Pokédex

Zukan redirects here. For Japanese figures named after the Pokédex, see Pokémon Zukan figures.

File:Ash's Pokedex.png

Ash's Sinnoh Pokédex

A Pokédex (Japanese: ポケモン図鑑 illustrated Pokémon encyclopedia) is an invaluable tool to a Trainer in the Pokémon world. It gives information about all Pokémon in the world that are contained in its database. In the games, it lists the number of Pokémon seen and caught. In the anime, simply pointing it at a target Pokémon will give someone the Pokédex entry for that Pokémon. In both the anime and Pokémon Adventures, the Pokédex also confers all the information shown by the interface in the games; that is, a Pokédex can display a Pokémon's stats, level, and moves.

Another function of the Pokédex is that it is immune to most forms of outside interference from stimuli such as water, fire or electricity, as seen in The Misty Mermaid, in the Generation III games where the player can go underwater, and in Pokémon, I Choose You!. Pokédexes in the games, anime, and manga are not given to all trainers, but given to trainers of exceptional potential and skill. Just the same, anime Pokédexes take the place of the trainer card in that they store the identification information of their owner. In the anime, Ash and Gary both received their Pokédexes from Professor Oak, much like their game counterparts Red and Blue. Ash was notorious for using his Pokédex early in his journey in situations where he had no idea what was going on, and was just as notorious for always being behind Gary in Pokédex entries.

In the Pokémon continuity, the Pokédex was invented by Professor Oak. When a young "Sammy" Oak was accidentally warped to a future of his own time, Ash explains to him how the Pokédex works, unknowingly giving him an idea.

In The Evolution Solution it was mentioned that the Pokédex entries in Ash's Pokédex were written by Professor Westwood V of the Seafoam Islands.

Pokédex entries are typically only two- or three-sentence bits of information about the Pokémon referred to. In some events it gives background information on the habitat or activities of this Pokémon in the wild; at other times it gives other bits of information on the Pokémon's history or anatomy. A typical entry would be one of Bulbasaur, which states:

"A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon."

To date, there have been five different numbering systems used: the National Pokédex, and various regional Pokédexes.

Kanto (Generation I)

File:Gen I Pokedex.png

The first-generation Pokédex

The first version of the Pokédex, model number HANDY505, recorded data on the first 151 Pokémon, focusing on Pokémon mostly native to Kanto. It listed them in number sequence, and it recorded data on height, weight, number, species, cry, and nesting area. However, in Red and Blue, Pokémon only found in Cerulean Cave and Pokémon found only by fishing would be listed as "Area Unknown". In Pokémon Yellow, the option to print Pokédex entries using the Game Boy Printer was added.

File:RBYPokedex.png

The main interface of the first Pokédex model

In the anime, the Pokédex model's program is referred to as Dexter, as well as the programs for most models of the Pokédex. When Misty got Togepi, Professor Oak updated this model with new software that included data on a handful of Johto Pokémon, and its voice gets redone (via a different reverb effect). Its Japanese voice actor is 三木眞一郎 Shin'ichirō Miki and its English voice actor is Eric Stuart. It also has the ability to identify a Pokémon's moveset, as shown when it identified all of the known moves that Misty's Psyduck can learn in The Ninja Pokémon Showdown!.

The numbering of Pokémon in this generation is the same as those in the National Pokédex. Therefore, see the first 151 Pokémon of List of Pokémon by National Pokédex number.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP002 Dexter (purpose) Ash's Pokédex I'm Dexter, a Pokédex programmed by Professor Oak for Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum of the town of Pallet. My function is to provide Ash with information and advice regarding Pokémon and their training. If lost or stolen, I cannot be replaced.

Johto (Generation II)

File:Johtodex.jpg

The second-generation Pokédex

File:JohtoDex.png

Johto's Pokédex, as seen in Pokémon Gold

The second Pokédex, model HANDY808, had many improvements. Data on 251 species of Pokémon could be recorded. Pokémon could be listed in the Kanto (or National) order (referred to as the "Old Pokédex"), a new order focusing on Johto (referred to as the "New Pokédex"), or alphabetically by name. It also included an Unown Dex that can be unlocked by catching three different forms of Unown. A new search option allowed users to find specific Pokémon by type. Entries were expanded to include a Pokémon's footprint (if it had feet). Additionally, Pokédex entries of caught Pokémon could be broadcast on the radio by way of the Pokédex Show on channel 4.5 in Johto in the mornings (a different show aired afternoons and evenings). Also, the design of this Pokédex is markedly similar to that of Nintendo's Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, and Game Boy Color.

In the anime, its Japanese voice actor is 三木眞一郎 Shin'ichirō Miki and its English voice actor is Eric Stuart.

For the numbering list introduced in this version of the Pokédex, see List of Pokémon by New Pokédex number.

Hoenn

File:Pokedex Hoenn Region.png

The Hoenn region's Pokédex

The third Pokédex could record data on 202 species of Pokémon native to the Hoenn region. An upgrade called the National Pokédex was unlocked if a trade with Kanto was made in Ruby and Sapphire, or if the Elite Four were defeated in Emerald, which would allow 386 species to be recorded. Pokémon could also be listed by weight and size. The search option was expanded to include the first letter of a name, as well as color of the Pokémon. The most interesting addition was size charts that compared a pre-teen child to individual Pokémon in terms of height. This allowed Trainers to get a better idea of how large individual Pokémon were, which often conflicted with depictions in the anime. The print option was removed, however, as no Game Boy Printer was made for the Game Boy Advance.

File:PokedexHoennView.png

Viewing the Hoenn Pokédex in Pokémon Sapphire

In the anime, this Pokédex model's program is referred to as Dextette instead of Dexter, and it has a female voice to match. Its Japanese voice actress is 林原めぐみ Megumi Hayashibara and its English voice actress is Rachael Lillis.

The Hoenn region Pokédex is markedly similar to the Game Boy Advance, the console most of the Generation III games were played on.

For the numbering list introduced in this version of the Pokédex, see List of Pokémon by Hoenn Pokédex number.

Kanto (Generation III)

File:Pokedex FRLG.png

Kanto region's Pokédex

The fourth Pokédex, model HANDY909, could record data on 151 species of Pokémon native to the Kanto region. An upgrade called the National Pokédex was unlocked if the Elite Four were defeated and the player had caught 60 different Pokémon, which would allow 386 species to be recorded. In addition to the improvements made in the Hoenn version, Pokémon were all organized into habitat categories, where similar Pokémon were typically listed together on the same pages (such as Jynx and Mr. Mime, for instance), and Pokémon who are cross-generation evolutions are also displayed next to each other, such as Onix and Steelix. Nest display was also expanded to include the Sevii Islands. This Pokédex also has a toy model, which has Pokémon up to Generation III.

Pidgey's entry in Pokémon FireRed

In the anime, this model comes in both red and yellow. Its Japanese voice actor is 三木眞一郎 Shin'ichirō Miki and its English voice actors are Eric Stuart (4Kids) and Bill Rogers (TPCi).

The Generation III Kanto Pokédex is markedly similar to the Game Boy Advance SP, an upgraded version of the Game Boy Advance that was released the year before Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen were released in Japan.

For the regional Pokédex list, see the first 151 entries of List of Pokémon by National Pokédex number.

Sinnoh

File:Sinnohdex.JPEG

Sinnoh region's Pokédex

The fifth Pokédex, model HANDY910is, can naturally record data on the 151 Pokémon native to Sinnoh, with the National Pokédex upgrade allowing for the 493 Pokémon available to players of Diamond and Pearl to be recorded. Strangely, some of the Pokémon first encountered in Generation IV are not in the Sinnoh Pokédex order, such as the two new evolutions of Eevee. Nest display includes time of day as part of its functions now.

In the anime and Pokémon Adventures manga, it seems that the color of the Pokédex casing is customizable. Dawn has a pink one, Ash and Platinum have a red one, Diamond has a blue one, Pearl and Makina have an orange one and Paul has a dark blue one. In Try for the Family Stone!, a Trainer by the name of Rhyanna was in ownership of a light blue Pokédex. And in DP173, a Trainer named Makina was also in ownership of an orange Pokédex. The dial on the side slides back and forth in the anime with the dial normally hidden on the bottom of the Pokédex. This Pokédex also has a female voice. Its Japanese voice actresses are 川上とも子 Tomoko Kawakami and Satsuki Yukino and its English voice actress is Michele Knotz.

File:Ash's dex.png

Scanning Piplup

File:Platinum National Pokédex.png

Giratina in the Platinum National Pokédex

Its appearance is similar to that of the Nintendo DS, and it may have a touchscreen as well. The placement of buttons and other features suggest it is based on its second version, the Nintendo DS Lite.

For the numbering list introduced in this version of the Pokédex, see List of Pokémon by Sinnoh Pokédex number.

This Pokédex, as shown in the anime by Paul, is able to scan a Poké Ball to see what moves the Pokémon inside it can use.

In the anime, it was also shown by Dawn to be able to identify moves like the Generation I Pokédex, as was the case with Dawn's Aipom's Double Hit.

Platinum

The sixth Pokédex, an expansion on the fifth, can naturally record data on 210 Pokémon, a majority native to Sinnoh, with the National Pokédex upgrade that allows for the recording of data on the 493 Pokémon known at this time.

This Pokédex, which is available to players of Platinum, works similar to the ones in Diamond and Pearl.

Johto (Generation IV)

File:PokéDex HGSS m.png

Johto region's Pokédex for males

File:HGSSpokedex.png

Pidgey in the Generation IV Johto Pokédex

File:PokéDex HGSS f.png

Johto region's Pokédex for females

Scanning Gible using a stylus

The seventh Pokédex, like the fourth, has been given a redesign as the games return to an old region. While it is similar to the original Johto Pokédex when closed, there are many new features, such as a touch screen interface and a feature to list the separate locations of a Pokémon. In addition, the actual regional Pokédex numbers of the Pokémon are shown, instead of the National numbers when in regional mode. The listing also appears in a matrix style. This Pokédex can come in two colors: red for males, and pink for females though this is not reflected in-game as the main color is shown to be red. Unlike previous models of the Pokédex, it has no buttons, and contains a touch-screen and stylus.

For the regional Pokédex list, changed from the original games, see List of Pokémon by Johto Pokédex number.

In the anime, both Lyra and Khoury are in possession of this model. Like its Generation II counterpart, it is voiced by Shin'ichirō Miki in Japanese and Bill Rogers in English

In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring the Pokédex in the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The Hoenn region's model did not receive a TCG card, and the Generation I and Generation II Pokédexes, which featured model numbers on the Japanese card, did not show these model numbers on the English card.

Name	Type	Rarity	Set	Set no.
Pokédex	T		Base Set	87/102
			Base Set 2	115/130
New Pokédex	T		Neo Genesis	95/111
			Pokémon Web	16/48
PokéDex HANDY909	T		EX FireRed & LeafGreen	96/112
Pokédex HANDY910is	T		Diamond & Pearl	111/130
			Platinum	114/127

In Pokémon Adventures

The Pokédex makes a signal when all three regional Pokédexes are close to each other. Another signal shows that they are being held by the correct owner, as seen in PS085. More usefully, they can display moves known by a Pokémon, and health that the Pokémon has, in a manner that looks identical to the battle screens in games. A feature included in Pokémon Yellow, interacting with Pikachu to see its mood, was added to Red's Pokédex. They can also be used to prevent a Pokémon from evolving. Trainers without a Pokédex have no choice in the matter. Finally the Pokédex has been shown to identify the location of a Pokémon's origins, as seen in Wanted: Pikachu!.

Trivia

File:Dex.png

Ash's original Pokédex

• For Two Degrees of Separation!, Professor Oak's lecture is about the Pokédex. He writes this Pokémon senryū about it: こまったら　ひらいてみよう　ポケモンずかん Komattara hiraite miyō, Pokémon zukan. "When troubled, let's open the Pokédex."
• In Pokémon Super Contests, there is a judge, who also serves as the MC, named Dexter.
• Most of the Pokédexes appear similar to one of Nintendo's handhelds. The Johto Pokédex resembles a Game Boy Color, the Hoenn Pokédex appears similar to the Game Boy Advance, the Generation III Kanto Pokédex resembles a Game Boy Advance SP, the Sinnoh Pokédex looks resembles Nintendo DS Lite, and the Generation IV Johto Pokédex is in similar appearance to a Nintendo DSi.
• The Pokédex is evidently encased in material that is invulnerable to almost anything within reason. It has been soaked in water and (in the anime) electrocuted and exposed to high-temperature flames, all with no ill effect. It is also voice-sensitive. There are some limitations to its ability; certain circumstances can prevent the Pokédex from accurately identifying its target:
  • A Pokédex which has not received a National Mode upgrade will not display any information on Pokémon not usually found in its home region, even if those Pokémon have been caught.
  • In the anime, a Pokédex also can only identify the Pokémon itself, and not what appears to be where it is, as seen in The Ghost of Maiden's Peak when Gastly uses illusions to scare Ash and his friends.
  • Similarly, Gary's Pokédex failed to identify Mewtwo at the Viridian Gym, displaying only static interference. This may be attributed to the mechanical "focus/leech" battle armor Mewtwo was wearing at the time.
• All five of Ash's Pokédexes have been red, as were the Pokédexes in the games prior to HeartGold and SoulSilver, while other characters have had other colors. May had a yellow one in Kanto, Paul has a dark blue Pokédex and Dawn has a pink Pokédex.
• Pokédex entries in LeafGreen are identical to those in Red and Blue for the Generation I Pokémon, while those for FireRed are identical to those from the original Red and Green. Likewise, FireRed's entries for Generation II Pokémon are identical to the entries found in Silver, and the same is true of Pokémon LeafGreen and Gold.
  • Likewise, Pokédex entries in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are identical to those in Gold and Silver for Generation I and Generation II Pokémon. Unlike FireRed and LeafGreen, however, Pokédex entries are not borrowed from the paired versions of the generation following the originals for Pokémon of that generation, as all Generation III and Generation IV Pokémon have all-new entries.

File:Computer pokédex.jpg

Giovanni's computer

• The Kanto regional Pokédex and the Sinnoh regional Pokédex (Diamond and Pearl) have 151 members, the smallest of all regional Pokédexes. The largest regional Pokédex is the Johto regional Pokédex, with 256 members.
• In The Thief That Keeps On Thieving!, Giovanni's computer had a function similar to the Pokédex, scanning for what's inside the Poké Ball.
• The online Pokédex at Pokémon.com uses Pokédex entries from Diamond.
• James uses cards of Pokémon, rather than a Pokédex, to sometimes identify the Pokémon and the moves they can learn.
• The Pokédex models of Generations I and II rounded the weights of all Pokémon to full pounds except for Gastly and Haunter, despite the Japanese games' use of tenths of kilograms since the start. From Generation III onward, all weights have been given to the nearest tenth of a pound.
• The Pokédex lost several buttons with every new model, due to various upgrades: Kanto's first model has twenty-two buttons, Johto’s original model has five, Kanto's second model, Hoenn's, and Sinnoh's only have three, and Johto’s second model apparently has none whatsoever, solely using the touch-screen interface.
• Numerous toy Pokédexes have been manufactured by companies like Tiger Electronics and Jakks Pacific.

Menu Pokémon List • Pokédex • Bag/Satchel • Trainer Card/League Card • Save • Options Apps: Town Map • Rotom Pokédex • Rotom Phone Pokégear • PokéNav • PokéNav Plus • Pokétch C-Gear • Player Search System • Festival Plaza • Communicate • Y-Comm • Poké Portal Pokémon-Amie • Pokémon Refresh • Partner Play • Pokémon Camp • Picnic Mystery Gift • Super Training • QR Scanner • Poké Pelago • VS • P★DA

This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.