Regional form
A regional form (Japanese: リージョンフォーム Region Form), also known as a regional variant in Generation VII, is an alternate form of a Pokémon species that is found in a specific region. These forms differ from those found in the region where the Pokémon was introduced — even, in all cases so far, to the point of having a different type. As of Generation VIII, Pokémon can have the following regional forms:
- Alolan Form (Japanese: アローラのすがた Alola Form) in Alola, known as an Alola Form in Generation VII;
- Galarian Form (Japanese: ガラルのすがた Galar Form) in Galar;
- Hisuian Form (Japanese: ヒスイのすがた Hisui Form) in Hisui.
As of Generation VIII, 52 Pokémon are known to have regional forms, and 53 regional forms are known in total. Apart from Meowth, which has two, each Pokémon with a regional form has only one.
Description
In the Alola, Galar, and Hisui regions, certain Pokémon species have regional forms. A Pokémon in these forms are described as such; for example, Sandshrew in its Alolan Form is referred to as Alolan Sandshrew and Ponyta in its Galarian Form is referred to as Galarian Ponyta. Although the original forms of these Pokémon are not normally identified by a separate name, people from regions that do have regional forms will usually refer to the original form of a given Pokémon in the same format. [1][2] According to the Pokédex, Alolan Vulpix goes by an older name: Keokeo.
Pokémon with regional forms have uniquely adapted to habitats that are different than those where its species naturally live in other parts of the world. As such, many things may be different about them, from their appearance and way of living to even their type, moves, Abilities, base stats, height, and weight. This is analogous to a form of real-world evolution known as peripatric speciation, where a population that is isolated from the rest of the species develop unique traits and eventually evolve into a new species.
When breeding Pokémon whose offspring have a regional form, the offspring will normally take on the form corresponding to the region in which it was bred, regardless of its parents' forms. However, if one of the parents of the same evolutionary family held an Everstone when the Egg was produced, the offspring will be the same form as that parent.
Alolan Form
Generation VII
In Pokémon Sun and Moon, if a Pokémon evolves from a species that does not have an Alolan Form to one that does, such as Cubone, it will always evolve into its Alolan Form and cannot evolve into its normal form. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the Pokémon will evolve into its Alolan Form while in Alola itself, but can also evolve into its normal form while in Ultra Space.
While Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! take place in Kanto, players can import Alolan Forms from Pokémon GO or receive them from in-game trades.
Generation VIII
Alolan Forms of Pokémon present in the Galar Pokédex are unavailable by normal means in Pokémon Sword and Shield and can be obtained by transferring them from Generation VII. Alolan forms of Pokémon included in The Isle of Armor expansion are available as rewards for finding hidden Alolan Diglett on the Isle of Armor, and Alolan Exeggutor, and Marowak can be obtained from in-game trades with Regina, in exchange for their respective Kantonian forms. In The Crown Tundra, certain Alolan Forms can be obtained from Dynamax Adventures. An Alolan Meowth also makes a cameo appearance in the NPC Pokémon Camp on Route 7.
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Alolan Vulpix and Alolan Ninetales can be obtained after completing a Request Mission.
List of Alolan Forms
A total of eighteen Alolan Forms were introduced in Generation VII, all for Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
Galarian Form
While only Pokémon introduced in Kanto have Alolan Forms, Pokémon introduced both in and after Generation I can have Galarian Forms. Additionally, several Pokémon in their Galarian Forms have an evolution that their regular form does not.
List of Galarian Forms
A total of nineteen Galarian Forms were introduced in Generation VIII. Thirteen of these forms were introduced in the launch versions of Pokémon Sword and Shield, with the remaining six introduced through updates and downloadable content additions to the games.
Hisuian Form
Like in the Galar region, Pokémon introduced both in and after Generation I have Hisuian Forms. Notably, these forms were introduced after their region's debut, as Hisui is a version of the Sinnoh region from the distant past.
List of Hisuian Forms
A total of sixteen Hisuian Forms were introduced in Generation VIII.
In spin-off games
Super Smash Bros. series
Alolan Raichu, Vulpix, and Exeggutor appear as Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Pokémon GO
Alolan Pokémon first appeared in Pokémon GO on May 30, 2018, with the appearance of Alolan Exeggutor. Initially, Alolan Pokémon were exclusive to 7 km Eggs and Raid Battles. However, Alolan Exeggutor has reappeared in the wild on occasion since its initial debut. In addition, the rest of the Alolan forms, first Rattata, Diglett, and Geodude, then later on Sandshrew, Vulpix, Meowth, and Grimer, have also infrequently appeared in the wild as well as in 7 km Eggs. Alolan forms of Raichu and Marowak also appear exclusively in level 3 Raid Battles.
On November 16, 2019, in celebration of the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Galarian Weezing appeared in Pokémon GO as a level 4 Raid Boss as soon as Chimchar's Community Day ended, with Weezing being present as a Raid Boss in every Gym, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in every time zone. Since then, Galarian Weezing has been a potential level 3 Raid Boss.
On June 3, 2020, as part of Pokémon GO's Throwback Challenge 2020, Galarian Stunfisk had the potential to be found in the wild, as a level 1 Raid Boss, or through the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research, while the Galarian forms of Zigzagoon, Darumaka, and Meowth could be found in 7 km Eggs. The event ran from June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time. After the event, the Galarian forms of Meowth, Zigzagoon, Darumaka, and Stunfisk could still be found in 7 km Eggs alongside the Alolan forms of Sandshrew, Vulpix, DIglett, Meowth, Geodude, and Grimer.
On June 17, 2020, in celebration of the release of the Isle of Armor expansion for Pokémon Sword and Shield, Galarian Farfetch'd made its debut in Pokémon GO and could also be found in the wild, but unlike Zigzagoon and Meowth, it could not be evolved into Sirfetch'd (though this has since been changed with the addition of Sirfetch'd). The event lasted from June 17, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to June 18, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PDT. After the event, Galarian Farfetch'd could still be found in 7 km Eggs.
Starting from July 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PDT, when Season 3 of the GO Battle League began, Galarian Zigzagoon became a potential reward encounter for Trainers that have at least reached rank 4, while Galarian Farfetch'd became a potential reward for Trainers that at least reached rank 7.
On October 22, 2020, in celebration of the release of the Crown Tundra expansion for Pokémon Sword and Shield, Galarian Ponyta debuted in Pokémon GO as a level 1 Raid Boss and could be evolved into Galarian Rapidash, while Galarian Farfetch'd spawned more commonly in the wild, with the ability to evolve into Sirfetch'd, by being fed 
50 after the player made 10 Excellent Throws with Farfetch'd as their Buddy Pokémon. The event lasted from October 22, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. to October 23, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. PDT. After the event, Galarian Ponyta could still be found in 7 km Eggs.
On October 23, 2020, as part of Pokémon GO's Halloween 2020 event, Galarian Yamask made its debut in Pokémon GO and could only be found through completing the Special Research mission, A Spooky Message Unmasked. Galarian Yamask can evolve into Runerigus by being fed 
50 after the player has won 10 Raid Battles with Yamask as their Buddy Pokémon. The event lasted from October 23, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. PDT to November 3, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. PST.
On December 19, 2020, as part of the game's holiday celebrations, Galarian Mr. Mime made its debut in Pokémon GO, only being obtainable through a ticketed Special Research titled Tap... Tap... Tappity-Tap... Only two Galarian Mr. Mime could be obtainable, and by being fed 
50, it would evolve into Mr. Rime.
On June 8, 2021, Galarian Slowpoke was released, as part of the "A Very Slow Discovery" event. It could be caught by completing level 1 Raid Bosses, and by being fed 
50, and the Trainer having caught 30 Poison-type Pokémon with it as their Buddy, it would evolve into Galarian Slowbro, with Galarian Slowking being released over three months later.
On October 15, 2021, with the start of Pokémon GO's annual Halloween event, Galarian Slowking made its debut. It evolves from Galarian Slowpoke after the Trainer has caught 30 Psychic-type Pokémon with it as their Buddy, in addition to feeding it 50.
On January 30, 2022, Hisuian Voltorb made its Pokémon GO debut with the addition of the Voltorb from the Hisui Region?! event. Currently, Hisuian Voltorb cannot evolve, and no other Hisuian forms have been added to Pokémon GO yet.
Pokémon Masters EX
Nanu and his Alolan Persian, Hau and his Alolan Raichu, and Molayne and his Alolan Dugtrio are all playable sync pairs that are obtained in the main storyline. Summer 2020 Steven and his Alolan Sandslash could be obtained during the Summer 2020 sync pair scout.
New Pokémon Snap
Alolan Raichu, Sandslash, and Vulpix can be found and photographed in the Lental region.
In the anime
Main series
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Alolan Pokémon were present in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon since the first episode. Ash first learned about them in The Guardian's Challenge!, where his class discussed the difference between Alolan Exeggutor and Exeggutor from other regions.
An Alolan Persian nicknamed Pershie first appeared in That's Why the Litten is a Scamp!, where it was shown antagonizing a wild Litten. It reappeared in Dummy, You Shrunk the Kids! and We Know Where You're Going, Eevee!.
Multiple Alolan Rattata and Raticate appeared in To Top a Totem!, where they were harassing a farmer on Melemele Island, stealing his crops. Hala tasked Ash with finding a solution to this problem that doesn't involve battling the pests. Instead, Ash chose to battle the Verdant Cavern Totem Pokémon, Gumshoos, and enlisted its help to scare the Rattata and Raticate away.
Lillie received a Pokémon Egg in Lillie's Egg-xhilarating Challenge!. It hatched into an Alolan Vulpix she nicknamed Snowy in Racing to a Big Event!. After capturing it in the following episode, Lillie took her first steps towards overcoming her fear of touching Pokémon.
Racing to a Big Event! also featured the debut of Alolan Raichu and Muk. Raichu appeared under the ownership of Nina, while multiple Muk appeared to eat the pancakes dropped during the race.
In Getting the Band Back Together!, an Alolan Dugtrio appeared under the ownership of Professor Kukui's old friend, DJ Leo. Their musical performance drew the adoration of a wild Alolan Diglett, who later joined as another member of their DJ group.
In A Team-on-Team Tussle!, Team Rocket fought a trio of Team Skull Grunts over a Darkinium Z protected by a Totem Alolan Raticate and Ally Alolan Rattata and Raticate. While Jessie and James are ultimately unsuccessful in defeating the Totem, Meowth is able to steal the Z-Crystal while it is distracted.
An Alolan Geodude debuted in Treasure Hunt, Akala Style!, where Ash attempted to catch it. After a short battle, the Alolan Geodude punched Ash's Poké Ball into his face with a Thunder Punch and then ran away.
In A Crowning Moment of Truth!, while Ash and his classmates were visiting Wela Volcano Park for the Wela Fire Festival, the festivities were interrupted by a wild Alolan Marowak, who stole the Wela Crown used in a ceremony. While Kiawe and his Turtonator were defeated by it during their first challenge, they were able to defeat it in a rematch thanks to Turtonator's newly-learned Shell Smash. After being defeated, Marowak gave back the crown and asked to join Kiawe's party.
Alolan Sandshrew and Ninetales debuted in Getting a Jump on the Competition!. The Sandshrew appeared as wild Pokémon native to Mount Lanakila, while Ninetales appeared under the ownership of Cerah.
A wild Alolan Meowth appeared in Acting True to Form!, where it came to Team Rocket looking for a worthy master. It manipulated Jessie and James into turning against Meowth by showing off its abilities, and also earned their favor when they realized it could use their Darkinium Z. When Giovanni and Matori contacted the trio for a report on their activities, the Alolan Meowth became intrigued by them. To this end, it slipped away, stole Meowth's savings, and flew to Kanto to reach Team Rocket HQ, where Matori made it her assistant due to its craftiness.
An Alolan Grimer appeared in a flashback in Turning Heads and Training Hard!, under the ownership of Tupp.
More Alolan Sandshrew appeared in Not Caving Under Pressure! in the caverns underneath Mount Lanakila. Lillie befriended a particularly large Sandshrew, and helped it reclaim its territory from an aggressive Tyranitar. After the battle, Sophocles's Charjabug found an Ice Stone, which the Sandshrew promptly used to evolve into Sandslash. Sandslash rewarded Lillie with an Icium Z as a token of gratitude.
An Alolan Golem and Muk appeared in A Young Royal Flame Ignites!, under the ownership of members of the Revengers, a heel wrestler group.
Alolan Geodude and Graveler appeared in Sparking Confusion! at Wela Volcano Park, having been driven out by rock hunters attempting to mine the caves in the area for the food the Pokémon eat. The hunters were attacked by their leader, an Alolan Golem, who began attacking indiscriminately. Thanks to the Ultra Guardians' Metang, however, Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles were able to calm the group of Alolan Pokémon and stop the magnetic interference coming from the Park. The leader Golem later joined a trio of Hikers who volunteered to help with future patrols of Wela Volcano Park.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
A Galarian Farfetch'd appeared in Toughing It Out!, where it was caught by Ash. It evolved into Sirfetch'd in Beyond Chivalry… Aiming to be a Leek Master!.
An Alolan Exeggutor appeared in That New Old Gang of Mine!, where it was caught by Goh. An Alolan Dugtrio also appeared in the same episode.
A Galarian Ponyta and a Galarian Rapidash appeared in The Tale of You and Glimwood Tangle!. While within Glimwood Tangle, Chloe followed a Galarian Ponyta where it led her to an injured Galarian Rapidash. After finding the dew of a flower that could heal it, the Galarian Rapidash let Chloe ride it to Ballonlea.
An Alolan Ninetales apperared in Leaping Toward the Dream!. It had wound up on Mt. Coronet after being kidnapped and accidentally lost by Pokémon hunters. It was later caught by Goh after he calmed it down and gained its trust, after Project Mew members took it back home.
A Galarian Stunfisk and a Galarian Slowpoke appeared in Grabbing the Brass Ring!, with the former being caught by Goh.
A Galarian Corsola appeared in JN092, where it was caught by Goh.
A Hisuian Growlithe and a Hisuian Braviary appeared in JNS01 in a painting exhibited during the Sinnoh Fair.
Pokédex entries
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Pokémon: Twilight Wings
Two Galarian Zigzagoon appeared in Training, where they were seen in the Wild Area.
A Galarian Ponyta from Glimwood Tangle was featured in Oleana's presentation in Assistant. An Office Worker's Galarian Mr. Mime, along with a wild Galarian Meowth, also appeared in the same episode.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc
Sun's great-grandfather owned three Alolan Meowth prior to his death. One of them, nicknamed Cent, joined Sun's team. They debuted in The Grand Entrance and Delivery Boy Sun.
Nanu's Alolan Persian debuted in Pokémon Move Specialist Professor Kukui, where it battled Olivia's Lycanroc.
Alolan Grimer, Meowth, Rattata, and Marowak all debuted in The Decision and the Tournament of Six.
Moon owns an Alolan Grimer, which debuted in The Party Crasher and Guzma the Destroyer. It evolved into an Alolan Muk sometime before Darkness!! The Mysterious Claws of Necrozma!, thus marking this regional form's debut.
Kiawe's Alolan Marowak debuted in Going Ashore and Neighboring Akala Island, where it battled Cent.
An Alolan Grimer appeared in Unleashing the Incredible Z-Move.
Ilima's Alolan Rattata appeared in A Photoshoot and the Abandoned Thrifty Megamart. An Alolan Raticate belonging to a Team Skull Grunt appeared in a flashback in the same round, thus marking this regional form's debut.
Molayne's Alolan Dugtrio appeared in Truth and the Mastermind Behind Team Skull, thus marking this regional form's debut.
An Alolan Raticate belonging to an Aether Foundation Employee debuted in Battle in Vast Poni Canyon.
Multiple Alolan Exeggutor appeared in Madness!! Mother Lusamine! on Exeggutor Island.
Alolan Vulpix, Ninetales, Sandshrew, and Sandslash all debuted in Shock!! Father in the Pendant!, where they were seen on Mount Lanakila.
Alolan Graveler and Golem both debuted in Tyrant!! The Fiendish Man!, under the ownership of Samson Oak.
Sword & Shield arc
Galarian Zigzagoon debuted in Wow!! That's One Big Pokémon.
Galarian Linoone debuted in Zap!! A Rising Beam of Light, under the ownership of a Team Yell Grunt.
Henry's Lancelot was caught as a Galarian Farfetch'd, as seen during a flashback in Ooh Shiny!! Legendary Equipment. Casey's Galarian Stunfisk, nicknamed Mega, was also seen during the flashback.
Bede's Galarian Ponyta debuted in PASS10. It evolved into a Galarian Rapidash sometime prior to the Sword & Shield arc.
Allister's Galarian Yamask debuted in PASS13.
Opal's Galarian Weezing debuted in PASS16.
A Galarian Mr. Mime debuted in a fantasy in PASS19.
Multiple Galarian Mr. Mime appeared in the Sword & Shield arc.
Melony's Galarian Darmanitan appeared in the Sword & Shield arc.
In the TCG
Regional forms are featured in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as Alolan and Galarian Pokémon. Notably, in the Sword and Shield Series, Galarian is used as a descriptor for evolutions exclusive to Galarian Form Pokémon.
Alolan Pokémon
Galarian Pokémon
Similar concepts
- Main article: Variant Pokémon
Prior to Generation VII, there were already certain Pokémon that had variations depending on their native geographical area, but, unlike regional forms, these Pokémon do not appear to have adapted to selective pressures; rather, their differences are purely aesthetic, with their type, moves, Abilities, height, and weight remaining the same.
- The Generation I Pokédex entries for Arbok state that there are six variations of its face-like hood markings that differ between areas. Eight designs are known, but only three have appeared in the core series games (with a fourth in Pokémon Ranger). In Pokémon Adventures, Arbok gains a special ability depending on its pattern.
- In Sinnoh, Shellos and Gastrodon have different appearances on each side of Mt. Coronet. East Sea Shellos and Gastrodon only appear east of Mt. Coronet, whereas West Sea Shellos and Gastrodon only appear on the west side.
- Mantyke's Pokédex entry in Pokémon Pearl says that the pattern on its back varies from region to region. While it has the same appearance in all Generation IV games (due to using the same sprites), the "face" from Generation V onward appears wider.
- Vivillon, which was introduced in Generation VI, has a different appearance depending on where the game it was created in is from in the real world.
- In the anime episode Poké Ball Peril, a number of alternately colored Pokémon were seen on Valencia Island, including Butterfree, Raticate, Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, Vileplume, Paras, and Weepinbell. Professor Ivy, the Pokémon Professor of the Orange Archipelago, studies these variations.
- The episode Fly Me to the Moon featured Pidgey native to Pudgy Pidgey Isle that were too heavy to fly due to an abundance of food and a lack of predators.
- In the Pokémon Adventures round Off Course with Corsola, Bill mentioned that Kanto and Johto share many of the same Pokémon, but their colors and patterns are different between regions.
Trivia
- In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, when a Pokémon undergoes evolution into a regional form, the background in the evolution animation is green, as opposed to the blue background used for all other Pokémon. Conversely, when a Pokémon Egg hatches into a regional form, the background is blue instead of yellow. Additionally, a different arrangement of the evolution music is played in both of these situations.
- In contrast to other regional variants, Alolan Exeggutor, Galarian Zigzagoon, and Hisuian Voltorb are implied to be the original forms.
- Meowth is the Pokémon with the most regional forms, with two (Alolan and Galarian).
- Meowth is also the only Pokémon to have both a regional form and a Gigantamax form.
- No regional variants are Bug-type.
- Additionally, there are no Flying- or Water-type regional variants that weren't already those types in their base form.
- All fully evolved Galarian Form Pokémon and/or their regional evolved forms have a signature move or a signature Ability.
- Slowpoke is the only Pokémon:
- With a regional form that has a branched evolution.
- To lose a type, rather than gaining or replacing one, in its regional form.
- Slowbro is the only Pokémon to have both a regional form and a Mega Evolution. In Pokémon GO, which features both, Galarian Slowbro cannot Mega Evolve.
- The Legendary birds are the only Legendary Pokémon with regional forms.
- Decidueye is the only Pokémon introduced after Generation VI to have a regional form.
- Its inclusion also makes Generation IV and Generation VIII the only generations to not have any Pokémon with regional forms added later.
- Goodra is the only Pseudo-legendary Pokémon to have a regional form.
- Although Basculin's White-Striped Form has the same type and base stats as its other forms, the Pokédex entry for White-Striped Basculin in Pokémon Legends: Arceus imply that it is a Hisuian regional form nonetheless.
In other languages
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Alola FormSMUSUMPE / Alolan FormSwSh
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Galarian form
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Galarian <Pokémon>
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References
- ↑ Hau refers to the Meowth the player's mom owns as a "Kantonian Meowth" in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
- ↑ In Pokémon Sword and Shield, a Team Yell Grunt in Spikemuth will offer to trade the player a Mr. Mime, which he refers to as a "Kantonian Mr. Mime".
- ↑ Ability information exists in the data for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, though Abilities do not occur in gameplay.
See also
- List of Pokémon with form differences
- List of Pokémon with gender differences
- Variant Pokémon
- Mega Evolution
- Primal Reversion
- Bond Phenomenon
- Ultra Burst
- Dynamax
- Gigantamax
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This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
