Electricity is the lifeblood of the world in real life, but in thePokemonfranchise, this power is harnessed through a variety of creatures. From electric sheep to legendary birds, Electric-type Pokemon can vary from being dangerously formidable foes to adorable littlepuppies with heart-shaped butts(looking at you, Yamper).
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From the first games in thePokemonfranchise to its current generation, there are many Electric-type Pokemon to choose from – each with their own unique design based on various animals or mythological creatures. But there are only a handful that capture the true image of the power that electricity can produce in ways that players wouldn’t think were possible.
10Zebstrika
It took a while beforeGame Freak finally graced players with a zebra Pokemonand did a fantastic job with Zebstrika. This equine’s Electric-typing is pretty easy to spot, with its white stripes resembling lightning bolts. In addition, Zebstrika’s jagged mane makes it look like it has bolt-shaped horns that flow down its mane to an explosive tail.
Zebstrika’s thunderous speed matches its looks, as according to its Pokedex entry inPokemon Black,“the sound of thunder reverberates” around this Pokemon once it’s at full speed.
9Zapdos
One of the three legendary birds of Kanto, Zapdos’ jagged yellow plumage makes it pretty obvious that it’s an Electric-type. Evidently, the personification of lightning, “this legendary Pokemon is said to appear only when a thundercloud parts in two halves,” according to its Pokedex entry inPokemon Silver.
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Based on theNative American legend of the Thunderbird, Zapdos shares its traits by symbolizing “power and strength” while also conjuring the sound of thunder with the flap of its wings and the ability to shoot electricity from its body like lightning.
8Mareep
An electric sheep like Mareepdirectly refers toDo Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?By Philip K. Dick, the basis of the 1982 filmBlade Runner. One player onRedditnoted a clever nod to the book inPokemon GoldandPokemon Silver, as the first trainer to have Mareep is called Philip, just like the author of the dystopian science fiction novel.
Mareep’s Electric-type makes sense outside this reference as wool can produce static electricity. The black and yellow stripes on its tail and ears look like a warning signal, accentuated by the orb that glows on its tail when the Pokemon’s electricity is fully charged.
7Luxray
Known as the Gleam Eyes Pokemon, Luxray resembles a lion more than any other creature. However, due to the nature of its ability to see through objects, there’s a possibility the Pokemon may be linked to the lynx – a creature known to have“keen eyesight”and believed to be able to“see what others cannot see.”
While not obviously an electric Pokemon, the yellow and blue motif gives a sense of the power running through this Pokemon, in addition to the yellow-pointed star at the end of its tail like its pre-evolutions, Shinx and Luxio.
6Yamper
One of the cutest designs in the Pokemon world, Yamper’s real-life counterpart is even more adorable. This puppy Pokemon is based on the Welsh Corgi, a breed of dog synonymous with British culture courtesy of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s fondness for them.
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Yamper takes the delightful and loving presence of the Corgi to the next level, witha heart-shaped symbol at the base of its tail, which is a tiny lightning bolt. While Yamper’s coloration sticks with the Corgi’s typical cream and beige coat, it has additional accents of color related to electricity, being yellow and green.
5Zeraora
The Thunderclap Pokemon Zerarorais a formidable legendary. Introduced inPokemon Ultra SunandPokemon Ultra Moonas an event Pokemon, Zeraora is known for its ferocious battle style thanks to the electricity coursing through its bright yellow fur.
Accentuated by the blue accents on its paw pads, lightning-shaped whiskers, and tufts of hair, Zeraora’s electric power enables it to tear its opponents apart, according to the creature’s Pokedex entry. This cat-like Pokemon shares a connectionwith Kane-Hekili, the Hawaiian god of thunder.
4Miraidon
Following the release ofPokemon ScarletandPokemon Violet,it became pretty clearwhich box legendary was the fan favorite. There’s just something inherently cool about Miraidon – whether that’s down to its deep violet color or the influence of futuristic technology in its overall design – particularly the pixelated eyes.
Despite it being a Paradox Pokemon from the future, Moridion’s Electric-typing suggests that its design may partially be based on the Spanish legend of el Cuélebre, a “mythological serpent-shaped dragon from Asturian, Leonese, and Cantabrian mythologies,” according to@chibisake on Twitter.
3Jolteon
Much like Zapdos and Zebstrika, Jolteon’s jagged fur displays its Electric-typing outright. And despite its relatively small stature, this Pokemon has the capability to “blast out 10000-volt lightning bolts” from the energy generated in its cells, according to Pokedex entries inPokemon RedandPokemon Blue. On top of that, “by storing the electricity in its body, it can shoot its bristle-like fur like a barrage of missiles,” as explained inPokemon Black 2andPokemon White 2.
Design-wise,Jolteon takes inspiration from the Raijū– a legendary creature in Japanese mythology that is said to be “the embodiment of lightning” in an animal form, which were thought to “look like wolves, dogs, tanuki, or even weasels and cats.”
2Raikou
Raikou’s design is pretty convolutedat first glance, but players may not have noticed that the purple mane on its back represents a rain cloud, with a lightning strike as its tail. As highlighted inPokemon Gold, “the rain clouds [Raikou] carries let it fire thunderbolts at will,” adding that the legendary dog is said to have descended from lightning.
Like Jolteon,Raikou’s design takes inspiration from Raijū, which is said to have lived in the sky and rode “bolts of lightning to earth when thunder claps,” creating “mayhem wherever they land.”
1Toxtricity & Gigantamax Toxtricity
Toxtricity is the ultimate punk rocker Pokemon, taking its design cues from the British punk subculture and the instruments used in its genre. The organs protruding from the Amped and Low Key forms of Toxtricity represent the electric and bass guitar and are the Pokemon’s main source of its electric power when strummed. Toxtricity’s punk rock attitude is displayed via the spiked bracelets and belts on its bodies, in addition to its mohawk-like hairstyle and persona. Particularly the Low Key form, admired for keeping “its cool no matter what opponent it faces” inPokemon Scarlet.
As for Toxtricity’s Gigantamax form, it takes the notion of punk rock and multiples it by ten. Both forms combine to produce a monstrosity of a creature that has the ability to vanquish its foes with electricity shaped like a guitar.
