A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Gotta catch’em all!

Raise your hand if you’ve heard of Pokemon.  Good.  Now if you’ve never seen the TV show, lower your hand.  Finally, if you’ve never played any of the games (card or video) lower your hand.  Those of you with your hands still up.  You should probably put them down, people will start staring at you wondering why there’s a crazy person starting at their computer with their hand in the air.

Now if you raised your hand at any point, congratulations, you’ve been exposed at some point in your life to the cultural phenomenon that’s been going on almost as long as that documentary about Allen has been in existence.  I think what is interesting to note at first, is that the first generation of kids that got into Pokemon are well into their 20s.  So it should come as no surprise that Pokemon related modifications are becoming more prevalent.

When it comes to a pop-culture related mod, a lot depends on context.  I know that if I had gotten say a River City Ransom or Clash at Demonhead tattoo 10 years ago, only people my age would have a clue as to what they were a reference to.  Now with films like Scott Pilgrim coming out (seriously, best movie I’ve seen in 10 years, go watch it) you have this resurgence of classic pop-culture being exposed to a generation that wasn’t even born before the N64 was released.  Now when it comes to Pokemon, you’re seeing a completely different type of generational culture attachment.  Pokemon is still going strong today.  We’re at a point with it where the kids who were part of the first wave of fans, are now sitting down with their own children to play the games.  For someone my age it’s hard to imagine that occurring for me.  While Pokemon is still popular with the young folk, the shows and games I grew up on are only getting a resurgence in popularity due to nostalgia.  Some may argue that the exposure is still present, and while it may be, the children of my generation will only be able to watch the shows and play the games we grew up on if we were able to hold on to our childhood possessions.  Granted, I personally thought ahead.  If I ever have a child, when they’re old enough to play video games, the first game they will play will be Super Mario Bros on my original NES.  When they want to watch a cartoon, I’ve got the full collections of GI JOE and Transformers sitting on a shelf waiting for them.  So yes, the exposure to these classic pop-culture icons will essentially be forced, it’s nice to know that with the digital age those younger than me can enjoy the games they played as a child with their children, at it will still be culturally relevant.

Now, seeing as how I may have exposed myself as a geek, let me distract you with a picture of one of those Pokemon fans that has grown up and gotten a scarification piece done of their favorite Pokemon, #38 Ninetails (I had to look that up).

ninetails

So, those of you who raised your hands, what was your favorite Pokemon?

Comments

105 responses to “Gotta catch’em all!”

  1. Joe Walton Avatar
    Joe Walton

    Honestly i didn’t even read the paragraph. I just saw Ninetales and jizzed myself.

  2. Robyn Avatar
    Robyn

    motherfucking espeon!!

  3. Robyn Avatar
    Robyn

    motherfucking espeon!!

  4. Robyn Avatar
    Robyn

    motherfucking espeon!!

  5. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    “a generation that wasn’t even born before the N64 was released.” Statements such as this blow my mind. It’s weird to think kids can’t remember the N64 coming out (I never got one because my parents wouldn’t let me, but I sure as hell wanted one).

    Also Ninetails is my favorite. I have a Vulpix sticker on my phone. 😀

  6. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    “a generation that wasn’t even born before the N64 was released.” Statements such as this blow my mind. It’s weird to think kids can’t remember the N64 coming out (I never got one because my parents wouldn’t let me, but I sure as hell wanted one).

    Also Ninetails is my favorite. I have a Vulpix sticker on my phone. 😀

  7. Kat Avatar
    Kat

    “a generation that wasn’t even born before the N64 was released.” Statements such as this blow my mind. It’s weird to think kids can’t remember the N64 coming out (I never got one because my parents wouldn’t let me, but I sure as hell wanted one).

    Also Ninetails is my favorite. I have a Vulpix sticker on my phone. 😀

  8. Cyndi Avatar
    Cyndi

    Oh. My. God. <3<3<3

  9. Cyndi Avatar
    Cyndi

    Oh. My. God. <3<3<3

  10. Cyndi Avatar
    Cyndi

    Oh. My. God. <3<3<3

  11. RioTDoll Avatar

    I’ve always loved the Eeveelutions, and I plan on getting them, or a series of Pokeballs, or both, tattooed at some point.

    That’s a crazy awesome piece. I can’t wait to see it healed.

  12. RioTDoll Avatar

    I’ve always loved the Eeveelutions, and I plan on getting them, or a series of Pokeballs, or both, tattooed at some point.

    That’s a crazy awesome piece. I can’t wait to see it healed.

  13. RioTDoll Avatar

    I’ve always loved the Eeveelutions, and I plan on getting them, or a series of Pokeballs, or both, tattooed at some point.

    That’s a crazy awesome piece. I can’t wait to see it healed.

  14. Goteki Avatar
    Goteki

    Tbh when I saw this allot of memories came up again,i whas 12 when pokenon aired in Europe that’s about when I started collecting the cards aswell.I still have hundreds of those cards :p and I probably still have my 3 decks lying around somewhere nah pokemon got me to create a tight bond with my litle brother and it got me to meet my bestfriend with whom I still hang around with he’s 29 and I’m 24 hilarious shit,thinking back about what my aunt did for us 3 driving all over the country going to the playing card tournaments hell we even whent to Belgium and Germany for em.it might sound really old but I miss those good old days.
    And to answer the question my favorite pokemon whould be scyther and I guess he still is.

  15. Goteki Avatar
    Goteki

    Tbh when I saw this allot of memories came up again,i whas 12 when pokenon aired in Europe that’s about when I started collecting the cards aswell.I still have hundreds of those cards :p and I probably still have my 3 decks lying around somewhere nah pokemon got me to create a tight bond with my litle brother and it got me to meet my bestfriend with whom I still hang around with he’s 29 and I’m 24 hilarious shit,thinking back about what my aunt did for us 3 driving all over the country going to the playing card tournaments hell we even whent to Belgium and Germany for em.it might sound really old but I miss those good old days.
    And to answer the question my favorite pokemon whould be scyther and I guess he still is.

  16. Goteki Avatar
    Goteki

    Tbh when I saw this allot of memories came up again,i whas 12 when pokenon aired in Europe that’s about when I started collecting the cards aswell.I still have hundreds of those cards :p and I probably still have my 3 decks lying around somewhere nah pokemon got me to create a tight bond with my litle brother and it got me to meet my bestfriend with whom I still hang around with he’s 29 and I’m 24 hilarious shit,thinking back about what my aunt did for us 3 driving all over the country going to the playing card tournaments hell we even whent to Belgium and Germany for em.it might sound really old but I miss those good old days.
    And to answer the question my favorite pokemon whould be scyther and I guess he still is.

  17. syrian Avatar
  18. syrian Avatar
  19. syrian Avatar
  20. Andrew Avatar

    most definitely vulpix, which evolves into ninetails… It was one of the original 150 (or 151 if you count mew), i think i just thought it was the cutest little fox ever….

  21. Andrew Avatar

    most definitely vulpix, which evolves into ninetails… It was one of the original 150 (or 151 if you count mew), i think i just thought it was the cutest little fox ever….

  22. Andrew Avatar

    most definitely vulpix, which evolves into ninetails… It was one of the original 150 (or 151 if you count mew), i think i just thought it was the cutest little fox ever….

  23. Lissa Avatar
    Lissa

    Flareon and Ponyta. Flaming poodles and ponies!

  24. Lissa Avatar
    Lissa

    Flareon and Ponyta. Flaming poodles and ponies!

  25. Lissa Avatar
    Lissa

    Flareon and Ponyta. Flaming poodles and ponies!

  26. merrry Avatar

    EEK! I’m too old! (lol) They became popular when my kids were kids, so all I was ever exposed to was Pikachu, and I laughed it off. However, I love the imagery in the scarification. I’d love to see it healed

  27. merrry Avatar

    EEK! I’m too old! (lol) They became popular when my kids were kids, so all I was ever exposed to was Pikachu, and I laughed it off. However, I love the imagery in the scarification. I’d love to see it healed

  28. merrry Avatar

    EEK! I’m too old! (lol) They became popular when my kids were kids, so all I was ever exposed to was Pikachu, and I laughed it off. However, I love the imagery in the scarification. I’d love to see it healed

  29. DangerKirby Avatar
    DangerKirby

    I frakking love it!
    My fav has and always will be Charizard! Every single game, I trade him onto the newer one, and he’s lvl 100 and amazing. My second has to be Luxray 🙂
    I have a pokeball on the back of my neck , and 00 plugs that are pokeballs 🙂

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=250238&l=70d77b6d06&id=100000367344981

  30. DangerKirby Avatar
    DangerKirby

    I frakking love it!
    My fav has and always will be Charizard! Every single game, I trade him onto the newer one, and he’s lvl 100 and amazing. My second has to be Luxray 🙂
    I have a pokeball on the back of my neck , and 00 plugs that are pokeballs 🙂

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=250238&l=70d77b6d06&id=100000367344981

  31. DangerKirby Avatar
    DangerKirby

    I frakking love it!
    My fav has and always will be Charizard! Every single game, I trade him onto the newer one, and he’s lvl 100 and amazing. My second has to be Luxray 🙂
    I have a pokeball on the back of my neck , and 00 plugs that are pokeballs 🙂

    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=250238&l=70d77b6d06&id=100000367344981

  32. Joanna Avatar
    Joanna

    Charmander!

  33. Joanna Avatar
    Joanna

    Charmander!

  34. Joanna Avatar
    Joanna

    Charmander!

  35. Vick von Engel Avatar

    ORIGINAL 150 ONLY! mines Articuno 😀

  36. Vick von Engel Avatar

    ORIGINAL 150 ONLY! mines Articuno 😀

  37. Vick von Engel Avatar

    ORIGINAL 150 ONLY! mines Articuno 😀

  38. Dusk Avatar
    Dusk

    I don’t know all these stuffs ; I played with GI-Joe, I watched Saint Seiya… F*ck I’m too old for that.

  39. Dusk Avatar
    Dusk

    I don’t know all these stuffs ; I played with GI-Joe, I watched Saint Seiya… F*ck I’m too old for that.

  40. Dusk Avatar
    Dusk

    I don’t know all these stuffs ; I played with GI-Joe, I watched Saint Seiya… F*ck I’m too old for that.

  41. Bein Avatar
    Bein

    Wobbuffet 🙂

  42. Bein Avatar
    Bein

    Wobbuffet 🙂

  43. Bein Avatar
    Bein

    Wobbuffet 🙂

  44. Bein Avatar
    Bein

    Wobbuffet 🙂

  45. Bein Avatar
    Bein

    Wobbuffet 🙂

  46. Bein Avatar
    Bein

    Wobbuffet 🙂

  47. steve Avatar

    thats awesome
    i love vileplume
    but lickilicky will destroy you 🙂

  48. steve Avatar

    thats awesome
    i love vileplume
    but lickilicky will destroy you 🙂

  49. steve Avatar

    thats awesome
    i love vileplume
    but lickilicky will destroy you 🙂

  50. Evo Avatar

    Wow, this is awesome. I’m not much a fan of modern scarification, but this is brilliant purely because I’m biased when it comes to pokemon. I’m in the middle of design a pokemon sleeve for one of my arms, and still in the middle of funding it.

    My fav pokemon would have to be Umbreon. First only dark type and just pure awesomeness!

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop
  • Rachel Larratt 1980-2022
    Unfortunately, when we lost some of the ModBlog content, it included the post about Rachel’s passing. (Original Post) Rachel passed away on June 22, 2022. She died in her sleep. Even now, it’s extremely difficult to write this post. Rachel meant so much to so… Read more: Rachel Larratt 1980-2022