Discover the Hidden Alternate Colored Pokémon in the Anime You Never Knew Existed!

Summary

Shiny Pokemon have unique color variations and are rare finds in games and anime.
Special colored Pokemon in the anime include gold Sudowoodo, pink Pokemon from Pinkan Island.
Alternate colored Pokemon like purple Kecleon and pink Butterfree enrich the series lore.

Pokemons exhibit different colors and shapes, yet each species tends to look identical. However, there’s an exception to this rule – Shiny Pokemons, which show distinct color patterns and are harder to find within the games. In fact, you might have encountered Shiny Pokemons in the anime too! Ash’s Noctowl was one of the first Shiny Pokemons introduced during the Johto Journeys series, a time when this generation of Pokemons were prominent.

In the anime, various hues of Pokemon appeared before the introduction of shiny Pokemon in games. However, these colorful versions aren’t considered ‘shiny’ officially. These variations are usually attributed to plot points within the episodes, but not consistently so.

10. Gold Sudowoodo

Episode: All That Glitters Is Not Golden!

Differences: Completely gold instead of mostly brown and green

In this episode of “Pokemon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire”, Ash and his companions come across a trainer named Keenan, who possesses a golden Sudowoodo. This distinctive gold hue is due to a scientific experiment that rendered the Imitation Pokemon resistant to Water-type attacks.

Nevertheless, the golden Sudowoodo draws excessive unwanted interest, especially from the mischievous Team Rocket. Consequently, Keenan vows to restore his Pokémon to its original shape. By the finale of the episode, he keeps his word, stripping off the Sudowoodo’s unique gold hue and changing it back into a standard Sudowoodo.

9. Pink Pokemon Of Pinkan Island

Episode: In The Pink

Differences: Various Pokemon that have pink as their main color instead of their usual coloring.

The Orange Islands series introduced a diverse range of Pokémon with striking colors, especially those native to Pinkan Island, famed for its pink-hued creatures. This unique shade is attributed to their consumption of Pinkan Berries. In an episode, Ash’s Pikachu temporarily turned pink after consuming one of these berries.

Multiple Pokemon characters such as Nidoking, Electabuzz, Geodude, and Mankey are often portrayed in shades of pink. This artistic decision adds a unique charm to the Pokemon universe, possibly influenced by real-life flamingos, whose coloring stems from their diet.

8. Valencian Pokemon

Episode: Poke Ball Peril

Differences: Pokemon with a darker coloration.

During the Orange Islands storyline, the group journeys to Valencia Island, a place where they come across Pokemon that sport unusual shades. Compared to normals, these Pokemon exhibit deeper hues of their regular base colors. This color variation piqued Professor Ivy’s interest, causing her to remain on the island for further study.

In the Pokemon display, you’ll find Butterfree, Raticate, Nidoran, Vileplume, Paras, and Weepinbell. Regrettably, viewers didn’t get to see more of these distinct Pokemon in action. It would have been fascinating if one of the primary characters had managed to catch one, emphasizing this unique style in future anime episodes, as a sneak peek of regional variations – something that wasn’t officially recognized in the franchise for another 17 years.

7. Ancient Pokemon

Episode: The Ancient Puzzle Of Pokemopolis

Differences: Giant Pokemon with tribal-like patterns.

As Ash and Brock honed their skills for the Pokemon League, their practice was disrupted by a colossal Gengar and Alakazam, each sporting distinctive symbols on their physiques. It turned out that these Pokemon were revered as deities in the old city of Pokemopolis.

Initially, the pair of Pokémons engaged in a battle, but eventually, their quarrel was pacified by yet another large Pokémon – Jigglypuff. Interestingly, it used its melodious tune to tranquilize the two titans. This small instance showcases a variation in Pokémons’ coloring, and it subtly adds depth to the series’ backstory, hinting that once upon a time, colossal, deity-like Pokémon wandered freely across the universe.

6. Puka

Episode: The Pi-Kahuna

Differences: Pikachu with blue eyes instead of black.

An underappreciated instance involves a Pikachu named Puka, found in the Seafoam Islands together with the trainer Victor. Unlike typical Pikachus, this one sports distinctive blue eyes rather than the common black ones, and shows clear signs of aging, with lines etched on its face.

One intriguing feature of this version of the franchise’s mascot is its ability to ride waves, a trait that has been linked to Pikachu since the surfing Pikachu minigame in Pokemon Yellow. Much like Pikachu, Puka serves as inspiration for the design of Alolan Raichu, which boasts similar blue eyes and demonstrates surfing skills, although it does so by standing on its tail.

5. Purple Kecleon

Episode: The Kecleon Caper

Differences: Purple as the main color instead of green.

The intriguing tale of the Pokemon character Kecleon, particularly its purple variant, is captivating because it’s been showcased across different Pokemon platforms. Interestingly, this form is not found in the primary games. A common misunderstanding among fans is that the purple Kecleon is the shimmering version; however, the truth is that a blue stripe instead of red distinguishes the shimmering Kecleon from its regular counterpart.

In the storyline of The Kecleon Caper, which was set in Generation 2, the distinctive purple version of Kecleon made its debut alongside the common green one, becoming the initial Generation 3 Pokemon to appear. This unique purple Kecleon can be found in the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon series and the animated special adapted from the games. However, it’s important to note that while purple Kecleon is widely recognized and loved, it does not hold official status as a playable Pokemon within the games themselves.

4. Snowmen Snorlax

Episode: Snorlax Snowman

Differences: A group of Snorlax with a pale coloring.

In the second short film from Pichu and Pikachu’s Winter Vacation series in 2001, the Pokemon team comes across Snorlax that appear to have adjusted to the winter weather. These Snorlax are paler in color, and they utilize the move Blizzard, which hints that they might possess Ice-like traits.

This short illustrates one of the first instances where regional differences among Pokemon are highlighted, much like Vulpix and Sandshrew adapting in Alola. It demonstrates that Pokemon can adapt to cold climates. Notably, these Snowman Snorlax have been exclusively depicted in these shorts and have not been incorporated into any later games or series.

3. Clone Pokemon

Episode: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Movie

Differences: Various birthmarks.

In the epic tale of “Mewtwo Strikes Back,” I observed an extraordinary scene unfold. The genius Pokemon Mewtwo, during his stay on New Island, crafted replicas of various Pokemon invited there. Among these duplicated creatures, some were marked distinctly to set them apart. Charizard, Venusaur, and Blastoise, though visually similar, bore unique color patterns on their bodies. This visual differentiation lent an exceptional, eye-catching flair to the movie.

In another instance, there’s a replica of Pikachu, often called Pikachutwo, that looks almost identical to the original Pikachu with two minor spikes on its ears as unique features. This cloned Pokémon pops up again in the anime series, notably in the sequel short titled “Mewtwo Returns“.

2. Crystal Onix

Episode: The Crystal Onix

Differences: A completely crystal/diamond-like body instead of rock.

An example of a unique Pokemon color variation is the Crystal Onix, found on Sunburst Island in the Orange Islands. This version looks like a standard Onix but sports a captivating crystal coating that provides it with immunity to Water-type attacks, a notable vulnerability for regular Onix.

Regrettably, the Crystal Onix is limited to the anime, contrary to the hopes of many who thought it might emerge as a special form in Pokemon Sun and Moon. However, it didn’t materialize that way, and fans remain intrigued by this Pokémon, frequently showcasing it in fan drawings and homemade games.

1. Pink Butterfree

Episode: Bye Bye Butterfree

Differences: Pink body instead of purple.

One memorable instance of a differently-colored Pokémon from the anime is the Pink Butterfree, who eventually paired with Ash’s Butterfree. This significant event prompted Ash to let go of his Butterfree, creating one of the most emotional scenes in anime history. Unlike the regular version, this Butterfree sported a pink body rather than the typical purple hue.

The episode didn’t provide the cause behind the color shift, but it’s widely believed that this particular Butterfree originates from Pinkan Island in the Orange Islands. Interestingly, it’s one of the few Pokémon with alternative colors to be seen frequently; it’s been shown in several flashbacks, reappeared alongside Ash in the Journeys series, and was showcased in the “I Choose You!” movie, which presents an alternate timeline.

2025-05-31 07:05