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Banette - ジュペッタ Juppeta - #354

Banette is my favorite Pokemon. It wasn't always this way, but it is now. I can't get enough of this little grey doll thing!

Why I like it

Okay, number one reason is that it’s a plush toy. Aside from this, it has a unique and simple design. It is not based on any existing animal, instead being more of an "object-mon". It has the proportions of a “cute” Pokemon, but is firmly in the “creepy/unsettling” category. Because of its size, I could pick it up and carry it - if it would let me!


The best Banette depictions are the ones that highlight its worn-plush-toy-ness. Where the head is just a touch too heavy, and it has to hold its arms out so they don’t drag on the ground. It also has really small legs, so it tends not to move around much.

Banette’s personality is certainly a strong one, being described as a vengeful Pokemon that holds a grudge, literally a doll coming to life because of hatred. Its story of being an abandoned toy makes me feel sympathy and compassion for it - that a Banette is still deserving of love even if it acts out of hatred. Though, the Pokedex states, “Some say that treating it well will satisfy it, and it will once more become a stuffed toy." but it also claims Banette dies if it opens its mouth, and we see it do that all the time.
The Pokemon Sleep dex entry is also particularly informative, “Sometimes it appears to laugh happily while it sleeps. Perhaps it's remembering a time when it was loved and cared for."


I also like Shuppet for its big eyes and teru teru bōzu inspiration- I consider my love for it an extension of my love for Banette.
I am glad that Banette got a Mega Evolution, I think it is one of the better megas. The shiny is… acceptable? I don’t have any complaints, but it isn’t anything striking. With Banette and Shuppet’s colors shifting over time, it can be a little bit hard to tell when they’re shiny. But at least they don’t have it as bad as their cousin Gengar.

Notable Banettes

Stitches Banette (F) Hatched 7/12/2016 in Lumiose City Pokemon Y

Serious Level 68 Dazzling Gleam Shadow Claw Gunk Shot Grudge

Kalos Champion Ribbon Full Affection in "Pokemon Amie" Fully "Super Trained" Holds Banetite

I have a Banette named Stitches in my childhood copy of Pokemon Y. I only captured her after the main story, because I wanted to have a Mega Banette. She was the designated Mega evolutions in pvp games against my sister and cousins. She wasn’t particularly good, but I used her anyway because I loved her. To this day I name most of my Banettes after her.

In college, I played in a Pokemon-themed tabletop campaign for several years. My character’s starter was a Shuppet I named “G-Max Funeral” (pictured above). He evolved soon before the group disbanded (I left because other people were’t committed to showing up and participating, and it stressed me out).

In “Pokemon Sun and Moon - Ultra Legends” there is a Banette that turns Ash and company into puppets by convincing them to watch its puppet show. Lmao. In "Pokemon Journeys", we see an abandoned doll come to life as a Banette. It spends the episode with Ash and friends, trying to re-unite with the girl that used to own it. In the end, this turns out to be Nurse Joy, who recognizes it as her old toy and adopts it as her Pokemon. It is so nice to see a story where Banette gets a happy ending!

In Game

With Shuppet evolving at level 37, Shuppet and Banette are usually late-game catches. As a side effect of this, there are some games where only Banette can be caught in the wild, and you must breed one to get Shuppet. Training a Shuppet can be pretty grueling, as it does not learn many attacking moves, and even fewer GOOD attacking moves. Be patient with your Shuppet - they’re just taking their time!

My Collection

My beloved guys... Wicked Cool Toys 2018 Plush, TOMY 2016 Plush, Handmade Plush by me (2023)
Pokemon Kids Figures (Shuppet 2005, Banette 2004), Pokemon Scary Stories 2021 Figure

Spec. Bio

A Banette's vocalizations are referred to as “Grumbling” or “Mumbling”, and escalate into growling, hissing and shrieking when provoked.

Shuppet live alone or in small groups of unrelated individuals. Banette are strictly solitary, but may live peacefully in close proximity to other species of Pokemon.

The Banette family's closest relatives are the Gengar, Dusknoir, Mismagius, Trevanant, and Chimecho families. It is a common misconception that they are closley related to Mimikyu, due to their shared plush-like qualities.