Although Pokémon has an incredible variety of creatures filling its world, perhaps some of the most interesting are actually artificial creations. One of the most notable of these is Mewtwo, the genetically-engineered Legendary of Gen 1, but Mewtwo is far from the only such Pokémon to exist. From deliberate design to accidental animation, there are many artificial Pokémon that owe their existence to humans.
Given the sheer range of artificial Pokémon, most of which are even capable of breeding, it seems that nearly anything has the capacity to come to life in the Pokémon world, whether people want it to or not. Not every artificial Pokémon is given an easy explanation for its existence, and the ones that do are often the result of bizarre accidents. However, as the same can be said of many Pokémon according to the Pokédex, the Pokémon discussed here specifically all reportedly possess bodies created by human hands. This differentiates something like Trubbish, a sentient garbage bag, from Grimer, more generic pollution granted life by “X-rays from the moon”.
Voltorb and Electrode Have Mysterious Pokémon Origins Like Mewtwo
Although their designs are clearly based on the concept of a living Poké Ball, the Pokédex is vague on how exactly Voltorb and Electrode came to be. All that is known is that they appeared in their modern incarnation after Poké Balls began to be produced in factories, and perhaps exposed to some kind of energy according to one Pokédex entry. Similarly, their ancient Hisuian counterparts resemble the Apricorn Poké Balls used by the Galaxy Expedition Team. Confusingly, however, Apricorn Poké Balls are a recent invention in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, while Hisuian Voltorb have existed for far longer, leaving the species’ true origins a mystery.
The Porygon Family Are Physical AI Creations In Pokémon Gen 1
In Gen 1, Porygon was described as being the first ever artificial Pokémon to be created deliberately, although later developments in the franchise would retcon this. Essentially an AI given physical form, its digital nature is exemplified in the polygonal shapes of its body. Porygon2 and Porygon-Z continue this trend, evolving by being upgraded with additional data and becoming sleeker in design, although the latter is also erratic as a result of poor coding.
Mewtwo Is The Classic Genetically-Engineered Pokémon Powerhouse
Mewtwo is perhaps the most famous artificial Pokémon, as well as being one of the first. This Legendary Psychic-type is a genetically-engineered clone of the much smaller Mew, and specifically designed for overwhelming power as a result of brutal experiments in Cinnabar Island’s Pokémon Mansion.
It is believed that in the original Pokémon games Mewtwo was created by Mr Fuji (a former Pokémon researcher and scientist), while in the anime Mewtwo was the work of the similar Doctor Fuji as part of a deal with Team Rocket.
Baltoy and Golett Are Made From Ancient Clay
As their category of Clay Doll Pokémon suggests, Baltoy and its evolution Claydol are the result of clay figures being brought to life in ancient times. However, this was not a deliberate effort on the part of their human creators, but instead due to the original clay being affected by a “mysterious ray of light”. They are perhaps the oldest known example of this kind of accidental animation, being created more than 20,000 years ago according to many of their Pokédex entries.
Similar to this, Golett and its evolution Golurk were also created by an ancient civilization, with the exception that the Automaton Pokémon were deliberately made to become Pokémon. Inspired by the golems of Jewish mythology, these Pokémon were built from clay to protect their civilization. Animated by an unidentified type of energy, they are apparently capable of living for thousands of years, with the oldest of these Pokémon still alive also being some of the first to exist.
Castform Is An Natural Weather Forecaster
Castform is a Pokémon deeply connected to the changing weather. Created by Hoenn’s Weather Institute to aid in their research, it changes type and Form depending on the weather in its local area. This ability can also apparently be used to help predict the weather in the Pokémon world, which makes Castform a useful companion for any meteorologist.
Banette & Varoom Took Over Human Creations
Banette is an unusual case in that it does not begin its life as an artificial Pokémon. Instead, it is an abandoned doll possessed by a Shuppet as part of its evolution. The new Pokémon will harbor a grudge as a result of the toy’s abandonment, but curiously enough it can reportedly also be exorcised by treating the Banette with kindness. Whether this kills the Bannette, moves it on to another doll or even reverts it back to a Shuppet is unclear. Regardless, Banette is unique among Pokémon in that it gains its artificiality, instead of being born from it.
Similar to Bannette, Varoom is the result of an unidentified species of Poison-type Pokémon fusing with an engine, creating an entirely new species. Unlike Banette, of course, Varoom is a new first-stage Pokémon, and its evolution Revaroom follows the theme by simply becoming a much larger engine. Moreover, both Pokémon are functional enough as actual machinery for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Team Star to use them in their Starmobiles.
Trubbish Is The Ultimate Form Of Recycling
There is very little that can sur Trubbish in of recycling, as this Pokémon is actually a trash bag that has come to life. In this way, it is superficially similar to Banette, but Trubbish’s existence is due to sheer coincidence. These Pokémon, as well as evolution Garbodor, owe their existence to a peculiar chemical reaction. When regular garbage was mixed with industrial waste, the chemicals involved somehow brought that same garbage to life. It is a bizarre piece of Pokémon lore, but at the same time one that seems only natural in the world of Pokémon.
Genesect’s Villainous Origin Follows In Mewtwo’s Footsteps
Similar to Mewtwo before it, the Mythical Pokémon Genesect is the product of experiments by an evil organization. A Team Plasma scientist revived Genesect from a fossil whilst also giving it a metallic body and an in-built cannon. Moreover, this cannon can be loaded with different ‘drives’ in order to change the typing of Genesect’s Techno Cannon attack. As such, the cyborg Pokémon can be considered a progression of the techniques that created Mewtwo; it is an upgraded version of another Pokémon, but at the same time the Pokémon’s ability to change its move’s type is arguably something that improves upon Mewtwo in some respects.
Type: Null Were Made To Fight Interdimensional Invaders
Originally called ‘Type: Full’, the Aether Foundation’s Type: Null was created specifically to combat the fearsome Ultra Beasts, and much like Genesect follows in Mewtwo’s footsteps as a Legendary Pokémon intended to be at the pinnacle of strength. It also uses a type-changing system similar to Genesect’s, the RKS system, although Type: Full went berserk under its influence, leading to its power being sealed behind the helmet of Type: Null and it being labeled a failure. However, evolving into Silvally provides it with the control needed. Unfortunately for Aether, the Pokémon is only able to evolve with a strong friendship, not something often found as an experiment in a laboratory.
Magearna Is A Centuries-Old Robot
Magearna is yet another Pokémon created in the distant past, although only five centuries ago as opposed to the millennia-old Goletts, and is notably categorized as the ‘Artificial Pokémon’. Additionally, this Mythical Pokémon’s actual body is the sphere in its chest, without which it cannot function. This sphere, called the Soul-Heart, was created by a scientist using the life energy of other Pokémon. Despite its mechanical nature, Magearna is highly empathetic, as a result of it having the ability to feel the pain of others.
Futuristic Paradox Pokémon Exchange Flesh For Iron
The Paradox Pokémon featured in Pokémon Violet are all purported to come from the future, with various theories for each of their robotic appearances. They appear split between cyborgs and full robots, created both in the past and future (and, in the case of Iron Moth, even sent by aliens). One of the most notable Paradox Pokémon again appears to echo Mewtwo’s origin; Iron Valiant, which incorporates elements of both Gardevoir and Gallade, is supposedly the work of a scientist aiming to create the most powerful Psychic-type in existence.
Artificial Pokémon are a diverse group, born of many different ideologies and intentions. But despite their obvious potential, humans do not seem to have felt the need to fill their world with such creations. Perhaps it is a question of resources, or maybe the vibrant world of Pokémon already provides most of the companions a person could ever want. Meanwhile, those Pokémon born more of coincidence have no problems with this, becoming a species like any other. Despite the artificiality of these Pokémon, they nevertheless fit in perfectly well with the rest of the world of Pokémon.
Source: Captain Fidget/YouTube
