Pokémon is renowned for its child-friendly appeal, with all its mainline games proudly sporting an E for Everyone rating. This makes the series accessible to children of all ages, inviting them into a vibrant universe filled with colorful creatures like Pikachu and Eevee. However, beneath the surface, some of these pocket monsters harbor surprisingly dark backstories. Various Pokédex entries and in-game tales delve into themes of kidnappings, brutal murders, and other eerie narratives, adding a chilling layer to the franchise.

IGN has compiled a list of the five creepiest Pokédex entries, though this is not exhaustive. Other notable mentions include Mimikyu, a Pokémon so terrifying that it disguises itself as Pikachu to befriend others, all while plotting the downfall of the iconic mascot; Haunter, known for stalking humans in dark alleyways and causing fatal convulsions with a single lick; and Hypno, which in the Pokémon children's show, was depicted hypnotizing and abducting children to consume their dreams.

It was finally Friday, and the young girl from Floaroma Town couldn't contain her excitement. She eagerly finished her breakfast, eager to start her weekend of flower picking. It was her favorite time of year, and she longed for the school day to end so she could spend quality time with her parents, filled with laughter and joy. She dashed to the Valley Windworks, known for its unique flowers, despite knowing the dangers of venturing out without her own Pokémon. This serene spot in Sinnoh seemed safe enough.

Upon arriving, she was greeted by a sea of vibrant pink, yellow, and red flowers. Yet, something even more captivating caught her eye: a shimmering purple balloon gently swaying in the breeze. Mesmerized, she reached for its string, only to be startled when the balloon turned to face her. Its face bore a large, yellow cross and two hollow, black eyes. As the balloon tugged playfully, the girl followed, giggling. But the balloon's pull grew stronger, lifting her higher and higher until the string wrapped tightly around her wrist. The balloon, finding the child neither too heavy nor too resistant, continued its ascent. The girl was never seen again.

Drifloon, known as the Balloon Pokémon, adds a sinister twist to what is typically a beloved children's toy, much like the horror franchise IT. While some of its Pokédex entries are benign, describing it as "a Pokémon formed by the spirits of people and Pokémon," others delve into darker territory. "It tugs on the hands of children to steal them away," warns one entry. Another chillingly states, "Any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and holds on to it could wind up missing." A third entry reveals, "Its round body is stuffed with souls and expands each time it leads someone away." Drifloon's mysterious appearances in the games, specifically on Fridays at the Valley Windworks in Diamond and Pearl, contribute to its eerie allure, transforming mere curiosity into a haunting mystery.

Banette

The boy's parents were increasingly alarmed as his fever spiked, his skin turned grey, and his speech became unintelligible. Despite the efforts of the finest doctors from Mauville and Slateport, his condition deteriorated. In a moment of hope amidst his labored breathing, the boy whispered, "My doll." Desperate to comfort him, his parents presented him with various toys from his collection—a Pikachu, a Lotad, a Skitty, and a Treecko—but he rejected each one with what little strength he had left.

Confused yet determined, his parents searched their home, rummaging through drawers and shelves until they discovered it under the bed: a faded, ragged doll with glowing red eyes and a golden zipper for a mouth. The mother recognized it instantly—it was the doll her son had loved years ago, discarded when they purchased the latest Poké Dolls from Lilycove's department store. Now, damp and adorned with sharp pins, the doll seemed menacing. As the boy reached for it, the mother was jolted back to reality by his movement, only to find the doll's gaze fixed on her. She screamed as it leaped from her grasp and out the window. To her relief, the boy's condition seemed to improve slightly.

Even Pokémon isn't immune to classic horror tropes within its family-friendly universe. Banette, the Marionette Pokémon, embodies the spirit of dolls like Annabelle or Chucky, with a backstory reminiscent of Jessie from Toy Story 2, if Jessie were driven by vengeance. "A doll that became a Pokémon over its grudge from being junked. It seeks the child that disowned it," reads one Pokédex entry. Another chillingly notes, "This Pokémon developed from an abandoned doll that amassed a grudge. It is seen in dark alleys." A later entry becomes more explicit: "It’s a stuffed toy that was thrown away and became possessed, ever searching for the one who threw it away so it can exact its revenge." Banette inflicts harm by acting as an effigy, sticking pins into itself to cause pain to the child it seeks. Only by unzipping its wide smile or treating it with renewed affection can its negative energy be dispelled.

Sandygast

It was a glorious summer day on Melemele Island, with residents enjoying Big Wave Beach. Some surfed, others basked in the sun, and children built sandcastles. As the sun began to set, the beach slowly emptied, but one boy remained, determined to complete his magnificent sandcastle. So engrossed in his work, he didn't notice the movement behind him.

The other sandcastles were morphing into unnatural shapes, their shadows growing ominously against the sunset. Turning around, the boy found himself face-to-face with a Pokémon that resembled a sandcastle but had a gaping mouth and lifeless eyes. Assuming all Pokémon were friendly, he didn't retreat as it approached. He reached for a red spade stuck in its head, thinking it was offering assistance. But as he extended his hand, the Pokémon engulfed it. The boy's scream echoed as his arm was consumed, and like quicksand, his entire body was slowly absorbed.

Contrary to expectations, the sandcastle-themed Pokémon Sandygast is far from the epitome of sunshine and joy. "If you build sand mounds when you’re playing, destroy them before you go home, or they may get possessed and become Sandygast," warns one of its Pokédex entries. Another entry hints at the dire consequences: "Sandygast mainly inhabits beaches. It takes control of anyone who puts their hand into its mouth, forcing them to make its body bigger." The true horror unfolds when Sandygast evolves into Palossand, whose Pokédex entries reveal, "Palossand is known as the Beach Nightmare. It pulls its prey down into the sand by controlling the sand itself, and then it sucks out their souls." Essentially, Sandygast and Palossand grow by consuming children, a fact confirmed by another entry: "Buried beneath the castle are masses of dried-up bones from those whose vitality it has drained."

Frillish

The busy season had finally ended, allowing the elderly woman to enjoy her morning swim in peace. She preferred Undella Town without the hustle of tourists, even if the water was cooler. Having swum these shores for nearly seventy years, she had no intention of stopping now. Today, the waves were choppy, but her determination was unwavering. She swam further than intended, lost in the tranquility she had long sought. Realizing she was far from shore, her heart rate quickened, but she tried to swim back. Her aging body struggled, and despite her efforts, the current pulled her further out with each pause for breath.

As she struggled, a Pokémon emerged from the water, inches from her face. Initially cautious, the woman assumed it was there to help and reached out to it. The Pokémon wrapped its arms around her, allowing her to rest without drifting further. Grateful, she thanked the creature and tried to swim the remaining distance to shore. But she found herself immobilized, unable to move her fingers or toes. As fear set in, her face also became paralyzed. The Pokémon, with its distant gaze, began to sink, dragging the old woman with it into the depths of the ocean.

Frillish, the Floating Pokémon, conceals a dark nature behind its simple appearance. Tapping into common fears of the ocean's unknown depths, Pokémon designed Frillish as a predator that hunts from the surface. "With its thin, veil-like arms wrapped around the body of its opponent, it sinks to the ocean floor," states its original Pokédex description. Another entry reveals, "Its thin, veil-like arms have tens of thousands of poisonous stingers." These stingers paralyze prey, allowing Frillish to drag them to its lair, five miles below the surface. The victims, still conscious, are aware of their fate as they drown.

Froslass

He knew he shouldn't have ventured out. Navigating the mountain at night was challenging enough, but in a blizzard, it was nearly impossible. Yet, he couldn't ignore the sound of a woman's cries and a knock at his door. Living alone at such a high altitude, he felt compelled to help. Bundling up, he set out into the storm, only to be quickly disoriented and lost.

The blizzard showed no signs of relenting, so he was relieved to stumble upon a small cave entrance. It offered a cold but safe refuge for the night. Inside, the temperature was unnaturally low, but it was better than facing the storm outside. As he lit his lantern, he noticed the cave walls were encased in thick ice. Puzzled by the permanent ice at this altitude, he examined his reflection in the ice, only to recoil in horror. The face staring back wasn't his own but that of another man, frozen within the ice. Panic set in as he realized the walls were lined with frozen bodies. Turning to flee, he was confronted by an icy Pokémon. It floated toward him, and as he backed away, it exhaled a frozen breath. As the icy mist enveloped him, he felt his body stiffen, realizing he was becoming another display in the creature's chilling collection.

Froslass combines elements of the Japanese Yōkai Yuki-onna and the Greek myth of Medusa. "The soul of a woman lost on a snowy mountain possessed an icicle, becoming this Pokémon. The food it most relishes is the souls of men," reads one of its Pokédex entries. "It freezes hikers who have come to climb snowy mountains and carries them back to its home. It only goes after men it thinks are handsome." Other entries describe how Froslass lures or drags victims to its den during blizzards, where they become "decorations" neatly lined up. This chilling narrative adds a haunting dimension to the Pokémon universe.