Summary
- Pokemon designs in the series are imaginative and unique, with some going beyond endearing to be truly appreciable.
- Charizard, Blastoise, and Pikachu are among the best-designed Pokemon due to popularity, iconic designs, and capabilities in games.
- Newer Pokemon like Nihilego, Palafin, and Iron Valiant bring fresh and creative designs to the games.
If there’s one thing that anyone, even people who are not fans of the franchise, can say about Pokemon is that it is a series full of wildly imaginative and unique monster designs. They are the kind of fictional creatures that spur people’s imaginations. They also make it easy for the fans to become attached to the shows, trading cards, and, especially, the games and shows. Everyone has their favorite Pokemon, and they can’t get enough to them.
But personal tastes aside, there are some Pokemon that go beyond the realm of being endearing. The creativity and at times beauty in the designs of some Pokemon are things that anyone should be able to admit are worth appreciating.
The Smallest Pokemon Ever (From Largest To Smallest)
Pokemon come in all shapes and sizes, from gigantic to itsy-bitsy. We take a look at the latter by examining the smallest Pokemon out there.
Updated December 18th, 2025, by Lucas Simons: Over a thousand Pokemon have filled the lives of Trainers all across the world with joy (and pride, when they win lots of battles), and everyone has their favorite. But in terms of best design, only a few of them can have the luxury of bearing the title. With the most recent addition to the Mega Pokedex brought with Legends Z-A and Mega Dimension DLC, a lot of new cool designs are making trainers yell with excitement. From the surprisingly well-designed Mega Absol Z, to the cool-looking Mega Froslass, it would seem that Pokemon Legends Z-A has put the franchise back on track with some of the best designs ever made.
50
Charizard
This Pokemon’s Flame Will Never Burn Out
|
Type |
Fire/Flying, Fire/Dragon (Mega Charizard X) |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Blaze, Solar Power, Tough Claws (Mega Charizard X), Drought (Mega Charizard Y) |
|
Learned Moves |
Flamethrower, Fire Fang, Air Slash, Dragon Claw, Smokescreen |
|
Forms |
Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, Gigantamax Charizard |
|
Pokedex Entry |
A Charizard flies about in search of strong opponents. It breathes intense flames that can melt any material. However, it will never torch a weaker foe. |
For many fans, Charizard is their first introduction to the Pokemon franchise. It is the sixth Pokemon in the Pokedex and the mascot Pokemon for the first generation’s Pokemon Red. Charizard is beyond popular in mainstream media, from Ash’s disrespectful partner in the anime to its ultra-rare holo card from the original trading card game series.
Charizard remains one of the most beloved and classic dragon designs in the series, so much so that it was given two Mega Evolutions, one of which being Fire/Dragon-type. Its bright orange scales, fire-coated tail, and fearsome facial expression are why this amazing Fire/Flying-type has set the standard for other Pokemon like it.
49
Blastoise
Squirtle’s Shell Gets Quite The Upgrade
|
Type |
Water |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Torrent, Rain Dish, Mega Launcher (Mega Blastoise) |
|
Learned Moves |
Hydro Pump, Wave Crash, Bite, Flash Cannon, Shell Smash |
|
Forms |
Mega Blastoise, Gigantamax Blastoise |
|
Pokedex Entry |
Blastoise has water spouts that protrude from its shell. The water spouts are very accurate. They can shoot bullets of water with enough accuracy to strike empty cans from a distance of over 160 feet. |
Although Charizard might be the most popular Gen 1 starter evolution, Blastoise still maintains a special place in many fans’ hearts. Aside from being one of the strongest Water-type starters, Blastoise is also one of the most iconic Pokemon designs, as a hulking tortoise with cannons protruding from its shell.
Blastoise’s popularity allows it to benefit from multiple forms and designs. Both Mega Blastoise and Gigantamax Blastoise take the best aspects of the original’s look and build off of it. Despite having been around for over two decades, Blastoise is still relevant to the franchise, and its eye-grabbing design is a big reason why.
48
Pikachu
The Electric Mouse That Earned Its Mascot Status
|
Type |
Electric |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Static, Lightning Rod |
|
Learned Moves |
Thunderbolt, Electro Ball, Iron Tail, Agility, Charm, Nasty Plot, Quick Attack |
|
Forms |
Cap Pikachu, Gigantamax Pikachu |
|
Pokedex Entry |
Its nature is to store up electricity. Forests where nests of Pikachu live are dangerous, since the trees are so often struck by lightning. |
Easily the most recognizable Pokemon in the world, Pikachu is an Electric-type Pokemon that routinely appears in every Pokemon game, albeit finding it in the wild can be quite difficult. It first appeared in Pokemon Red and Blue, where it can be caught in a number of locations, one example being the Viridian Forest.
Pokemon Anime: 8 of Pikachu’s Best Moments
Pikachu is undoubtedly one of the faces of the Pokemon franchise, and among his many memorable moments, these ones stand out as the best.
Pikachu is the quintessential “cute” Pokemon and has been so for the entire span of the franchise’s history. Its small dimensions and mousey features, including its adorable ears, eyes, and almost constant smile, have made owning a Pikachu in real life the impossible dream for millions of people. It’s unfortunate its evolution, Raichu, doesn’t get the same love.
47
Gengar
This Shadow Haunts Many Fans’ Dreams
|
Type |
Ghost/Poison |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Cursed Body, Shadow Tag (Mega Gengar) |
|
Learned Moves |
Shadow Ball, Night Shade, Sucker Punch, Dream Eater, Mean Look |
|
Forms |
Mega Gengar, Gigantamax Gengar |
|
Pokedex Entry |
Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow. |
Sometimes, the most simplistic of designs are the most impactful. This is exceptionally true with Gastly’s evolutionary line, ending with Gengar. As the first Ghost-type Pokemon introduced back in Generation 1, Gengar’s design has withstood the test of time. It helps that its pre-evolution, Haunter, is just as iconic with its menacing face and creepy hands.
Gengar has become an icon in its own right, appearing in a lot of Pokemon merchandise and media over the years. It’s even been given alternate forms through Mega Evolution and Gigantamaxing which have only made its design age better.
46
Lapras
If Only You Could Ride The Transport Pokemon IRL
|
Type |
Water/Ice |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Water Absorb, Shell Armor, Hydration |
|
Learned Moves |
Water Pulse, Brine, Ice Beam, Sheer Cold, Confuse Ray, Perish Song |
|
Forms |
Gigantamax Lapras |
|
Pokedex Entry |
People have driven Lapras almost to the point of extinction. In the evenings, this Pokemon is said to sing plaintively as it seeks what few others of its kind still remain. |
One of Gen 1’s most recognizable Pokemon, Lapras’ design has made an impression on plenty of trainers over the years. The Water/Ice-type resembles a plesiosaur, with its spiky grey shell and flippers standing out as its most recognizable traits.
There’s not a lot to Lapras’ design, though its simplicity has a certain charm to it. Gigantamax Lapras adds much more to the initial design, putting more focus on its shell while maintaining the aesthetic of the original. Of course, many Pokemon fans will fulfill their dreams of riding a Lapras in Pokemon Sun & Moon, where they can use the Pokemon to surf across bodies of water.
45
Eevee
This Normal-Type’s Evolutions Are Endless
|
Type |
Normal |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Run Away, Adaptability, Anticipation |
|
Learned Moves |
Swift, Double-Edge, Baby-Doll Eyes, Bite, Sand Attack |
|
Forms |
Gigantamax Eevee |
|
Pokedex Entry |
It can evolve into a variety of forms. Eevee’s genes are the key to solving the mysteries of Pokemon evolution. |
Eevee is a Pokemon from the first generation of Pokemon games. It is a small, canine-like, Normal-type Pokemon that notably has many potential evolutions, each with a differing type. Among the fan-favorites of the so-called “Eeveelutions” include Umbreon, Sylveon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon.
Pokemon: 6 Types the Next Eeveelution Could Be
With 18 Pokemon types to choose from, many fans are wondering which typing the next evolution of Eevee might have. Here are a few possibilities.
The Pokemon that Eevee evolves into depends on some different factors, including the location Eevee is evolved in, or the item used to evolve it. It’s been a fan topic for many years how Eeveelution designs would look for the rest of the types that have yet to be discovered, but hopefully, it won’t be long for Nintendo to unveil them.
44
Mewtwo
The Genetic Clone Of Mew Is A Memorable Legendary
|
Type |
Psychic, Psychic/Fighting (Mega Mewtwo X) |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Pressure, Unnerve, Steadfast (Mega Mewtwo X), Insomnia (Mega Mewtwo Y) |
|
Learned Moves |
Psystrike, Future Sight, Aura Sphere, Ancient Power, Life Dew, Mist, Recover |
|
Forms |
Mega Mewtwo X, Mega Mewtwo Y |
|
Pokedex Entry |
Mewtwo is a Pokemon that was created by genetic manipulation. However, even though the scientific power of humans created this Pokemon’s body, they failed to endow Mewtwo with a compassionate heart. |
The second-to-last Pokemon in the original Pokedex in Pokemon Red and Blue, Mewtwo is one of the most powerful Pokemon in existence. However, it can only be caught after beating the main story. Once the player becomes the Pokemon Champion, they can travel to Cerulean Cave to seek out Mewtwo, but it’s best to save the Master Ball for this difficult fight.
What makes Mewtwo’s design impressive is how disconnected it is from the rest of the Pokemon in the series. Mewtwo is more “unnatural” than other Pokemon, to convey its artificial creation, and its demeanor is more purposefully savage than any other Pokemon. It also helps that the Pokemon has one of the most iconic anime appearances in Mewtwo Strikes Back.
43
Umbreon
Eevee’s Moonlight Evolution Shines Brightest
|
Type |
Dark |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Synchronize, Inner Focus |
|
Learned Moves |
Snarl, Dark Pulse, Moonlight, Confuse Ray, Guard Swap, Sand Attack, Covet |
|
Forms |
N/A |
|
Pokedex Entry |
Umbreon evolved as a result of exposure to the moon’s waves. It hides silently in darkness and waits for its foes to make a move. The rings on its body glow when it leaps to attack. |
The Eeveelutions don’t lack any creativity in their designs, with each one bringing some unique attributes to the table compared to other Pokemon of the same time. Gen 1 might have introduced the most at once, but Gen 2’s additions, the Dark-type Umbreon and Psychic-type Espeon bring a lot to the table once players evolve them at nighttime or in the daytime, respectively.
Umbreon gets a slight edge over Espeon thanks to its sleek appearance. Its design is simple compared to its alternatives, but it stands out in how it’s able to do more with less. New Eeveelutions are bound to be introduced in future generations. Whether they can match Umbreon’s design is up in the air, though Gen 6’s Sylveon got pretty close.
42
Scizor
This Pincer Pokemon Has A Sharp Design
|
Type |
Bug/Steel |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Swarm, Technician, Light Metal, Technician (Mega Scizor) |
|
Learned Moves |
Fury Cutter, X-Scissor, Bullet Punch, Iron Head, Wing Attack, Agility, Slash |
|
Forms |
Mega Scizor |
|
Pokedex Entry |
Bulky pincers account for one third of Scizor’s body weight. A single swing of one of these pincers will crush a boulder completely. |
Before Gen 2, Scyther was just a single-stage Bug/Flying-type Pokemon. However, Scizor is quite the upgrade as far as evolutions go. Although this Bug/Steel-type Pokemon isn’t the best bet against Fire-types, it’s one of the simplest, yet most unique designs in the franchise. Scyther’s blade-like arms transform into sharp pincers that, according to the Pokedex, are incredibly strong.
Scizor was also one of the few Pokemon lucky enough to get a Mega Evolution in Pokemon X & Y, sharply increasing its Attack and Defense stats. In Scarlet & Violet, its model even got a sweet design upgrade, making its body appear more metallic, which helps convey the impressive armor surrounding Scizor.
41
Suicune
Like An Aurora, Suicune Looks Magnificent
|
Type |
Water, Water/Dragon (Walking Wake) |
|---|---|
|
Abilities |
Pressure, Inner Focus, Protosynthesis (Walking Wake) |
|
Learned Moves |
Surf, Water Pulse, Blizzard, Extrasensory, Crunch, Tailwind, Extreme Speed |
|
Forms |
Walking Wake |
|
Pokedex Entry |
Suicune embodies the compassion of a pure spring of water. It runs across the land with gracefulness. This Pokemon has the power to purify dirty water. |
Suicune is a member of the Legendary beast trio that first appeared in Pokemon Gold & Silver, and was the mascot for Pokemon Crystal. The Legendary Pokemon Ho-oh resurrected Suicune after it had died in a fire that destroyed the Brass Tower. As a roaming Pokemon, players may only get their chance to catch it once they randomly encounter it in the wild.
Suicune’s design is canine in origin and takes inspiration from wolves and other long-snouted breeds. However, Suicune only looks cooler with its Paradox form in Scarlet & Violet, Walking Wake, which is more dinosaur-inspired and boasts a secondary Dragon-typing.
