Pokémon, despite taking place in the relatively peaceful world of magical monsters and friendly competition, still features a fair share of antagonists, including the infamous, albeit slightly goofy, Team Rocket. As is the case with many future games and anime seasons, oftentimes these evil Teams are associated with a certain type of Pokémon that they often use in battle. The most famous of these is Team Rocket's Jesse and James, who used a Weezing and Arbok, respectively. However, this association with Team Rocket only cemented these Pokémon's descent into perceived villainy.

The Pokémon series' initial negative perception of Arbok and Weezing most likely comes from a combination between their Poison-typing as well as their design inspirations, which lend themselves naturally to more destructive personalities akin to Team Rocket. While players may be more likely to catch cuter or cooler Pokémon, like making a Dog Pokémon team with favorites like Lucario, those that lack these qualities - including Arbok, Weezing, Rattata, and Zubat - are perfect fits as villains. Both Pokémon are Posion-types, something that generally has no positive uses outside harming other creatures. On top of this, the Pokémon are designed after snakes (Arbok) and poison gas (Weezing), two things that have mainly negative connotations. From these observations, it seems only natural that these Pokémon would be deemed villains - and permanent lackeys for Team Rocket.

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Pokémon's Arbok and Weezing Feature Evil Designs From Gen 1

Team Rocket's Pokemon Weezing and Arbok as seen in the Pokemon anime

Among all the types in Pokémon, Poison (especially mono Poison-types like Arbok and Weezing) seems to be the one completely focused on destruction, and features almost entirely negative connotations. In many Pokémon stories, this isn't necessarily a type fitting of a hero, as slowly withering away an enemy with slow Toxic and Poison damage isn't seen as a heroic tactic. Though many Pokémon can strangely learn the ability Toxic, the move is a Poison-type ability and is one of the main abilities the type has. Although the player can choose to use any type and tactics they want, and Ash has used Poison-types in the past, namely Bulbasaur and Gengar, the Poison-typing is never rarely seen as heroic - and more often than not, showcases back-handed strategies, with toxic implications.

Pokémon's Arbok and Weezing, design-wise, are also questionable choices when being paired with more heroic characters. Arbok, the Poisonous Snake Pokémon, appears to be a venomous hooded snake, an animal that many people fear and one that's typically associated with death. Weezing, conversely, is a creature designed around poison gas, often said to be designed around a naval mine, and even features a skull and crossbones on it (a symbol representing hazardous material), though Weezing is still only one of many dangerous Pokémon with strange Pokédex entries. While not fitting well with a hero, these qualities help easily cement both of these Pokémon as villains, only fitting for evil trainers like Team Rocket.

Although many Pokémon players feel that their position as villains is undeserved, Arbok and Weezing easily create a foil for the more heroically-designed Pokémon - like Charizard or Blastoise. It seems that since their initial conception, these two ill-fated Poison-types were destined to become designated villains for the hero to beat. However, despite their villainous implications, the freedom of Pokémon allows for even the evilest species to become the heroes they were never meant to be.

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