Shiny Pokémon

Shiny Pokémon are extremely rare Pokémon that differ in coloration from their regular appearance. These color variations may range from minor hue adjustments to completely altered palettes. Only one shiny variation exists for each Pokémon.

In the Map View and tracker, shiny Pokémon are shown in their regular coloration until they appear on the encounter screen or on the summary page, where they have an aura of stars around them, a shiny tab shown above the CP and their different coloration is visible. A shiny Pokémon may not appear shiny to nearby Trainers.

Once a player captures a shiny Pokémon, their Pokédex will show that they have captured it and additional switch buttons for shiny forms will unlock in each individual Pokédex entry.

List of Shiny Pokémon

Main article: List of Shiny Pokémon

Main article: List of Shiny Pokémon comparison

Almost all Shiny forms of Pokémon are currently in game data, but only some of them are currently available to obtain by players in gameplay.

History

Shiny Pokémon were released on following dates:

2017

March:

• March 24^th, 2017 – The first available Shiny Pokémon in the game – Shiny Magikarp and Gyarados began appearing.
  • It might be reference to original game series as Shiny Gyarados, located at the Lake of Rage, was the Pokémon used to introduce Trainers to shiny Pokémon.

August:

• August 9^th, 2017 – Shiny Pikachu, Raichu and Pichu were released on the first day of the Pokémon GO Park event, in Yokohama, Japan.

October:

• October 20^th, 2017 – Shiny Sableye began appearing on the first day of the Halloween event of 2017.
• October 26^th, 2017 – Shiny Duskull and Dusclops began to appear on the seventh day of the event.
• October 31^st, 2017 – Shiny Shuppet and Banette began to appear on the twelfth day of the event.

December:

• December 8^th, 2017 – Shiny Mawile and Absol began being available to catch in Raid Battle Bonus Challange, after main release of Hoenn-region Pokémon.
• December 21^st, 2017 – Shiny Snorunt and Glalie began appearing along with release twenty Water and Ice-type Pokémon from Hoenn region and Delibird.

2018

January:

• January 24^th, 2018 – Shiny Aron, Lairon and Aggron began appearing along with release of Ground and Rock-type Pokémon from Hoenn region.

February:

• February 8^th, 2018 – Shiny Swablu and Altaria began appearing along with release of Flying and Dragon-type Pokémon from Hoenn region.
• February 14^th, 2018 – Shiny Luvdisc became available to catch in wild with the beginning of the Valentine's Day 2018.
• February 16^th, 2018 – Shiny Poochyena and Mightyena became available to obtain with the start of Lunar New Year 2018.
• February 24^th, 2018 – Shiny Dratini, Dragonair and Dragonite began appearing on the February Community Day.

March:

• March 16^th, 2018 – Shiny Lugia was made available to be caught in Raid Battle Bonus Challange with the second temporal release of it as a Legendary Raid Boss.
  • Shiny Lugia is the first Shiny Legendary Pokémon available in the game.
• March 22^nd, 2018 – Shiny Magby, Togepi, Wynaut and their families were released with the beginning of the Eggstravaganza 2018.
• March 25^th, 2018 – Shiny Bulbasaur, Ivysaur and Venusaur became available on the March Community Day.
• March 31^st, 2018 – Shiny Murkrow became available to capture with the start of April Fools' Day.

April:

• April 15^th, 2018 – Shiny Mareep, Flaaffy and Ampharos became available on the April Community Day.
• April 23^rd, 2018 – Shiny Wailmer and Wailord became available with the start of the Earth Day 2018.

May:

• May 1^st, 2018 – Shiny Makuhita, Hariyama, Meditite and Medicham became available with the start of the Battle Showdown 2018.
• May 19^th, 2018 – Shiny Ho-Oh was made available to be caught in Raid Battle Bonus Challenge with the its second temporal release as a Legendary Raid Boss.
• May 19^th, 2018 – Shiny Charmander, Charmeleon and Charizard became available on the May Community Day.
• May 24^th, 2018 – Shiny Omanyte, Omastar, Kabuto, Kabutops and Aerodactyl were released with the start of the Adventure Week 2018.

June:

• June 7^th, 2018 – Shiny Shellder, Cloyster and Kyogre became available with the beginning of the Water Festival 2018.
• June 16^th, 2018 – Shiny Larvitar, Pupitar and Tyranitar became available on the June Community Day.
• June 30^th, 2018 – Shiny Roselia was released with the beginning of the Pokémon GO Safari Zone in Dortmund.

July:

• July 7^th, 2018 – Shiny Articuno became available to capture on the Articuno Day mini event.
• July 8^th, 2018 – Shiny Squirtle, Wartortle and Blastoise became available on the July Community Day.
• July 14^th, 2018 – Shiny Plusle and Minun were released with the beginning of the 2018 edition of Pokémon GO Fest 2018.
• July 21^st, 2018 – Shiny Zapdos became available to capture on the Zapdos Day mini event.

August:

• August 1^st, 2018 – Shiny Snubbull, Granbull, Houndour and Houndoom became available.
• August 11^th, 2018 – Shiny Eevee and its branched evolutionary line became available to capture on the August Community Day.
• August 20^th, 2018 – Shiny Natu, Xatu, Sunkern, Sunflora, Pineco and Forretress became available with the start of the Johto Festival.
• August 29^th, 2018 – Shiny Wingull and Pelipper became available with the start of the Safari Zone event in Yokosuka, Japan.

September:

• September 1^st, 2018 – Shiny Growlithe and Arcanine were released to the gameplay.
• September 8^th, 2018 – Shiny Moltres became available to capture on the Moltres Day mini event.
• September 13^th, 2018 – Shiny Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Grimer and Muk became available with the start of Ultra Bonus Event 2018.
• September 22^nd, 2018 – Shiny Chikorita, Bayleef and Meganium became available on the September Community Day.

October:

• October 1^st, 2018 – Shiny Krabby and Kingler became available.
• October 5^th, 2018 – Shiny Drowzee and Hypno became available with the start of Psychic Spectacular 2018.
• October 11^th, 2018 – Shiny Nidoran♀, Nidorina and Nidoqueen became a available in celebration of International Day of the Girl Child.
• October 16^th, 2018 – Shiny Shinx, Luxio and Luxray were released.
• October 21^st, 2018 – Shiny Beldum, Metang and Metagross became available on the October Community Day.
• October 23^rd, 2018 – Shiny Drifloon and Drifblim became available with the start of Halloween 2018.

November:

• November 1^st, 2018 – Shiny Pinsir was released with the start of Safari Zone in Tainan.
• November 1^st, 2018 – Shiny Caterpie, Metapod and Butterfree became available.
• November 3^rd, 2018 – Shiny Gengar became available from Raid Battles during the Special Raid Challenge. After the challenge had ended, Niantic announced that Shiny Gastly became available in the wild.
• November 5^th, 2018 – Shiny Cubone, Marowak, Alolan Marowak, Ponyta and Rapidash became available.
• November 6^th, 2018 – Shiny Budew was released.
• November 10^th, 2018 – Shiny Cyndaquil, Quilava and Typhlosion became available on the November Community Day.
• November 14^th, 2018 – Shiny Elekid and Electabuzz were released with the beginning of Hatchathon. Shiny forms of cross-region Pokémon Roserade, Honchkrow, Electivire, Magmortar, Togekiss and Dusknoir were released.
• November 16^th, 2018 – Shiny Magnemite and Magneton became available with the start of Let's Go Celebration.
• November 23^rd, 2018 – Shiny Alolan Raichu became available.

December:

• December 1^st, 2018 – Shiny Misdreavus and Mismagius became available.
• December 6^th, 2018 – Shiny Sandshrew and Sandslash became available during the Tottori Festival in Japan.
• December 18^th, 2018 – Shiny Azurill, Marill, Azumarill and Delibird became available with the start of Holiday 2018.

2019

January:

• January 12^th, 2019 – Shiny Totodile, Croconaw and Feraligatr became available on the January Community Day.
• January 15^th, 2019 – Shiny Zigzagoon, Linoone, Taillow, Swellow and Groudon became available with the start of Hoenn Celebration 2019.
• January 19^th, 2019 – Shiny Feebas and Milotic became available at the start of the January Limited Research event.
• January 25^th, 2019 – Shiny Psyduck and Golduck became available with the start of Safari Zone in Porto Alegre.
• January 31^st, 2019 – Shiny Froslass was released.

February:

• February 4^th, 2019 – Shiny Spoink and Grumpig became available with the start of Lunar New Year 2019.
• February 5^th, 2019 – Shiny Meltan and Melmetal became available for a limited time.
• February 13^th, 2019 – Shiny Cleffa, Clefairy, Clefable, Smoochum and Jynx became available with the start of Valentine's Day 2019.
• February 16^th, 2019 – Shiny Swinub, Piloswine and Mamoswine became available on the February Community Day.
• February 22^nd, 2019 – Shiny Latias became available.
• February 23^rd, 2019 – Shiny Clamperl, Huntail and Gorebyss became available at the start of the February Limited Research event.
• February 26^th, 2019 – Shiny Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Pidgeot, Rattata and Raticate became available with the start of Pokémon Day 2019.

March:

• March 5^th, 2019 – Shiny Mankey, Primeape, Machop, Machoke and Machamp became available with the start of Battle Showdown 2019.
• March 19^th, 2019 – Shiny Lunatone and Solrock became available with the start of the Equinox 2019.
  • This makes them the first shiny region-exclusive Pokémon available in the game.
• March 23^rd, 2019 – Shiny Treecko, Grovyle and Sceptile became available on the March Community Day.
• March 30^th, 2019 – Shiny Lotad, Lombre, Ludicolo, and Castform became available at the start of the March Limited Research event.

April:

• April 2^nd, 2019 – Shiny Scyther and Scizor became available with the start of the Bug Out event.
• April 13^th, 2019 – Shiny Bagon, Shelgon and Salamence became available on the April Community Day.
• April 15^th, 2019 – Shiny Latios became available.
• April 16^th, 2019 – Shiny Igglybuff, Jigglypuff, Wigglytuff, Buneary and Lopunny became available with the start of the Eggstravaganza 2019.
• April 18^th, 2019 – Shiny Lapras and Shuckle became available during Safari Zone in Sentosa.
• April 29^th, 2019 – Shiny Diglett and Dugtrio became available with the start of the Earth Day 2019.

May:

• May 1^st, 2019 – Shiny Seel and Dewgong became available.
• May 7^th, 2019 – Shiny Aipom and Ambipom became available with the start of the Detective Pikachu Celebration.
• May 17^th, 2019 – Shiny Magnezone, Leafeon and Glaceon were released.
• May 19^th, 2019 – Shiny Torchic, Combusken and Blaziken became available on the May Community Day.
• May 21^st, 2019 – Shiny Bronzor and Bronzong became available with the start of the Extraordinary Raid Week.
• May 27^th, 2019 – Shiny Cresselia became available.

June:

• June 4^th, 2019 – Shiny Onix, Steelix, Lileep, Cradily, Anorith and Armaldo became available with the start of Adventure Week 2019.
• June 8^th, 2019 – Shiny Slakoth, Vigoroth and Slaking became available on the June Community Day.
• June 13^th, 2019 – Shiny Horsea, Seadra and Kingdra became available with the beginning of the 2019 edition of Chicago Pokémon GO Fest.
• June 28^th, 2019 – Shiny families of Alolan Rattata, Sandshrew, Vulpix, Diglett, Meowth, Geodude, Grimer and Exeggutor became available with the start of 3rd Anniversary.
• June 29^th, 2019 – Shiny Raikou became available to capture during the Special Raid Challenge.

July:

• July 1^st, 2019 – Shiny pattern 8 of Spinda became available.
• July 4^th, 2019 – Shiny Nidoran♂, Nidorino and Nidoking became available with the beginning of the 2019 edition of Dortmund Pokémon GO Fest.
• July 14^th, 2019 – Shiny Entei became available to capture during the Special Raid Challenge.
• July 21^st, 2019 – Shiny Mudkip, Marshtomp and Swampert became available at the beginning of the July Community Day.
• July 25^th, 2019 – Shiny Ekans, Arbok, Zubat, Golbat, Koffing, Weezing, Crobat, Sneasel and Weavile became available at the launch of Team GO Rocket Disruption.
• July 31^st, 2019 – Shiny Rayquaza became available.

August:

• August 3^rd, 2019 – Shiny Ralts, Kirlia, Gardevoir and Gallade became available at the beginning of the August Community Day.
• August 5^th, 2019 – Shiny Bonsly and Sudowoodo became available at the beginning of the Gift Event.
• August 6^th, 2019 – Shiny Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Poliwrath and Politoed became available at the beginning of the 2019 Pokémon GO Fest in Yokohama, Japan.
• August 17^th, 2019 – Shiny Suicune became available to capture during the Special Raid Challenge.
• August 23^rd, 2019 – Shiny Carvanha, Sharpedo, Barboach and Whiscash became available with the start of Water Festival 2019.

September:

• September 1^st, 2019 – Shiny Electrike, Manectric and pattern 3 of Spinda became available.
• September 2^nd, 2019 – Shiny Sentret, Furret, Gligar and Gliscor became available at the beginning of the Johto Journey.
• September 9^th, 2019 – Shiny Farfetch'd , Kangaskhan, Mr. Mime, and Tauros became available at the beginning of the second week of the Ultra Bonus Event 2019.
• September 15^th, 2019 – Shiny Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra became available at the beginning of the September Community Day.
• September 16^th, 2019 – Shiny Mewtwo, families of Patrat, Lillipup and Klink became available at the beginning of the third week of the Ultra Bonus Event.
• September 20^th, 2019 – Shiny Yanma and Yanmega became available with the start of Safari Zone in Montreal.
• September 23^rd, 2019 – Shiny Altered Forme Giratina became available in Legendary Raid Battles.
• September 26^th, 2019 – Shiny Zangoose, Seviper and Mime Jr. became available at the beginning of the World Tourism Day.

October:

• October 2^nd, 2019 – Shiny Oddish family became available at the beginning of Safari Zone in New Taipei City.
• October 12^th, 2019 – Shiny Trapinch, Vibrava and Flygon became available at the beginning of the October Community Day.
• October 17^th, 2019 – Shiny Yamask and Cofagrigus became available with the beginning of Halloween 2019 event.

November:

• November 1^st, 2019 – Shiny Skarmory, Regirock, Regice and Registeel became available with the beginning of A Colossal Discovery. Shiny pattern 1 of Spinda also became available.
• November 7^th, 2019 – Shiny Meowth and Persian became available with the beginning of Team GO Rocket Leaders Disruption.
• November 16^th, 2019 – Shiny Chimchar, Monferno and Infernape became available at the beginning of the November Community Day.
• November 19^th, 2019 – Shiny Tentacool and Tentacruel became available with the beginning of Supereffective Week.

December:

• December 5^th, 2019 – All shiny forms of Burmy, Wormadam and Mothim became available with the beginning of the Evolution Event.
• December 16^th, 2019 – Shiny forms of Gible, Gabite and Garchomp became available with the Pokémon egg shuffle.
• December 24^th, 2019 – Shiny Stantler, Snover and Abomasnow became available with the beginning of the Holiday 2019 event.

2020

January:

• January 1^st, 2020 – Shiny pattern 7 of Spinda became available.
• January 2^nd, 2020 – Shiny Wurmple became available with the beginning of the Hatchathon 2020. However, its shiny evolution was not available yet because party hat Wurmple cannot evolve.
• January 7^th, 2020 – Shiny Heatran became available.
• January 16^th, 2020 – Shiny Silcoon, Beautifly, Cascoon and Dustox became available after the end of Hatchathon event.
• January 19^th, 2020 – Shiny Piplup, Prinplup and Empoleon became available at the beginning of the January Community Day.

February:

• February 2^nd, 2020 – Shiny Minccino and Cinccino became available at the start of the Limited Research event.
• February 7^th, 2020 – Shiny Riolu, Lucario, Hippopotas and Hippowdon became available at the start of the Sinnoh Celebration event.
• February 14^th, 2020 – Shiny Happiny, Chansey and Blissey became available at the start of the Valentine's Day 2020 event.
• February 15^th, 2020 – Shiny Lickitung and Lickilicky became available during the Special Raid Challenge of the Valentine's Day event.
• February 22^nd, 2020 – Shiny Rhyhorn, Rhydon and Rhyperior became available on the February Community Day.

March:

• March 1^st, 2020 – Shiny pattern 6 of Spinda became available.
• March 6^th, 2020 – Shiny Darkrai became available on Special Raid Weekend.
• March 6^th, 2020 – Shiny Skorupi and Drapion became available during Team GO Rocket Global Take-over.
• March 13^th, 2020 – Shiny Timburr, Gurdurr and Conkeldurr became available at the start of the GO Battle League Season 1 Launch Celebration.
• March 17^th, 2020 – Shiny Cobalion became available.
• March 20^th, 2020 – Shiny Nincada and Ninjask became available during A Drive to Investigate.
• March 26^th, 2020 – Shiny Teddiursa and Ursaring became available at the beginning of the Safari Zone in St. Louis.
• March 27^th, 2020 – Shiny Baltoy and Claydol became available during the Psychic Spectacular 2020.

April:

• April 1^st, 2020 – Shiny Croagunk and Toxicroak became available during the Tricky Pokémon event.
• April 9^th, 2020 - Shiny Exeggcute and Exeggutor will become available at the start of the Spring Event.

Gallery

Videos

Shiny Magikarp Spotted!

Trivia

• Normally, evolved stages of Pokémon cannot be shiny in encounter screen, including Pokémon evolved from Baby Pokémon (except Pikachu, Chansey, Mr. Mime and Roselia). As a result, evolved shiny Pokémon can only obtained by evolution. There were exceptions in events such as:
  • Nidorina and Nidoqueen in Female Day;
  • Gengar and Kanto starters in Special Raid Challenge;
  • Party hat Raticate and Wobbuffet;
  • Gyarados and Magmar in Lunar New Year 2020. Magmar still can be found shiny in the wild after the event.
  • Sudowoodo in Tricky Pokémon
• Shiny Pokémon cannot be batch-transferred, and Trainers will be notified if they try to transfer them.
• Shiny Pokémon remains shiny after being evolved.
  • Also Pokémon cannot become shiny via evolving a non-shiny one.
• Unlike the case with seeing regular Pokémon in the Gym, seeing Shiny Pokémon in the Gym for the first time, before capturing them, won't unlock the Pokémon's shiny form switches in Pokédex summary page.
  • There are also no file assets for form switches of only-seen Shiny Pokémon in Pokédex.
• Registering a shiny Pokémon will also register the non-shiny form to the Pokédex, if the Pokémon was not previously registered.
• Shiny Legendary Pokémon have a 100% catch rate in Raid Battles (unless certain GPS error occurs), but remain the same catch rate in Research Breakthrough.
• Sableye, Mawile, Absol, Budew, Roserade, Honchkrow, Electivire, Magmortar, Togekiss, Dusknoir, Mamoswine, Magnezone, Leafeon, Glaceon, Mime Jr. and the evolution lines of Snorunt, Aron, Swablu, Shinx, Drifloon, Clamperl, Patrat, Lillipup, Klink, Yamask and Minccino are the Pokémon to have both regular and shiny forms released at the same time.
• In the main Pokémon series, the Gold and Silver versions were the first games to introduce shiny Pokémon.
• Along with releases of new Legendary Raid Bosses in 2017, assets for shiny forms of these Legendary Pokémon are also added to the game.
• Shiny Zapdos was temporally available from Raid Battle in 2017 due to game creators' mistake.
• During the Halloween event in 2017, there were shiny forms of Gastly family members added to game data, although they weren't released to be caught in gameplay. 
• Along with each release of selected Pokémon from Hoenn region, there are added to game data all of the sprites for shiny forms of respective Pokémon.
  • Since then, the shiny sprites of later regions are added to the game with their normal versions.
• Between April 7^th and 10^th, players started noticing that 2D sprites of Kanto- and Johto-region Pokémon had changed, thus they started speculating that during the Kanto Celebration event some or even more of shiny variants of these Kanto Pokémon might be released.
  • Moreover, Reddit user u/Chrales through the data-mining found and revealed that in fact plenty of 2D sprites for shiny variants of Kanto- and Johto-region Pokémon had been added to the game server. However none of these Shiny Pokémon had their in-game 3D models added by that time.
  • Despite all of these 2D sprites of Shiny Pokémon being added to the game, none of Pokémon had their shiny variant released during the Kanto Celebration event.
• On each Community Day there is significantly higher chance to encounter shiny form of featured Pokémon that generally spawns more often during this event.
  • Research estimates that there was a 1 in 22.7 chance of capturing a shiny Pikachu during the first Community Day.
• Shiny Shuckle became available for a short period of time before that start of the Safari Zone in Sentosa.