The Pokémon franchise has evolved significantly over its 27 years of existence, not only in terms of gameplay but also in how it allows players to express themselves and identify within the game. As an example, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet have just included gender-neutral bathrooms in their DLC.
There's no doubt that Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are the games with the most sexual diversity in the series, judging by various elements in the main campaign. However, the first part of the DLC, The Teal Mask, went even further.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are the games in the series with the most sexual diversity
Upon arriving in Kitakami, the player finds themselves in a waiting room with three bathroom doors. The men's restroom is symbolized by a male Pikachu tail, and the women's restroom by a female Pikachu tail. What stands out is the third door, symbolized by a silhouette of Pikachu's head, indicating that "everyone can use this bathroom!" as reported by Kotaku. This suggests that it is a unisex or gender-neutral bathroom, something that had never happened in the franchise before.
Remember that Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are also the first games in the series to offer players the option of having a gender-neutral character. At the beginning of the adventure, the game doesn't ask if the player is male or female but instead has them choose a general appearance. Additionally, the games allow for equal customization options.
One of the gym leaders in Paldea is Grusha, a character who initially appears to be a woman but is, in fact, a man. His feminine characteristics lead many to think he could be gay, transgender, or at least a effeminate man.
What are your thoughts on this new feature in the Pokémon games? Let us know in the comments.
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet are available exclusively for Nintendo Switch.
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