Pokepuns are a cornerstone of the internet’s Pokémon fandom, merging the vast lexicon of pocket monsters with clever, often groan-worthy wordplay. While Pokémon-themed jokes have existed since the 1990s, they gained massive traction as visual memes on platforms like Reddit and Tumblr during the early 2010s. The format usually pairs a specific Pokémon image with a pun related to its name or unique abilities—ranging from the iconic 'Pikachu/Peek at you' to more complex puns like 'Onix-pected' or 'Bulba-sore.' These memes thrive because they celebrate the nostalgia and wide appeal of the franchise, allowing fans to showcase their creativity and humor through a shared linguistic shorthand that spans generations of trainers.