Pokémon Has a Spooky Side: The 5 Creepiest Pokédex Entries

Pokémon is renowned for its family-friendly nature, with all its mainline games earning an E for Everyone rating. This means that children of all ages can immerse themselves in its vibrant universe filled with charming characters like Pikachu and Eevee. However, beneath the surface, some Pokémon harbor darker narratives. From tales of abductions to chilling accounts of murder, certain Pokédex entries delve into horror themes, adding a surprising depth to the franchise.

IGN has highlighted five of the most unsettling Pokédex entries, though these are just the tip of the iceberg. Notable mentions include Mimikyu, which disguises its terrifying appearance with a Pikachu costume to make friends, all while plotting the downfall of the franchise's mascot. Haunter, on the other hand, lurks in dark alleys, stalking humans until it can deliver a deadly lick that induces violent shaking. Hypno, even in the children's cartoon, has a dark storyline involving hypnotizing and kidnapping children to consume their dreams.

It was finally Friday, and the young girl from Floaroma Town couldn't contain her excitement. She eagerly anticipated the weekend's flower picking, her favorite time of year. Rushing through breakfast, she was desperate to leave school behind and spend quality time with her parents. Her destination was the Valley Windworks, known for its unique flowers and peaceful ambiance in Sinnoh, even if it was risky to venture there without a Pokémon.

Upon arrival, she was greeted by a sea of vibrant blooms, but her attention was quickly captured by a mesmerizing purple balloon gently floating in the breeze. Enchanted, she reached for its string, only to be startled when the balloon turned to face her, revealing a yellow cross and empty black eyes. As the balloon tugged playfully, the girl followed, her laughter echoing through the air. The string wrapped around her wrist, and the balloon continued to lead her higher and further away. Tragically, the girl was never seen again.

Drifloon, the Balloon Pokémon, introduces a chilling twist to the playful image of a child's toy. While some Pokédex entries suggest Drifloon is formed from spirits, others paint a darker picture. "It tugs on the hands of children to steal them away," one warns. Another chilling entry states, "Any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and holds on to it could wind up missing." A third entry adds, "Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away." Drifloon's eerie presence in the games, appearing only on Fridays at the Valley Windworks, transforms its mysterious allure into a haunting tale.

Banette

The boy's parents were increasingly alarmed as his condition deteriorated; his fever spiked, his skin turned grey, and his speech became unintelligible. Despite the efforts of top doctors from Mauville and Slateport, his health continued to decline. In a moment of hope, the boy whispered, "My doll," prompting his parents to frantically search his collection. They offered him a Pikachu, a Lotad, a Skitty, and a Treecko, but he rejected each one.

Confused, they scoured their home, eventually discovering 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, replaced by the latest Poké Dolls from Lilycove's department store. The doll, now damp, damaged, and covered in sharp pins, seemed to stare back menacingly. As the boy reached for it, the doll leaped from the mother's hands and out the window. Remarkably, the boy's condition seemed to improve slightly.

Pokémon isn't shy about incorporating classic horror elements into its family-friendly games. Banette, the Marionette Pokémon, echoes the terror of Annabelle or Chucky, with a backstory reminiscent of Jessie from Toy Story 2, but with a vengeful twist. "A doll that became a Pokémon over its grudge from being junked. It seeks the child that disowned it," reads one Pokédex entry. Another chilling entry states, "This Pokémon developed from an abandoned doll that amassed a grudge. It is seen in dark alleys." A later entry is more direct: "It’s a stuffed toy that was thrown away and became possessed, ever searching for the one who threw it away so it can exact its revenge." Banette uses itself as an effigy, inflicting harm on its former owner by sticking pins into its body. Only by unzipping its wide smile or showing it love again can the negative energy be dispelled.

Sandygast

On a beautiful summer day at Big Wave Beach on Melemele Island, residents enjoyed various activities. As the sun began to set, most children left their sandcastles and returned home, but one determined boy remained, intent on perfecting his grand creation. Engrossed in his work, he didn't notice the shifting shapes of the other sandcastles around him.

As the shadows lengthened, the boy finally looked up to see a Pokémon resembling a sandcastle but with a gaping mouth and soulless eyes. Assuming it was friendly, he reached for a red spade embedded in its head. However, the Pokémon swallowed his hand, and despite his screams and attempts to pull away, it consumed his entire arm and eventually his entire body, like quicksand.

Contrary to what one might expect from a sandcastle-themed Pokémon, Sandygast harbors a sinister side. "If you build sand mounds when you’re playing, destroy them before you go home, or they may get possessed and become Sandygast," warns one entry. Another entry reveals, "Sandygast mainly inhabits beaches. It takes control of anyone who puts their hand into its mouth, forcing them to make its body bigger." The true horror unfolds when Sandygast evolves into Palossand, described as the "Beach Nightmare." "Palossand is known as the Beach Nightmare. It pulls its prey down into the sand by controlling the sand itself, and then it sucks out their souls," one entry states. Another confirms the grim fate: "Buried beneath the castle are masses of dried-up bones from those whose vitality it has drained."

Frillish

After the busy season, the old woman relished her morning swim in the peaceful waters of Undella Town. Despite the cooler temperatures, she had been swimming there for 70 years and wasn't about to stop. The waves were choppy, but she swam with renewed vigor, not noticing how far the current had taken her from the shore until she turned back.

As she struggled to return, a Pokémon emerged from the water near 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 to her, allowing her a moment to catch her breath. However, when she tried to swim back, she found herself unable to move. Paralyzed with fear, she realized the Pokémon was dragging her down. It submerged itself, pulling her into the depths of the ocean.

Frillish, known as the Floating Pokémon, conceals a deadly nature behind its simple appearance. Tapping into common fears of the unknown ocean depths, Frillish hunts its prey by floating to the surface. "With its thin, veil-like arms wrapped around the body of its opponent, it sinks to the ocean floor," reads its original Pokédex entry. Another entry reveals, "Its thin, veil-like arms have tens of thousands of poisonous stingers. They paralyze prey with poison, then drag them down to their lairs, five miles below the surface." Frillish's victims are likely still conscious as they're dragged to their watery grave, fully aware of their impending doom.

Froslass

In a fierce blizzard on a mountain, a man ventured out after hearing a woman's cry at his door. Despite the dangerous conditions, he felt compelled to help. Almost immediately, he lost his way in the blinding storm. Spotting a cave, he sought refuge, though it was still freezing inside. As he lit his lantern, he noticed the cave walls were encased in thick ice, which seemed unnatural for the mountain's climate.

Upon closer inspection, he saw a face in the ice—not his own, but that of another man, frozen in time. Panicking, he realized the cave was lined with bodies encased in ice. As he turned to flee, he encountered an icy Pokémon. It approached him, and as he backed away, it exhaled a freezing breath that enveloped him. His body stiffened as he became another frozen decoration in the Pokémon's lair.

Froslass combines elements of the Japanese Yōkai Yuki-onna and the Greek Medusa. "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," one entry explains. Another chilling detail is, "It freezes hikers who have come to climb snowy mountains and carries them back to its home. It only goes after men it thinks are handsome." Further entries describe Froslass luring victims during blizzards, dragging them to its den, and arranging them as "decorations." A truly chilling narrative.