Darkrai (Pokémon)

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Darkrai ダークライ Darkrai #491
Art by Ken Sugimori from Diamond and Pearl
Type Dark ' Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Pitch-Black Pokémon
Ability Bad Dreams Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #— Johto — Hoenn — Sinnoh — Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R-257 Oblivia
Height 4'11" Imperial 1.5 m Metric 4'11"/1.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 111.3 lbs. Imperial 50.5 kg Metric 111.3 lbs./50.5 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Black	Catch rate 3 (0.4%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Undiscovered group 121 cycles* (30855 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 2 Sp.Def 0 Speed 1 Base Exp.: 210 Battle Exp.: 2101*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Darkrai (Japanese: ダークライ Darkrai) is a Template:Type2 legendary Pokémon. It was first officially revealed in February of 2007.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

Biology

Physiology

Darkrai is a black, shadow-like creature. It has a small head with a white fog-like ghostly substance billowing from its head covering one of its bright blue eyes, and also has a red spiky growth around its neck. It has skinny arms and long black tatters hanging from its shoulders, similar to the tail of Raichu. It also has black, claw-like hands. It has the slight appearance of an hourglass figure and appears to be wearing an old, ripped cloak. It normally doesn't have any sort of legs, but it is able to extend stilt-like appendages in their place. In self-defense, Darkrai also appears capable of retracting its head and white "plume" into the pit atop its torso fringed by the aforementioned red growth.

Gender differences

Darkrai is a genderless species.

Special abilities

Darkrai is know for its ability to put people and Pokemon in endless nightmares only stopped if close to a lunar wing from Cresselia. It can become a shadow and escape danger or contact of humans, but it is still capable to take damage by special attacks (eg: thunderbolt,flamethrower,waterpulse razorleaf,etc,) in this state. It is also capable of little human speech. In The Rise of Darkrai, it was shown his power was little of that of Dialga and Palkia.

Darkrai is the only known Pokémon that learns Dark Void.

Behavior

This Pokémon "inhabits" people's dreams and causes them to have unending terrible nightmares. In Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, it is stated that the only way a person can wake from one of these nightmares is to be exposed to the Lunar Wing of Cresselia. Contrary to popular belief, this "unleashing of nightmares" is in fact a defense mechanism, rather than something of malicious intent. Also, in the Anime at least, these nightmares are not never ending, as most victims are able to wake up normally, though it appears if Dark Void is used they cannot until the attack wears off.

In the 10th movie, Darkrai tried to protect Alamos Town from being destroyed by Dialga and Palkia and sacrificed itself in the process, although by the end of the movie it was revived. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, however, portrays a Darkrai with a much more evil character, who wants a world enshrouded in darkness, going to the edge of almost destroying time and space to accomplish that. However, after it is recruited, it shows surprising loyalty, even going as far as to say that it will never leave the player, no matter the danger. This is mainly due to the fact that Darkrai lost its memory when it was attacked by Palkia while trying to escape through a dimensional hole. It is worth noting that this Darkrai's personality after being attacked by Palkia is similar to the original Darkrai, who was very loyal to those it cared about.

As seen in its first appearance in an episode, Darkrai do not only cause nightmares. They are also attracted to them. They also go around objects they are attracted to several times, as seen in the mentioned episode and Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia.

Habitat

Whilst Darkrai isn't nesting in the realm of human dreams, it lingers around a lost island called Newmoon Island, which can only be reached by using a Member Card in Canalave City at the Harbor Inn above the Pokémon Center.

After the battle with Darkrai on Newmoon Island in Platinum, the following text appears on screen:

"...A voice called out from somewhere...

???: DARKRAI... Your power is strong. Though you don't will it, you make people and Pokémon around you see terrible nightmares... That is why you came here... Newmoon Island... There is no one but you here... There is none that can be drawn into your nightmare... If anyone were to fall into a nightmare, the Fullmoon Island is close by... ... ..."

This reveals that Darkrai chooses to inhabit Newmoon Island due to its immense, uncontrollable power, as well as because of the island's closeness to Fullmoon Island, the home of Cresselia, who is capable of healing those inflicted by Darkrai's nightmares. Though it is never revealed whose voice this was, it is possible that it was the effect of Cresselia's psychic powers. It also is speculated to be the voice of Arceus. The fact that Darkrai chooses to protect others from its power is similar to Lugia and how it resides at the bottom of the sea in deep slumber in order to not cause unintended damage.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Darkrai possibly feeds off dreams, characterized by its association with never-ending nightmares and the ability to learn the move Dream Eater.

In the anime

Darkrai in the anime

Darkrai co-starred in The Rise of Darkrai as one of the protagonists, taking the task of ceasing the fighting between Dialga and Palkia upon itself.

Darkrai made its anime debut in Sleepless In Pre-Battle!. Unlike the Darkrai in the film, this Darkrai was causing nightmares, much like in the games. According to Officer Jenny, it comes at a certain time every year. In the episode, however, it came earlier due to it being lured by Team Rocket's machine that was causing nightmares. Cresselia is normally in the same place as Darkrai to stop it giving nightmares but due to Darkrai's early coming, the people in Canalave City had nightmares for several days. One night, it was concealing itself when Cresselia used its abilities to reveal it from the darkness. The two then battled and Darkrai hid itself once more in the shadows.

In DP183, a mysterious trainer in the Suzuran Conference is shown to have a Darkrai. In the following episode, Conway revealed that the trainer, Takuto, had easily defeated all eight Gyms of Sinnoh using only Darkrai. In the Sinnoh League semi-finals, this Darkrai easily defeated Ash's Heracross, Torkoal, and Gible. However, it was defeated by Ash's Sceptile in DP189.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP104 Darkrai Dawn's Pokédex Darkrai, the Pitch-Black Pokémon. Legend has it that on a moonless night, Darkrai will lure people to sleep and unleash nightmares upon them.

In the manga

Darkrai appeared in the manga adaptation of The Rise of Darkrai. In this canon, Darkrai is portrayed as a good character, unlike its appearance in the anime. This is more in line with the events of the film.

In the TCG

Main article: Darkrai (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Trophy Information

A Pitch-Black Pokémon. It becomes active on nights of the new moon. This legendary Pokémon has the power to lull people to sleep and fill their heads with dreams. Proverbs say that Darkrai will make people have terrifying dreams on moonless nights. A Template:Type2 Pokémon, Darkrai uses the Dark Void move, along with Embargo, which stops foes from using held items.

Game data

NPC appearances

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness: Darkrai is revealed to be the main antagonist of the game in the post-game story. He wants to cover the world in darkness, and was behind the collapse of the Temporal Tower in the main storyline of the game. His interference is also the reason the player was separated from Grovyle and turned into a Pokémon. In the post-game story, he turns his attention to distorting the fabric of space to cover the world in darkness.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red {{{redbluedex}}} Blue Yellow {{{yellowdex}}} Stadium {{{stadiumdex}}}
Generation II Gold {{{golddex}}} Silver {{{silverdex}}} Crystal {{{crystaldex}}} Stadium 2 Unknown
Generation III Ruby {{{rubydex}}} Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald {{{emeralddex}}} FireRed {{{firereddex}}} LeafGreen {{{leafgreendex}}}
Generation IV Diamond It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of the new moon. Pearl Folklore has it that on moonless nights, this Pokémon will make people see horrific nightmares. Platinum To protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm. HeartGold It chases people and Pokémon from its territory by causing them to experience deep, nightmarish slumbers. SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black じぶんを　まもるために　まわりの　ひとや　ポケモンに　あくむをみせるが　ダークライに　わるぎは　ないのだ。 White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation I Red Blue None Trade Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Trade
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Trade Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl One Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) Platinum One Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Mystifying Forest (13F) Crevice Cave (B2F) Miracle Sea (B3F) Mt. Travail (B17F) Spacial Rift (B14F) (with Mystery Part or Secret Slab in the bag)
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Altru Tower
Pokémon Rumble	Ticket for releasing all five alternate forms of Rotom

In events

Games	Event	Language	Location	Level	Distribution period
List of Nintendo event Pokémon in 2007#Movie Darkrai	Movie Darkrai	Japan	2007	50	Never
List of Nintendo event Pokémon in 2008#Toys "R" Us Darkrai	Toys "R" Us	United States	2008	50	Never
List of Nintendo event Pokémon in 2008#Nintendo World Store Darkrai	Nintendo World Store	United States	2008	50	Never
List of Nintendo event Pokémon in 2008#Alamos Darkrai	Alamos Darkrai	Europe	2008	50	Never
List of Nintendo event Pokémon in 2008#Target & Toys "R" Us Darkrai	Target & Toys "R" Us	Australia	2008	50	Never
List of Nintendo event Pokémon in 2008#Nintendo of Korea Darkrai	Nintendo of Korea	Korea	2008	50	Never

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Enigma Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 70		130 - 177	250 - 344
Attack: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Defense: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Sp. Atk: 135		126 - 205	247 - 405
Sp. Def: 90		85 - 156	166 - 306
Speed: 125		117 - 194	229 - 383
Total: 600	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 3/4 ★★★☆	Power 2/4 ★★☆☆
Skill 4/5 ★★★★☆	Stamina 3/3 ★★★
Jump 3/5 ★★★☆☆	Total 15/21 ★★★☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation V, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic 0× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark ½× None

Notes: If Miracle Eye is used by an opponent or this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Psychic-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Ominous Wind Ghost Special 06060 100100% 5 00Start Disable Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 1111 Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30 2020 Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000— 06060% 20 2929 Faint Attack Dark Physical 06060 ——% 20 3838 Nightmare Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 15 4747 Double Team Normal Status 0000— ——% 15 5757 Haze Ice Status 0000— ——% 30 6666 Dark Void Dark Status 0000— 08080% 10 7575 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— ——% 20 8484 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100100% 15 9393 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Darkrai Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM04	Calm Mind	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	20
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM12	Taunt	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM25	Thunder	Electric	Special	120120	070}}70%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM29	Psychic	Psychic	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM31	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	07575	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM36	Sludge Bomb	Poison	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM39	Rock Tomb	Rock	Physical	05050	080}}80%	10
	TM40	Aerial Ace	Flying	Physical	06060	—}}—%	20
	TM41	Torment	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Canon	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM52	Focus Blast	Fighting	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM56	Fling	Dark	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	10
	TM57	Charge Beam	Electric	Special	05050	090}}90%	10
	TM59	Devastate	Fire	Special	03030	100}}100%	15
	TM61	Will-O-Wisp	Fire	Status	0000—	075}}75%	15
	TM63	Embargo	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM65	Shadow Claw	Ghost	Physical	07070	100}}100%	15
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	05050	100}}100%	10
	TM67	Retaliation	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	5
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM70	Flash	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM73	Thunder Wave	Electric	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM75	Swords Dance	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	30
	TM77	Psych Up	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM80	Rock Slide	Rock	Physical	07575	090}}90%	10
	TM81	X-Scissor	Bug	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM84	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	08080	100}}100%	20
	TM85	Dream Eater	Psychic	Special	100100	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	04040	100}}100%	15
	TM95	Bark Out	Dark	Special	05555	095}}95%	15
	HM01	Cut	Normal	Physical	05050	095}}95%	30
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Darkrai Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation IV Other generations: V - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game					Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP	S. Contest	Appeal
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Headbutt	Normal	Physical	70	100%	15	Tough	3 ♥♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Icy Wind	Ice	Special	55	95%	15	Beauty	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Knock Off	Dark	Physical	20	100%	20	Smart	3 ♥♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Last Resort	Normal	Physical	130	100%	5	Cute	0
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Mud-Slap	Ground	Special	20	100%	10	Cute	3 ♥♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Ominous Wind	Ghost	Special	60	100%	5	Smart	0
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Snore	Normal	Special	40	100%	15	Cute	3 ♥♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Spite	Ghost	Status	—	100%	10	Tough	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Sucker Punch	Dark	Physical	80	100%	5	Smart	2 ♥♥
D	P	Pt	HG	SS	Swift	Normal	Special	60	—%	20	Cool	2 ♥♥
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Darkrai can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Darkrai cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Darkrai Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By events

Generation IV Other generations: V - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Event	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP	S. Contest	Appeal
10th Movie Events and Toys 'R' Us Events	Roar of Time	Dragon	Special	150	90%	5	Cool	2 ♥♥
10th Movie Events and Toys 'R' Us Events	Spacial Rend	Dragon	Special	100	95%	5	Tough	2 ♥♥
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of AlmiaLv.50	Dark Void	Dark	Status	—	80%	10	Smart	2 ♥♥
A superscript level indicates that Darkrai can learn this move normally in Generation IV at that level Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Darkrai Click on the generation numbers at the top to see event moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!  N/A  Not available
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: 0% Friend Area: Beau Plains Phrases 51%-100% HP My HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP My HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP My HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up. Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -22% IQ group: I
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Loops: 0 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Dark  Poké Assist: ( Dark ) Field move: (Dark Power ×-) Browser entry   It sends gusts of dark wind and lets loose dark pulses to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Does not evolve Darkrai  Dark

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation I.
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation II.
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
	This Pokémon did not appear during Generation III.
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Darkrai images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Darkrai is the only Dark-type Legendary Pokémon (not including Arceus when holding the Dread Plate).
• Darkrai and Weavile are the fastest Dark-types, both having a base Speed of 125.
  • Darkrai also has the highest Special Attack of any Dark-type, with a base stat of 135.
  • Darkrai, together with Tyranitar and Sazandora have the highest base stat total of all Dark-type Pokémon.
  • Darkrai has the highest single base stat of all Dark-types.
• Although it is clearly depicted as levitating in the anime and in the games, Darkrai does not have the ability Levitate and thus remains susceptible to Ground-type moves.
• Darkrai is the only legendary Pokémon and the only Dark-type that can naturally learn Nightmare.
• While in the tenth movie and Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Darkrai is portrayed as a hero; in the main games, it's the only Pokémon truly portrayed as evil, in a sense, especially in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky.
  • Though in main series games the nightmare-inducing effects are merely a self-defense mechanism, as it was in The Rise of Darkrai and in the Platinum Pokédex entry.
• Darkrai has similarities with Dusknoir. Both are villains in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, but are portrayed as misunderstood heroes in their debut appearances.
  • Also, both Dusknoir and Darkrai are used by Blake Hall in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia.
• Darkrai has two different portrait pictures in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness.
• The boy of the sailor who owns the boat that normally goes to Iron Island says "Dar... Dark... Is watching me..." It is assumed that he is talking about Darkrai, as it is known to give its victims horrific nightmares.
  • If Darkrai was the cause of the sailor's son's nightmares, it can be assumed Darkrai is aware that the player cured the boy using Cresselia's Lunar Wing: When the player takes the Member Card to the Harbor Inn, the innkeeper (presumably an illusion created by Darkrai) states that he has been waiting for the player's arrival.
• In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Darkrai is referred to as male, despite being genderless in the main series.
• It is interesting to note that Darkrai was able to transform into its supposed opposite, Cresselia, in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky.
  • However, this was only possible while in the dreams of other Pokémon.
• In the early Japanese versions of Diamond and Pearl, Darkrai can be caught with the surf glitch. However, this glitch was fixed in other language versions. Another glitch has been discovered that allows players of other language releases to reach Darkrai without the Member Card.
  • This has been remedied in Pokémon Platinum, however, as Darkrai itself will not appear on the island without the event ticket.
• Darkrai is one of the few Pokémon that can talk in the anime.
• Despite having a fairly ghost-like appearance, Darkrai is surprisingly not a Ghost-type.
• Darkrai was in a demo of Super Smash Bros Brawl as a Poké Ball Pokémon. It was removed in the game's final version.

Origin

Resembling a shadow, Darkrai's appearance suggests it is based on the concept of nightmares. It may have been inspired by The Phantom of the Opera, because of its black and elegant body with a single visible eye,and the other half of his face white. Or it may have been inspired by the old Arabic myths about genies (or djinn), the Bogeyman, or perhaps the Dementors from the Harry Potter universe.

Name origin

Darkrai's name is a combination of the word dark and 暗い kurai, the Japanese word for "dark". Incidentally, its name also sounds like "dark cry".

In other languages

• German: Darkrai
• French: Darkrai
• Korean: 다크라이 Darkrai
• Chinese (Taiwan): 達克萊伊 Dá Kè Lái Yī - Transliteration of its Japanese name.

Related articles

• Darkrai (movie 10)
• Darkrai (Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky)

External links

• Darkrai on Pokemon.com

Event distributions Event Pokémon distributions Generation I: Japanese • European language Generation II: Japanese • European language Generation III: Japanese • English • German • Spanish • French • Italian Generation IV: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi) Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi) Trading (GTS) Generation V: Japanese (local | Wi-Fi) • English (local | Wi-Fi) • German (local | Wi-Fi) Spanish (local | Wi-Fi) • French (local | Wi-Fi) • Italian (local | Wi-Fi) • Korean (local | Wi-Fi) Global Link promotions Generation VI: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code) PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Local • Trading Generation VII: 3DS: Japanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • American region (Nintendo Network | serial code) PAL region (Nintendo Network | serial code) • Korean region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Taiwanese region (Nintendo Network | serial code) Local Switch: PE Generation VIII: SwSh • BDSP • LA Trading Generation IX: SV Specific events: Gather More Pokémon! Campaign PCNY (Gen II | Gen III) • Trade and Battle Day • Journey Across America • Party of the Decade Other groupings: Movie events • 10th Anniversary • Tanabata • Undistributed Special Pokémon from games In-game: Gen I • Gen II • Gen III (RS • FRLG • E • Colosseum/XD) • Gen IV (DP ​• Pt ​• HGSS) • Gen V (BW • B2W2) Gen VI (XY • ORAS) • Gen VII (SM • USUM • PE) • Gen VIII (SwSh • BDSP • LA) • Gen IX (SV) Gift Pokémon (Eggs) • Wild Pokémon (Roaming Pokémon) • In-game trades (Hayley's trades) Game-based: Gen I • Gen II • Gen III • Gen IV • Gen VI • Gen VII Gen VIII (Wild Area News) • Gen IX (Poké Portal News) Other: Undistributed Non-Pokémon event distributions Gen III • Gen IV • Gen V • Gen VI • Gen VII (Game-based) • Gen VIII • Gen IX (Game-based) Global Link Other lists Notable ID numbers (Gens I-II • III onward) • Wonder Cards (Gen V • Gen VI • Gen VII) • Serial code prefixes

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

← #490: Manaphy

Pokémon

#492: Shaymin →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.