9. Hisuian Zoroark

The original Unova Zoroark already had ghostly qualities, given that the fox-like Pokémon’s entire schtick is creating illusions. But it wasn’t until Pokémon Legends: Arceus that it actually became a ghost. According to the lore, Hisuian Zoroarks are the revived ghosts of Zoroarks who died in the Hisui region’s harsh conditions after being driven out of their homes by humans. They now persist out of spite and disdain toward those who forced them out of Unova.

Pokémon Legends: Arceus is already dealing with colonization in the world just by the nature of its story, but Hisuian Zoroark is one of the most haunting examples of this in Pokémon lore. It is the echo of souls lost in humanity’s expansion, and one of Legends: Arceus’ most damning pieces of commentary on the way Pokémon are affected by human’s perception of what they’re “supposed” to be. The Hisuian variant of Zoroark is more or less extinct by modern times, but its existence is a reminder that despite Pokémon’s themes of friendship and teamwork, there are darker truths behind people’s coexistence with Pokémon throughout this universe’s history.