How Japanese Religion Influenced Pokémon episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 13, 2026 · 9 MIN

How Japanese Religion Influenced Pokémon

from ReligionForBreakfast · host ReligionForBreakfast

Most people know that Pokémon is a Japanese video game, but did you know that many Pokémon designs were influenced by Japanese religion, mythology, and folklore? If you look closely, you can see Shintoism and Buddhism throughout the entire franchise. This show is funded by generous fans like you! Check out our Patreon campaign if you would like to support us too: https://www.patreon.com/religionforbreakfast One-time donations can be sent to: paypal.me/religionforbreakfastFollow me on Twitter @andrewmarkhenryFacebook at: www.facebook.com/religionforbreakfastBibliography: Karen Ann Smyers (1999). The Fox and the Jewel: Shared and Private Meanings in Contemporary Japanese Inari Worship. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.Michael Dylan Foster, "The Book of Yokai: Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore, " 2015Michael Dylan Foster, "Pandemonium and Parade: Japanese Monsters and the Culture of Yokai," 2009Helen Hardacre, "Shinto: A History," 2017Most photographs and video from Japan was shot by my brother EC Henry. Check out his channel at https://www.youtube.com/echenry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 13, 2026

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How Japanese Religion Influenced Pokémon

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