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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To absolutely loathe pokemon and think it is horrendously unethical!

94 replies

Liken · 10/04/2018 20:03

DC's are currently obsessed with pokemon (aged 4 and 6), as are all their school friends - card trading etc is actively encouraged at the school and supported as a playtime activity. The cards I had less of an issue with, but when I watched this on TV with them it seems little more than glorified dog fighting - in essence on this show they catch wild creatures, store them in a ball, and bring them out to fight whenever they wish (normally cause the 'trainers' ego has been dented), until one of the pokemon gets seriously hurt, then they pop them back into a ball until the next 'battle', the creature has no choice in any of it as far as I can tell.... I'm probably over thinking this but nothing about it seems appropriate for primary aged children to me...

OP posts:
Original poster
Liken · 10/04/2018 21:10

Ok ok ok - I admit defeat against the masses Wink
Maybe my issue was I had never engaged with other than knowing it was something about a cute looking yellow thing that said its name a lot! I wasn't in the expecting battles mode.... I still don't like it, but each to their own. I will however have a look at PokemonGo as my children will probably love that and it seems, from the sounds of it, a form even my sensitivities could manage!!! Grin

OP posts:
NotACleverName · 10/04/2018 21:11

What about team rocket following children about and trying to steal their animals. No one thinks of that being strange either.

I've never understood why Team Rocket were so intent on stealing Ash's Pikachu when they have a freaking talking Meowth!

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 10/04/2018 21:14

the idea that these things are caught and forced to fight by someone who 'owns' them

They aren’t forced to fight; they choose to. If they don’t want to fight, they refuse (case in point: Ash’s Charizard).

They also break out of PokeBalls if they’re not interested in being caught.

If you’re going to rant about something, OP, at least have the right information first.

Original poster
Liken · 10/04/2018 21:21

They aren’t forced to fight; they choose to. If they don’t want to fight, they refuse (case in point: Ash’s Charizard).
They also break out of PokeBalls if they’re not interested in being caught.
If you’re going to rant about something, OP, at least have the right information first.

This just made me laugh - I humbly apologise! I've definitely stepped into an unknown cultural/religious dimension I was unaware of - very sorry I don't like the programme.... and you're right I certainly haven't watched every episode nor am likely to!

OP posts:
AsuraGuardian · 10/04/2018 21:22

This sounds as nuts as PETA protesting the fact that Warhammer figures wore fur. That they got from SPACE WOLVES. Grin

PETA: Fighting the good fight against fictional characters for fictional characters.

AsuraGuardian · 10/04/2018 21:23

Pikachu definitely doesn't fight if he doesn't want to! I distinctly remember him electricity for Ash in protest in the first episode Wink

AltheaTrell · 10/04/2018 21:23

*electrucuting Ash

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 10/04/2018 21:39

Liken It’s not “just a programme”. Pokemon started out as video games in Japan in 1996, making a US and subsequent UK breakthrough in 1998 (the programme anime began in 1998 along with a film).

Pokemon has been going for over 20 years now, OP. It’s got a long and rich history. YABVVVU to “loathe” it on little to no knowledge.

Original poster
Liken · 10/04/2018 21:52

WhatToDo you may be taking his far more seriously than me... you're welcome to enjoy pokemon, I didn't like the programme, there are lots of things I like and dislike based on one or two experiences - if was a life or death situation, yes I probably need to do research before forming an opinion, its a tv/video game/ other stuff, I'm very happy to form an opinion based on brief evidence!

OP posts:
MorningsEleven · 10/04/2018 21:52

@WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue

Damn right! It's team work.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 10/04/2018 21:56

I'm very happy to form an opinion based on brief evidence!

It’s not evidence, though.

And now you’ve been told that what you thought isn’t actually the case, do you now not loathe it?

If you’re going to dislike something, fair enough. Lots of people dislike Pokemon and that’s fine. But it’s ridiculous to dislike something for a particular reason when that reason isn’t true.

geekone · 10/04/2018 22:05

❤️Pogo

Justanotherlurker · 10/04/2018 22:10

Peak mumsnet...

Ohyesiam · 10/04/2018 22:14

You are so overthinking it. But you are right to not like it because it’s shite. And squeaky.

Anyway, they’ll grow out of it next year and then you can hate Undertale( undertail?)

MrsTylerJoseph · 10/04/2018 22:18

I jumped out of bed 30 mins ago and ran down the road in my PJs to catch a Hitmonlee! Gotta catch them all.

germainegrainne · 10/04/2018 22:37

Nooooooooo! Pokémon is great! You must watch the latest film (I Choose You) or the original series (indigo league on Netflix). It teaches fantastic lessons in friendship and caring for your friends / pets /Pokemon. It is looooovely! Grin I think I’ve become quite taken with it...

MoistCantaloupe · 10/04/2018 22:45

I like bulbasaur

DoctorWhatTheFuck · 10/04/2018 22:49

I see your point OP.

WhatToDoAboutWailmerGoneRogue · 10/04/2018 23:04

I see your point OP.

DoctorWhatTheFuck How? There isn’t a point to see since she doesn’t know what she’s talking about.

As already mentioned, Pokemon aren’t forced to fight; they choose to. If they don’t want to fight, they refuse (case in point: Ash’s Charizard).

They also break out of PokeBalls if they’re not interested in being caught.

RhiWrites · 10/04/2018 23:14

I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause

angryburd · 10/04/2018 23:19

I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide...

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 10/04/2018 23:24

I'm super hoping this becomes the cool kids late night chat thread.

How good is the Gen 1 excitement BTW? I just caught a Charmander from my bed!

Pokémon does lead to the hard stuff though.
As well as being a qualified professor with a drawer full of spare cards, I also know the theme tune to hunter x hunter in Japanese.

Lilyhatesjaz · 10/04/2018 23:24

And Ash is only 10 and gets to travel the world with no adults.

SurfnTerfFantasticmissfoxy · 10/04/2018 23:33

This reminds me of the Brian Connolly sketch 'it's a PUPPET!!' 😂 I do think it's rather sweet that you're thinking of the Pokemon's happiness though. I think they enjoy the combat tbh - they celebrate when they win!

DoctorTwo · 10/04/2018 23:57

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/video_games_chat/3204284-PokemonGo-15-Were-gonna-rock-down-to-Electrike-Avenue?msgid=77021069

@glueandstick, here is the current Pokemon Go thread. Anybody who wants to join in is more than welcome, if you just want to lurk that's fine too.

@Liken, I have made friends playing PoGo, entirely down to Legendary raids and Community Days. There is a Community Day event this Sunday between 1000-1300 GMT, we have about 20 people going from our local group, we'll be wandering around a local park in twos and threes before congregating for the Ex Raid. It's fun to play and it encourages you to walk by offering rewards (virtual, natch).