Pokemon (subculture)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the Chilean teen fashion. For the Nintendo franchise, see Pokémon.

Pokemon is the name of an urban tribe among Chile's youth, which has been called the most widespread by the newspaper El Nuevo Diario.^[1] It was recently featured on Newsweek^[2]. It is also an associated fashion style^[3]^[4], which includes sharp hairstyles inspired by certain Pokémon. Many^[who?] may argue this is very similar (if not the same) to emo culture.^[5] The group has been noted by the local media; for example, state television organized a contest for "best pokemon".^[5] Pokemones have been at odds with traditionally conservative Chilean society. Newsweek reported that Pokemones have sexual orgies (named ponceos) in public places^[2], but others have said that this is a case of media sensationalism, and that ponceos have more to do with group kissing rather than sex.^[6]

In January 2008, internet messages were discovered urging violence against Pokemones, and people belonging to the subculture began increasingly being attacked outside discotheques and pubs. In response, a joint anti-violence campaign called "Foundation for a Better Future" has been organized by the Chilean state and Santiago's main student leaders.^[7]