Being Inside of a Pokeball

[Altairis]

If you really think about it, Pokeballs are a strange concept. A Pokemon is transformed into red energy, and then stored in a small capsule?

What do you think happens to the Pokemon while they're inside? Are they actually conscious, or do they "wake up" when their trainer pulls out their Pokeball? Why do you think some Pokemon prefer to stay outside of their Pokeballs?

In one episode of the Pokemon anime, there was an old Haunter than had been left in it's Pokeball for quite some time. Do you think time passes? The Pokemon becomes hungry/tired/thirsty/etc?

 

[PlatinumDude]

I think that when a Pokemon is inside a Poke Ball, it enters a semi-conscious state. This could allow the Pokemon to potentially survive extended periods of time without food/water (as seen with the Gastly and Haunter in the Orange Islands, but then again, since they're Ghost Pokemon, they might not eat much food naturally).

Some Pokemon don't like being in Poke Balls because they may not like the sensation of being "imprisoned" within them (like Ash's Pikachu).

 

[Pokemon Trainer UV]

I'm not exactly sure, but I am more than sure that there is mind control involved here. I mean come on, in the beginning of the anime Caterpie obviously did not want to be captured; but then once he came out of the Pokeball, he was all buddy-buddy!
Even in the games, Pokemon break out because they do not want to be captured, but when they are, they change, they follow your commands, they eat whatever you give them! IT'S A CONSPIRACY! MIND CONTROL I TELL YOU.

Or it's as you said, they are put in a semi-concious state where they have lucid dreams of happiness and yadda yadda that happy stuff.

 

[Plumpyfoof]

Perhaps when a Pokemon is transferred into the Pokeball its whole atomic configuration becomes compressed.
First a lesson in chemistry, take a standard atom a nucleus of protons and neutrons which is surrounded by electrons that orbit in certain orbital 'shells'. When an electron is given extra energy (via heat or light etc.) the electrons take on a higher orbital.
What if the Pokeball works by effectively sucking the energy out of the atoms bringing the electrons into even closer orbitals and the excess energy is given off as light energy ranging from extremely low infrared to visible red hence the red glow.

Yay science!

 

[Red_PokéMaster]

Guys come on!!In the manga you can totally see the Pokemon inside the Pokeball!It was anything but unconscious..Red sometimes even spoke to them!I don't say that it's the same with the anime too but it should be something close to it!I personally believe that Pokemon just stay there in a pocket form so the trainer can carry them around.

 

[C_r_e_a_m_p_u_f_f]

The Pokéball, in unexplained concepts, is just supposed to be where a Pokémon is stored. What does the Pokémon feel like inside the Pokéball? It is hard to explain, but it is quite obvious that they get bored. Pokémons' imaginitive sense come into play here. They are bounded by pure energy which does not harm them in any way. Its like being locked in a room without a door and you can't get out on your own, but others hold the invisible key. The Manga is not considered much as the whole story and concepts were made by a different person. There are also specialties, like the Heal Ball and Luxury Ball, whose bound energy react differently. There is no sensation inside the Pokéball, so nothing is healed nor is wounded. The energy, however, has the possibility to negate out weak external agents, somewhat like the HCl in our stomach, but not major ailments. This means that the Pokémon has virtual protection from confusion, elemental wheels, bound destiny etc. We don't know what goes in their, but the Pokémon imagines whatever is inside, giving it utmost comfort or utmost discomfort. The Pokémon also increases its bond with its trainer, or sometimes decreases it. Nevertheless, the Pokéball is a very interesting concept.

 

[Zagan]

I can agree with the idea that pokemon might not need food or water for long periods of time and the two examples i have to suggest such:

1) James' Growlithe (i think it was in a pokeball before James went home) (James as in Team rocket guy)

and

2) James Carnavine - he found it years after he last visted the summer house in sinnoh cause it was buried in a box of bottle tops (it didnt look disturbed) yet Carnavine seemed happy and healthy

 

[droomph]

Well if you think about it atoms could potentially be compressed to about 0.1% (or smaller) of their original size, since the nucleus is so darn small.

But science aside, I think they are fully awake, but not "conscious" and its bodily functions are in a dormant mode, by their own will. However, some Pokémon (eg Ash's Oshawott) are able to pop out of their Pokéballs the same way some humans can "pop" off of their pillows in the morning, while others can't.

How do they do that, you ask? I have no idea. But that's what I think happens.

 

[NintendoQueen]

I would hope that there was a little apartment in a Pokeball for the Pokemon to relax and enjoy themselves. I mean after a long, grueling Pokemon battle, wouldn't they want to relax in style? A full-sized bed, a jacuzzi, a kitchen, WiFi, HDTV, and all the goods.

That is what I think is inside a Pokeball.

 

[droomph]

^Yes, entirely that, but one objection - I don't think the Pokémon enjoy the sane things as we do. For example, my dog is entertained by running around in circles, while I am completely bored by that.

So maybe they have their own little customizations, like maybe Grovyle has a nice little leaf bed it can relax on and Oshawott has a decently sized pond. Otherwise, why would they prefer their Pokéballs? As Ash said in the episode after Grovyle evolved, "You would much rather be in your Pokéball, huh?"

And again, how does this happen? I don't know. But just remember that universe doesn't have to be the same as ours, so it could be anything. Imagination power? Hell, I don't know and I don't care, but it's awesome.

 

[NintendoQueen]

^Yes, entirely that, but one objection - I don't think the Pokémon enjoy the sane things as we do. For example, my dog is entertained by running around in circles, while I am completely bored by that.

So maybe they have their own little customizations, like maybe Grovyle has a nice little leaf bed it can relax on and Oshawott has a decently sized pond. Otherwise, why would they prefer their Pokéballs? As Ash said in the episode after Grovyle evolved, "You would much rather be in your Pokéball, huh?"

And again, how does this happen? I don't know. But just remember that universe doesn't have to be the same as ours, so it could be anything. Imagination power? Hell, I don't know and I don't care, but it's awesome.

Sir, I like your thinking. I didn't even think of customizations. Just as long as the Pokemon are comfortable in their little Pokeballs. ^_^

 

[Pokemon Trainer UV]

 

[Plumpyfoof]

The Pokéball, in unexplained concepts, is just supposed to be where a Pokémon is stored. What does the Pokémon feel like inside the Pokéball? ... Its like being locked in a room without a door and you can't get out on your own, but others hold the invisible key... Nevertheless, the Pokéball is a very interesting concept.

But both Rocket's Wobbufet and Misty's Psyduck escaped from their Pokeballs on a regular basis.

 

[Golurks Were Meant to Fly]

This thread made me think of this...

Spoiler:

To be honest, I just think pokemon are just digitalized. They can go into a PC, and disappear in red light when captured. I think the pokeball just holds their data, so they don't really feel anything, I guess. I think the spherical shape is just for style, but pokeballs are shrunken down anyways, so...

I think the enlargement of the pokeballs is the loading up of the pokemon's file, so to speak.

I think pokemon prefer to be outside of their pokeballs BECAUSE otherwise they don't get to experience the world. :/

 

[Nineray]

IMO the inside of a pokeball can be two things

a) As we see in the manga nothing the pokemon is just shrunken down in size and put in the pokeball
or
b) A world for the pokemon to build (The Sims 4:Inside the Pokeball) into a town.


OR the unmentioned option 3
A room with just a bed and lamp.

As for the idea of being awake and asleep i think they remain conscious considering the fact that many trainers have sent out their Pokemon many times while telling them to use a move before they exited the pokeball.