Banette were once thought to be born from the spirits of dolls thrown away, due to the unmistakable resemblance they possess to a children's toy. Yet this explanation is lacking, for Banette do not materialize fully formed; they are the evolution of Shuppet, which despite a few trying to imagine them as the ghosts of spinning tops, are difficult to mistake for toys.
Yet in a way, this theory is true. Banette are the spirits of dolls, in a sense, but not the sort of doll given to children. These pokemon are born in one of two ways: when a trained Shuppet seeks to please its trainer by growing stronger and asks them to make a Banette doll, or when a wild Shuppet stumbles upon a discarded effigy used in magical rituals. Some explain a Shuppet's evolution as being caused by leftover magic in these dolls, while others speak of emotions given life which simply use the Shuppet as a vessel.
Although Shuppet are innocent creatures - often despised in past lives, but incapable of understanding grudges – Banette seem to feel nothing else. Their most famous attack involves stabbing themselves to curse their foe, and this is fitting, for they despise themselves for the evils they wrought in life nearly as much as they despise their enemies.
Even trained Banette can often shock their trainers with their fury, although it is a different kind. These Banette bear a grudge not for being discarded or the circumstances of their creation, but love their trainers and their dreams so much that they come to despise anyone who stands between their trainer and the championship. Care must be taken to ensure Banette cease to battle when the opponent becomes unconscious; given the choice, many of them would never leave an opponent alive.