Design is the center of love in Pokemon. Sure, stats and moves matter, but let’s be honest here, the main reason you picked the charming Charmander over Squirtle wasn’t a planned type advantage. It was the fire-blasting lizard with the burning flame on its tail.
We fall in love with these pocket creatures not just because they’re strong, but because they are strong in the design department as well. Cool, mysterious, adorable, or outright menacing are what sets them apart. That’s what keeps us coming back.
What Are the Top 10 Best-Designed Pokemon for Each Generation?
With each new generation, Game Freak gives us a ton of reasons to revisit the world of Pokemon. And among them, there are always a few that stand out as a visual champion. This list takes a look at them, so buckle up!
Gengar (Generation 1)
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+ 10Let’s start with the OG generation and the spectral champion of best design, Gengar. There’s a reason Gengar has stayed culturally relevant since 1996. With its Cheshire Cat grin and sinister shape, it’s the perfect embodiment of Ghost and Poison.
That toxic smile is a combination of both playful and cunning. And yet, Gengar still toes the thin line between spooky and strangely huggable. It gets even better when you discover that it boasts both a Mega Evolution and a Gigantamax form, each amplifying its twisted charm.
Whether it's shrinking into the shadows or erupting into a nightmare dome, Gengar is an absolute icon.
Scizor (Generation 2)
click to enlarge + 10The second generation of Pokemon had no shortage of beautiful designs, but Scizor stands out from the competition with flair and edginess. Scizor is what happens when cool fuses with metal-lethal.
Its crimson red armor screams fury and elegance all at once. Evolving from Scyther via Metal Coat feels so lore-satisfying, like watching a scythe become a guillotine. The steel typing adds a fresh new dimension, and it backs up its great design with a great movepool and competitive viability.
It’s sleek, efficient, and somehow looks like it could be a protagonist’s ace in a galactic Western anime.
Metagross (Generation 3)
click to enlarge + 10Gen III made this list of best designs very tricky, as there are just too many good choices. But when the steel dust settles, Metagross stands firm as the clear winner.
Born from the fusion of its pre-evolution Pokemon, Beldum and Metang, Metagross is like Voltes V or Voltron as a robo-combo. Its quadrupedal bulk, X-shaped face, and metallic shine give it that unstoppable, industrial war machine look. It practically screams intelligence and strength.
Its Mega Evolution dials up the menace, giving it claws that could probably punch through multiple realities. You battle with Metagross with ease and confidence.
Lucario (Generation 4)
click to enlarge + 10When Gen IV dropped, it brought with it a Pokemon that would redefine the word “cool” for years, and that is Lucario. This jackal-inspired brawler became an instant fan favorite.
Its body build is lean and mean, reflecting its Fighting-type spirit, while the spikes, aura sensors, and color scheme scream "heroic protagonist." Its mastery of aura farming adds a mystical layer to its design, making it more than just a warrior.
It’s a spiritual fur-champ with a deadly aura-filled fist. Lucario looks the part and has lived it up until this moment.
Hydreigon (Generation 5)
click to enlarge + 10Now we enter the iconic Gen V, where Hydreigon reigns draco-supreme. This Dark and Dragon hybrid looks like it spawned out of a boss fight from another video game franchise.
As the first hydra Pokemon, it had huge mythological shoes to fill, and oh boy did it deliver. With three heads, a wyvern's frame, and wings that look like cursed appendages, Hydreigon is both mystic and horrifying. It's not just a dragon, but it’s also a rival kaiju, and kaijus are never truly out of style.
The design screams dominance and destruction, with a regal flair that earns it a thorny crown among Pokemon.
Greninja (Generation 6)
click to enlarge + 10Let’s talk about the fabulous Gen VI, and let’s say it loud for the people in the back. Greninja is an absolute design masterpiece. A ninja frog already sounds cool, but Greninja takes it ten dojos further.
Its slim frame, piercing eyes, and tongue-scarf combo create one of the most unique visuals in the franchise. Water Shuriken? Perfect. Its fluid, pun-intended animation in battle matches its aquatic stealth assassin vibe, and its popularity skyrocketed after being picked as Ash’s ace in the anime.
It's a phenomenon that is loved even by the current generation.
Decidueye (Generation 7)
click to enlarge + 10Generation VII, like Gen III, gave us many bold designs, but Decidueye hit the bullseye. Imagine an archer owl cloaked in a leafy hood, shooting spectral arrows using its own feathers. That’s Decidueye in all its talon-y glory.
The Ghost typing is the cherry on top, adding a mysterious vibe to an already epic design. Its posture, its hunting stance, and its signature move all sell the idea of a nature-born ghost sharpshooter.
It’s clever, stylish, and dripping with cool. This is the kind of good design that gets tattooed on someone’s forearm.
Zacian (Generation 8)
click to enlarge + 10Now we go to the royal Gen VIII and prepare to kneel for Zacian. This Legendary Pokemon is as powerful as it is a design marvel. A noble wolf draped in royal blues and gold, biting down a literal sword in its mouth like it just stepped out of Arthurian legend? That’s peak fantasy-RPG energy.
The metallic armor and knightly form give it an aura of divine prominence. Behemoth Blade, its signature move, is not simply an attack but a warning to villainy. Zacian looks like it’s always mid-leap, ready to end a war with one fell swoop. It's majestic, it's lethal, it's unforgettable.
Baxcalibur (Generation 9)
click to enlarge + 10And finally, we have Gen IX’s cold-blooded king, the mighty Baxcalibur. This behemoth looks like a Godzilla relative who wandered into the Pokemon universe and decided to wreck trainers. Its ice-type dorsal blade doubles as a weapon, which it uses in its devastating signature move, Glaive Rush.
Its bulky kaiju build, tough face, and sharp edges give it an imposing presence. And the Dragon/Ice combo? Both rare and incredibly tactical. This Pokemon looks like it could stomp a Gym flat and look ferocious doing it.
click to enlarge + 10As we look back across generations, it's clear that Pokemon designs are more than just cosmetics; they’re emotional hooks. Each of these standout mons represents the height of their generation’s creativity.
Whether you’re into menacing grins, sci-fi juggernauts, mythical beasts, or arrow-shooting owls, there’s something here that likely made you fall in love with the series all over again. Here's hoping the next generation gives us even more icons to admire and obsess over.