My Pokemon System Rated Me Unremarkable, So I Paid Tapu Koko 5 Poffin Cans A Day To Train My Vulpix

Recap

When 18-year-old Hu Bin wakes up in a world that has merged with Pokémon, his new system immediately labels him “unremarkable” in every category. Its promise to make him the strongest trainer in the world is a little hard to take seriously—especially when its first big reward is a premium curry-cooking skill. But Bin’s Alolan Vulpix, who has been part of everyone else’s memories all along, is very real, and she soon becomes his closest partner.

Bin discovers that great food can help Pokémon grow, so he makes curry and homemade poffins the foundation of his training. He and Vulpix practice until she’s fast enough to outmaneuver opponents and clever enough to teach herself moves. Bin tries to keep up with her and buys a body-enhancing potion that gives him surprise abs. His budget doesn’t fare as well: an expensive gym membership and a poffin machine nearly wipe him out.

Vulpix’s first battles establish the pair’s style: speed, mist, and well-timed attacks. She defeats a Cyndaquil trainer named Yanzi, who promptly declares Bin his “big brother” after eating his curry. A victory over a Squirtle earns Bin a ten-win streak and some useful rewards—but also an unfortunate reputation. He celebrates so enthusiastically that his opponent, Chin Chin, runs off crying, and the crowd concludes that he’s a villain who makes girls cry. Yanzi then tries to defend Chin Chin on Bin’s behalf, only to get caught bad-mouthing his new big brother. Bin throws him onto a mat, Chin Chin laughs, and Yanzi’s crush on her becomes even more complicated.

Bin’s two longtime friends join his training life: wiry runner Wu Jin and wealthy, food-loving Liu Yi. Their Pokémon—Machop and Munchlax—develop alongside Vulpix, while the boys trade insults, crushes, and increasingly dramatic declarations of brotherhood. At a campsite, Bin’s curry makes other Pokémon cry with happiness. He explains that the secret ingredient is “love,” then gets hit by Wu Jin. Vulpix also charms a Houndour mid-battle, forcing Bin to protest that he won’t let “some other Pokémon steal my cabbage.”

At school, Bin’s physical training turns him into a pull-up machine, much to Wu Jin’s outrage. When the PE teacher challenges the class with his Primeape, Bin’s Vulpix wins through a smart combination of Mist, Powder Snow, and a slippery frozen battlefield. The class cheers, while Liu Yi laments that Bin has “stolen” the girls who were cheering for him. The victory earns Vulpix Double Team—and earns Bin the nickname “Great Demon King.”

The school tournament opens with a chaotic 100-trainer battle royale. Lin Chen, a rich student who has insulted practically everyone, is instantly mobbed by the field; his Electabuzz lasts only moments. Bin’s Vulpix then uses mist, copies, and her growing battle sense to help him survive the melee. Wu Jin and Liu Yi also make it through, and all three reach the final eight.

Bin battles his way to the final, defeating a powerful Kadabra after turning the craters it creates into a network of tunnels that Vulpix can exploit. He becomes campus champion, winning an Ice Stone and a training video.

Bin’s victories bring a few personal developments, too. Chin Chin helps Vulpix learn Extra Sensory in exchange for poffins, and the two teenagers begin to grow closer. At the Spring City Marathon, Bin takes first place after an absurdly confident sprint—and even pauses midway to eat a poffin. Yanzi nearly collapses near the finish, but his Cyndaquil evolves into Quilava and carries him across the line. Bin’s teasing rival Jin Kaiwei ends up bowing to Yanzi and admitting he was wrong.

The system rewards Bin with a Fire-type egg, which hatches into a Torchic. The chick catches its own Poké Ball, promptly speeds out of control around the house, and learns Protect from Vulpix.

A challenge from classmate Wang Daang reveals that Bin still has plenty to learn. Vulpix wins against Daang’s Poliwrath, but only after Bin removes the weights she has been training in—and springs a surprise Substitute. The battle earns Bin a place in Nirvana, a secret organization that protects people and Pokémon from Ultra Beasts emerging through wormholes.

In Alola, Bin meets Tapu Koko, the island guardian, by offering it a poffin. That simple bribe becomes a routine: Tapu Koko trains Vulpix at night, and Bin eventually pays the guardian five cans of poffins a day. Vulpix secretly sneaks out for these sessions until Bin catches her and insists on coming along.

Bin’s Alolan training brings major changes. Torchic trains with his father’s Charizard at a volcano, learning to control his huge bursts of fire and build stamina. Vulpix travels to Mount Lanakila, where the mountain’s Ninetales and a whole tribe of Alolan Vulpix welcome her. With Bin’s blessing, she chooses to evolve. The Ice Stone transforms her into a majestic Alolan Ninetales—but she still curls around Bin and licks his tears just like the little fox who first slept on his chest.

Torchic’s growth is more explosive. On Exeggutor Island, Bin and his Pokémon face three Nihilego while protecting an injured Dratini. In the middle of the fight, Torchic evolves into Combusken and tears free of Nihilego’s tentacles to save Bin and Dratini. Dratini eventually joins the team with its parents’ blessing—and a Dragon Z-Crystal. Bin also learns a hard lesson: winning streaks can make him careless, and he needs to stay calm and plan for the unexpected.

The danger grows during Alola’s annual Ultra Beast outbreak, when wormholes open across the islands. Bin’s team helps hold the line alongside Nirvana trainers, Hala’s fighters, and the island guardians. Combusken’s Inferno Overdrive brings down a massive Buzzwole after Ninetales and Dratini help create an opening.

Bin then drives a battered truck at terrifying speed to reach another battle site. His passengers repeatedly faint, and he insists he only learned to drive the day before. Despite the danger, the team helps resolve the outbreak, and Bin earns a major promotion in Nirvana.

Before leaving Alola, Bin faces Kahuna Hala’s Grand Trial. Dratini, Combusken, and Ninetales each take a turn against Hala’s team, with Ninetales ultimately defeating Crabrawler in a clash between her Sub-Zero Slammer and Hala’s Z-Move. Bin wins the trial, reunites with his family, and says goodbye to Tapu Koko, his Alolan mentors, and Dratini’s parents.

Bin returns to Spring City with three Pokémon, several Z-Crystals, a new rank, and an Ultra Beast mission behind him. The rookie tournament is about to begin, his friends and rivals are preparing for their own matches, and the story ends just before Bin’s next big challenge.

Notable Personalities

• Hu Bin — The once “unremarkable” protagonist; resourceful, devoted to his Pokémon, and prone to outrageous confidence and schemes.
• Vulpix / Alolan Ninetales — Bin’s first partner: affectionate, hardworking, clever in battle, and fiercely protective.
• Torchic / Combusken — Bin’s fiery second partner, who grows from an overexcited chick into a courageous fighter.
• Dratini — A brave young dragon Bin rescues and later adopts, with a strong desire to catch up to the others.
• Tapu Koko — Alola’s guardian deity and Bin’s unlikely training partner, won over by poffins.
• Wu Jin, Liu Yi, and Yanzi — Bin’s close friends and self-declared brothers, each working toward their own goals with their Pokémon.
• Chin Chin — A skilled trainer who helps Vulpix learn Extra Sensory and becomes increasingly close to Bin.
• Kahuna Hala — A formidable but warm mentor who challenges Bin’s team during the Grand Trial.
• Hu Bin’s parents and uncle — His professor parents provide support (and alarming meals); his uncle trains him in practical battling and survival.
• Charizard — Bin’s father’s veteran Pokémon, who mentors Combusken at the volcano.
• Wu Jang and Ai — Nirvana members in Alola who recruit Bin into the fight against Ultra Beasts.