We aren’t here to argue about what goes into a good Pokémon design or which Pokémon are definitely just direct analogs for real-life animals and objects. Instead, we want to take a moment to talk about the Pokémon we adore—and, more importantly, the ones we can’t imagine anyone likes.
Recent TikTok posts and Instagram Reels postulated that every Pokémon is someone’s favorite. But is there a Pokémon out there that isn’t anyone’s favorite?
Which Pokémon Don’t Get Much Attention?
Fortunately, the people of Reddit have come through with a survey to help us get a decent idea of which Pokémon are the least popular. In a survey with 52,000 entries asking which Pokémon was a voter’s favorite, four-ish Pokémon didn’t get votes from any users:
- Eelektrik
- Gothita
- Silcoon
- Yungoos
These Pokémon differ in their level of design complexities, release generations, and types, so their lack of popularity might just come down to their general vibe. However, even with thousands of entries in that survey, we have to keep in mind that the average demographic of Reddit doesn’t represent the whole of the Pokémon fandom. These four may very well be the favorite of someone. After all, Nintendo has released at least one plushie for each, so they must believe there is a market for even the most unmarketable ‘mons.
Is There a Most Disliked Pokémon?
Interestingly, when the same user who made the first poll asked voters to then vote for their least favorite Pokémon, the results were different. The top result wasn’t any of the four Pokémon from the first survey. Instead, it was one of the franchise’s most popular fire-types: Charizard. Maybe massive popularity has its downsides!
Comfort Characters: Why We Might Pick Weird Pokémon To Adore
At the end of the day, the characters we love don’t always have to be the best in the games they come from or the coolest option available.
You may have heard of a “comfort character” before, usually in reference to characters from story-based games like Red Dead Redemption 2 or Undertale. These are characters that deeply resonate with people or simply bring them enough joy to provide light in dark moments, whether during replays or through fan art and merch. Engaging with these characters can help many cheer up or find motivation again while navigating depression.
Pokémon often serve the same role, but not every famous monster earns its place in fans’ hearts through the way it is written in the video games, manga, and anime. For many of us with less-than-popular Pokémon as comfort characters, that affection stems from a different kind of nostalgia.
The Pokémon may have been the first card we remember receiving from an older sibling. It could have been the first one we won as a toy in a claw machine. It might even remind us of a beloved pet because of its name. And in some cases, that means our comfort character is something as unusual as a Vanillish, Trubbish, or Klefki!
Appreciating Every ‘Mon Out There
In truth, there likely isn’t a Pokémon that isn’t anyone’s favorite. The opportunities to connect with the 1,000+ designs are too numerous, and the demographic engaging with the franchise is much too vast. We can’t ask you to fall in love with every monster in your Dex. However, the next time you ask yourself who could ever want the Stunfisk, remind yourself that it has probably earned its place in someone’s heart.
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