Although Pokémon was developed for a younger audience, it is crucial to note that there are some aspects of the series that seem to have been built for more mature fans. Specifically, some of the characters in the Pokémon movies, anime, and video games have some pretty dark and disturbing histories.

If you've watched any Pokémon, you know that the unique universe doesn't coddle its characters. After all, ten-year-olds are left on their own to train their power-wielding pets! Continue reading for some Pokémon backstories that are considerably darker than anticipated. Be warned: these Pokémon characters with dark origin stories may just break your heart!

10 Jessie from Team Rocket

Jessie from Team Rocket
Source: Warner Bros

Most Pokémon fans know Jessie as the annoying antagonist that's always picking on Ash. However, there's more to this magenta-haired villain than what meets the eye! If you pay close attention, the anime makes hints about Jessie's past.

Jessie's mom was a Team Rocket class-A active-duty member. She went after her mission to record Mew's voice while leaving Jessie at a foster home. The foster home Jessie ended up in was underfunded, and occasionally she had to eat snow since food was in short supply. It's interesting to note that Jessie attended the Pokémon Nurse School where she befriended a Chansey before later stealing and abusing such Pokémon.

Related: Pokémon: The Most Emotional Episodes, Ranked

9 James from Team Rocket

Team Rocket's James
Source: Warner Bros

We can mention Jessie's dark past without talking about her counterpart as well. The majority of James' past is discussed in the anime's episode 48, "Holy Matrimony." James was raised in elite society by wealthy parents. He was set up for an arranged marriage with a girl named Jessebelle. While James did admire Jessebelle at first, he rapidly recognized that she was excessively controlling and did not represent what he wanted from life.

James fled his house, even taking his beloved pet Growlithe with him. James eventually meets Jessie soon after joining Team Rocket.

8 Cubone

Cubone Wearing His Mother's Skull
Source: Warner Bros

Cubone has one distinct feature: the skull he wears over his head. But have you ever wondered where that skull came from? It's rumored that the mask Cubone wears is the skull of his deceased mother, which is absolutely heartbreaking.

What's worse, Cubone is known as the "the lonely Pokémon", and it's often moved to tears by its dreams. Is Cubone dreaming of his dead mother? Is that why this little orange dino so lonely? We certainly hope not, but this does seem to be the case.

7 Absol

Absol from Pokémon
Source: Warner Bros

Absol is a lovable, kindhearted Pokémon that has always desired nothing more than to lend a hand to those in need, even if the favor was not returned. Did you know that Pokémon called Absol have the amazing ability to predict natural disasters before they happen? This means that Absols may predict things like hurricanes, tornadoes, and even forest fires!

Helpful, white-furred Absol would alert the closest humans as soon as it sensed danger approaching so that they would have plenty of time to flee. However, some people started to link its appearance with the natural calamities, and they thought that the Pokémon was to blame. Its appearances were no longer accepted after this belief spread. Absol then became a doomsday symbol, which isn't what it intended at all. Absol was a Pokémon that deserved better!

6 Allister

Allister from Pokémon
Source: Warner Bros

Allister is the Ghost Gym Leader in the Galar Region. Despite being a Gym Leader at such a young age, Allister is incredibly introverted, shy, soft-spoken, and bashful. As a result, he always covers his face when he is with others by donning a mask. Instead of appearing in front of the public, he chooses to spend his time alone in ruins and cemeteries.

He is supposed to be an orphan who, as a result of the death of his parents, connects predominantly with Ghost-type Pokémon. Since Rose has enabled him to live in his gym, Allister is also essentially homeless.

Related: Here's Who Should Be Cast in a Live Action Pokémon Red/Blue Movie

5 Mewtwo

Mewtwo in Pokémon The First Movie
Toho

Terrible Mew gene-splicing experiments produced the powerful Pokémon Mewtwo. If a failed cloning experiment isn't bad enough, Mewtwo hates its own creation and ruined the laboratory where it was made. Mewtwo has a complicated psyche that initially involves existential dread and the search for the purpose of life. It has an extremely reserved demeanor and harbors resentment and rage toward both humans and its creators.

Even though Mewtwo is a gloomy creature, its contempt for the suffering Mew has endured lends the situation some sympathy.

4 Drifloon

Drifloon Pokémon Floating Around
Warner Bros

This Ghost-type Pokémon, which resembles a floating balloon, might not seem intimidating at first. However, like the other Pokemon included in this list, it has a dark secret. According to legend, Drifloon was created by gathering ghosts of humans and Pokémon alike, and it wanders around looking for souls to take.

Due to this aimless meandering, this Pokémon is referred to as a "Signpost for Wandering Spirits." Drifloon frequently seeks out kids and clutches their hands when he wants company. Creepy? Or just sad?

3 Yamask

Yamask Pokémon
Warner Bros

The egg-shaped mask that the Yamask wears is more than just ornamental. It turns out the mask is the former face of the person Yamask used to be. It's important to stress that the mask's egg-like appearance is actually a human face that has been severed from the body.

Yamask could possess you for as long as you wore the mask if you were brazen enough to do so. You could classify this as malevolent, or you could be rational and see that the sorrowful Yamask is only asking for its human head back.

2 N

N from Pokémon
Source: Warner Bros

When N was a just a child, he was abandoned in the woods by his birth parents and raised by Pokémon. He was raised to rule Team Plasma by Ghetsis, who showed up one day and claimed to be his father. N's heart was said to be innocent and pure. He was raised in isolation from humans. Do you think that's why N decides to become evil later on?

1 Frosslass

Frosslass Pokémon
Warner Bros

The Drifting Snorunt features the wild Pokémon Froslass, which is of the Ice/Ghost type. But were you aware that Frosslass had such a haunting backstory? Froslass is the ghost of a lady who perished on a snowy mountain and now spends her time seducing others to the same death. The Japanese ice spirit Yuka-onna served as inspiration for this Pokémon.

It is vital to highlight that, like the majority of lonely mythological female spirits, she chooses to take the lives of men. When it's snowing, she can also stroll into towns populated by regular people. At times, she may even feel compelled to knock on people's doors.