While 2016 may have been a rough year by most measures, there is one thing it did right: Pokémon.
The beloved franchise celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016, and by pretty much any measure, it was a banner year. Between the worldwide phenomenon of Pokémon Go (still being improved upon, now featuring second-generation pocket monsters) and the remarkably fresh seventh-generation entry Pokémon Sun and Moon, Pokémon rewarded newcomers and longtime fans alike with high-quality, unique, and endlessly addictive RPG gaming. That’s not even mentioning the new card game expansions and the animated show’s 19th season.
All of the attention on Pokémon has mutated in bizarre and entertaining ways: Every Pokémon if they were Dickbutt, every Pokémon if they were Garfield, sexy Wicke-mania, weird Russian popPokémon, and of course, the obligatory gay porn parody.
That’s to say nothing of the Pokémon memes. There have been too many to catch them all, but here were some of our favorites.
The best Pokémon memes
Get in the Bag, Nebby
One of the best running jokes in Pokémon Sun and Moon is Nebby, a legendary Psychic-type Cosmog Pokémon, who is supposed to be kept secret in Lillie’s bag. Only problem is Nebby and bags go together like oil and water.
"Nebby! Get. In. The. BAAAAAG!" pic.twitter.com/voPjWVQosK
— #LivinLikeLarry (@defensive_basti) November 28, 2016
Evil Kermit
Pokémon is nothing if not addictive. And, you know, every time you sang along to the show’s theme song, you did promise to be the very best. What are you going to do, break a promise? On the other hand, jobs pay money. Tough choice.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNVJtBgD4gm/
Spend all day grinding
The disappointment is palpable.
Rock Smash finally makes sense
That rock is sturdy-looking, but it also looks like it could be walked around without much trouble. Also it kind of looks like a big chair. Maybe a sleepy Pokémon could nap in it?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNWv2wtAs4v/
Can’t climb a cliff
It’s entirely possible that there is an untold subplot about every Pokémon character’s parents were murdered by small cliffs.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNsFwX9gB-N/
https://twitter.com/LuLaRoeJenS/status/752659440789139456
The Dog, you see, doesn’t know
Ha! Dumb dog doesn’t know he’s in a Pokémon meme.
https://twitter.com/TrollPokemonGO/status/777817011460136960
Dugtrio = Masters of the Universe
This is even more obscene than those Diglett dick pics that started cropping up after Pokemon Go.
I believe you will find this meme certifiably “dank”
Litten is a starter Pokémon in Sun and Moon and is named as such because, you see, Litten is a fire cat. So I suppose you could say these Pokémon are “lit,” but I wouldn’t.
Burn
Uhhh… Now That’s What I Call A Dank Meme™.
https://twitter.com/themostdank/status/751753479283208192
Yay, progress!
The new art style in Sun and Moon has been celebrated by most, but not the most ardent of Wailord fans.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BN7hqAHAe8I/
2016
The best visual metaphor for this garbage year is Pokemon Sun and Moon’s creepiest Pokemon: Mimikyu.
https://twitter.com/SplatoonSwitch/status/797176406727913472