Staryu is a golden-brown sea star-like Pokémon with five appendages. These appendages surround an exterior organ called the core, which is held in place by a golden ring looped around Staryu's left leg. If any of Staryu's appendages are lost, it can grow them back with ease provided the core is still intact. The core resembles a red jewel and is similar to a madreporite.
When the sun goes down, the core glows its brightest. Many will float from the seafloor to the surface and align themselves with stars of the night sky as their core flickers, displaying a connection with the celestial bodies of space. The anime has shown that if Staryu becomes weak, its core will grow faint and flash slowly. Staryu can be found at the very bottom of the ocean on the seafloors or in the dark, calm waters of caves. There are times, however, when Staryu finds itself in rivers that lead into the ocean as seen in Pokémon Snap.
A Staryu is seen in The Kindest Tentacruel where it was one of the Pokémon that Yellow was fantasizing about that was able to evolve via stone.
Staryu appeared in ''Breath of the Dragonair Part 1 where it was used by a trainer in a surfing contest, before the it was interrupted by Lance controlling the winning prize, a Dragonair.
Crystal encounters a herd of twelve Staryu during her journey in Surrounded by Staryu. The dozen Staryu hound after Bill in an attempt to play with him, encasing him and his Farfetch'd in a dodecahedral shell not even Crystal's Cubone could penetrate. Crystal was eventually able to capture and calm the Staryu down by breaking them up from the inside, using the new Pokémon Portable Transport System to send her Natu inside. They're later seen playing with Professor Oak in his Laboratory in Cherrygrove City.
When released from a Poké Ball, Staryu will target one of the opponents, spin towards them and shoot Swift. It is rapid-fire, but it can easily be escaped from by Directional Influence; the player can still move around while getting hit by Swift.
Melee trophy information
These starshape Pokémon that evolve into Starmie are found in large numbers at the seashore. At night, Staryu's red center glows and blinks on and off. It's said that as long as its red center remains, it can regrow its limbs. Whether it's related to Cleffa, another Pokémon with a vaguely star-shaped appearance, is unknown.
Brawl trophy information
"A Star Shape Pokémon. It gathers in groups and flashes the red jewel in the center of its body in time to the twinkling of the stars in the night sky. If it loses appendages, it can regenerate them right away. It can also use Camouflage, which allows it to change its type to match the surrounding terrain. If a Water Stone is used on it, evolves into Starmie."
3DS Trophy information
NA: This Water-type Pokémon, Staryu, greatly resembles a star. Exposing one to a Water Stone causes it to evolve into Starmie. Another star-shaped Pokémon, Cleffa, exists, but the two don't look all that similar. In Smash Bros., Staryu will attack foes with Swift. Anyone hit will be seeing stars!
PAL: This Water-type Pokémon evolves into Starmie when you use a Water Stone. Its star shape makes it rather cute, but that doesn't mean Staryu's not a threat. Its Swift attack will pummel fighters with a flurry of stars. If you notice Staryu's aiming at you, quickly move up or down to get out of the line of fire.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Pinball: A Staryu appears on the Red Table; however, it is merely decoration.
Staryu's center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokémon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs.
It gathers with others in the night and makes its red core glow on and off with the twinkling stars. It can regenerate limbs if they are severed from its body.
Staryu shares its species name with Cleffa. They are both known as the Star Shape Pokémon.
Despite being a genderless Pokémon, Staryu and Starmie were programmed to learn Egg moves in Gold and Silver; however, due to being genderless these were unobtainable. This was fixed in Crystal.
Staryu can be seen as a parallel to Shellder. Both of them are Water-typeGeneration I Pokémon whose only evolutionary event utilizes a Water Stone into their evolved forms, and gain a type upon evolution.
They also have a chance of holding valuable items, Stardust/Star Piece and Pearl/Big Pearl, respectively. Staryu is exclusive to LeafGreen and X, while Shellder is exclusive to FireRed and Y, with both Pokémon found by fishing in the same locations in their respective versions.
Staryu's design is based on a starfish, likely a common starfish. The large gem attached to its body is held on by a bracket similar to a ring mount.
Name origin
Staryu is derived from star (referring to its shape) and yu (possible corruption of you, in opposition to the mie in Starmie). Yu is also the Chinese word for fish (魚).
Hitodeman is probably derived from an alternate reading of 海星 kaisei (starfish), ヒトデ hitode, along with the combination of man or possibly demon.
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.
TM33 (Ice Punch) (100%)
Stardust (25%)
Star Piece (8%)
Water Stone (Beyond the Sea only, 100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Staryu images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
