View source for User:Landfish7/Pokémon pronoun guidelines

{{policy|policy|proposed}}
NUTSHELL: Use "it/its" pronouns when referring to Pokémon in articles. Exceptions may apply for individuals consistently referred to with specific pronouns in most appearances in their source material or across media.
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In most contexts, {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} should be referred to with neutral pronouns, typically "it/its". This reflects standard usage in most official [[Pokémon]] media and provides consistent and clear language across articles. 

When a source variably uses singular "they/them" for Pokémon, "it/its" is generally used in articles for consistency, though the original usage may be noted where relevant. However, "they/them" pronouns may be used for {{g|Mystery Dungeon series}} characters that are referred to with those pronouns, as that game specifically does not use "it/its" in these cases.

Individual Pokémon characters that are consistently referred to with specific pronouns in a significant majority of their appearances across media are listed on this page. Additionally, [[human]] characters temporarily [[Human–Pokémon transformation|taking the form of a Pokémon]] should generally still be referred to with their original pronouns.

==Pokémon pronoun usage between media==
===Core series games===
For content that covers the [[core series]] games, Pokémon should always be referred to with "it/its" pronouns, except in cases where an individual Pokémon is consistently referred to with specific pronouns throughout a significant majority of its appearances.

===Pokémon animated series===
The {{pkmn|animated series}} (i.e. ''[[Pokémon the Series]]'' and ''[[Pokémon Horizons: The Series]]'') is inconsistent in its usage of pronouns for individual Pokémon, often switching between "it/its" and gendered pronouns, even for the same Pokémon character. For this reason, "it/its" is preferred for all animated series Pokémon, aligning with standard usage for consistency.

===Mystery Dungeon series===
For the {{g|Mystery Dungeon series}} and related media (including games, manga, and animated adaptations), individual Pokémon may be referred to with gendered pronouns when the source material does so. 

As these games do not use "it/its" pronouns to refer to Pokémon characters, "they/them" may be used when a character is consistently referred to as such.

===Pokémon Masters EX===
{{g|Masters EX}} consistently uses gendered pronouns to refer to Pokémon with confirmed genders, even when a specific Pokémon is normally referred to with "it/its" pronouns in its original appearance in the [[core series]] or other media. For Pokémon original to this game, use the individual's established pronouns; otherwise, defer to the pronouns used for that Pokémon in its original source material.

===Pokémon Pokopia===
While Pokémon most consistently refer to each other with "they/them" pronouns in character dialogue in [[Pokémon Pokopia]], promotional materials and in-game metatextual content typically use "it/its" pronouns, matching brand standards. For consistency, "it/its" pronouns should be used to refer to the Pokémon characters in this game.

In the rare cases where gendered pronouns are used for Pokémon in this game, they should generally be treated as inconsistencies or errors in the source material and should not affect pronoun usage in articles outside of quoted text.

===Other media===
For other Pokémon media, pronoun usage should generally follow the conventions used in the source material, with a preference for "it/its" unless gendered pronouns are well established for a character.

===Handling discrepancies between media===
When a Pokémon character's gender or pronouns differ between media, prefer "it/its" over specific pronouns between coverage of different media.

==Exceptions==
The following Pokémon characters are referred to consistently with specific pronouns in a majority of their appearances across media and may be referred to with those pronouns in articles.

===Core series games===
* [[Marowak (ghost)|Marowak]], the deceased mother of {{p|Cubone}} that appears in [[Pokémon Tower]] as a [[Ghost (Pokémon Tower)|ghost]] in the [[Kanto]]-based games, is referred to with "she/her" pronouns (though her spirit is referred to with "it/its" pronouns in {{LGPE}}).
* [[Arven's Mabosstiff]] is consistently referred to with "he/him" pronouns in {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}.

===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series===
====Red and Blue Rescue Team====
* {{OBP|Caterpie|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Butterfree}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Metapod|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Diglett}} uses "he/him" pronouns
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Dugtrio}} is referred to with "he/him" pronouns, but uses plural "we/us" to refer to himself.
* {{OBP|Lombre|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Xatu|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Whiscash|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Gardevoir|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Wynaut}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Snubbull|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} and {{OBP|Granbull|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} use "he/him" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Smeargle}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Kangaskhan}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Latios}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Latias}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* The {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team characters|Kecleon Brothers}} use "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Team Shifty]]'s {{OBP|Shiftry|Red and Blue Rescue Team}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Team Hydro]]'s Blastoise uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Team Constrictor]]'s Octillery uses "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Team Rumblerock]]'s Golem uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Team Meanies]] - Medicham uses "she/her" pronouns, while Gengar and Ekans use "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Team ACT]] - all three members (Alakazam, Charizard, Tyranitar) use "he/him" pronouns.

====Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky====
* [[Wigglytuff (Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky)|Guildmaster Wigglytuff]]'s gender is male and the character is consistently referred to with "he/him" pronouns. However, this character was referred to as female in {{g|Super Mystery Dungeon}}, likely due to a translation error. In this case, "he/him" pronouns are prioritized, with the discrepancy noted on Wigglytuff's page.
* {{OBP|Chatot|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Loudred|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Sunflora|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Bidoof|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Wigglytuff's Guild members|Corphish]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Wigglytuff's Guild members|Croagunk]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Wigglytuff's Guild members|Diglett]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Wigglytuff's Guild members|Dugtrio]] is referred to with "he/him" pronouns, but uses plural "we/us" to refer to himself.
* [[List of Wigglytuff's Guild members|Chimecho]] uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky characters|Magnezone}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky characters|Azurill}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Torkoal|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Lapras|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Grovyle|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Celebi|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Dusknoir|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Primal Dialga]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Palkia|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Drowzee|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Uxie|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
** Azelf uses "he/him" pronouns.
** Mesprit uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky characters|Manaphy}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{DL|List of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky characters|Cresselia}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Darkrai|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Armaldo|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Team Skull|Mystery Dungeon}} - all three members (Skuntank, Koffing, and Zubat) use "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Team Charm]] - all three members (Lopunny, Gardevoir, Medicham) use "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Team AWD]] - Weavile uses "she/her" pronouns, while Drapion and Arbok use "he/him" pronouns.

====Gates to Infinity====
* The [[Partner Pokémon (Mystery Dungeon)#Gates to Infinity|partner]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Virizion|Gates to Infinity}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Keldeo|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Munna|Gates to Infinity}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Gift Shop|Cinccino]] uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Swanna|Gates to Infinity}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Hydreigon|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Dunsparce|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Emolga|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{ps|Leavanny|NPC appearances|Leavanny}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{ps|Swadloon|NPC appearances|Swadloon}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Umbreon|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Espeon|Gates to Infinity}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Kyurem|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Quagsire|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Meloetta|Gates to Infinity}} uses "she/her" pronouns in {{fd|Meloetta|Aria}} form and "he/him" pronouns in {{fd|Meloetta|Pirouette}} form; also refers to oneself in singular ("I") or as a multiple ("musical family").
* {{OBP|Gurdurr|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Timburr|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{p|Dwebble}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Scraggy|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{ps|Herdier|NPC appearances|Herdier}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Victini|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{ps|Rampardos|NPC appearances|Rampardos}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{ps|Cofagrigus|NPC appearances|Cofagrigus}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Azumarill|Gates to Infinity}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{ps|Toxicroak|NPC appearances|Toxicroak}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Pawniard|Gates to Infinity}} uses "he/him" pronouns.

====Super Mystery Dungeon====
* [[Students (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Espurr]] uses "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Students (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Deerling]] uses "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Students (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Pancham]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Students (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Shelmet]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Students (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Goomy]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon characters|Farfetch'd]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon characters|Watchog]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon characters|Simipour]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon characters|Carracosta]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon characters|Nuzleaf]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Ampharos|Super Mystery Dungeon}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Expedition Society|Buizel]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Expedition Society|Archen]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Expedition Society|Bunnelby]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Expedition Society|Jirachi]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[Expedition Society|Mawile]] uses "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Expedition Society|Swirlix]] uses "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Expedition Society|Dedenne]] uses "she/her" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Krookodile|Super Mystery Dungeon}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Krokorok|Super Mystery Dungeon}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* [[List of Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon characters|Celebi]] (from the main story) uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{Shiny}} {{OBP|Celebi|Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky}} uses "she/her" pronouns.
* [[Legendary beasts (Super Mystery Dungeon)|Entei]] uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Xerneas|Super Mystery Dungeon}} uses "he/him" pronouns.
* {{OBP|Yveltal|Super Mystery Dungeon}} uses "he/him" pronouns.

===Other games===
* [[Detective Pikachu (character)|Detective Pikachu]], the titular character of the [[Detective Pikachu series]], is referred to with "he/him" pronouns.