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[[Image:Evolution.gif|frame|right|{{p|Ivysaur}} evolves into {{p|Venusaur}}, depicted in [[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen]]]]

During the course of a Pokémon's development, under certain circumstances specific to that Pokémon's species, it may '''evolve''' (Japanese: {{tt|進化|しんか}} ''shinka'') into a different Pokémon. This change is not merely physical, however, as Pokémon of a higher evolutionary stage have different (and usually more powerful) [[base stats]] than their predecessors, may have different [[move]]s that can be learned, and sometimes change their [[Elemental types|type]]s, though usually at least one of the types of the previous form is preserved. Other statistics, such as [[nature]] and [[EVs]], as well as {{pkmn2|shiny|alternate coloration}}, are preserved.

[[Professor Rowan]] is the leading expert in Pokémon evolution. According to his research, over 90% of all Pokémon are connected to at least one other through evolution. Rowan is currently investigating whether evolution is a forum of maturity in Pokémon, and looking at the implications this process has on legendary Pokémon, which don't evolve.

==Evolution families==
An evolution family is a group of Pokémon who will all, if bred with {{p|Ditto}}, make a Pokémon egg that will hatch into the same Pokémon, excluding baby Pokémon. This also means that the most basic form has the potential to become any of the rest of the family, although it will ultimately be able to follow only one evolutionary path.

===Stages of evolution===
Pokémon can be divided into different evolutionary stages, based on where they appear in their evolution family. All Pokémon fall into one of four groups: [[baby Pokémon]], unevolved Pokémon, first-evolution Pokémon, and second-evolution Pokémon. These groups are also the basis for the [[TCG]]'s grouping of {{TCG|Baby Pokémon}}, {{TCG|Basic Pokémon}}, {{TCG|Stage 1 Pokémon}}, and {{TCG|Stage 2 Pokémon}}, respectively.

Due to the fact that no evolution family contains both a baby Pokémon and a second-evolution Pokémon, many regard baby Pokémon as the most basic form, while moving their evolved counterparts one level higher. For example, originally, {{p|Pikachu}} was regarded as an unevolved Pokémon, however, with the release of {{p|Pichu}} in [[Generation II]], many now consider it to be more on par with Pokémon like {{p|Charmeleon}}, though its TCG classification remains the same.


====Two-evolution families====
{{main|:category:Pokémon that are part of a three-stage evolutionary line|Pokémon that are part of a three-stage evolutionary line}}
Perhaps the most well-known types of evolution families are those that feature two separate evolutionary events in the Pokémon's development. Indeed, this type of evolution family is what all of the [[starter Pokémon]] in the [[main series]] are a part of, including {{p|Pikachu}}. An example of this type of evolution family is below.

{| align="center" style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius:15px;"
|
{| align="center" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius:15px;"
|- align="center"
| rowspan="2" | 
| <small>Lowest</small>
| rowspan="2" | <small>Trigger</small><br>&rarr;<br>[[Level|<span style="color:#000">Level 30</span>]]
| <small>Middle</small>
| rowspan="2" | <small>Trigger</small><br>&rarr;<br>[[Level|<span style="color:#000">Level 55</span>]]
| <small>Highest</small>
| rowspan="2" | 
|- text align="center"
| style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:147.png]]<br>[[Dratini (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Dratini</span>]]
| style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:148.png]]<br>[[Dragonair (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Dragonair</span>]]
| style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:149.png]]<br>[[Dragonite (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Dragonite</span>]]
|-
| colspan="5" | 
|}
|}
====One-evolution families====
{{main|:category:Pokémon that are part of a two-stage evolutionary line|Pokémon that are part of a two-stage evolutionary line}}
By far the most common type of evolution family, these families are based in a Pokémon that will only ever evolve once in its development. About one third of all Pokémon that would later get a baby form were part of this kind of evolution family before their baby form was revealed. An example of this type of evolution family is below.

{| align="center" style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius:15px;"
|
{| align="center" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius:15px;"
|- align="center"
| rowspan="2" | 
| <small>Lowest</small>
| rowspan="2" | <small>Trigger</small><br>&rarr;<br>[[Level|<span style="color:#000">Level 20</span>]]
| <small>Highest</small>
| rowspan="2" | 
|- text align="center"
| style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:019.png]]<br>[[Rattata (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Rattata</span>]]
| style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:020.png]]<br>[[Raticate (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Raticate</span>]]
|-
| colspan="3" | 
|}
|}

====Pokémon that do not evolve====
{{main|List of Pokémon that do not evolve}}
The least common type of evolution family, of course, is that in which no evolutionary event takes place, meaning that it is made up of only one member. Many of the Pokémon that have no evolutionary event are, of course, [[legendary Pokémon]]. However, there are still 42 other Pokémon that do not evolve. Below is a list of all non-legendary Pokémon that do not evolve.

{| align="center" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius: 10px; border: 5px solid #E0F2B6"
|-
! colspan="2" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius-topleft:5px;" | [[Generation I|Gen I]]
! colspan="2" style="background: #C4E673;" | [[Generation II|Gen II]]
! colspan="2" style="background: #C4E673;" | [[Generation III|Gen III]]
! colspan="2" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius-topright:5px;" | [[Generation IV|Gen IV]]
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|083|Farfetch'd}}
| {{p|Farfetch'd}}
| {{MS|201|Unown}}
| {{p|Unown}}
| {{MS|302|Sableye}}
| {{p|Sableye}}
| {{MS|417|Pachirisu}}
| {{p|Pachirisu}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|115|Kangaskhan}}
| {{p|Kangaskhan}}
| {{MS|203|Girafarig}}
| {{p|Girafarig}}
| {{MS|303|Mawile}}
| {{p|Mawile}}
| {{MS|441|Chatot}}
| {{p|Chatot}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|127|Pinsir}}
| {{p|Pinsir}}
| {{MS|206|Dunsparce}}
| {{p|Dunsparce}}
| {{MS|311|Plusle}}
| {{p|Plusle}}
| {{MS|442|Spiritomb}}
| {{p|Spiritomb}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|128|Tauros}}
| {{p|Tauros}}
| {{MS|211|Qwilfish}}
| {{p|Qwilfish}}
| {{MS|312|Minun}}
| {{p|Minun}}
| {{MS|455|Carnivine}}
| {{p|Carnivine}}
|- align="center"
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|131|Lapras}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Lapras}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|213|Shuckle}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Shuckle}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|313|Volbeat}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Volbeat}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|479|Rotom}}
| style="background: #fff; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:5px;" | {{p|Rotom}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|132|Ditto}}
| {{p|Ditto}}
| {{MS|214|Heracross}}
| {{p|Heracross}}
| {{MS|314|Illumise}}
| {{p|Illumise}}
| colspan="2" rowspan="13" style="background: #C4E673" | &nbsp;
|- align="center" 
| style="background: #fff; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:5px;" | {{MS|142|Aerodactyl}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Aerodactyl}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|222|Corsola}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Corsola}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|324|Torkoal}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Torkoal}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| colspan="2" rowspan="11" style="background: #C4E673" | &nbsp;
| {{MS|225|Delibird}}
| {{p|Delibird}}
| {{MS|327|Spinda}}
| {{p|Spinda}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|227|Skarmory}}
| {{p|Skarmory}}
| {{MS|335|Zangoose}}
| {{p|Zangoose}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|234|Stantler}}
| {{p|Stantler}}
| {{MS|336|Seviper}}
| {{p|Seviper}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|235|Smeargle}}
| {{p|Smeargle}}
| {{MS|337|Lunatone}}
| {{p|Lunatone}}
|- align="center"
| style="background: #fff; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:5px;" | {{MS|241|Miltank}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Miltank}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|338|Solrock}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{p|Solrock}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| colspan="2" rowspan="6" style="background: #C4E673" | &nbsp;
| {{MS|351|Castform}}
| {{p|Castform}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|352|Kecleon}}
| {{p|Kecleon}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|357|Tropius}}
| {{p|Tropius}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|359|Absol}}
| {{p|Absol}}
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|369|Relicanth}}
| {{p|Relicanth}}
|- align="center"
| style="background: #fff; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:5px;" | {{MS|370|Luvdisc}}
| style="background: #fff; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:5px;" | {{p|Luvdisc}}
|}

It must be noted that not belonging to an evolutionary family is not indicative of strength, or a lack thereof. Some Pokémon, such as {{p|Pinsir}} and {{p|Skarmory}}, are comparable to fully evolved Pokémon while others, like {{p|Luvdisc}} and {{p|Pachirisu}}, are more comparable to unevolved Pokémon. Often this indicates a Pokémon's possibility to be eligible for future [[List of Pokémon with cross-generational evolutions|new evolutions]] or [[baby Pokémon|pre-evolutions]].

====Branch evolution families====
{{main|List of Pokémon with branched evolutions}}
Several families, while also one- and two-evolution families, are also branch evolution families. What this means is that there is a split in the evolutionary line at some point so that even though two Pokémon of the same species evolve the same amount of times, they can become one of two or more entirely different creatures. {{p|Eevee}} is the best-known example of this, evolving seven different ways depending on the method used. An example of this type of evolution family is below.

{| align="center" style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius:15px;"
|
{| align="center" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius:15px;"
|- align="center"
| rowspan="3" | 
| <small>Lowest</small>
| rowspan="3" | <small>Trigger</small><br>&rarr;<br>[[Level|<span style="color:#000">Level 25</span>]]
| <small>Middle</small>
| rowspan="3" | <small>Trigger</small><br>&rarr;<br>[[Evolutionary stone#Water Stone|<span style="color:#000">Water Stone</span>]]<br><br><br><small>Trigger</small><br>&rarr;<br>[[Evolution-inducing held item#King's Rock|<span style="color:#000">King's Rock</span>]]
| <small>Highest</small>
| rowspan="3" | 
|- text align="center"
| rowspan="2" style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:060.png]]<br>[[Poliwag (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Poliwag</span>]]
| rowspan="2" style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:061.png]]<br>[[Poliwhirl (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Poliwhirl</span>]]
| style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:062.png]]<br>[[Poliwrath (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Poliwrath</span>]]
|- text align="center"
| style="background: #E0F2B6; -moz-border-radius: 1em;" | [[Image:186.png]]<br>[[Politoed (Pokémon)|<span style="color:#000">Politoed</span>]]
|-
| colspan="5" | 
|}
|}

=====Advantages=====
A major difference between the final forms of an evolution family with a branch in evolution is in the way that their [[base stats]] line up. For example, {{p|Kirlia}} evolves into both {{p|Gardevoir}} and {{p|Gallade}}, which both have 518 total base stats. However, Gallade's base stat in {{stat|Attack}} is 125 and its base stat in {{stat|Special Attack}} is 65. The reverse is true for Gardevoir, whose Special Attack is 125 and whose Attack is 65. This is true of many opposing evolutions, with one focusing in one specific stat, the other focusing in a separate stat, and both having the same total stats. This is especially obvious in the [[Eeveelution]]s, who each have exactly the same base stats, though organized differently.

A listing of the stat focuses is below.

{| align="center" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius: 10px; border: 5px solid #E0F2B6"
|-
! colspan="2" style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius-topleft:5px;" | Basic form
! colspan="2" style="background: #C4E673;" | Evolutions
! colspan="2" style="background: #C4E673;" | Types
! style="background: #C4E673; -moz-border-radius-topright:5px;" | Difference
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" | {{MS|043|Oddish}}
| rowspan="2" | {{p|Oddish}}
| {{MS|045|Vileplume}}
| {{p|Vileplume}}
| style="background:#{{grass color}}" | [[Grass (type)|{{color|FFF|Grass}}]]
| style="background:#{{poison color}}" | [[Poison (type)|{{color|FFF|Poison}}]]
| Special Attack is 100, Special Defense is 90
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|182|Bellossom}}
| {{p|Bellossom}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{grass color}}" | [[Grass (type)|{{color|FFF|Grass}}]]
| Special Defense is 100, Special Attack is 90
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" | {{MS|060|Poliwag}}
| rowspan="2" | {{p|Poliwag}}
| {{MS|062|Poliwrath}}
| {{p|Poliwrath}}
| style="background:#{{water color}}" | [[Water (type)|{{color|FFF|Water}}]]
| style="background:#{{fighting color}}" | [[Fighting (type)|{{color|FFF|Fighting}}]]
| Attack is 20 higher, Defense is 10 higher
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|186|Politoed}}
| {{p|Politoed}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{water color}}" | [[Water (type)|{{color|FFF|Water}}]]
| Special Defense is 20 higher, Special Attack is 10 higher
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" | {{MS|079|Slowpoke}}
| rowspan="2" | {{p|Slowpoke}}
| {{MS|080|Slowbro}}
| {{p|Slowbro}}
| style="background:#{{water color}}" | [[Water (type)|{{color|FFF|Water}}]]
| style="background:#{{psychic color}}" | [[Psychic (type)|{{color|FFF|Psychic}}]]
| Defense is 110, Special Defense is 80
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|199|Slowking}}
| {{p|Slowking}}
| style="background:#{{water color}}" | [[Water (type)|{{color|FFF|Water}}]]
| style="background:#{{psychic color}}" | [[Psychic (type)|{{color|FFF|Psychic}}]]
| Special Defense is 110, Defense is 80
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="7" | {{MS|133|Eevee}}
| rowspan="7" | {{p|Eevee}}
| {{MS|134|Vaporeon}}
| {{p|Vaporeon}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{water color}}" | [[Water (type)|{{color|FFF|Water}}]]
| Highest stat is HP
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|135|Jolteon}}
| {{p|Jolteon}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{electric color}}" | [[Electric (type)|{{color|FFF|Electric}}]]
| Highest stat is Speed
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|136|Flareon}}
| {{p|Flareon}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{fire color}}" | [[Fire (type)|{{color|FFF|Fire}}]]
| Highest stat is Attack
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|196|Espeon}}
| {{p|Espeon}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{psychic color}}" | [[Psychic (type)|{{color|FFF|Psychic}}]]
| Highest stat is Special Attack
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|197|Umbreon}}
| {{p|Umbreon}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{dark color}}" | [[Dark (type)|{{color|FFF|Dark}}]]
| Highest stat is Special Defense
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|470|Glaceon}}
| {{p|Leafeon}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{grass color}}" | [[Grass (type)|{{color|FFF|Grass}}]]
| Highest stat is Defense
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|471|Glaceon}}
| {{p|Glaceon}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{ice color}}" | [[Ice (type)|{{color|FFF|Ice}}]]
| Highest stat is Special Attack
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="3" | {{MS|236|Tyrogue}}
| rowspan="3" | {{p|Tyrogue}}
| {{MS|106|Hitmonlee}}
| {{p|Hitmonlee}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{fighting color}}" | [[Fighting (type)|{{color|FFF|Fighting}}]]
| Large difference between Attack and Defense
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|107|Hitmonchan}}
| {{p|Hitmonchan}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{fighting color}}" | [[Fighting (type)|{{color|FFF|Fighting}}]]
| Speed lower than Defense, Attack and Defense more equal
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|237|Hitmontop}}
| {{p|Hitmontop}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{fighting color}}" | [[Fighting (type)|{{color|FFF|Fighting}}]]
| Attack and Defense equal, Speed at minimum
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" | {{MS|265|Wurmple}}
| rowspan="2" | {{p|Wurmple}}
| {{MS|267|Beautifly}}
| {{p|Beautifly}}
| style="background:#{{bug color}}" | [[Bug (type)|{{color|FFF|Bug}}]]
| style="background:#{{flying color}}" | [[Flying (type)|{{color|FFF|Flying}}]]
| Attack and Special Attack higher than Defense and Special Defense
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|269|Dustox}}
| {{p|Dustox}}
| style="background:#{{bug color}}" | [[Bug (type)|{{color|FFF|Bug}}]]
| style="background:#{{poison color}}" | [[Poison (type)|{{color|FFF|Poison}}]]
| Defense and Special Defense higher than Attack and Special Attack
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" | {{MS|280|Ralts}}
| rowspan="2" | {{p|Ralts}}
| {{MS|282|Gardevoir}}
| {{p|Gardevoir}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{psychic color}}" | [[Psychic (type)|{{color|FFF|Psychic}}]]
| Special Attack is 125, Attack is 65
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|475|Gallade}}
| {{p|Gallade}}
| style="background:#{{psychic color}}" | [[Psychic (type)|{{color|FFF|Psychic}}]]
| style="background:#{{fighting color}}" | [[Fighting (type)|{{color|FFF|Fighting}}]]
| Attack is 125, Special Attack is 65
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" | {{MS|361|Snorunt}}
| rowspan="2" | {{p|Snorunt}}
| {{MS|362|Glalie}}
| {{p|Glalie}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{ice color}}" | [[Ice (type)|{{color|FFF|Ice}}]]
| All stats are 80
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|478|Froslass}}
| {{p|Froslass}}
| style="background:#{{ice color}}" | [[Ice (type)|{{color|FFF|Ice}}]]
| style="background:#{{ghost color}}" | [[Ghost (type)|{{color|FFF|Ghost}}]]
| HP, Defense, Special Defense each 10 lower, Speed 30 higher
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| rowspan="2" | {{MS|366|Clamperl}}
| rowspan="2" | {{p|Clamperl}}
| {{MS|367|Huntail}}
| {{p|Huntail}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{water color}}" | [[Water (type)|{{color|FFF|Water}}]]
| Attack is 104, Special Attack is 94
|- align="center" style="background: #fff"
| {{MS|368|Gorebyss}}
| {{p|Gorebyss}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#{{water color}}" | [[Water (type)|{{color|FFF|Water}}]]
| Attack is 84, Special Attack is 114
|- align="center"
| style="background:#fff; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft:5px;" rowspan="4" | {{MS|412|Burmy}}<br>{{MS|412G|Burmy}}<br>{{MS|412S|Burmy}}
| style="background: #fff" rowspan="4" | {{p|Burmy}}
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|413|Wormadam}}
| style="background: #fff"|{{p|Wormadam}}
| style="background:#{{bug color}}" | [[Bug (type)|{{color|FFF|Bug}}]]
| style="background:#{{grass color}}" | [[Grass (type)|{{color|FFF|Grass}}]]
| style="background: #fff"|Special Attack and Special Defense higher by 10
|- align="center"
| style="background: #fff" | {{MS|413G|Wormadam}}
| style="background: #fff"|{{p|Wormadam}}
| style="background:#{{bug color}}" | [[Bug (type)|{{color|FFF|Bug}}]]
| style="background:#{{ground color}}" | [[Ground (type)|{{color|FFF|Ground}}]]
| style="background: #fff"|Attack and Defense higher by 10 
|- align="center"
| style="background: #fff"|{{MS|413S|Wormadam}}
| style="background: #fff"|{{p|Wormadam}}
| style="background:#{{bug color}}" | [[Bug (type)|{{color|FFF|Bug}}]]
| style="background:#{{steel color}}" | [[Steel (type)|{{color|FFF|Steel}}]]
| style="background: #fff"|Equal special and physical stats
|- align="center"
| style="background:#fff; " | {{MS|414|Mothim}}
| style="background: #fff"|{{p|Mothim}}
| style="background:#{{bug color}}" | [[Bug (type)|{{color|FFF|Bug}}]]
| style="background:#{{flying color}}" | [[Flying (type)|{{color|FFF|Flying}}]]
| style="background:#fff; -moz-border-radius-bottomright:5px;" | Lower Defenses but higher HP, Attacks, and Speed
|}

==Methods of evolution==
{{main|Methods of evolution}}
The various triggers for a Pokémon's evolution are almost as varied as the Pokémon themselves. The most common of them is evolution by leveling up at or above a certain level. Other methods include leveling up when [[happiness]] has reached a high level, [[trade|trading]] the Pokémon, trading the Pokémon [[evolution-inducing held item|holding an item]], leveling up holding an item, or even using an [[evolutionary stone]] on it.  Additionally, holding an [[Everstone]] prevents a Pokémon from evolving.

Most commonly, Pokémon that can evolve into more than one Pokémon will have the ways in which the evolution is activated being slightly similar, such as having both be by [[evolutionary stone]] or by [[held item|holding an item]] and [[trade|trading]]. Closely-related Pokémon, such as {{p|Nidoran♀}} and {{p|Nidoran♂}}, will also have very similar, if not identical, evolution methods.

Some Pokémon have different evolutions depending on their gender. Usually, only one gender of the species will evolve, and the other will remain at the unevolved form. For example, only female {{p|Combee}} can evolve into {{p|Vespiquen}}; male Combee cannot evolve at all.

==In the anime==
[[File:Branched evolution.png|thumb|200px|right|Gloom's evolutionary line as shown in the anime]]
In the anime, evolution happens in much the same way as it does in the games; though [[level]]-based evolution nor [[trade]]-based evolutions do not occur using those methods, there are similarities in the way they come about. For example, [[Misty]]'s {{p|Poliwhirl}} evolved into {{TP|Misty|Politoed}} because it found {{Ash}}'s {{DL|Evolution-inducing held item|King's Rock}} and was holding it when Misty sent it out, while in the games it is required that Poliwhirl be traded while holding the King's Rock for the evolution to take place. When a {{p|Beedrill}} attacked Ash's {{p|Metapod}}, it caused a crack to appear on its shell, which {{AP|Butterfree}} came out of.

Additionally, a difference can be noted in the fact that Pokémon evolve ''during'' a battle, as opposed to after it. There are also several instances of an evolutionary trigger being incorrect, such as ''[[EP043|March of the Exeggutor Squad]]'' where several {{p|Exeggcute}} evolve into {{p|Exeggutor}} without the aid of a {{evostone|Leaf Stone}} (Although it should be noted that the episode in question implies that there was radiation emitted by Leaf Stones buried underground that caused the evolution to be triggered). Pokémon may also evolve when they are needed to, for an extra boost of power, instead of after a set amount of training, such as when Ash's {{p|Charmeleon}} evolved into {{AP|Charizard}}. In addition, Pokémon can sometimes choose not to evolve, even if they evolve by a 'natural' method such as leveling up. It appears that evolution has emotional implications for Pokémon - some Pokémon, such as Team Rocket's {{MTR}}, dislike their evolved forms, while others such as Ash's {{AP|Pikachu}} simply want to prove they can be powerful without evolving. Conversely, when Pokémon do evolve, this can often be linked with an experience that causes them to mature emotionally or deal with an emotional issue, such as when the {{p|Poochyena}} in ''[[AG011|A Bite to Remember]]'' evolved, or the {{p|Paras}} in ''[[EP044|The Problem With Paras]]''. Poochyena, for some reason, had an aversion to using the move {{m|Bite}}, while Paras was extremely timid and weak in battle. Both of them evolved shortly after overcoming these issues.

For a list of all evolutions that Pokémon belonging to the main cast have undergone, see [[List of anime Pokémon by evolution]].

==In the TCG==
{{main|Evolution (TCG)}}
Evolution in the TCG functions similarly in many aspects to that of the games, however, there is no different requirement that needs to be met depending on the Pokémon species to be evolved to move on to the next stage.

There are four different stages of evolution in the TCG, Baby Pokémon, Basic Pokémon, Stage 1 Pokémon, and Stage 2 Pokémon. Of these, only Baby and Basic Pokémon may be placed onto the Bench during the setup phase and during play; Stage 1 and Stage 2 Pokémon are considered to be evolution cards and therefore unable to be played except on top of their corresponding pre-evolved forms. The stage of evolution is indicated in a conspicuous place on each and every Pokémon card, though the placement differs among the four generations of cards.

Within the deck and discard pile, only Stage 1 and Stage 2 cards are considered to be "evolution cards" for the purpose of a Trainer card or Pokémon Power which allows them to be searched for. In play, a Basic Pokémon card can be considered an evolution card if it is evolved from its Baby stage.

==In relation to the real world==
Evolution in Pokémon, for most species, is more akin to {{wp|metamorphosis}} than to {{wp|evolution|actual evolution}}. This is because real life evolution happens to a population rather than to individuals, and happens over much larger time scales than in the Pokémon world. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, it is mentioned that Pokémon evolution is an entirely separate phenomenon from the normal process of evolution, and is a mysterious ability exclusive to Pokémon that is still not fully understood.

However, this does not necessarily mean that evolution in real-world terms does not exist in the Pokémon world; the existence of "extinct" Pokémon backs this up.

==See also==
* [[List of Pokémon by evolution family]]
* [[List of Pokémon with cross-generational evolutions]]

{{training}}

[[Category:Pokémon world]]
[[Category:Terminology]]

[[de:Entwicklung]]
[[fr:Évolution]]
[[ja:進化]]
[[pl:Ewolucja]]
[[pt:Evolução]]