One of the most crucially underrated Pokémon of all time is Rapidash. One of the original 151, Rapidash is a powerful unicorn that has a stunning mane of fire. Running at 150 mph, there are few that can match its incredible speed.
The newly introduced Galarian Rapidash is a version of Rapidash that is native to the Galar Region. Trading out its fire-typing for Psychic and Fairy, Galarain Rapidash has a stunning purple and teal mane. When it comes to comparing the two versions of Rapidash, which is superior? Let’s find out.
10 Kantonian: The Originality
Kantonian Rapidash is one of the original 151, and while it might not be as iconic as some of the other Kanto Pokémon, is has stood the test of time. While its design is nice and simple, it also looks fantastic, not needing any major flourishes to stand out amongst all of the other Pokémon. It’s clean, and even now all these years later, its design is still easily identifiable.
9 Galarian: Ponyta
Kantonian Ponyta is great, but Galarian Ponyta is just one of the cutest Pokémon out there. Its cotton candy-styled mane is almost as big as the rest of its body, and it’s just the cutest thing when it whipping in the wind as Ponyta runs without a care in the world. Galarian Ponyta is one of the cutest Pokémon that the region has to offer.
8 Kantonian: The Majesty
There’s nothing more stunning than watching Rapidash unleash its full speed and sprint across a field at 150 mph, its mane of fire trailing behind it.
Kantonian Rapidash is so majestic, in fact, that it actually earned itself a spot in the original anime’s opening, flying into the air with Zapdos and Articuno. And rightfully so, it can hold its own against the best of ’em.
7 Galarian: Very Pretty
Kantonian Rapidash might be the more majestic one of the two, but Galarian Rapidash is the prettier one. Look at those flowing locks, they’re just fantastic. The firey look of Kantonian Rapidash is one way to do it, but its Galarian form is a totally different vibe, and it works in a completely different way.
6 Kantonian: The Shiny
Galarian Rapidash’s shiny form just kind of makes it blonde, but its Kantonian shiny turns its fiery main grey, and blue, in the form of Ponyta. While the shiny forms were pre-determined in earlier generations, the Kantonian look is far superior to the Galarian shiny. The grey takes the aforementioned majesty and cranks it up to 11.
5 Galarian: Typing
The Fire-typing of the original Rapidash was fine, but it was nothing special. There are plenty of Fire-types in the Pokédex already.
While the Physical- and Fairy-typing of Galarian Rapidash doesn’t necessarily suit the physical nature of the Pokémon (more on that later), it is a lot more interesting than the solo Fire-typing, and can allow for more interesting plays that your opponents might not expect.
4 Kantonian: Movepool
Rapidash has always been a physical fighter, and the Fire-typing has plenty of moves that make use of that. Beyond that, Kantonian Rapidash has plenty of moves that cover its bases outside of its typing. Galarian Rapidash does have a fine amount of coverage options, but in terms of actual STAB moves, there isn’t that much going on that benefit its physical stats. There are a few options for Galarian Rapidash to utilize, but not nearly as much as the original.
3 Galarian: The Reveal
What other Pokémon can take control of a 24-hour livestream simply to announce itself and nothing else? Galarian Ponyta and only Galarian Ponyta. How iconic is that? People sat still for hours just to watch Ponyta slowly announce itself to the public. Bit by bit, over, you guessed it, 24-hours. And no other Pokémon were revealed. Absolutely fantastic. Keep killing it Galarian Ponyta, you’re doing amazing.
2 Kantonian: That Fire Mane
This has been brought up several times throughout the article, but can we just appreciate how good Rapidash looks? Game Freak took a horse, added a little bit of razzle-dazzle in the form of a fire mane, and that was it. And it was an absolutely perfect decision. Galarian Rapidash might be a beautiful Pokémon, but the original’s fire mane is just something that can’t be replicated.
1 Galarian: It Brought Attention Back To Rapidash
One of the best things about Galarian Rapidash is that it brought attention back to the Rapidash line as a whole, Kantonian version included. What was once one of the most ignored Pokémon of the original 151 is now celebrated. Both of the Rapidash forms are fantastic, and now they’re both getting the notice that they deserve thanks to the Galarian version. Now Rapidash finally has merch! Actual good, official merch! That’s something that the Pokémon hasn’t really ever had, and it is all thanks to Galarian Rapidash. Like dogs, all unicorns are good unicorns, both forms of Rapidash included.
NEXT: Pokémon Sword And Shield: 10 Hoenn Pokémon Who Should Have Returned In Isle Of Armor
