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Pokemón is the name of an urban tribe among Chile's youth that surfaced in the mid 2000s.^[1][2] They are readily identifiable by their angular and pressed hairstyles^[3], reminiscent of characters from the Japanese media franchise Pokémon.^[4][5] It is currently one of the largest and better known urban tribes in the country.^[6]

Pokemon guys in Chile

Pokemones dress similarly to other tribes, such as Otaku and Emo, but they are not followers of anime like the former, nor share the musical tastes of the latter.^[7] Pokemones are livelier and extroverted. During parties they dance to reggaeton music, while kissing and groping with as many people (male or female) as they can, which they call poncear.^[3] They make extensive use of the Internet, trading photos of themselves on image-sharing sites like Fotolog and communicating through MSN Messenger.^[7][3]

Pokemones are usually from the Chilean middle and lower class. They are frequently juxtaposed against another group, the so-called peloláis, well-to-do girls with long, straight fairer hair from private, Catholic schools.^[8]

In January 2008, Internet messages surfaced urging violence against Pokemones (mainly because of borrowing aspects from other subcultures, such as Emo hair, hip-hop clothes, and for using the c-walk).^{[citation needed]} People belonging to the subculture increasingly began to be attacked outside discos and pubs.^{[citation needed]} In response, a joint anti-violence campaign called "Foundation for a Better Future" has been organized by the Chilean government and Santiago's main student leaders.^[6]

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