Top 12 Pokémons With The Darkest Backstories

Death

One of the darkest aspects of the franchise is the concept of death. Death is never directly mentioned in the games. But there are several instances where it is heavily implied. In the Pokémon universe, trainers can battle with their Pokémon; if a Pokémon loses a battle, it is "fainted."

But, in some instances, it's clear that a Pokémon has died in battle. And they are really creepy Pokémon stories. For example, in the game's first generation, there is a ghost-type Pokémon named Marowak. Its scary Pokémon backstory involves killing by a group of humans. In the game's seventh generation, there is a ghost-type Pokémon named Mimikyu. It wears a disguise to avoid death at the hands of humans who fear its true appearance. 

Sacrifice

Another common theme in the Pokémon franchise is sacrifice. Many creatures in the Pokémon universe are willing to sacrifice themselves. They all do it to save their trainers.

An example of sacrifice comes in the form of the legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias. Their sad Pokemon story is that they protected their home by sacrificing themselves to stop an evil force.

Tragedy

The tragedy is another common theme in the world of Pokémon. Many Pokémon players encounter backstories involving a form of tragedy or loss. For example, the Pokémon, Cubone, wears the skull of its dead mother as a helmet and is constantly mourning its loss.

Charmander

Charmander's tail flame is a sign of its life force. In the anime, Ash finds a Charmander abandoned by its trainer and takes it in. But its flame begins to flicker. The sad Pokémon story is that its previous trainer had abandoned it because it was weak. Charmander remains loyal to Ash. But the flame continues to weaken until it eventually goes out. But Charmander continues battling in the dark, risking its life.

Lucario

Lucario is a loyal and powerful Pokémon of fighting type. In the movie, "Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew," Lucario's scary Pokémon backstory is more in-depth. As a young monster, the war destroyed home Lucario's, and Pokémon was the only survivor. It’s taken in by a human king who taught it how to fight and eventually made it his loyal companion. But his son betrayed and killed the king. And Lucario was one who people blamed for the murder. It was sealed away in the staff for years until Ash and his friends awakened it. The emotional trauma that Lucario experienced is evident in its interactions with humans. 

Cubone

Cubone's Pokémon horror story is one of the most well-known and heartbreaking in Pokémon. Cubone wears the skull of its dead mother as a helmet and is constantly mourning her loss. The anime reveals that Team Rocket killed Cubone's mother. And this team forced Cubone to watch as she died. The tragedy of Cubone's Pokémon horror story is only heightened by the fact that it's one of the most beloved Pokémon.

Yamask

Yamask is a ghost-type Pokémon carrying a mask that was once its human face. According to its Pokédex entry, Yamask is a Pokémon that was once human and turned into a Pokémon after its death. Yamask is often seen wandering around cemeteries. It is mourning its lost life and trying to find a way to return to its human form. The idea that a Pokémon was once a human adds a layer of darkness to the world of Pokémon. And it raises questions about what happens to people after they die.

Gengar

Gengar is a ghost-type Pokémon that is notorious for causing mischief and chaos. But, in the anime, Gengar's playful behavior is a cover for its deep sense of loneliness. Gengar was once a human but transformed into a Pokémon and abandoned by its family. Gengar's Pokémon horror story is a tragic reminder that not all Pokémon were born as creatures. And that some were once people with their stories and lives.

Greninja

It is a water/dark-type Pokémon with a deep bond with its trainer, Ash. In the anime, it's revealed that Greninja was once a wild Pokémon that a group of trainers mistreated. Ash eventually took it in and formed a close bond with him. But Greninja's backstory takes a dark turn when it's revealed that it was part of a secret experiment. 

Mewtwo

Scientists were creating the most powerful Pokémon. But Mewtwo's creation was marked by tragedy and suffering. Mewtwo was constantly experimented on and forced to battle other Pokémon. Its anger and hatred towards humans eventually led it to rebel against its creators. Mewtwo's creepy Pokemon backstory raises questions about the ethics of genetic engineering. And there is also the question of the mistreatment of animals for scientific gain.

Lampent

Lampent is a ghost/fire-type Pokémon known for leading lost souls to the afterlife. But according to its Pokédex entry, Lampent often steals the spirits of people and Pokémon who are about to die. The idea of a Pokémon that preys on the dying is dark, and Lampent's creepy Pokémon backstory adds an extra layer of tragedy. The anime reveals that Lampent was once a human who died alone and transformed into a Pokémon. Its desire to help others find peace in death was due to its fear of being alone in the afterlife.

Phantump

Phantump is a ghost/grass-type Pokémon known for its hollow, ghostly stump. According to its Pokédex entry, Phantump is the spirit of a child who got lost in the forest and died. Its cries resemble the voice of the child it once was. Phantump's creepy Pokémon backstory is one of the most haunting in the Pokémon world. And it's a reminder that not all Pokémon were once humans. The idea of a lost child wandering the forest as a ghost is tragic. And it adds an extra layer of sadness to the Pokémon franchise.

Darkrai

Darkrai is a dark-type Pokémon that causes nightmares. In the Pokémon world, Darkrai is scary and reviled for its ability to inflict terror on others. But, in the anime, it's revealed that Darkrai is not evil. But it is simply misunderstood. Darkrai's creepy Pokémon backstory involves being ostracized and hunted by humans. It was because of its ability to cause nightmares. Its loneliness and desire for acceptance make it a tragic figure in Pokémon.

Absol

It is a disaster-warning Pokémon. It can predict and warn people of impending disasters. But, despite its best efforts to warn humans, it's often blamed for causing the disasters. Absol's scary Pokémon backstory involves being ostracized and hunted by humans. It was because of its ability to predict disasters. Its constant isolation and loneliness make it one of the most tragic Pokémon in the franchise.

Chandelure

Chandelure is a ghost/fire-type Pokémon known for consuming the life force of other Pokémon. According to its Pokédex entry, it is said to lure in other Pokémon with its beautiful flames before consuming their souls. The idea of a Pokémon that feeds on the life force of others is already dark. But Chandelure's scary Pokémon backstory adds an extra layer of horror. The anime reveals that Chandelure was once a human who was turned into a Pokémon. And it had to consume the souls of others to survive.