Cryptozoology

[Barb]

The literal definition of the word cryptozoology is the study of hidden animals. In our world, it includes the research behind the Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot, and the chupacabra.

What about the Pokémon world?

I'm thinking not just of the legendaries themselves, but of rare types (Relicanth, for example) or species that are one of a kind (Kyogre and Groudon). Most of modern cryptozoology centers on proving the existence of such animals rather than an in-depth study of the animals themselves. However, many claim that knowledge of zoology is necessary. The professors in the Pokémon world spend years studying various types and writing scientific papers. I'd expect that at least a few would be interested in this branch of study.

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Well, Bill was trying to study the phantom pokémon that visited his lighthouse (remember, it never seemed to dawn on him that it was a giant Dragonite)

 

[Barb]

Yeah. And Seymour (?) with the Clefairy in the early Kanto episodes; although he was primarily trying to prove that Pokémon come from space. Nobody debated the existence of Clefairy/Clefable.

 

[Geodude]

Isn't Eusine supposed to be an expert on Johto's legendary Pokemon?

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Yeah, but I was kinda left with the impression that he was all bread and no sandwich, if you catch my meaning. Kinda like how Jirarudan was supposed to be an expert on the birds but didn't know shit about them other than their legends.

Didn't Eusine even get the story wrong in Legend of Thunder? He said something about Raikou living in peace with humans, which contradicts the story from For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll...

 

[fruitsmoothierevenge]

I'm thinking not just of the legendaries themselves, but of rare types (Relicanth, for example) or species that are one of a kind (Kyogre and Groudon). Most of modern cryptozoology centers on proving the existence of such animals rather than an in-depth study of the animals themselves. However, many claim that knowledge of zoology is necessary. The professors in the Pokémon world spend years studying various types and writing scientific papers. I'd expect that at least a few would be interested in this branch of study.

Would the study of Unown be cryptozoology, considering that the Unown aren't seen as animals but merely physical manifestations?

 

[Jukain]

I would definitely think that there are scientists that go over the world seeking to study unusual specimens of pokemon. However, now that I think about, due to the fact that FR/LG and Ru/Sa are going on in the same timeline that took place in the original games, I now wonder how in the world was everyone clueless to the pokemon egg thing in G/S/C. I understand that at the time the game was made, this was a new concept, but in their effort to fill in the gaps with FR/LG, they left a plothole.

Where was I? Oh yeah. In the anime, at least, they have shown numerous people trying to prove the existence of such and such pokemon. These have normally been either really rare pokemon or the legendaries. I would personally like to go to a foreign land and encounter all sorts of new pokemon, but I think we all do.

 

[Barb]

Would the study of Unown be cryptozoology, considering that the Unown aren't seen as animals but merely physical manifestations?

I would say yes, although this might be more metaphysical/psi research than anything else. But in the 3rd movie, the father (whose name escapes me) was an archaeologist studying some ruins for evidence of the existence of the Unown.

 

[Doctor Oak]

I know Mr Warner of Turquoise Labs coined the phrase 'Cryptimon' in 2002 for the research of brand new Pokemon in the run-up to R/S and started up the first Cryptimon Hunt (which i've continued on).

I'd consider Cryptimon to also include the research of all Pokemon too, so it's certainly a name i'd encourage spreading but keeping to the real-world name we have for it is obviously a matter I have no control over.

I'd certainly imagine that there are MANY people in the Pokemon world that devote their lives entirely to learning about new Pokemon and new things about them. Afterall, we've had the various Prof's, Eusine and more all with the sole purpose in life of learning about Pokemon.

I think Prof Oak even said that there are 3 main groups back at the start of R/B, those who study Pokemon, those who keep them as pets and those who train them. All three would be pretty major groups and would certainly reflect that of real life (bar training... since most animals are either studied or pets of a sort really).

 

[Dark Fire]

There are deffiantly people who devote their life to finding or researching pokemon.

Aside from the Fossil Pokemon [Kabuto, Omanyte, etc.], there was the guy who was watching Slowpoke to see how they evolve into Slowbros [or was it Slowkings?]. I don't know if that would be an example of Cryptomon, but would it would sure seem like it. And those goons who were obsessed with pokemon coming from space? In one of the more recent episodes they were after a Lunatone, which had crashed in a meteorite.