March 6th will bring the North American release of both Pokémon Black and Pokémon White for the Nintendo DS, and we’ve decided to re-cast our votes and update our list of the Top 25 Pokémon of All-Time! Last time around, Mew came out on top, while you readers voiced your surprise that the famous Charizard was nowhere to be found. This time, voting has been opened to all 649 Pokémon spread out over five generations… but has anything changed?
We’re honing in on the end of our list. Tonight, we take a look at our picks for #10 through #7. After that, there are only a handful of Pokémon left standing in between us and Saturday evening’s pick for our #1 Pokémon of All-Time! Head on past the break to find out which Pokémon made the razor leaf cut!
#10 – Manaphy
Who’s That Pokémon?
Manaphy is Sinnoh’s Mew. It’s Celebi. This Seafaring Pokémon is a purely water-type legendary Pokémon. In the games, Manaphy is only obtainable through the delivery man, either in the form of an egg from the Pokémon Ranger games, or directly as an event Pokémon. Despite its legendary status, Manaphy can in fact breed, but only with a Ditto. Even more mind-boggling, Manaphy’s offspring are Phione — a Pokémon that resembles a mini-Manaphy, but will never evolve into one!
In the anime, Manaphy was the star of the ninth movie — Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea. Manaphy’s egg was captured while floating through the sea and eventually hatched in May’s arms. Known as the “Prince of the Sea,” Manaphy was said to instinctively know the location of the Sea Temple and its treasure: the Sea Crown. In fact, all Manaphy have a sort of internal homing sensor that innately draw Manaphy back to it.
Manaphy’s signature move, Heart Swap, allows it to switch stat changes with its opponent (or partner) in the games. According to the anime, Heart Swap can literally swap the souls and bodies of people and Pokémon.
Why did we pick it?
When Manaphy hatched in May’s arms, it immediately imprinted May as its mother. It loved and clung to May so much that it would cry whenever anyone else tried to hold it. Even when Manaphy suddenly disappeared and everyone had assumed it left to go fulfill its destiny to find the Sea Temple, it turned out that Manaphy was simply searching for and retrieving May’s lost bandana.
In addition, that particular Manaphy is one of the few Pokémon to have been shown verbally speaking a human language. No telepathy needed for this little bundle of awesome. If Manaphy didn’t tug at your heartstrings before, maybe the fact that its only words were “happy” and “love you” (when speaking to May) will do the trick.
#9 – Togekiss
Who’s That Pokémon?
Togekiss is known as the Jubilee Pokémon. Wild Togekiss tend to visit and reside in areas where people and Pokémon are living in peace and harmony. They bring blessings and gifts of kindness to those regions, while staying away from areas full of conflict and strife.
In the anime, a Togekiss was raised by Princess Salvia, Dawn’s royal doppelgänger, to be proper and elegant. Upon competing in the Arrowroot Contest with Salvia, Togekiss realized its love for contests. Seeing this, Salvia entrusted Togekiss to Dawn and allowed it to travel with her and eventually compete in the Sinnoh Grand Festival. 
Togekiss made its currently last appearance on the show when it helped Dawn to locate her Piplup, who had run away crying when it realized that Ash, Brock, and Pikachu would be leaving them to return to Kanto. Togekiss landed in front of Piplup and comforted him in its wings.
Why did we pick it?
*wipes forehead* Well this should be an easy one. Just take all of the reasons that Togepi made our list yesterday, multiply them by two evolutions, add in the ability to fly, and anyone can see why Togekiss deserves to be on this list. Not only that, but Togekiss is a Poke-Santa of sorts, bringing gifts of kindness and sweet blessing to areas of peace. I’m not kidding. “Don’t fight with you sister! Otherwise Togekiss won’t come down and snuggle you to sleep tonight!” is a common phrase in households across the land. Did you think that “kiss” in the name was just a coincidence? Well think again, it’s a potential reward to all the do-gooders out there letting their friends Magikarp slowly splash their Geodude to death for the sake of getting that little tyke some experience (I’m aware splash doesn’t do any damage, but for the sake of the comparison, bare with me). If this cake wasn’t quite tasty enough for you, Togekiss isn’t all fluff and friendship. He also come equiped with a dangerous duo of astronomical special attack and special defense. That is called icing, people. Delicious, fluffy, beat-you-down-if-you-aren’t-careful, icing.
#8 – Charizard
Who’s That Pokémon?
Charizard is the final evolution of Charmander, one of the Kanto options for a beginning trainer’s starting Pokémon. The fire from its breath is hot enough to melt solid boulders and accidentally start large forest fires, and it goes without saying that such searing heat will cause an opponent unbearable pain. If Charizard becomes enraged enough, even the flame on its tail will become so hot that it will glow with a whitish-blue color.
Ash’s Charizard evolved quickly from when Ash first found it abandoned in the rain. Leveling up quicker than Ash could gain experience, Charizard began to disrespect Ash and disobey his commands. Oftentimes, he would breathe hot air on Ash’s face. Eventually, Charizard and Ash relearned how to work together, and Charizard became one of Ash’s most powerful partners. Its Seismic Toss became its staple finishing move, as it clutched tightly onto its opponent to heights of nearly one mile above the ground before pounding back onto land.
Why did we pick it?
You can all sleep soundly tonight: Charizard has made the list at number eight. The final evolution of Charmander (one of the original starter Pokémon), Charizard has maintained quite a following even after all these years. In the first series of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Charizard was undoubtedly the most sought-after card, at one point selling for hundreds of dollars on eBay. Charizard also made the crossover to Super Smash Bros. Brawl a few years ago as the heavier, but hard-hitting third playable Pokémon for the Pokémon Trainer character. One of the most iconic Pokémon in the game, Charizard is a force to be reckoned with.
#7 – Meloetta
Who’s That Pokémon?
Melo-who? Known as the Melody Pokémon, little Meloetta is Pokémon #648 and is located in the National PokéDex well beyond the range of even the Unova Dex. It is this generation’s Shaymin, and can change between two formes — the Aria Forme and the Pirouette Forme — simply by using Ancient Song.
Artwork by Jiayi.
Like Jigglypuff, Meloetta’s song has effects on those within earshot. Unlike Jigglypuff, those effects involve a mystical control over the listener’s feelings. Meloetta has been known to inspire people through its songs, and has been attributed to the creation of several famous musical and artistic works in the Pokémon world.
When Meloetta assumes its Aria Forme, it possesses a Normal/Psychic typing. In this forme, its vocals are unrivaled as it sings beautiful and moving melodies. Upon using its Ancient Song move, Meloetta takes its Pirouette Forme (of Normal/Fighting typing) in which it can perform elegantly beautiful dance routines. No matter what Meloetta is doing, it remains immune to Ghost attacks.
Why did we pick it?
Based on the mythological Muses, Meloetta is the poster-Pokémon for the Fine Arts. You can just envision Meloetta performing in the lead role in The Darkrai of the Opera as a Chandelure (#609) comes crashing down, can’t you? Unlike its closest regionally-orphaned predecessor, Shaymin, Meloetta is completely unobtainable in Pokémon Black and White — she’s our “Christine,” if you will. I’m sure eventually we’ll get a movie with Meloetta in it, and an event download to go along… but until then, Meloetta is just a voice that’s calling out to us.
The best part? She can more than hold her own in battle! While her Aria Forme comes with not-too-shabby special attack and special defense, Meloetta becomes a little Femme Fatale in her Pirouette Forme. Boasting the game’s only Normal/Fighting typing, Meloetta will gracefully strike at her opponents with deadly speed and attack base stats of 128 each. Close Combat with that kind of power, plus STAB? Run.
That’s the end of the show for tonight. Be sure to check back here tomorrow night as we continue counting down our favorite Pokémon all the way down to our #1 all-time favorite on the eve of the North American launch of Pokémon Blackand White, coming March 6th! Be sure to leave some comments below regarding your thoughts on these picks, and your predictions for the rest of the list!
