Pokémon has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Over the years, I’ve encountered countless Pokémon, but a few have stood out and secured a permanent place in my heart. In honour of this special occasion, Pokémon Day, I’m sharing three Pokémon that have defined my love for the franchise and stayed with me through the years.

Every year on 27 February, Pokémon fans worldwide celebrate Pokémon Day—the anniversary of the franchise’s launch in Japan in 1996. It’s a day to appreciate everything Pokémon, from the games, manga, anime to the trading cards and all the wonderful memories we’ve made along the way.

Here are 3 of my favourite Pokémon:

Psyduck

Psyduck, the Water-type Pokémon with a perpetual headache, is an absolute gem. This yellow duck-platypus hybrid always looks bewildered, with its round eyes and three thick strands of black hair sticking out from its head.

As a kid, I never paid much attention to Psyduck, but as a teen and then now as an adult? I relate. The poor thing is constantly dazed, confused, and plagued by headaches—just like me on most days due to my sinuses! Psyduck’s clumsiness and ditziness make it so endearing, but its true power lies in what happens when the pain becomes unbearable.

When Psyduck’s headache reaches its peak, all that built-up tension explodes into an uncontrollable burst of psychic energy. Maybe there’s a life lesson in there somewhere.

Psyduck taught me that even in chaos, we have hidden strength.

Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff is an icon, and I won’t hear otherwise. This dual Normal/Fairy-type Pokémon has been around since Generation I, and while it might look like a cute, pink ball of fluff, it will ruin your nap schedule.

With its massive blue eyes and signature curled tuft of fur, Jigglypuff lures people in with its charm before putting them to sleep—literally. It has an impressive lung capacity and sings a lullaby so hypnotic that anyone who hears it can’t help but doze off. The catch? Jigglypuff does not appreciate being ignored. If its audience falls asleep, it gets revenge in the form of doodles all over their faces.

My love for Jigglypuff started with the Pokémon anime. I couldn’t help but laugh every time it tried (and failed) to perform, only to get frustrated and pull out its marker of doom. Over the years, my admiration grew—Jigglypuff is persistent, creative, and refuses to be underestimated. Plus, its ability to adjust the frequency of its song to match brain waves is both fascinating and terrifying. It’s adorable and deadly—just like it should be.

Jigglypuff reminded me to keep pushing forward, even when it feels like no one is listening.

Togepi

Togepi is pure joy in Pokémon form. This little Fairy-type baby Pokémon (formerly Normal-type) first appeared in Generation II and instantly stole my heart.

Togepi hatches from an egg, but instead of fully emerging, it stays inside its shell, only revealing its stubby arms, feet, and spiky little head. The red and blue patterns on its eggshell are unmistakable, and its presence is often seen as a sign of good luck.

Here’s the funny thing: For years, I couldn’t remember Togepi’s name. I would describe it to people as ‘egg Pokémon with the blue and red shapes on its shell with the spiky head and arms coming from the shell, and they’d stare at me like I was making things up. When I finally rediscovered its name, I was so relieved!

Togepi has always made me smile. It’s small, adorable, and filled with positive energy, which it can store in its shell and release to others who need it. But don’t be fooled—Togepi also has a mischievous side, and in the anime, it occasionally caused havoc in the most unexpected ways.

Togepi never fails to make me happy. It brings a warm and fuzzy feeling to my entire being. Something so seemingly small and insignificant in a ‘child’s cartoon’ has impacted and stuck with me to this day.

Togepi showed me that pure joy is worth holding onto.

Which are your favourite Pokémon from your childhood?

These three are my favourite Pokémon and are special to me for different reasons—whether it’s relatability (Psyduck), nostalgia (Jigglypuff), or pure happiness (Togepi). But Pokémon has over 1,000 species now, and everyone has their own favourites, and I have collected a few extra favourites over the years! Looking back, Pokémon was more than just a game or an anime for me. It was my introduction to Japanese storytelling, a stepping stone into the anime world that would eventually become my passion.

Pokémon is available on Netflix