I've always been a Kapamilya at heart. But, if you dig deep into my childhood memories, you'd find two very specific shows that pulled me over to the "other side" (GMA): Pokémon every Friday, and Digital LG Quiz! Those were truly memorable days.
Friday evenings were our ritual. My playmates from around the neighborhood would all pile into our humble little place, eyes glued to the TV, just waiting for the latest adventures of Ash, Pikachu, and the whole gang. This show was a core event and a communal gathering for us. That pure, shared joy, the excitement over seeing new Pokémon, the crazy anticipation of battles... It totally cemented Pokémon in my childhood.
And I won't even start on the card collecting! We weren't talking about those fancy, expensive Pokémon Trading Cards, nope. We were all about teks. Cheap, flimsy, but those little pieces of cardboard were pure currency on the playground. I still vividly remember the thrill (and, okay, maybe a tiny pang of guilt) when I swiped a Dragonite card from my cousin's collection. It was the only one I was missing, and a desperate trainer's gotta do what a desperate trainer's gotta do. (Sorry, Kuya Mac, if you ever stumble upon this post!)
So yes, my love for Pokémon runs deep, all thanks to that massive wave of childhood nostalgia. That's why, now that I'm an adult and can actually afford things, if there's ever a chance to buy anything Pokémon-related, I usually just go for it.
Which, naturally, brings me to Krispy Kreme. Now, full disclosure: I've never really been a huge fan of their special edition donuts. Call me a traditionalist, but for me, Krispy Kreme is all about that Original Glazed. That perfect, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness, that light, airy texture, that's where they truly shine. Anything beyond that, and it's always felt like they kinda missed the mark. I usually prefer J.Co when I'm craving a flavored donut -- their unique fillings and toppings just hit different, in a way Krispy Kreme often struggles to match.
But, you know, Pokémon! So, for their 88th anniversary, when Krispy Kreme rolled out six limited-edition Pokémon-themed donuts, my inner kid (plus my adult self with some extra cash in hand) simply could not resist. I bravely dove into the collection, one donut at a time, and now I'm ready to spill the tea on my honest-to-goodness ranking. Here's how they stacked up for me, from worst to best, based purely on my taste test:
My Honest Ranking of Krispy Kreme's 2025 Pokémon Donuts:
6. Jigglypuff:
Verdict: Totally forgettable, just... meh.
The strawberry-chocolate flavor with cotton candy filling sounded so cute and whimsical, but it honestly just fell flat. It looked adorable, but the taste barely even registered for me. A real bummer.
5. Charmander:
Verdict: Also forgettable, another meh.
This was a custard-filled donut dipped in orange chocolate mix. Much like Jigglypuff, it didn't stand out at all. Pleasant enough, I guess, but easily forgotten amidst all the other donuts out there.
4. Meowth:
Verdict: Still meh, but getting warmer.
This one promised an "overload of chocolate goodness" with milk chocolate, dark chocolate filling, toffee bits, and chocolate kreme. While it was definitely chocolatey, it didn't have that rich, distinct profile I was really hoping for. So, yeah, still a "meh." It just lacked that certain oomph.
3. Squirtle:
Verdict: A genuinely pleasant surprise!
Okay, finally, things started looking up! Squirtle, filled with blueberry kreme and dusted in blue powder, actually caught me completely off guard. After that long "meh" parade with Jigglypuff, Charmander, and Meowth, this was the first donut in the collection that felt like it actually had some "personality." The blueberry was vibrant and not too sweet, a really refreshing and welcome change.
2. Pikachu:
Verdict: Zesty, zappy bliss!
Of course, the main star! Pikachu, with its signature yellow chocolate coating and citrus custard filling, sprinkles, and candy topper, was definitely a winner. I absolutely loved that lemon-y, citrus-y flavor (that citrus custard). It was bright, tangy, and totally cut through the sweetness in the best way. A genuinely enjoyable donut, no doubt.
1. Bulbasaur:
Verdict: The totally unexpected champion!
And my number one pick, the absolute underdog hero of this entire collection, is Bulbasaur! With its apple filling wrapped in blue and green chocolate, the apple cinnamon just worked for me. It had this comforting, almost cozy vibe that made it instantly appealing. It was unique without being weird, and that flavor combo was simply delightful. This one genuinely surprised me.
My Final Take: It's All About That Nostalgia (Mostly)
So, after munching my way through all six Pokémon donuts, what's my honest-to-goodness final take? Well, to be totally blunt, the Pokémon collection is just... meh, taste-wise. The flavors, for the most part, aren't exactly blowing anyone's mind.
But that's not necessarily a bad outcome, depending on what you're actually looking for. These donuts are clearly for us Pokémon fans who want a literal taste of nostalgia, a fun, edible representation of our favorite characters. They're super cute visuals, perfect for snapping photos and sharing that childhood joy. But if you're a serious donut lover looking for a truly delicious, innovative, or mind-blowing pastry experience, you're probably better off sticking to Krispy Kreme's classic Original Glazed, or maybe just heading straight to J.Co. — WALPHS.com