It's been nearly 30 years since Pokémon Red and Green first launched in Japan, kicking off what would become the world's largest multimedia franchise. From the long-running anime to the trading card game and countless spin-offs, Pokémon has remained a cultural juggernaut. With new games like Pokémon Wind and Waves on the horizon, the franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
The last decade alone introduced three full generations of new Pokémon, each bringing fresh designs, lore, and competitive strategies. Some became instant fan favorites, while others rose to prominence through battling or the anime. Here, we celebrate the best Pokémon introduced in the last ten years—a list that's sure to spark debate among fans.
Incineroar (Pokédex #727) – The Heel Pokémon
Litten, the adorable Fire-type starter from Alola, evolves into Incineroar, a bipedal Fire/Dark-type with a wrestler's attitude. Known for ignoring trainers when it's not in the mood, Incineroar seeks out powerful opponents to fuel its fighting spirit. While some fans were disappointed that Litten became bipedal, Incineroar's personality and competitive prowess won them over. Its Intimidate ability and versatile moves like Fake Out and Knock Off make it a top-tier battler, and it even appeared in Super Smash Bros. as a playable fighter.
Mimikyu (Pokédex #778) – The Disguise Pokémon
Mimikyu is a Ghost/Fairy-type with a tragic backstory: its true form is so horrifying that anyone who sees it dies. Lonely and desperate for connection, it wears a Pikachu costume to appear friendly. This relatable design won hearts, and the anime deepened its appeal by giving Jessie a Mimikyu partner in the Alola seasons. In battle, its Disguise ability lets it survive the first hit, while its typing offers strong offensive options.
Kommo-o (Pokédex #784) – The Scaly Pokémon
Alola's pseudo-legendary, Kommo-o, starts as the determined Jangmo-o and evolves into a Dragon/Fighting-type warrior. It attacks with devastating uppercuts or by clanging its scales, though this lowers its defense. Initially underwhelming in competitive play, new moves and a unique Z-Move gave it a niche as a defensive powerhouse. Its design draws from multiple cultures, reinforcing its warrior aesthetic.
Necrozma (Pokédex #800) – The Prism Pokémon
Necrozma is a cosmic Dragon/Psychic-type legendary with a tragic origin: its body was shattered when people tried to steal its light. Now in pain, it travels dimensions absorbing light, shrouding worlds in darkness. It can merge with Solgaleo or Lunala to regain its true form. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, its boss fight was notoriously tough, with an omniboost and diverse moves. Necrozma is one of the franchise's best depictions of cosmic horror.
Dragapult (Pokédex #887) – The Stealth Pokémon
Starting as the weak Dreepy, this Ghost/Dragon-type evolves into Dragapult, a pseudo-legendary with 142 base Speed—among the fastest in the game. It leads flocks of Dreepy and launches them from its horns in battle. Its speed lets it strike first with Dragon and Ghost moves or spread status conditions. Abilities like Infiltrator (ignoring barriers) and Cursed Body (disabling moves) make it a versatile threat.
Other standout Pokémon from the last decade include Zacian, the Fairy-type wolf that helped save Galar from the Darkest Day, and Meowscarada, the Grass/Dark-type starter from Paldea. Whether you love them for their design, lore, or competitive edge, these monsters prove that Pokémon's creative well is far from dry. For more entertainment rankings, check out our list of the best rom-coms of the last decade or the top songs of the last ten years.
