Pokémon trying to get its fans out of the house prior to the pandemic is one thing, but the franchise’s recent interest in our dental health is a little odd.
This month marks the fourth anniversary of the release of Pokémon GO. Not only was Pokémon GO a groundbreaking game that allowed trainers to venture out into the world to find their Pokémon, but it was also lauded as a positive step towards more healthy gaming. Encouraging gamers to leave the house to play their games instead of doing so sat on a couch.
That has had to take a backseat for the time being as Pokémon GO has been adapted to be more social-distancing and stay at home friendly. However, while Pokémon awaits for normality to return, it has shifted its focus to another part of its fans’ wellbeing. Their teeth.
Various branches of The Pokémon Company seem very concerned about Pokémon players’ dental health all of a sudden. The trend began during the first of two Pokémon Presents events last month. Most of the attention during those events was given to Pokémon Snap 2 and Pokémon Café Mix. However, a game called Pokémon Smile was also announced. A game aimed at young players that encourages them to brush their teeth.
Pretty sweet, and we’re sure some parents will jump on the chance to use a Pokémon game to get reluctant children to brush their teeth more often. But wait, there’s more! It was revealed recently that Pokémon has teamed up with Nestlé for a milk promotion. Various Pokémon can now be found on the side of Klim Superkid Milk cartons. They’re only available in Taiwan, but still, seems like Pokémon is very keen for its fans to look after their teeth.
It’s not a bad message to send, of course, and considering a large chunk of Pokémon fans are children, products that encourage dental health will probably sell very well. Pokémon branded milk certainly isn’t the weirdest thing the franchise has lent its name to over the years. We might well give that award to Pokémon Diamond and Pearl’s curry sauce, but there are plenty of other nominees.
