A Pokemon VGC regional champion is calling for change after poor competitor hygiene led to them getting seriously ill. The issue highlights an unfortunate problem that goes beyond Pokemon, as similar incidents have happened in other areas of the gaming community and beyond.
While stinky Pokemon don’t have to be tolerated in real life, gaming and anime conventions have an unfortunate reputation for being plagued by the stench of body odor. Bringing together large swaths of people into a small space often leads to sweating, which can generate an overwhelming stink. The issue has been ongoing for years, and this isn’t the first time that poor hygiene has led to players feeling ill during competitions.
Pokemon VGC Tournament Impacted by Body Odor
Pokemon VGC Regional Champion Donghun Youm has taken to social media to complain and call for change after getting ill during the Baltimore Regionals. According to the player, he and his friends experienced difficulty focusing on the competition due to a “putrid” smell coming from a nearby player. He claimed that the stink was so bad that he and his friends spoke to a judge about it, but it’s not clear if anything was done about the matter. The smell was apparently so bad that Youm ended up vomiting, and he’s now asking for players to take their hygiene into consideration before attending matches.
While basic hygiene care should be expected, unfortunately, this is a widespread problem, and it isn’t even the first time that body odor has interrupted a gaming gathering or possibly even led to a different outcome among competitors. In 2024, a female competitor reportedly walked out of a Yu-Gi-Oh competition abruptly, leading some to believe she had been harassed in some way. However, she later clarified online that she had left because she could no longer tolerate the overwhelming body odor of some of those who were in attendance at the event.
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As noted, this is a well-known issue among fans who attend gaming and anime gatherings. The issue is common enough that it has even been integrated into games like TCG Card Shop Simulator, where stinky customers can potentially show up and have a negative impact on business. In the game, players can ensure the stink is handled by spraying smelly customers with Cleanser or using the Auto Scent M100 to take care of the issue for them, which prevents those customers from upsetting others. Of course, that’s not really an option in real life.
Obviously, not everyone who attends a competition or gathering like this stinks, with the vast majority taking good care of their hygiene. However, this unfortunate situation not only makes the situation uncomfortable for those in attendance, but it also adds to a negative reputation surrounding the fandom. While controversial streamer Asmongold once claimed he doesn’t wear deodorant, alleging he doesn’t need it, those who plan on being in large groups and gatherings should probably do so. Large groups in enclosed spaces tend to generate heat, especially if video game consoles or PCs are also running, and that can quickly turn into a stinky situation if attendees don’t take precautions ahead of time.
