Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's release is just around the corner, and The Pokemon Company has treated gamers to another trailer showing them what to expect. When Trainers need a break, they will be able to set up a picnic where they will be able to make sandwiches. However, with ham on the menu, it is impossible to not wonder whether Paldeans are feasting on their Pokemon friends.

Paldeans would not be the only community to eat Pokemon, and there has been evidence of Pokemon-infused dishes in past games and the anime series. While it would be interesting to find out more about this side of the relationship between humans and Pokemon, it is unlikely that Scarlet and Violet will delve into it deeply. Nevertheless, it is a topic worth considering, and there have been enough clues peppered around for fans to draw some conclusions.

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The Picnics of Scarlet and Violet

pokemon scarlet and violet picnic

The latest Pokemon Scarlet and Violet trailer has demonstrated that the upcoming games will introduce plenty of new features to the series. Players can look forward to picnics, which will allow them to take a break from their adventure and spend some quality time with their Pokemon. Once a picnic has been set up, players can let their Pokemon out their Pokeballs for some play time, and the dirty ones can be scrubbed clean. The feature is greatly appreciated, as it allows gamers to bond with their team. However, it does raise a few concerning questions.

During picnics, players can occasionally discover a Pokemon egg in their picnic basket. Naturally, one is left wondering how it got there. Was it supposed to be part of the meal? Furthermore, players can make sandwiches for their picnic. The trailer has shown that there is an assortment of ingredients available, including cherries, tomatoes, lettuce, and most disconcertingly, ham. Where does this ham come from? Are there pigs that players have yet to see, or are Paldeans farming Tepigs and Lechonks?

Meat in the Pokemon World

Pokemon Food Magikarp

The question of meat eating in the Pokemon world has never been adequately answered. As far as the Pokemon games are concerned, there have been no instances of real-world animals making an appearance, leading one to believe that only humans and Pokemon exist. Evidence of humans preying on Pokemon can be found in minor details. For instance, in Pokemon X and Y, Slowpoke Tail is served at Restaurant Le Yeah, while in Pokemon Sun and Moon players see dishes with Slowpoke Tail in them in the Thrifty Megamart.

The anime and movies tend to be a little looser with the rules, and fish and other real-world animals have been briefly spotted, though these have been written off as errors by most fans. Ash has repeatedly spoken of Magikarp as a food source and he is seen drinking milk, which must surely have come from a Miltank. In Pokemon The Movie 2000, Misty is seen eating what looks like a chicken drumstick, but it could just as easily be the leg of a Farfetch'd.

Whether humans eat Pokemon is left open-ended, but evidence leans toward yes as the answer. It does not appear that humans have all adopted vegan diets, and with no regular animals around, it seems Pokemon are all that is left to farm. While Charizards likely aren't on the menu, it is difficult to imagine that there aren't fishers making a living from catching Magikarp.

Are Paldeans Pokemon-Eaters?

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Picnic with Sprigatito, Lechonk, and Miraidon

If Paldeans eat Pokemon, they certainly wouldn't be the only ones in the Pokemon world to do so. It would be something they share with the people of Kalos and Alola at the very least. It is unlikely that the upcoming games will venture too much into what "ham" consists of, mostly because the franchise places such a huge emphasis on the bond between Trainers and their critters. Talking about the ways Trainers also eat them would probably put a damper on things.

The point of the picnics ultimately isn't to raise morbid questions regarding Pokemon hunting, although the inclusion of meat inevitably does so. However, this shouldn't get in the way of it providing a fun way for players to bond with their Pokemon and make sandwiches that prepare them for the adventure ahead. Sandwich-making appears to be a simple yet fun mechanic, as players have to ensure their meal isn't overstuffed.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are scheduled to release on November 18 for Nintendo Switch.

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