Talking Pokémon
Talking Pokémon arePokémon who can speak a human language. While it appears that all Pokémon can understand human speech to varying degrees, very few can communicate with humans, except via body language. There are exceptions to this, however, depending on the version of the Pokémon world being depicted.
In the core series games
Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen
InRed, Blue, andYellow and theirGeneration III remakes,Copycat'sDoduo is able to speak a line of human language when approached. Also, Bill, when transformed into a Pokémon, can speak human language athis house onCerulean Cape. In addition, theMarowak'sghost can talk.
Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver
InGeneration II and theirGeneration IV remakes, aMurkrow owned byTeam Rocket tells theplayer the password to the generator room in theTeam Rocket HQ.
Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire
InRuby, Sapphire, andEmerald and theirGeneration VI remakes,Mr. Stone wants to be able to communicate withPokémon, so he started a project forDevon Corporation intending to build a translation device for Pokémon; however, not much progress has been made.
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl
InDiamond and Pearl,Platinum,Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, whileDarkrai is not able to speak directly, it is presumed that the man inside theHarbor Inn is an illusion created by Darkrai, through which it is able to communicate with the player during theMember Card event.
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
InBlack 2 and White 2, if the player visitsLostlorn Forest, aZoroark is disguised as aBackpacker who talks to the player and gives themTM95 (Snarl) before dispelling its illusion and leaving. Also, inPokéstar Studios, the final film of theLove and Battles Series has a talkingSmeargle, and theTimegate Traveler Series features a talkingLedian.
Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
InSun and Moon andUltra Sun and Ultra Moon,Rotom can speak while inhabiting theRotom Pokédex. In Sun and Moon only,Tapu Koko also speaks to the player through theirZ-Ring before challenging them to a battle at the end of the game. AMimikyu at theAether House tells the player it will curse them when spoken to as well. AnOranguru in theKonikoni Cityapparel shop also tells the player to "Gu do it!"
Pokémon Sword and Shield
InSword and Shield, aHonedge in theRose of the Rondelands hotel will bid the player welcome if approached.
In Sword and Shield'sThe Crown TundraExpansion Pass,Calyrex is revealed to have the ability to speak through humans. It frequently takes overPeony in order to communicate with the player.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
InPokémon Legends: Arceus,Arceus speaks the human language in what seems to be Early Modern English. Thelake guardians also telepathically speak to the player during the game's climax.Dialga andPalkia are also capable of telepathy, although they only speak toAdaman andIrida respectively.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A
InPokémon Legends: Z-A'sMega Dimension DLC,Darkrai speaks the human language through dreams.
Pokédex entries
Chatot'sPokédex entries state that it is being able to speak the human language. This relates to itssignature moveChatter.
Latias'sPokédex entries state that it can telepathically speak with humans.
The Pokédex entries forNinetales,Lapras,Latias,Latios,Lucario, andMagearna, as well asPoipole's description on the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon website as UB Adhesive,[1] mention their ability to understand human speech, leaving it unclear as to whether other Pokémon can understand it as well.
In the side series games
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
Prior to the events ofPokémon XD,Dr. Kaminko developed a device that was meant to translate a Pokémon's speech, but it failed and was scrapped. A major post-game quest details theplayer's efforts to undo its effects when it is accidentally released byChobin and causes Pokémon aroundOrre to lose their voice.
In the spin-off games
Hey You, Pikachu!
InHey You, Pikachu!, the game centers around using a special device called a PokéHelper that translates certain human-language words into something wild Pikachu can understand. In this game's spiritual successor,Pokémon Channel, various Pokémon appear as hosts and stars of TV shows, with their speech subtitled into the local human language.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
InPokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, certain Pokémon are capable of using telepathy, such asRegigigas.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
In theMystery Dungeon games, all Pokémon can talk. This includes the player, who was transformed into a Pokémon. However, since there are no human characters in the Mystery Dungeon games, it is entirely possible that these Pokémon are not, in fact, speaking human language, but rather their own Pokémon language, which the player can now understand as a result of becoming a Pokémon themselves.
PokéPark series
In the PokéPark games, all Pokémon can talk. However, like in the Mystery Dungeon games, there are no human characters in the game, suggesting that the Pokémon are simply speaking Pokémon language in between each other, which the player character is able to understand due to being a Pokémon as well. This is further supported by all the Pokémon having theirvoices fromPokémon the Series and their speech only appearing in text boxes.
Detective Pikachu series
InDetective Pikachu, the player character,Tim Goodman, is partners with a talkingDetective Pikachu. However, only the player seems to be able to hear Pikachu's talking voice. In addition, the game also features aMewtwo, which is able to talk via telepathy. In the sequel game,Detective Pikachu Returns, Pokémon speech can also be understood via subtitles when heard from Pikachu's perspective. In addition, during the game's climax,Charles Merloch is able to speak when he fuses his mind with the body of aDeoxys.
Pokémon Masters EX
InPokémon Masters EX,Leon'sIce RiderCalyrex briefly takes overSawyer's body during theWinter Wishesstory event to talk to Leon through him.
Pokémon Zany Cards
InPokémon Zany Cards,Meowth from theTeam Rocket trio appears as a talking Pokémon. He says "Meooowth! Take this!" when the Meowth card is played in the Special Seven game.
In animation
Pokémon the Series
Understanding of human language
AlthoughThe Poké Spokesman states that Pokémon cannot directly understand human speech, this is contradicted by many other episodes before and since inPokémon the Series. Moreover, judging, for instance, fromLarvitar inHatch Me If You Can, they are able to do this immediately after hatching, without even having to learn the skill.
The series generally does not focus on language problems, so as a result, there is some confusion aboutPokémon language and the ability of Pokémon to understand humans. Although it is obvious that all Pokémon can understand each other,Meowth inGo West Young Meowth once mentionsMeowth language, and Jessie inWho's Flying Now? mentionsChimecho language, so it is not clear whether there is a common Pokémon language, or every species has its own.
As far as human language is concerned,Meowth in the same episode was shown learningpronunciation, not the language itself, which implies that all Pokémon have innate knowledge of human language, so they can understand human speech, and only have to learn how to pronounce its sounds, or be able to establish telepathic contacts to speak. Despite this, Misty inWhichever Way the Wind Blows once askedMeowth to translate her words to other Pokémon, and May taught herBulbasaur the meaning of the wordtown inGrass Hysteria!. Therefore, this ability of Pokémon is not well-defined inPokémon the Series canon.
Talking Pokémon
While every Pokémon inPokémon the Series and related media can understand human speech, very few can talk, although manyLegendary andMythical Pokémon can. In most cases though, talking Pokémon speak through telepathy.
Meowth is the most famous talking Pokémon, and the one that makes the most appearances. His clone inMewtwo Strikes Back andMewtwo Returns, however, cannot speak, the reason being Meowth wasn't born knowing how to speak human language; he only learned it through hard work.
AlthoughAsh's Pikachu does not speak in the mainline animated series, he appeared to talk once inI Choose You!, whenAsh was injured from taking an attack from various Pokémon late in the movie, though this was likely just a hallucination by Ash.
Pokémon Horizons: The Series
Pokémon have only exhibited human speech under special circumstances inPokémon Horizons: The Series.
| Pokémon | Method of communication | Featured episode | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rotom Phones | Human speech (through the smartphone's functions) | ThroughoutPokémon Horizons: The Series |
 | Diana'sSquawkabilly | Repeats human language | The Future I Choose |
 | Roy's Crocalor | Roy was able to talk in Crocalor's body when theSynchro Machine caused them to switch bodies | Roy is Crocalor, and Crocalor is Roy! |
In the manga
Magical Pokémon Journey and Pokémon Chamo-Chamo ☆ Pretty ♪
Some Pokémon, such asClefairy andSquirtle, can speak human language, although most Pokémon language is translated for the reader's ease (indicated by a different font in the speech bubbles). They are easily understood by humans just the same.
Pokémon Adventures
Red, Green & Blue arc
In...But Fearow Itself!, whenBill was accidentally fused with aRattata, he was still able to talk and askRed to aid him in reversing the transformation.
Yellow arc
InThe Might of... Metapod?!,Yellow was able to use her powers to read the mind ofLance's Dragonite and hear its thoughts.
FireRed & LeafGreen arc
InRed, Green, Blue and Mewtwo Too,Mewtwo revealed to Red that it had gained the ability to talk via telepathy after leavingBlaine inHeckled by Hitmontop, although it usually only lets its voice be heard by people whom it trusts.
InDistant Relation Deoxys,Organism No. 2 was revealed to be able to use itsPsychic powers to make its words appear on electronic screens, such as those onPokédexes.
Emerald arc
InGotcha Where I Wantcha, Glalie, it was revealed thatLatios and Latias are also able to speak via telepathy.
Black & White arc
InThe Shadow Triad, theSwords of Justice andKeldeo were revealed to be able to speak telepathically, although it waslater revealed that humans can only hear this speech under certain conditions, such as by being at theAbyssal Ruins.
Black 2 & White 2 arc
InDream World,Black'sReshiram was able to speak telepathically while inside thePokémon Dream World.
X & Y arc
InQuilladin Stands,Xerneas was revealed to be able to use telepathy to communicate with humans as well.
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc
InThe Final Match and a Surprising Finale!, theRotom thatMoon had brought with her toAlola was revealed to have entered her new Pokédex and become theRotom Pokédex. Through the Pokédex, Rotom had gained the ability to speak human language.
Sword & Shield arc
InMunch Munch!! The Mysterious Carrot,Calyrex was revealed to be able to possess people and talk through them, doing so withPeony.
Scarlet & Violet arc
InSpeeding! Paldea's Prince of Speed!!,Violet'sRotom Phone, calledOld Roto, was revealed to have been outfitted with anartificial intelligence of Violet's deceased butler, allowing it to communicate with humans.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
InThe Truth About The Mysterious Whirl Islands!!,Gold andChris encountered a talkingSlowking living at theWhirl Islands. In the same chapter, they also encounteredLugia, which could talk via telepathy.
Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!
Shu can understand his Pokémon's language by using a special headset device called anIncome.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
All the Pokémon inPokémon Pocket Monsters can talk, except forRed's Pikachu.
Pokémon Zensho
InPZ04,Satoshi encountered andcaught a talkingNidoran♂, who soon turned out to beBill, who had accidentally gotten himself fused with a Nidoran♂ during an experiment. Afterwards, Satoshi helped Bill to become normal again.
InPZ07, Satoshi andSabrina met a talkingLapras at theSilph Co. while rescuing the company fromTeam Rocket. After Satoshi had defeatedGiovanni, Lapras started traveling with him.
Pokémon Newspaper Strip
In thePokémon Newspaper Strip, several strips are centered around Pokémon talking to each other. However, humans only hear Pokémon repeating their names (such as "Pika Pikachu!") and can't understand their speech.
In the novels
Pokémon Tales
ThePokémon Tales series includes several books where Pokémon talk to each other.
Trivia
- The moveMirror Move, namedParrot Mimicry in Japanese, is based on ability of these birds to repeat human speech.
- In an interview with NintendoLife[2],Junichi Masuda mentions that a Pokémon cry translation machine was considered forPokémon X and Y. However, it was scrapped due to the amount of text that would be needed to support the over 600 species of Pokémon at the time.
- InPokémon the Animation, when Meowth translates what Pikachu was saying, Jessie and James express surprise at his being able to do so, with his explaining he "practiced hard to do that", implying that each species of Pokémon has its own language, and that not all Pokémon understand each other.[3]
Related articles
References
- ↑UB Adhesive | Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon official website (archive): "UB Adhesive displays many emotions, and it’s said to be able to understand human speech if it spends enough time together with them."
- ↑NintendoLife Interview
Junichi Masuda:Well… Now I have to think of something that, you know, won’t be used by competitors! [laughs] But one thing that I wanted to put in that didn’t quite make it was a translating machine for Pokémon cries, to find out what they’re saying. So you have this machine, and when a Pokémon cries out something, text would appear telling you exactly what that Pokémon is saying.
Hironobu Yoshida:Really? I never knew!
Junichi Masuda:Yes, I really wanted to put that in, but then thinking about the amount of text that we would have to include, with now over 600 Pokémon, it would be a really big task. This could be something that might appear in future games, but it sadly didn’t make X and Y. - ↑https://cindysuke.tumblr.com/post/34817930237/the-facts-about-pokemon-world-lol
