Across the series, Mythical Pokemon are often rare and only available via time-limited events, making receiving one a momentous occasion. Mythical Pokemon tend to have intricate lore attached to them, which is often reflected in their distinct designs that make them stand out even amongst the flashiest of Mons.
In Japan, Mythical Pokemon are known as Illusory Pokemon, due to the fact that they’re a rare sight - leading those who encounter them thinking that they’re mere illusions. This leaves a lot of mystery surrounding these Pokemon, making their lore all the more illusive, as it could have originated hundreds or even thousands of years in the Pokemon universe’s past.
10 Fourth Musketeer: Keldeo
Raised by the Swords of Justice - Cobalion, Virizion, and Terrakion - Keldeo was taught to fight by the trio. With such exalted parentage, it’s unsurprising that Keldeo grew to surpass each of its parental figures in terms of strength, learning the move Secret Sword as a result of their teachings.
After learning this move, Keldeo is able to transform into its Resolute Form, honing the power of its sword-like horn. While Keldeo looks like a unicorn, it’s most likely based on both the Scottish myth of the Kelpie (a similar water horse) and the Chinese unicorn.
9 Royal Companion: Magearna
Built by a scientist over 500 years ago, according to various Pokedex entries, Magearna is a man-made Mythical Pokemon that was originally created as a gift for a princess. In fact, Magearna’s metallic body is only the vessel for its true essence, the Soul-Heart, which was also made by the scientist.
It has a strong connection to life energy, and can understand human emotion as well as speech, despite being unable to speak itself. Magearna’s regal design is befitting of its royal origin, as it appears to be wearing a ball gown and headpiece.
8 Ancient Bug: Genesect
Known as the Paleozoic Pokemon, Genesect’s origins can be traced back 300 million years; but its current form has been genetically altered by Team Plasma. Team Plasma most likely revived this Pokemon from a fossil and modified it to boost its power. It's unknown what Genesect originally looked like, as Team Plasma adjusted it to have a robotic appearance, upgrading the cannon appendage on its back.
As the only Bug type Mythical Pokemon, Genesect stands apart from other Pokemon in this category, and has an equally intriguing backstory that ties it to the villainous Team Plasma.
7 Flower Power: Shaymin
This Mythical Pokemon is closely associated with flowers and the ones on its body resemble the Gracidea flower. In the Pokemon universe, people often give bouquets of Gracidea flowers as a gesture of thanks, referencing how Shaymin is called the Gratitude Pokemon.
With a floral, hedgehog-like appearance, it’s one of the cutest Mythical Pokemon in the series, and is known to bloom when embraced. This Mythical Pokemon also has an alternate Sky Forme that contrasts the look and temperament of its Land Forme, and transforms through the use of a Gracidea flower.
6 When You Wish Upon A Star: Jirachi
This Mythical Pokemon is known for its ability to grant wishes, earning it the nickname of the Wish Pokemon. To receive a wish from Jirachi, you need to write your wish on one of the tags on its head, imitating the Tanabata festival in Japan. Unfortunately, Jirachi only awakens for seven days every 1,000 years, which makes receiving one of the Pokemon’s coveted wishes a rare opportunity.
Jirachi also plays into the trope of wishing upon a star, thanks to its yellow coloring and star-shaped head. It’s celestial theme and link to Japanese tradition are strongly apparent in its design, making it one of the most memorable Mythical Pokemon.
5 It Came From Outer Space: Deoxys
As stated in Deoxys’ Pokedex entry in Pokemon Ruby, this Mythical Pokemon originates from space and was created as a result of a mutated alien virus that was exposed to a laser beam. Befitting its extraterrestrial nature, Deoxys is able to use psychokinesis and can shoot lasers from the crystaline organ on its chest.
Deoxys’ three alternate forms, Attack Forme, Defense Forme and Speed Forme, share this outer space theme, with its DNA changing to accommodate its battle needs, reflecting that of a mutating virus.
4 Forest Fairy: Celebi
Known to frequent forests and help them flourish, Celebi is the protector of wildlife, bringing peace to the natural world. As a symbol of tranquility, Celebi is regarded as a positive figure within the Pokemon universe’s lore and has reached a deity-like status as a result.
Celebi also has the ability to travel across time, often leaving behind an egg that it retrieved from the future, giving it an air of mystique that lends even more mystery to its lore. Celebi’s lore follows the traditions of fairy-like creatures who protect the forest, this time with a Pokemon twist.
3 Mythical Of Your Nightmares: Darkrai
Darkrai has some of the most sinister lore in the Pokemon series and is known for its ability to plague your sleep with terrifying nightmares. In Pokemon Platinum, you meet a child who has been afflicted by Darkrai’s nightmarish powers and lies tormented in bed, whispering about how the Pokemon is watching him.
If this wasn’t creepy enough, an NPC watching over the child says that “there were people who never woke up from their nightmares”. However, it’s unclear if Darkrai’s actions are intentionally evil, as its Pokedex entry states that it “means no harm” and only inflicts nightmares in defense. Despite this, it’s still a dangerous Pokemon you wouldn’t want to cross paths with in your dreams.
2 The Very First: Mew
Believed by many scientists in the Pokemon universe to be the “ancestor of Pokemon” according to various Pokedex entries, Mew is known as the New Species Pokemon, thanks to its ability to learn every Pokemon move. This playful Pokemon hides from people and only shows itself to those with a pure heart. As such, few people have caught a glimpse of it, and it’s thought to be a figment of imagination.
Mew’s rarity in the Pokemon universe, as well as its origin as the first Pokemon, make it one of the most memorable Mythicals in the series.
1 The Real Almighty Sinnoh: Arceus
Arceus’ lore is close entwined with the creation of the Pokemon universe and all things in the world. Its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Platinum states that, before there was even a world, Arceus was born from an egg in a place of nothingness and constructed the world after the fact.
According to the legends of Sinnoh, Arceus created Dialga, Palkia, and Girantina, symbolizing time, space and antimatter respectively. It also created the Lake Trio, Mesprit, Azelf and Uxie. As a result of its origin, Arceus is revered as a god in Sinnoh’s ancient mythology.