Terminology of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon

This is the terminology of 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: のポケモン Legendary Pokémon) and Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: のポケモン Illusory Pokémon) have always been presented as distinct groups. The concept of Legendary Pokémon was introduced in the Japanese ; the concept of Mythical Pokémon was introduced in the May 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comic which announced the first giveaway, and was first used in the games in the Japanese .
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 . In , 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 . However, instead of 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 onward, some of and 's Pokédex entries mention the concept of Mythical Pokémon. This was translated to English as "mythical", "myth", or "mirage".
'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.)
*: "Long considered a mythical Pokémon until recently when a small colony was found living underwater."
*: "Long considered a mythical Pokémon until recently, when a small colony was found living underwater."
* 「らく と されていたが りあげられて その が された。」 (Long time thought to be Mythical, it was fished recently, confirming its existence.)
*: "The existence of this mythical Pokémon was only recently confirmed by a fisherman who caught one."
*: "Long thought to be a myth, this Pokémon's existence was only recently confirmed by a fisherman who caught one."
'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.)
*: "So rare that it is still said to be a mirage by many experts. Only a few people have seen it worldwide."
Even though it is not a Legendary Pokémon, 's is "Legendary Pokémon" (Japanese: でんせつのポケモン). Starting in Japanese , 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 remakes, and in , Lance says a quote including the word 「」 (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":
* 「ってるだろ ドラゴンは なる の きだ！」 (As you know, dragons are sacred legendary creatures!)
*: "You know that dragons are mythical !"
*: "I'm sure you already know this, but dragons are sacred and legendary creatures!"
*: "You likely know that dragons are Pokémon spoken of in legends!"
===Generation II===
In Gold, Silver, and Crystal games and their Generation IV remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver, non-player characters in Olivine City refer to in the Japanese version as "god of the sea" (Japanese: うみのかみさま). This was localized in English as "mythical sea creature".
In these games, Blackthorn Gym's guide says a line about Clair's 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 and 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 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.
* 「の が で いた の ポケモンの だ!」 (A person from ancient times painted this Legendary Pokémon from imagination!)
*: "It's a painting of a legendary from long ago. The artist painted this from imagination."
*: "It's a painting of a Legendary Pokémon from long ago. The artist painted this from their imagination."
===Generation IV===
====Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum====
Professor Rowan refers to , , and 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 , Cyrus refers to and as "mythical Pokémon" (Japanese: 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 "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).
 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:
* 「の に るという の ポケモン...... やはり ドラゴンポケモンだろうか？」
*: "The mythical Pokémon that sleeps deep in a volcano... Could it be a dragon Pokémon?"
*: "The Legendary Pokémon that sleeps deep in a volcano... Could it be a dragon Pokémon?"
====Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver====
's Pokédex entry in 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 and 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, 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 らす の ポケモンなの！？」
:「おどろいた あなた だよね」
:「わたしが っている では の ポケモンは の ポケモンを えていたそうよ」
:「じに このにまれ にった 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 " in the cutscene where the player receives the Diancite.
In pre-release material for , it was advertised that all Legendary Pokémon could be obtained between , Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. (Bulbanews) This does not apply to Mythical Pokémon.
====Pokémon X and Y====
A Move Tutor refers to and 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: ".
The "Explorations of the Ancient World" program from TV Mauville mentions at three different points the lowercase adjective "a mythical ".
A Move Tutor refers to 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 and as Mythical Pokémon.
===Generation VIII===
====Pokémon Sword and Shield====
In promotional material for The Crown Tundra expansion of , it was advertised that after its release, all Legendary Pokémon could be obtained in Sword and Shield.| New features added in The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra | Pokémon Sword and Shield Official Website This does not apply to Mythical Pokémon.
====Pokémon Legends: Arceus====
The official English website of used to refer to Arceus as a Legendary Pokémon, which was later corrected to Mythical Pokémon on September 28, 2021.Archive of Pokémon Legends: Arceus official website (August 18, 2021; September 28, 2021) It was always referred to as a Mythical Pokémon on the Japanese website.Pokémon LEGENDS アルセウス
===Generation IX===
====Pokémon Scarlet and Violet====
In the internal data of , is defined as a Mythical Pokémon instead of . 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).https://twitter.com/Sibuna_Switch/status/1613414136079323137
==In the side series games==
===Pokémon Stadium series===
In Pokémon Stadium, '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 .
==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Snap===
In Pokémon Snap, 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 's offer to join their team twice, Alakazam will say Latios and 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 , is called a Legendary Pokémon (Japanese: のポケモン Legendary Pokémon) by in the "Challenge the Normal Types" Daily Type Rotation event.
===Pokémon Ranger series===
In , Mythical Pokémon are referred to as Rare Pokémon. For instance, in the sentence: "Rare Pokémon appeared!"
In this game, 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 , , and . 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, is referred to with the lowercase "legendary Pokémon" in the English description of its trophy. However, the Japanese version correctly calls it 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: やのポケモン Legendary and Mythical Pokémon).
In the American version, and 's trophies call them Legendary Pokémon. This was corrected in the European version, calling them Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: のポケモン Mythical Pokémon).
===Pokémon Trading Card Game series===
In and , the Legendary Cards (Japanese: 伝説のポケモンカード Legendary Pokémon Cards) refer to a card and three cards of the legendary birds:
Legendary Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"	Legendary Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"	Legendary Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"	Legendary Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"
			
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 , there are two Phantom Cards: and . In , there are four Phantom Cards: the same two cards from the previous game, as well as and .
Phantom Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"	Phantom Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"	Phantom Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"	Phantom Cards
{| style="margin:auto" width="45%"
			
==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, and are said to be Legendary Pokémon as well.
Most pages are about multiple Pokémon, except the Legendary Pokémon, as well as Rotom, , and , each having its own page with a starry background and a glow around the box stating its species name and . 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 (, the preceding Pokémon in alphabetical order) and lacks the starry background. There is a 3-page feature about , 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 , , and , as well as . Even though Arcanine is not actually a Legendary Pokémon, this is likely related to Arcanine's and Pokédex entries referring to it as one.
The Japanese title of Pokémon the Movie 2000: The Power of One calls 「のポケモン」 (Mythical Pokémon).
In Spell of the Unown: Entei, it is specifically said that 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 , more mysterious than ".
In Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life, 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 and 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: 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===
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In Chuang Yi's translation of A Glimpse of the Glow, the term "Phantom Pokémon" (Japanese: のポケモン, which would later be translated as Mythical Pokémon) is also used to refer to Mew.
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Even though is not a 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 and Mythical Pokémon is said to be unclear.
It is argued that and can be possibly considered Mythical Pokémon because dragons are mythical creatures. It is also argued that Legendary Pokémon such as and may be considered to be a different category because their Japanese names are based on English words.
==Trivia==
* An -exclusive Mythical Pokémon that later becomes available through normal gameplay retains its Mythical status. For instance, was introduced as an event-exclusive Pokémon in Generation III, but it was still called a Mythical Pokémon in dialogue in , the first core series game where it was obtainable outside of events.
==Related articles==
* Legendary Pokémon
* Mythical Pokémon
==References==
*
*
Legendary and Mythical Pokémon