Darkrai (Pokémon)

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For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
0490MS.png #0490: Manaphy
Pokémon
#0492: Shaymin 0492MS.png
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Darkrai (disambiguation).
Darkrai
Pitch-Black Pokémon
ダークライ
Darkrai
#0491
Darkrai



Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Dark Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Ability
Bad Dreams Cacophony
Cacophony
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Gender unknown
Catch rate
3 (1.6%)
Breeding
Egg Group
No Eggs Discovered
Hatch time
120 cycles
Egg not obtainable
Height
4'11" 1.5 m
Darkrai
0'0" 0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
111.3 lbs. 50.5 kg
Darkrai
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form4}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield
210
Gen. IV
Unknown
IV
270
V+
Leveling rate
Slow
EV yield
Total: 3
Darkrai
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
2
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
1
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Shape
Body12.png
Footprint
F0491.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Black
Base friendship
0
External Links

Darkrai (Japanese: ダークライ Darkrai) is a Dark-type Mythical Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.

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

It was officially revealed in February 2007.

It is a member of the lunar duo with Cresselia.

Darkrai is the last Pokémon in the Hisui Pokédex.

Biology

Darkrai's extendable stilt-like appendages

Darkrai is a black, shadow-like Pokémon. It has a small head with a white fog-like ghostly plume billowing from its head covering one of its bright blue eyes, with the portion on its face resembling hair. It also has a red spiky growth around its neck. It has skinny arms and long black tatters hanging from its shoulders. 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 does not have any sort of legs, but it is able to extend stilt-like appendages in their place. In self-defense, Darkrai can retract its head and white "plume" into the pit atop its torso fringed by the aforementioned red growth.

Darkrai is known to "inhabit" dreams and causes the target to have unending nightmares, which can be stopped if exposed to a Lunar Feather from Cresselia. However, the "unleashing of nightmares" is actually a defense mechanism, instead of an intentionally malicious act. Darkrai is capable of flying at high speeds, and it can become a shadow in order to escape danger or contact with humans. It is also capable of some human speech. In The Rise of Darkrai, it was shown its power was weaker than that of Dialga and Palkia. Its relationship to its counterpart, Cresselia, can vary between individuals and canons, with some being antagonistic, as seen Sleepless In Pre-Battle! and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky, or cooperative, as seen in Nightfall? Nightmares! and A Midsummer Night's Light!. As seen in Sleepless In Pre-Battle!, Darkrai does not only cause nightmares; it is also attracted to them. It can also go around objects it is attracted to several times, as seen in the mentioned episode and Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. Shadows of Almia also reveal Darkrai can use an ability called Dark Power to either trap humans or Pokémon in a Dark Void dimension of total darkness or teleport them to another location. Darkrai is said to be active on nights of the new moon. Darkrai possibly feeds off dreams, characterized by its association with never-ending nightmares.

Darkrai is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Dark Void. It is also the only known Pokémon that can have Bad Dreams as an Ability.

Game data

NPC appearances

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201
201 Spoilers end here. 201

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Sinnoh
#—
Johto
#—
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 Unova
#—
Black To protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm.
White
Black 2 To protect itself, it afflicts those around it with nightmares. However, it means no harm.
White 2
Generation VI Kalos
#—
Hoenn
#—
X It chases people and Pokémon from its territory by causing them to experience deep, nightmarish slumbers.
Y It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of the new moon.
Omega Ruby It chases people and Pokémon from its territory by causing them to experience deep, nightmarish slumbers.
Alpha Sapphire It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of the new moon.
Generation VII Alola
#—
Kanto
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar
#—
Sinnoh
#—
Hisui
#242
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sword and Shield.
Brilliant Diamond It can lull people to sleep and make them dream. It is active during nights of a new moon.
Shining Pearl Folklore has it that on moonless nights, this Pokémon will make people see horrific nightmares.
Legends: Arceus On a moonless night, a strange incident occurred in which every one of a village's inhabitants suffered nightmares. The villagers attested that Darkrai appeared before them in these nightmares.
Generation IX Paldea
#—
Kitakami
#—
Blueberry
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation IX.


Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl
Newmoon Island (requires Member Card*) (Only one)
Platinum
Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) (Only one)
HeartGold SoulSilver
Trade
Generation V
Black White
Event
Black 2 White 2
Trade
Generation VI
X Y
Event
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Event
Generation VII
Sun Moon
Event
Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Event
Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee
Unobtainable
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Unobtainable
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
Newmoon Island (requires Member Card) (Only one)
Legends: Arceus
Coronet Highlands: near Clamberclaw Cliffs (Only one*)
Generation IX
Scarlet Violet
Event


In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV
Ranger: SoA
Altru Tower
MD Time MD Darkness
Mystifying Forest (13F), Lower Crevice Cave (B2F), Miracle Sea (B3F), Mt. Travail (17F), Spacial Rift (B14F) (with Mystery Part or Secret Slab in the bag)
MD Sky
Mystifying Forest (13F), Lower Crevice Cave (B2F), Miracle Sea (B3F), Mt. Travail (17F), Spacial Rift (B14F) (with Mystery Part or Secret Slab in the bag)
Rumble
Ticket for releasing all five alternate forms of Rotom
PokéPark Wii
Haunted Zone
Generation V
Rumble Blast
Hauntyard: All (Random Legendary Encounters)
PokéPark 2
Wish Park
Rumble U
Flower Garden: Festival on Mount Moon (Reward), Challenge Battle: The Final Battle Royale
NFC Figurine
Generation VI
Battle Trozei
Pitch-Black Cavern: Stage 4
Rumble World
Legend Terrain: Tomb of Nightmares (Special Boss)
Super MD
Distress Mountain
Picross
Area 18: Stage 11 (As a Mythical Pokémon)
Generation VII
Rumble Rush
Arceus Sea, Rowlet SeaFinal
Generation VIII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Cross-Generation
Shuffle
Event: Take on Escalation Battles
Masters EX
Poké Fair sync pair scout: Sygna Suit Cyrus & Darkrai


In events

In-game events
Games Event Language Location Level Distribution period
DPPtHGSS Almia Darkrai Japanese hide 50 April 26, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS Almia Darkrai English hide 50 December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS Almia Darkrai French hide 50 December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS Almia Darkrai German hide 50 December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS Almia Darkrai Italian hide 50 December 1, 2008 onwards
DPPtHGSS Almia Darkrai Spanish hide 50 December 1, 2008 onwards

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 IX, 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×
Fairy
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost ½×
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark ½×
Fairy
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost ½×
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark ½×
Fairy
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost ½×
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark ½×
Fairy
None
Notes:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX
Other generations:
IV - V - VI - VII - VIII
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Disable Normal Status 0000 100100% 20
1111 Quick Attack Normal Physical 04040 100100% 30
2020 Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000 06060% 20
2929 Sucker Punch Dark Physical 07070 100100% 5
3838 Night Shade Ghost Special 0000 100100% 15
4747 Double Team Normal Status 0000 00——% 15
5757 Haze Ice Status 0000 00——% 30
6666 Dark Void Dark Status 0000 05050% 10
7575 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000 00——% 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

Generation IX
Other generations:
IV - V - VI - VII - VIII
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM006Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM006 Scary Face Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 10
TM007Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM017Bag TM Ghost SV Sprite.png TM017 Confuse Ray Ghost Status 0000 100}}100% 10
TM018Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM018 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25
TM023Bag TM Electric SV Sprite.png TM023 Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10
TM025Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM029Bag TM Ghost SV Sprite.png TM029 Hex Ghost Special 06565 100}}100% 10
TM030Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM030 Snarl Dark Special 05555 095}}95% 15
TM032Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20
TM034Bag TM Ice SV Sprite.png TM034 Icy Wind Ice Special 05555 095}}95% 15
TM036Bag TM Rock SV Sprite.png TM036 Rock Tomb Rock Physical 06060 095}}95% 15
TM042Bag TM Ghost SV Sprite.png TM042 Night Shade Ghost Special 0000 100}}100% 15
TM043Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM043 Fling Dark Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
TM047Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM049Bag TM Fire SV Sprite.png TM049 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM050Bag TM Water SV Sprite.png TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM054Bag TM Psychic SV Sprite.png TM054 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100}}100% 10
TM058Bag TM Fighting SV Sprite.png TM058 Brick Break Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 15
TM061Bag TM Ghost SV Sprite.png TM061 Shadow Claw Ghost Physical 07070 100}}100% 15
TM062Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM062 Foul Play Dark Physical 09595 100}}100% 15
TM070Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM073Bag TM Fighting SV Sprite.png TM073 Drain Punch Fighting Physical 07575 100}}100% 10
TM082Bag TM Electric SV Sprite.png TM082 Thunder Wave Electric Status 0000 090}}90% 20
TM083Bag TM Poison SV Sprite.png TM083 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 100}}100% 20
TM085Bag TM Psychic SV Sprite.png TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM086Bag TM Rock SV Sprite.png TM086 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10
TM087Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM087 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TM088Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM088 Swords Dance Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM094Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM094 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TM103Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM105Bag TM Bug SV Sprite.png TM105 X-Scissor Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM107Bag TM Fire SV Sprite.png TM107 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status 0000 085}}85% 15
TM109Bag TM Psychic SV Sprite.png TM109 Trick Psychic Status 0000 100}}100% 10
TM114Bag TM Ghost SV Sprite.png TM114 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TM120Bag TM Psychic SV Sprite.png TM120 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM129Bag TM Psychic SV Sprite.png TM129 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM135Bag TM Ice SV Sprite.png TM135 Ice Beam Ice Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM140Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM143Bag TM Ice SV Sprite.png TM143 Blizzard Ice Special 110110 070}}70% 5
TM148Bag TM Poison SV Sprite.png TM148 Sludge Bomb Poison Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM152Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM152 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5
TM158Bag TM Fighting SV Sprite.png TM158 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5
TM163Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM163 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5
TM166Bag TM Electric SV Sprite.png TM166 Thunder Electric Special 110110 070}}70% 10
TM171Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10
TM174Bag TM Ice SV Sprite.png TM174 Haze Ice Status 0000 00—}}—% 30
TM177Bag TM Ghost SV Sprite.png TM177 Spite Ghost Status 0000 100}}100% 10
TM181Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM181 Knock Off Dark Physical 06565 100}}100% 20
TM192Bag TM Fighting SV Sprite.png TM192 Focus Punch Fighting Physical 150150 100}}100% 20
TM199Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM199 Lash Out Dark Physical 07575 100}}100% 5
TM203Bag TM Normal SV Sprite.png TM203 Psych Up Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM221Bag TM Dark SV Sprite.png TM221 Throat Chop Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM224Bag TM Ghost SV Sprite.png TM224 Curse Ghost Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Darkrai
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Darkrai
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation IX
Other generations:
IV - V - VI - VII - VIII
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Darkrai
  • 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 Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

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 Super Mystery Dungeon
MDP 3DS 491.png

Body size: Standard (1 tile)
How to Recruit: Boss of Distress Mountain
Connected to: None
Connection Orb Set: None

Phrases
Normal Have you had nightmares on a moonless night? If you have, that was my doing.
Low HP (< 50%) Tsk… This wound seems bad…
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Group:
Dark
Poké Assist: Dark PA.png
Dark
Field move: Dark Power - field move.png
(Dark Power ×-)
Browser entry R-257
It sends gusts of dark wind and lets loose dark pulses to attack.
Pokémon Rumble
Attack ●●●●●
Defense ●●●●
Speed ●●●●●
Pokémon Rumble Blast
Attack ●●●●●
Defense ●●●●
Speed ●●●●●
Pokémon Rumble Rush
Rush491Body.png Walking Speed: 1.17 seconds Base HP: 53
Base Attack: 84 Base Defense: 57 Base Speed: 80
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
PPW491.png PokéPark Pad entry:
Darkrai came to the PokéPark in search of a comfortable place to stay. He's second to none when playing Dusknoir's Speed Slam.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond
PP2491.png
PokéPark Pad entry:
He tried to ease his loneliness by inviting everyone to one world, but the incident with the Dark Vortex made him realize that he was not alone.
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Dark
Attack Power: ★★★★

BT491.png

Power of Five
Increases the damage dealt by matching five Pokémon.
Pokémon Shuffle
None Shuffle.png
Dark
None Shuffle.png Attack Power: 80 - 145 Raise Max Level.png 20

#303
Shuffle491.png

Sleep Charm
Leaves the foe asleep.
Skill Swapper.png Swappable Skill(s): Spookify+


Pokémon GO
GO491.png Base HP: 172 Base Attack: 285 Base Defense: 198
Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 20 km Evolution Requirement: N/A
Fast Attacks: Snarl, Feint Attack
Charged Attacks: Focus Blast, Shadow Ball, Dark Pulse, Sludge Bomb

Evolution data

0491Darkrai.png
Unevolved
Darkrai
 Dark 


Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV
Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver
Spr 4d 491.png Spr b 4d 491.png Spr 4p 491.png Spr b 4p 491.png Spr 4h 491.png Spr b 4h 491.png
Spr 4d 491 s.png Spr b 4d 491 s.png Spr 4p 491 s.png Spr b 4p 491 s.png Spr 4h 491 s.png Spr b 4h 491 s.png
Front Back Front Back Front Back
Generation V
Black White Black 2 White 2
Spr 5b 491.png Spr b 5b 491.png Spr 5b2 491.png Spr b 5b2 491.png
Spr 5b 491 s.png Spr b 5b 491 s.png Spr 5b2 491 s.png Spr b 5b2 491 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VI
X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Spr 6x 491.png
Spr b 6x 491.png
Spr 6o 491.png
Spr b 6o 491.png
Spr 6x 491 s.png
Spr b 6x 491 s.png
Spr 6o 491 s.png
Spr b 6o 491 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VII
Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Spr 7s 491.png
Spr b 7s 491.png
Spr 7s 491.png
Spr b 7s 491.png
Spr 7s 491 s.png
Spr b 7s 491 s.png
Spr 7s 491 s.png
Spr b 7s 491 s.png
Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII
Legends: Arceus
Spr 8a 491.png
Spr 8a 491 s.png
Cross-Generation
HOME
HOME0491.png HOME0491 s.png
491MS.png For other sprites and images, please see Darkrai images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


In the anime

Main series

Darkrai in the anime

Major appearances

Darkrai (M10)

Darkrai debuted in The Rise of Darkrai as a protagonist. It took the task of holding off the fighting between Dialga and Palkia until Ash and Dawn could put the Oración disk in the Space-Time Towers music player to calm the two Legendary Pokémon down. It reappeared in a cameo in the ending credits of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Darkrai (recurring)

A Darkrai appeared in Nightfall? Nightmares! and A Midsummer Night's Light!, where it was a target of Matori and the Matori Matrix, along with Cresselia.

Darkrai's known moves are Dark Pulse and Dark Void, and its Ability is Bad Dreams.

Other

Darkrai made its main series debut in Sleepless In Pre-Battle!. Unlike the Darkrai in The Rise of Darkrai, this Darkrai was maliciously causing nightmares, much like the one 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 out by Team Rocket's machine, which was also causing nightmares. Cresselia is normally in the same place as Darkrai to stop it from giving nightmares, but due to Darkrai's early arrival, 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 League Unleashed!, a mysterious Trainer competed in the Lily of the Valley Conference with a Darkrai. In the following episode, Conway revealed that the Trainer, Tobias, had easily defeated eight Gym Leaders of the Sinnoh region using only Darkrai. In the Sinnoh League semifinals, this Darkrai was used against Ash, where it easily defeated Heracross, Torkoal, and Gible. However, it was defeated by Ash's Sceptile in The Semi-Final Frontier!.

In Pikachu, What's This Key?, Meowth, Wobbuffet, and Inkay visited a Darkrai courtesy of Klefki's keys. Darkrai scared them out of a dark world in which it resided.

In Dream a Little Dream from Me!, a Darkrai was the source of Pikachu, Meowth, and Squishy's nightmare. Darkrai eventually left as soon as it was spotted by Ash and his friends.

Minor appearances

A Darkrai appeared in the opening sequence of Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

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.
DP189 Darkrai Dawn's Pokédex Darkrai, the Pitch-Black Pokémon. Darkrai can cause people and Pokémon to have nightmares.

GOTCHA!

A Darkrai briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Darkrai Mission Story: Pokémon Ranger Vatonage - the Comic

Darkrai plays a major role in Darkrai Mission Story: Pokémon Ranger Vatonage - the Comic.

Movie adaptations

Main article: Darkrai (M10)

Darkrai plays a major role in the manga adaptation of The Rise of Darkrai.

Phantom Thief Pokémon 7

A Darkrai has a recurring role in Phantom Thief Pokémon 7.

Pocket Monsters DP

A Darkrai appeared in PMDP19.

A Darkrai appeared in PMDP29.

Pokémon Adventures

In Phew for Mew, Sird let out a beam of light from a Poké Ball in an attempt to recapture Deoxys. When Mewtwo's attack collided with the beam, it caused Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Silver to turn to stone. In Double Trouble with Dialga and Palkia IV, the beam was revealed to have been Darkrai. In The Final Dimensional Duel VIII, Sird was revealed to have released it into the Distortion World, where it clashed with Palmer's Cresselia and was briefly controlled by Charon. After escaping from Giratina's realm, it left to parts unknown.

A Darkrai appeared as a silhouette in a fantasy in Unplugging Rotom (Heat, Wash, Mow, Fan, Frost).

In the TCG

Main article: Darkrai (TCG)

Other appearances

Darkrai trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Darkrai in Pokkén Tournament

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Darkrai appears as a trophy.

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 Dark-type Pokémon, Darkrai uses the Dark Void move, along with Embargo, which stops foes from using held items.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

Darkrai appears as a Poké Ball Pokémon. It puts fighters to sleep and damages them by using Dark Void. It also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.

Trophy information

NA: This Dark-type Pokémon can cause people and other Pokémon to experience nightmares. While it is floating in the air, it tucks its legs in so far, it looks like they vanish! In battle it will use a move called Dark Void, which sucks in surrounding opponents and puts them into a deep sleep.

PAl: A Pokémon shrouded in mystery, Darkrai has the ability to implant nightmares into the minds of both humans and Pokémon. It has legs, but seems to prefer to float in the air. Its favourite move in this game is Dark Void. When this attack hits something, it creates a vortex that sucks in fighters and puts them to sleep.

Pokkén Tournament

Main article: Darkrai (Pokkén)

Darkrai is a Battle Pokémon in the arcade and Nintendo Switch versions of Pokkén Tournament. Its moves include Dark Pulse, Dark Void, Nasty Plot, Shadow Claw, Nightmare, and Dream Eater. During Synergy Burst, it can use the Burst Attack Infinite Eclipse.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Darkrai returns as a Poké Ball summon. As before, it uses Dark Void, which puts foes to sleep and damages them. Darkrai also appears as a Spirit.

Trivia

Origin

Darkrai's appearance and abilities suggest it is based on the concept of nightmares or a mare. Resembling a shadow, it may also have been inspired by the bogeyman, the Greek god Morpheus, genies (or jinn), or the Oneiroi, namely Phobetor. It may also be based on the nocnitsa from Slavic folklore, an evil spirit that torments children with horrible nightmares, slowly draining them of their life energy with each passing night. Supposedly, the only way to protect oneself from a nocnitsa is by placing a knife or special stone underneath a pillow, similar to how victims of Darkrai's nightmares can only be woken up with the Lunar Feather. In contrast to its counterpart Cresselia's association with the crescent moon, Darkrai appears to represent the new moon.

Name origin

Darkrai may be a combination of dark and 暗い kurai (dark).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
Japan Flag.png Japanese ダークライ Darkrai From dark and 暗い kurai
France Flag.png French Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name
Spain Flag.png Spanish Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name
Germany Flag.png German Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name
Italy Flag.png Italian Darkrai Same as English/Japanese name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 다크라이 Darkrai Transcription of Japanese name
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 達克萊伊 Dákèláiyī Transcription of Japanese name
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese 達克萊伊 Daahthāklòihyī Transcription of Japanese name


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