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The Pokemon series has always had an interesting relationship with the concepts of food and livestock for its core characters. As a result, it isn’t often that fans of the series will find their favorite characters chowing down a Pokemon for sustenance. This hasn’t completely prevented Pokemon from being used as food though. Throughout the games and other media, different Pokemon have been considered edible.
This was recently demonstrated by fans when creepy videos showed dead Pokemon being butchered were released online. While the concept of eating meat isn’t that all disturbing to some people, the content of the video can be unnerving given the usual messaging of the Pokemon series. There’s precedence for Pokemon being considered a food source for both people and other Pokemon though. A few have even come dangerously close to extinction because of their sought-after flavors and pairings.
People Eating Pokemon
While many Pokemon are probably edible, not all of them have been used as a delicacy in the series. There are some that have been hinted at or others that have been confirmed, though. It is also worth noting that not every edible Pokemon is necessarily butchered for their meat and then consumed, with some Pokedex entries specifying that they have parts harvested passively.
- Farfetch’d: The Pokemon was once rare and hunted to such an extent that it came close to extinction.
- Lapras: These Pokemon shared a similar fate as Farfetch’d. Overhunting once threatened Lapras and put the species on the brink of extinction.
- Slowpoke: The tail of Slowpoke has been used as a food source in several games. While Pokemon Gold and Silver saw Team Rocket cutting the tails off the Pokemon to cook as a rare delicacy, other games have taken a more passive approach. People in the Alola region from Pokemon Sun and Moon would wait for tails to fall off of the Pokemon and then collect them. In Pokemon Sword and Shield, the tail is reported to have a spicy flavor, and Slowpoke is said to feel no pain when it's removed or falls off.
- Sharpedo: The dorsal fin of Sharpedo was considered a delicacy and, as a result, it was nearly hunted to extinction.
- Magikarp: While Magikarp hasn’t been used for a particularly nutritious food source, Ash and Brock fantasized about eating James’ Magikarp while shipwrecked and stranded at sea in the Pokemon anime.
- Cherubi: The ball-like appendage on this cherry-shaped Pokemon is described as sweet by people.
- Basculin: Basculin is described as popular with younger people. Its red-striped variant is on the fatty side while its blue-striped one has a flavor that is “inoffensive.”
- Seadra: While eating Seadra isn’t confirmed, it’s one of several Pokemon that has been used for medicinal purposes with its bone and scales being harvested.
- Crabrawler: The pincers of a Crabrawler will occasionally fall off during battle but they lack meat. Still, the Pokemon is described as delicious and nutritious.
- Clauncher: Similar to Crabrawler, Clauncher claws are considered a delicacy, and have quite a bit of meat to offer those who might eat them.
- Barraskewda: Barraskewda has been described as tasty, which is a bit of a surprise given the fish Pokemon’s rough look.
- Krabby and Kingler: Both of these Pokemon have been hinted at as food. In the anime, Ash asks Professor Oak if he ate his Krabby, suggesting that they might be considered food as well as partners. Its evolution, Kingler, also appears to be in a curry dish in Pokemon Sword and Shield.
- Paras: The Pokemon’s mushrooms can be dried and powdered to make a medicine believed to extend life.
- Parasect: The evolved form of Paras, Parasect spores can be used for medicine as well.
- Gabite: This Dragon-type Pokemon’s scales are similarly used for a medicine that reinvigorates people.
- Ribombee: The Bee Fly Pokemon’s pollen puffs are said to be highly nutritious and sold as a supplement.
- Appletun: While it’s unclear if people still eat Appletun, it is mentioned that children used to eat its skin because of the sweet and delicious flavor. This makes sense since the Pokemon is basically a walking apple pie.
Pokemon That Help With Food-Related Things
Different from Pokemon used as food are Pokemon that contribute to people’s meals. This relationship is a bit less gruesome than Pokemon being eaten, and the concept is a lot easier to swallow. While they still provide culinary benefits, they don’t have to be consumed to do so.
- Chansey and Blissey: Both Chansey and its evolved form Blissey, who was recently added to Pokemon Unite, are shown to have amicable relationships with humans and assist with the healthcare of other Pokemon. They also tend to lay delicious eggs that people can eat.
- Alakazam: The final evolution of Abra has been known to give people it trusts one of its spoons. The spoons themselves are said to make any food eaten with them taste delicious.
- Shuckle: The berries that Shuckle store ferment and eventually become juice. People will often drink the juice as a refreshment.
- Skiddo and Miltank: Both of these Pokemon are known to be used for their dairy-making abilities. Moomoo Milk, which comes from Miltank, has been a staple in Pokemon since Gen 2. In a similar manner, both cows and goats have been kept for their milk-producing abilities in real life.
- Combee and Vespiquen: Both of these bee-Pokemon make honey, which is enjoyed by people and Pokemon alike.
- Octillery: Like squid ink in real life, the black ink that Octillery shoots is also used for cooking. It is likely preferred as a natural food coloring or to add some unique flavor to meals.
Predatory Pokemon and Their Prey
People aren’t the only ones to consume Pokemon. In the series, several Pokemon are known to have predator and prey relationships. The match-ups for these Pokemon often reflect what might be a real-world counterpart.
- Arbok prey on Wooper
- Ekans prey on Pidgey and Spearow
- Kingler prey on Shellder and Cloyster
- Marowak prey on Mandibuzz
- Omastar prey on Shellder
- Pidgey prey on Seedot
- Pidgeotto prey on Exeggcute and Magikarp
- Pidgeot prey on Magikarp
- Spearow prey on Sunkern
- Shellder and Cloyster both prey on Slowpoke - Shellder also seem to share a parasitic relationship with Slowbro that causes the Pokemon's evolution
- Aipom prey on Bounsweet
- Furret prey on Rattata
- Pineco prey on Cutiefly
- Spinarak prey on Cutiefly
- Sneasel prey on Alolan Sandshrew
- Weavile prey on Alolan Sandshrew, Alolan Vulpix, and Mamoswine
- Glalie prey on Vanillite
- Metang prey on Nosepass
- Pelipper preys on Luvdisc, Wishiwashi, and Pyukumuku
- Rayquaza prey on Minior
- Sableye prey on Carbink
- Sharpedo prey on Squirtle and Wailmer
- Taillow and Swellow prey on Wurmple
- Wailmer and Wailord prey on Wishiwashi
- Wingull prey on Finneon and Wishiwashi
- Drifblim prey on Clamperl
- Lumineon prey on Staryu and Starmie
- Starly prey on Wurmple and Cherubi
- Archeops prey on Omanyte
- Beheeyem prey on Dubwool
- Carracosta prey on Omanyte and Omastar
- Druddigon preys on Diglett, Dugtrio, Onix, and Excadrill for an iron packed diet
- Frillish prey on Magikarp
- Heatmor prey on Durant
- Karrablast prey on Shelmet
- Mandibuzz prey on Cubone
- Rufflet prey on Shellder
- Sandile prey on Trapinch
- Talonflame prey on Wingull and Pikipek
- Alolan Grimer and Muk prey on Trubbish and Garbodor
- Bruxish prey on Shellder and Mareanie
- Crabrawler prey on Exeggcute
- Dhelmise prey on Wailmer and Wailord
- Gumshoos prey on Alolan Rattata and Raticate
- Mareanie and Toxapex prey on Corsola
- Pikipek prey on Metapod
- Salandit prey on Spinda
- Toucannon prey on Bounsweet
- Galarian Darumaka prey on Snover
- Galarian Weezing prey on Trubbish
- Centiskorch and Scolipede both prey on each other
- Corvisquire prey on Steenee
- Corviknight prey on Bunnelby
- Cramorant prey on Arrokuda
- Grapploct and Golisopod both prey on each other
- Sandaconda prey on Durant
It’s interesting to think of the Pokemon ecosystem in this complex manner. While it makes sense, taking out the idea of people eating Pokemon can also make the game's setting feel more pristine. There have been undertones regarding nature and conservation in the past, but the depth added by a Pokemon food chain helps ground this idea.
This concept looks like it will be touched upon even more when Pokemon Legends: Arceus releases. Pokemon Legends: Arceus addresses Pokemon mortality in some unique ways that also play into the game’s ecosystem. Seeing all of this in action will likely be a major turning point for the Pokemon series, but one that could be well received.