Meloetta made its debut in ''[[BW082|An Epic Defense Force!]]'' (although it had previously appeared in [[PK23]]). Later, in ''[[BW085|All for the Love of Meloetta!]]'' it appeared in front of [[Cynthia]]'s car, having been attacked by [[Team Rocket]]. It follows {{Ash}}, {{an|Iris}}, {{an|Cilan}}, and Cynthia to [[Undella Town]] and appears again in ''[[BW086|Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times!]]''. It openly reveals itself and even sings after becoming very comfortable around Ash and his friends.
Meloetta made its debut in ''[[BW082|An Epic Defense Force!]]'' (although it had previously appeared in [[PK23]]). Later, in ''[[BW085|All for the Love of Meloetta!]]'' it appeared in front of [[Cynthia]]'s car, having been attacked by [[Team Rocket]]. It follows {{Ash}}, {{an|Iris}}, {{an|Cilan}}, and Cynthia to [[Undella Town]] and appears again in ''[[BW086|Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times!]]''. It openly reveals itself and even sings after becoming very comfortable around Ash and his friends.
By ''[[BW096|Meloetta and the Undersea Temple!]]'', Meloetta had become comfortable enough to challenge one of Ash's Pokémon to a battle; however, the battle was interrupted by [[Ridley]] who mistakenly believed Ash was attacking it. {{an|Giovanni}} and [[Team Rocket]] later force Meloetta to surrender after threatening Ash and {{AP|Pikachu}}. It's final appearance thus far is in ''[[BW097|Unova's Survival Crisis!]]'' when it decides to go home with Ridley.
By ''[[BW096|Meloetta and the Undersea Temple!]]'', Meloetta had become comfortable enough to challenge one of Ash's Pokémon to a battle; however, the battle was interrupted by [[Ridley]] who mistakenly believed Ash was attacking it. {{an|Giovanni}} and [[Team Rocket]] later force Meloetta to surrender after threatening Ash and {{AP|Pikachu}}. Its final appearance thus far is in ''[[BW097|Unova's Survival Crisis!]]'' when it decides to go home with Ridley.
While it is not known to evolve into or from any Pokémon, it has a second Forme activated by using the moveRelic Song in battle. Its original Forme, Aria Forme, will then become Pirouette Forme.
Meloetta was leaked on a poster of M15 on February 26, 2012, and it was officially revealed by Oha Suta on March 1, 2012.
Meloetta seems to be a femininely anthropomorphic figure with musical bar-style streaks in its hair, quarter notes (crotchets) (♩) for its arms and hands, and pupil-less eyes resembling whole notes (semibreves). It has a jewel on its forehead and a black headpiece that seems to be shaped like a treble clef which doubles as an attached microphone such as one often used by singers. Its ovular head seems to be ⅓ its body's height and about half its height in width. In its Aria Forme, it has light blue eyes and flowing, wavy hair with light-blue ovals that resemble whole notes. In its Pirouette Forme, it has auburn hair that seems to be stylized in a high bun and red eyes. In either Forme, its midriff and eyes match its hair.
Gender differences
Meloetta is a genderless species.
Special abilities
According to artists in Unova, Meloetta's beautiful music and dance inspired many works of art, music, and songs. This made the Pokémon popular among both musicians and dancers.
Meloetta is able to change forms when it uses the move Relic Song, which changes its form from Aria Forme to its Pirouette Forme, or vice versa. In its Aria Forme, it is a dual-type Normal/Psychic-type Pokémon; in its Pirouette Forme, it is a dual-type Normal/Fighting-type Pokémon. It reverts to Aria Forme when switched out or when the battle ends. Like many other legendary Pokémon, Meloetta is capable of becoming invisible.
Behavior
In its Aria Forme, Meloetta can sing beautiful songs. While in its Pirouette Forme, Meloetta can perform graceful dances.
Meloetta once played a song and danced so lightly, it filled people's hearts with joy. However, when sorrow darkened the world, Meloetta lost the melody. At the same time, its red shoes were lost somewhere.
Upon entering the cafe in Castelia City, a guitarist, who knows of the story, remembers Meloetta's melody. Upon playing it, Meloetta remembers the song that it had danced to.
By Meloetta and the Undersea Temple!, Meloetta had become comfortable enough to challenge one of Ash's Pokémon to a battle; however, the battle was interrupted by Ridley who mistakenly believed Ash was attacking it. Giovanni and Team Rocket later force Meloetta to surrender after threatening Ash and Pikachu. Its final appearance thus far is in Unova's Survival Crisis! when it decides to go home with Ridley.
Minor appearances
In the manga
Meloetta's Aria Forme in Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Meloetta made its debut in ABW40, where it was attracted to the flute music made by Bianca. After sneaking aboard the Battle Subway train, Meloetta found its way to Café Sonata, only to be attacked by a group of wild Vullaby. After finding out what happened, White protected Meloetta while Bianca decided to take a guitar and play with Meloetta in place of the Guitarist that was injured in the chaos.
With her skills in music, Bianca helped Meloetta remember the Relic Song that it had long since forgotten. Meloetta uses the attack to transform into its Pirouette Forme and defeat the wild Vullaby group. Afterward, it said its goodbyes to White and Bianca and left.
Pirouette Forme Meloetta has the highest Speed base stat and base stat total of all Fighting-type Pokémon, and the highest Speed base stat of all Normal-type Pokémon.
The red shoes mentioned in the history may be a reference to the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Red Shoes.
Meloetta is the first event-exclusive Pokémon to make its anime debut outside the movies.
Origin
Meloetta's Aria Forme resembles a typical singer with the black headpiece acting like a headset microphone, while the Pirouette Forme resembles a ballerina wearing a tutu and its "hair" curled up in a bun. In this Forme it also shares elements from Spanish Flamenco dancers. Meloetta's headpiece resembles a stylized treble clef. It may be also based on a muse, a mythological entity to whom was attributed, in Ancient Greece, the ability to inspire artistic creation.
Name origin
Meloetta may be a combination of melody and pirouette (a type of movement in ballet). Etta is also a common, feminine Italian suffix meaning little and may refer to Meloetta's feminine appearance and diminutive size. It may literally mean little melody, as Italian words are commonly used for musical directions and descriptions. Etta could also have derived from the famous jazz singer Etta James.
Aria is a term now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment, and is commonly used in opera.
Pirouette—French for to whirl—is a controlled turn on one leg, starting with one or both legs in plié and rising onto demi-pointe (usually for men) or pointe (usually for women). The non-supporting leg can be held in retiré position, or in attitude, arabesque level or second position.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
メロエッタ Meloetta
From melody and pirouette, with the feminine suffix -etta
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.