Why do Pokémon obey humans?

[Teek]

I'm wondering, why do Pokémon obey human, and let them catch them in PokéBalls? Don't they want to live free with their families?

I was recently watching this episode where Ash caught Treecko. In which, after everything got settled, Treecko allowed Ash to battle him, and then he was caught. And his family members (other Treecko) were just watching him being caught. Why would they all attack Ash so that he doesn't their him away, lol.

Why would the Pokémon want to be caught and move away from family forever, and keep obeying their trainer, bearing all the damage for them. They could do this just on their own, if they like to fight.

 

[Almonds]

...wasn't that sort of thing N wondered about? And was the true intention of his campaign of pokemon liberation?

Anyway, my guess is that maybe they're kinda like pets in the real world. Like, there are cats living in the wild and cats that are tamed. Same goes for dogs, but you can train a dog to be loyal - to protect you, to guide you (seeing-eye-dogs) etc etc. Pokemon are no different, except that they are much more intelligent and loyal after they are trained.

 

[Torterra Trainer]

I guess they just don't have a problem with being away from their families, although pokemon have been shown to be like humans emotionally, maybe they don't, for the most part, form familiar attatchments the way humans do, so moving away from their 'family' wouldn't be so tramatic to them.

 

[Iteru]

I've decided to move this thread to World as the topic isn't just restricted to the Anime, and I think it would be able to achieve more discussion here.

 

[Teek]

Oh, N is also working on the same issue? lol...
I haven't reached where N comes in the series. I only know he is leader of team plasma (that too I read on bulbapedia).


Alright, Iteru. Thanks! I posted it in anime section cause in games they are not shown to live in families. lol...

 

[Articwolf10]

Oh, N is also working on the same issue? lol...
I haven't reached where N comes in the series. I only know he is leader of team plasma (that too I read on bulbapedia).


Alright, Iteru. Thanks! I posted it in anime section cause in games they are not shown to live in families. lol...

you don'tplay the games?

 

[Teek]

you don'tplay the games?

Not the one where N comes in. I've played Red, FireRed, Crystal, and Emerald. Now playing Platinum, but sometimes.
So I haven't encountered Team Plasma yet. Only Team Rocket (ofcourse ), Team Aqua and Team Magma.

 

[FinalArcadia]

It always seemed to me that despite how things may start off once a trainer first catches a Pokemon, the Pokemon enjoy the companionship of humans. I mean, when you go take a Pokemon that likes you to the Footprint guy, the Pokemon says that it can see wild Pokemon being "jealous," so I feel like most (not all) of them just want to get close to a human and share a bond with them.

 

[Teek]

It always seemed to me that despite how things may start off once a trainer first catches a Pokemon, the Pokemon enjoy the companionship of humans. I mean, when you go take a Pokemon that likes you to the Footprint guy, the Pokemon says that it can see wild Pokemon being "jealous," so I feel like most (not all) of them just want to get close to a human and share a bond with them.

Yeah it was said in the very first episode of the anime too. When Ash was attacking Spearow, and the PokéDex said that Wild pokémon tend to be jealous of human trained Pokémon.

 

[raychuu]

Pokémon are portraitred as being highly intelligent, perhaps even more than humans in some case, so it seems only natural to me that they understand the benefits of cooperation and feel the drive to compete (in battles, Contests, etc...). That, and they are, again much like humans, social beings, who enjoy company, care and tenderness, not unlike a pet. While captures, at least in the Animé, tend to be more of a "let me see if you are worthy" ritual, I don't think it would be entirely foreign for slavery to exist. I'm not speaking of people such Team Rocket goons (they are people who simply pursue a wrong goal, nothing stops them from forming bonds with their Pokémon), but the likes of Iron Mask Marauder.

In the end of the day, Pokémon befriend humans (most) of the time and do what they do because they enjoy it; if they didn't, they would stay in the wild - and some do, indeed.

 

[CrystaI]

This comes another question: Why Pokemon will obey the villains?

I do not mean the legendary Pokemons that the villains trying to catch during the story plot, but the ordinary ones in their Pokeballs that was caught long ago.

I think the Pokemon understands what their trainer/master is doing, but still I don't understand why they will still obey the bad guys.

 

[GoldeenTail]

I always thought when you caught a pokemon with a pokeball, it'll automatically brainwash the pokemon to obey their trainer no matter who it is. Like, they'll be forced to believe everything the trainer want the pokemon to do would be right. Similar to in real life there aren't bad pets, just bad pet owners. or something like that.

 

[Teek]

This comes another question: Why Pokemon will obey the villains?


I do not mean the legendary Pokemons that the villains trying to catch during the story plot, but the ordinary ones in their Pokeballs that was caught long ago.


I think the Pokemon understands what their trainer/master is doing, but still I don't understand why they will still obey the bad guys.

I always thought when you caught a pokemon with a pokeball, it'll automatically brainwash the pokemon to obey their trainer no matter who it is. Like, they'll be forced to believe everything the trainer want the pokemon to do would be right. Similar to in real life there aren't bad pets, just bad pet owners. or something like that.

I remember there was one episode when all Ash's, Misty's, Brock's, and Team Rocket's Pokémon, along with Meowth, where separated from the trainers. Perhaps that one in which these people destroys Giovanni's amusement part consisting of huge robot pokémon.


In it, Pikachu asked Ekans and Koffing that why do they commit crime. And Ekans replied that Pokémon don't do good deed or bad. They just obey their master. It's the master that tells them to do bad work. And then Meowth started thinking that he has no master and still does bad work.

 

[CrystaI]

Well, those two idiotic Team Rocket members are the villains that doesn't behave like villains at all. In fact, they have personalities just like a normal caring Pokemon Trainer, who cares about their own Pokemon deeply from their heart. They do bad things mainly due to (or similar to) the reason "It is our job". So I can understand why their Pokemon will still follows them. And for Meowth, he has is own reason to do bad...

I do not want to use the villains in the animes, because none of them are good examples of "well-designed villains". Let say Archie and Maxie of Team Aqua and Team Magma in the game. Although their motives of their schemes are a bit lame, but their personalities fits well to be a "good" villains, which is using Pokemon like a tools, doesn't treat them as living animals, don't talk to them nor even praise them well they had accomplished their job.
Another one I think very "well-designed" is Cyrus of Team Galactic, where just looking at him can feel the pressure, and I think many people can read at the least that he is not up to something good just by his stare at you.
And the most best designed villain I think is Guile Hideout from Pokemon Adventure manga in the Emerald series, where he thinks and cares nothing about the Pokemon (nor human) that is in his way, and any "useless" Pokemon that is weak or injured.

I don't know what the Pokemon that follow these guys think, when they see how their masters mistreat and abuse other Pokemon right in front of their eyes. What I don't understand is just that if they do have the conscience similar to human emotion, or at the least a little sympathy, then why they can still follow such villain and obey their commands?

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Oh, and also, in reality, there are animals who is rebellious towards human, especially the wild ones. Even they are caught and tamed in the zoo, they still don't like human. In the case of Pokemon, I just felt quite strange is that why the Pokemon does not rebel against the human that caught them?

 

[DracoMan]

Wasn't there some Sinnoh legend that dealt with this? I think it was something about Pokemon deciding to appear before humans to help them.

 

[Silverwynde]

I've always thought that if a wild Pokemon would want a Trainer they would act obediently in order to help that Trainer and prove their worth. Trained Pokemon are stronger than their wild counterparts, so I can't help thinking that's the main reason why they obey-- the human knows what's best and is trying to help.

Now, we're looking at this as Pokemon being wild animals, which they are. But what of artificially created Pokemon? Wouldn't something like a Porygon want to be around a human, seeing as how it was created by one? Maybe they'd be a tad more obedient since they might view a human as "family" more than a truly wild Pokemon. It's a thought.

 

[CorpseFlower]

I think 99% of pokemon would be intelligent enough to really consider joining a trainer or not. If an individual really hated people, they would become incredibly adept at avoiding them, as most real-life animals are. What we commonly see are domesticated or extremely curious/friendly wild animals, so I imagine it would be a similar case with pokemon. Of course, they seem to have much higher intelligence, physical capabilities, and more noticeable personalities than animals, let's keep that straight. Most of the pokemon they show being caught in the anime have either known the human hand well enough to welcome it (even slightly reluctantly) or appear quite young. These pokemon would obviously bond more quickly with their humans, and it turn be more loyal.In the case of older or completely wild pokemon, of course, it would be much more difficult, and at first, would probably be more a relationship of respect.

In dealing with evil organizations, the pokemon would probably more be listening out of fear, or the neutral take of getting their job done. These pokemon would probably get passed around a lot, and simply get used to the harsh conditions and handling. To tail whip on command and get fed is much easier than to resist and go hungry, or possibly get beaten.

 

[PokePal15]

This comes another question: Why Pokemon will obey the villains?

I do not mean the legendary Pokemons that the villains trying to catch during the story plot, but the ordinary ones in their Pokeballs that was caught long ago.

I think the Pokemon understands what their trainer/master is doing, but still I don't understand why they will still obey the bad guys.

In answer to this, I say first, look to the anime. We have Jessie and James, the so-called "villains" actually caring about their Pokemon (and their Pokemon care about them). Ekans and Koffing evolved because they cared for their respective trainers and then were released much later because these same trainers cared about them. All of James' Grass-types seem to harbor a great love for him and he cares deeply for all of them, particularly seen with Chimecho and Mime Jr. Jessie, though she doesn't seem to care much, if at all for those in her care, actually does harbor affection (most noticeably with Dustox (whom she released out of love)). She does, although sparingly, show affection for all of her other Pokemon (yes, even Wobbuffet) as well.

Next, I say look to the games, particularly to Gen V with N. If I remember correctly, throughout the game, N says something about releasing Pokemon because it is what they want and deserve and they shouldn't be slaves to any one. He is surprised when he "talks" to the player's Pokemon and finds out that they'd rather stay with the player because they know the player cares for each of them and loves them and blah blah blah (I can't remember the exact words, but this is more or less the gist).

Now, tying the "villain trainers" theory with the "normal, non-villain trainers" and taking both of these together, I'm going to say what others have said and that is beneficial teamwork. By living and working together, Pokemon and trainers better themselves and each other. Both sides know that they can only be stronger and better by being together. A Pokemon can choose to get caught and can choose not to get caught if they feel like the trainer is not worthy or strong enough (my theory on why legendary Pokemon are harder to catch; they are just waiting for a trainer to prove him or herself). Pokemon have also chosen not to obey, both in the anime and the games. In the former, Ash's Charizard is a prime example. It refused to obey its trainer until he proved himself and proved his dedication and determination to helping and caring for his Pokemon when they are in need. For the games example, Pokemon of certain levels will not obey even the most determined of trainers unless they prove themselves in battle (which is why earning more Gym Badges makes higher level Pokemon obey). Trainers have to prove themselves as strong, dedicated, determined and kind to their Pokemon (though not necessarily to others (again, see Team Rocket)). Like real-life animals, Pokemon can sense the emotions and feelings of the people around them and are thus able to make a determination of whether or not that person is good and trustworthy. If a trainer or person can prove him or herself to a Pokemon and if the Pokemon feels like that person or trainer will have only its best interest at heart, why not obey? Why not partake in a mutually beneficial relationship that will cause improve the lives of all parties involved?

After all, if the status quo ever changes and the Pokemon decides that it is no longer being treated the way it deserves (Pokemon are intelligent, sentient beings, after all) it can choose not to obey (a la Ash's Charizard) and may even get to the point or have the opportunity to get away, "be released". There is nothing forcing obedience; it is a choice, not an obligation, and should be treated as such.

 

[Joshawott]

In regards to the Pokémon that allow their trainers to battle them and capture them, I assume it's as simple as that - they want to follow that person. With Pokémon that are randomly captured though? Perhaps something similar to Stockholm Syndrome kicks in.

 

[CrystaI]

But, you know, the procedure of catching Pokemon is not necessarily a demonstration of a Trainer's skill or power. This means by the method of how you get the Pokemon.

If it was the simplest battling and capturing a wild Pokemon, then it is technically understandable. But how about the Pokemon capturing in the Safari Games? You don't (and not allowed to) battle in the Safari Zone, you catch the wild Pokemon only by simply throwing the ball to it, and the chance of catching it will be purely luck. So just why will the caught Safari Pokemon listen to you, if they don't even know are you a good or bad trainer? It cannot all take the attitude of "Give this trainer a chance to try".

It also wonders me about traded Pokemon, where Pokemon is sent to a new trainer it don't familiar with. If the two trading trainers were friends, then it is understandable, But how about through the GTS? The Pokemon nor the trainers won't even able to see the other trainer what is he/she likes. It bothers me that wouldn't the thought about the previous trainer influences the obedience towards its new trainer?