History BaseBreakingCharacter / Pokemon

** Out of the evolutions introduced by Gen IV, Rhyperior deserves special mention. While it's a very powerful Pokémon whose ability promotes much more survivability given the line's poor defensive typing, it's often lambasted for its overly bulky design (similar to Emboar and Conkeldurr), but even more so because it evolves from Rhydon, whose design was more popular [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking and more rhinoceros-like]].

** Her first portrayal in ''Sun/Moon'' is [[LoveToHate one of the franchise's most beloved]] and [[VileVillainSaccharineShow sinister]] villains (with many people comparing her to the similarly beloved [[VideoGame/PokemonBlackAndWhite Ghetsis]]) for her [[AxCrazy twisted]], {{faux|Affably Evil}}-affable nature, being an incredibly accurate portrayal of an AbusiveParent, and providing two of the best boss battles in the series (both her normal self and [[FanNickname Mother Beast Lusamine]]). However, there is also a camp who feels Lusamine [[UnintentionallyUnsympathetic should've never come across as vile as she did]] and that the narrative tries to paint her a victim with both of her children forgiving her despite her abuse, with her [[TheSociopath sociopathic]] insanity and [[AbusiveParents abusive]] nature being [[RealismInducedHorror too frighteningly realistic]]. This isn't helped by all the [[InformedAttribute informed statements]] about her past kindness, being under the influence of Nihilego's neurotoxins, and her HeelFaceTurn occuring entirely offscreen. Some other people also [[HypeBacklash feel her motives to be flimsier than Ghetsis]], and there are those who dislike how her own boss battle doesn't utilize the Motherbeast form in any creative way.

* Whether Iris being the new champion in ''Black 2/White 2'' was a good move or not. [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries Her anime counterpart]], who is also ''very'' polarizing herself (as soundly described below in the "Anime" folder), affects most of the fan reactions even to those who are okay with her in-game personality. Some prefer the previous set of protagonists to be the champion instead, since Iris already replaces them in the anime.

* Zoey. Most people really like her due to her being one of the nicest rivals in the series, for having some of the best contest battles in the series (especially her fight with Nando) and find her CoolBigSis relationship with Dawn to be really heartwarming. However, some people feel like she is way too "nice and perfect" to the point that she becomes quite bland and find her to be too skilled as coordinator. They feel as if Dawn should have at least beat her once to show her growth and development but Zoey still beat her every time. The fact that she beat Dawn in the final round of the Grand Festival and became top coordinator was the final nail in the coffin for these people.

* Alain. At his debut, he was near-universally loved, especially by the PeripheryDemographic, with very few detractors. Fans loved him for being different from Ash, the specials he starred in having more mature writing, being well-developed as a character, slowly becoming a good {{Foil}} to Ash (especially by the end of the 4th Mega Evolution Special)[[note]]WordOfGod is that Alain is an {{Expy}} of Anakin Skywalker, falling into villainy for those he loved[[/note]], having a [[WolverinePublicity Charizard]], and using Mega Evolution, which none of the main cast would use through the entirety of the series. What few detractors he had didn't like him for winning almost all his fights, suddenly choosing to take part in the Kalos League, and for being able to collect all the badges within 7 episodes of Ash mentioning the Kalos League to him. [[spoiler:Then he defeated Ash at the Kalos League, and opinions on his character inevitably divided ''hard'', mostly concerning whether or not his win was justified and the role his character played on a meta scale in yanking the chain of both Ash and the longtime fans.[[note]]WordOfGod also mentioned that Alain being Ash's final opponent was planned from the very start, though it's never been made clear of him winning was also planned, too.[[/note]]]]

* Pikachu, the SeriesMascot, is a world-renowned icon and generally liked by the older fanbase; especially from Gen VI onward, most fans consider it to be a SacredCow due to its adorable design and universal appeal, and [[SilentMajority for not having an annoyingly vocal fandom]] in the vein of other popular Pokémon like Charizard. However, depending on how heavily it's marketed at the time (particularly compared to other Pokémon), it occasionally goes through periods of resentment and even hatred by some older fans due to its "cute" KidAppealCharacter nature, being one of the weakest Pokémon in a library of 1000 unique creatures and counting, and association with the divisive [[Anime/PokemonTheSeries anime]], with the dawn of "Pokémania" and early parts of Generation V[[note]]due to the fact that Pikachu stood out like a sore thumb among the purely new Pokémon[[/note]] probably being the periods where its hate was most notable. It also gets backlash from [[ReplacementScrappy fans of its evolved form Raichu]], since the franchise seems to go out of its way to ignore the former.

* Mega Sableye. While its ability and stat boosts make it a fantastic StoneWall in competitive battles, some people don't like how its design has embodied one of the most reviled game strategies in the series: ''[[VictoryByEndurance stall]]''. To this day, people can't decide on whether its battle design is good or not. Some fans deride it off sheer principle that it wasn't given Wonder Guard which they feel worked with its design, would've been good homage to the infamous [=WonderEye=] hack, and would've timed perfectly with its counterpart Mawile getting the Fairy-Type.

* Pikachu splits the base in almost the exact same fashion as his trainer, being inconsistent in both character and power. Some abhor Pikachu for being a SpotlightStealingSquad in and of himself, being slapped on every piece of merchandise, and/or refusing to evolve, [[Recap/PokemonS1E38ElectricSoldierPorygon and getting Porygon banned from the anime]]. Others praise and respect Pikachu as the Japanese equivalent to WesternAnimation/MickeyMouse while finding him genuinely cute and entertaining.

* Ursula. Her similarities to Harley (both of them being arrogant, petty Coordinators who constantly lose yet never really grow from it) draws a good deal of criticism, especially because she lacks the sheer over-the-top insanity of Harley's [[DisproportionateRetribution grudge on May]]. Many consider her an uninspired knockoff, though some still appreciate the great battles she gave to Dawn.

* Miette. She's generally considered funny, but some dislike that she spends more time [[ShipTease teasing Serena about Ash]] than actually trying to be a serious opponent.

* Mega Sableye. While its ability and stat boosts make it a fantastic StoneWall in competitive battles, some people don't like how its design has embodied one of the most reviled game strategies in the series: ''[[VictoryByEndurance stall]]''. To this day, people can't decide on whether its battle design is good or not.

* Typhlosion, though not to the extent of the Chikorita line. It is both liked for its evolution following a design order from the adorable Cyndaquil that ends up as badass, and for being the best starter to use in ''Gold/Silver/Crystal'' and ''[=HeartGold/SoulSilver=]''. Or it is contested for being too generic both design-wise and gameplay-wise (a mono-Fire typing and its stats being [[ItsTheSameNowItSucks identical to Charizard]]), and for its model removing the fire from its back unless it performs an attack (a trait that would follow it until ''Scarlet/Violet''). Its [[VideoGame/PokemonLegendsArceus Hisuian form]], however, has been widely received with open arms due to its design, interesting lore and Fire/Ghost typing, alleviating Typhlosion from some criticism.

* Bloodmoon Ursaluna is seen as either a badass LivingRelic whose armored design is an awesome {{Expy}} of [[Manga/GingaNagareboshiGin Akakabuto]], or a tryhard edgy mess of a design. It being a [[HighTierScrappy significantly stronger]] version of an already-powerful Pokémon doesn't make it any more appealing to its detractors.

* Armarouge and Ceruledge are both divisive for similar reasons, with detractors viewing them both as poorly-designed [[VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork NetNavi]] rejects that don't look like ''Pokémon''. Ceruledge also catches flak for having a (literally) [[DarkerAndEdgier edgy]] design. However, they also have their fans precisely ''because'' they look like ''Mega Man'' characters, as well as those who think they just [[RuleOfCool just plain cool]].

* It's not quite to the extent of his sister, but Kieran has also gotten a divided reaction from the fanbase. While a lot of fans see him as an adorable {{woobie}} who doesn't deserve the bad things that happen to him throughout the DLC story, there's also a number of fans who who ended up seeing him as a SpoiledBrat CreepyChild whose obsessions with Ogerpon and (later) becoming stronger came off as more disturbing and annoying than sympathetic.

* Carmine is perhaps one of the most divisive characters not only in the game but perhaps in the series. Some enjoy her since her character development is more subtle than many and that she can be very humorous, especially when she loses. There are others who enjoy her in a LoveToHate kind of way where it's satisfying to see her get knocked down a peg to both the main character and Kieran. Others however feel that she is extremely toxic in that it's basically her fault that she forced the player to lie to Kieran and caused the whole mess of her brother to have a mental breakdown. Additionally, many fans felt that her bullying was way too close to home and that for what she did, she basically became a KarmaHoudini at the end of the [=DLCs=].

* Bloodmoon Ursaluna is seen as either a badass LivingRelic whose armored design is an awesome {{Expy}} of [[Manga/GingaNagareboshiGin Akakabuto]], or a tryhard edgy mess of a design. It being a [[HighTierScrappy significantly stronger]] version of an already-powerful Pokémon doesn't make it any more appealing to its detractor.

* Bloodmoon Ursaluna is seen as either a badass LivingRelic whose armored design is an awesome {{Expy}} of [[Manga/GingaNagareboshiGin Akakabuto]], or a tryhard edgy mess of a design. It being a [[HighTierScrappy blatantly overpowered]] version of an already-strong Pokémon doesn't make it any more appealing to its detractor.

* The Loyal Three, consisting of Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti, is among the most divisive legendary groups in the series. Some fans find their origins as a FracturedFairyTale of ''Literature/Momotaro'' interesting and their dark designs to be cool and intimidating. Others view them (especially Okidogi and Munkidori) as ugly ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' rejects whose design origins are superficial at best.

* Scream Tail and Flutter Mane are exceptions to Ancient Paradox Pokémon being more well-liked than their futuristic counterparts, as many criticize them for looking [[ItsTheSameSoItSucks too similar]] to their modern-day descendants. However, both still have their fans for being [[CreepyCute quite cute]] by Paradox Pokémon standards, as well as being [[KillerRabbit deceptively strong]] despite being based off of unevolved Pokémon. Flutter Mane itself also attracts some criticism due to its HighTierScrappy status in competitive play.

* Baxcalibur is considered to be either an awesome NotZilla with a badass design, great stats, fun typing and a unique SecretArt, or yet another ugly, uninspired Tyranitar-like "{{kaiju}}mon" that belongs back in Gen I[[note]]which is criticized by some fans for an excess of Pokémon using the same general {{kaiju}} design and build[[/note]] and should have been an anatomically correct ''[[SavageSpinosaurs Spinosaurus]]'' given the look of its pre-evolution Arctibax. Similarly to Gholdengo and Flutter Mane, its HighTierScrappy status in competitive play is also lamented. Although Baxcalibur isn't as divisive as Goodra or Kommo-o, fans are split on whether it lives up to (or even exceeds) previous fan-favorite pseudo-legendaries or whether it's a step down from them, particularly its [[EnsembleDarkhorse widely loved]] predecessor Dragapult. Many Baxcalibur fans assert that its design is mostly fine aside from its awkward, completely upright posture when not in battle (as seen in its menu sprite and stock art), which makes it look more like [[PeopleInRubberSuits a person in a dinosaur suit]] (just like Franchise/{{Godzilla}}, ironically) instead of a real dinosaur.

* Baxcalibur is considered to be either an awesome NotZilla with a badass design, great stats, fun typing and a unique SecretArt, or yet another ugly, uninspired Tyranitar-like "{{kaiju}}mon" that should have been an anatomically correct ''[[SavageSpinosaurs Spinosaurus]]'' given the look of its pre-evolution Arctibax. Similarly to Gholdengo and Flutter Mane, its HighTierScrappy status in competitive play is also lamented. Although Baxcalibur isn't as divisive as Goodra or Kommo-o, fans are split on whether it lives up to previous fan-favorite pseudo-legendaries or whether it's a step down from them, particularly its [[EnsembleDarkhorse widely loved]] predecessor Dragapult. Many Baxcalibur fans assert that its design is mostly fine aside from its awkward, completely upright posture when not in battle (as seen in its menu sprite and stock art), which makes it look more like [[PeopleInRubberSuits a person in a dinosaur suit]] (just like Franchise/{{Godzilla}}, ironically) instead of a real dinosaur.

* Baxcalibur is considered to be either an awesome NotZilla with a badass design, great stats, fun typing and a unique SecretArt, or yet another ugly, uninspired Tyranitar-like "{{kaiju}}mon" that should have been an anatomically correct ''[[SavageSpinosaurs Spinosaurus]]'' given the look of its pre-evolution Arctibax. Similarly to Gholdengo and Flutter Mane, its HighTierScrappy status in competitive play is also lamented. Although Baxcalibur isn't as divisive as Goodra or Kommo-o, fans are split on whether it lives up to previous fan-favorite pseudo-legendaries or whether it's a step down from them, particularly its [[EnsembleDarkhorse fan-favorite]] predecessor Dragapult. Many Baxcalibur fans assert that its design is mostly fine aside from its awkward, completely upright posture when not in battle (as seen in its menu sprite and stock art), which makes it look more like [[PeopleInRubberSuits a person in a dinosaur suit]] (just like Franchise/{{Godzilla}}, ironically) instead of a real dinosaur.