Who’s That Pokémon? It’s メタモン !

Metamon (メタモン) aka Ditto, is a normal-type Pokémon that was introduced in the first generation/original 150 Pokémon. It is #132, it does not evolve from or into anything, and has no known gender. According to Bulbapedia (the Wikipedia for Pokémon), it is only 1”0’ (.3m), weighs less than 10lbs (4kg), its shape is blob, and its color is light purple/light pink, or blue if it is in its shiny form.

There is no confirmed origin of Ditto, it cannot be bred in games, it cannot be hatched from an egg, and when Ditto is transformed into another Pokémon, it looks identical to that Pokémon, unless it is Duplica’s Ditto that is unable to transform its face when transformed and has since become the image we think of when we think of Ditto. Ditto’s primary ability is transform, where it can take on the skills and appearance of other pokemon, and it is known to transform into a rock when it's sleeping to prevent itself from being attacked. In the original game, it could only transform into what was exactly in front of it, but in other adaptations it has the ability to transform itself into anything it knows.

Wait... Why Are We Talking About Ditto?

Now you might be thinking to yourself, JoAnna, I am a mental health practitioner, why do I need this much information about a single Pokémon? SO GLAD YOU ASKED!

Nintendo’s Pokémon Pokopia was released on March 5, 2026 for the Switch 2, and has become a huge success. You play as a Ditto transformed into its human trainer owner, as you try and heal the world after it has fallen into disrepair. The goal is to restore the habitats of different species of Pokémon so that they will return, and then (hopefully) all of their human best friends will also return. This game is a wonderful cross between Animal Crossing and Minecraft, with linear tasks to complete in addition to the ability to play in the game in an almost sandbox fashion, allowing all levels & types of gamers to enjoy playing. For more information on this game, I suggest looking at the following blog from ESRB.

Ditto Origin Stories (And Why They Matter)

“Okay JoAnna,” you might now be saying to yourself, “it is a popular video game, it is similar to other popular video games, and people in my life, be it clients or friends, could be playing it. But I don’t play video games, or use them in sessions. Again, why should I care?”

Again, glad you asked! There are fan theories about the origins of Ditto, with my favorite being that Ditto was created when scientists were trying to clone Mew to make Mewtwo and failed, with the subsequent failed clone being Ditto. Lots of great reasons for this - similar coloring, similar traits, similar lack of origin - and I think it adds something to Ditto’s story if it is a “reject” Pokémon. And going with this idea, it makes what I am about to explain make a lot more sense. Ditto is constantly seen as useful only in its ability to transform itself into other Pokémon, especially strong ones, to fight out battles for its trainer. Up until recently you would seldom find people who said Ditto is their favorite Pokémon, or if they do, it was “Ditto as Pikachu” or “Ditto as Dragonite”, rarely just “Ditto as Ditto.” But due to the rise in popularity with Pokopia, many people are saying how much they love Ditto, and its merchandise is becoming wildly accessible.

When Clients See Themselves in Ditto

With this, we are able to start having deeper, fully conversations with people about WHY Ditto might be their favorite, or how they relate to this incredibly versatile character. Is it your favorite because you can make it become something else? Because you can make it something stronger and “better” than it is as Ditto? Because you can make it the exact thing you need for the present situation? Or is it because you can see yourself in this Pokémon? Always bending and molding yourself to become what you think other people want from you? Masking your true self to be the exact right thing for the situation at hand? Never feeling truly loved and cared for in your “default” state?

Ditto can help us discuss masking and people pleasing tendencies with clients across all ages. We can use scenes from the tv show to explore emotions that come up with that client as they respond to Ditto, or in Pokopia where everyone is constantly thanking Ditto for doing things & helping them out - even if it is the bare minimum or “selfish” goals to move through the plot. We can inquire with clients what they think of when they see the “Ditto face” on a Pokémon, knowing that it is a specific Ditto who “fails” at their transformation, allowing a piece of who they are come through, even in disguise. We can sit with clients after they watch the Detective Pikachu movie and experience the emotions that come up from Ditto’s roles and interactions in that film (no spoilers but Ditto is a large character in this film!). We can explore with clients what they see in themselves that they think is similar to Ditto - do we mask or people please to be what people want in that situation, even if it drains us? Are we able to do it 100% perfectly, or are pieces of us still shining through? Who are our “safe” people that we can be around, in full Ditto-blob form, and feel just as loved as when we are “transformed” into a powerful professional-Pokémon?

The Takeaway (No Poké Ball Required)

Ditto is an incredibly versatile character, with fantastic lore and an ability to be relatable in whatever situation you need. Ditto can only stay transformed for so long, and can only replicate things so well, before it is drained and reverts to its blob-form. If this sounds relatable to you, or people you work with, I highly suggest checking out Pokopia, the Detective Pikachu movie, and Pokémon in general, allowing the emotions that arise when seeing interactions with Ditto to just come up, and explore how can we be like Ditto in ways we like vs. stopping Ditto-like behaviors in ways we don’t. Happy transforming!

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JoAnna Hubbard, LPCC, LMHC, NCC works in both the mental health and legal realms, working as a law clerk, therapist, and psychometrist. She has studied psychology and sociology (BA), criminal law, mediation, and contracts (JD), and clinical mental health counseling (MA), dedicating the past decade and a half to learning about these systems and assisting with bridging the gaps in understanding between them. Through this work, she has found a love for incorporating her passions of gaming, books, and art to help people overcome the barriers they face in their day to day life. If she isn't working, you can find her performing, reading with her dog, or spending time with loved ones.