Drifloon is a Pokémon with a spherical, purple body. It has two stringy arms that have yellow, heart-shaped hands on the ends of them. At the base of its body is a frayed protrusion that resembles the tied end of a balloon. In the middle of its face is a yellow tape-like "X" mark, which contains its little mouth in the very center. Located on either side of the "X" are its small, black eyes. A white mass of fluff that resembles a cloud sits on top of Drifloon's head. Drifloon's body is filled with air, as well as the lost spirits of people and Pokémon. Its body expands as it collects more souls. If it explodes, the souls unleash with a screaming sound. It is also rumored that Drifloon itself is reincarnated from deceased humans.
This Pokémon is known as a "Signpost for Wandering Spirits" due to its aimless drifting. Desiring company, Drifloon often seeks out children and grabs their hands. However, due to how light it is, it can be resisted easily and is often pulled around. This results in Drifloon running away from any children who are rough with it. Drifloon also dislikes heavy children. There are rumors that Drifloon steals children who hold onto it, guiding them to the afterlife. Despite this reputation, as seen in the anime, Drifloon can be friendly and helpful. In the movies, Drifloon's body puffs up when they get angry or aggressive. Drifloon sightings are typically more common at night. It prefers to reside in damp, humid locations and can expand or shrink to express its feelings.
Drifloon debuted in Drifloon on the Wind!. Marnie and Paige have four Drifloon they use for transport. Marnie owned three of the Drifloon, while Paige owned the fourth.
In PK18, Pikachu and his friends grabbed onto multiple Drifloon while escaping from Meowth and his cronies. Meowth's group was later forced to hold onto other Drifloon after being blasted off by a Registeel.
Drifloon, the Balloon Pokémon. A Ghost and Flying type. Drifloon grab children's hands as if they were going to guide them to the Ghost World. Although Drifloon tug on children's hands, they often end up getting pulled around instead.
"A Balloon Pokémon that appears each Friday at the Valley Windworks in the Sinnoh region. It's round and cute, but it has a dreadful side too, as it attempts to drag children into the underworld by their hands. It likes damp, humid seasons. If it's on the verge of fainting in battle, it will counterattack by self-destructing. It evolves into Drifblim."
Said to lure away young children and carry them off to the afterlife. Some whisper that Drifloon are formed of reincarnated human souls, but these rumors are as yet unconfirmed.
In the Japanese version of Pearl's Pokédex entry, Drifloon specifically takes children to the "world of the dead" (Japanese: あのよ), instead of just trying to "steal them away" as in the English version. However, in the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl in the United States, the description along with Drifloon's trophy still states that it is "taking children to the underworld".
Drifloon and its evolved form are the only Pokémon not introduced in Generation III to be found in the Fluctuating Experience Group.
They are also the only Flying-type Pokémon and the only Ghost-type Pokémon in the Fluctuating Experience Group.
Origin
Drifloon appears to be based on a balloon. The yellow shape around its mouth resembles a puncture bandage (its mouth being the puncture), the white puff on its head resembles a cloud, and its heart-shaped feet resemble the weights on the strings of helium balloons. It also resembles the comb jelly, specifically the Tentaculata. It may also be based on space jellyfish (also known as atmospheric jellyfish), an atmospheric phenomenon caused by rocket launches that are often mistaken for cryptids or UFO sightings.
As a concept of a Ghost-type balloon, it may have been inspired by some Kaidan ghost stories, where ghosts and spirits have been compared to balloons.
Name origin
Drifloon may be a combination of drift and balloon.
Fuwante may be a combination of ふわふわ fuwa fuwa (soft, airy, and light; or an onomatopoeia for floating), 風船 fūsen (balloon), and 不安定 fuantei (unstable).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Drifloon images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
