Pokémon began way back in the mid-'90s, and ever since then its been growing bigger and bigger with each passing year. Even with the success of Pokémon GO, the games, the toys, the spin-offs, the movies, mostly everyone knows or heard of Pokémon, and it seems that Pokémon is truly going to be everlasting.
Now with 22 seasons finished, the Anime is starting its 23rd season, which currently airing. And with Pokémon Sword and Shield selling extremely well, it's safe to say that Pokémon is still going strong. But out of all the years, which Pokémon have been the most iconic? The Pokémon that the majority of people will recognize instantly, even those who aren't too familiar with the franchise.
10 Lucario
Lucario is from Generation IV, so Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Ever since then, this Pokémon has been a poster child for many spin-off titles and was a major part of Pokémon X and Y. In X/Y, Lucario is the tutorial for Mega Evolution, as well as being able to acquire one for free.
This Pokémon was also the second Pokémon revealed in the hit fighting series Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U and 3DS. As well as that there is another fighting game called Pokken, which Lucario was one of the first to be revealed for it.
9 Mudkip
One of the only Gen 3 Pokémon on this list, but that's mostly because of the meme that swept the world when Mudkip got revealed. Memes can either grow and consume the world, or die down as quickly as they rose to fame.
"I herd u liek Mudkips" started at the site 4chan, and it from there it escalated. And ever since the water type Mudkip has been used for memes ever since. To this day, this meme, of course, has died down, but back in 2005, everyone used this meme in one way or another.
8 Jigglypuff
The pink balloon Pokémon Jigglypuff is one a lot of people might remember. Jigglypuff is a recurring appearance as part of the anime series, by putting to sleep then drawing all over their faces. Though not being overly popular, to begin with, this Pokémon quickly rose to fame by being the second Pokémon to join the roster in Super Smash Bros.
Jigglypuff is also exceptional, as the pink Pokémon is one out of twelve characters, that has been in all five Super Smash Bros. games, and that is quite an impressive feat. Jigglypuff even makes an appearance in Detective Pikachu by putting their owner to sleep in a coffee bar. It seems like times never change.
7 Magikarp
The useless Pokémon Magikarp, upon catching this water Pokémon back in the day, a lot of people thought it was worthless, and many people probably automatically boxed it. The only move it knows is Splash, and it can't learn anything else. But little did they know it evolved into one of the most powerful water/flying types in Gen 1, Gyrados.
And as news of this spread, Gyrados grew in fame. In gen 2 Pokémon Gold and Silver, it's possible to capture a shiny red Gyarados as part of the story, which is pretty awesome.
6 Meowth
Team Rocket was the original team back in the Pokémon anime, and Pokémon Red and Blue. Even though now there's been a few renditions of the evil corporation, everyone remembers where it all began, back with Jesse and James. They had a very special Pokémon, a Pokémon that could speak called Meowth. Some Pokémon can speak telepathically like Mewtwo, and some trainers can understand their own Pokémon, but Meowth is one of the only Pokémon in the world that can speak human.
Also without Meowth, the Team Rocket motto, that we all know and love would not be made possible, as the Pokémon has the finishing line, "Meowth that's right!"
5 Eevee
Eevee is a very special Pokémon that, ultimately, the trainer can decide what its evolution can be. Back in Pokémon Red and Blue, Eevee was given away for free, but primarily, Eevee is a normal type Pokémon, but it has three other evolutions.
Flareon the fire type, Vaporeon the water type, and Jolteon the electric type. An elemental stone is needed, so either a fire/water/thunder stone to evolve Eevee into one of these three forms.
So depending on who you chose for your starter, Eevee could complement a team exceptionally well by evolving into that type that you currently don't have.
4 Mew
Mew, the 151st Pokémon, the super ultra rare mythical Pokémon that was supposed to be extinct. However, in Pokémon Red and Blue Mew was rumored to be underneath a hidden truck. That when the HM Surf was received, that players could travel up a screen from where the SS Anne once made berth, and find a random hidden truck there.
The rumor was that using the HM Strength, it was possible to push over the truck, and the Pokémon Mew was there to be captured. Sadly, this was a red herring. The only possible way to get Mew is via a Gameshark code.
3 Mewtwo
Mewtwo is one of the most powerful Pokémon in all of Gen 1. This Pokémon is a clone of the Mythical Pokémon Mew. As scientists found a fossil of this rare Pokémon and managed to extract DNA from it. And using this DNA they managed to create a clone/new form of Pokémon, and this was Mewtwo. The scientists were funded by Giovanni, the eighth gym leader and the leader of Team Rocket, so he owned Mewtwo, and he used this special powerful Pokémon to become unbeatable.
Until Mewtwo became self-aware, that he was only a weapon and nothing more and then escaped. In the game, when Mewtwo is discovered, if you had used the Master Ball on something else, say one of the legendary bird Pokémon, Mewtwo is going to be a very tough fight and is going to be even harder to capture.
2 Charizard
A lot of people picked Charmander as their starting Pokémon, back on their initial adventure when Pokémon Red and Blue launched in 1998, and a fair number also picked Squirtle. Poor, poor Bulbasaur. Though, not a lot of people knew back then that the third and final form of Charmander would turn into the fire/flying type. Even though this Pokémon resembles a dragon, it's not his official type.
In the latest games Pokémon Sword and Shield, Leon the Galar Pokémon Champion has a Charizard as his best Pokémon.
1 Pikachu
The most iconic and well-known Pokémon by far Pikachu. Even if you hardly know Pokémon at all, it'll be shocking if you've haven't heard of the cute electric yellow rodent. Pikachu has been part of Ash's team ever since day one. And even if they get off to an extremely rocky start, with Pikachu being badly injured by a flock of Spearow.
Ever since that horrible event, they've been best buds, and even to this day, after all those years of Ash becoming a Pokémon trainer, he still has his trusty Pikachu by his side.