Pokémonbegan way back in the mid-’90s, and ever since then its been growing bigger and bigger with each passing year. Even with the success ofPokémon GO,the games, the toys, the spin-offs, the movies, mostly everyone knows or heard ofPokémon, and it seems thatPokémonis truly going to be everlasting.
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Now with 22 seasons finished, the Anime is starting its 23rd season, which currently airing. And withPokémonSword and Shieldselling extremely well, it’s safe to say thatPokémonis still going strong. But out of all the years, whichPokémonhave been the most iconic? ThePokémonthat the majority of people will recognize instantly, even those who aren’t too familiar with the franchise.
10Lucario
Lucario is from Generation IV, soPokémon DiamondandPearl. Ever since then, this Pokémon has been a poster child for many spin-off titles and was a major part of Pokémon X and Y. In X/Y, Lucario is the tutorial for Mega Evolution, as well as being able to acquire one for free.
ThisPokémonwas also the secondPokémonrevealed in the hit fighting seriesSuper Smash Bros.for theWii Uand3DS. As well as that there is another fighting game calledPokken, which Lucario was one of the first to be revealed for it.
9Mudkip
One of the only Gen 3Pokémonon this list, but that’s mostly because of the meme that swept the world when Mudkip got revealed. Memes can either grow and consume the world, or die down as quickly as they rose to fame.
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“I herd u liek Mudkips” started at the site 4chan, and it from there it escalated. And ever since the water type Mudkip has been used for memes ever since. To this day, this meme, of course, has died down, but back in 2005, everyone used this meme in one way or another.
8Jigglypuff
The pink balloonPokémonJigglypuff is one a lot of people might remember. Jigglypuff is a recurring appearance as part of the anime series, by putting to sleep then drawing all over their faces. Though not being overly popular, to begin with, thisPokémonquickly rose to fame by being the second Pokémon to join the roster inSuper Smash Bros.
Jigglypuff is also exceptional, as the pinkPokémonis one out of twelve characters, that has been in all fiveSuper Smash Bros.games, and that is quite an impressive feat. Jigglypuff even makes an appearance inDetective Pikachuby putting their owner to sleep in a coffee bar. It seems like times never change.
7Magikarp
The uselessPokémonMagikarp, upon catching this waterPokémonback in the day, a lot of people thought it was worthless, and many people probably automatically boxed it. The only move it knows is Splash, and it can’t learn anything else. But little did they know it evolved into one of the most powerful water/flying types in Gen 1, Gyrados.
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And as news of this spread, Gyrados grew in fame. In gen 2Pokémon Gold and Silver, it’s possible to capture a shiny red Gyarados as part of the story, which is pretty awesome.
6Meowth
Team Rocket was the original team back in thePokémonanime, andPokémonRed and Blue. Even though now there’s been a few renditions of the evil corporation, everyone remembers where it all began, back with Jesse and James. They had a very specialPokémon,aPokémonthat could speak called Meowth. Some Pokémon can speak telepathically like Mewtwo, and some trainers can understand their ownPokémon, but Meowth is one of the only Pokémon in the world that can speak human.
Also without Meowth, the Team Rocket motto, that we all know and love would not be made possible, as thePokémonhas the finishing line,“Meowth that’s right!”
5Eevee
Eevee is a very specialPokémonthat, ultimately, the trainer can decide what its evolution can be. Back inPokémonRed and Blue, Eevee was given away for free, but primarily, Eevee is a normal typePokémon, but it has three other evolutions.
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Flareon the fire type, Vaporeon the water type, and Jolteon the electric type. An elemental stone is needed, so either a fire/water/thunder stone to evolve Eevee into one of these three forms.
So depending on who you chose for your starter, Eevee could complement a team exceptionally well by evolving into that type that you currently don’t have.
4Mew
Mew, the 151stPokémon, the super ultra rare mythicalPokémonthat was supposed to be extinct. However, inPokémon Red and BlueMew was rumored to be underneath a hidden truck. That when the HM Surf was received, that players could travel up a screen from where the SS Anne once made berth, and find a random hidden truck there.
The rumor was that using the HM Strength, it was possible to push over the truck, and thePokémonMew was there to be captured. Sadly, this was a red herring. The only possible way to get Mew is via a Gameshark code.
3Mewtwo
Mewtwo is one of the most powerfulPokémonin all of Gen 1. ThisPokémonis a clone of the MythicalPokémonMew. As scientists found a fossil of this rarePokémonand managed to extract DNA from it. And using this DNA they managed to create a clone/new form ofPokémon, and this wasMewtwo. The scientists were funded by Giovanni, the eighth gym leader and the leader of Team Rocket, so he owned Mewtwo, and he used this special powerfulPokémonto become unbeatable.
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Until Mewtwo became self-aware, that he was only a weapon and nothing more and then escaped. In the game, when Mewtwo is discovered, if you had used the Master Ball on something else, say one of the legendary birdPokémon, Mewtwo is going to be a very tough fight and is going to be even harder to capture.
2Charizard
A lot of people picked Charmander as their startingPokémon, back on their initial adventure whenPokémon Red and Bluelaunched in 1998, and a fair number also picked Squirtle. Poor, poor Bulbasaur. Though, not a lot of people knew back then that the third and final form of Charmander would turn into the fire/flying type. Even though thisPokémonresembles a dragon, it’s not his official type.
In the latest gamesPokémon Swordand Shield, Leon the Galar Pokémon Champion has a Charizard as his bestPokémon.
1Pikachu
The most iconic and well-knownPokémonby far Pikachu. Even if you hardly knowPokémonat all, it’ll be shocking if you’ve haven’t heard of the cute electric yellow rodent. Pikachu has been part of Ash’s team ever since day one. And even if they get off to an extremely rocky start, with Pikachu being badly injured by a flock of Spearow.
Ever since that horrible event, they’ve been best buds, and even to this day, after all those years of Ash becoming aPokémontrainer, he still has his trusty Pikachu by his side.
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