Pokemon ASMR is here and it's a super effective way to unleash your inner Snorlax

(Image credit: The Pokemon Company)

Pokemon ASMR is officially here, as the Pokemon Company has posted a video featuring Charmander taking a snooze by a fire. Complete with crackling fire sounds and the peaceful image of the classic fire type Pokemon catching some shut-eye, it's the perfect way to chill out at the end of the week. 

"Charmander's Fireside Slumber" begins with the orange lizard Pokemon lighting the fire with the flame on the end of its tail. Then Charmander settles down to sleep for 30 minuites and 10 seconds and honestly, it's the video I didn't know I needed today. It's been a long old week, and with the weekend finally in sight, having a gentle cracking fire on in the background is just the kind of peace I need as I tap out more words. 

You've probably already heard of ASMR at this point, but if you don't know what it is, it stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. While it doesn't have the same effect on everyone, ASMR is used as a way of relaxing by watching people do a variety of different activities. 

Some experience a kind of "tingly feeling" that puts them into a zen state, while others simply find comfort from the calming effect of someone tapping on a variety of different surfaces or objects, for example. The world of ASMR has really taken off in recent years thanks in large part to YouTube, with several successful channels dedicated to helping people all over the world relax. 

Now Pokemon is getting in on it too, and as someone who loves Pokemon and frequently watches ASMR videos,  I'm very much here for it. In the video description the Pokemon Company recommends headphones for "optimal effect." If you've been having a hectic day, Charmander is here to help you take a moment to relax. What a good egg. 

Here's how to get Charmander in Pokemon Sword and Shield

Heather Wald
Senior staff writer

I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at GamesRadar+. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I'm not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good. 

Latest in Games
inZOI Character Studio screenshot showing a young woman with short black/pink hair, black cat-like ears, and a black blouse with a bowtie
The creator of upcoming life sim Inzoi says he was "recklessly brave to even think about creating a game of this scale"
Rise of the Ronin
A year after its PS5 launch, Rise of the Ronin debuts on PC to "Mixed" reviews and performance complaints: "Stuttering on a 4090 is just... no"
Rise of the Ronin's photo mode offers some wonderful shots
On the heels of Rise of the Ronin's PC launch, its director says there's a "significant" amount of Japanese Switch gamers: "I am closely watching how this will change with the release of Switch 2"
Stardew Valley Castle Village mod
Stardew Valley Expanded creator is building an "even more ambitious" mod with a whole new city and "dungeons inspired by The Legend of Zelda"
Dino Crisis 2 art showing a young woman and man back-to-back amid tall green grass, both with their weapons drawn
Dino Crisis gets a fresh trademark filing by Capcom, but it might not mean the 26-year-old survival horror franchise will get a new installment like fans expect
Dragon Age 2
Veteran Dragon Age dev says one big delay is better than several small ones: "You are laying band-aid on top of band-aid on top of band-aid"
Latest in News
inZOI Character Studio screenshot showing a young woman with short black/pink hair, black cat-like ears, and a black blouse with a bowtie
The creator of upcoming life sim Inzoi says he was "recklessly brave to even think about creating a game of this scale"
Rise of the Ronin
A year after its PS5 launch, Rise of the Ronin debuts on PC to "Mixed" reviews and performance complaints: "Stuttering on a 4090 is just... no"
Rise of the Ronin's photo mode offers some wonderful shots
On the heels of Rise of the Ronin's PC launch, its director says there's a "significant" amount of Japanese Switch gamers: "I am closely watching how this will change with the release of Switch 2"
Stardew Valley Castle Village mod
Stardew Valley Expanded creator is building an "even more ambitious" mod with a whole new city and "dungeons inspired by The Legend of Zelda"
Dino Crisis 2 art showing a young woman and man back-to-back amid tall green grass, both with their weapons drawn
Dino Crisis gets a fresh trademark filing by Capcom, but it might not mean the 26-year-old survival horror franchise will get a new installment like fans expect
Cujo
Netflix is making a brand new adaptation of Cujo, the infamous Stephen King book about a killer dog