Terminology of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
This is the terminology of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, explaining how terms such as "Legendary Pokémon" and "Mythical Pokémon" are used in Pokémon media.
Overview
In Japanese media, Legendary Pokémon (Japanese: 伝説のポケモン Legendary Pokémon) and Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Illusory Pokémon) have always been presented as distinct groups. The concept of Legendary Pokémon was introduced in the Japanese Pokémon Red and Green; the concept of Mythical Pokémon was introduced in the May 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comic which announced the first Mew giveaway, and was first used in the games in the Japanese Pokémon Blue.
In non-Japanese media prior to Generation V, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon were both considered to be Legendary Pokémon, and the term Mythical Pokémon was unused. In English, the term Rare Pokémon was first used in Pokémon Snap as a translation of the Japanese term used for Mythical Pokémon, in this case referring specifically to Mew. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Mythical Pokémon are known as Rare Pokémon as well while being distinguished from Legendary Pokémon.
Since Generation V, the two groups have been presented as distinct groups in all official media. For example, several games since have promoted that every Legendary Pokémon can be obtained in a particular set of games, even though not all Mythical Pokémon can be.
In English, from Generations I to V, "legendary Pokémon" and (after its introduction in Generation V) "mythical Pokémon" were uncapitalized. Since Generation VI, both terms have always been capitalized as proper nouns.
The Legendary or Mythical classification of each Pokémon is found in the internal data of Pokémon Scarlet, Violet, and GO. However, Shiinotic instead of Marshadow is classified as a Mythical Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, possibly owing to the fact that the two Pokémon have similar Japanese names (マシェード Mashade and マーシャドー Marshadow) and that both Pokémon are unavailable in Scarlet and Violet.
In the core series games
Generation I
In Japanese games from Pokémon Blue onward, some of Dratini and Mew's Pokédex entries mention the concept of Mythical Pokémon. This was translated to English as "mythical", "myth", or "mirage".
Dratini's Pokédex entries:
- 「ながいあいだ まぼろしの ポケモンと よばれた。わずかだが すいちゅうに すんでいることが わかった。」 (For a long time, it was called a Mythical Pokémon. No more than a few are known to live underwater.)BLG
- 「長らく 幻と されていたが 最近 釣りあげられて その 存在が 確認された。」 (Long time thought to be Mythical, it was fished recently, confirming its existence.)YPE
Mew's Pokédex entry:
- 「いまでも まぼろしの ポケモンと いわれる。そのすがたを みたものは ぜんこくでも ほとんど いない。」 (It is still called a Mythical Pokémon. Its shape was seen by almost no one in the entire country.)BLG
Even though it is not a Legendary Pokémon, Arcanine's category is "Legendary Pokémon" (Japanese: でんせつのポケモン). Starting in Japanese Pokémon Red and Green, Arcanine's Pokédex entries in several generations state that Arcanine is legendary in China or in the East (the latter only in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!). Even in later games after the introduction of capitalized "Legendary Pokémon", Arcanine's English Pokédex entries still use lowercase "legendary", although there is no such distinction in the Japanese entries.
Lance's quote
In Generation I games, their Generation III and VII remakes, and in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Lance says a quote including the word 「伝説」 (the same word used for Legendary Pokémon).
This quote remained unchanged in the Japanese games. However, it has been translated in different ways, including the word "mythical" in early games, which was later replaced by "legendary" and then "spoken of in legends":
Generation II
In Gold, Silver, and Crystal games and their Generation IV remakes Heart Gold and Soul Silver, non-player characters in Olivine City refer to Lugia using the expression "god of the sea" (Japanese: うみのかみさま), which was localized to English as "mythical sea creature".
In these games, Blackthorn Gym's guide says a line about Clair's Dragon-type Pokémon, which is similar to Lance's quote from the previous generation. Once again, the Japanese word for Legendary Pokémon was used, but translated into English as "mythical" instead:
- 「イブキが つかう ポケモンは でんせつの いきもの せいなる ドラゴン ポケモン！」 (Ibuki uses Pokémon that are legendary creatures, the sacred dragon Pokémon!)
- "Clair uses the mythical and sacred dragon-type Pokémon."
On the official Japanese Pokémon website, from as early as 2002, a webpage titled "Pokémon not appearing in the games" (ゲームにでてこないポケモンについて) explained that Mew and Celebi are Mythical Pokémon that do not appear in the games, instead only being obtainable via Nintendo events.
Generation III
In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald and their Generation VI remakes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, there is a painting of a Legendary Pokémon. The painting was unidentified in the original games, but it is visually shown to be Arceus in the remakes. Despite Arceus being a Mythical Pokémon, the remakes still use the text from previous games, referring to the painting as a Legendary Pokémon in both English and Japanese.
- 「昔の 人が 想像で 描いた 伝説の ポケモンの 絵だ!」 (A person from ancient times painted this Legendary Pokémon from imagination!)RSEORAS
Generation IV
Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
Professor Rowan refers to Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf as mirage Pokémon in the localization, (Japanese: まぼろしのポケモン Mythical Pokémon), using the Japanese term for Mythical Pokémon. This happens in the Canalave Library, but he also refers to them as legendary Pokémon later, at Lake Verity.
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum as well as their Generation VIII remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Cyrus refers to Dialga and Palkia as "mythical Pokémon" (Japanese: 神話のポケモン Mythical Pokémon). However, this predates the primary use of the term Mythical Pokémon in English and has a different name from "Mythical Pokémon" in all languages other than English. Additionally, it is always uncapitalized in English, in contrast to "Mythical Pokémon", which has been capitalized in English since Generation VI. In Pokémon HOME for Nintendo Switch, the Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Research Task "Pokémon of Myth" uses this term as its title in all languages other than English and French (in English, the term was presumably localized differently to prevent confusion with Mythical Pokémon; the French title of the Research Task appears to be based on the English localization).
Heatran is referred to as a Legendary Pokémon in Japanese. This was originally translated as "mythical Pokémon" but was later changed to "Legendary Pokémon" in the remakes:
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Kyogre's Pokédex entry in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver refers to it as a "mythical Pokémon" (しんわの ポケモン), but the term used in Japanese is unrelated to Mythical Pokémon.
In the Cliff Edge Gate, Chuck refers to Kyogre and Groudon as "the mythical Pokémon that stretched the seas and... widened the lands". However, his Japanese dialogue mentions「ポケモンたちの しんわ」 (myths about Pokémon), not specifically mythical Pokémon.
Generation V
Pokémon Black and White
In Pokémon Black and White, at the Challenger's Cave, Ace Trainer Beverly mentions an unidentified (lowercase) legendary Pokémon and its student even though no Legendary Pokémon appears in this cave.
English dialogue:
- "Oh, are you the legendary Pokémon that is said to live here?"
- "You startled me. You are a person!"
- "In the story I know, the legendary Pokémon was training its student Pokémon."
- "These Pokémon were born on the same day and raised together!"
Japanese dialogue:
- 「あっ あなたが ここに 暮らす 伝説の ポケモンなの！？」
- 「おどろいた あなた 人だよね」
- 「わたしが 知っている 話では 伝説の ポケモンは 弟子の ポケモンを 鍛えていたそうよ」
- 「同じ日に この世に生まれ 共に育った ポケモンだぜ！」
Generation VI
In Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire, a non-player character mentions the "Mythical Pokémon Diancie" in the cutscene where the player receives the Diancite.
In pre-release material for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, it was advertised that all Legendary Pokémon could be obtained between Pokémon X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire.[1] This does not apply to Mythical Pokémon.
Pokémon X and Y
A Move Tutor refers to Keldeo and Meloetta as "Pokémon that people call Mythical".
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
In the Mossdeep Space Center, a non-player character mentions the "Mythical Pokémon that lives in space: Deoxys".
The "Explorations of the Ancient World" program from TV Mauville mentions at three different points the lowercase adjective "a mythical Volcanion".
A Move Tutor refers to Hoopa as a Mythical Pokémon. Unlike in the previous games, Keldeo and Meloetta's Move Tutor does not mention that they are Mythical Pokémon.
Generation VII
Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
Mythical and Legendary Pokémon are mentioned in the Global Trade System: "Do you want to include people who are seeking Mythical or Legendary Pokémon?"
A Move Tutor refers to Keldeo and Meloetta as Mythical Pokémon.
Generation VIII
Pokémon Sword and Shield
In promotional material for The Crown Tundra expansion of Pokémon Sword and Shield, it was advertised that after its release, all Legendary Pokémon could be obtained in Sword and Shield.[2] This does not apply to Mythical Pokémon.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
The official English website of Pokémon Legends: Arceus used to refer to Arceus as a Legendary Pokémon, which was later corrected to Mythical Pokémon on September 28, 2021.[3] It was always referred to as a Mythical Pokémon on the Japanese website.[4]
Generation IX
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
In the internal data of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Shiinotic is defined as a Mythical Pokémon instead of Marshadow. This is likely due to a typo between their internal names, with 「マシェード」 Mashēdo (Shiinotic) being mistaken for 「マーシャドー」 Māshadō (Marshadow).[5]
In the side series games
Pokémon Stadium series
In Pokémon Stadium, Mew's Pokédex entry refers to it as a (lowercase) "mythical Pokémon" (Japanese: まぼろしのポケモン).
The Japanese version of this entry was originally introduced in the earlier Japan-only game Pokémon Stadium.
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Snap
In Pokémon Snap, Mew is referred to as a Rare Pokémon (Japanese: まぼろしのポケモン), with the Japanese version using the same term that was later known as Mythical Pokémon. However, the term "Legendary Pokémon" is not mentioned in the game dialogue even though some Legendary Pokémon are found in-game.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team, if the player refuses Latios's offer to join their team twice, Alakazam will say Latios and Latias are Pokémon so rarely seen, they are considered legendary; however, this was localized as mythical.
- 「ラティオス ラティアスと いえば でんせつに なるぐらい めったに いないポケ毛ンだ。」(Latios and Latias are so rare that they came to be considered Legendary Pokémon.)
- "Latios and Latias are Pokémon so rarely seen that they are considered mythical."
The equivalent line does not exist in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, as it is impossible to refuse the offer in the remake.
Pokémon Masters EX
In Pokémon Masters EX, Arceus is called a Legendary Pokémon (Japanese: 伝説のポケモン Legendary Pokémon) by Norman in the "Challenge the Normal Types" Daily Type Rotation event.
Pokémon Ranger series
In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Mythical Pokémon are referred to as Rare Pokémon. For instance, in the sentence: "Rare Pokémon Celebi appeared!"
In this game, Phione is classified as a regular Pokémon (not Legendary or Mythical).
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Melee
In Super Smash Bros. Melee, the lowercase "legendary Pokémon" appears in the trophy descriptions of Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. In Event 37: Legendary Pokémon, the event description also mentions this lowercase word: "A slew of legendary Pokémon are all the help you'll get!"
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Darkrai is referred to with the lowercase "legendary Pokémon" in the English description of its trophy. However, the Japanese version correctly calls it 幻のポケモン (Mythical Pokémon).
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, the American version of the Master Ball's trophy does not state which kinds of Pokémon come from the item. However, the European version is more faithful to the Japanese text, mentioning "Mythical or Legendary Pokémon" (Japanese: 伝説や幻のポケモン Legendary and Mythical Pokémon).
In the American version, Mew and Shaymin's trophies call them Legendary Pokémon. This was corrected in the European version, calling them Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Mythical Pokémon).
Pokémon Trading Card Game series
In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, the Legendary Cards (Japanese: 伝説のポケモンカード Legendary Pokémon Cards) refer to a Dragonite card and three cards of the legendary birds:
Legendary Cards
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The Phantom Cards (Japanese: まぼろしのカード Illusory Cards) use the same Japanese term as Mythical Pokémon. They refer to cards obtainable only by interacting with friends via Card Pop!.
In Pokémon Trading Card Game, there are two Phantom Cards: Venusaur and Mew. In Pokémon Trading Card Game 2: The Invasion of Team GR!, there are four Phantom Cards: the same two cards from the previous game, as well as Lugia and Here Comes Team Rocket!.
Phantom Cards
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In the guidebooks
Pokémon Ultimate Handbook
The Pokémon Ultimate Handbook predates the split between Legendary and Mythical Pokémon in English, and therefore it classifies both groups under the same label of "Legendary Pokémon". Additionally, Delibird and Rotom are said to be Legendary Pokémon as well.
Most pages are about multiple Pokémon, except the Legendary Pokémon, as well as Rotom, Spinda, and Spiritomb, each having its own page with a starry background and a glow around the box stating its species name and category. However, Spinda and Spiritomb are not claimed to be Legendary Pokémon. Even though Delibird is claimed to be a Legendary Pokémon and it has the glow around the species box, it shares a page with another Pokémon (Delcatty, the preceding Pokémon in alphabetical order) and lacks the starry background. There is a 3-page feature about Darkrai, but it is not stated to be a Legendary Pokémon.
There is a "Legendary Lineup" section at the end of the book, listing the Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (all classified as Legendary Pokémon). Darkrai is missing from this list, while Rotom is present.
In animation
Pokémon the Series
In Pokémon Emergency!, there is an engraving of Legendary Pokémon, specifically the legendary birds Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos, as well as Arcanine. Even though Arcanine is not actually a Legendary Pokémon, this is likely related to Arcanine's category and Pokédex entries referring to it as one.
The Japanese title of Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One calls Lugia 「幻のポケモン」 (Mythical Pokémon).
In Spell of the Unown: Entei, it is specifically said that Unown is a Legendary Pokémon, and it is shown in Molly Hale's book about Legendary Pokémon. Unown's power (in large numbers, at least) appears to match that of Legendary Pokémon. In an early trailer for this movie, the narrator refers to Unown as "more legendary than Lugia, more mysterious than Mew".
In Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Arceus is said to be a Legendary Pokémon. This is the only instance of a Mythical Pokémon being called "Legendary" in the English dialogue from a Pokémon movie. However, both Manaphy and Arceus are called "Legendary" in the English marketing blurbs for their respective movies (Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea and Arceus and the Jewel of Life, respectively).
In the manga
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
In Chuang Yi's translation of The Hunt for Mew the Phantom Pokémon!!, the term "Phantom Pokémon" (Japanese: 幻のポケモン, which would later be translated as Mythical Pokémon) was introduced as an epithet specifically for Mew, since there were no other Mythical Pokémon at the time.
Pokémon Adventures
Red, Green & Blue arc
In Chuang Yi's translation of A Glimpse of the Glow, the term "Phantom Pokémon" (Japanese: 幻のポケモン, which would later be translated as Mythical Pokémon) is also used to refer to Mew.
Platinum arc
Even though Rotom is not a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, it is mentioned in the list of Sinnoh's Legendary and Mythical Pokémon from Charon's notebook in Unplugging Rotom (Heat, Wash, Mow, Fan, Frost). Lucian also lists Rotom among Sinnoh's Legendary and Mythical Pokémon when doing research on them in Tackling Togekiss.
In the novels
Pocket Monsters: The Animation
In Pocket Monsters: The Animation, the distinction between Legendary and Mythical Pokémon is said to be unclear.
It is argued that Dragonair and Dragonite can be possibly considered Mythical Pokémon because dragons are mythical creatures. It is also argued that Legendary Pokémon such as Articuno and Moltres may be considered to be a different category because their Japanese names are based on English words.
Trivia
- An event-exclusive Mythical Pokémon that later becomes available through normal gameplay retains its Mythical status. For instance, Deoxys was introduced as an event-exclusive Pokémon in Generation III, but it was still called a Mythical Pokémon in dialogue in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the first core series game where it was obtainable outside of events.
See also
References
- ↑ November 2014 CoroCoro Comic (Bulbanews)
- ↑ | New features added in The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra | Pokémon Sword and Shield Official Website
- ↑ Archive of Pokémon Legends: Arceus official website (August 18, 2021; September 28, 2021)
- ↑ Pokémon LEGENDS アルセウス
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Sibuna_Switch/status/1613414136079323137
