List of background references to Pokémon

This is a list of background references to Pokémon, instances where non-Pokémon media make a minor mention of the Pokémon franchise, merely use a Pokémon catchphrase, or have a Pokémon character or item briefly appear in the background or as a visual gag. The following list is sorted alphabetically by the name of the work making the reference.
Substantive references that play an important role or refer to specific details of the franchise can be found on the list of references to Pokémon in popular culture.
==List of background references==
===Television===
Series 	Episode 	Reference 	Image
 	Joshua and Margaret Investigations 	In one scene in the episode, Margaret is shown entering a weapons room. Among the weapons on the right wall is a small . 	
 	 	While was remembering about he and his friends used to have sleepovers when they were little, a pink and purple is seen on the t-shirt worn by his friend Toshi. 	
 	Kloger 	When Toshi fails to grab the bar above him during the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, the army man refers to him as "Pokémon". 	—
 	 	When is about to throw out of the window, calms him down, reminding them that they both belong to the same . To this, Erkki remarks that Paavo's party card has been "glued full of Pokémon stickers". 	—
Ballmastrz: 9009	To Catch A Princess" 	In the video game Ace is playing, he throws a gold ball at the princesses which then captures them just like a Poké Ball catches Pokémon. 	
 	Revelations, Part I: Discovery 	Jetstorm says "Gotta catch 'em all!" 	—
 	Rook Tales 	Max Tennyson and Sheriff Wat-Senn are competitively fishing and catch two fish that look like and . 	
 	 	Bernard's room is often shown to have first-generation Pokémon posters. 	—
Big City Greens 	various episodes 	Two minor characters, a pair of crooks named Bash and Bella, are parodies of James and Jessie. 	—
promo for 	CN City Promo: 28 Days Later 	A copy of "The Times" magazine can be seen on the ground by Jimmy's feet. The cover star is a Pikachu in business attire. The visible text on the cover reads "PIKACHU/[...]ON OF THE YEAR", an apparent reference to the award in the real-life magazine. The promo is included on the Ed, Edd n Eddy DVD releases Complete 1st Season and The Complete Series. 	—
 	Unknown 	, , and make a cameo appearance as kids staying in a train station. However, the distinct facial features each possess, such as their hairstyles and Brock's eyes, were slightly altered and switched between them. 	—
 	 	When looks through Lexy Cross' phone, he mentions Lexy looks up Pokémon porn. 	—
 	 	While and visit the County Fair, one of the stands has plushies. 	
 	Operation: A.R.C.H.I.V.E. 	A character that can be seen in the audience is based on in his original series clothes. 	
 	Take responsibility, would you? 	Moriyama's son wears a Pikachu t-shirt. 	—
(dub) 	Akane-san of the Broadcasting Room!! Voice of the Dead	is referenced when Leo states that the broadcast begins right after Pokémon. 	—
 	Super Zeroes 	In this episode, the lead guitarist Corey tries to come up with a gimmick for their band, and is seen in a purple Pikachu costume. 	
 	Many episodes 	Pikachu has made background cameos; the pet tiger has referenced Pikachu when assuming himself to be the mascot character and in one episode the cast travel on a plane based on ANA Flights. In the sixth episode, a framed image of a blue Pikachu can be seen near the beginning of the episode. The image was based on one of 's art. In some episodes, various sound effects and background music make a reference to Pokémon.	—
 	and 	was called once in each of those two episodes. 	—
(dub) 	Episode 18 	During a battle against the Axis Powers, America chooses China to fight and says, "China, I choose you!" After beating and capturing the Axis Powers, America then says, "Yeah, we caught them all!" 	—
 	Episode 4505 	As Jude Cunningham leaves Nightingale's, Tony Hutchinson asks where she's going and Jude responds "To catch Pokémon", referring to Pokémon Go. 	—
 	The Dullahan Surpasses Space-Time 	When Machi, Hikari, and Yuki are group texting each other, Yuki's text profile image is three together. 	—
 	Open Your Heart 	Tatenashi grabs Houki's breasts while saying Houki-chan getto da ze! ("Houki, caught you!"), a reference to the Japanese slogan of the Pokémon franchise, Pokémon getto da ze!.Infinite Stratos 2 - Her breast are bigger than mine! 	—
 	Uncivilized 	A victim was last seen on his way to a store to buy Pokémon cards. 	—
 	Make Up for Mother's Day 	There is a scene in which Krystal runs past a shop which has a Pikachu-esque plush in the window. 	
 	 	In a flashback, is looking for a stuffed panda in a toy store that has an extensive amount of Pokémon merchandise on the shelves in the background. 	—
 	The Famous Shooter 	The characters go to a festival, and Kagami has trouble catching fish as they just swim away from her. When she finally catches one, she shouts "get da ze!", which is "Gotta catch 'em all!" in Japanese. 	—
 	The Straight A-Team / Gaming's Next Top Princess 	Misty is among the eliminated contestants in "Gaming's Next Top Princess", among the likes of , , , , and . 	
 	Kung Fu Blander / Destroy, Bob the Builder, Destroy 	The "Kung Fu Blander" skit has Po, the main character of the movie series, fighting the main villain of the Kung Fu Panda movie, Shen. When he learns that only a hero in "black and white" can defeat Shen and that it isn't him, he resorts to pulling several items and characters matching the description to use against Shen. One of the objects Po pulls out is and . 	
 	The Blunder Games / The Poop-seidon Adventure 	The opening of the "Blunder Games" segment shows a Pikachu float in the style of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon. 	—
 	Diary of a Wimpy Kid Icarus / The Adjustment Burro 	The "Diary of a Wimpy Kid Icarus" skit was a crossover between the and . In the skit, is shown to be part of the gang that harasses , and uses a to extinguish a fire in the science lab. 	—
 	The Dullverine / Under the Dumb 	In the first sketch, a Japanese girl who tells that they have to go to Japan to film is shown carrying a Pikachu umbrella. 	
 	 	Dewey is sitting at a picnic table with a boy and both Pokémon cards in their hand, and can be seen making a trade. There are also cards laid on the table. The boy then offers Dewey some candy, which he is not supposed to be eating due to hyperactivity. After eating it, Dewey freaks out and throws some of the cards in the air. 	
 	 	A doll can be seen sitting on the bed in some episodes, along with a Squirtle doll. 	
 	 	Monte, Lily's classmate, said his hobby is collecting Pokémon. 	—
 	 	When Ultronian superhero , aka. George Sunday () is visiting his cousin Arnie () in to ask him about the human holiday of Christmas, he says that he doesn't understand Christmas as although it is the season of goodwill, he says he was in Manchester the previous day to stop a pitched battle. Arnie asks if it was between rival gangs, but George says it was "three mums wanting the last Pokémon". 	—
 	The Thunderbird 	When posing as Matthew, Maxime Dermy wears a wig that resembles James's hairstyle. 	
 	Alexandra 	In a sketch depicting a pair of Japanese toy specialists assisting a worker at the fictional Jewel Case Inc. in becoming more noticeable, a figure, among many other toys, is placed on the worker's desk as a conversational piece. 	
 	Things Look Bad for the Streepster 	Although the sketch in question is mostly a spoof of The Hunger Games, Super Smash Bros. and Animal Crossing, a Charizard does pop out of a Poké Ball and burn Mario. 	
 	I'm Going to Teach Konohamaru Kempo 	While Rock Lee is letting Neji use a transformation jutsu, Neji is seen wearing a Pikachu costume with a large set of two teeth. 	
 	Love Means Having to Say You're Sorry 	Clarence drops the Pokémon cards he was holding while running away from Harvey, prompting Harvey to shout out "Wait, Clarence! You dropped your Pokémon cards." 	
 	The Curse of Clyde Langer 	An figure can be seen in the bedroom of Clyde Langer. 	
 	Not Losing to Elbows, Not Losing to Knees 	When Abiru says Nozomu would look good with a tail, he was pictured with various tails including those that resemble the tails of and . 	
 	Boy, Girl, Boy, Girl... 	While looking at pictures at Charlotte's gallery, Samantha says, "You know, women dressing like men is very popular right now", to which Carrie replies, "And here I thought it was Pokémon". 	—
 	Endless Eight () 	Two masks, a purple mask, a yellow mask, and an orange mask can be seen on display. 	
The Simpsons 	Bart vs. Lisa vs. The Third Grade 	can be seen in Bart's satellite TV-induced hallucination. 	
The Simpsons 	'Tis the Fifteenth SeasonandFraudcast News 	In the couch gag, Maggie is dressed up as a . 	
The Simpsons 	Treehouse of Horror XXV 	At the end of the episode, various alternate universe versions of the Simpson family appear. One of these alternate universe versions of the family is based on Japanese popular culture, including Maggie as . 	
 	 	's name is written on the dumpster where SpongeBob learns a bad word. 	
 	 	A figure in Steven's room looks like a merged with a . 	
 	Keep Beach City Weird 	One of Ronaldo's posters scattered throughout the lighthouse in the background shows the paranormal sighting of a "psychic duck", a reference to . 	
 	Numerous 	The character Nephrite, also known as Centipeedle, has a gem greatly resembling a Poké Ball. 	
 	 	In multiple episodes, a toy Poké Ball can be seen on a shelf in Zack and Cody's bedroom. 	—
 	A Bug's Life with Senpai 	A is shown. 	—
 	Man Person 	Cyborg and Robin high-five after catching all of Beast Boy's escaped body parts. The caption: "Caught 'em All" is shown in this scene, referencing the Pokémon logo and motto. 	
 	Gotta Collect 'Em All 	In the episode Robin collects all of the titans, which have been turned into collectibles, even battling in a similar format. 	—
 	No Matter What 	Minori Kushieda finds Ryūji Takasu thinking and says 「ため息ゲットだぜ！」 Tameiki getto da ze! ("I caught your sigh!"), a shout out to the Japanese slogan of the Pokémon franchise, 「ポケモンゲットだぜ！」Pokémon getto da ze!. She also referenced other popular franchises, such as . 	—
(English dub) 	Attack of the Crow-Men 	As the Crow-Men threaten to shrink and distribute the GUTS gang, they say that they'll be bigger than Pokémon. 	—
===Film===
Movie 	Reference 	Image
 	The movie features people in costumes of and among those running from "not Godzilla" in the Tokyo scene. The deleted scenes also feature background appearances of and costumes, the Pikachu car and a plushie.	
 	One child asks "Santa" for Pokémon. 	—
Erkan & Stefan gegen die Mächte der Finsternis	When Erkan and Stefan meet Kartan they question him being Kartan while Stefan says that "The graphics are pretty cheesy on him. I'd say Pokémon is better then he is." 	—
 	A cartridge of Pokémon Sapphire can be seen in Dr. 's apartment. 	
 	Pokémon bed sheets can be seen on multiple occasions. 	—
Home Invasions 	The father of the victim's boyfriend stated that his son still has his Pokémon cards. 	—
Leo 	The name given to Leo's turtle companion is "Squirtle". 	—
Monsters University 	One of the sororities in the film is called "Slugma Slugma Kappa." 	—
 	When Ozzy tries to stop Drix from leaving Frank's body, one of the germs carries a Pikachu. 	
 	A Pikachu plush is seen in the Plummer residence. 	
 	A face of can be seen without a nose on Fegan Floop's finger. 	
 	One of the channels Sebastian flips through randomly shows the cameo of in Giratina and the Sky Warrior. 	
 	In Kara's room, a hat can be seen on an statue. 	—
===Non-Pokémon video games===
Game 	Details 	Image
Fastlane: Road to Revenge	The slug event’s item is shaped like a Poké Ball. 	
 	The 2024 Moonfire Faire seasonal quest is titled "Fire Red, Beast Green", which is a reference to . 	
 	The flavor text of card "Troublemaker" is "Prepare for trouble!" "Make it double!"(Japanese translation use a reference instead), which is a reference to Team Rocket motto in Kanto.
The flavor text of card "Shining Sentinel" is "OMG, I FINALLY GOT A SHINING SENTINEL AFTER 3 PHASES AND 8192 RESETS!!!!!" (Japanese:やった、ついに色違いセンチネルを手に入れたぞ、色違い遭遇3回と8192回のリセットの後で！！！), which is a reference to hardness of catching a shining Pokémon.
The flavor text of card "Trusty Fishing Rod" is "That's weird… I can only catch magic carps with this old fishing rod." (Japanese:妙だな…このボロボロの釣り竿だと、なぜか王様みたいなコイしか釣れないぞ。), which is a reference to the fact that the only Pokémon that can be fished out by the Old Rod is in Generation I.	
 	If the image file is looked at for the item "John's Letter," there is a small stamp with a person and a Pikachu costumed person beside them. 	
 	There is an achievement that grants the player five coins for saving fifty critters called "Gotta save 'em all!", which is based on the franchise's original slogan, "Gotta catch 'em all!".	
 	There is an achievement for having three specialized subject called "Gotta Subjugate Them All", which is based on the franchise's original slogan, "Gotta catch 'em all!". 	
 	
There is a defilante title achievement called "Catch Them All", which is based on the franchise's original slogan, "Gotta catch 'em all!".
The shaman markings are based on Sentret and Furret.
Ash's cap, Decidueye's hood, Umbreon hat, Slowking's shell, Selene's hat, May's bandana, Lillie's hat, Magikarp hat, Floria's hat, Dawn's beanie and Sawsbuck's spring antlers appear in the shop as head items.
Selene's hair, May's hair, Lillie's hair, Dawn's hair, N's hair and Primarina's hair appear in the shop as hair styles.
Selene's hibiscus, Primarina's tiara and Gracidea flower appear in the shop as ear items.
Cubone's skull appears in the shop as an eye item.
Dawn's scarf appears in the shop as a neck item.
Drifloon appears in the shop as a tail item.
Sylveon's eyes appear in the contact lenses section as four colors: pink, green, blue and yellow.
Poké Ball appears in the shop as a hand item and ball skin.
Eevee, Marill, Furret, Litten, Vaporeon, Mega Charizard X, Mega Audino, Dewott, Wooloo, Lycanroc, Sylveon, Shaymin, and Spring Sawsbuck appear in the shop as furs.	—
===Non-Pokémon non-video games===
Game 	Details 	Image
Yu-Gi-Oh! card game	There is a card whose English name is "A Wild Monster Appears!" (cf. the wording of the random encounters in the English-language Pokémon games).	—
===In books, manga, and comics===
* is mentioned in Jason Starr's November 2018 book, Too Far.
**"My son's into Pokémon too," Rob Said. "Big Golisopod fan - huge."
*A few of 's books mention Pokémon.
**Shelves of Pokémon, , and are featured in , and the movie tie-in, Love, Simon.
** Kent talks with Dylan and Ben in What If It's Us, co-written with .
===Miscellaneous===
*In the social messaging app , a Pikachu appears in the "voice & video" settings for the user's camera.
==Related articles==
*List of references to popular culture in Pokémon
*List of references to Pokémon in popular culture
*List of Pokémon parodies
==References==
Category:Pokémon meta
Category:Lists