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[[File:Entei_book.png|thumb|right|370px|An artist's interpretation of {{p|Entei}}, a legendary Pokémon]]
'''Legendary Pokémon''' are a group of incredibly rare, and often very powerful {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}.

While in English, all are typically grouped under the banner of "legendary", there are three distinct terms in Japanese that are used to refer to them. One, '''伝説のポケモン''' ''densetsu no Pokémon'', literally "legendary Pokémon", refers to Pokémon such as {{p|Kyogre}} and {{p|Groudon}}, who are featured prominently in the legends of the Pokémon world. A second, '''幻のポケモン''' ''maboroshi no Pokémon'', literally "illusory Pokémon", refers to Pokémon seen so rarely, such as {{p|Mew}}, that some question their very existence. This term was translated in the [[Generation IV]] games as "mirage Pokémon", in reference to the various [[Sinnoh myths|myths of Sinnoh]], and many consider it to refer to Pokémon that are restricted to [[Nintendo event]]s, not available during the course of normal gameplay. The third and newest term is '''神話のポケモン''' ''shinwa no Pokémon'', literally "mythical Pokémon", which refers to the Pokémon which are spoken of as the creators of the Sinnoh region.

==Characteristics of legendary Pokémon==
Aside from the high [[stats]] shared by most legendary Pokémon, many of them are only available once to the {{player}} in a given save file, and to obtain another legitimately, one must [[trade]] with another game. The [[gender]] of most legendary Pokémon is unknown (though there are seven notable exceptions in {{p|Latios}}, {{p|Latias}}, {{p|Heatran}}, {{p|Cresselia}}, {{p|Tornelos}}, {{p|Voltolos}}, and {{p|Landlos}}), and all but {{p|Phione}} and {{p|Manaphy}} are unable to breed in captivity, even with {{p|Ditto}}.

No legendary Pokémon is known to [[evolution|evolve]], though many are part of a [[legendary trio]] or [[legendary duo]]. Much like [[starter Pokémon]] appear at the beginning of each [[regional Pokédex]] and their generation's portion of the [[National Pokédex]], legendary Pokémon typically appear at the very end of them.

===In the anime===
Legendary Pokémon typically make their anime debut in a {{pkmn|movie}}, rather than first appearing in a normal episode. Many are held in a much higher regard than in the games, with their powers seen as being almost {{wp|deity|godlike}}. They are often only seen by special {{pkmn|Trainer}}s, usually the anime's main protagonist, [[Ash Ketchum]], who have a special connection to them. [[Villainous teams]] and others with bad intentions often seek them out, both due to their rarity as well as their superior power.

It has been shown that the capture of certain legendary Pokémon may lead to great catastrophe, due to their often pivotal role in nature. Some speculate, however, that if a Trainer were to "play by the rules", encountering and befriending the legendary Pokémon just the same as they would any other Pokémon, the results would not be as chaotic, if at all. This theory possibly has some weight, as {{FB|Factory Head|Noland}} befriended and fought official {{pkmn|battle}}s with an {{TP|Noland|Articuno}}, while [[Lawrence III]]'s capture of {{mov|Zapdos|Zapdos|2}} and {{mov|Moltres|Moltres|2}} in ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'' was one of intended dominance and collection instead. It should be noted, however, that Noland was never seen to have had Articuno in a Poké Ball, and at the same time, he is a rather skilled Trainer. It should also be noted that in some cases a legendary Pokémon can be kept in a Poké Ball. For example, {{FB|Pyramid King|Brandon}} in the anime owned the three Regis in Poké Balls and trained them and there were no chaotic events that followed.

Many legendary Pokémon are shown to breed in the wild, as seen with {{p|Lugia}}, while none are immortal nor invincible, as seen by the death of {{mov|Celebi|Celebi|4}} and the injury of {{an|Arceus}}. Very few, in fact, are often considered unique, with only {{an|Mewtwo}} known to be (due to the [[The Birth of Mewtwo|circumstances of its creation]]) and {{an|Arceus}}, {{an|Dialga}}, {{an|Palkia}}, and {{an|Giratina}} assumed to be, due to their role in the creation of the universe.

==List of legendary Pokémon==
Of the {{numpkmn}} Pokémon species, 48 are considered to be legendary, while several more have certain characteristics of legendary Pokémon. Each [[generation]] has introduced at least one legendary trio and one legendary duo.

===Generation I===
The legendary Pokémon introduced in [[Generation I]] can be broken into two groups: the [[legendary birds]] and the Mew duo.

====Legendary birds====
[[File:Legendary birds.png|thumb|right|270px|{{p|Zapdos}}, {{p|Articuno}}, and {{p|Moltres}}. Art by [[Mitsuhiro Arita]].]]
The three [[legendary birds]], also known as the Winged Mirages, are the resident [[legendary trio]] of the [[Kanto]] region. Each of them is based on a mythical bird, and each is associated with a {{wp|season}} (though none of the three is associated with autumn).

In the games, all three are available in the Kanto region in all of its appearances except for [[Generation II]]. {{p|Articuno}} takes up residence in the [[Seafoam Islands]] in the south, {{p|Zapdos}} in the [[Power Plant]] (next to it in Generation IV) in the east, and {{p|Moltres}} in a variety of places, {{ka|Victory Road}}, [[Mt. Ember]], or [[Mt. Silver]], depending on the generation. In Generation IV, they are also found [[roaming Pokémon|roaming]] [[Sinnoh]], but only in {{game|Platinum}}.

In the anime, the legendary birds appear together in ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'', where they rule over the islands surrounding [[Shamouti Island]]. If they are disturbed and begin to fight, only {{mov|Lugia|Lugia|2}} can stop them, though it will fail without additional help from the Chosen One. Separately, Articuno appears in ''[[EP189|Freeze Frame]]'', ''[[AG135|Numero Uno Articuno]]'', and ''[[AG136|The Symbol Life]]'', while Zapdos appears in ''[[EP242|As Clear As Crystal]]'', ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'', and ''[[DP094|Doc Brock!]]'', and Moltres appears in ''[[EP074|All Fired Up]]'' and ''[[SS018|The Search for the Legend]]''.

====Mew duo====
[[Image:PokemonFirstMovieSoundtrack.jpg|thumb|250px|left|{{p|Mewtwo}} and {{p|Mew}} on the cover of [[M01|the first movie soundtrack]]]]
The Mew duo, so named because of their similar genetic structure and Mewtwo's origin as an enhanced clone of Mew, are a pair of catlike Pokémon which are believed by many to be among the most rare and powerful Pokémon that exist.

In the games, {{p|Mew}} is only mentioned in years-old journals found in the {{ka|Pokémon Mansion}} on [[Cinnabar Island]]. It was the first [[event]]-exclusive Pokémon, being otherwise available only by [[Mew glitch|glitching the game]] or [[cheating]]. One is available in the wild on [[Faraway Island]], an event area in {{game|Emerald}}, the only time it is legitimately able to be caught from the wild.

Mew appears in the anime in both [[M01|the first movie]] and [[M08|the eighth movie]]. In the first, it appears to fight against Mewtwo, while in the second, its status as the Pokémon from which life began is explored.

In the games, {{p|Mewtwo}} is revealed to have been cloned from Mew in the journals in the Pokémon Mansion. Unlike most Pokémon, however, Mew gave live birth to Mewtwo, rather than laying an {{pkmn|egg}} and Mewtwo hatching from it. Mewtwo was too powerful, however, and it escapes from the Pokémon Mansion, destroying it in the process. Mewtwo then makes its home in [[Cerulean Cave]], where all kinds of powerful Pokémon live.

In the anime, {{an|Mewtwo}} was featured prominently, appearing in several episodes of the [[original series]], [[M01|the first movie]], and [[Mewtwo Returns|the first special episode]]. Mewtwo's origin is slightly different as well, with [[Team Rocket]] boss [[Giovanni]] funding a group of scientists to create an enhanced clone of {{p|Mew}} for his own use. Though Mewtwo is initially a very angry Pokémon, viewing all humans as evil due to the acts of the scientists and Giovanni, eventually, when [[Ash Ketchum]] sacrifices himself to stop the fighting between Mew and Mewtwo, Mewtwo's heart softens, and he learns that some humans do care about their, and all, Pokémon. Meeting up with Ash again, Mewtwo is further shown that, although it is a genetically-enhanced clone of Mew, it and the other clones are no different than normal Pokémon, and because it erased Ash and his friends' memory at the end of their first meeting, realizes that Ash himself truly does care for others, even if he doesn't know them.

Mewtwo is known in the anime to travel around the world, traversing rooftops at night, and living its life free. It occasionally appears in anime openings, sometimes with Mew, and sometimes alone.

===Generation II===
More legendary Pokémon were introduced in [[Generation II]], adding six more for a running total of 11. The legendary Pokémon introduced in this generation down can be separated into three groups.

====Legendary beasts====
[[File:Entei Raikou Suicune.png|thumb|right|250px|{{ga|Lyra}} and [[Eusine]] discover the legendary beasts in the basement of the [[Burned Tower]].]]
Like the legendary birds of the previous generation, a second trio of similar types was introduced in the neighboring [[Johto]] region. These [[legendary beasts]], so named because their features are reminiscent of both {{wp|canine}} and {{wp|feline}} animals, were trapped in the [[Burned Tower|Brass Tower]] when it was struck by lightning and burned to the ground, resulting in their death. The trio was revived by the power of {{p|Ho-Oh}}, and now [[roaming Pokémon|roam across the land]] because of their great power.

In the games, more than one of each exists, with only the trio that roams Johto after being discovered in Brass Tower's basement during [[Generation II]] and [[Generation IV]] being that of the legend. Each was captured and changed into a [[Shadow Pokémon]] by [[Cipher]] in {{g|Colosseum}}, while one of the three, depending on the player's [[starter Pokémon]] choice, roams Kanto in {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}}, {{p|Entei}} for {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Raikou}} for {{p|Squirtle}}, and {{p|Suicune}} for {{p|Charmander}}.

In the anime, the legendary beasts did not appear together until [[M13|the thirteenth movie]], despite being introduced in Generation II. It appears that an initial plan for the three Johto-era {{pkmn|movie}}s was to have each feature one of the legendary beasts in a central role, with {{mov|Entei|Entei|3}} taking a central role in ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown]]'' and {{mov|Suicune|Suicune|4}} taking the stage in ''[[M04|Celebi: Voice of the Forest]]''. This did not pan out, however, possibly due to the canning of Johto's {{p|Celebi}} plotline, and Raikou was relegated to a role in ''[[The Legend of Thunder]]'', featuring anime characters based on {{ga|Ethan}} and {{ga|Kris}}, rather than [[M05|the fifth movie]], which focused on legendary Pokémon from the then-upcoming [[Generation III]] instead.

Each of the beasts made an episodic appearance, as well, with Entei appearing in ''[[EP259|Entei at Your Own Risk]]'', Raikou briefly appearing in ''[[EP180|Houndoom's Special Delivery]]'', and Suicune having the most prominence (as in the games) through its appearance in ''[[EP117|Don't Touch That 'Dile]]'', ''[[EP227|For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll]]'', and ''[[DP028|Drifloon On the Wind!]]''.

====Tower duo====
[[Image:Lugia_and_ho-oh.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Lugia and Ho-Oh]]
The first [[version mascot]]s that were also legendary Pokémon, {{p|Lugia}} and {{p|Ho-Oh}} are a pair of legendary birds which formerly resided in [[Ecruteak City]] atop tall towers, leading to their designation. However, when the [[Burned Tower|Brass Tower]], home of Lugia, was struck by lightning, it burned to the ground, and both flew away, Lugia to make its new home in the [[Whirl Islands]] and Ho-Oh to search the world for a pure-hearted Trainer. The two are thought to be as closely related as they are polar opposites, being based on the eastern legends of the {{wp|Fènghuáng}} and {{wp|Ryūjin}}.

In the games, Lugia does not play a central role in the Generation II storyline, instead being mentioned only as having lived in Ecruteak City before the Brass Tower burned. It is found in the Whirl Islands in the Generation II games and their {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s|remakes}} if the player holds a {{DL|List of key items in Generation IV|Silver Wing}}. It reaches prominence in the storyline of {{g|XD: Gale of Darkness}}, where [[XD001|one]] is corrupted by [[Cipher]] to become the ultimate [[Shadow Pokémon]], unable to be purified. It is also available on [[Navel Rock]] in Generation III, as an event-exclusive legendary.

In the anime, Lugia is featured in a central role in ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'', where it is revealed that {{Ash}} is the Chosen One who must help it to quell the fighting of the [[legendary birds]]. Another pair of them appeared when Ash and his friends traveled to the Whirl Islands in Johto, and through this, the anime revealed that legendary Pokémon could breed (this is untrue in the games, at least in captivity, likely to restrict players from getting a limitless number of them).

Ho-Oh has a much greater focus during Generation II, being named as the savior of the legendary beasts. It can be found, if the player has a {{DL|List of key items in Generation IV|Rainbow Wing}}, atop [[Bell Tower]] in the Generation II games and their remakes. It makes an appearance in {{g|Colosseum}}, as well, as a reward for purifying all Shadow Pokémon, and on [[Navel Rock]] like Lugia.

In the anime, {{an|Ho-Oh}} is notably the first legendary Pokémon that appeared (outside of the [[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master|opening animation]], at least), flying over a rainbow at the start of [[Ash Ketchum]]'s journey at the end of ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]''. Ash has subsequently seen it several times over the course of his journey, but has never come face-to-face with it.

====Celebi====
[[Image:Celebi_Shrine.png|thumb|right|100px|Celebi on its shrine in [[Ilex Forest]]]]
Although it has no relation to Mew that has been revealed, {{p|Celebi}} was dubbed the "New Mew" when it was introduced in Generation II because of their similar size and stats, as well as the status of being the last in the [[National Pokédex]] as of its generation and being unobtainable through normal gameplay. Unlike Mew, however, it was not believed to be the ancestor of all Pokémon, but merely the guardian of forests, traveling through time to make sure of their purity.

In the games, Celebi is available only by event, either directly (via [[trading]] or [[Mystery Gift]]), or, in {{game|Crystal}}, through an event involving the [[GS Ball]]. This made it the first event Pokémon that was able to be captured from the wild in the games after using an event-only item, something which would continue forward even to the current generation. Celebi also makes an appearance in {{g|Colosseum}} and {{g|XD: Gale of Darkness}}, but it is unobtainable.

In the anime, Celebi takes a central role in ''[[M04|Celebi: Voice of the Forest]]'' and ''[[AG155|The Green Guardian]]''. In the movie, one accidentally brings a young [[Professor Oak]] to the future when attempting to escape from a poacher, and is later captured in a [[Iron-Masked Marauder|Team Rocket member]]'s Dark Balls to be used to destroy the forest and rule the world. In the episode, another is attempting to heal after putting out a forest fire, and needs the help of Pokémon Ranger [[Solana]], as well as the anime's protagonists, to do so.

===Generation III===
Many more legendary Pokémon were added to the roster in [[Generation III]], with the ten new legendaries bringing the total to 21. At this point in the series, legendary Pokémon began to have a greater role in the storyline of the games, with the plot of the [[villainous teams]] introduced in this generation and the next involving the reawakening of ancient legendary Pokémon for the team's own use.

====Legendary golems====
[[Image:Regis.png|thumb|left|{{p|Regice}}, {{p|Registeel}}, and {{p|Regirock}}]]
This third trio of legendary Pokémon, based on the {{wp|golem}}s of Hebrew legend, featured minimally in Hoenn-region legend. Based on the three ancient ages of humanity, the ice age, the stone age, and the iron age, the [[legendary golems]] took a back seat among the legendaries introduced in their generation, and are sometimes referred to by fans derisively as the "legendary trash cans". Truly, this legendary trio, as well as its [[trio master|master]], {{p|Regigigas}}, feature the most complicated method of in-game availability, with puzzles made of [[braille]] in the Hoenn region being the keys to unlocking their mystery.

As complex as the method in which they are obtained is the legend of the golems, which is told in {{game2|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald}} and finally completed in {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}. Long ago, an ancient Pokémon was said to have moved the continents into their present positions by pulling them with ropes. After it was finished, it created in its image three Pokémon: {{p|Regirock}}, from clay, {{p|Regice}}, from ice, and {{p|Registeel}}, from magma. Ancient people, seeing that the Pokémon was so powerful, sealed it away in [[Snowpoint Temple]], while those it had created were separated from it and taken to the Hoenn region, sealed in three chambers, and left in the hopes that one day, someone would unlock the chambers and be able to tame the three so as to tame Regigigas. They are available in the [[Desert Ruins]], [[Island Cave]], and [[Ancient Tomb]] in Hoenn, as well as the [[Rock Peak Ruins]], [[Iceberg Ruins]], and [[Iron Ruins]] in [[Sinnoh]] with an event {{p|Regigigas}}.

In the anime, the three legendary golems starred together guarding the [[Tree of Beginning]] in ''[[M08|Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]'', as well as as members of {{FB|Pyramid King|Brandon}}'s team in the Battle Frontier saga.

====Eon duo====
[[File:Latias Latios.png|thumb|220px|right|{{p|Latias}} and {{p|Latios}}]]
Another of Hoenn's minor legendary Pokémon, {{p|Latias}} and {{p|Latios}} do not feature a distinct legend behind them. Nonetheless, they are incredibly rare, with only one of the two available normally to players, and the other available through an event. 

Latios and Latias take on counterpart availability in {{game2|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald}} as well as {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, with Latios being a [[roaming Pokémon]] in Ruby and SoulSilver, and Latias doing the same in Sapphire and HeartGold. In Emerald, after the player has defeated the Elite Four, their mother will ask if the Pokémon mentioned on TV was red or blue, and depending on that, one of the two will be roaming Hoenn. The other member of the duo will be found on [[Southern Island]], accessible by [[Eon Ticket]], in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, and in [[Pewter City]], through the [[Enigma Stone]] event, in HeartGold and SoulSilver.

In the anime, Latios and Latias were the stars of ''[[M05|Pokémon Heroes]]'', where the two guarded the legendary city of [[Alto Mare]]. With a strong connection to the [[Soul Dew]], the two were responsible for protecting it from {{mov|Annie}} and [[Oakley]], who wished to steal it.

====Weather trio====
[[Image:GenIII_Battle.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A depiction of the cataclysmic battle between {{p|Groudon}}, {{p|Kyogre}}, and {{p|Rayquaza}}]]
The trio of super-ancient Pokémon, known for their [[weather conditions|weather-related]] [[abilities]] as the [[weather trio]], serve as the [[version mascot]]s of {{game2|Ruby|Sapphire|Emerald}} and represent the three major components of the Earth: the hydrosphere, the lithosphere, and the atmosphere. Said to shape the land and sea, respectively, {{p|Groudon}} and {{p|Kyogre}} are among the most powerful legendary Pokémon, while {{p|Rayquaza}} prevents the two from quarreling.

During the course of {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, [[Team Magma]] or [[Team Aqua]], depending on version, seek out Groudon or Kyogre, respectively, with the intention of awakening them to make more homes for Pokémon of the land or sea. Eventually, the plan goes awry, and the player is forced to defeat or capture the legendary to stop a global disaster. In {{game|Emerald}}, instead, both teams are on the loose, intending to awaken their respective legendary target, and only with interference by the player and {{p|Rayquaza}} does the fight end up resolved.

In the anime, Groudon and Kyogre appeared in the two-part episode consisting of ''[[AG096|Gaining Groudon]]'' and ''[[AG097|The Scuffle of Legends]]''. In these episodes, Team Magma and Team Aqua finally succeed in awakening the two, as in the games, though their conflict is resolved very quickly, much to the chagrin of viewers. Rayquaza appeared in ''[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]'', where it fought against the pair of {{mov|Deoxys|Deoxys|7}}.

====Jirachi====
[[File:385Jirachi anime.png|thumb|left|{{p|Jirachi}} in the anime]]
One of the two event legendaries of Generation III, {{p|Jirachi}} is known to grant wishes written on the tags on its head each time it awakens: once every millennium.

In the games, Jirachi has never had a concrete location tied to it, and it cannot be captured from the wild legitimately. However, several direct transfers have been present in the history of the franchise, most notably in the form of a bonus disc released as a preview of {{g|Colosseum}} which fixes the [[Berry glitch]] present in {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}.

Jirachi starred in ''[[M06|Jirachi: Wish Maker]]'', where it befriended [[Max]] as the group attempted to keep it away from [[Butler]], a former [[Team Magma]] operative.

====Deoxys====
[[File:386Deoxys formes.png|thumb|right|{{p|Deoxys}} in its four Formes: Attack, Normal, Defense, Speed]]
A virus from space which mutated when shot by a laser, {{p|Deoxys}} was the first legendary Pokémon known to [[Form differences|change form]], taking different forms on in each of the [[Generation III]] games - Normal Forme in {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}}, Attack Forme in {{game|FireRed}}, Defense Forme in {{game|LeafGreen}}, and Speed Forme in {{game|Emerald}}, and being able to change them at will in the [[Generation IV]] games with special meteorites found in [[Veilstone City]] and on {{rt|3|Kanto}}.

In the games, Deoxys is only available on [[Birth Island]] when the [[AuroraTicket]] is downloaded to FireRed, LeafGreen, or Emerald, though as with all event legendary Pokémon, it has also been available through direct download via [[Mystery Gift]].

Deoxys featured heavily in the seventh Pokémon movie, ''[[M07|Destiny Deoxys]]'', where its Attack and Defense Formes were first revealed. One of the two {{mov|Deoxys|Deoxys|7}} featured befriends a boy named [[Tory Lund]], who fears Pokémon otherwise and does not realize what Deoxys is, while the other seeks out the first, concerned for its safety. Another Deoxys featured in ''[[AG171|Pokémon Ranger - Deoxys Crisis!]]'', where Deoxys's Speed Forme debuted in the anime.

===Generation IV===
Fourteen more legendary Pokémon were added in [[Generation IV]], the most of any generation so far, bringing the total to a whopping 35. Many of the legendary Pokémon of this generation have little connection to the plot of the games, instead being minor, post-League sidequests for the player to go on. Seven of the 14 introduced, even, are not in Sinnoh's regional Pokédex, appearing only in the National Dex, a first for any Pokémon.

Prior to Generation IV, 680 had been the limit on a legendary Pokémon's [[base stat]] total: this limit was set by {{p|Mewtwo}} in [[Generation I]] and was only matched - never surpassed - in Generation II and Generation III. As of Generation IV, however, the most powerful of all Pokémon in terms of base stats is no longer Mewtwo or any of its equals, but {{p|Arceus}}, the supposed creator of the Pokémon universe.

====Lake guardians====
[[File:Mesprit Azelf Uxie anime.png|thumb|right|{{p|Azelf}}, {{p|Mesprit}}, and {{p|Uxie}} together]]
The [[lake guardians]], [[Sinnoh]]'s native legendary trio, represent the spirit of all consciousness, with {{p|Uxie}} embodying knowledge, {{p|Mesprit}} embodying emotion, and {{p|Azelf}} embodying willpower. According to legend, having been created by {{p|Arceus|the Original One}}, the trio have the power to tame the powerful dragons it also created.

In the games, Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf are found in the caverns of [[Lake Acuity]], [[Lake Verity]], and [[Lake Valor]], respectively, though Mesprit will roam Sinnoh after the player has encountered it, rather than battle immediately as the other two will. The trio are captured by [[Team Galactic]]'s {{tc|Commander}}s, [[Jupiter]], [[Mars]], and [[Saturn]], and subjected to the experiments of [[Charon]] to draw out the [[Red Chain]] from the gems in their bodies. Cyrus summons the legendary dragons of Sinnoh mythology, and alone, the lake guardians' power is not enough to stop {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}}. {{p|Giratina}} interferes and draws Cyrus into the Distortion World, where the lake guardians assist the player in navigation toward Giratina's lair.

In the anime, the lake guardians appeared, first in spirit form, in ''[[DP001|Following a Maiden's Voyage]]'', ''[[DP078|Pruning a Passel of Pals]]'', and ''[[DP133|Uncrushing Defeat!]]'', to {{an|Dawn}}, {{Ash}}, and {{an|Brock}}, respectively. They were captured by [[J]], who had been hired by [[Team Galactic]], in ''[[DP151|The Needs of the Three!]]'', and were freed by Ash, Dawn, and Brock to stop the power of Dialga and Palkia in ''[[DP152|The Battle Finale of Legend!]]''.

====Legendary dragons====
[[file:Dialga-Palkia-Giratina.jpg|180px|thumb|right|Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina artwork from {{game|Platinum}}]]
The legendary creators of the Pokémon universe, the [[Dragon trio]] consisting of {{p|Dialga}} of time, {{p|Palkia}} of space, and {{p|Giratina}} of antimatter, are, like the weather trio before them, the mascots of [[Sinnoh]]'s trio of games, {{game2|Diamond|Pearl|Platinum}}.

In the games, Dialga and Palkia are sought by [[Cyrus]] to destroy and then remake the universe without spirit, a thing he hates about humanity. At [[Spear Pillar]], one of the two will be able to be captured in Diamond and Pearl, depending on the game, while Giratina may be obtained after the Pokémon League has been conquered. In Platinum, however, Giratina interferes with Cyrus's planned destruction of the universe, and may be captured in its home, the [[Distortion World]], while Dialga and Palkia cannot be found until the Elite Four have been defeated.

In the anime, {{an|Dialga}} and {{an|Palkia}} appeared together, fighting, in ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]'', while Dialga and {{an|Giratina}} appeared in ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]''. The three appeared together, finally, in ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]''. Dialga and Palkia were also summoned at Spear Pillar and chained by Cyrus in ''[[DP152|The Battle Finale of Legend!]]'', but were freed when he escaped into another universe and the Red Chain was shattered by Ash, Dawn, Brock, and their Pokémon.

====Lunar duo====
[[Image:Darkrai-Newmoon_Island.png|thumb|left|{{p|Darkrai}} on [[Newmoon Island]]]]
A sidequest legendary and event legendary, respectively, {{p|Cresselia}} and {{p|Darkrai}} represent two phases of the moon with opposite connotations: Darkrai represents the {{wp|new moon}}, the cause of the darkest nights and bringer of nightmares, while Cresselia represents the {{wp|crescent moon}}, a sign of hope and good dreams.

In the games, Cresselia can be found on [[Fullmoon Island]] as part of a post-League quest to rid {{tc|Sailor}} Eldrich's son of a nightmare. It will flee immediately, roaming Sinnoh and leaving behind a [[Lunar Wing]], which will heal the boy. Darkrai is found on [[Newmoon Island]], accessible only with a [[Member Card]], and can only be obtained through an event.

The lunar duo made their debuts separately, with a {{mov|Darkrai|Darkrai|10}} appearing in ''[[M10|The Rise of Darkrai]]'', attempting to stop Dialga and Palkia's fight from destroying its home, [[Alamos Town]], and protecting [[Alice]], its friend. Cresselia first appeared in ''[[DP104|Sleepless in Pre-Battle]]'', where it fought briefly against a Darkrai.

[[Image:Manaphyphione.png|thumb|left|{{p|Manaphy}} and {{p|Phione}}]]
====Sea guardians====
The sea guardian Pokémon are a legendary duo that, like Mewtwo and Mew, is comprised of a parent and child. {{p|Manaphy}}, a legendary Pokémon that makes its home in warmer seas south of the known regions, bears {{p|Phione}} when bred in captivity in the known regions.

In the games, Manaphy can only be found through an event: either it may be transferred in its egg from one of the {{ga|Pokémon Ranger|Ranger}} games after activating an event in those games, or can be directly received via various Mystery Gift events. Like Jirachi, it cannot be legitimately found in the wild. Phione, of course, must be bred from a Manaphy and a {{p|Ditto}}, making it the only legendary Pokémon available only through this method.

In the anime, Manaphy debuted in ''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'', where, like in the games, it first appeared as an egg, and befriended {{an|May}}, who it regarded as its mother. It was the only Pokémon able to find the mysterious Temple of the Sea, [[Samiya]], and was regarded as the Prince of the Sea. For this, it was sought by [[the Phantom]], a pirate who wished to take the jewels of the Sea Crown deep in Samiya. Phione debuted under different circumstances, being found in [[Chocovine Town]] in ''[[DP113|Hold the Phione!]]'', where they were revered as bringers of good luck.

Phione is disputed by many in its status as a legendary Pokémon, as its base stat total is lower than all other legendaries, while its availability compared to others is legitimately high, being able to be bred from a Ditto with either Manaphy or Phione as many times as a player would like. Even official sources have not been consistent, with [[Pokémon.com]] changing its status repeatedly, and official guidebooks alternately naming it as legendary or not. For all intents and purposes, it is regarded by Bulbapedia to be legendary due to its inability to be entered into [[Battle Frontier]] competitions and Nintendo-sponsored tournaments.

====Heatran====
[[File:Heatran anime.png|thumb|right|{{p|Heatran}} in the anime]]
{{p|Heatran}} is the embodiment of all volcanic activity, appearing in [[Stark Mountain]] in [[Sinnoh]], where it was said to have been born at the same time as Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina created Sinnoh at [[Spear Pillar]] and created the [[Battle Zone]]. Heatran is the first, and currently only, legendary Pokémon with a variable gender.

Heatran first appeared in the anime in ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]'', under the control of [[Marcus]], and later appeared in [[DP169]] as part of a Pokémon Ranger rescue mission.

====Regigigas====
{{p|Regigigas}} is the master of the [[legendary golems]], having created them in ancient times.

In the games, Regigigas is found at [[Snowpoint Temple]], though it will not awaken unless all three of the legendary golems are in the player's party.

Regigigas appeared in the anime in ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]'', where it attempted to stop a glacier from destroying [[Gracidea]]. Another appeared in ''[[DP129|Pillars of Friendship!]]'', where it was hunted by [[J]] and defended by {{FB|Pyramid King|Brandon}}.

====Shaymin====
[[File:Seabreak path.png|thumb|right|{{p|Shaymin}} running down [[Seabreak Path]]]]
A legendary Pokémon that has the ability to purify areas instantly and bring plant life in abundance, {{p|Shaymin}} is referred to as the Mew of Generation IV. Unlike previous event legendaries with its straight-100 base stats, however, Shaymin has the ability to change forms, between Land Forme and Sky Forme.

In the games, like Darkrai, Shaymin is catchable in the wild after an event item has been obtained: this time [[Oak's Letter]], which requests the player's help on {{rt|224|Sinnoh}}. After giving thanks to someone or something, Shaymin will appear, and will be available to be caught at the end of the [[Seabreak Path]] that appears, in the [[Flower Paradise]].

Shaymin has a central role in ''[[M11|Giratina and the Sky Warrior]]'', when it, as well as its Sky Forme, were officially revealed. It also has a minor role in ''[[DP168|Keeping In Top Forme!]]'' involving [[Marley]].

====Arceus====
[[File:Arceus ruins art.png|thumb|left|{{p|Arceus}} creates a Pokémon egg for {{ga|Ethan}} and {{ga|Lyra}}]]
The final Pokémon of Generation IV and the most powerful known so far, {{p|Arceus}} is, according to legend, the creator of the Pokémon universe. Born of an egg in the chaos at the beginning, Arceus's powers were awakened immediately, and from itself it made time and space, matter and antimatter, and set {{p|Dialga}}, {{p|Palkia}}, and {{p|Giratina}} to guard them. It created spirit as well, setting {{p|Uxie}} in charge of knowledge, {{p|Mesprit}} in charge of emotion, and {{p|Azelf}} in charge of willpower, before falling into an eternal slumber.

Arceus can be awoken from its sleep using an [[Azure Flute]] at [[Spear Pillar]], which will open a staircase to its home, the [[Hall of Origin]]. There it can be captured, though no legitimate way of obtaining the Azure Flute has yet been released.

In the anime, {{an|Arceus}} starred in ''[[M12|Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]'', where it set out to destroy [[Michina]] and its people for their betrayal in ancient times. After changing history with the help of Dialga, Ash and his friends revealed to Arceus the true nature of human beings, and it left Michina in peace.

===Generation V===
Thirteen additional legendary Pokémon were added in [[Generation V]]), the second largest addition to the ranks (one lower than [[Generation IV]], totalling 48 legendary Pokémon. {{p|Reshiram}} and {{p|Zekrom}} played a large role in the storyline of Black & White, with the respective mascot Pokémon being a neccesary and unavoidable capture to progress to the endgame. The rest of the Pokémon mattered little to the narrative progression and some are still unavailable legitimately, waiting instead on future events to unlock their existence.

====Victini====
{{p|Victini}} is found at the beginning of [[List of Pokémon by Isshu Pokédex number|Isshu's Pokédex]], being #000. Much like {{p|Mew}}, {{p|Celebi}}, {{p|Jirachi}}, {{p|Manaphy}} and {{p|Shaymin}} before it, each of its base stats are 100. It is the first [[Generation V]] [[event Pokémon]] revealed and allowed to be obtained. It is said that a Trainer with a Victini will win anything no matter what.

====Musketeer trio====
{{p|Cobalon}}, {{p|Terrakion}}, {{p|Virizion}} are a trio of Pokémon based on the titular characters of the 1844 French novel ''{{wp|The Three Musketeers}}'', and partially on hooved mammals such as deer, oxen, and horses. According to legend, they protect Pokémon from having their habitats destroyed by humans and have been known to have attacked human castles during the Middle Ages. Like the Three Musketeers, they are considered a trio but have a fourth, younger member in the form of {{p|Keldeo}} who the other three rescued and raised after its home was destroyed by fire. All four of them can use their horns like swords, and learn their signature move, {{m|Sacred Sword}}, at level 42 (43 for Keldeo).

====Raijin trio====
{{p|Voltolos}}, {{p|Tornelos}}, and {{p|Landlos}} are a trio of Pokémon based on Japanese deities; Fujin, god of wind, Raijin, god of thunder and lightning, and Inari, a fertility god.  Together the three represent the heavens and the nourishing effect the sky has upon the earth.

====Energy Dragon trio====
[[File:Reshiram Zekrom anime.png|thumb|280px|Reshiram and Zekrom]]
{{p|Zekrom}} and {{p|Reshiram}} represent Yin and Yang, and balance. Originally, they were a single dragon that helped found the Isshu region's nation. But fighting between the two brothers that founded the nation split them into two halves that constantly conflict with each other.

It is widely speculated that {{p|Kyurem}} is related to Zekrom and Reshiram due to reasons such as their types and names<!--ReshiRAM, ZekROM, KyuREM-->, in the same way Giratina turned out to be closely related to Dialga and Palkia.

====Meloetta====
{{p|Meloetta}} represents music and dance. Meloetta is similar to the Greek idea of a Muse, a goddess of creativity and inspiration.  

====Genesect====
{{p|Genesect}} is an experimental creature created by Team Plasma, under N, attempting to create the strongest Pokémon in existence by altering an ancient insect Pokémon with cybernetic upgrades. It uses special cassettes to make variations to its signature move, {{m|Techno Buster}}.

==Trivia==
* In the games, there appears to only be one of every legendary Pokémon, but in the {{pkmn|anime}}, there is more than one of most legendaries. This may just mean that the creators of the game intended the {{player}} to only ever happen to meet one of them canonically, and in fact there are others elsewhere which the player does not encounter.
** This may be supported by the possibility of acquiring eggs of {{p|Dialga}}, {{p|Palkia}} and {{p|Giratina}} in {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}}, and {{p|Manaphy}} in the [[Generation IV]] games.
* Each generation has introduced at least one {{type2|Psychic}} legendary and one {{type2|Flying}} legendary, though the only Flying-type legendaries in Generation IV gain this type only in an alternate form.
* According to interviews with [[Junichi Masuda]] in 2009, legendary Pokémon are the most difficult to design names for because Game Freak strives to make sure that the names of legendary Pokémon are universal across the different translations, so extra work must be put into their names to make sure that they work universally in all languages and don't conflict with anything else. This is consistent with the relatively small amount of legendaries who have had their names changed outside of Japan (a current number of five, the [[legendary birds]] and two of the [[lake guardians]]).
* As of [[Generation V]], aside from {{p|Arceus}}'s use of [[Plates]], there has never been a {{type|Poison}} legendary Pokémon.
* Only {{p|Deoxys}}, {{p|Giratina}}, {{p|Arceus}}, {{p|Lugia}}, and {{p|Ho-Oh}} have a battle theme that is shared with no other. {{p|Mew}} has its own battle theme; however, it is a remixed version of the normal [[Kanto]] wild battle theme.
* The legendary birds of Kanto are the most available wild legendary Pokémon, able to be caught in nine main series games each (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver). The least available wild legendary Pokémon are {{p|Celebi}} and {{p|Mew}}, which only appear in the wild in one game apiece; each encounter requires an [[event item]] to activate it. {{p|Shaymin}} and {{p|Darkrai}} may also count, as the event items for the two, though existent in the games' coding, were not released to players of {{2v2|Diamond|Pearl}}, with the Mystery Gift events only available for players of {{v2|Platinum}}.

==Related articles==
*[[Event Pokémon]]
*[[Myths and legends involving legendary Pokémon]]
*[[Sinnoh myths]]
*[[History of the Pokémon world]]
*[[Pseudo-legendary]]

==External links==
*[http://www.dark-stars.net/Legend/ Legends of the Mon], the fanlisting for legendary Pokémon.

[[Category:Pokémon world]]
[[Category:Terminology]]
[[Category:Legendary Pokémon|*]]

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