"Since it entered the gaming scene in 1996, the multi-media empire has been awash with queer-coded content. Think of Team Rocket's Jessie and James, a pair of cross-dressing, campy baddies who always pulled off fabulous costumes. Or consider the ice and psychic Pokémon Jynx, who oozes drag couture and typifies mother energy."
"Be it the escapism, the nostalgia, or the sense of community between fans, for three decades its colourful, relatively innocent world has deeply connected with LGBTQ+ folks. If you are so inclined, we have even written about what your favourite Pokémon says about the type of queer person you are."
"Ditto was introduced to the franchise in Generation I, in the initial set of Pokémon games released in Japan in 1996 and is No132 in the original list of No151 Pokémon. With blob-like form, dot eyes and line mouth - almost always set in a smile - Ditto's design is one of the most simplistic in the Pokémon world."
Pokémon has maintained a strong LGBTQ+ fanbase for three decades through queer-coded characters and inclusive content. The franchise features numerous examples of queer representation, including cross-dressing Team Rocket members Jessie and James, the drag-inspired Jynx, and Blanche from Pokémon Go who uses they/them pronouns. To celebrate Pokémon Day 2026 and the brand's 30th anniversary, PinkNews highlights Ditto as a specific Pokémon that embodies LGBTQ+ values. Introduced in Generation I in 1996, Ditto features a simple blob-like design based on the smiley emoticon, with minimal features including dot eyes and a smiling line mouth. The Pokémon's amorphous form and transformative abilities resonate with themes of fluidity and diversity central to queer experience.
#pokemon-lgbtq-representation #ditto-character-analysis #queer-coded-content #pokemon-day-2026 #gender-fluidity-and-transformation
Read at PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news
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