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Terminology of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon: Difference between revisions

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Terminology of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon (view source)

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[[File:2018 Legendary Pokemon Distributions artwork.png|thumb|350px|Artwork depicting a variety of Legendary Pokémon]]
[[File:2016 Mythical Pokémon Distributions artwork.png|thumb|350px|Artwork depicting a variety of Mythical Pokémon]]
The '''terminology of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon''' explains how the terms "'''[[Legendary Pokémon]]'''" (Japanese: '''{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}のポケモン''' ''Legendary Pokémon'') and "'''[[Mythical Pokémon]]'''" (Japanese: '''{{ruby|幻|まぼろし}}のポケモン''' ''Illusory Pokémon'') have been used in Pokémon media.
==Overview==
In Japanese media, '''Legendary Pokémon''' and '''Mythical Pokémon''' have always been presented as distinct groups. The concept of Legendary Pokémon was introduced in the Japanese {{game|Red and Green|s}}; the concept of Mythical Pokémon was introduced in the [[List of Japanese event Pokémon distributions (Generation I)#Legendary Pokémon Offer Mew|May 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comic]] which announced the first Mew giveaway, and was first used in the games in Japanese {{jap|Pokémon Blue Version|Pokémon Blue}}.
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). The first time a group of Mythical Pokémon was consistently distinguished from Legendary Pokémon in non-Japanese media was in {{g|Ranger: Guardian Signs}}, where they were referred to as '''Rare Pokémon'''.
Since Generation V, the two groups are 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 the core series games==
===Generation I===
In Japanese games from {{jap|Pokémon Blue Version|Pokémon Blue}} onwards, some of {{p|Dratini}} and {{p|Mew}}'s Pokédex entries mention the concept of Mythical Pokémon. This was translated in English as "'''mythical'''", "'''myth'''", or "'''mirage'''".
{{p|Dratini}}'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.''){{sup/1|B}}{{sup/3|LG}}
*: Long considered a '''mythical Pokémon''' until recently when a small colony was found living underwater.{{sup/1|RB}}
*: Long considered a '''mythical Pokémon''' until recently, when a small colony was found living underwater.{{sup/3|LG}}
* 「{{ruby|長|なが}}らく '''{{ruby|幻|まぼろし}}'''と されていたが {{ruby|最近|さいきん}} {{ruby|釣|つ}}りあげられて その {{ruby|存在|そんざい}}が {{ruby|確認|かくにん}}された。」 (''Long time thought to be '''Mythical''', it was fished recently, confirming its existence.''){{sup/1|Y}}{{sup/7|PE}}
*: The existence of this '''mythical''' Pokémon was only recently confirmed by a fisherman who caught one.{{sup/1|Y}}
*: Long thought to be a '''myth''', this Pokémon's existence was only recently confirmed by a fisherman who caught one.{{sup/7|PE}}
{{p|Mew}}'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.''){{sup/1|B}}{{sup/3|LG}}
*: So rare that it is still said to be a '''mirage''' by many experts. Only a few people have seen it worldwide.{{sup/1|RB}}{{sup/3|LG}}
{{p|Arcanine}} debuted in this generation as well. Even though it is not a [[Legendary Pokémon]], its {{pkmn|category}} is "'''Legendary Pokémon'''" (Japanese: '''でんせつのポケモン'''). Starting in Japanese {{game|Red and Green|s}}, 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 {{gen|VII}} remakes, and in {{game|Black and White|s 2|Pokémon Black 2 and White 2}}, [[Lance]] says a quote including the word 「{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}」 (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'''":
* 「{{ruby|知|し}}ってるだろ ドラゴンは {{ruby|聖|せい}}なる '''{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}'''の {{ruby|生き物|いきもの}}だ！」 (''As you know, dragons are sacred '''legendary''' creatures!''){{sup/1|RGBY}}{{sup/3|FRLG}}{{sup/5|B2W2}}{{sup/7|PE}}
*: "You know that dragons are '''mythical <sc>Pokémon</sc>'''!"{{sup/1|RBY}}{{sup/3|FRLG}}
*: "I'm sure you already know this, but dragons are sacred and '''legendary creatures'''!"{{sup/5|B2W2}}
*: "You likely know that dragons are '''Pokémon spoken of in legends'''!"{{sup/7|PE}}
===Generation II===
In [[Generation II]] games and their [[Generation IV]] remakes, non-player characters in [[Olivine City]] refer to {{p|Lugia}} using an expression that changed in the localization: "'''mythical''' sea creature" (Japanese: うみのかみさま ''god of the sea'').
In those games and their remakes, [[Blackthorn Gym]]'s [[Gym guide|guide]] says a line about [[Clair]]'s {{type|Dragon}} 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 [https://web.archive.org/web/20021201103601/http://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/notappear.html 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) that explained that {{p|Mew}} and {{p|Celebi}} are Mythical Pokémon that do not appear in the games, instead only being obtainable via Nintendo events.
===Generation III===
====Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald====
[[File:Lilycove Museum Legendary Pokémon Painting ORAS.png‎|thumb|250px|Painting of a Legendary Pokémon]]
In [[Generation III]] games and their [[Generation VI]] remakes, there is a painting of a '''Legendary Pokémon'''. The painting was unidentified in the original games, but it is visually shown to be {{p|Arceus}} in the remakes. In spite of 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.
* 「{{ruby|昔|むかし}}の {{ruby|人|ひと}}が {{ruby|想像|そうぞう}}で {{ruby|描|か}}いた '''{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}の ポケモン'''の {{ruby|絵|え}}だ!」 (''A person from ancient times painted this '''Legendary Pokémon''' from imagination!''){{sup/3|RSE}}{{sup/6|ORAS}}
*: "It's a painting of a '''legendary <sc>Pokémon</sc>''' from long ago. The artist painted this from imagination." {{sup/3|RSE}}
*: "It's a painting of a '''Legendary Pokémon''' from long ago. The artist painted this from their imagination." {{sup/6|ORAS}}
===Generation IV===
====Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platium====
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, [[Professor Rowan]] refers to {{p|Uxie}}, {{p|Mesprit}}, and {{p|Azelf}} as '''mirage Pokémon''' (Japanese: '''まぼろしのポケモン''' ''Mythical Pokémon'') using the Japanese term for [[Mythical Pokémon]]. This happens in [[Canalave Library]], but he also refers to them as '''legendary Pokémon''' later, at [[Lake Verity]].
In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum (as well as in {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}}), [[Cyrus]] refers to {{p|Dialga}} and {{p|Palkia}} as "'''[[Pokémon of Myth|mythical Pokémon]]'''" (Japanese: '''{{ruby|神話|しんわ}}のポケモン''' ''Mythical Pokémon''). However, this predates the definitive use of the term Mythical Pokémon in English and has a different name to "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 {{g|Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl}} {{OBP|Research Task|HOME}} "Pokémon of Myth" uses the same 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 mission appears to be based on the English localization).
====Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver====
{{p|Kyogre}}'s Pokédex entry in both games 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 {{p|Kyogre}} and {{p|Groudon}} as "the '''mythical Pokémon''' that stretched the seas and that Pokémon that widened the lands". However, his Japanese dialogue mentions「'''ポケモンたちの しんわ'''」 (''myths about Pokémon''), not specifically the Mythical Pokémon.
===Generation V===
====Pokémon Black and White====
In Pokémon Black and White, at the [[Challenger's Cave]], {{tc|Ace Trainer}} 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 {{ruby|暮|く}}らす '''{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}の ポケモン'''なの！？」
:「おどろいた あなた {{ruby|人|ひと}}だよね」
:「わたしが {{ruby|知|し}}っている {{ruby|話|はなし}}では '''{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}の ポケモン'''は {{ruby|弟子|でし}}の ポケモンを {{ruby|鍛|きた}}えていたそうよ」
:「{{ruby|同|おな}}じ{{ruby|日|ひ}}に この{{ruby|世|よ}}に{{ruby|生|う}}まれ {{ruby|共|とも}}に{{ruby|育|そだ}}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''' {{p|Diancie}}" in the cutscene where the player receives the [[Diancite]].
In pre-release material for {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, it was advertised that all '''Legendary Pokémon''' could be obtained between {{pkmn|X and Y|Pokémon X, Y}}, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire.<ref>[[Media:CoroCoro November 2014 Mythical Places.jpg|November 2014 CoroCoro Comic]] ([[n:Mega Beedrill, Mega Pidgeot revealed|Bulbanews]])</ref> This does not apply to Mythical Pokémon.
====Pokémon X and Y====
A [[Move Tutor]] refers to {{p|Keldeo}} and {{p|Meloetta}} 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: {{p|Deoxys}}".
The "Explorations of the Ancient World" program from [[TV Mauville]] mentions at three different points the lowercase adjective "a '''mythical''' {{p|Volcanion}}".
A [[Move Tutor]] refers to {{p|Hoopa}} 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====
A [[Move Tutor]] refers to {{p|Keldeo}} and {{p|Meloetta}} as '''Mythical Pokémon'''.
===Generation VIII===
====Pokémon Sword and Shield====
In promotional material for ''[[The Crown Tundra]]'' expansion of {{g|Sword and Shield}}, it was advertised that after its release, all '''Legendary Pokémon''' could be obtained in Sword and Shield.<ref>[https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/expansionpass/features/#legendary-pokemon | New features added in The Isle of Armor and The Crown Tundra | Pokémon Sword and Shield Official Website]</ref> This does not apply to Mythical Pokémon.
====Pokémon Legends: Arceus====
The official English website of {{g|Legends: Arceus}} used to refer to Arceus as a '''Legendary Pokémon''', which was later corrected to '''Mythical Pokémon'''.<ref>[https://legends.pokemon.com/en-us/pokemon/ Pokémon Legends: Arceus]</ref> In the Japanese website, it has been referred to as a Mythical Pokémon from the beginning.<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/legends_arceus/ja/pokemon/210818_08/ Pokémon LEGENDS アルセウス]</ref>
===Generation IX===
====Pokémon Scarlet and Violet====
In the internal data of {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}, {{p|Shiinotic}} is defined as a '''Mythical Pokémon''' instead of {{p|Marshadow}}. 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).<ref>https://twitter.com/Sibuna_Switch/status/1613414136079323137</ref>
==In the side series games==
===Pokémon Stadium series===
In {{eng|Pokémon Stadium}}, {{p|Mew}}'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 {{jap|Pokémon Stadium}}.
==In the spin-off games==
==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series===
{{Translation notice}}
In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team]], if the player refuses {{p|Latios}}'s offer to join their team twice, Alakazam will say Latios and {{p|Latias}} 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 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===
===Pokémon Masters EX===
In {{g|Masters EX}}, {{p|Arceus}} is called a '''Legendary Pokémon''' (Japanese: '''{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}のポケモン''' ''Legendary Pokémon'') by {{mas|Norman}} in the "Challenge the Normal Types" [[Daily Type Rotation]] event.
In {{g|Masters EX}}, {{p|Arceus}} is called a '''Legendary Pokémon''' (Japanese: '''{{ruby|伝説|でんせつ}}のポケモン''' ''Legendary Pokémon'') by {{mas|Norman}} in the "Challenge the Normal Types" [[Daily Type Rotation]] event.
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==In the guidebooks==
===''Pokémon Ultimate Handbook''===
The ''[[Pokémon Ultimate Handbook]]'' predates the split between Legendary and Mythical Pokémon in English, therefore all those Pokémon are classified as "'''Legendary Pokémon'''". Additionally, {{p|Delibird}} and {{p|Rotom}} are said to be Legendary Pokémon as well.
Most pages are about multiple Pokémon, except the Legendary Pokémon, as well as {{p|Rotom}}, {{p|Spinda}} and {{p|Spiritomb}}, each having its own page with a starry background and a glow around the box stating its species name and {{pkmn|category}}. 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 ({{p|Delcatty}}, which is the preceding Pokémon in alphabetical order) and it lacks the starry background.
There is a 3-page feature about {{p|Darkrai}}, 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 the anime==
[[File:Legendary Pokémon engravings EP002.png|thumb|250px|Engravings of "Legendary Pokémon" {{p|Moltres}}, {{p|Articuno}}, {{p|Zapdos}}, and {{p|Arcanine}} in ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'']]
In  ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', there is an engraving of '''Legendary Pokémon''', specifically the [[Legendary birds]] {{p|Moltres}}, {{p|Articuno}}, and {{p|Zapdos}}, as well as {{p|Arcanine}}. Even though Arcanine is not actually a Legendary Pokémon, this is likely related to Arcanine's {{pkmn|category}} and [[Pokédex]] entries referring to it as one.
In ''[[M03|Spell of the Unown: Entei]]'', it is specifically said that {{p|Unown}} 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 {{p|Lugia}}, more mysterious than {{p|Mew}}".
In ''[[M12|Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life]]'', {{p|Arceus}} 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 {{p|Manaphy}} and {{p|Arceus}} are called "Legendary" in the English marketing blurbs for their respective movies (''[[M09|Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'' and ''Arceus and the Jewel of Life'', respectively).
==In the manga==
===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
As seen in [[Chuang Yi]]'s translation of ''[[PM005|The Hunt for Mew the Phantom Pokémon!!]]'', the term "'''Phantom Pokémon'''" (Japanese: '''{{ruby|幻|まぼろし}}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===
===={{chap|Red, Green & Blue}}====
As seen in [[Chuang Yi]]'s translation of ''[[PS001|A Glimpse of the Glow]]'', the term "'''Phantom Pokémon'''" (Japanese: '''{{ruby|幻|まぼろし}}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.
===={{chap|Platinum}}====
Even though {{p|Rotom}} is not a {{pkmn2|Legendary}} or [[Mythical Pokémon]], it is mentioned in the list of Sinnoh's Legendary and Mythical Pokémon from [[Charon]]'s notebook in ''[[PS430|Unplugging Rotom (Heat, Wash, Mow, Fan, Frost)]]'' from the [[Pokémon Adventures]] manga.
==In the novels==
===Pocket Monsters: The Animation===
In [[Pocket Monsters: The Animation]], the distinction between {{pkmn2|Legendary}} and [[Mythical Pokémon]] is said to be unclear.
It is argued that {{p|Dragonair}} and {{p|Dragonite}} can be possibly considered Mythical Pokémon because dragons are mythical creatures. It is also argued that Legendary Pokémon such as {{p|Articuno}} and {{p|Moltres}} may be considered to be a different category because their Japanese names are based on English words.
==Trivia==
* An {{pkmn2|event}}-exclusive Mythical Pokémon who later becomes available in-game retains its Mythical status. For instance, {{p|Deoxys}} was introduced as an event-only Pokémon in [[Generation III]], but it was still called a Mythical Pokémon in the dialogue of {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, the first core series game where it was catchable outside of events.
==See Also==
* [[Legendary Pokémon]]
* [[Mythical Pokémon]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Legendary Pokémon|*]]
[[Category:Mythical Pokémon|*]]
[[Category:Terminology pages|Legendary and Mythical Pokémon]]
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