Beast of Reincarnation: Every Pokemon Easter Egg

The “Beast of Reincarnation” is a fan-given name for a hidden mechanic in the Pokémon games, not a single egg, but a cluster of related Easter eggs that Game Freak has hidden across generations. It refers to the recurring theme of legendary Pokémon being reborn or resurrected, most notably through the Relic Castle painting in Pokémon Black/White, the Tao trio’s origins, and the cryptic “burned tower” lore in Gold/Silver. This article breaks down every known instance of this theme, how it works in-game, and what it means for the franchise’s deeper mythology.

Formula

The calculator above is a pace and speed converter, not part of the Pokémon lore, but it follows the same logic as the game’s hidden math: every formula uses a fixed relationship between two variables. For the Beast of Reincarnation, the “formula” is: Rebirth = (Old Form) + (Catalyst) → (New Form). The catalyst is always a specific item, location, or event—like the DNA Splicers, the Reveal Glass, or the Relic Castle painting—that triggers a transformation. In the calculator, the formula is pace = time / distance (min/km) and speed = distance / (time / 60) (km/h), where time is in minutes and distance is in kilometers.

Worked Example

Using the default values: time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.
Pace = 50 / 10 = 5.0 min/km.
Speed = 10 / (50 / 60) = 10 / 0.8333 = 12.0 km/h.
The calculator shows 5.00 min/km and 12.00 km/h, matching the formula exactly.

Background: The Legendary Rebirth Theme

Since Generation 1, Game Freak has used the idea of death and rebirth in legendary Pokémon. The most obvious example is the Legendary Birds in Pokémon Red/Blue, which are simply found in the wild, but the theme becomes explicit in Generation 2 with the Legendary Beasts—Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. According to the in-game lore, they were ordinary Pokémon that died in the Burned Tower, then were resurrected by Ho-Oh. This is the first true “Beast of Reincarnation” in the franchise, and it sets the pattern for later games.

The theme recurs with the Tao trio (Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem) in Generation 5, where Kyurem is the leftover shell of an original dragon that split into two. The DNA Splicers allow you to fuse Kyurem with either Reshiram or Zekrom, effectively “reincarnating” a partial version of the original. Similarly, the Forces of Nature (Tornadus, Thundurus, Incarnate Forme) can be changed to their Therian Forme using the Reveal Glass, which is a rebirth of sorts. The most literal Easter egg, however, is the Relic Castle painting in Pokémon Black/White, which shows a figure that fans believe depicts the original dragon before the split.

How the Easter Egg Works In-Game

The Beast of Reincarnation Easter egg is not a single hidden event but a series of scripted triggers that require specific conditions. Here are the known instances:

• Burned Tower (Gen 2/4): In Ecruteak City, after defeating the three beasts, they flee. In Pokémon Crystal, you encounter Suicune there after the event, and in HeartGold/SoulSilver, you can re-visit the tower to find the beasts in the basement after obtaining the National Dex.
• Relic Castle Painting (Gen 5): In the Relic Castle, there is a painting on a wall that, when examined, shows a silhouette of a dragon. Fans have theorized it is the original dragon, and it is the closest thing to a direct “reincarnation” visual.
• DNA Splicers (Gen 5): After the main story, you obtain the DNA Splicers in Icirrus City. Using them on Kyurem with Reshiram or Zekrom in your party fuses them into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem. This is a mechanical rebirth, as Kyurem is the hollow shell.
• Reveal Glass (Gen 5/6): In Pokémon Black 2/White 2, you get the Reveal Glass from a scientist in Lentimas Town. Using it on Tornadus, Thundurus, or Landorus changes them to Therian Forme, which is a transformation, not a rebirth, but it fits the theme.
• Necrozma (Gen 7): In Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon, Necrozma can absorb Solgaleo or Lunala to become Dusk Mane or Dawn Wings Necrozma, and then Ultra Necrozma. This is a reincarnation of light, with Necrozma being a fallen being.

How to Choose Which Easter Egg to Hunt

If you want to experience the Beast of Reincarnation theme, you need to decide which game to play. Each instance requires a different playthrough stage:

• For the classic beasts: Play Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, or SoulSilver. You need to beat the Elite Four and get the National Dex to encounter the beasts in the wild.
• For the original dragon: Play Pokémon Black or White. The Relic Castle painting is accessible after the fourth gym, but the DNA Splicers are post-game only.
• For the Therian forms: Play Black 2/White 2 or Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire. The Reveal Glass is a key item, and you need to catch the Forces of Nature first.
• For Necrozma: Play Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. You need to progress to the post-game to get the N-Solarizer and N-Lunarizer.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that the Beast of Reincarnation is a single Pokémon. It is not—it is a theme. Another is that the Relic Castle painting shows Ho-Oh, but the design is more consistent with a dragon, not a bird. Players also often confuse the DNA Splicers with the Reveal Glass, but they work differently: the Splicers fuse two Pokémon, while the Glass changes a single Pokémon’s forme. A frequent problem is that players miss the Relic Castle painting because it is in a room that requires Rock Smash to reach, and it is easy to walk past it. In the Burned Tower, the beasts only appear after you trigger the event by walking to the center of the basement, and if you leave the tower, you have to re-enter to trigger it again.

Comparisons: How Each Rebirth Differs

The reincarnation events differ in mechanics and lore. The Burned Tower beasts are the most literal: they died and were revived by Ho-Oh. The Tao trio is more philosophical: the original dragon split, and fusing is a partial reunion. Necrozma is a villainous rebirth, absorbing light to regain power. The Forces of Nature are not dead, so their Therian Forme is more of a shape-shift. The Relic Castle painting is the only one that is purely visual, with no in-game effect, which makes it a true Easter egg rather than a mechanic.

Safety and Accuracy in Lore

When discussing Pokémon lore, it is important to distinguish between confirmed game text and fan interpretation. The Beast of Reincarnation name is fan-made, not official. The idea that the Relic Castle painting is the original dragon is a theory, not stated in the game. Always check the Pokédex entries and NPC dialogue for official lore. For example, the Pokédex entry for Kyurem says it is “the remains of a Pokémon that was the original dragon,” which is confirmed. The painting, however, is unlabeled, so it is speculation. There is no safety risk in-game, but for real-world accuracy, avoid presenting fan theories as facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Beast of Reincarnation in Pokémon?

It is a fan term for the recurring theme of legendary Pokémon dying and being reborn, starting with the Legendary Beasts in Generation 2 and continuing with Kyurem and Necrozma. It is not an official name.

Where is the Relic Castle painting?

In Pokémon Black/White, the painting is in a room in the Relic Castle, accessible after you get the fourth badge. You need to use Rock Smash to break a wall, then examine the painting on the wall. It shows a dragon-like silhouette.

How do you fuse Kyurem with Reshiram or Zekrom?

In Black/White, after the post-game, go to Icirrus City and get the DNA Splicers from a scientist. Then, have Kyurem and either Reshiram or Zekrom in your party, and use the Splicers on Kyurem. The fusion is permanent until you use the Splicers again.

Can you get the Legendary Beasts in every game?

No. The beasts are available in Gold/Silver/Crystal, HeartGold/SoulSilver, and as roaming Pokémon in later games like Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire. They are not in every game, and in some, they are version-exclusive.

Is the original dragon catchable?

No. The original dragon is only implied to have existed. You can catch Kyurem, Reshiram, and Zekrom separately, but the original dragon is not a catchable Pokémon in any game.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2