Whether we like it or not, we have to give credit to Pokémon for withstanding the trials of time. After surviving the Golden Age of Boybands, RockBand/Guitar Hero era, and the Wii U's downfall (don't laugh, it's true!), Pokémon is still one of the most successful IP in video games and is still considered a strong landmark series in the anime industry. Celebrated by adults & kids alike, Pokémon is a true example of friendship, teamwork, and perseverance. However, Pokémon hasn't always been the mega-hit phenomenon that it is today (although it didn't take long in the grand scheme of things). To celebrate the 21 years of the franchise, it's time to look at the false facts and misconceptions that man fans (shockingly) still think are true. Of course, the most devoted Pokémon fans should know this stuff, but there are some rumors and ideas that never die. Especially when you consider that Pokémon has been around long it predates Wikipedia and social media, there are some obvious facts that weren't able to be verified at the click of a button — facts that would slowly become pseudo-realities in player's mind's eye. So stick around, put on your trainer's gloves, and get ready to learn a thing or two about one of the most beloved children's video game franchises in the history of the medium.

15 Pokémon Adult Guide 101

via: youtube.com

There is always this particular moment in a parent's life when your overcurious child asks about how they were created. This uneasy question is always solved by funny-yet-unlogical answers (the birds and the bees, the baby-carrying stork). Fortunately, Pokémon is there to answer our kids in a very conventional way!

Since Pokémon Gold & Silver, players were able to breed Pokémon of opposite genders in order to create new baby Pokémon. Players would need to go to the daycare and give their soon-to-be parent pokémon to the day-care (usually run by a Day-Care Couple), in order to create the offspring. These baby Pokémon may also inherit their abilities from their parents.

So whether you need to explain to your kid how they were made, or why they have their parent's nose, Pokémon is here to help!

14 No Matter How You Look At It, Ash Ketchum Is A Failure

via: knowyourmeme.com

For all the late 80s and early 90s babies out there, I'm sure you can all relate when your middle-aged elementary teacher was trying to apply the Pokémon sensation into her lessons (to very mild results). Mine was constantly using Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum as an example of perseverance and strong will. Wrong.

Ash is just the epitome of failure. After more than 20 years of action, traveling to eight major areas and participating in countless gym battles, our main character has never attained the rank of Pokémon Master. In fact, he's only captured 70 Pokémon despite being in contact with many legendary Pokémon.

With that in mind, we strongly advise teachers to instead use Gary Oak as a model...at least he's cool and charismatic.

13 Poli... Wait! What?!

Via pokemon.wikia.com and reptiliaossett.blogspot.com

Poliwags are known for their tiny and adorable forms. They're actually Pokémon's creator Satoshi Tajiri's favorite Pokémon due to its adorable whirlpool form in his stomach. However, this pattern is a bit less cute when we know its true meaning.

According to Tajiri, Poliwag's design was based off a tadpole in which his spiral pattern is a reference to the spiral intestines we can see through a tadpole's crystal-clear skin. This is proved in many Pokédex entries, as it explicitly describes that they represent the intestines.  For instance, Poliwag's Crystal game entry reads as the following "The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats." Though we'll always find Poliwag adorable, we just don't feel like we'll look at him the same way we used to...

12 Secret Pokémon Fans

via: businessinsider.com

Pokémon have always been traditionally associated with the "nerd" culture. Sadly, people tend to have a prejudice towards this group. However, you'd be surprised to know that even your favorite sports celebrities have been huge fans of the Pokémon franchise.

UFC champion Ronda Rousey has admitted to being a Pokémon fan, owning every major game and logging more than 200 hours in the original Pokémon Blue. NFL Los Angeles Rams' Johnny Hekker & Seattle Seahawk's Richard Sherman are also big fans of the series and have even been featured in an official Pokémon commercial. 

With these major stars endorsing Pokémon, being a nerd have never been this pleasant. Now if you'll excuse me, but I need to go play Pokémon Go with these celebrities.. in my head...

11 Pokémon Hasn't Only Been Exclusive To Nintendo Platforms

via: gameover-johnny.blogspot.ca

Excluding the Pokémon games on the mobile platforms, you'd be surprised to know that the beloved franchise hasn't always been with Nintendo. Back in 1993, video game company Sega released their first iteration of the Sega Pico educational gaming console.

In the early 2000s, Sega, in collaboration with Nintendo, released a Pikachu-themed Pico bundled with the game Pocket Monsters Advanced Generation: Hiragana Katakana Kakechatta. This Japan-exclusive treat teaches toddlers how to properly write Japanese alphabets. Other Pokémon games came on the Pico and its successor, the Advanced Pico Beena. The latest release of a Pokémon themed game was Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! Chinou Ikusei Pokémon Daiundoukai. With this piece of information, we guarantee you to make some heads turn in your next casual Pokémon conversation with your friends — you're welcome!

10 The Dark Story Of Lavender Town

via: youtube.com

Lavender Town is a mysterious town in the Kanto region where his setting is closely associated with the afterlife. From a Pokémon cemetery to the "souls of dead Pokémon" haunting the town, this city's definitely apart from the Pokémon friendly environment. Not only this town has affected the morale of NPC, but it supposedly had real-life effects on children players adventuring this town.

Commonly called The Lavender Town Syndrome (LTS), an urban myth goes that children would either experience sickness (dizziness, nausea, etc.) or commit suicide when they'd first set foot on the town. The reason? Because of the high frequency of the Lavender Town theme song. According to studies, children are more prone to hear delicate sounds than adults as our hearings decrease with time. Thus, high-frequency noises affect the mood of the player. Though it's only an urban legend, we sure do know that Lavender Town is far from being any player's favorite place in Pokémon.

via reddit.com

Koffing & Weezing are two of the most grotesque pocket monsters in Pokémon. Their physical appearances seem to mimic a solid body of gas, and their attacks are heavily based on pollution. Although their names are direct references to polluted symptoms, the localization team had originally intended other names for those two Pokémon.

Apparently, Koffing and Weezing were supposed to be called NY and LA, respectively. Though the aesthetic of these two beautiful cities shouldn't even be compared to these unattractive Pokémon, the localization team initially wanted to highlight the high pollution rate of these two cities before finally opting for their current names. On a side note, we're definitely glad to see that the didn't go forward with it as we would have found it very odd to hear these Pokémon yell cities name, instead.

 

via richardalrumi.blogspot.ca/

Whenever we look at the Pokémon franchise, the first thing that crosses our mind would be its mascot Pikachu. Though we're used to seeing our beloved electric mouse, It would only be a natural fit for this mascot to be the first Pokémon to be created. That's where we're wrong.

Apparently, the first monster that was first coded was actually Rhydon, the rhinoceros inspired Pokémon. Oddly enough, Rhydon appears as the 112th entry in the Pokédex data.

Despite that, you'd think Pikachu was long considered to be the mascot of the franchise... Wrong again! During the initial development of Pokémon, Clefairy was actually supposed to be the main face of the series. However, for unknown reasons, she was dropped near the end of development. Though we're delighted to see Pikachu, we'd still wonder how Ash would've fared with this fairy Pokémon as her sidekick.

7 Hitmonlee And Hitmonchan Are More Than Your Typical Fighting Pokémon

Via pokemon.wikia.com

Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan are perfect representations of Western and Eastern martial arts, respectively.

First off, It isn't much a surprise that Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan English names are references to legendary fighters Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, respectively. What is most surprising is that even their Japanese name versions also pays homage to two Japanese fighters. Sawamura, Hitmonlee's Japanese name, is a reference to Japanese kickboxer Tadashi Sawamura. On the other hand, Ebiwara, Hitmonchan's Japanese name, is a reference to kickboxer Ebihara Hiroyuki. Both martial artists were at the top of their careers during the 70s and are considered as legends in Japan. So there you go!... Oh and If you don't like either of the two Pokémon, there's also Hitmontop... but we'll cover it for another time!

6 When Pokémon Also Rhymes With Seizure...Man?

via: redbull.com

Back in 1997, the broadcast of the episode Denno Senshi Polygon was responsible for hospitalizing many young kids in Japan. The episode features Ash and his team in a cyber-world in order to stop the evil schemes of Team Rocket. In the climax of the episode, Pikachu uses his Thunderbolt attack to destroy missiles in which the explosions are depicted in a flashing red-and-blue pattern. Unfortunately, accounts of children experiencing epileptic seizures and illness were reported following its original airing. Commonly called the "Pokémon Shock," the aftermath of the incident was definitely unforgettable. More than 700 children were hospitalized which forced the anime series to go on hiatus for 4 months. Nintendo's share also took a 5% dive. Even government officials had to nose in on the controversy with police officers questioning the producers about the incident and an emergency meeting was called by the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry. The producers also had to alter the conception of its future episodes to make sure this incident never repeats itself. Needless to say, the episode never aired again on a Japanese broadcast.

5 Wobbuffet Is An Impostor

via: dannymybrother.deviantart.com

Wobbuffet is one heck of a special Pokémon. Initially introduced in the second generation of Pokémon, this Psychic-type monster has mostly been referred as a comic relief in the series, thanks to the Team Rocket. Its most surprising fact is that this Pokemon is only a facade of what it seems to be.

According to the Black/White Pokedex entry, his description would be the following "It desperately tries to keep its black tail hidden. It is said to be proof the tail hides a secret."

The question is what is the secret?

Upon looking at different Wobbuffet's entries, the Pokedex keeps highlighting the sensitive nature of its blacktail and many fans have theorized its significance. One of the most accepted fan theories is that its main blue body would only be a decoy to protect its true blacktail body. Can you imagine that? Though Nintendo has kept quiet about it, we can only "speculate" the obvious...

4 Nurse Joys Are Not Who They Seem To Be

via: dvsgaming.org

Nurse Joys are a nursing family that works throughout different Pokémon Centers locations in which they provide medical assistance to Pokémon. They mostly share identical looks and are very fond of the well-being of the Pokémon. Though their love for Pokémon is unquestioned, we do wonder to what extent they are eager to see your painfully injured Pokémon.

In many Pokémon games, players are greeted by Nurse Joy at Poké Centers. If players use Nurse Joy's medical assistance, she'd heal your Pokémon and finish her services with this awkward line "We hope to see you again." Umm... That's a weird wish, nurse. You want Pokémon to keep getting hurt!?

3 Pokémon Games Are TOO Scary (Sometimes)

via: dragolisco.deviantart.com

Pokémon's environment has always been friendly toned. Even series creator Satoshi Tajiri wanted to tone down the game by having the Pokémon faint instead of dying so that children would not be affected by the concept of death. However, the Pokédex entries of certain Pokémon seems to destroy the chilly environment Tajiri-san wanted to initially create. For instance, Haunters entries are amongst the scariest one. His Yellow entry is as follows "By licking, It saps the victim's life. It causes shaking that won't stop until the victim's demise." Pretty scary for an E-rated series?

Amongst all of the other monsters log entries, Drifloon's Heart Gold entry definitely remains our favorite: "It is whispered that any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and holds on to it could wind up missing." We're still patiently waiting for the day Nintendo uses these Pokémon for a horror-themed Pokémon movie. We wouldn't get our hopes up so easily, though...

2 Slowpoke Can Also Devolve

Via bulbagarden.net and pokemon.wikia.com

Slowpoke is not the smartest nor the most popular Pokémon in the series. Like his name suggests, he's very slow responding and his presence in the anime series hasn't been very significative safe for a hand count of episodes. Despite his description, Slowpoke has a unique ability that distinguishes himself from the others: the option of devolution.

In many Slowbro's Pokédex entries, the journal indicates that a Shellder tail bitting a Slowpoke would cause the Pokémon to evolve. Should the shell leaves its host, then It would revert back to a Slowpoke. Quite impressive, isn't it. It is unfortunate that the game series didn't keep the concept going, though. It would have been interesting to see a Pokémon devolve... just not Slowpoke.

1 Red & Blue Weren't The Original Pokémon Games Version

via: youtube.com

Pokémon Blue & Red will always remain our beloved classic game pair in the Pokémon universe. Its unique concept of alternating Pokémon throughout different game versions has become a trademark of the series with the next entries also using the formula. What's more stunning to know is that Pokémon Blue & Red weren't the actual first version to come out.

In Japan, Pokémon Red & Green were actually the first games to come out. However, the game's versions weren't fully released the same way as their American counterpart. Instead, the two games served as a backbone to the official US release, as Game Freak provided a later update with Pokémon Blue, in Japan. With a few improved element from the two versions, Pokémon Blue was actually the version that the company used to localize the US versions of the game, which would later be known as our dear Pokémon Red & Blue. Pretty neat stuff, no?