Mythical Pokémon

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Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Illusory Pokémon, also known as Event Legendary Pokémon, rare Pokémon, or mirage Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon seen so rarely in the Pokémon world that some question their very existence with some even going so far as to worship them as deities.

Traditionally, in the mainline Pokémon games, Mythical Pokémon were exclusively available via event distributions. However, since the Sixth Pokémon generation, several Mythical Pokémon can also be obtained during normal gameplay.

In Japanese media, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon have always been presented as distinct groups. In non-Japanese media before the Fifth Pokémon generation, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon were both considered to be Legendary Pokémon; since the fifth Pokémon generation, the two groups are presented as distinct groups in all official media.

History[]

Despite the first Mythical Pokémon, Mew, being added to the original games right before release, the concept of "illusory monsters" (Mythical Monsters) already existed in Satoshi Tajiri's pitch for Capsule Monsters. They were said to be hard to encounter, hard to catch, or be impossible to catch if the player missed their chance. For example, there would be a "Green Dragon" that could only be found rarely in a specific area of a dungeon, and it would have taken around two hours to find and catch.

List of Mythical Pokémon[]

As of the Ninth Pokémon generation, there are a total of 23 Mythical Pokémon.

First Pokémon Generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Mew	Because Mew can use all kinds of moves, many scientists believe Mew to be the ancestor of Pokémon. Mew is responsible for the creation for its clone, Mewtwo. Appeared as a Poké Ball Pokémon in all Super Smash Bros. games.

Second Pokémon Generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Celebi	This Pokémon wanders across time. Grass and trees flourish in the forests in which it has appeared. When Celebi disappears deep in the forest, it is said to leave behind an egg it brought from the future. It serves as the guardian of Ilex Forest.

Third Pokémon generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Jirachi	Jirachi will awaken from its sleep of a thousand years if you sing to it in a voice of purity. It is said to make true any wish that people desire.
Deoxys	Deoxys emerged from a virus that came from space. It is highly intelligent and wields psychokinetic powers. This Pokémon shoots lasers from the crystalline organ on its chest. In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Deoxys is the first Mythical Pokémon to be obtainable in-game without any event or distribution. It can change between its forms by interacting with certain meteorites.

Fourth Pokémon generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Phione	Phione can only be obtained by breeding Manaphy or another Phione with Ditto. A Pokémon that lives in warm seas. It inflates the flotation sac on its head to drift and search for food.
Manaphy	Manaphy is notable for being the only Mythical Pokémon able to be bred and hatch from an egg. It is born with a wondrous power that lets it bond with any kind of Pokémon. Manaphy has been referred to as Prince of the Sea.
Darkrai	Darkrai lies on Newmoon Island, to protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm. Darkrai is based on the new moon and it is a member of the Lunar duo with Cresselia. Darkrai is playable in Pokkén Tournament.
Shaymin	The flowers all over Shaymin's body burst into bloom if it is lovingly hugged and senses gratitude. The blooming of Gracidea flowers confers the power of flight upon it. Feelings of gratitude are the message it delivers.
Arceus	Arceus is known as The Original One, as it is said that it created Sinnoh (Hisui), and possibly the entire Pokémon universe, along with the Lake guardians and Pokémon of Myth and also the leader of both the Lake guardians and the Pokémon of Myth. Arceus is featured prominently in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Arceus changes type when it is holding a Plate or type-specific Z-Crystal.

Fifth Pokémon generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Victini	This Pokémon brings victory. It is said that Trainers with Victini always win, regardless of the type of encounter. Victini is the only Pokémon to be listed before the First partner Pokémon of its home region.
Keldeo	One of the Swords of Justice. When Keldeo is resolute, its body fills with power and it becomes swifter. Its jumps are then too fast to follow. Keldeo is inspired by d'Artagnan from the novel The Three Musketeers. Keldeo is the only member of the Swords of Justice not to have a Paradox Pokémon counterpart.
Meloetta	The melodies sung by Meloetta have the power to make Pokémon that hear them happy or sad. Its melodies are sung with a special vocalization method that can control the feelings of those who hear it. Many famous songs have been inspired by the melodies that Meloetta plays.
Genesect	Genesect existed 300 million years ago. Team Plasma altered it and attached a cannon to its back. It uses special Drives to make variations to its signature move, Techno Blast.

Sixth Pokémon generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Diancie	A sudden transformation of Carbink, its pink, glimmering body is said to be the loveliest sight in the whole world and capable for Mega Evolution and the only Sixth Pokémon generation Pokémon to do so.
Hoopa	Hoopa is said to be able to seize anything it desires with its six rings and six huge arms. With its powers sealed, it is transformed into a much smaller form.
Volcanion	It lets out billows of steam and disappears into the dense fog. Volcanion said to live in mountains where humans do not tread.

Seventh Pokémon generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Magearna	Magearna is an artificial Pokémon, constructed more than 500 years ago, can understand human speech but cannot itself speak. Magearna is the first Generation VII Pokémon to be revealed and appeared in the anime.
Marshadow	Marshadow slips into the shadows of others and mimics their powers and movements. As it improves, it becomes stronger than those it's imitating. It can utilize a unique Z-Crystal, the Marshadium Z, which allows it to use the Z-Move Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike.
Zeraora	Zeraora is one of the Pokémon introduced in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. It electrifies its claws and tears its opponents apart with them. Even if they dodge its attack, they’ll be electrocuted by the flying sparks. It approaches its enemies at the speed of lightning, then tears them limb from limb with its sharp claws.
Meltan	Meltan is introduced in Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. It melts particles of iron and other metals found in the subsoil, so it can absorb them into its body of molten steel. Only Mythical Pokémon capable for evolution.
Melmetal	Melmetal is introduced in Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Revered long ago for its capacity to create iron from nothing, for some reason, Melmetal has come back to life after 3,000 years. Evolves from Meltan by using 400 Meltan Candy in Pokémon GO. Capable for Gigantamax and the only Seventh Pokémon generation Pokémon to do so.

Eighth Pokémon generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Zarude	Within dense forests, Zarude lives in a pack with others of its kind. It's incredibly aggressive, and the other Pokémon of the forest fear it.

Ninth Pokémon generation[]

Pokémon	Description
Pecharunt	Pecharunt feeds toxic mochi it produces to other Pokémon and humans. The mochi draws out other's desires and potential abilities, but others who taste it become chained to its will and become controlled. Pecharunt is featured prominently in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Mochi Mayhem DLC and also the leader of the Loyal Three. In Kitakami, it is known as the Never-Rotting Peach.

Trivia[]

• All Mythical Pokémon only have one possible Ability in each form.
• The mainline Pokémon game with the most Mythical Pokémon obtainable without events is Pokémon Legends: Arceus, with five unique Mythical Pokémon species and the ability to catch indefinite Phione.
• The Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series does not follow Mythical Pokémon being gender unknown. Several Mythical Pokémon are referred to by gender pronouns, such as Celebi in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness being called female, and Keldeo and Victini in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity being called males.
• Pokédex entries for Dratini state that it was believed to be a Mythical Pokémon until it was caught by a fisherman.
• Lugia and Ho-Oh were treated similarly to Mythical Pokémon in the Third Pokémon generation games, Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. They cannot be obtained through normal gameplay in these games, nor are they required to complete any Pokédex. Lugia and Ho-Oh have been treated the same as other Legendary Pokémon in all games starting with Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Shiinotic is defined internally as a Mythical Pokémon instead of Marshadow. This is likely due to a typo between their internal names, with マシェード Mashēdo (Shiinotic) being mistaken for マーシャドー Māshadō (Marshadow).

See also[]

• Legendary Pokémon
• Ultra Beasts
• Paradox Pokémon