TouyaShiro
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So, as we all know, Legendary Pokémon exist everywhere in the Pokémon universe. From Mewtwo to Xerneas, Cosmog to Zapdos, and everything in between, there's a wide variety of powerful Pokémon from all regions considered to be Legendary Pokémon. Some people don't like them, some people do, and that's all well and good - however, that's not what I'm here to talk about today. Our topic of discussion is Generation VII - and how it may have changed everything about what we know about the definition of a Legendary Pokémon.
First, before we move on, let's remind ourselves of the current definition of a Legendary Pokémon and a Mythical Pokémon, courtesy of Bulbapedia:
So, as you might have heard, Pokémon Sun & Pokémon Moon have their own special Pokédex model, with a couple of special features aside from being inhabited by a Rotom this time around. While the list of features does not include a National Pokédex upgrade of its own, here's a few of the features of the Rotom Pokédex:
Wait, what's a Special Pokémon, you ask? Well, let's read Bulbapedia's definition thus far:
However, there's also a point of debate regarding all the Pokémon that were given a green background in the Alola Pokédex. The game explicitly shows you when a Legendary Pokémon is being registered in the Pokédex, and since they don't actually state as such with Pokémon that have a green background, there's been a bunch of talk about whether or not things like the Ultra Beasts and the tapu are even considered Legendary Pokémon under the definition that we've come to know and accept in the Pokémon community. After a while of this talk, I had a thought which I talked about a few times on Discord - whether or not Game Freak would retroactively apply this same system to all the other Legendary Pokémon of the past Generations.
Fast forward to January 25, 2017. Pokémon Bank finally receives its long-awaited update that adds compatibility with the Generation VII titles, and Generation I titles via Poké Transfer to Generation VII games, while maintaining the compatibility with Generation VI. It also added a new Pokédex feature in lieu of a proper National Pokédex for Sun & Moon, which updated with every game you used with Pokémon Bank to create a collective and massive National Pokédex for you to look at. Though it doesn't include any 3D models for you to look at, a snapshot of every Pokémon and every form they have, all their cries, every single Pokédex entry for that specific Pokémon (which you can switch between by tapping that game's icon on the touch screen) and incorporation of many different Pokédex filters - including "Good Old Hoenn" for Generation III's Hoenn Pokédex - make it one of the most robust and comprehensive Pokédexes out there. This Pokédex incorporates the upgrades seen on the Alola Pokédex, and though it cannot be displayed in the same manner, it makes the same distinctions between special Pokémon, Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon, displaying a different but similarly functioning holographic effect for any registered entries involving the latter two that overlays the part of the icon which displays that Pokémon's type, and moving with the gyroscope on your 3DS.
When I went to look at it later, it turns out that the hunch I made a while back actually came true - looking back on Pokémon from Generations long gone, several of them have been revoked of Legendary Pokémon status and do not display the holographic border like one would have expected before. Among them, and including Generation VII's own green background Pokémon, they include:
However, if we look at the existing list of Legendary Pokémon that are not part of that list above, they all share a couple of things in common - most of them are the mascots of their respective games, and are very heavily tied into the mythos of the region they come from, and in most cases it's central to the plot of the game itself. For those that are not, this was either rectified in a third version, or made ambiguous - what this means for Zygarde and Necrozma, who do not have a game of their own, nor are tied to the main legends of their respective regions, is not known at this time.
So, does this mean that Game Freak are making an attempt to redefine what it means to be a Legendary Pokémon? Perhaps they want to make it a bit more indicative and fully literal. Do you agree with the changes? Is there an aspect to the story that I'm missing? Please, by all means, let me know below and vote in the poll above. This is something that's been on my mind for a long while and I've only just now - amongst all my other distractions - finally gotten the chance to write about it.
Those who work on the wiki itself are gonna have a field day with this one, I can tell you that much...
First, before we move on, let's remind ourselves of the current definition of a Legendary Pokémon and a Mythical Pokémon, courtesy of Bulbapedia:
Legendary Pokémon (Japanese: 伝説のポケモン Legendary Pokémon) are a group of incredibly rare and often very powerful Pokémon, generally featured prominently in the legends and myths of the Pokémon world.
Mythical Pokémon are a related but separate group of Pokémon, which are usually event-exclusive. Prior to Generation V, Mythical Pokémon were considered to be Legendary Pokémon in non-Japanese media.
Legendary Pokémon - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia
Standard stuff thus far, and well understood by the majority of Pokémon players around the world. Let's return to that in a moment.Mythical Pokémon (Japanese: 幻のポケモン Illusory Pokémon) are a group of Pokémon seen so rarely in the Pokémon world that some question their very existence. These are event-exclusive Pokémon that cannot be obtained during normal gameplay,[1] with the exception of Deoxys.
In Japanese media, Mythical Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon have always been presented as distinct groups. 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 non-Japanese media from Generation V onward, the two groups are presented as distinct groups. In Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, Mythical Pokémon are referred to as rare Pokémon.
Mythical Pokémon - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia
So, as you might have heard, Pokémon Sun & Pokémon Moon have their own special Pokédex model, with a couple of special features aside from being inhabited by a Rotom this time around. While the list of features does not include a National Pokédex upgrade of its own, here's a few of the features of the Rotom Pokédex:
- Every Pokémon's entry is registered no matter how you obtained them, be it trade or evolution or any other method. Rotom comments on them depending on how you obtained the entry as well as commenting on any milestones in Pokédex completion!
- Four Pokédex sections exist which cover all of Alola's islands, and the greater Alola Pokédex encompasses 300+ Pokémon in total - similar to the Kalos Pokédex being split into three sections for Central, Coastal and Mountain Kalos.
- QR Codes can be shown for every single Pokémon in the Pokédex, except for a select few - though these Pokémon do have QR Codes programmed in. It's done this way to allow the possibility of including these QR Codes on merchandise for you to scan with your game and 3DS.
- Instead of the professor, Rotom can evaluate your progress for you! No need to go to their lab or check the PC, and they can evaluate your single Pokédex or the entire Alola Pokédex.
Wait, what's a Special Pokémon, you ask? Well, let's read Bulbapedia's definition thus far:
Now here's where things get complicated. Let's list the type of background and comment Rotom can make whenever you register a Pokémon:Special Pokémon (Japanese: 特別なポケモン Special Pokémon) is a term referring to a group of Legendary Pokémon in the core series games and side games that are restricted or banned from certain official tournaments, battle facilities, and link battle formats. Most of the Special Pokémon are game mascots (but not all game mascots are Special Pokémon). While the concept exists in all generations, the term was not used until Generation IV.
Whenever special Pokémon are restricted or banned, Mythical Pokémon are banned. While often only special Pokémon are mentioned to be banned when both special Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon are, the description of the GS Cup indicates that Mythical Pokémon are not special Pokémon.
Special Pokémon - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia
- Normal Pokémon - blue background. Rotom provides a standard comment. This changes depending on how you obtained the Pokémon and therefore register the new entry in the Pokédex - trades, evolution, catching, gifts, it's all covered.
- Powerful, special Pokémon - green background. Rotom provides a unique comment about unidentified species if you catch an Ultra Beast, saying it's indescribable but amazing if you register Type: Null and directly mentions the category of the Land Spirit Pokémon should you happen to catch one of the tapu.
- Legendary Pokémon & Mythical Pokémon - gold background & holographic effect. Rotom comments on every Legendary Pokémon registered, saying that it's, well, legendary! If you instead register a Mythical Pokémon, the Rotom inside stutters a bit in amazement at something so rare.
- All of the above can also be accompanied by comments from Rotom about any milestones you make in terms of your Pokédex progress.
Note, however, that the word "special" isn't capitalised. This same message shows when you attempt to view the QR Code of a Legendary Pokémon or Mythical Pokémon, without modification. Does this mean that the term of Special Pokémon is changed? Probably not - the game's own rulesets, those that are downloaded from Festival Plaza, and the ones set by Friendly Competitions have a Special Pokémon filter which are set to Permitted or Banned, and the usage of this filter is in line with previous Generations - banning Pokémon such as Zygarde, Necrozma and even Cosmog and Cosmoem despite their uselessness in battle.This is a special Pokémon.
There is no QR code.
However, there's also a point of debate regarding all the Pokémon that were given a green background in the Alola Pokédex. The game explicitly shows you when a Legendary Pokémon is being registered in the Pokédex, and since they don't actually state as such with Pokémon that have a green background, there's been a bunch of talk about whether or not things like the Ultra Beasts and the tapu are even considered Legendary Pokémon under the definition that we've come to know and accept in the Pokémon community. After a while of this talk, I had a thought which I talked about a few times on Discord - whether or not Game Freak would retroactively apply this same system to all the other Legendary Pokémon of the past Generations.
Fast forward to January 25, 2017. Pokémon Bank finally receives its long-awaited update that adds compatibility with the Generation VII titles, and Generation I titles via Poké Transfer to Generation VII games, while maintaining the compatibility with Generation VI. It also added a new Pokédex feature in lieu of a proper National Pokédex for Sun & Moon, which updated with every game you used with Pokémon Bank to create a collective and massive National Pokédex for you to look at. Though it doesn't include any 3D models for you to look at, a snapshot of every Pokémon and every form they have, all their cries, every single Pokédex entry for that specific Pokémon (which you can switch between by tapping that game's icon on the touch screen) and incorporation of many different Pokédex filters - including "Good Old Hoenn" for Generation III's Hoenn Pokédex - make it one of the most robust and comprehensive Pokédexes out there. This Pokédex incorporates the upgrades seen on the Alola Pokédex, and though it cannot be displayed in the same manner, it makes the same distinctions between special Pokémon, Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon, displaying a different but similarly functioning holographic effect for any registered entries involving the latter two that overlays the part of the icon which displays that Pokémon's type, and moving with the gyroscope on your 3DS.
When I went to look at it later, it turns out that the hunch I made a while back actually came true - looking back on Pokémon from Generations long gone, several of them have been revoked of Legendary Pokémon status and do not display the holographic border like one would have expected before. Among them, and including Generation VII's own green background Pokémon, they include:
- Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres
- Mewtwo (!!)
- Raikou, Entei and Suicune
- Regirock, Regice and Registeel
- Latias and Latios
- Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf
- Heatran
- Regigigas
- Cresselia
- Phione
- Cobalion, Terrakion & Virizion
- Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus
- Type: Null and Silvally
- Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu and Tapu Fini
- Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana and Guzzlord
However, if we look at the existing list of Legendary Pokémon that are not part of that list above, they all share a couple of things in common - most of them are the mascots of their respective games, and are very heavily tied into the mythos of the region they come from, and in most cases it's central to the plot of the game itself. For those that are not, this was either rectified in a third version, or made ambiguous - what this means for Zygarde and Necrozma, who do not have a game of their own, nor are tied to the main legends of their respective regions, is not known at this time.
So, does this mean that Game Freak are making an attempt to redefine what it means to be a Legendary Pokémon? Perhaps they want to make it a bit more indicative and fully literal. Do you agree with the changes? Is there an aspect to the story that I'm missing? Please, by all means, let me know below and vote in the poll above. This is something that's been on my mind for a long while and I've only just now - amongst all my other distractions - finally gotten the chance to write about it.
Those who work on the wiki itself are gonna have a field day with this one, I can tell you that much...
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