Pokémon is renowned for its family-friendly appeal, with all mainline games proudly bearing the "E for Everyone" rating, inviting children of all ages to immerse themselves in its vibrant universe. Icons like Pikachu and Eevee are the face of the franchise, yet some Pokémon harbor surprisingly dark narratives. Within their Pokédex entries lie tales of abductions and even gruesome murders, alongside other eerie stories that add a layer of horror to the series.

IGN has compiled a list of what we consider the five most unsettling Pokédex entries, though this is just a fraction of the chilling stories within the Pokémon world. Notable mentions include Mimikyu, which disguises itself as Pikachu to make friends while secretly plotting the mascot's downfall; Haunter, known for stalking humans in dark alleys and causing fatal convulsions with a single lick; and Hypno, infamous for hypnotizing and abducting children to feed on their dreams, a plot even featured in the Pokémon animated series.

It was finally Friday, and the young girl from Floaroma Town was brimming with excitement. She hurried through breakfast, eager to start her weekend of flower picking. The Valley Windworks, known for its rare blooms, was her destination—a place she considered the safest in Sinnoh, despite the warnings about traveling without a Pokémon. As she arrived, the sight of vibrant pink, yellow, and red flowers captivated her, but it was a shimmering, purple balloon that truly caught her eye. Entranced, she reached for its string, only to be met with the balloon's eerie gaze—two empty black eyes and a yellow cross marking its face. As the balloon tugged gently, the girl followed, her laughter filling the air. The balloon continued to pull her higher and further, until she was never seen again.

Drifloon, the Balloon Pokémon, brings a chilling twist to the innocent image of a child's toy. While some of its Pokédex entries hint at its ghostly origins without much alarm, others delve into darker territory. One entry warns, "It tugs on the hands of children to steal them away," while another chillingly notes, "Any child who mistakes Drifloon for a balloon and holds on to it could wind up missing." The sinister nature of Drifloon is further emphasized by its rare appearances in the games, only emerging on Fridays at the Valley Windworks, transforming its mysterious allure into a haunting enigma.

Banette

The boy's condition worsened by the day, his fever spiked, and his skin turned a sickly grey. Despite the efforts of the best doctors from Mauville and Slateport, his health continued to decline. In a moment of lucidity, the boy whispered, "My doll." Desperate, his parents presented him with various toys from his collection, but he rejected them all, his strength fading with each refusal. Frantically, they searched their home until they found a faded, ragged doll under the bed—its red eyes glowing and a golden zipper for a mouth. The mother recognized it instantly as the doll she had discarded years ago, replaced by newer Poké Dolls. As she reached for it, the doll's menacing stare sent chills down her spine. The boy's sudden movement towards it broke her from her trance, and as the doll leaped from her grasp and out the window, the boy's condition seemed to improve slightly.

Banette, the Marionette Pokémon, embodies the horror trope of a vengeful toy, akin to Annabelle or Chucky. Its Pokédex entries reveal its origin as a doll filled with resentment after being discarded. "A doll that became a Pokémon over its grudge from being junked. It seeks the child that disowned it," one entry reads, while another chillingly describes, "This Pokémon developed from an abandoned doll that amassed a grudge. It is seen in dark alleys." The entries escalate, with one stating, "It’s a stuffed toy that was thrown away and became possessed, ever searching for the one who threw it away so it can exact its revenge." Banette inflicts harm by sticking pins in itself, symbolically hurting the child who abandoned it, and can only find peace through love or by having its zipper undone.

Sandygast

On a picturesque summer day at Big Wave Beach on Melemele Island, the atmosphere was filled with joy as residents enjoyed various activities. As the sun began to set, a boy remained dedicated to his sandcastle, determined to outdo his peers. Unbeknownst to him, the other sandcastles on the beach began to morph into sinister shapes. As he glanced over his shoulder, he was confronted by a Pokémon resembling a sandcastle, its large mouth gaping and eyes devoid of life. Mistaking its approach for friendliness, the boy reached for a red spade embedded in its head, only to have his hand engulfed by the Pokémon. His screams filled the air as he was slowly consumed, his body becoming part of the creature's growing mass.

Sandygast, the Sand Heap Pokémon, shatters the idyllic image of a beach day with its disturbing nature. Its Pokédex entries caution, "If you build sand mounds when you’re playing, destroy them before you go home, or they may get possessed and become Sandygast." The grim reality unfolds in another entry: "Sandygast mainly inhabits beaches. It takes control of anyone who puts their hand into its mouth, forcing them to make its body bigger." Its evolution into Palossand, dubbed the "Beach Nightmare," reveals the true horror: "Palossand is known as the Beach Nightmare. It pulls its prey down into the sand by controlling the sand itself, and then it sucks out their souls." The chilling confirmation comes from another entry: "Buried beneath the castle are masses of dried-up bones from those whose vitality it has drained," highlighting Sandygast and Palossand's predatory nature.

Frillish

The bustling season had ended, and the elderly woman relished her peaceful morning swim in Undella Town. Despite the cooler water, she cherished the solitude. The waves were choppy, but she swam with vigor, not noticing how far the current had carried her. As she turned to see the distant shore, a hint of panic set in, realizing her distance. Struggling to return, her progress was hindered by her need for frequent rests. It was then that Frillish, the Floating Pokémon, appeared before her. Initially cautious, the woman embraced the Pokémon, believing it to be a helpful companion. However, as she attempted to swim back, she found herself paralyzed, unable to move as Frillish began to sink, dragging her down into the depths.

Frillish's seemingly innocuous appearance belies its deadly nature. Its Pokédex entries hint at its sinister behavior: "With its thin, veil-like arms wrapped around the body of its opponent, it sinks to the ocean floor." Another entry elaborates, "Its thin, veil-like arms have tens of thousands of poisonous stingers. They paralyze prey with poison, then drag them down to their lairs, five miles below the surface." The victims of Frillish remain conscious as they are pulled to their watery grave, a terrifying fate that underscores the Pokémon's lethal prowess.

Froslass

Venturing out in a blizzard was a grave mistake, but the man heard a woman's cry and a knock at his door. Living alone on the mountain, he felt compelled to search for the source. The storm disoriented him, and he stumbled upon a cave for shelter. Inside, the air was unnaturally cold, and as he lit his lantern, he discovered the walls encased in ice. His reflection in the ice was not his own but that of another man, frozen within. Panic set in as he noticed more bodies trapped in the icy walls. As he turned to flee, Froslass, the Snow Land Pokémon, floated before him. Its icy breath enveloped him, freezing him in place, turning him into another of its chilling decorations.

Froslass draws from the chilling myths of the Japanese Yōkai Yuki-onna and the Greek Medusa. Its Pokédex entries paint a haunting picture: "The soul of a woman lost on a snowy mountain possessed an icicle, becoming this Pokémon. The food it most relishes is the souls of men." Another entry chillingly notes, "It freezes hikers who have come to climb snowy mountains and carries them back to its home. It only goes after men it thinks are handsome." Froslass lures its victims during blizzards, dragging them to its icy lair to become part of its macabre collection, a testament to its predatory nature.