>>46089266Honestly, its possible Pokemon/Human could be grooming, but I don't think its fair to assume that ALL instances of a Pokemon/Human relationship is grooming. I believe about 90% of Pokemon are able to consent IF they learned how to communicate with humans say through Telepathy, Aura, or simply learning how (like Meowth did) and being of an adult age for their species. So non-legal consent is not really the problem here. Legal Consent is a problem, because we don't know laws in that world and it could be seen as illegal, so this an unknown. The main issue I have is the potential for grooming or manipulation of one or the other in the relationship (Don't pretend a Pokemon can't manipulate a human into an unhealthy relationship just as a human could to them). The standard Human/Pokemon relationship doesn't work for a romantic relationship, its too similar to a Teacher/Student or Master/Pet relationship to be healthy imo, HOWEVER, there is one type of relationship I've seen that could make it work.
Team Rocket's Meowth and his relationship with his friends is one of true equality, they are all in the same boat, working under the same boss, with no one person or persons taking command within their group, and they are on equal footing. Thus if you had a relationship like that one where the Pokemon is incredibly independent and does things without you needing to take care of them at each turn or wait on them hand and foot, it wouldn't be grooming. So I do think its possible it could be ethically sound.
