Ask a Pokémon fan the question of which Pokémon is the most popular, and the answer you get will surely be a passionate one, or maybe a full-blown debate. Is it Pikachu, the face of the franchise? Charizard, the first dragon (well, not exactly, but almost)? Or perhaps Greninja, who keeps mysteriously climbing to the top in the official polls? The reality is that determining which Pokémon is the most popular is way beyond a simple popularity contest.
What if we started with the problem of data? There isn’t any one and only absolute measure of Pokémon popularity. Instead, the fans have to juggle the results of different types of polls, Google searches, and the ever-mysterious world of merchandise sales. Different stories are being told by each of these sources. To begin with, the Japanese poll of 2016 only took into account the first 100 Pokémon, so there were more than 800 Pokémon left uncounted. The Reddit poll from 2019 featured 809 Pokémon, but due to the smaller number of voters, the results are less representative of the total fan base.
If we disregard the polls as a pure source of fun, then we have to acknowledge their unpredictability. The Pokémon that tops the list is usually the one that has just aired a new anime episode or the one that has become a meme. After that, there is the “Greninja effect.” For instance, in several international polls, Greninja has been ranked as the #1, causing some fans to be puzzled. Is Greninja actually that popular, or did a small, super-dedicated fan group just happen to show up for voting?
One would think that measuring the volume of Google searches is a good way to gauge the interest level—until you realize how easily the results can be misinterpreted. On the Elite Forum, members have argued that Pokémon such as Flamigo, Unown, Onix, and Vaporeon are frequently in the top positions of search rankings, likely because people are looking for completely different things (like real flamingos) or they are making typos. So a Pokémon that you can hardly recall is suddenly “trending,” and you are left pondering whether the internet is just playing with you.
If you want to take the matter more seriously, then money is the way to go. The principle is straightforward: if people are splashing out on plushies, trading cards, or themed merch, that’s a very strong indication of their loyalty. According to a fan, “Paying money to vote might be more trustworthy, as it is obvious that a person who buys a Sylveon t-shirt, an Umbreon plush, or a Charizard card is very much invested.” However, even this method is not free from problems. Rarity, limited editions, and collector trends can easily distort sales figures.
After all, every single method has its shortcomings. Polls might be affected by nostalgia or temporary hype. Search data might be influenced by unrelated trends. Merchandise sales might be dependent on availability or marketing. Lastly, some fans just like to be unpredictable—choosing a random favorite because it brings back memories of an old game or simply because it’s the underdog.
The Pokémon fandom might actually be the reason behind this. The quest for the “most popular” Pokémon is never really accomplished, and every new poll or piece of data just rekindles the debate. The truth is that the fun is in the debate when you are a Team Pikachu, Team Charizard member, or an underappreciated favorite supporter. Besides, who can tell? Next time, perhaps, your choice will be the one to get all the love it deserves.