Mythical Pokémon
Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Illusory Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon seen so rarely in the Pokémon world that some question their very existence. This category mostly consists of event Pokémon, with the exception of Deoxys. Mythical Pokémon were considered to be Legendary Pokémon prior to Generation V in non-Japanese media, but are now considered a separate, related group of Pokémon.
Overview
Mythical Pokémon are regarded as among the rarest in Pokémon World mythology. Some are seemingly unknown to most people, while others are thought of as stuff of legends. They typically receive minimum exposure during normal gameplay, usually being revealed to players months or years after the debut of their respective generation. Upon being revealed, they are celebrated across the numerous media, often starring in movies and being featured prominently in merchandise. They are distributed to players in special occasions such as screenings of Pokémon movies, events in retail stores, online distributions, or spin-off games that feature special connectivity. No Mythical Pokémon is required to complete the Pokédex.
List of Mythical Pokémon
Generation I
Mew
Mew (Japanese: ミュウ Mew) is a Psychic-type Pokémon known as the New Species Pokémon. It is believed to contain the genetic codes of all Pokémon in its DNA. Initially thought to be extinct, a scientific team has reported sightings of it in Guyana. Mewtwo was created after a series of experiments based on Mew, and is thus considered to be part of a legendary duo with it.
Mew established the convention of Mythical Pokémon with its release in Red and Green. Its base stat total of 600 and stat distribution of 100 to each stat also created a trend followed by several Mythical Pokémon released later in the series. Pokémon following this trend include Celebi, Jirachi, Manaphy, Land Forme Shaymin, and Victini.
Designed by Shigeki Morimoto, it was initially unavailable and unknown to players, before being revealed by Satoshi Tajiri in the spring of 1996 in an issue of CoroCoro Comic. Initially, a lottery was held to distribute the Pokémon experimentally to a limited number of players, and a promotional card was included in the January issue of CoroCoro Comic. Supposed methods of obtaining Mew, passed on through word-of-mouth, contributed to the success of the Pokémon series. Its success was mirrored in the west with the eventual release of Red and Blue, making Mew a prominent character of the first generation, co-starring in the first animated movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back.
Generation II
Celebi
Celebi (Japanese: セレビィ Celebi) is a Psychic and Grass-type Pokémon known as the Time Travel Pokémon. It is referred to as the guardian of forests, protecting and nourishing them as it travels through time. It shares a special connection with Ilex Forest and the GS Ball, which is referred to as a gift that transcends time.
Introduced in Gold and Silver, Celebi was the second Mythical Pokémon to be released. Created by Ken Sugimori, it was dubbed the "New Mew" soon after being revealed because of its similar size and stats with Mew, as well as the status of being the last in the National Pokédex as of its generation and being unobtainable through normal gameplay. It first became available in Nintendo Space World 2000 in Japan, with numerous other events coming in the following years worldwide. Celebi was the first Mythical Pokémon to obtain an in-game event in Crystal, through the GS Ball key item, which was distributed over Pokémon Mobile System GB. It starred in the fourth Pokémon movie, Celebi: Voice of the Forest and much like Mew before it attained a cultural phenomenon status within the Pokémon communities.
Generation III
Jirachi
Jirachi (Japanese: ジラーチ Jirachi) is a Steel and Psychic-type Pokémon known as the Wish Pokémon. It is said to able to grant any wishes written on the tags on its head once awake. It only wakes up for seven days once every thousand years. If in danger, it will fight without waking up.
Jirachi was introduced in Ruby and Sapphire and succeeded Mew and Celebi as a Psychic-type, base 600 Mythical Pokémon. It was revealed in 2003 in the context of the sixth movie, Jirachi: Wish Maker, in which it starred. It first became available in Japan to players who pre-ordered tickets to the movie, with other limited distribution events following throughout the year. Its distribution in the west was altered, as it was included in the Pokémon Colosseum Bonus Disc in USA and in Pokémon Channel in Europe and Australia. Unlike its predecessors, Jirachi does not have an extensive story or event in the core games, with its lore limited to a few indirect references.
Jirachi is heavily connected to the real-world Japanese festival of Tanabata, with several distributions occurring in celebration of the event.
Deoxys
Deoxys (Japanese: デオキシス Deoxys) is a Psychic-type Pokémon known as the DNA Pokémon. It mutated from a space virus when exposed to a laser beam. It is able to change its form, altering its appearance and traits. The crystal on its chests acts as its brain, as well as a defense mechanism.
Although it retained a base stat total of 600, Deoxys was the first Mythical Pokémon to have a base stat distribution other than 100 in every stat. Additionally, Deoxys introduced the concept of form differences which altered the distribution of stats.
In spite of being included in the preceding games, Ruby and Sapphire, Deoxys was first made available in FireRed and LeafGreen. Officially revealed in late 2003 as a leading character in Destiny Deoxys, players gained were first able to capture Deoxys by use of the Aurora Ticket, which provided access to Birth Island, where Deoxys appears in-game.
While Deoxys originally had little impact on the story of Generation III, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire introduced the Delta Episode, a mission following the player's first completion of the Hoenn League, in which the player must stop a meteor from hitting the planet by destroying it with Rayquaza, revealing Deoxys within. This marked the first time a Mythical Pokémon was available in-game without the need to attend an event or use a download code.
Contrary to its classification in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, PokémonCenter.com notably calls Deoxys a Legendary Pokémon rather than a Mythical Pokémon, creating some confusion over its official designation.
In other languages
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