Niantic made around $950 million from Pokémon Go in 2016, and speculation is growing online about when it will release its Gen 2 update. Meanwhile, the dedicated few still playing the game have started to notice “differently gendered Pokémon”—and if you thought that was a cue for an obnoxious Mic column, you’re absolutely right.
Give writer Tim Mulkerin points for being self-aware, at the very least. “Yes, I am going to talk about gender politics and Pokémon. If that’s not a thing you want to read about, you have the freedom to tap out now. … A lot of this gets to be very silly,” he writes.
And he delivers. Subheds include “Pokémon and sexual dimorphism explained,” as well as “Yay! There are also some gender-nonconforming Pokémon.”
Mulkerin is OK with some Pokémon having different features based on different genders, because that’s “sometimes a real thing.” He’s also really pleased with the game having some creatures that “break the gender binary altogether,” including male Bellossoms that appear to be wearing petal dresses, as well as genderless Shedinja.
He’s less thrilled about “a lot of terrible gender stereotyping,” including how the female Pikachu has a heart-shaped tail, which Mulkerin says suggests that “only women feel emotions.” Using pink and blue to denote gender also annoys him.
On one hand, Mulkerin says this type of analysis is important because game creators are “like secret, sexist assassins” who can perpetuate gender biases. On the other, readers get the sense that Mulkerin, himself, thinks he’s reading way too much into Pokémon Go.