'Pokémon Sword and Shield' Announce New Mythical Monster for Pokémon Day

The Pokémon Company and Nintendo have revealed a new Mythical Pokémon for Sword and Shield called Zarude, a Dark/Grass-type with the ability Leaf Guard. Zarude is described as the Rogue Monkey Pokémon that when fighting, “swings around using trees and their branches, attacking relentlessly with its sharp claws or any other means it has.”

It will be available for the first time later this year via a future update for Pokémon Sword and Shield, and there is currently no info on whether players will need to purchase the title’s Expansion Pass to get it. Mythical Pokémon makes up about 20 monsters of the near 900 existing Pokémon overall, with Zarude being announced on Pokémon Day.

Pokémon Day is an annual celebration of the release of the first Pokémon titles Pokémon Red and Green on February 27, 1996, in Japan. The franchise has gone on to become one of the biggest brands in existence with several successful anime, toys, merch, clothes and card games. Gamefreak also announced a new Max Raid Battle event that makes Kanto starters Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander available to catch and celebrate the franchise’s anniversary. The devs also announced a highly difficult level 100 uncatchable Mewtwo that drops several items upon defeat.

Check out the trailer and #PokémonDay2020 Twitter posts below, then check out the new Samurai Jack hack-and-slash trailer.

happy #PokemonDay ! growing up with this series really changed me, love you Pokemon! #ポケモン pic.twitter.com/ol0rVtRlF2

— ⚜️ mana mana ⚜️ (@mana_chan__) February 27, 2020

Today, 24 years ago, the first Pokémon game was launched in Japan.

Happy #PokémonDay, trainers around all regions.

Let’s celebrate this day dropping your favourite Pokémon of all time. pic.twitter.com/mjTQ8ADJCW

— Pokémon boyfriend (@kikeurbina) February 27, 2020

#本日2月27日はPokémonDay
Happy Pokemon Day! #PokemonDay #ポケモンの日 #ポケモン24周年 pic.twitter.com/9wEckjz2h1

— アメみ (@Kurisumasu_Tapi) February 27, 2020