It takes a lot to upset the millions of loyal Pokémon Go players. But sometimes, it’s the most trivial details that spark the strongest reactions. Since the last update, an animation supposed to celebrate obtaining XP has become the new dread of trainers: their avatar displays a frozen smile, pursed lips, looking like a plasticine figurine.
This change is directly inherited from the visual overhaul launched during the “Rediscover GO” campaign in 2024. Already at the time, the new avatars were considered strange, even expressionless. But with the extension of the level cap to 80 and the introduction of contextual animation, this feeling of unease transformed into real rejection.
The “cursed smile” that players seek to escape
The phenomenon is such that players have nicknamed this animation the “cursed smile”. On the networks, the discomfort has gone viral. One of the most shared reactions comes from player Jake_rawr_meow, who had a radical idea: completely hide his avatar. And he’s not the only one.
“Many trainers admit in the comments that they also use masks in Pokémon Go to avoid seeing this animation,” reports ComicBook.com. Whether it’s simple medical masks or more creative accessories like those inspired by Banette or Giratina, the trend is clear: it’s better to hide than to suffer this grimace.
A solution that amuses as much as it relieves. “The bar briefly flashes white before remaining motionless,” comments one player, suggesting that the animation serves more to encourage the use of a Lucky Egg than to celebrate real progress. “Pokémon Go is begging you to use your Lucky Eggs to move this bar forward,” adds another, pointing out the feeling of commercial manipulation.
A detail revealing the uneasiness around avatars
The XP animation is just a symptom of a larger problem. The graphic redesign of avatars has long been criticized for its rigid style, strange proportions and plastic expressions. If the initial intention was laudable – to offer more body diversity – the final result still leaves a large part of the community wanting more.
While waiting for a possible revision of the system, players have therefore found a home remedy: hide their avatar to avoid seeing this worrying smile. And ultimately, it is perhaps in this involuntary humor that the magic of Pokémon Go still lies: transforming a digital annoyance into a collective trend.