Pokémon's reputation for being child-friendly is well-established. Its core games consistently receive an "E for Everyone" rating, making them accessible to young players. However, beneath the surface of Pikachu and Eevee's cheerful demeanor lies a surprisingly dark undercurrent. Several Pokédex entries hint at unsettling stories, including kidnappings and even murder, adding a layer of unsettling intrigue to some of the franchise's more mysterious creatures.
IGN has compiled a list of five particularly creepy Pokédex entries (though many more could be included). Notable omissions include Mimikyu, a Pokémon so frightening it disguises itself as Pikachu while plotting the mascot's demise; Haunter, which silently stalks victims before delivering a lethal lick; and Hypno, known for its hypnotic powers and child-kidnapping tendencies (even depicted in the children's cartoon).
AnswerSee ResultsDrifloon
A young girl from Floaroma Town, excited for a weekend of flower picking, encounters a seemingly innocent purple balloon. Drawn in by its beauty, she grabs the string, unaware of the balloon's sinister nature. The Drifloon, with its unsettling yellow cross and empty eyes, pulls her higher and higher, until she disappears without a trace. While some Pokédex entries describe Drifloon as formed from spirits, others paint a darker picture: a balloon Pokémon that lures children away, its body expanding with each captured soul. Its appearance in the games, limited to Fridays at the Valley Windworks, only adds to its mysterious and unsettling aura.
Banette
A gravely ill boy's desperate plea – "My doll" – leads his parents on a search for a discarded, ragged doll with glowing red eyes and a zippered mouth. The doll, recognized by the mother as one she'd thrown away, is found to be covered in pins. The boy's condition improves after the doll is discovered, only to be flung from the window. Banette, the Marionette Pokémon, is a vengeful spirit, embodying the classic horror trope of a discarded toy seeking revenge on its former owner. Pokédex entries describe its grudge-fueled existence and its pursuit of the child who abandoned it, inflicting harm by using itself as an effigy. Only by unzipping its smile or showing it affection can its negative energy be lessened.
Sandygast
A boy, engrossed in building a sandcastle on Melemele Island, is approached by a sandcastle-like Pokémon with a gaping mouth and soulless eyes. Unaware of the danger, he reaches out, only to be swallowed whole. Sandygast, far from being a cheerful sandcastle Pokémon, possesses those who touch it, using them to increase its size. Its evolution, Palossand, is known as the "Beach Nightmare," draining the souls of its victims and leaving behind only bones. Pokédex entries confirm its horrifying habit of consuming children to grow stronger.
Frillish
An elderly woman, enjoying a solitary swim, is caught in a strong current. She encounters a Frillish, which initially appears helpful, but soon paralyzes her with poisonous stingers and drags her to the ocean depths. Frillish, the Floating Pokémon, hides a deadly secret beneath its innocent appearance. Pokédex entries reveal its hunting method: using its veil-like arms to ensnare prey and drag them to its lair five miles below the surface, leaving them to drown.
Froslass
A man, venturing out in a blizzard to help a distressed woman, finds himself trapped in a cave filled with frozen bodies. He is then confronted by Froslass, an icy Pokémon that freezes its victims and uses them as decorations. Froslass, drawing inspiration from Yuki-onna and Medusa, is a ghostly figure that lures men to their deaths in snowy mountains. Pokédex entries detail its habit of knocking on victims' doors during blizzards, dragging them to its lair, and preserving their bodies as chilling trophies.
