>>55403834>In order to truly explore the question you have to take a semi-jaded/grounded perspective on it that doesn't really fit the Pokémon world and all the hope, wonder, and adventure that comes with it.This doesn't sit right with me. To me, it falls back into relying on the preconceptions that GameFreak has presented to us (E.G: the way NPCs talk, the lack of meaningful themes or stakes, and how incredibly saccharine everything feels.) We've been so used to looking at that for so long that we can't help but use them as our frame of reference for what the Pokémon world *should* be rather than challenging those preconceptions and seeing the Pokémon world for what it *could* be.
>In my opinion the Pokémon world is at it's best when it comes to finding happiness and fulfilment.I agree with this opinion, but generally the themes of Pokémon are synonymous with typical Shonen media which can make things feel safe and predictable at times (t. someone who attempted watching through the OS but silently gave up due to how cliche every episode felt.)
Admittedly, I will say that I myself struggle to imagine what human culture would be like with Pokémon that isn't just "what if this had POKEMON involved?" I want to think broader than that. I want to dream of high concepts as to what not just the culture, but the landscape, geography, and food chain would be like due to the influence of Pokémon without falling back on generic rural landscapes and whatnot (although those do have their place in the grand scheme of things.)