The AI-generated videos, seemingly based in Hong Kong, show the popular animated creatures being cooked in a variety of ways, and have split opinion on social media
15:35, 03 May 2025Updated 21:07, 03 May 2025
While some consider the content harmless, others have argued it shows the dangerous possibilities of AI video software(Image: UnrealHK/Instagram)
Be careful next time you order a poke bowl, because it seems you may end up getting a plate of deep-fried Pikachu. At least that’s according to a series of disturbing videos doing the rounds online, which depict beloved Pokemon characters being butchered, cooked and then eaten, much to the discomfort of the franchise’s fans.
The freakish content features popular animated creatures such as Bulbasaur and Squirtle, both of whom are seen being chopped up and transformed into surprisingly appetising meals. The videos have been constructed by AI , and while difficult to confirm, seem to have been made using a programme called Sora, which is made by Chat GPT creators Open AI.
Bulbasaur was first introduced in the games Pokemon Red and Blue versions in the late 1990s, and is a cute, green animal resembling a dinosaur, with a now iconic plant bulb growing out of his back.
Would you try Pokemon meat if it was real? (Image: UnrealHK/Instagram)
In one of the videos, we see Bulbasaur in a cage at a Hong Kong wet market. The creature is then purchased, injected with a serum to relieve ‘stress’, sliced into pieces and finally is seared like a steak.
The dish is described as ‘Hong Kong’s latest delicacy’, and is shown being enjoyed by a smiling family. In another viral video, fellow Pokemon Squirtle is boiled alive and made into a hearty soup.
To nobody’s surprise, the videos caused a stir online, with fans of the franchise taking umbrage at seeing their favourite characters being turned into gourmet dishes.
The animals are shown caged at a Hong Kong wet market (Image: UnrealHK/Instagram)
Much of the reaction took place on X after a user posted the video alongisde the caption ‘Someone used AI to fry a Bulbasaur at a Chinese wet market… I can’t unsee this’.
“Thank god it’s only AI …. that was horrible to watch”, wrote one user, while another muse whether or not the dishes could be considered “vegan”.
Over on Instagram, where the video was initially posted by a user with the name UnrealHK, some fans were more receptive, with one user suggesting tips to perfect the dish.
Luckily, the bulb is replanted to help boost the environment (Image: UnrealHK/Instagram)
“Just salt?” They wrote. “Wow I would have added lemon grass, shallots, red pepper, scallions, coconut milk idk be creative?”
Sounds pretty good, if you ask us . . .
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.