Japanese fans playing Pokémon Legends Z-A have spotted a rare mention of Pikachu pooping. However, the game’s English-language translation adjusts the dialogue — and instead simply references Pikachu experiencing “tummy troubles.”
According to Automaton, “Pikachu’s Poop” briefly trended on X for some Japanese users after the discovery of a Lumiose City NPC who mentions that their Pokémon is unwell. “Pikachu’s pooping more than usual, I’m worried,” the character reportedly says.
There’s no follow-up dialogue, leaving players without any further detail on Pikachu’s bowel habits. Nevertheless, the mention is notable, based on how infrequently Pokémon actually references the creatures’ need to poop at all.
ピカチュウのうんち pic.twitter.com/rVetTHbftA
— てそ (@teso_026) October 15, 2025
The Pokémon series has occaisonally mentioned Pokémon droppings, suggesting that some species’ poop makes for good fertilizer (Diglett), while other species’ poop can be dangerously explosive (Turtonator). A particular favorite Pokédex of mine mentions the Fire-type creature Darumaka, whose “droppings are hot so people used to put them in their clothes to keep themselves warm.” Lovely.
Back to Pikachu, though, and Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s English translation of the above scene. As seen by IGN, the explicit mention of poop has been replaced with the following dialogue: “My Pikachu’s been having tummy troubles recently. I’m worried…”
The English dialogue feels something of a santized take on the game’s original script, though in keeping with a franchise about wild creatures that tries to skirt around some of the less family-friendly aspects of their lives whenever possible. Breeding, death and Pokémon eating other Pokémon as food are all canon within the franchise — though it’s increasingly rare to hear these elements referenced in the series’ games or anime.
Earlier today, IGN reported on a viral post discussing whether Pokémon can eat food meant for humans without getting some serious indigestion, sparked by the ability to take in-game photos of your character with their Pokémon hanging out in cafes. And for news on leaks of a different kind, we brought you the latest on this week’s spread of information pertaining to unannounced Pokémon projects — much of which has now been scrubbed from social media due to copyright notices.
If you have already picked up Pokémon Legends Z-A and are wondering which initial Pokémon to pick, see our tips for choosing from the game’s three starters. If you’re jumping into Pokemon Legends Z-A, choose your Starter Pokemon, then check out our in-progress Pokemon Legends: Z-A Walkthrough, plus our Side Missions List to make sure you don’t miss anything. We’ve also got a Pokemon Legends: Z-A Pokedex, and most importantly, a guide to All Clothing Stores and Clothing in Pokemon Legends: Z-A so you can catch ’em all in style.
There’s also IGN’s Pokémon Legends: Z-A review-in-progress, which shares some early thoughts. Our full review comes out next week.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
