It’s absolutely incredible what’s gone on with the Pokémon series and how it continues to expand in major ways. Pokémon was immediately a success when it made its debut as a revolutionary RPG game, but it’s been able to flesh out a lovable universe through anime, movies, and other forms of media. Pokémon always finds impressive ways to push itself forward as a series, yet it carefully retains its core values and knows what to leave alone.
One area that constantly experiences changes is the variety and types of the Pokémon themselves. There has been Legendary Pokémon present since the very first games in the series, but there are some difficult truths that have gradually accompanied these special creatures.
10 They're Always Being Hunted And Are Misunderstood
A basic truth of the world of Pokémon is that the many creatures from the series, as lovable as they may be, are also primarily being hunted or subjected to battle. There’s plenty of competition and jealousy that surrounds catching regular Pokémon, so there’s understandably even greater celebration that surrounds the capture of Legendary Pokémon. There are serious bragging rights and value in Legendary Pokémon, which makes them frequent targets of organizations like Team Rocket and reduced to spectacles and largely misunderstood. It’s easy to fear or idolize these Pokémon when many just want to exist.
9 They're Often Tasked With Steep Burdens And Responsibilities
The Pokémon feature films often act as effective opportunities to shine a light on certain Legendary Pokémon, and these movies can prioritize the unique conditions that surround these elusive creatures. Legendary Pokémon often have abilities that transcend the limits of Earth, and they can function as pivotal guardians that make sure a balance is maintained in the universe. Many of the natural functions of the world are attributed to the acts of Legendary Pokémon, and there’s an unreasonable expectation placed on them all, whereas regular Pokémon can do whatever they want.
8 The Majority Of Them Don't Evolve
There are many different components of Pokémon that people gravitate towards, but the process of evolution is a defining tenet of the series. It’s particularly gratifying to train Pokémon and help them evolve, whether intentionally or when it happens as a surprise.
Evolution yields many exciting opportunities for a Pokémon, but, by and large, it’s not something that Legendary Pokémon get to appreciate. Type: Null, Kubfu, Cosmog, and Cosmoem are the only Legendary Pokémon to evolve, with the rationale perhaps being that most Legendaries are strong enough without more advanced forms.
7 Other Pokémon Fear Them
There’s an inherent disconnect that exists between Legendary Pokémon and humans, but there are also tricky power dynamics that exist between Legendaries and other Pokémon. There’s definitely a sense of camaraderie that can form between similar Pokémon, but Legendary creatures tend to be segregated and hidden away. Regular Pokémon aren’t as exposed to Legendaries as a result, and it’s natural for them to fear these creatures and develop complicated feelings towards them. They don’t deserve to be viewed differently than any other Pokémon, yet labeling is unavoidable.
6 Gender Is Usually Removed From The Equation
The Pokémon series has been able to deepen in impressive ways, and there are now many factors to consider when it comes to a Pokémon’s progress. Gender has been added to the equation, and some Pokémon can only be obtained through specific breeding combinations. Gender is oddly an element that Legendary Pokémon seem to be above in some respects. Most Legendary Pokémon are without gender, and there’s only a handful of exceptions. Furthermore, many of these Legendaries have restrictions and can only be male or female. It’s only Heatran, Kubfu, and Urshifu that have complete freedom in the area.
5 There Aren't Any Bug-Type Legendaries
Another exciting element of Pokémon is the many different types that exist, as well as their corresponding strengths and weaknesses, and how they contribute to battle strategy. New Pokémon types have slowly been introduced, but when it comes to Legendary Pokémon, the majority fall into the Psychic- and Dragon-Type categories.
Despite this, various Legendaries have covered most of the Pokémon spectrum, but there still aren’t any Legendary Bug-Type Pokémon. One of Silvally’s alternate forms is a Bug-Type Pokémon, but it’s not the same.
4 They Don't Have More Of Their Kind To Be Around
Part of what makes Legendary Pokémon such a big deal in the first place is that they represent some of the rarest and most elusive of creatures in the world. This means that a trainer isn’t just going to stumble upon a herd of Mewtwo or Rayquaza. There’s something to be said about individuality and being unique, but Pokémon seem to find such pleasure in playing around with more of their own kind. It helps them learn more about themselves and eliminate the idea that they’re some kind of “other,” which is much easier for a Legendary Pokémon to internalize.
3 Gigantamax Forms Are Off The Table
One of the major developments that has entered Pokémon is the existence of Gigantamax forms, which riff on the popular concept of evolution but are less permanent. Gigantamax forms give plenty of neglected Pokémon a new purpose, and they’re an exceptional way to get more mileage out of a Pokémon. Unfortunately, Urshifu is the only Legendary Pokémon that has a Gigantamax form, and it’s primarily not something that these beasts get to enjoy. Similarly, Mega Evolution is also very rare for Legendaries, and it’s only Mewtwo, Rayquaza, Latias, and Latios that can do it.
2 It’s Unlikely They’ll Be Included In A Main Character’s Pokémon Party In The Anime
One way in which Pokémon can gain popularity is by entering Ash’s party or becoming a permanent Pokémon partner of one of his companions. The extravagant nature of Legendary Pokémon and the way in which the anime keeps them away at arm’s reach means that it’s unlikely that Legendaries will receive regular attention as central Pokémon. Admittedly, Goh has captured a Suicine, but it remains in the wild, which just further speaks to this principle. Sometimes, supporting trainers make use of Legendary Pokémon, but it's a practice that's never normalized, and they remain mystified.
1 They Can Often Get Lumped In With Mythical And Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon
It’s a significant honor to be a Legendary Pokémon, and it helps these special Pokémon stand out when there are now nearly 1000 unique creatures in the mix. Pokémon frequently gives into temptation and introduces more Legendary Pokémon, but they’ve also come up with Mythical Pokémon and Pseudo-Legendaries, which frequently get confused for the real thing. There’s no need for these ambiguous tiers, and, in the end, it just diminishes Legendaries and elevates the imitators. All of these Pokémon just get lumped together, and it makes them all seem less remarkable than they really are.