Reason for Warning: This page documents a controversial subculture whose history includes documented public sexual activity, including by minors, as well as explicit threats and acts of physical violence from rival subcultures and far-right groups, which contributed to the subculture's decline. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Pokemones, also known as HxCitos, were a youth subculture that originated in Chile in 2006. While projecting an image of melancholy and sadness, they were often described as happy and extroverted. Their identity was formed through a fusion of elements from various subcultures: Otaku culture (hobbies and worldview), Emo hairstyles, Hip-Hop fashion, Punk political ideologies, and local Chilean influences such as Flaites (musical preferences) and the Hardcore Punk scene.
They favored Reggaeton music and engaged in activities like perreo, ponceo (searching for partners at night), and kissing with other people. Their distinct dance style, Pokemoneo, whose origins are debated but may be connected to the Pokémon franchise, was a key aspect of their culture. They heavily utilized the internet, with Fotolog and MSN Messenger as their primary communication platforms.
The subculture's decline in the late-2000s was attributed to online harassment and violent threats, leading to its eventual disappearance or significant reduction. Its current presence is uncertain, with some arguing that the subculture disappeared as a distinct group by 2012.
Fashion[]
Some common characteristics of Pokemón fashion are:
- Wide white/black t-shirts
- Polo shirts
- Long polo shirts with stripes or polka dots
- Mini-skirts
- Tank tops
- Belts
- Leather jackets
- Converse sneakers
- Skinny and decayed pants
- Hip-Hop-inspired fashion
- Colorful makeup
- Makeup featuring symbols or drawings
- Black eyeliner
- Decora-inspired bracelets
- Dyed black hair
- Emo and Anime-inspired hairstyles (called Piñas)
- Bright colored clothing
- Glitter
Philosophy[]
The Pokemón subculture exhibited a mix of different characteristics. While sharing a generally optimistic worldview and pacifist, open-minded values akin to Punks, and to a lesser extent Emos, they also displayed a strong focus on fantasy, alternative fashion, and elaborate anime-inspired hairstyles, influenced by fictional characters like Goku from Dragon Ball.[1] Critics perceived this focus on appearance and a reluctance to embrace traditional markers of adulthood as childish. The name "Pokemón," popularized by detractors and amplified by Chilean media, reflected this perceived immaturity, although the subculture was also previously known as "HxCitos" or "Hardcoritos." A significant portion of Pokemón members identified as LGBTQ+, particularly bisexual and/or polyamorous.
Activities[]
Some activities practiced by Pokemones included:
- Using Fotolog
- Socializing in real life during the evening (mainly to avoid violence)
- Socializing at night through the Internet
- Dancing perreo and Pokemoneo
- Kissing and hugging with various people (known as Ponceo)
- Listening to Reggaeton
- Discussing musical genres and fashion
Criticism[]
In Chile, the Pokemón subculture faced significant backlash from both the general public and members of various alternative subcultures. This stemmed from perceptions of plagiarism, the subculture's perceived "cringe" aesthetic, and instances of public sexual activity, including by minors.[2] Media demonization further fueled this animosity, with some Pokemones seeking attention through public indecency.
Notably, Punks, Skinheads, gatekeeper Emos, Metalheads, and Hip-Hop fans were among the local subcultures and scenes opposed to the Pokemones. This opposition manifested in violent threats, primarily from far-right groups and Chilean nationalists, as well as verbal abuse. Escalating violence, including physical assaults in clubs and bars, prompted the Chilean government to launch an anti-violence campaign, "Foundation for a Better Future," in 2008. Consequently, the Pokemón subculture began to decline in the late-2000s and had largely faded from the mainstream by 2012.
Music[]
Songs[]
- PONY SALVAJE - Pop remix - Pop remix of a popular song among the Pokemón subculture during the late-2000s. The original version contained explicit lyrics.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ "Pokemones" on todas-las-tribus-urbanas.blogspot.com (in Spanish)
- ↑ "'Oral sex in the plaza': Controversy over a viral video of teenagers from a Catholic school" on Minotouno.com (Internet Archive) (in Spanish)
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