey. Some want to become the Champion, while others may pursue careers as Coordinators or Performers. Characters in the anime consider a Pokémon journey as a rite of passage for children.
Why does the system allow these young children to venture into the world on their own? Shouldn't it be better to wait until they were older and more experienced? It seems cruel and perhaps even careless to send a still immature child into the world with nothing but Pokémon as company.
How Do PokéBalls Work?
Trainers use PokéBalls to catch Pokémon. The system is vague, but Pokémon basically turn into some sort of red energy before being enclosed in the PokéBall. There are numerous types of PokéBalls, each with specific purposes and advantages. PokéBalls have a pleasant environment within, but some Pokémon, most notably Pikachu, hate being inside, which raises questions about the ethics of trapping a living creature against their will.
The upcoming Pokémon Legends: Arceus will feature ancient PokéBalls made of wood and operated by steam. Perhaps the game will give some insight into how these devices work, but the truth is there may not be a factual explanation.
Why Are Jessie, James, And Meowth Still Part Of Team Rocket?
Jessie, James, and Meowth have been the main antagonists of the anime since they first appeared on screen in the second episode. Although their first appearances portrayed them as serious, determined, and decidedly "evil," their personalities suffered significant alterations over the course of the anime. Nowadays, they serve as comedic relief, their hilariously bad plans failing time and again.
Numerous times throughout their history, the trio displayed regret for their actions and sympathy for their victims. So why are they still part of Team Rocket? They take no pleasure in stealing Pokémon and are talented enough to lead regular lives away from crime.
What's The Deal With Ash's Father?
One of the many inconsistent and perhaps even sad things about Ash Ketchum is his uncertain family life. He has a loving mother, Delia, but not much else. His father is nowhere around, prompting fans to create multiple theories about his identity.
In some episodes, Delia mentions how Ash's father is still on his own Pokémon journey, meaning that this selfish man basically abandoned his family in pursuit of his own selfish desires. If this is true, then Pokémon journeys become even more questionable.
How Does The Pokémon World's Economy Work?
Although there are numerous jobs in the Pokémon world, it's unclear how the economy functions. In the games, Trainers receive money when they win battles, even in the wild, and even against inexperienced opponents, like Youngsters and Tubers.
Furthermore, and considering Pokémon can easily outperform any human, is there any need for actual human labor? Healthcare is also free, and advanced technology is available in nearly every part of this world. How does it all work? Who finances all these things?
Why Is Pikachu So Inconsistent?
Pikachu has been Ash's main Pokémon from day one. Together, they went through numerous adventures and challenges and always managed to come out on top. All in all, the electric mouse should be Ash's most powerful Pokémon, considering their time together and Pikachu's place in Ash's team.
Yet, Pikachu's strength drastically varies over the course of the anime, sometimes from episode to episode. Fans will never forget how Pikachu, Ash's so-called main Pokémon for the past four seasons, loses against Trip's Snivy in the first episode of Black & White.
Why Did It Take So Long For Ash To Become A Champion?
From day one, Ash desires to become a Pokémon Master. He goes on his journey hoping to become the very best and challenges every Gym and Pokémon League in the process. Yet, he never actually wins, despite coming frustratingly close several times.
Many fans think Ash should've won the Kalos League. It would be until Alola that Ash finally became a Pokémon League Champion. The anime is careless and inconsistent with Ash's ability as a Trainer but seeing him lose the Sinnoh and Kalos Leagues was especially tough.
Why Is Ash Still 10?
This is truly a mystery for the ages. Why is Ash still ten, even after all these years? The anime never outright says its protagonist doesn't age, but it doesn't take a lot of analyzing to understand it.
Fans continue to postulate theories as to why Ash doesn't grow older. Some say the boy wished to forever be on a Pokémon journey in the first episode, and the Legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh granted his wish. Others say the Black & White anime was a reboot and the start of a new journey for Ash. Whatever the reason, this young Trainer may have found the secret of eternal youth.
Is It Cruel To Make Pokémon Fight Each Other?
Pokémon battles are the franchise's bread and butter. The anime constantly states that Trainers and their Pokémon share an unbreakable bond that strengthens both.
However, many fans wonder if it's cruel to put these creatures to fight each other. Pokémon live peacefully in the wild, hardly ever engaging in battles with each other. Why is it okay for Trainers, then, to make them fight? These questions sometimes make their way to the games, but the answer is never satisfactory.