Plenty of Pokémon have untapped potential but just don’t get their moment in the spotlight—either in the anime or the games. It’s hard not to notice that some fan favorites like Squirtle and Bulbasaur barely show up anymore, while others, like Zangoose, are practically invisible despite having cool abilities and backstories.
The Pokémon world is massive and packed with variety, yet the main cast usually sticks to a handful of familiar faces. That means a lot of interesting Pokémon with awesome abilities or quirky personalities just don’t get much exposure.
If these lesser-known Pokémon got more screentime, we’d see fresher battle dynamics and maybe even some new story arcs. It could shake things up in a good way.
Let’s take a look at some of the best underrated Pokémon that deserve a bigger role in the anime and games. Who knows, you might discover a new favorite.
Key Takeways
- Strong Pokémon often get ignored in anime or games.
- Adding underrated Pokémon brings more variety.
- Giving lesser-known Pokémon the spotlight can make the Pokémon world feel new again.
Understanding Underrated Pokémon
Some Pokémon get overlooked because of their design, minor story roles, or how the games make them less useful. “Underrated” in Pokémon usually means a creature with strong stats, a cool look, or neat lore that just doesn’t get much love.
You might notice that some Pokémon from Generation II, like Haunter, or from Generation III, like Dewgong, are strong but rarely featured. Sometimes, it’s just about being picked less in competitive play or barely showing up in the anime.
A lot of these Pokémon have hidden strengths or quirky traits, but most fans never notice them.
Factors Behind Limited Screentime
Why do some Pokémon get so little screentime? Sometimes it’s design—if a Pokémon looks too plain or too similar to others, it gets lost in the shuffle.
The games and anime love focusing on mascots or obvious favorites, so the rest get pushed aside. Storylines matter, too.
Ash’s team usually revolves around a few main Pokémon, so others barely get a cameo. Some Pokémon just don’t fit the plot or game mechanics, so they never get a chance to shine.
Impact of Game Mechanics and Storylines
Game mechanics really decide which Pokémon you’ll see a lot. If a Pokémon’s stats or moves aren’t great, it’s just not going to be picked much.
Sometimes, a Pokémon only appears late in the game, so you hardly ever see it. The anime, too, sticks to a core group and leaves the rest in the background.
Trying out these overlooked Pokémon in your own playthroughs or watching older episodes can sometimes reveal how much you’ve missed.
Top Underrated Pokémon That Deserve More Screentime
Some Pokémon have loyal fans but barely appear in the shows or games. Others are just hidden gems.
Water-types, for example, are everywhere but don’t always get the focus they deserve.
Fan Favorites Overlooked in Media
Take Absol—it’s got an awesome design and that mysterious disaster vibe, but you rarely see it in the main series. Absol’s dark typing and lore would make for some interesting stories if it ever got more attention.
Golbat and Zubat are usually just seen as annoying cave dwellers. They’re everywhere early on, so people stop appreciating them, but honestly, they can be useful in battles.
Golbat evolves into Crobat, which could make for some cool stories or battles if anyone bothered to focus on them.
Paras is another example. It’s got that unique Bug/Grass typing and a weird mushroom connection, but it basically never gets a moment to shine.
Hidden Gems Across Generations
Generation III brought in a bunch of Pokémon, but some like Oddish, Gloom, and Vileplume faded into the background. They’ve got interesting moves and are inspired by actual plants, yet you hardly see them.
Wartortle is the classic “middle child”—not as popular as Squirtle or as flashy as Blastoise, but it’s actually a solid mix of speed and defense. Wouldn’t it be nice to see it get more love?
These Pokémon have traits that could really add to the story or shake up a team, but they need more exposure to become new favorites.
Underrated Water-Type Pokémon
Water-types are everywhere, but some just never get their due. Wartortle is a perfect example—always overshadowed by Squirtle and Blastoise.
Even Paras, which hangs out in damp forests and swamps, could almost count as a water-adjacent Pokémon, but no one really notices that angle.
Water-types often have strong stats and some unique moves. If the anime or manga gave them more focus, we’d probably see them in a whole new light.
Spotlight on Iconic Yet Overlooked Pokémon
Some Pokémon are around all the time but never really get their due. They play important roles, evolve in interesting ways, and sometimes shape the story, but they rarely get the spotlight.
Nostalgic Pokémon from Early Generations
You probably remember Caterpie, Weedle, and Pidgey from the early routes. They’re not exactly powerhouses, but they teach you about type matchups and evolution right away.
Rattata and Spearow are everywhere early on, and they evolve into Raticate and Fearow, which are actually pretty decent. Clefairy and Jigglypuff are more about personality and unique moves—they add a bit of charm, even if you don’t use them in battle much.
Evolutions and Missed Character Development
A lot of evolutions just don’t get much story time.
Rattata becomes Raticate, which gets tougher but barely gets any battles or episodes. It’s a shame, really.
Clefairy turns into Clefable, which is stronger and a bit mysterious, but it still gets overshadowed by other fairy types or legendaries.
Jigglypuff is famous for its singing, but its evolution, Wigglytuff, almost never appears. There’s so much potential for character growth or battles that gets left on the table.
Role of Side Characters in the Anime
A lot of early-generation Pokémon aren’t the main stars but still matter.
Sure, Pikachu gets all the fame, but Caterpie and Weedle were important in Ash’s early journey—they showed what change and growth look like.
Jigglypuff was always good for a laugh with its singing antics. Side Pokémon help flesh out the world with different habitats and battle styles, but their screentime is usually limited to quick cameos.
Sometimes it’s worth appreciating how much they contribute, even if they’re never in the spotlight.
Cultural Impact and Future Opportunities
Underrated Pokémon often have quirky traits or stories that haven’t been explored enough. They could easily become more important in future games or new adaptations.
It feels like there’s a lot of untapped potential here.
Potential in Remakes and New Adaptations
Remakes are a good chance for these Pokémon to finally get noticed. Imagine if Pokémon like Zangoose, with its rivalry with Seviper, got a deeper story or some flashy new moves. Remakes bring better graphics and new mechanics, so these Pokémon could really stand out.
New movies or series could use these Pokémon for fresh stories, too. Their presence could add mood or atmosphere, kind of like how certain films use small details to build a vibe.
Bringing them in more often could really expand the Pokémon world and make things feel less predictable.
Influence in Manga and Spin-Off Media
In manga and spin-offs, underrated Pokémon sometimes get to shine in ways they just don’t in the main games. Characters like Floragato or Alcremie might finally get some actual development or even extra screen time.
It’s a bit like how indie films—think Midsommar or even the bizarre Cats—find their own niche audiences by telling stories off the beaten path. These kinds of media let you see Pokémon in settings you wouldn’t expect, which honestly just makes the whole universe feel bigger.
Spin-offs, in particular, seem to thrive on creative freedom. You might catch these Pokémon starring in puzzle or strategy games—something with a Tetris vibe—where their quirks or looks suddenly matter a lot more.
That means you get to connect with them outside the usual battles. Their stories and personalities can stick with you, sometimes way more than you’d guess from their roles in the main games.