That said, parents in the 90s weren't entirely crazy to be wary. The franchise does deal with themes of power, chaos, and the unknown. But it always resolves those themes with friendship, strategy, and the classic "power of good" narrative.

Let’s break down the facts, the fears, and the folklore. The “Pokémon is Satanic” movement gained traction in the late 90s, primarily led by fundamentalist Christian groups. The most vocal critic was a now-debunked tract called Pokémon: A Cute, but Dangerous Influence and the teachings of figures like Berit Kjos.

The panic occurred because of a culture clash. Japanese Shinto and Buddhist traditions often treat spirits ( yokai ) and ghosts as natural parts of the world—not as demonic entities to be worshipped or feared in the Christian sense. Creatures like Gengar (a shadow) or Mimikyu (a lonely ghost) are tragic or mischievous, not Satanic.