How Many Pokemon Are There in 2024, and Why Is the Answer Not So Simple?

When Satoshi Tajiri came up with the idea for “Capsule Monsters” (later shortened to Pokémon) in the early 1990s, he was likely unaware of what a cultural phenomenon his concept would become. Even with the release of the first game in 1996 and its subsequent anime in 1997, it is remarkable to look at the franchise’s trajectory from the 151 original creation to the thousand plus of today.

The continued evolution of the series has also led to some confusion about how many Pokémon there are now; we are far removed from the “Pokémon Rap” that could name them all in a song. This is for multiple reasons, but we will break down the most simple answer and then describe why it has gotten more complex with each generation of the game.

Pokémon Number According to the Pokédex

While the next generation of Pokémon is rumored to land in 2025 or 2026, there are currently 1,025 Pokémon recorded in the Pokédex (via serebii.net). This amount comes from looking at the game, versus the series or the TGC, as they have become the definitive source for chronicling all the various cute and powerful monsters that make up the franchise.

So, pretty straightforward? Well, things get a bit hazy when you consider some of the series’ changes over the years and between generations. ‘Mega Evolutions’ was introduced in the 6th generation, Pokémon X and Y, in 2013. This was phased out in the 8th generation games, Pokémon Sword and Shield, which changed mechanics to include “Dynamaxing” and “Gigantamaxing.” This is one of the simpler reasons why it is difficult to say exactly how many Pokémon there are, but there are many other factors that can change the numbers.

Mega Evolutions and Gigantamaxing, Do they Count?

With the inclusion of Mega Evolutions, 48 new Pokémon designs were spread across 46 different Pokémon species. These varieties are not necessarily ‘unique,’ but they change their appearance enough that some could argue they are new Pokémon unto themselves. This includes Gen 1 species getting a Mega version: Venusaur, Charizard X and Y, Blastoise, Beedrill, Pidgeot, Alakazam, Slowbro, Gengar, Kangaskhan, Pinsir, Gyarados, and Aerodactyl.

However, many don’t consider these to be new entries, given that they have a temporary status and return to their previous form after a set amount of time. There is also a question of popularity, with some even finding the concept of Mega Evolutions to be particularly cruel; as outlined in the following post from ‘espounguy’ on Reddit, noting how dark and cruel the Pokedex descriptions are. So, even on a moral level, some don’t like the idea of including them.

“Dynamaxing” and Gigantamaxing were introduced in the Pokémon SwordandShield games (Gen 8) in 2019. This allowed all Pokémon access to “Dynamax,” which increased their size. Of those, 32 had access to a “Gigantmax version,” which gave them a new appearance. So, if one considers both the Mega Evolutions and Gigmantmax forms, the total number of Pokemon is 1,105.

Gender, Variants, Shiny and One Fashionable Pikachu

This is where things can get rather convoluted, but it is still something to take into consideration. On the more practical side, one could argue that regional variants increase the numbers. Regional forms were first introduced in Generation 7 with the Alolan forms in Pokémon Sun and Moon, and have continued since then, with some monsters, like Meowth, having more than one form (Alolan and Galarian), and Tauraus having three in the Paldean Combat, Blaze, and Aqua breeds. There are currently 57 regional forms.

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If you really want to stretch the definition of how many Pokémon there are, you can further break it down by gender, with some forms, like Indeedee, having both a visually distinct male and female form, or you can look at how only a female Combee can evolve into Vespiquen and there is a slight visual difference in its base form. There are 104 Pokémon that show a notable difference in appearance, though some visual queues are so slight it is almost a non-point when discussing how many Pokémon there are.

Finally, the number of Pokémon grows exponentially if you really stretch the definition by including shiny versions, which would double your total. Taking into account the very fashionable Pikachu from the games and TGC you could add even more, especially as some variants, like Pikachu Libre, come with their own unique move sets. Finally, Spinda, whose spot pattern is determined by its 32-bit personality value, can generate a huge number of unique combinations estimated to be between 4.2 billion and 8.5 billion.

So, How Many Pokémon Are There in 2024?

Pokémon Horizons

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Cast

Ikue Ôtani , Taku Yashiro , Minori Suzuki , Yuka Terasaki

Seasons

1

The simplest answer is to stick with the Pokédex, with the current 1,025 Pokémon recorded in the Pokédex (according to serebii.net) offering the most extensive and accurate documentation of how many Pokémon there are. However, the math behind Spinda and the potential numbers up into the billions is an interesting prospect best saved for a mathematician. If you don’t want to get bogged down in the numbers and just enjoy the world of adorable monsters, you can catchPokémon Horizons: The Series on Netflix.