While it is not known to evolve into or from any Pokémon, Meloetta has two forms: its default form, Aria Forme, and a second form, the Normal/Fighting-type Pirouette Forme. Meloetta changes forms when it uses the move Relic Song during a battle and reverts to Aria Forme when switched out or when the battle ends.
Meloetta is a Pokémon that has 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 a third of its body's height and about half its height in width. In its Aria Forme, Meloetta 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 both forms, its midriff and eyes match its hair. It is a gender-unknown species.
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. Like many other Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, Meloetta is capable of temporarily turning invisible.
Forms
Meloetta has two forms: Aria Forme and Pirouette Forme. Meloetta is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Relic Song, which allows it to change forms. In its Aria Forme, Meloetta can sing beautiful songs, while in its Pirouette Forme, Meloetta can perform graceful dances.
Aria Forme
Pirouette Forme
In the anime
Main series
Aria Forme Meloetta in the animePirouette Forme Meloetta in the anime
Meloetta debuted in With a Little Help from My Friends, 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.
Meloetta in its Aria Forme appears as a Poké Ball summon in the 3DS and Wii U versions of the game. In the games, it uses Echoed Voice, taking the form of orbs that bounce around the stage and reflect off of terrain. It will appear only after playing for at least eight hours.
Meloetta trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Meloetta also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.
Trophy information
NA: A Normal/Psychic-type Pokémon, Meloetta can change its Forme by using Relic Song. In Smash Bros., Meloetta appears in its Aria Forme, using an attack called Echoed Voice to send waves of sound bouncing around the stage. The more walls and platforms, the harder this is to avoid.
PAL: This Normal- and Psychic-type Pokémon has the ability to change Forme mid-battle by using Relic Song. Appearing this game in its Aria Forme, it uses Echoed Voice to send echoes shooting up and down the stage, reflecting off walls and platforms. The more obstacles there are on a stage, the harder it is to avoid!
Meloetta returns as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball, retaining its behavior from the previous game. It attacks by singing notes that hurt opponents if they are touched by them. Meloetta also appears as a Spirit in Aria Forme.
Game data
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
Meloetta starts battles in Aria Forme. If it uses the move Relic Song, it changes between the two forms. It reverts to Aria Forme if withdrawn. Outside of battle, Meloetta will always be in its Aria Forme.
The effort valueyields of each of Meloetta's forms—1 Special Attack, 1 Special Defense, and 1 Speed in Aria Forme and 1 Attack, 1 Defense, and 1 Speed in Pirouette Forme—are both unique.
Meloetta is also the only Pokémon to have more than one unique effort value yield.
Meloetta is programmed to always hold a Star Piece when encountered in the wild in Pokémon Black and White. However, Meloetta cannot be found in the wild in those games.
Origin
Meloetta may be based on a muse, a goddess in Greek mythology with the ability to inspire artistic creation. Meloetta may also be seen as a personification of music since its design has multiple references to musical notation: its headpiece resembles a stylized treble clef, its fingerless hands and slim arms are shaped after musical notes, and its hair resembles staff lines with bar lines.
Meloetta's Aria Forme resembles a typical singer, with the black headpiece acting like a headset microphone.
Meloetta's Pirouette Forme resembles a ballerina wearing a tutu, with its "hair" curled up in a bun, or possibly the headdress worn by Nefertiti in her namesake sculpture. This Forme also has elements of Spanish Flamenco dancers.
Its transformation, particularly in the anime, is also reminiscent of a Magical girl.
The guitarist who teaches Meloetta Relic Song in the Generation V games mentions that it lost its red shoes at the same time that sorrow darkened the world and it lost the song it had danced to. This may be a reference to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale The Red Shoes.
Name origin
Meloetta may be a combination of melody, pirouette (a type of movement in ballet), and the Italian feminine diminutive suffix -etta.
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.
A 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).
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
メロエッタ Meroetta
From melody, pirouette, and the Italian feminine diminutive 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.