For years, Pokémon fans have argued over what happens when a monster is recalled into a Pokeball. The theories are endless.
Does a Pokémon simply shrink down in size? Is a Pokeball just an empty prison? Does a Pokémon transform into pure energy, or perhaps information, once inside a Pokeball — meaning there’s no “inside” of a Pokeball at all? Or are Pokeballs small paradises for our buddies?
Earlier this month I chatted with Junichi Masuda, producer on Pokémon Sun and Moon, and he quickly set the record straight.
“I think it’s safe to say that it’s very comfortable inside inside of a Pokeball, it’s a very comfortable environment,” Masuda laughed. “Maybe the equivalent of a high-end suite room in a fancy hotel.”
And there you have it. While not in use, Pokémon are totally pampered, so don’t worry about it. They might be hanging out in locales swankier places than you are.
We asked our talented artists at Gizmodo Media to come up with a possible rendition of what it’s like inside of a Pokeball based on Masuda’s description, and here’s what illustrator Angelica Alzona came up with. Looks nice, huh?
We’ll have more on our interview with Game Freak in the coming days.
Comments
13 responses to “What It’s Like Inside A Pokeball, According To A Pokémon Developer”
But what if they’re on, say, 15 HP left. Are they totally bruised and battered while in their personal paradise?
Sounds like the arguments for those not really free range chickens:
“They have plenty of room, they love it. And sometimes we let them outside too! Now stop thinking where it comes from and eat your fried chicken.”
Yet everyone falls for free range eggs.
Preeeetty sure that they are just converted into energy (as the capture process shows) and stored as such, and in the meantime they are in a sort of stasis.
For one this developer got hit with a question he had obviously never considered before so we shouldn’t give his idea any weight.
That said it’s possible that if they’re being converted to digital that there’s basically a simulation of some sorts for them in there.
Then again the anime took like 5 minutes to establish that some Pokemon hate it in there 😛
‘This developer’ is Junichi Masuda. THE GUY when it comes to Pokémon. He’s worked on Pokémon since its release in 96 and has worked for Game Freak since its inception. The man is the leading authority on anything Pokémon related. Given that the series has been around since 1996, I don’t think it’s likely that he’s never considered what happens inside a Pokéball over the last 20 years.
The more likely thing is that it’s something the devs don’t consider important, and so have no official lore for. Thus, this is a wrote response that he’s learned to keep the children who fall in love with their lil buddies happy. Which is perfectly reasonable.
Good point, I was maybe a bit too dismissive.
You’d be more accurate that they just don’t have any official lore and he gave a light hearted PR response.
Propaganda. Don’t believe the lies.
If it’s so great inside a pokeball – why does Pikachu hate it so much?
No room service
Because Pikachu and Ash share an unhealthy co-dependent relationship.
Check out the Pokemon Sun and Moon Starters, I’m sure they’re in poke balls.
Man he really hates Popillo.