Legendary Pokémon
Legendary Pokémon are a group of extremely rare and powerful Pokémon. In the Japanese version, there are two distinct terms used to refer to those Pokémon which are collectively called legendary in English. One, 伝説のポケモン (densetsu no Pokémon, lit. legendary Pokémon), refers to those which are featured prominently in legends, such as Groudon and Kyogre. The other, 幻のポケモン (maboroshi no Pokémon, lit. illusory Pokémon), refers to those so rarely seen that some question their very existence, such as Mew and Lugia.
In the games, the player typically has only one chance to capture a legendary Pokémon. They are genderless, with the exception of Latios and Latias. They cannot breed, and, for similar reasons, they are often banned from competitions. They are statistically some of the most powerful Pokémon in the game. They never evolve.
In the anime, legendary Pokémon are held in generally higher regard than they are in the games. They appear only to special trainers (usually the case of Ash Ketchum), and their capture can lead to the destruction of the world. As seen with Lugia, some can breed; as seen with Celebi, they are neither immortal nor invincible; and as seen with many Pokémon, some are not unique.
Very few people have actually seen legendary Pokémon. Because of their rarity, they are sought after by trainers and collectors, especially Team Rocket.
List of legendary Pokémon
There are 21 Pokémon considered to be legendary Pokémon, and there are several more with certain characteristics of Legendary Pokémon.
Generation I
The legendary Pokémon of Generation I can be broken into two groups: the Legendary Birds and the Mew-based legendary Pokémon.
Legendary Birds
There are three Legendary Birds, sometimes called Avians. As shown in the second movie, should the three birds come in contact with one another, they will fight over territory, and, left unabated, their battles will ultimately cause the end of the world. They represent nature's balance and are tied to Lugia. One of each was seen in the Orange Islands.
- Articuno is the Legendary Bird of Ice. It can be found on Seafoam Island in the Generation I games and their Generation III remakes. In addition to the one in the Orange Islands, a second one was seen in the Johto region in the episode Freeze Frame. A third one was seen in the Kanto region, with Noland in Numero Uno Articuno and The Symbol Life.
- Zapdos is the Legendary Bird of Thunder. It can be found at the Power Plant in the Generation I games and their Generation III remakes. In addition to the one in the Orange Islands, a second one was seen in the Johto region in the episode As Clear As Crystal.
- Moltres is the Legendary Bird of Fire. It can be found on Victory Road in the Generation I games, and in the Sevii Islands in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. The spirit of Moltres represents the Indigo League and its flame came alive in the episode All Fired Up.
Mew and Mewtwo
- Mew is the Psychic feline Pokémon of ancient legend. It is not obtainable by normal means in any game; however, a glitch allows the player to battle and capture Mew in Generation I. In Emerald Version, a Nintendo event gave out the Old Sea Map that would take the player to Faraway Island, where Mew could be caught. The DNA of all Pokémon can be traced back to Mew, and thus it represents the origin of life. The bubbly Mew was first seen in the first movie. Another is seen in the eighth movie.
- Mewtwo is a genetically altered clone of Mew. It can be found in the Cerulean Cave in the Generation I games and their remakes. It was statistically the most powerful Pokémon until Generation II. It is also one of the most intelligent, and can communicate freely with humans using telepathy. It is the main character of the first movie, and the Mewtwo Returns and The Birth of Mewtwo specials. It is portrayed as taking the cover of night and living amongst humans in big cities.
Generation II
Generation II featured the advent of three new groups of legendary Pokémon.
Legendary Beasts
The Legendary Beasts have variously been referred to as Legendary Dogs or Cats, but Beasts is the accepted neutral title. These speedy, powerful creatures were created by Ho-oh after the burning of Brass Tower. Because they are unable to restrain their extreme power, they race headlong around the land. They can be found racing around the Johto region in the Generation II games. One can also be found roaming Kanto, after the player gets the National Dex, in Pokémon FireRed and in Pokémon LeafGreen, depending on the Starter Pokémon the user chooses at the beginning of the game.
- Suicune is the embodiment of the North Wind. It is the Pokémon sought by Eusine in Pokémon Crystal, and is released upon the completion of the Burned Tower storyline in the games. It appears in Kanto in FireRed and LeafGreen if the player started off with Charmander. Ash encountered one at the beginning of the Johto story arc, in Don't Touch That 'Dile, again in For Ho-oh the Bells Toll, and made a brief appearance in the fourth movie.
- Entei is the embodiment of volcanoes. According to legend, one is born every time a new volcano appears. It appears in Kanto in FireRed and LeafGreen if the player started off with Bulbasaur. An Entei was seen in the Johto region, in the episode Entei at Your Own Risk. A telepathic Entei was featured in the third movie, but it was only a manifestation of Molly Hale's imagination, created by the Unown.
- Raikou is the embodiment of thunder. It appears in Kanto in FireRed and LeafGreen if the player started off with Squirtle. Raikou was twice seen in the Johto region. It was briefly seen in the episode Houndoom's Special Delivery, and also in the The Legend of Thunder! special.
Lugia and Ho-Oh
These two additional birds of legend are thought to be closely related, although they are also polar opposites. Ho-Oh is based on the Chinese phoenix, or Fènghuáng and Lugia on the Halcyon.
- Ho-Oh is the Guardian of the Skies. This Pokémon is represented by rainbows and the color gold. It is said to glow in seven colors and see into the future. Ho-Oh lived atop Tin Tower in ancient times. But when Brass Tower was burned down as a result of a war, it created Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, and all four disappeared, along with Lugia. It resides at the top of the Tin Tower in the Generation II games. In Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, Ho-Oh is found atop Navel Rock. To reach Naval Rock, one must have a Mysticticket. Ho-Oh is often seen at the beginning of a new journey, which happened to Ash twice. The spirit of Ho-Oh represents the Johto League.
- Lugia is the Guardian of the Sea. It is represented by the color silver. Lugia lived atop Brass Tower in ancient times. Lugia can be found in Whirl Islands in the Generation II games. In Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, Lugia is found beneath Navel Rock. A Dark Lugia resides in the Orre region in Pokémon XD. Lugia protects the balance of nature, and is the only creature that can pacify the battling Legendary Birds. One was seen in the second movie. Two more, a mother and a child, were seen near Silver Rock Isle at the beginning of the Whirl Cup arc of the anime.
Celebi
Although it has no relation to Mew, Celebi was dubbed the "New Mew" because of its similar size, shape, stats, and National Dex number. Because of this, it is commonly listed with Mew (and also Jirachi) in lists of legendary Pokémon.
- Celebi is the only Pokémon that can control time. It is the star of the fourth movie and was obtainable in the Japanese version of Pokémon Crystal via the now-discontinued Mobile System GB service. On the Japanese Bonus Disk for Pokémon Colosseum, Celebi was a direct download to Generation III cartriges. During Pokémon 10th Aniversary: Journey Across America, Celebi was downloadable on US Generation III cartridges. Celebi, when obtainable, is found at the Forest Shrine in Ilex Forest by bringing the GS Ball to the shrine.
Generation III
The Generation III games feature the most new Legendaries of any generation, a total of 10.
The Regis
The legendary Golem-like beasts were featured in the eighth movie as the protectors of the Tree of World's Beginning, but the true story of their history remains a mystery.
- Regirock is found in the Desert Ruins in the Generation III games when the required puzzle is solved.
- Regice is found in the Island Cave in the Generation III games after solving a puzzle.
- Registeel is found in the Ancient Tomb in the Generation III games, and, like the other two Regis, a puzzle must be solved before you reach it.
Latias and Latios
Latios and Latias (sometimes referred to, collectively, as Lati@s) are twin Dragons (one male, one female) featured in the fifth movie. Both can take the shape of humans. According to legend, they guard the water city of Alto Mare, and are revered as gods. They have a strong connection with the Soul Dew.
- Latias is found in the wild after defeating the Elite Four in Pokémon Sapphire. It changes routes whenever you do, and is considered as rare as the Legendary Beasts in Generation II. It can also be obtained in Pokémon Ruby by using the Eon Ticket obtained from Nintendo Power. In Pokémon Emerald, when his/her mom asks about a TV program after the Elite Four, it appears as in Sapphire if the player chooses Red, and as in Ruby if the player chooses Blue.
- Latios is found in the wild after defeating the Elite Four in Pokémon Ruby. It is considered as rare as the Legendary Beasts in Generation II. It can also be obtained in Pokémon Sapphire by using the Eon Ticket obtained from Nintendo Power. In Pokémon Emerald, when his/her mom asks about a TV program after the Elite Four, it appears as in Ruby if the player chooses Blue, and as in Sapphire if the player chooses Red.
The Weather-related legendary Pokémon represent the balance of nature and play a major role in the storyline of the Hoenn-based Generation III games. It is said that, at the beginning of time, Groudon raised lands and expanded continents as Kyogre expanded the seas. These Pokémon took to sleep after a cataclysmic battle, soothed by Rayquaza.
They are based on the behemoth, leviathan, and ziz of Hebrew legend.
- Kyogre is the beast who has the power to bring expand the sea by bringing forth constant rain. It is found in the Cave of Origin in Pokémon Sapphire, and Marine Cave in Emerald. It is the object of Team Aqua's reverence.
- Groudon is the beast who has the power to expand the land by scattering rain clouds and making water evaporate with light and heat. Is found in the Cave of Origin in Pokémon Ruby, and Terra Cave in Emerald. It is the object of Team Magma's reverence.
- Rayquaza is the legendary dragon found in the Sky Pillar in the Generation III games. It is the protector of the skies. It was seen in the seventh movie.
Other legendary Pokémon
- Jirachi is the legendary wish-granting Pokémon who was available from Pokémon Colosseum's bonus disk in North America and available within Pokémon Channel in the UK, Europe and Australia (PAL Encoded Regions). It is likened to Mew and Celebi. Jirachi is the star of the sixth movie.
- Deoxys is a Pokémon with strange alien and virus-like characteristics. It changes its form depending on the game version in which it is found. The Auroraticket used to obtain Deoxys has been given out in North America at the New York Pokémon Center and 2004's Pokémon Rocks America events. Two different Deoxys were featured in the seventh movie.
Pokémon with legendary characteristics
- Arcanine's species classification is Legendary.
- Unown are a mysterious species of Pokémon based on the English alphabet. Professor Oak referred to them as Legendary, probably because they were featured heavily in ancient myths and legends.
- Lucario and its master Aaron were forever revered because of their help pacifying an ancient battle, as seen in the eighth movie.
- Ancient Pokémon, such as Aerodactyl, Kabuto and Omanyte are extinct and therefore are among myth. Although it is not extinct, Relicanth is sometimes considered an ancient Pokémon.
Myths and legends involving legendary Pokémon
- Tin Tower and Brass Tower (Beasts, Ho-Oh, Lugia)
- Alto Mare (Latios, Latias)
- Ruins of Alph (Unown)
- Oldoran (Lucario and Aaron)
- Ancient Mew TCG Card
Pokémopolis
A Gengar and Alakazam, both of gigantic proportions, fought and destroyed the ancient civilization of Pokémopolis, where humans built temples to honor Pokémon. In the episode The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis, Ash and friends discovered the ancient city, and inadvertently awoke the dueling Pokémon. The giant Pokémon, which might have gone on to destroy the world, were put to sleep by a giant singing Jigglypuff.
The legend reads:
- Beware the two great Powers of Destruction. The Shadow of the Dark Device will grapple with the prisoner of the Unearthly Urn. The Sacred City will be no more as day is swallowed up by night. Darker still for you when they return to lay waste the world. But no human knows the secret to soothe the power and guide them back to the Shadow World.
Shamouti Island
An ancient prophesy circulates around the Orange Islands that says:
- Disturb not the Titans of Fire, Ice, or Lightning
- Lest these Titans wreak destruction
- Upon the world in which they clash
- Though the water's Great Guardian may arise to quell the fighting
- Alone its song shall fail
- Lest the world turn to Ash
- O Chosen One
- Into thine hands bring together all three
- The treasures combined bring the Beast of The Sea
For clarification, in the Japanese version, the word 神 (God) is used to describe the birds, not Titans.
A festival is held on Shamouti Island to honor the Chosen One, who turned out to be Ash Ketchum in the second movie.
Legend of the Regis
In addition to the Unown, braille has also been used to tell legends. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, the player can use the braille to uncover Regirock, Regice, and Registeel.
The legend, found on various rocks in the Sealed Chamber, reads:
- IN THIS CAVE WE HAVE LIVED.
- WE OWE ALL TO THE POKéMON.
- BUT, WE SEALED THE POKéMON AWAY.
- WE FEARED IT.
- THOSE WITH COURAGE, THOSE WITH HOPE.
- OPEN A DOOR. AN ETERNAL POKéMON WAITS.
