While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Genesect has four other forms, which are activated by inserting the Drive in the cannon on its back. The Drive is visibly different within its sprites depending on the Drive it is holding.
Shiny Genesect in its high-speed flight configuration
Genesect is a bipedal, insectoid Pokémon with a metal body and a saucer-shaped head. It is primarily purple with several gray markings. It has two large red eyes and a small white part that could be either its mouth or a vent. It has thin arms with overlapping segments. Each arm ends with a single, pointed claw from which it can spin a sticky string to create structures. There is a gray circle on each shoulder and a gray band around its abdomen. Its segmented legs each end with a large, upward-curving claw.
Genesect spinning its silk
The powerful cannon on its back and other enhancements were added as part of the modifications made to it by Team Plasma. It is the only Pokémon capable of learning the move Techno Blast, an attack which changes type depending on the Drive it holds. Even before Team Plasma modified Genesect, it was feared as the strongest of hunters. By folding up its limbs and connecting its head to the cannon on its back, Genesect can assume a flying saucer-like form, allowing it to fly. This form is known in Japanese as the 高速飛行形態 high-speed flight configuration.
Genesect was revived from a Fossil and technologically enhanced by Team Plasma to create the most powerful Pokémon ever. N had the project canceled and the P2 Laboratory closed because he felt that Pokémon, who he thought to be perfect beings, would lose their beauty if modified by science. However, Scientist Dudley kept working on it, angry that N denied his talent. This scientist reconstructed Genesect and installed the cannon on its back.
The Genesect Army, a group of five Genesect led by a Red Genesect, first appeared in Meowth, Colress and Team Rivalry!, where N found the ruins of a building and learned the Genesect Army was responsible for the destruction by using his ability to hear the voices of Pokémon.
Genesect was a Pokémon created by Dr. Zeno. After it saved Dr. Zeno from being trapped in his lab, he decided to give it to Arata in order to bring out its full potential.
In Mr. Perfect, Colress attacked Aspertia City with another Genesect, where it came into contact with Blake and Looker, the former of whom ultimately captured Genesect. Although Blake had initially reported Genesect to the International Police, he was seen in possession of it in Cold Storage Battle, riding it through the Relic Passage. In Pink Slip, it was revealed that Blake had taken Genesect for his own use without permission, despite it having been under strict supervision, which was one of the reasons why he had been subsequently fired from the International Police.
Genesect appears as a Poké Ball summon. In the 3DS version of the game, it is unlocked after playing Endless Smash at least once. It jumps around the stage, repeatedly firing four Techno Blast attacks, followed up by a wide beam. Both shots can go through walls.
Genesect also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.
Trophy information
NA: A Bug/Steel-type Pokémon, Genesect was created from a 300-million-year-old fossil and later altered to carry a giant cannon on its back. The type of Drive inserted into the cannon affects the attack type of its Techno Blast. It will follow up this attack with a long-range laser.
PAL: A Bug- and Steel-type Pokémon revived from a 300-million-year-old fossil, then modified to carry a giant cannon on its back. The type of Drive inserted into the cannon affects the attack type of its Techno Blast. After using this attack mid-jump, it attacks its target with a long-range laser that passes through obstacles.
In Pokémon GO, Genesect can be obtained by completing the Special Research, Throwback Challenge Champion 2020, completing 4/5 of the Special Research, A Drive to Investigate, and completing the Special Research, Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020.
Genesect's backstory is similar to Mewtwo's: both were created by villainous teams in at least one canon, and they were genetically engineered to be more powerful than the Pokémon they were based on.
Genesect is the only Pokémon whose Pokédex entry names a villainous team, in this case, Team Plasma.
Genesect is generally based on the giant insects of the Paleozoic era, which existed for 300 million years, making it as old as the cockroach. Its Steel-type features that give it a somewhat robotic appearance may be a reference to alien robots in science fiction media, but this may be due to Team Plasma's modifications. Its design might also be inspired by the "artillery mech" vehicles in various mecha anime and manga while also resembling the enlarged pronona of treehoppers (family Membracidae). They also share a similar head shape with many treehoppers.
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.