Pokémon, renowned for its child-friendly appeal, consistently earns the E for Everyone rating across its mainline games, inviting kids of all ages to immerse themselves in its vibrant universe. With beloved characters like Pikachu and Eevee at the forefront, the franchise is a beacon of fun and joy. Yet, beneath this colorful exterior lurks a darker side, with some Pokémon harboring unsettling tales of kidnappings and even brutal murders within their Pokédex entries. These horror-infused narratives add a surprising depth to the series, often catching fans off guard.
IGN has curated a list of what we consider the five creepiest Pokédex entries, though this is just a glimpse into the eerie world of Pokémon. Honorable mentions include Mimikyu, who disguises its terrifying appearance with a Pikachu costume to lure friends, all while plotting the demise of the franchise's mascot. Haunter, known for stalking humans in dark alleys and causing death with a mere lick, and Hypno, whose dark storyline in the Pokémon children's cartoon involves hypnotizing and abducting children to consume their dreams, also deserve recognition for their chilling tales.
AnswerSee ResultsDrifloon --------
It was a joyous Friday for the young girl from Floaroma Town. Eager to start her weekend of flower picking, she rushed through her breakfast and set off towards the Valley Windworks, a serene spot known for its unique blooms. Though aware of the dangers of venturing alone without a Pokémon, the girl was drawn to the beauty of the place.
Amidst the sea of pink, yellow, and red flowers, a shimmering purple balloon caught her eye. Enchanted, she reached for its string, only to meet the gaze of Drifloon, the Balloon Pokémon. With a yellow cross on its face and vacant black eyes, it gently tugged her along, wrapping its string around her wrist. As the balloon led her further and higher into the sky, the girl, mesmerized and laughing, was never seen again.
Drifloon, akin to the horror of the IT franchise, brings a sinister twist to the iconic balloon, beloved by children. While some of its Pokédex entries are relatively benign, noting its formation from the spirits of people and Pokémon, others delve into darkness. "It tugs on the hands of children to steal them away," warns one entry. Another chillingly 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, adds to its mystique, transforming curiosity into a haunting mystery.
Banette
The parents of a sick boy from Mauville grew increasingly worried as his condition deteriorated. Despite the efforts of top doctors from Mauville and Slateport, the boy's fever worsened, his skin turned grey, and his speech became unintelligible. In a desperate moment, the boy whispered, "My doll," prompting his parents to sift through his collection in search of comfort.
They found a faded, ragged doll with glowing red eyes and a golden zipper for a mouth under his bed. The mother recognized it as the doll she had discarded years ago in favor of newer toys. As they retrieved it, the doll's sinister presence was palpable. The boy reached out, and the doll leaped from their hands out the window. Strangely, the boy's condition seemed to improve slightly.
Banette, the Marionette Pokémon, embodies classic horror tropes within the Pokémon universe, reminiscent of Annabelle or Chucky. Its origin story mirrors that 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," one Pokédex entry reads. Another chillingly notes, "This Pokémon developed from an abandoned doll that amassed a grudge. It is seen in dark alleys." A later entry becomes more explicit: "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 inflicts harm by acting as an effigy, using pins to cause pain to the child it seeks. Only by unzipping its wide smile or showing it love again can its negative energy be dispelled.
Sandygast
On a sunny day at Big Wave Beach in Melemele Island, residents enjoyed the summer. As the day drew to a close, a determined boy remained, crafting a grand sandcastle. Unbeknownst to him, other sandcastles on the beach began to shift and take on an eerie form.
As the sun set, the boy noticed a shadow looming over him. Turning, he faced Sandygast, a Pokémon resembling a sandcastle with a gaping mouth and soulless eyes. Mistaking its outstretched spade as a friendly gesture, the boy reached out, only to be engulfed by the Pokémon. His screams were futile as Sandygast consumed him, his body absorbed into the sand.
Sandygast, far from the cheerful sandcastle it seems, harbors a sinister nature. "If you build sand mounds when you’re playing, destroy them before you go home, or they may get possessed and become Sandygast," one Pokédex entry warns. Another reveals its true danger: "Sandygast mainly inhabits beaches. It takes control of anyone who puts their hand into its mouth, forcing them to make its body bigger." The horror escalates upon Sandygast's evolution into Palossand, dubbed the "Beach Nightmare," which "pulls its prey down into the sand by controlling the sand itself, and then it sucks out their souls." Further entries confirm its gruesome method of growth: "Buried beneath the castle are masses of dried-up bones from those whose vitality it has drained."
Frillish
After the busy season, an old woman relished her morning swim in the peaceful waters of Undella Town. Despite the choppy waves, she ventured out, seeking the solitude she cherished. The current carried her further than intended, but she remained undeterred until a Pokémon appeared before her.
Assuming the Pokémon, Frillish, wanted to help, the woman gratefully accepted its embrace. However, as she tried to swim back, she found herself paralyzed, unable to move. Frillish, with its distant gaze, began to sink, dragging the woman with it into the depths of the ocean.
Frillish, the Floating Pokémon, conceals a deadly nature beneath its simple appearance. Its design taps into the common fear of the unknown depths of the ocean. "With its thin, veil-like arms wrapped around the body of its opponent, it sinks to the ocean floor," describes its original Pokédex entry. Another entry reveals its method of attack: "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 left fully conscious as they are pulled to their watery graves.
Froslass
In the midst of a fierce blizzard on a mountain, a man ventured out after hearing a woman's cry for help. Despite the blinding snow, he searched for the source of the sound, only to find himself lost. Seeking shelter, he stumbled upon a cave, unaware of the danger within.
Inside, the cave was unnaturally cold, its walls encased in ice. As he lit his lantern, he saw not just the ice but frozen bodies embedded within it. Before he could escape, Froslass, an icy Pokémon, appeared. As it exhaled a chilling breath, the man froze, becoming another display in the Pokémon's macabre collection.
Froslass embodies the myths 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 Pokédex entry states. Another chillingly adds, "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." Froslass is known to knock on doors during blizzards, lure victims to its lair, and then "neatly lines them up" as "they become decorations," creating a chilling tableau.
