Which generation introduced the Fairy type?

Which generation introduced the Fairy type? Generation VI introduced it in Pokémon X and Y, released in 2013.

Fairy was the first new Pokémon type added since Dark and Steel debuted in Generation II. It was designed partly to rebalance battling, especially by giving Dragon-type Pokémon a powerful new weakness. Fairy moves are super effective against Dragon, Fighting, and Dark types, while Fairy Pokémon are weak to Poison and Steel.

The change also affected older Pokémon. Several existing species, including Clefairy, Marill, Jigglypuff, and Gardevoir, gained Fairy typing or had their typing revised. Sylveon became the first revealed new Fairy-type Pokémon and helped showcase the type’s visual identity.

A common mix-up is confusing the introduction of the type with the generation of a particular Fairy Pokémon. Although many Fairy species debuted in Generation VI, the type itself was introduced across both new and previously existing Pokémon.