How do Pokémon age? (What is the age limit for Pokémon?)
When someone mentions the capability of a Pokémon aging, it seems odd. Doesn’t it? While growing up, I also had the same questions about Pokémon aging.
Do they age like human beings and lose some capabilities like us? I had seen some aged Pokémon in the anime series, and this made me delve into research.
Fortunately, I found some answers and would be happy to share them. If you are interested in knowing more about the aging of Pokémon, then read ahead.
How does the aging process work in Pokémon?
In the Pokémon anime, we get to see many things about the aging process of a Pokémon. When people visit the cemeteries in Kanto and Hoenn, they often remark on the long life of their deceased Pokémon, suggesting that the Pokémon passed away naturally.
Thus, when a Pokémon lives long, it naturally ages. The Pokedex also makes multiple allusions to aged Pokémon.
For example, people think ninetails have a thousand-year lifespan because of the magical energy in their tails.
As a wartortle ages, its tail likewise progressively changes color, and as its shell ages, algae gradually grows on it😢.
Do Pokémon age like humans?
The aging process for Pokémon and humans is quite different but similar in certain aspects. A Pokémon gains strength, speed, and wisdom as they gain experience or age.
As human beings age, they gain more strength to some particular age; then, it decreases as they get older😬.
Regarding wisdom, the older they get, the more knowledge they have till old age. Therefore, there are some similarities with the human process of aging.
Ultimately, the ageing process will not be entirely similar as Pokémon is a game mainly produced for children; thus, the ageing of Pokémon is not evident in the game.
Pokémon also die just like humans, bringing some similarity to the aging process.
Can Pokémon grow old without evolving?
Yes! Pokémon can grow old without evolving. This is because age and time are unrelated to a Pokémon’s evolution .
However, players usually don’t have any issues with this in the games, but it’s more of a problem for Pokémon stories.
To be clear, as Tracey’s Scyther in the anime demonstrated, unevolved Pokémon can still age. Nonetheless, failing to evolve Pokémon can keep them stuck in a weaker, immature state rather than allowing them to transform into a stronger, more mature form.
Also, in the anime, there is an old Pikachu that a surfer owns. Also, there are some Pokémon that cannot evolve.
Thus, it is a guarantee that aging is not related to evolution. This includes:
Regional Pokédex |
Pokémon |
Kanto |
Farfetch’d, Tauros, Lapras, and Ditto. |
Johto |
Unown, Girafarig, Dunsparce, Qwilfish, Shuckle, Corsola, Delibird, Skarmory, Stantler, Smeargle, and Miltank. |
Sinnoh |
Pachirisu, Chatot, Spiritomb, Carnivine, and Rotom. |
What determines a Pokémon’s maturity level?
What determines a Pokémon’s maturity has never been discussed in any of the Pokémon games. It’s somewhat of a pointless question because maturity wouldn’t matter at any time in the game.
In anime, some episodes showed that it is a combination of physical age and evolution.
Can Pokémon die of old age?
Yes, Pokémon do die of old age😢. In the anime, an old Stoutland raised Ash’s Litten in the wild before Ash captured him.
Sun & Moon’s twenty-first episode shows Stoutland beginning to deteriorate with age. Acknowledging his limited time, he departs from Litten to avoid witnessing his demise.
Stoutland was only an elderly dog, not a combat-tested veteran.