PETA is at it again. Last year they took exception to Super Mario 3D Land’s use of the Tanooki Suit and this year they’re aiming solely on Pokemon. I’m honestly surprised it took them 15 years to do this in relation to Pokemon.
PETA has established a new website and online game that uses the core concept of Pokemon, capturing animals in order to use them to battle other animals for money, as a means to put down animal cruelty.
PETA says:
“The amount of time that Pokemon spend stuffed in pokeballs is akin to how elephants are chained up in train carts, waiting to be let out to ‘perform’ in circuses. But the difference between real life and this fictional world full of organized animal fighting is that Pokemon games paint rosy pictures of things that are actually horrible.”
“If PETA existed in Unova, our motto would be: Pokemon are not ours to use or abuse, they exist for their own reasons. We believe that this is the message that should be sent to children.”
I understand the point PETA is trying to make with this. I just don’t think Pokemon is the right thing to use for that point. Pokemon is a video game and most people (including children) won’t play a Pokemon and immediately think harming animals for one’s own personal gain is a good thing.
If anything the Pokemon series shows children that animals should be respected and treated with care. Pokemon never even die, they only faint. And the main Pokemon games always have a plot that centers around evil characters using Pokemon for nefarious goals. These villains are portrayed as evil not only because they are plotting world domination but because they don’t treat their Pokemon with the love and respect they deserve as living creatures.
I think PETA is missing the point on Pokemon. Yes, animals are used in battles between humans. But none of them ever die and part of the game is to bond with your pocket monster in a way that caring animal owners do.
Sorry PETA but this seems to be one more comical anti-video game campaign that displays just how little you know about the series you’re poking fun at.
PETA launches anti-Pokemon campaign,
