It has taken a long time for Ghost-types to get a substantial roster with a bit of depth, but after eight generations of Pokémon, it is now a reality. Going back to Gen I when the only Ghost-types were Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar, belonging to one evolution line, the mysterious typing is now at a stage where it can be analyzed and have its Pokémon compared with one another.
Ghost-types are arguably utilized better in the games than in the anime, with frustrating status moves and switch-ins to make certain moves ineffective, but several Ghost-types have also put on strong showings throughout the Pokémon anime.
10 Sableye Is Mischievous But Can Also Be Dangerous When It Needs To Be
As a dual Dark-Ghost type, Sableye is known as a mischievous Pokémon, with one causing havoc and having fun at the expense of Ash and friends in the anime.
In Sun & Moon, Ula'ula Kahuna Nanu uses a Sableye against Ash in his Grand Trial match. Nanu focuses on Dark-types, but he has Sableye use Shadow Ball, Shadow Claw, and Shadow Sneak, all of which are Ghost moves. This causes Lycanroc plenty of problems, especially as a Mean Look prevents it from being recalled.
9 Golurk Has A Unique Move-Set & Can Fly
Introduced in Gen V, Golurk is an interesting combination of Ground and Ghost types, which despite giving it immunity to 3 types, it does give it 5 different-type weaknesses. In the Sun & Moon anime, Hapu, the Poni Island Kahuna who specializes in Ground-type Pokémon, has one which manages to defeat Ash's Pikachu.
Despite this, Hapu doesn't use it in the Grand Trial battle with Ash, instead electing to only use her Mudsdale. In Pokémon Journeys, Goh manages to catch a Golurk, after they defeat one in a raid battle.
8 Fantina's Driflbim Caused Ash A Whole Host Of Problems On More Than One Occasion
During his Sinnoh adventures, Ash has two run-ins with the Hearthome Gym Leader, Fantina. In their first friendly battle, her Drifloon causes Ash all sorts of problems, mainly revolving around Hypnosis, but it also happens to evolve into Drifblim mid-battle which ultimately leads to Ash forfeiting the bout when Pikachu is rendered asleep.
Fantina's Drifblim once again defeats Ash's Pikachu and Buizel in the Gym battle rematch, before eventually losing to Ash's Chimchar. Its move-pool of Ominous Wind, Will-O-Wisp, Hypnosis and Psychic makes it a tricky Ghost-type Pokémon and opponent.
7 Kiawe's Alolan Marowak Had A Temper But Always Fought Hard For Him
Alolan Marowak is one of Kiawe's trusted Pokémon along with Turtonator and Charizard in the Sun & Moon anime. It initially defeated Kiawe's Turtonator but opted to join his team after it lost the rematch. Despite being a rather brash and angry Pokémon, Marowak earns Kiawe some big wins, including one against Acerola's Gengar in the first round of the Manalo Conference.
It even puts up a great fight against Gladion and his Lycanroc, before finally losing to repeated Stone Edges. Alolan Marowak's dual Ghost-Fire typing arguably makes it much more of a threat in battles than its original Ground-type form, with it having 7 type resistances compared to the original's 2.
6 Hau's Decidueye Was A Tricky Opponent For Ash
One of many fine examples of Ghost-type Pokémon in the Sun & Moon anime, Hau's fully evolved Decidueye has a friendly yet competitive rivalry with Ash's Rowlet, the first form of the evolution line, with the latter eventually winning at the Manalo Conference, spelling defeat for Hau and victory for Ash.
Decidueye arguably deserved more screen time in the anime, whether that means with Hau in battle or with another trainer. Having a part Ghost-type as one of the starters is unique in the Pokémon franchise, and its cool design and move-pool deserve to be showcased more.
5 A Trick Room Dusknoir Spells Danger For Any Opponent
At the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh, Ash's battle against Conway was an interesting one, with Conway showing plenty of tactical genius. One such example of that genius was when he had his Dusknoir use Trick Room. No one seemed to know what Trick Room did until Dusknoir suddenly became fast and was attacking before Ash's Pokémon, and it suddenly became clear.
Due to this Trick Room strategy, Conway's Dusknoir single-handedly turned the battle on its head, using its newfound priority attacks mixed with its strong offense to bring it down to a 1-on-1 with Ash's Gible. It ultimately lost, but this battle showcased how lethal a Dusknoir can be.
4 Misdreavus & Mismagius Can Cause Havoc In Matches Despite Not Being The Strongest
Ash has had some trouble with the Misdreavus-line, Misdreavus and Mismagius, on his two main run-ins with the Ghost-types. First of all, a Misdreavus belonging to a trainer named Katie surprised everyone by using Destiny Bond during the match with Ash at the Ever Grande Conference in Hoenn, which took down Ash's Glalie with it, as it was knocked out.
Its evolved form, Mismagius, also fought against Ash, but for Hearthome Gym Leader Fantina in Sinnoh, where it was part of a strong Ghost-type team that very nearly defeated Ash's team.
3 Giratina's Ominous Presence In The Movies Makes It One Of The Most Dangerous Ghost-Types
The events of The Rise Of Darkrai cleverly lead into the next Pokémon movie, Giratina and the Sky Warrior, with Giratina being affected by the aftermath of Palkia and Dialga's fighting. This makes for a vengeful Giratina, spanning further into the next movie, Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
Across both movies, it showcases its strength, driven by this sense of vengeance, using Will-O-Wisp, Aura Sphere, Shadow Force, and Dragon Claw. It even fights alongside Palkia and Dialga when it has to, against Arceus.
2 Jessie's Mimkyu Was Chaotic But Acerola's Mimikins Was Adorable
Mimikyu is a rather unique Pokémon that was introduced to the franchise in Gen VII. In the Sun & Moon series, it cemented itself as one of Team Rocket's most powerful Pokémon ever, as it had a burning hatred for Pikachu. This hatred could cause it to go out of control and disobey Jessie, but it made it a formidable opponent nonetheless.
As a dual Fairy-Ghost type, it only has two weaknesses, Ghost and Steel. Acerola, another trainer from the Sun & Moon anime, specialized in Ghost-type Pokémon and had a Mimikyu of her own, called Mimikins.
1 Gengar Is Easily The Best & Most Used Ghost-Type In The Anime
Gengar is the original and only strong Ghost-type Pokémon in Gen I. Not only is it a dual Poison-Ghost type Pokémon, but it also possesses an impressive move-pool including horrifyingly frustrating status moves and good stats.
It is no surprise, therefore, that a large number of strong trainers use one in the anime, from Acerola and Morty to Fantina and Agatha. Gengar also has Gigantamax and Mega-Evolution forms, which in itself is recognition of the Pokémon's popularity, giving it exciting new variants and designs. It was especially well-received when Ash finally caught one in Pokémon Journeys.