The Pokémon anime is something many of us find huge nostalgia in from our youth, or still watch now! We’ve been introduced to characters from the anime in Pokémon GO, like Jessie, James and Giovanni, so why not some of the unique Pokémon too?
We’d love to see these elusive Pokémon appear, whether as ‘costume’ Pokémon in an event, or as a one off through some sort of special research.
We’ve seen Armoured Mewtwo and the evolved Kanto starter Pokémon clones in GO (and we wish they would come back!), so why not more? Love them or hate them, Costume Pokémon have proved quite prevalent in GO, with many events introducing different Costumes for a variety of Pokémon.
Let’s take a look at who we would love to see in GO that features in the TV series.
If we’ve missed your favourite alternative Pokémon form from the anime, let us know in the comments! Which of these would you like to see the most?
Crystal Onix
A very long time ago, an APK datamine by the Pokeminers found evidence of a Costume Onix. This was back in 2020, and all of us were excited because could it be… a Costume Onix, has to be Crystal Onix right?! Of all the Pokémon that have been total one offs in the anime series, I’d argue that Crystal Onix might just be the most sought after by the trainers of Pokémon GO.
Instead of being made from Rock, Crystal Onix is literally made from crystals, and therefore can comfortably live in water. While the official typing of Crystal Onix is unknown, we do know it was hurt by a Fire type attack by Mateo’s Charmander in the episode ‘The Crystal Onix’.
Pink Butterfree
Pink Butterfree was the first ever alternate colour Pokémon shown, before shiny Pokémon were even introduced in Generation II. As we know now, shiny Butterfree doesn’t have the colours of Pink Butterfree, making it another rare Pokémon, seen only in the anime. It appeared in the episode ‘Bye-Bye Butterfree’, and was shown to accept Ash’s Butterfree as it’s mate, flying off with it into the distance.
The Pink Butterfree is referenced in Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal/Heart Gold/Soul Silver. After battling an NPC near the Lakes of Rage, she says ‘Come to think of it, I’ve seen a pink Butterfree’.
While shiny Butterfree does have pink nose, hands and feet, it has a purple body, so it seems odd to describe it as a pink colour, so we’d like to think she is referring to the Pink Butterfree.
Valencia Island Pokémon
Valencia Island is the first time Pokémon shown in a specific location differ from the normal forms. Valencia Island is located in the southwestern region of the Orange Archipelago, and it is shown in the episode ‘Poké Ball Peril’.
Professor Ivy is studying these unusual Pokémon, and believes they have adapted to life on this particular island. It could be said that they are the first regional Pokémon we see in the series!
The Pokémon shown included Paras, Butterfree, both genders of Nidoran, Vileplume, Raticate and Weepinbell.
Pinkan Island Pokémon
Pinkan Island is a natural wildlife preserve in the Orange Archipelago, and was featured in the episode ‘In the Pink’. It is the second island shown to have Pokémon who are a different colour to their usual.
On this island, all Pokémon have gained a pink colour due to their eating of a particular fruit, leaving them highly sought after by poachers.
Throughout the episode a variety of different Pinkan Island Pokemon are seen, including Bellsprout, Rhyhorn, Rhydon, Exeggutor, Mankey, Vileplume, Diglett, Paras, Weedle, Pidgey, Rattata, both genders of Nidoran, Venonat, and Primeape. Adorable! These would be so much fun for a Valentine’s Day themed event.
Snowman Snorlax
The adorable Snowman Snorlax was introduced in episode ‘White Story’, and is shown to be an Ice type, made magically from snow.
This Snorlax is white in colour, and goes on adventure with the Pokémon pictured below. How cute would it be for a Winter themed event?
Pokémopolis Pokémon
Seen in the episode ‘The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis’, these Pokémon feature tattoo like markings on their bodies, and are giant in size. They are considered to be God-like, and were discovered at an ancient temple that was used to worship Pokémon. An Alakazam, Gengar and Jigglypuff are all shown with these markings.
Boss Pikachu
Boss Pikachu is a shiny Pikachu with a ridiculous pompadour style hair! He is owned by Pikala, and is introduced in the episode ‘A Plethora of Pikachu!’. He is named ‘Boss’, and is shown to be looked up to by the other Pikachu in the episode. We all know Niantic love a Costume Pikachu, so Boss would be the perfect addition to the collection! How cute is that hair do?
