Pokémon is renowned for its child-friendly appeal, with all its mainline games receiving the E for Everyone rating, inviting young players into its vibrant universe. While beloved characters like Pikachu and Eevee take center stage, some Pokémon delve into darker themes. Certain Pokédex entries narrate tales of abductions and even chilling murders, adding an eerie layer to the franchise. These stories contribute to the occasional horror elements found within the Pokémon world.
IGN has gathered what we believe to be the five creepiest Pokédex entries, though this list is far from exhaustive. Among the honorable mentions are Mimikyu, a Pokémon so unsettling that it masquerades as Pikachu to form connections, all while secretly plotting against the franchise's mascot; Haunter, who stealthily follows humans in dark alleys until it's close enough to lick them, causing fatal convulsions; and Hypno, whose storyline in the Pokémon children's cartoon involves hypnotizing and abducting children to feed on their dreams.
AnswerSee ResultsDrifloon --------
It was a bright Friday morning, and the young girl from Floaroma Town was brimming with excitement. Eager to kickstart her weekend, she rushed through breakfast to begin her favorite activity: flower picking. As the school year neared its end, she longed for time with her parents, filled with laughter and joy. She sprinted to the Valley Windworks, known for its unique blooms and serene atmosphere, despite knowing it was risky to venture there alone without a Pokémon.
Upon arrival, she was greeted by a sea of vibrant flowers, but her attention was quickly captured by a mesmerizing purple balloon gently floating in the breeze. Enchanted, she ran towards it and grabbed its string. To her surprise, the balloon turned to face her, revealing a yellow cross and empty black eyes. It tugged playfully, and she followed with laughter. As it pulled her higher and further, the string wrapped around her wrist. The girl, light and gentle, was led away by the balloon, never to be seen again.
Drifloon, the Balloon Pokémon, adds a chilling twist to the playful image of a child's toy. While some Pokédex entries mention it being formed by spirits, which isn't overly sinister for a Ghost type, others paint a darker picture. Entries note that "it tugs on the hands of children to steal them away," and warn that "any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and holds on to it could wind up missing." Its body, filled with souls, expands with each abduction, turning its mysterious appearances in the games into a haunting mystery.
Banette
The boy's parents watched helplessly as his condition deteriorated. His fever spiked, his skin turned gray, and his speech became unintelligible. Despite consultations with the best doctors from Mauville and Slateport, his health worsened. In a moment of hope, between labored breaths, he whispered, "My doll." Desperate, his parents offered him various toys from his collection, including a Pikachu, Lotad, Skitty, and Treecko, but he rejected each one.
Confused, his parents searched their home, eventually finding a faded, ragged doll with glowing red eyes and a golden zipper for a mouth under the bed. The mother recognized it as a doll they had discarded years ago after purchasing newer Poké Dolls from Lilycove. Covered in sharp pins, it looked menacing. As the boy reached for it, the doll's eyes seemed to fix on the mother, who screamed when it leaped from her hands and out the window. Strangely, the boy's condition seemed to improve slightly.
Banette, the Marionette Pokémon, embodies classic horror tropes within the family-friendly Pokémon world. Its origins echo those of Annabelle or Chucky, fueled by a grudge from being discarded. Pokédex entries describe it as "a doll that became a Pokémon over its grudge from being junked" and "a stuffed toy that was thrown away and became possessed," seeking revenge on the child who abandoned it. Banette inflicts harm by sticking pins in itself, only alleviating its negative energy through love or by unzipping its sinister smile.
Sandygast
On a picturesque summer day, the residents of Melemele Island enjoyed Big Wave Beach. While some surfed and others sunbathed, children built sandcastles. As the sun set, most kids headed home, but one boy remained, determined to perfect his grand sandcastle. Engrossed in his work, he didn't notice the eerie movement of the other sandcastles around him.
As shadows lengthened, the boy finally looked up to see a Pokémon resembling a sandcastle, complete with a gaping mouth and soulless eyes. Believing all Pokémon to be friendly, he didn't retreat when it approached. He reached for a red spade stuck in its head, thinking it was offering help. Instead, the Pokémon engulfed his hand, and as he screamed and tried to pull away, his entire arm was consumed. Like quicksand, it slowly absorbed his body until he disappeared.
Sandygast, the Sand Heap Pokémon, belies its innocent appearance with sinister intentions. Pokédex entries warn that "if you build sand mounds when you're playing, destroy them before you go home, or they may get possessed and become Sandygast." Another entry explains that "Sandygast mainly inhabits beaches. It takes control of anyone who puts their hand into its mouth, forcing them to make its body bigger." Its evolution, Palossand, known as the Beach Nightmare, uses the sand to pull prey down and drain their souls, growing stronger with each victim.
Frillish
The busy season had ended, allowing the old woman to relish her peaceful morning swims in Undella Town. Preferring the quieter times, she continued her daily routine despite the cooler water. The waves were choppy, but she swam with renewed vigor. The current carried her further out than usual, yet she remained focused on her solitude, only noticing her distance from the shore when she turned back.
Struggling against the current, the old woman paused for breath but found herself making no progress. It was then that a Pokémon emerged from the water, inches from her face. Initially cautious, she believed it intended to help as it moved closer. She wrapped her hands around it, and it did the same, allowing her a moment of rest. Grateful, she tried to swim the remaining distance, but found herself unable to move. Paralyzed, she watched helplessly as the Pokémon submerged, dragging her to the ocean's depths.
Frillish, the Floating Pokémon, masks its deadly nature behind a simple appearance. It preys on the fear of the unknown ocean depths. Its Pokédex entries reveal that "with its thin, veil-like arms wrapped around the body of its opponent, it sinks to the ocean floor." These arms are covered in poisonous stingers, paralyzing its prey before dragging them to its lair, five miles below the surface, where they meet their watery end.
Froslass
He knew he shouldn't have ventured out, especially during a blizzard on the mountain. But a knock at his door and a woman's cry compelled him to search for someone in need. Bundling up, he stepped into the storm, only to lose his way almost immediately. The blizzard raged on, blinding him further.
Relieved to find a small cave, he entered, hoping for shelter. Inside, the cold was intense, almost unnatural, yet he knew staying outside would be fatal. Lighting a lantern, he discovered the cave's walls encased in thick ice. As he approached, he realized the ice held not just reflections but frozen bodies, including one that resembled him. Before he could escape, an icy Pokémon floated before him. It exhaled a chilling breath, freezing him in place, turning him into another of its macabre decorations.
Froslass embodies the chilling myths of the Japanese Yōkai Yuki-onna and the Greek Medusa. Pokédex entries describe it as "the soul of a woman lost on a snowy mountain possessed an icicle, becoming this Pokémon. The food it most relishes is the souls of men." It targets handsome men, freezing them during blizzards and displaying them as eerie decorations in its icy lair.
