Pokémon's sixth generation is an odd beast. Because of both Pokémon X and Y being the first 3D games in the main series, and the resources dedicated to creating Mega Evolutions for older Pokémon, fewer new Pokémon are introduced in the Kalos region than in any other. In total, only 72 Pokémon are native to Kalos.
Kalos makes up for its limited number of new Pokémon with the strength of their designs. It has one of the best trios of Starter Pokémon, two of the coolest Fossil Pokémon, and numerous Pokémon representing the brand new Fairy-type. The Pokémon of Kalos aren't quite as cartoonish as they were in Unova, but there's still a clear effort with them to take the designs in a more experimental direction.
10 Pyroar Has Two Distinct Designs
Pyroar's Appearance Depends on its Gender
Surprisingly, Kalos is the first region to be the home of a lion Pokémon. Pyroar, the evolved form of Litleo, is a Fire/Normal-type with a clean and simple design. Its fur is two different shades of brown, its eyes are bright blue, and its red and yellow man resembles flames.
The most notable aspect of Pyroar is that the species' males and females look different. Males are larger, and their manes wrap around their heads, while females are smaller, and have their manes flow down their backs. Both genders are real enough in appearance to be worthy of their designation as The Royal Pokémon.
9 Chespin is the Cutest Starter Pokémon in Kalos
Chespin is Better Designed Than its Evolutions
All the first stages of Kalos' Starters are adorable. Of the three, the Grass-type Chespin's design is just a little cuter than the Fire-type Fennekin's or the Water-type Froakie's. While its name may suggest to some that Chespin is based on a chipmunk, its design is most directly based on a hedgehog.
Chespin's fur is two shades of brown, as well as green. Its nose is a bright pink, which is matched by the tip of its tail. This colorful pop adds a lot to Chespin's earthy tones, and matches the Pokémon's constant upbeat attitude.
8 Talonflame is a Refreshing Take on the Regional Bird
Talonflame is a Fire/Flying-type
Related
10 Pokémon Designs That Make Absolutely No Sense
Some Pokémon designs -- like Pikachu, Charizard or Eevee -- are adorable, cool or creative, and then some Pokémon designs feel entirely random.
In every region, there is a three-stage, Flying-type bird Pokémon accessible early in their corresponding games. Some of these birds have more notable designs than others but, by Generation VI, the concept had largely grown stale. Talonflame managed to become one of Kalos' most popular Pokémon in spite of this through simple but effective means.
Rather than being a Normal/Flying-type like its predecessors, Talonflame, the fully-evolved form of Fletchinder, is a Fire/Flying-type. This significant change is reflected in Talonflame's awesome design. Its color palette is a perfect balance of red, black, yellow, and gray and its collar resembles flames. Being based on an animal as cool as the peregrine falcon also doesn't hurt.
7 Aegislash Doesn't Even Look Alive
Aeglislash Has Two Different Forms
Aegislash has one of the most eye-catching designs of any Pokémon. Not even looking alive at first glance, Aegislash has two forms which it can switch between. In one, it resembles a golden sword, while it resembles a golden shield in the other. In both forms, its single, purple eye indicates its sapience.
Aegislash, the fully-evolved form of Honedge, is a Steel/Ghost-type. This is perfectly reflected by Aegislash's origins, with it being based on myths of possessed swords. Aegislash's Pokédex entries indicate a close relationship between it and various kings, which is signified by its royal purple eye and arms.
6 Aurorus is One of the Prettiest Fossil Pokémon
Aurorus Has a Gorgeous Color Palette
Fossil Pokémon are a staple of the franchise. Since Kanto, every region has introduced two or more evolutionary lines based on prehistoric creatures. The evolved form of Amaura, Aurorus has a more stunning design than any of its predecessors.
Aurorus has a beautiful color palette, composed of light blues and yellows. Its design takes inspiration from the Amargasaurus, while its coloring, and the jewels on its side, reflect its Rock/Ice-typing. Aurorus looks especially great next to its counterpart, Tyrantfum, being blue and feminine, rather than red and masculine.
5 Malamar is One of the Most Evil Looking Pokémon
Malamar's Design is Outright Lovecraftian
Related
May and Dawn's 10 Best Pokemon, Ranked by Likability
May and Dawn assembled incredible teams of Pokemon as they became fabulous Coordinators.
Few Pokémon look as downright sinister as Malamar. Even the Pokémon anime made the bold decision to portray it as outright villainous. While the Dark/Psychic-type may start out as the cute and cuddly Inkay, its grown-up form most closely resembles extraterrestrial monsters from the Cthulhu mythos.
Ignoring the monsters it evokes, Malamar has the appearance of an upside-down squid. This ties into its evolution method in Pokémon X and Y, which requires players to hold their 3DS upside-down. Malamar also has one of the most diverse in Kalos, baring multiple shades of pink and purple, blue, yellow, and white.
4 Hawlucha isn't Subtle About its Influences
Hawlucha is a Masked Wrestler
Close
Hawlucha has the most vibrant color palette of any Pokémon in Kalos. Its red, green, white, and yellow fur work extraordinarily well together, and make it stand out in any crowd. Of course, what really makes this single-stage, fan-favorite Fighting/Flying-type so beloved is its incredible theming.
Hawlucha is based on both a bird of prey and a luchador. Its face resembles a mask and, when its wings are closed, it looks like its wearing a cape. Hawlucha's colors even tie back into this motif, as red, white, and green are the primary colors of the Mexican flag.
3 Braixen is a Perfect Middle-Stage Evolution
Braixen Was Chosen to Be in Pokken Tournament For a Reason
As cool as Delphox is, Braixen is rightfully more popular than its evolved form. Like the rest of its evolutionary line, this Fire/Psychic-type Starter Pokémon is based on foxes, kitsune, and mages. In contrast to its other stages, Braixen appears slick, athletic, and agile.
Braixen's fur is an excellent balance of orange, yellow, white, and black. It embodies its mage-inspiration well, with its flaming stick acting as its wand, and its tail resembling a witch's broom. When Pokken Tournament, the Pokémon fighting game, was released in 2015, Braixen was chosen to be a playable character over Delphox, undoubtedly because of its more striking design.
2 Sylveon is the Fairy-type Eeveelution
Sylveon is the Most Recent Addition to the Eeveelution Family
Close
Related
10 Best Pokémon Designs in the Unova Region, Ranked
More Pokémon are native to the Unova Region than any other.
Kalos introduced both the Fairy-type, the last type added to the franchise, and Sylveon, the final addition to the Eevee family. The choice to make this new Eeveelution a representative of the new type more than paid off, as Sylveon has the best design of any Pokémon among the initial wave of Faity-types. What's more, it has one of the best designs of any Eeveelution.
Naturally, as pink is the signature color of the Fairy-type, it's also Sylveon's defining color. Unlike other early Fairy-types, however, the pink isn't overwhelming, and its balanced out well by the bulk of Sylveon's fur being white. The blue of Sylveon's eyes, and at the end of its ribbons, serves to further complement both the pinks and whites. Unlike other Eeveelutions, which have pointed ears, Sylveon's ears are round, and most closely resemble a rabbit's. Sylveon is already the most feminine Eeveelution, and this softening design element further accentuates this.
1 Greninja is One of the Most Popular Pokémon in the World
Greninja's Design Earned it as Many Fans as Pikachu
Close
The degree to which fans love Greninja cannot be overstated. In a 2020 poll, it was voted the most popular Pokémon, beating Pikachu, Lucario, and Charizard. While Greninja's significant focus in the Pokémon X and Y anime is heavily responsible for this, it would also be foolish to believe it has nothing to do with its design.
The fully-evolved form of Froakie, Greninja is a Water/Dark-type. As its name suggests, Greninja looks, and moves, like a stealthy ninja, which is reflective of its Dark typing. Its long, pink, frog-like tongue is wrapped around its face like a mask, and stands out from the blues and yellows that compose the rest of its skin. Through the ability Battle Bond, Greninja can also take on a more powerful form, which causes it to stand up straight, and to gain a red coloring on its head that resembles Ash Ketchum's hat, and a Water Shuriken on its back. The sheer coolness that Greninja evokes has earned it a starring role in the Pokémon anime, and playable status in both Pokken Tournament and Super Smash Bros.
Pokemon
Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.
Created by Satoshi Tajiri
First Film Pokemon: The First Movie
Latest Film Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
First TV Show Pokémon
Latest TV Show Pokémon Horizons
First Episode Air Date April 1, 1997
Video Game(s) Pokémon GO , Pokemon X and Y , Pokémon Legends: Arceus , Pokémon Scarlet and Violet , Pokémon Sword and Shield , Pokémon Diamond & Pearl , Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl , Pokemon Red and Blue , Detective Pikachu , Detective Pikachu Returns , Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! , Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
Expand