Error type Pokémon are some of the most common types found early in the Pokémon games, but at least one frontline Bug type is defying that common reputation to become an extremely lucrative Pokémon for anime smugglers. VivillonThe Kalos region’s equivalent of Butterfree, became a big focus for an episode, as it was the center of a criminal get-rich-quick scheme.
Vivillon is best known because it can have many different wing styles, each found in a different area of the real world, making them difficult to collect in the game. Some models are also much rarer than others and these can be great bargaining chips for deals. The anime took this trait of Vivillon and showed how such rare models can attract the wrong kind of attention in the Pokémon XY episode “To Catch A Pokémon Smuggler!” The smuggler in question, a man named Dolan, has set up the equivalent of a puppy mill for Pokémon, hoping to find Scatterbugs that can evolve into rare Vivillon models.
Vivillon’s rare models open up a dark world of Pokémon smuggling
In this episode, Ash and his friends are caught up in a conspiracy due to a Scatterbug falling off Dolan’s truck, as he tries to escape from Officer Jenny. When they learned about Scatterbug and Spewpa (Villon’s mid-evolution) that he was keeping in a cage, they decided to help and stop Dolan’s Pokémon smuggling. Their elaborate plan ends with Spewpa evolving into a Vivillon and being set free, releasing dozens of these rare patterned Vivillons into the wild. Vivillon is able to use his powers to calm Dolan down and make it easier for Officer Jenny to arrest him, ending his Pokémon smuggling days.
Pokémon anime rarely engages in the illegal Pokémon trade, but it’s clear that participating in it is very profitable, despite how easy it may be to catch wild Pokémon. However, the rarity of certain Vivillon models is exactly what a black market will develop around. The comparison to a puppy mill is not an exaggeration, as Dolan does not take good care of the Pokémon he owns, not even bothering to keep them in Poké Balls. In fact, poor care of the Pokémon they own seems to be common among those labeled Pokémon smugglers, which is surprising, since their wealthy customers likely want Pokémon in good condition. possible.
Smuggling has a lot of meaning in the world of Pokémon
The idea of Pokémon smugglers selling to wealthy customers makes sense – most people, especially adults, probably can’t afford to go on adventures to catch Pokémon the way Ash does, so buying them is an easy way to get the Pokémon they want. However, Brock is well aware that there are legitimate Pokémon breeders out there, who presumably work just like legitimate dog breeders in the real world. It’s not necessarily that buying and selling Pokémon is wrong, but there is a right way to do it, and Dolan’s way is not like that either. VivillonThe value of Pokémon on the black market may be surprising, but the value is illegal Pokémon Commerce itself is a rare dark side of anime.
