Darkrai (Pokémon)

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Manaphy #490: Manaphy
Pokémon
#492: Shaymin Shaymin
Darkrai
ダークライ Darkrai
#491
491Darkrai.png
Art by Ken Sugimori from Diamond and Pearl
Type
Dark '
Category
Pitch-Black Pokémon
Ability
Bad Dreams
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers
Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers
Almia
R-257
Height
4'11"
Imperial
1.5 m
Metric
Weight
111.3 lbs.
Imperial
50.5 kg
Metric
Dex color
Black
Catch rate
3 (0.4%)
Body style
Body12.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F491.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
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*

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

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201
  • 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
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
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 Enigma Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
70
130 - 177 250 - 344
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
135
126 - 205 247 - 405
90
85 - 156 166 - 306
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
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost ½×
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark ½×
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost ½×
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark ½×
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost ½×
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark ½×
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost ½×
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark ½×
None
Notes:

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 
Bag TM Psychic Sprite.png TM04 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 20
Bag TM Poison Sprite.png TM06 Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM10 Hidden Power Normal Special 0000 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Fire Sprite.png TM11 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 —}}—% 5
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM12 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Ice Sprite.png TM13 Ice Beam Ice Special 09595 100}}100% 10
Bag TM Ice Sprite.png TM14 Blizzard Ice Special 120120 070}}70% 5
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM15 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM17 Protect Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag TM Water Sprite.png TM18 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 —}}—% 5
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM21 Frustration Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Electric Sprite.png TM24 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09595 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Electric Sprite.png TM25 Thunder Electric Special 120120 070}}70% 10
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM27 Return Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Psychic Sprite.png TM29 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10
Bag TM Ghost Sprite.png TM30 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Fighting Sprite.png TM31 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM32 Double Team Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 15
Bag TM Poison Sprite.png TM36 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10
Bag TM Rock Sprite.png TM39 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 05050 080}}80% 10
Bag TM Flying Sprite.png TM40 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 —}}—% 20
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM41 Torment Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM42 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Psychic Sprite.png TM44 Rest Psychic Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM46 Thief Dark Physical 04040 100}}100% 10
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM48 Canon Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Fighting Sprite.png TM52 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM56 Fling Dark Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
Bag TM Electric Sprite.png TM57 Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10
Bag TM Fire Sprite.png TM59 Devastate Fire Special 03030 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Fire Sprite.png TM61 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status 0000 075}}75% 15
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM63 Embargo Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Ghost Sprite.png TM65 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM66 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100}}100% 10
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM67 Retaliation Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 5
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM68 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM70 Flash Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Electric Sprite.png TM73 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM75 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 30
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM77 Psych Up Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag TM Rock Sprite.png TM80 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10
Bag TM Bug Sprite.png TM81 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Poison Sprite.png TM84 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20
Bag TM Psychic Sprite.png TM85 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM87 Swagger Normal Status 0000 090}}90% 15
Bag TM Normal Sprite.png TM90 Substitute Normal Status 0000 —}}—% 10
Bag TM Fighting Sprite.png TM94 Rock Smash Fighting Physical 04040 100}}100% 15
Bag TM Dark Sprite.png TM95 Bark Out Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15
Bag HM Normal Sprite.png HM01 Cut Normal Physical 05050 095}}95% 30
Bag HM Normal Sprite.png 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 V
Other generations:
IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
  • 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
MDP E 491.png 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 PA.png
( Dark )
Field move: Dark Power - field move.png
(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
Electric Assist.png
( Normal )
None Past
Electrify 1 field move.png
(Electrify ×1)
Browser entry  
This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
N/A Not
Available
Defense
Speed
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
None.png PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
None.png Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}}
PokéPark Pad entry:
This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
None.png HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}}
Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}}
Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}}
Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}}
Does not evolve.
Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Darkrai
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
Spr 4d 491.png Spr 4p 491.png Spr 4h 491.png Spr b 4d 491.png
Spr 4d 491 s.png Spr 4p 491 s.png Spr 4h 491 s.png Spr b 4d 491 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 491.png Spr 5b2 491.png Spr b 5b 491.png
Spr 5b 491 s.png Spr 5b2 491 s.png Spr b 5b 491 s.png
Darkrai 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.
  • 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

Related articles

External links


Event distributions
Generation I: JapaneseEuropean language
Generation II: JapaneseEuropean language
Generation III: JapaneseEnglishGermanSpanishFrenchItalian
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)
LocalTrading
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: SwShBDSPLA
Trading
Generation IX: SV
Specific events: Gather More Pokémon! Campaign
PCNY (Gen II | Gen III) • Trade and Battle DayJourney Across AmericaParty of the Decade
Other groupings: Movie events10th AnniversaryTanabataUndistributed
Special Pokémon from games
In-game: Gen IGen II • Gen III (RSFRLGEColosseum/XD) • Gen IV (DP ​• Pt ​• HGSS) • Gen V (BWB2W2)
Gen VI (XYORAS) • Gen VII (SMUSUMPE) • Gen VIII (SwShBDSPLA) • Gen IX (SV)
Gift Pokémon (Eggs) • Wild Pokémon (Roaming Pokémon) • In-game trades (Hayley's trades)
Game-based: Gen IGen IIGen IIIGen IVGen VIGen VII
Gen VIII (Wild Area News) • Gen IX (Poké Portal News)
Other: Undistributed
Non-Pokémon event distributions
Gen IIIGen IVGen VGen VIGen VII (Game-based) • Gen VIIIGen IX (Game-based)
Global Link
Other lists
Notable ID numbers (Gens I-IIIII onward) • Wonder Cards (Gen VGen VIGen VII) • Serial code prefixes
Manaphy #490: Manaphy
Pokémon
#492: Shaymin Shaymin
Project Pokédex logo.png 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.