The quirky Pokémon series has found massive success ever since its debut in the ‘90s, but it’s truly impressive how the franchise continues to grow bigger and expand its scope in major ways. Pokémon has been able to extend its brand into a trading card game, multiple spin-off titles, as well as an anime adaptation that’s collectively put out over 1000 episodes.
It’s interesting how the Pokémon anime follows certain events from the video games, as well as how it introduces its own lore that can either fit with the existing canon or come in opposition to it. Each new Pokémon release introduces more unique creatures, but there are also several variants that have entered the picture. The Pokémon anime pushes this idea even further, and there are some rare Pokémon varieties that are exclusive to the anime series.
10 The Pinkan Island Pokémon Emphasize The Importance Of The Creatures’ Diet
Pokémon games have gradually become more detailed and have incorporated a number of conditions that play factors in a Pokémon’s development and evolution. Details like a Pokémon’s diet and temperament are now increasingly important. The Pokémon anime series explores this premise way before it’s a vital aspect of the video games. Ash and company make a visit to Pinkan Island during their Orange Island adventures. The island is filled with Pokémon that have a uniquely pink complexion. This contrasting look is the result of pink fruit on the island, and it’s made these Pokémon very popular in the poaching community.
9 Keenan’s Golden Sudowoodo Becomes The Talk Of The Town
Some of the most exciting Pokémon designs from the series come forward during Generation II’s Johto region, which helps establish a broader range of the species. Sudowoodo is one of the more memorable Johto Pokémon, but the Pokémon receives a special showcase in the anime, Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire. Ash becomes one of many people obsessed with a golden version of Sudowoodo, which turns out to already have a master, Keenan. This Sudowoodo’s unique look is the result of Keenan’s experiments to cure his Sudowoodo’s fear of water.
8 The Rare Crystal Onix Is Both A Visual Marvel & Serves A Practical Purpose
Onix has been around since the very beginning of the Pokémon series, and it’s a Pokémon that’s received a lot of attention over the years due to the Rock-type Pokémon’s prominent position in Brock’s party. One of the more fascinating variants on the Gen I Pokémon is a Crystal Onix that becomes the obsession of a sculptor in the anime series.
This artist uses the Crystal Onix as inspiration for his next piece. Curiously, this Crystal Onix is resistant to water, unlike the average Onix, but is now susceptible to Fire-type attacks. The Pokémon games still don’t have a Crystal-type.
7 Snorlax’s Snowman Form, Snowlax, Turns Into An Icy Pokémon Protector
There are many feature films that expand upon the standard Pokémon anime series, but in addition to these longer movies are a number of corresponding short films that showcase sillier Pokémon antics without the presence of human trainers. One of the Pikachu’s Winter Vacation shorts introduces the idea of a “Snowlax,” which is a Snorlax that’s made out of snow and comes to life at night. This Snorlax variation has a light blue hue, but it also stands to reason that it possesses Ice-type attacks.
6 The Elusive Red Genesect Is The Natural Leader To An Already Dangerous Creature
The Pokémon movies are able to engage in epic stories, most of which act as opportunities to showcase the series’ more dangerous Legendary or Mythical Pokémon. Genesect and the Legend Awakened is one of the better Pokémon movies, and it digs into the lore that surrounds the ancient time-traveling Pokémon, Genesect. There’s a special Red Genesect variant that shows up in both the movie and later the anime series and functions as the group’s leader. This Red Genesect is faster than the rest of its pack and is a unique take on the idea of a Shiny variant.
5 Pikala’s Boss Pikachu Has Endless Style To Match Its Electrical Strength
There is a wide range of Pokémon that have become fan favorites and helped bring new people into the series, but it’s hard to top the enthusiasm that’s associated with Pikachu, Pokémon’s de facto mascot. Accordingly, the anime series has done a lot with the popular Pokémon and highlighted some creative variations on the Electric-type Pokémon.
An exciting detour brings Pikachu to Pikachu Valley and Pikala’s obedient bevy of Pikachu. Pikala’s prize Pokémon is a Pikachu that she’s nicknamed "boss," who sports a fancy pompadour and plenty of attitude. It’s as stylish as it is hungry for battle.
4 The Ancient Pokémon Of Pokémopolis Are Covered With Mysterious Markings
The Pokémon video games often contain rudimentary puzzles that act as means to gate-keep players from new areas or special Pokémon. The Pokémon anime does a decent job to translate these riddles and obstacles into exciting storylines, and an early adventure for Ash and company is the Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis. The Kanto region relic results in the summoning of gigantic versions of select Pokémon that are covered in ancient tribal markings. An enormous Alakazam, Gengar, and Jigglypuff are the centerpieces for these unusual variants, but they differ from basic Gigantamax transformations.
3 The Picky Pink Butterfree Precedes Pokémon’s Colorful Variants
Color-based variants have become fairly normal occurrences in Pokémon, but before this practice becomes commonplace there’s a unique example of it early on in the Pokémon anime. One of the most emotional installments from the series’ initial run of episodes is “Bye Bye Butterfree,” where Ash bids farewell to one of his very first Pokémon. The anime features a pink Butterfree to hammer in the fact that this is a female variant and possible romantic suitor for Ash’s Butterfree. It’s a stylistic decision to help differentiate the two Butterfree, but it’s still a fetching design.
2 Pokémon’s Very First Episode Debuts A Golden Variation Of The Legendary Ho-Oh
The Pokémon anime has covered a tremendous amount of ground since its debut, but the very first episode is a satisfying introduction that also teases a rare Pokémon variant that's fueled speculation for years. Ash glimpses a golden Ho-Oh in the first Pokémon episode, even though the Legendary Pokémon doesn’t make its official debut until Generation II. Ho-Oh’s Pokédex entry talks about its seven colors that make up rainbows, but it doesn’t mention gold. It’s possible to think of this variant as one of the first Shiny Pokémon before they’re properly a part of the series.
1 Victor’s Pi-Kahuna, Puka, Is The Original Surfing Pikachu
The Pokémon anime loves to play around with Pikachu and demonstrate why Ash’s favorite Pokémon is such a lovable and versatile creature. Ash encounters another Pikachu trainer named Victor early on in the series, yet he’s surprised by his Pikachu’s unique abilities. Victor’s Pikachu, Puka, is a highly skilled surfer, but he also has piercing blue eyes that seem to carry years of baggage within them. Puka predates the whole Surfing Pikachu phenomenon, but he also looks different and exudes a powerful aura beyond his extra skills on the water.