It was once thought that Shuppet were the ghosts of those who died carrying jealousy or a grudge in their hearts, for wherever envy and vengeance are found these pokemon soon follow. Yet the opposite is true. Shuppet spent their previous lives as kings or champions, as fabulously wealthy magnates or CEOs, and rarely lacked for anything. If they had known envy in their youth, they had forgotten what it felt like; if they were wronged by someone, their wounds soon healed with the joys of splendor. But no amount of riches or admiration in life can stop the equalizer that is death. Nor can one move onto the next life after a proud life which left many wronged or jealous, yet imparted such little understanding of how they impacted others. Instead, they are doomed to wander the earth as Shuppet.

Shuppet do not track envy and grudges out of any sadistic pleasure, for they are not even the ones being envied: only in the most dire suffering do the living envy the dead. Nor is it truly, as has been often imagined, a source of nourishment. Instead, these pokemon are engaged in a long and detailed study which would put monks and scholars to shame. Only when they understand the emotions they lacked in life, and come to grips to the harm they caused others, can a Shuppet finally move on from this world.

A few Shuppet, however, form strong bonds in their journey of understanding. They stay around for the sake of those they come to care for, be they trainers or simply close friends; these are the Shuppet who become Banette and live as long as their last companions.