List of Pokémon (21–40)

At the core of the multi-billion dollar Pokémon media franchise of various electronic games, ongoing anime, several manga series, collectible trading card games and other media are 493 distinctive fictional species classified as the titular Pokémon. Created by Satoshi Tajiri, Pokémon is one of Nintendo's flagship game franchises, which has sold over 143 million copies worldwide as of 2007. These creatures and entities reside throughout various locations of the fictional Pokémon universe and can be caught by humans designated as Pokémon Trainers often using devices called Poké Balls. These trainers use Pokémon for a variety of purposes, such as being pets and loyal companions and/or being pitted against other trained Pokémon in competitive Pokémon battles. Pokémon are potentially powerful and magical creatures that can employ a variety of talents such as generating fire or heat, martial arts, telekinesis, and so on. Through age and experience many of these species undergo a metamorphosis and transform into a similar but stronger specie in a process referred to as Pokémon evolution.

This is a selected listing of twenty of the Pokémon species, arranged as they are in the main game series' National Pokédex.

Spearow

Template:Pokeinfoboxsmall Spearow (オニスズメ, Onisuzume in original Japanese language versions) is a small bird Pokémon with short wings and a small, stubby beak. It is noted for being frail, but it makes up for that with its "Mirror Move" ability. It eats insects in grassy areas by flushing them out with its wings, and plucking at them with its beak. Its wings aren't good for long distance travel or high flying, but it is able to fly at high speeds by flapping its wings very rapidly. It is very territorial, constantly buzzing about and calling with a loud cry that can be heard from half a mile away. It serves to scare away predators and keep in touch with other Spearow, which usually is used to alert them of danger. The golden spearow has golden wings and a golden beak, it also has a lighter colour of brown feathers

Spearow evolves into Fearow at level 20.

Fearow

Template:Pokeinfoboxsmall Fearow (オニドリル, Onidoriru, Onidrill in original Japanese language versions) is a bird Pokémon that evolves from Spearow at level 20. It has a large wingspan, elongated neck, and thin, long beak, all characteristics being a radical departure from its short-winged, stubby-beaked pre-evolved form Spearow. Fearow uses its great wings to catch air currents and effortlessly glide over large distances for as long as a day without having to land or rest. It flies high into the sky, and swoops down at its prey. By using a combination of its neck and beak, it has a large reach, allowing it to pluck bugs from the ground or easily pluck prey from soil or water as it swoops down. If it senses danger, it avoids it if possible.

Ekans

Ekans (アーボ, Ābo, Arbo in original Japanese language versions) is a snake-like Pokémon that swallows whole the eggs of small bird Pokémon such as Pidgey or Spearow. Its highly poisonous fangs make it a hazard in the wild. Ekans also shares other characteristics as snakes, such as using its tongue to test the air for the presence of prey, and shedding its skin.

The name Ekans is the word snake backwards. Ekans' Japanese name, Arbo, is a reversal by morae of the word boa. Ekans' name in the English beta version was also Arbo.

In the anime, the most notable Ekans was owned by Jessie, who had received it before episode 1 on her birthday. It later evolved into an Arbok and was set free.

Ekans evolves into Arbok at level 22.

Arbok

Arbok (アーボック, Ābokku) are a larger and stronger form that Ekans take when they gain enough experience. In the main Pokémon game series, an Arbok is only acquired when an Ekans grows past level 22 and is evolved into an Arbok. It physically resembles a cobra and its name is the reverse of "kobra." The face-like pattern on the inside of its hood is regionally unique.

Pikachu

Main article: Pikachu

Pikachu (ピカチュウ, Pikachū) are a species of mouse-like electric Pokémon. Given that Pikachu is a central character in the Pokémon anime, the figurehead of Pokémon Yellow and the mascot and "face" of the Pokémon franchise in general, it is considered to be the most famous Pokémon.

Pikachu attacks mainly with electricity discharged from its cheeks. This electricity is gathered when lightning strikes its tail, which acts as a sort of lightning rod. Pikachu have displayed some aspects of higher intelligence, such as group living (gathering to summon lightning storms) and cooking berries with electricity.

Pikachu is playable in all of the Super Smash Bros. games. He is a very fast character with fairly powerful attacks, including Thunder and Skull Bash.

Raichu

Raichu (ライチュウ, Raichū) are a larger and stronger form that Pikachu take, causing its tail to grow and fur to turn orange. It also has a white underbelly, brown stripes on its back, and yellow cheeks, in contrast to Pikachu's red cheeks and Pichu's pink cheeks. In the main Pokémon game series, a Raichu is only acquired when an item called a Thunderstone is applied to a Pikachu so that it evolves into a Raichu. Raichu can only learn moves in the Pikachu stage, so the only way to make Raichu learn more moves is by using a TM. Raichu can generate 10,000 or even 100,000 volts of electricity, enough to knock out Pokémon several times its size, such as a Dragonite, as stated in the anime. Raichu's name is a portmanteau of the kanji, 雷 rai, meaning thunder, or lightning bolt, and chū, which is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a mouse's squeak.

Sandshrew

Sandshrew (サンド, Sando, Sand in original Japanese language versions) are a species of brick-skinned mouse-like Pokémon found in several regions throughout the Pokémon world. Despite its name, Sandshrew's appearance borrows more from the armadillo or the pangolin than from the shrew; its primary means of defense when threatened is to instantly curl up its body into a ball and lordose, leaving only its tough skin exposed. When it is rolled up like this, Sandshrew has the potential to withstand many attacks, as well as being dropped from a great height (also similar to hedgehogs). Sandshrew's natural environment is deep underground in arid, sandy locations with very little moisture, such as desert. It chooses this habitat to keep its hide as dry and tough as possible, while the sand also provides it with good camouflage.

In keeping with its physical characteristics, Sandshrew has high Defense in the video games, but low Speed. From Ruby and Sapphire onwards, it has the ability Sand Veil, which increases its evasion during a sandstorm. Sandshrew also appears in the spin-off game Pokémon Snap.

A Sandshrew owned by A.J. featured in the eighth anime episode, "The Path to the Pokémon League." It had many notable traits, such as the ability to withstand water and its knowldege of Fissure, which it used to dispatch Team Rocket.

Sandslash

Sandslash (サンドパン, Sandopan, Sandpan in original Japanese language versions) are a larger and stronger form that Sandshrew take when they gain enough experience to reach level 22. Generally they are a moderately large, bipedal porcupine or pangolin-like creature with hard yellow skin, lengthy claws, and a back loaded with an assemblage of large brown spikes. These spikes are hardened sections of Sandslash’s hide that grow to form a natural self-defense when Sandslash curls into a ball. Each spike remains on Sandslash for one year, after which it falls off and a new spike grows in its place. Sandslash can be found in desert areas, particularly close to dry forests. Sandslash' spikes serve a number of purposes to help cope with its environment, such as providing shade to protect it from the sun and heatstroke or using them offensively to harm both predators and prey. It uses its claws to climb trees, cut up food and dig, the latter being an activity that can cause them to break if done too quickly. It cannot run very quickly, but it is very quick with its claws.

Nidoran♀

Nidoran♀ (ニドラン♀) are a species of poisonous rabbit-like Pokémon found in the Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh regions of the Pokémon world. Male Nidoran are classified as a separate species of Pokémon from the females due to differences in appearance between genders, such as the female having smaller horns than the male. This Pokémon protects itself with its venomous barbs.

Nidorina

Nidorina (ニドリーナ, Nidorīna) are a larger and stronger form that Nidoran♀ take when they gain enough experience. In the main Pokémon game series, a Nidorina can be found as wild Pokemon in the Kanto and Johto regions of the Pokemon world, and it can also be acquired when a Nidoran grows past experience level 16 and is evolved into a Nidorina.

Nidoqueen

Nidoqueen (ニドクイン, Nidokuin) are a fully grown and developed species of female Pokémon. In the main Pokémon game series, a Nidoqueen can only be acquired when a Moon Stone item is applied to a Nidorina so that the creature is evolved into a Nidoqueen. Nidoqueen seem to be omnivores feeding on shrubs and fruit but they may snack on certain small Pokémon for protein.

Nidoran♂

Nidoran♂ (ニドラン♂) are a species of poisonous rabbit-like Pokémon found in the Kanto and Johto regions of the Pokémon world. Unlike most Pokemon, Female Nidoran are classified as a separate species from the males due to extreme differences in appearance between genders, such as the male having larger horns and completely different colors than the female. The male Nidoran is purple, and its horns secrete a powerful venom. The size of the horns determines the potency of the venom. Nidoran stiffens its large ears to sense danger.

The name Nidoran♂ derives from Nido (二度, Nido?), the Japanese word for "two times" or "two degrees," indicating the differences between the genders of the species. Nīdoru (ニードル, Nīdoru?) is also the Japanized pronunciation of "needle", which Nidoran are covered in. "Ran" may derive from the Pacarana, a South American rodent.

Nidorino

Nidorino (ニドリーノ, Nidorīno) are a larger and stronger form that Nidoran♂ take when they gain enough experience. Nidorino look somewhat like a rhinoceros and a rabbit with needles and horns covering its body. Nidorino is more aggressive than Nidoran and is quick to attack when it notices a threat; its large ears are always on the lookout. The diamond-hard horn on its head secretes a powerful venom and on impact with an enemy, poison leaks out. If it senses a hostile presence, all the barbs on its back bristle up. Nidorino is the male counterpart of Nidorina.

In the main Pokémon game series, a Nidorino can be found as wild Pokemon in the Kanto and Johto regions of the Pokémon world, and it can also be acquired when a Nidoran♂ grows past experience level 16 and is evolved into a Nidorino. It is also notable for being one of the first two Pokemon seen in the anime and in the intro to the game Pokemon Red.

Nidoking

Nidoking (ニドキング, Nidokingu) are a fully grown and developed species of male Pokémon and the final stage in the male Nidoran evolutionary line. Its horn is hard enough to pierce a diamond and contains secreted venom, making it a powerful stabbing tool upon prey and Pokémon battle opponents. Nidoking have immense upper-body strength, being able to snap a telephone pole like it were a twig. It uses its tail to smash down its target, then constrict it to break its bones. Its thick tail packs enormously destructive power capable of toppling a metal transmission tower.

As several Pokémon seem to have been designed to resemble other aspects of Japanese pop culture and mythology, it is interesting to note that Nidoking bears a resemblance to Baragon, a monster that has appeared in the Godzilla movie series.

In the main Pokémon game series, a Nidoking can only be acquired when a Moon Stone item is applied to a Nidorino so that the creature is evolved into a Nidoking. They are the masculine equivalent to Nidoqueen. Nidoking are faster and have greater attack, while Nidoqueen have more HP and greater defense.

Clefairy

Clefairy (ピッピ, Pippi in original Japanese language versions) are small, bipedal Pokemon. Popular as pets for their adorable features, Clefairy have short pink fur, with a large brown patch on each of its two pointed ears. Between these ears is a large swirl of pink fur. It has two small eyes, no nose, and a small mouth with a tiny protruding fang. It also has a patch of darker pink fur under each eye, which seems to resemble blushing cheeks.

Clefairy can be seen playing in groups, on the night of a full moon, retreating to their group slumber when dawn arrives. This Pokémon is noted to be able to store moonlight in the wings on its back, giving it the power to float in mid-air. There have been sightings of Clefairy, with its evolutionary forms Cleffa and Clefable, using spaceships, and the Moon Stones used to evolve Clefairy are also rumored to come from extraplanetary locations. Clefairy seems to be based on a fairy, as it is a magical, somewhat humanoid, winged creature, lending credit to its name. Also, its game call seems to make a sound similar to its Japanese name.

Clefairy's biology is somewhat unclear. While it cannot truly fly with its wings, it does travel in a bouncy skipping walk, as if walking on the surface of the moon. When it waves its finger, it stimulates the blood and triggers its brain to perform random attacks from any other Pokèmon, which is the basis of its signature Metronome attack.

Clefable

Clefable (ピクシー, Pikushī, Pixy in original Japanese language versions) is similar to Clefairy in appearance. It is larger than its pre-evolved form, with prominent ears and a pair of jagged wings on its back. Clefable inhabit remote mountainous areas and generally any environment that has sufficiently little ambient noise. Clefable’s hearing is extremely sensitive - it is said that it can discern the sound of a pin falling 1,100 yards away, so it is averse to living in areas with sound pollution (compare with Whismur).

Clefable are also extremely timid, and rarely seen in the wild. They avoid all contact with outsiders. Even sensing the presence of others in the area (which is fairly easy thanks to their prodigious hearing) will cause it to run and hide immediately. They will, however, come into the open on quiet, moonlit nights to take a stroll on a lake.

Clefable’s wings are probably not fit for real flight, but they allow it to move in a skipping, bouncy manner as if it were walking on the moon’s surface. They can even walk across the water’s surface this way, so when it takes the aforementioned stroll on the lake, it literally takes a stroll on the lake. Clefable’s wings, its hovering walk, its timidity and elusiveness have led them to be categorized as a type of fairy in the Pokémon world.

Vulpix

Vulpix (ロコン, Rokon in original Japanese language versions) is one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the Japanese Pokémon media franchise. Designed by Ken Sugimori,Vulpix debuted in 1996 in Pocket Monsters Aka, the first Pokémon video game. Vulpix are fox-like creatures with six curled tails, based on the Japanese fox spirit kitsune. Most commonly female, Vulpix are especially known for being beautiful. As Vulpix undergo Pokémon evolution, their red fur turns pale yellow and they grow three extra tails.

During the first season of the Pokemon anime, Vulpix appears often as one of Brock's Pokemon. It was giving to him by a girl named Susie. Brock gives it back to Susie in the episode called "Beauty and the Breeder".

Its Japanese name, Rokon is a portmanteau of six (六, roku?) and kon (from kon kon, an onomatopoeic word describing the bark of a fox), or an alternate reading of the Japanese word for kitsune (狐, kitsune?), meaning fox - in this case, the reading is ko (こ, ko?).

Ninetales

Ninetales (キュウコン, Kyūkon, Kyukon in original Japanese language versions) is a yellow nine-tailed fox, based on the kitsune, a Japanese fox spirit. Ninetales is highly intelligent and able to understand human speech, but also vengeful; Ninetales have been recorded as putting a 1,000 year curse on anyone who grabs one of their tails, which is a focus of the plot in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. They, along with Vulpix, have keen senses of smell, hearing, and sight. It can usually only be obtained by the use of a Fire Stone on a Vulpix, but wild Ninetales have been seen in Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, LeafGreen and FireRed in the Pokemon Mansion.

Jigglypuff

Main article: Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff (プリン, Purin in original Japanese language versions) are well known for their ability to sing a mysterious melody – containing, as is customary in all Pokémon vocalization, only the word "Jigglypuff" – that instantly puts opponents and passers-by to sleep.

Jigglypuff is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Wigglytuff

Wigglytuff (プクリン, Pukurin in original Japanese language versions) is a relatively large pink balloon-like Pokémon with a white underbelly, large blue baby-like eyes, a pair of large rabbit ears, and a twisty tuft of pink hair on its forehead. It evolves from Jigglypuff through a Moon Stone. In fact, it's remarkably similar to its pre-evolved form, Jigglypuff, except the ears have grown larger and it now maintains an "oval" shape. Wigglytuff's eyes are always covered by a thin layer of tears, so that if any dust gets into Wigglytuff’s eyes, it is quickly cried away.

External links

• Bulbapedia - The Pokémon encyclopedia