As any avid Pokémon collector knows, catching them all is WAY easier said than done. Though services like Pokémon HOME and the Global Trading System (GTS) make the process substantially easier, many Legendary Pokémon elude many trainers' grasps.

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The rarest of these, both in and out of game, are Mythical Pokémon, said to be some of the strongest and hard-earned creatures out there. Almost exclusively reserved for distributing during special events, they have been around ever since the game's inception in 1996. But due to their general appearance, lore, or simply the sheer number of distributions in the franchise's twenty-four years, not all are as rare as their status would have players believe.

10 Meltan

Group of Meltan from Pokemon anime

This small Steel type, named the Hex Nut Pokémon, first appeared just before the release of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! While its evolution Melmetal is a rare and impressive Pokémon, Meltan itself is too unassuming and abundant to be seriously considered "Mythical". Their numbers in Pokémon GO during their debut also decreased their rarity among trainers. In Pokémon Sword and Shield, however, the only way to obtain one currently is to transfer one through Pokémon HOME. This, at least, lends some credence to its Mythical status.

9 Genesect

Genesect Army from Pokemon movie

Genesect is a Bug-Steel type Pokémon that Team Plasma created in Pokémon Black and White. The Paleozoic Pokémon isn't so much Mythical as it is ancient; scientists brought this fossil back to life and suited it with mechanical parts to become a powerful hunter. While the Pokémon hasn't been distributed often, a team of five exists in the Pokémon anime and in the movie Genesect and the Legend Awakened. The leader of this group is even a shiny Genesect, making its presence even less impressive as a Mythical Pokémon.

8 Magearna

Magearna from Pokemon anime

Can a manmade Pokémon really be considered "Mythical"? While this Steel-Fairy type is special in the sense that it has an artificial soul created by a scientist 500 years ago, nothing else really stands out. That seems to be the curse of machine-like Pokémon, doesn't it?

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Players can get a special Magearna by placing all 890 Pokémon from Bulbasaur to Eternatus in Pokémon HOME. Alternatively, if an old copy of the Generation 7 games is handy, one can also scan a QR code online to receive it there.

7 Diancie

Diancie from Pokemon movie

Debuting in Pokémon X and Y, the Jewel Pokémon appeared in several online events over the course of a year. While it remains unobtainable in the current generation, it might not even be that big of a loss. This "Mythical" Pokémon is simply a mutated Carbink, according to its Pokedex entry. Isn't the whole concept of Pokémon evolution based on them undergoing mutations? Why not make this Pokémon an evolution of Carbink, then? Whatever the explanation, the fact remains that Diancie's Mythical status is fairly subject.

6 Shaymin

Shaymin Land and Skye Forme

Whether in Land or Sky Forme, the Gratitude Pokémon's cuteness can't be denied. Unfortunately, cuteness does not equal rarity. This Mythical Pokémon has had a plethora of releases since its release in Generation 5, and several Shaymin appeared throughout the Pokémon anime. Plus, its Land Forme design doesn't stem from any real-life myth or legend like many other rare Pokémon; it's just a grassy hedgehog, further betraying its Mythical classification! At the very least, players can be thankful for its help in cleaning up the environment.

5 Darkrai

Darkrai from Pokemon movie

When working with a vague concept like "dreams" and "nightmares", potential designs for Pokémon seem limitless. So while Darkrai's design certainly lines up with its nightmare theming, it doesn't make a compelling case for a Mythical Pokémon. The Dark type made several appearances in the anime, and it also went through thirteen separate distributions.

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One notable aspect about Darkrai is that it serves as a foil to a Legendary Pokémon, that being Cresselia. But if that's the case, shouldn't Darkrai be a Legendary, too?

4 Celebi

Celebi and its shiny form from Pokemon anime

Whether in spite of or due to its ability to travel across time, Celebi's appearances happen fairly frequently in comparison to the other Mythical Pokémon. Not only have several appeared across the anime and movies, but a large number of distributions occurred since its appearance in Pokémon Gold and Silver. Its most recent event release was alongside the newest Legendary Pokémon, Zarude. But because of its time-travel capabilities, the real question becomes: are these Celebi actually the same one, just in different points in time? Actually, maybe it's better to leave that can of worms alone.

3 Manaphy

Manaphy from Pokemon movie

Although Manaphy stands out as the only Mythical Pokémon capable of breeding, it doesn't really leave much of an impression beyond that. Around 80% of the Seafaring Pokémon's body contains water, essentially making it a sentient sack of saltwater.

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The design itself doesn't inspire the imagination, either, being reminiscent of a sea angel or jellyfish. Even its signature move, Heart Swap, ended up losing its signature status after Magearna's release! As heartbreaking as it is to admit, breeding really does seem to be the only thing special about this Pokémon.

2 Jirachi

Jirachi from Pokemon movie

For a Pokémon that only wakes up one week out of every thousand years, Jirachis are rather common. Because of Jirachi's ties to stars and making wishes, Japanese trainers receive one every so often during Tanabata (Also known as the Star Festival). Outside of the holiday, a ton of distribution events exist for this Mythical Pokémon. Jirachi hasn't made an appearance in the current generation as of yet. A Pokédex entry for it exists, however, so it may just be a matter of time before a new event rouses it from its slumber.

1 Mew

Mew from Pokemon anime

Unfortunately, this beloved catlike Mythical Pokémon takes the cake. Supposedly the ancestor to all Pokémon, so few exist that only a handful of sightings have occurred. However, the list of event distributions for players begs to differ. As of writing, Mew has been distributed a whopping total of 42 different times through events! Its most recent event came alongside the release of the Pokéball Plus accessory, which contains the Psychic cat creature. All things considered, players would be hard-pressed to find somebody who doesn't have at least one Mew tucked away in their PC.

NEXT: Pokémon: 10 Ways Generation 4 Changed The Series Forever