I’ll Admit It, Human Ditto Makes a Better Pokemon Protagonist Than I Thought

by

I never would have guessed Ditto would be the main character of Pokemon’s first life simulation game, but that’s exactly who stars in Pokemon Pokopia! Like many others, I was initially unsure about this choice – it gets a little strange when you really think about it. I was worried this would prevent Pokopia from being the cozy, relaxing game I’d hoped for. However, after playing for a while, I have to admit I might have underestimated Ditto.

I recently had a chance to play an early version of Pokopia, and the first thing I did was create a character that looks like a human version of Ditto! I then spent some time exploring the game world and getting a feel for the story. Before the game was announced, I was curious why it didn’t follow the Animal Crossing formula where you’re the only human among animals. But after playing as my Human Ditto, I understand the design choice much better.

Ditto’s Backstory is a Heartwarming Homage to the Bond Between Pokemon and Their Trainers

Okay, so when I started playing Pokopia, the first thing I had to do was make my character. That’s normal, right? But Pokopia does something cool – it actually weaves a little story into it. You don’t just become any random person; you’re playing as a Ditto that’s transforming to look like its old trainer! It’s kinda sad, actually – it makes you realize how long it’s been since this Ditto saw their trainer, but it’s a really sweet way to show how close trainers and Pokémon can be.

The anime consistently portrays the strong connection between Pokémon and their trainers, though the games haven’t always succeeded in doing so. Regardless, this bond has always been a core element of the Pokémon franchise. With Pokopia focusing on a world without humans, it’s a heartwarming way to still celebrate that connection. Seeing how much Ditto cared for and missed its trainer finally made sense of its initial transformation into a human form.

The Pokémon Ditto’s human form is a little strange, which isn’t unusual for Ditto! Its hair is a bit blocky, and the arms seem a little long when it runs. But seeing this odd transformation after possibly being away from humans for a long time is actually touching and a bit sad. Surprisingly, this little avatar is also quite cute, and you quickly get used to its unique look while you play.

Pokemon Pokopia Doesn’t Let Us Forget that Ditto Is a Pokemon, Not a Person – And It’s Adorable

People always say everyone has a favorite Pokémon, but Ditto has never been one of mine. It’s just a simple, blob-like creature, and while some people love that, I never really did. However, playing with Ditto in Pokopia is starting to change my mind – I’m beginning to see how cute a shapeless blob can be! Even though Pokopia lets Ditto take on almost-human forms, it always reminds you that it’s still a Pokémon, which is good because it avoids things feeling strange with the line between human and Pokémon getting blurred.

First off, Ditto actually talks – it uses full sentences when communicating with other Pokémon, rather than just repeating its name. This cleverly reminds us that it’s still a Pokémon, not a human. It also allows the game, Pokopia, to give each Pokémon a distinct and charming personality – for example, Scyther is always searching for things to slice, and Sylveon is incredibly empathetic. While all of this is great, a smaller detail from my hands-on preview really stood out to me.

Like many life simulation games, Pokemon Pokopia features a day and night cycle. This means Pokemon need to sleep, and that includes Ditto. When Ditto goes to sleep, it stops maintaining its transformed shape and reverts to its original pink, blob-like form. The developers created a charming animation of this happening, which also subtly reminds players that despite sometimes appearing human, Ditto is still a Pokemon and feels comfortable with other Pokemon.

I was really drawn in by the character of Pokopia in Human Ditto. I expect the story will have some emotional moments, likely referencing its trainer who is now gone. And the way it changes form feels like a fitting part of that journey.

What are your thoughts on the Human Ditto avatar in Pokemon Pokopia? Share your opinion in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/feature/pokemon-pokopia-preview-an-impressive-level-up-of-the-animal-crossing-formula/embed/#

Read More

2026-02-14 22:11