The Pokemon franchise is one of the most popular and beloved media series of all time, spanning tons of games, TV shows, toys, and various other avenues over the past few decades. The appeal of this series stems from the hundreds of eye-catching Pokemon designs that the company has released over the years. From cute little rodents to menacing dragons, Pokemon designs have a certain charm to them that makes them stand out from creatures of other similar franchises.

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To top it off, Game Freak also introduced an alternate color scheme for each of its Pokemon designs, commonly called a shiny form, which only added to the appeal of these fictional creatures.

Updated June 14, 2024 by Ben Painter: Shiny Pokemon are largely sought after by fans as they are super rare, and fans tend to remember their first shiny in a playthrough. Some of the alternate-colored forms add very little or change it to a very odd color. But the shinies that always land are black ones.

There is something about giving a Pokemon a dark coloring that works. This update adds five more of the best black-colored shiny Pokemon and gives fans some more context on each Pokemon, like if they are available in the latest entry in the franchise, Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

1 Hisuian Electrode

National Dex Number: #0101

• Type: Electric/Grass
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Legends: Arceus
• Generation: 8
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Electrode was one of the original 151 Pokemon introduced in Pokemon Red & Blue. The Pokemon and its pre-evolved form Voltorb are based on Pokeballs. The gimmick is that a trainer would think that it is an item, and is instead greeted with this Pokemon, which tends to explode.

The original coloring of the Ball Pokemon is red to match the color of a Pokeball and the original shiny is blue to match the color of a Great Ball. The Hisuian form is black to match the color of an Ultra Ball, a very fitting coloring of a shiny Pokemon that makes sense in-universe.

Hisuian Electrode's Base Stats:

2 Cursola

National Dex Number: #0864

• Type: Ghost
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Generation: 8
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Corsola is a Pokemon that was introduced in Pokemon Gold & Silver, based on Coral with a fitting pink and white scheme. In Pokemon Sword and Shield the Pokemon received a regional form, which was Ghost-type to reference dead coral.

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Cursola expands on this to become a ghostly figure emerging from the dead coral. Its shiny form takes this one step further, making the coral remains black, giving it a more sinister look and amplifying the Ghost-type's appearance. Black shiny Pokemon look very cool and Cursola is no exception to this.

Cursola's Base Stats:

3 Oricorio (Baile Style)

National Dex Number: #0864

• Type: Fire/Flying
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: East Province: Area One, Tera Raid Battles (4★)

The Dancing Pokemon is unique. It can change form depending on which nectar it has eaten. Each form is a different type which references a different dancing style. In this case, the Baile style is represented as it is the only one with a black shiny.

Original Oricorio is red with black trim, but the colors are reversed in the shiny, which always looks good when Game Freak does this to their alternate forms of 'mons. Fire-types usually have some red on them and the black on Oricorio almost makes it look like a burnt counterpart, with the red trim still being the parts on fire.

Cursola's Base Stats:

4 Zekrom

National Dex Number: #0644

• Type: Dragon/Electric
• Game Introduced:Pokemon White
• Generation: 5
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: South Province: Area Five after receiving the Zekrom Treat from Snacksworth (only one)

The mascot of Pokemon White, the Legendary Pokemon Zekrom is a beast of a Pokemon with fantastic all-around stats and gamers are lucky enough to use it on the Nintendo Switch. Players need to complete some Blueberry Quests to receive a Legendary Treat from Snacksworth. In Scarlet, it is done by Group Quests, and in Violet, it is Solo Quests.

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However, this Pokemon cannot be shiny as all Legendary Pokemon are shiny locked in the game. This is a shame as the Pokemon has an awesome shiny form. It is a subtle change that slightly alters the coloring and makes its attacks glow green instead of blue.

Zekrom's Base Stats:

5 The Guardian Deities

National Dex Number: #0785, #0786, #0787, #0788

• Type: Electric/Fairy (Tapu Koko), Psychic/Fairy (Tapu Lele), Grass/Fairy (Tapu Bulu) Water/Fairy (Tapu Fini)
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The Tapu Pokemon, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini are the Legendary Pokemon of Sun & Moon who rule over each of the islands as their protectors.

Each of their shiny forms has been given a black color scheme but keeps the color that represents them which works, and it makes them look like a superhero team, just like the movie versions of the X-Men. There is no reason for this design but what fans can agree on is that it looks better than the original.

The Guardian Deities Base Stats:

6 Palossand

National Dex Number: #0770

• Type: Ghost/Ground
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: West Province: Area Two, North Province: Casseroya Lake

Palossand's original coloring is the color of sand, but in its shiny form, the sandy color becomes a dark black with colored gems that really stand out. But this is a reference to the real-world black beaches of Hawaii, where the region of Alola is based.

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This seventh-generation Pokemon is a Ground/Ghost type which is useful in the game and its shiny form is even more sought after thanks to this cool design. Palossand cannot be found in the wind, so to acquire one in the original game it was introduced in, Sun & Moon, gamers will need to head to Hano Beach and find a shiny Sandygast.

Palossand's Base Stats:

7 Manectric

National Dex Number: #0310

• Type: Electric
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Generation: 3
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

This Pokemon made its debut in the Ruby & Sapphire games, and it is one of only four Electric Pokemon introduced in those games, so there isn't a lot to choose from.

Manectric is based on a maned wolf and usually comes in yellow and blue colors, very Electrical colors, but if gamers are lucky enough to get a shiny one then they are treated to yellow and black coloring, two colors that always work well together. Just look at Pikachu.

Manectric's Base Stats:

8 Hawlucha

National Dex Number: #0701

• Type: Fighting/Flying
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: West Province: Area Two, North Province: Casseroya Lake

The wrestling Pokemon Hawlucha is a superb Pokemon introduced in Generation 6, made famous for his appearances in the Anime as one of Ash's Pokemon that traveled with him during his adventures in the Kalos region.

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Its shiny form is a big change with black, purple, and red giving it the appearance of a luchador. The alternate color scheme is kind of a new costume for the wrestler. Similar to how WWE star Rey Mysterio has different colored costumes but all with the same luchador design.

Hawlucha's Base Stats:

9 Decidueye

National Dex Number: #0724

• Type: Grass/Ghost
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Evolve Dartrix

The best starter Pokemon of Alola, the Grass/Ghost Robin Hood-inspired Decidueye gets the dark look with the underside of its wings/cape changing to black. It almost looks like Batman as he soars through the night.

The green on its cloak becomes a darker green which fits the tone of this shiny, Decidueye has a flawless design, but this shiny form improves on that. If gamers want to use this form in the games then they will need to reset the game until one of them pops out as a starter. It may take a while but the rewards will be worth it.

Decidueye's Base Stats:

10 Wooloo

National Dex Number: #0831

• Type: Normal
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sword & Shield
• Generation: 8
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Wooloo is a Pokemon introduced in the eighth generation that took the community by storm with its simple yet cute design. Although Pokemon fans already had a pretty decent sheep-based Pokemon line, there was just something about Wooloo that made it stick out from the rest of Generation 8's herd.

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On top of its already adorable design, Game Freak decided to give this fur ball a black-colored shiny form, making it even more irresistible. Wooloo's shiny form takes inspiration from the popular phrase "a black sheep." While Wooloo's evolution, Dubwool, has a pretty decent shiny as well, it is not as eye-catching as Wooloo's purely black fur.

Wooloo's Base Stats:

11 Haxorus

National Dex Number: #0612

• Type: Dragon
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Black & White
• Generation: 5
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Tera Raid Battles (5★, 6★)

Known as the Axe Jaw Pokemon, Haxorus is a Dragon-type Pokemon introduced in Generation 5. This Pokemon's design is one of the best ones to come out from the region of Unova. A regular Haxorus has a fully greenish-yellow body with red highlights on its axe-like jaw extensions.

While a normal Haxorus is cool in its own right, a shiny one makes the design feel even more menacing. A shiny Haxorus has a completely black body but retains the red axe highlights. The contrast between the red and black colors makes this dragon look even more intimidating than its regular form.

Haxorus' Base Stats:

12 Aegislash

National Dex Number: #0681

• Type: Steel/Ghost
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

Introduced in Generation 6, Aegislash is known as the Royal Sword Pokemon and hails from the vibrant region of Kalos. This steel/ghost-type Pokemon has a great design, being based on a sword and a shield. It can also change forms in battle, becoming either more defensive with the shield form or more offensive with the blade form.

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A regular Aegislash has a steel silver outer body with a golden inner core. It also wields a golden shield, and the purple eye makes the ghost typing more prominent. The shiny form sees the outer blade layer turn red while the rest of Aegislash's body turns black. The shield retains its golden shade but has three red dots in the center, and the eye also turns golden.

Aegislash's Base Stats (Gen 8 onwards, Shield Form/Blade Form):

13 Minior

National Dex Number: #0774

• Type: Ghost/Ground
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Sun & Moon
• Generation: 7
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Coastal Biome, Torchlit Labyrinth, Canyon Biome, Chargestone Cavern, Polar Biome, Tera Raid Battles (5★)

Minior is a Pokemon introduced in the seventh-generation games and hails from the region of Alola. Minior's design is based on a meteorite, and though it does not evolve, it undergoes a pretty unique form change in battle. Minior have sturdy outer shells, which, when broken, reveal their bright-colored inner cores.

Normal Minior already come in different colors, including yellow, green, orange, pink, etc., but a shiny Minior is even more pleasant looking. A Shiny Minior has a black inner core littered with spots signifying all other color variations of this Pokemon. This unique contrast makes for one of the coolest-looking black shinnies ever.

Minior's Base Stats:

14 Mega Gardevoir

National Dex Number: #0282

• Type: Psychic/Fairy
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: North Province: Glaseado Mountain, Tera Raid Battles (5★, 6★), Kitakami Wilds, Timeless Woods

Generation 6 introduced Mega Evolutions which gave certain Pokemon new and stronger forms. In addition to seeing a change in design and power, some Pokemon also changed their color schemes upon Mega Evolving, and for certain monsters, this became even more prominent with their shiny forms.

The Fairy Pokemon Gardevoir is the perfect example of this case. Gardevoir's shiny form replaces its green parts with a light blue color while retaining the whites. But, where a regular Mega Gardevoir gets a white dress upon Mega Evolving, a shiny Mega Gardevoir dawns an elegant black dress instead.

Mega Gardevoir's Base Stats:

15 Primal Groudon

National Dex Number: #0383

• Type: Ground/Fire
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Omega Ruby
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The remakes of Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire gave Hoenn's Legendary Pokemon new forms known as Primal Reversion. Groudon's regular red and black color scheme is great; however, its shiny's greenish yellow shade is not the best.

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Fortunately, Groudon's Primal Reversion solves this issue by changing its color scheme from yellow to ash black with glowing magma flowing through its body. Shiny Primal Groudon is easily one of the coolest-looking Legendary shiny Pokemon. The black design works so much better than the original shiny, it is a shame that this Pokemon is stuck in its original game.

Primal Groudon's Base Stats:

16 Primal Kyogre

National Dex Number: #0382

• Type: Water
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Alpha Sapphire
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: N/A

The Water counterpart of Groudon, Kyogre also received an awesome-looking black shiny form in the Generation 3 remakes. Kyogre's original shiny is purple, which looks odd, and the black version is a massive improvement. The purple coloring still returns to the fingertips of the Sea Basin Pokemon.

Although the Primal version cannot be found in Pokemon Scarlet or Violet, the base form of Kyogre can be found in Casseroya Lake after receiving the Kyogre Treat from Snacksworth after completing Blueberry Quests at the Blueberry Academy. However, it is shiny locked.

Primal Kyogre's Base Stats:

17 Koraidon

National Dex Number: #1007

• Type: Fighting/Dragon
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Scarlet
• Generation: 9
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Poco Path (only one) (Limited Build), Area Zero (after credits; only one) (Apex Build) (Scarlet only)

Koraidon is a Pokemon introduced in the Paldea region and is the Mascot of the Scarlet version of the Generation 9 games. This Legendary dragon is the Past Paradox form of the Pokemon named Cyclizar. Koraidon's original color scheme is already great with its scaly red body, white feathers, and black tire-like chest and tail. The pink and blue highlights also make the design more vibrant.

Shiny Koraidon, however, does an even better job of showing off its cool design with a black-scaled body and red and yellow highlights. The black base turns all other colors more prominent, which makes for a great design choice.

Koraidon's Base Stats:

18 Rayquaza

National Dex Number: #0384

• Type: Dragon/Flying
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Generation: 3
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Great Crater of Paldea after receiving the Rayquaza Treat from Snacksworth (Only one) (Group Quest)

Rayquaza is the Legendary dragon who reigns over the skies of Hoenn and keeps Kyogre and Groudon in check. This serpent became so popular that Game Freak made it the mascot of Pokemon Emerald, where the color emerald symbolized Rayquaza's color scheme. The designs for Regular Rayquaza and its Mega Form are already incredible, but Game Freak made this Pokemon even cooler by giving it a black shiny form.

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Shiny Rayquaza's design looks even more menacing with its elegant black body, which makes its red and yellow highlights more prominent. Shiny Mega Rayquaza has a similar design change where only its body turns black. This single change makes Raquaza's overall design more attractive.

Rayquaza's Base Stats (Normal/Mega):

19 Greninja

National Dex Number: #0658

• Type: Water/Dark
• Game Introduced:Pokemon X & Y
• Generation: 6
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Evolve Frogadier

Greninja is a sixth-generation Pokemon and came out on top as the most popular starter Pokemon from the Kalos region. This frog received mainstream attention due to its ninja-inspired design. Greninja's original blue color scheme highlights its water typing perfectly and the way it wears its tongue out like a scarf is a cool addition to the overall design.

Shiny Greninja's color scheme, however, makes it look even cooler, with a black color replacing the blues on its body and its tongue turning a bright red. This darker look is more fitting for a Pokemon based on a ninja.

Greninja's Base Stats:

20 Charizard

National Dex Number: #0006

• Type: Fire/Flying (Normal & Mega Y), Fire/Dragon (Mega X)
• Game Introduced:Pokemon Red & Blue
• Generation: 1
• Location In Pokemon Scarlet & Violet: Evolve Charmeleon

Love him or hate him, the fact is that Charizard is one of the coolest-looking Pokemon ever, even rivaling the ranks of Pikachu in terms of popularity. This Generation 1 dragon wannabe has a relatively simple design characterized by its glowing orange skin and greenish-blue underwings, but it is one that fans cannot get enough of. To add more to its charm, Game Freak gave Charizard one of the coolest shinies ever by replacing its orange skin with a dark black color and making its underwings blood-red.

Charizard did not always have such a cool shiny form as its original shiny was purple; however, Game Freak changed its design in later games. The black color is a bold choice that elevates the design of Charizard's other forms as well, which include its Mega Charizard Evolved Y and Gigantamax forms.

Charizard's Base Stats (Normal/Mega X/Mega Y):

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