While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Kyurem has two alternate forms, which are activated by using the DNA Splicers on it and either Reshiram or Zekrom, resulting in a process called Absofusion (Japanese: 吸収合体Absorb Union), which removes Reshiram or Zekrom from the party until the fusion is undone. It will then become White Kyurem when fused with Reshiram or Black Kyurem when fused with Zekrom.
Kyurem, Reshiram, and Zekrom are often collectively referred to as the Tao trio by fans. The group is referred to in the myths and legends of the Unova region.
Kyurem is a gray and blue, bipedal Pokémon of indefinable but seemingly draconic basis. Kyurem has a blue head and snout and has yellow eyes without pupils, has a pair of pointed light bluish horns on its head, and a yellow crest on its skull that is bioluminescent. Three pointed teeth jut out the bottom of either side of its jaws, which are frozen shut by the ice covering its head. Its long, gray neck has lines running around its whole body, legs, arms, and tail. It has two arms, each with its own claw, and each arm is jointed together from its oddly shaped blue wings, which are believed to be used for flying and storing cold air and each wing has two spikes of ice that is also bioluminescent. The ice covering the wings can break, revealing gray tendril-like appendages on Kyurem's back.
The right side of its body seems to be damaged in some way, as the wing and horn on its head on that side are shorter; the right side of its head also has a spiked edge near its jaw hinge that is absent from its left. Its legs are somewhat slender and have three sharp ice-like claws on each enormous foot. Its tail has three blue conical spikes on its tip, and appears to be some sort of propulsion device or a container of energy; exactly what it is based on is unclear, but it may be a damaged turbine.
Kyurem generates powerful, freezing energy inside itself, but its body became frozen when the energy leaked out. By keeping its body frozen, the cellular structure will remain stable. It is said to have a power that exceeds that of Reshiram and Zekrom; however, this power is kept at bay by the extreme cold. Due to an old legend, it may be assumed Kyurem may be hostile towards Pokémon and humans, due to the fact it supposedly ate them if they were found outside at night. It is said to be an extraterrestrial Pokémon, according to folklore. According to anime, Kyurem is considered one of the strongest Dragon-type Pokémon in the world. Kyurem is powerful enough to cover an entire region it resides in ice, potentially freezing it.
Kyurem has two alternate forms: White Kyurem and Black Kyurem, which are formed by combining with Reshiram and Zekrom, respectively, sharing many aspects of their designs with them. It can use Absofusion on their respective Dragon Stones to change to White or Black Kyurem. The reason for this is due to Kyurem retaining the gene of the other dragons which allows said fusion. As a result, Kyurem also shares Reshiram's or Zekrom's beliefs in truth or ideals, respectively, when fused with either of the two dragons. In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, Kyurem can also change into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem without fusing by channeling the powers of both Reshiram and Zekrom it has within itself.
Kyurem's forms have several signature moves: White Kyurem is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Ice Burn; White Kyurem and Reshiram are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Fusion Flare by leveling up; Black Kyurem is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Freeze Shock; and Black Kyurem and Zekrom are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Fusion Bolt by leveling up. These forms also have two different signature Abilities: White Kyurem and Reshiram are the only known Pokémon that can have Turboblaze as an Ability, while Black Kyurem and Zekrom are the only known Pokémon that can have Teravolt as an Ability.
White Kyurem
White Kyurem in Overdrive mode
White Kyurem resembles a hybrid version of itself and Reshiram. When transformed into White Kyurem, its legs are just like the original, but shorter, and the middle toe becomes ice. As White Kyurem, it has some extra icy details on the legs. Its tail resembles that of Reshiram but is attached to the body with three gray parts of the skin. The tail is capable of movement and contains four holes. They are horizontal on White Kyurem. White Kyurem's torso is slimmer Its shoulders are covered in 'squares' of ice with two pins protruding from each which can come out and 'plug into' the aforementioned holes. As White Kyurem, it has thin arms with two rings and three claws each, wings between the rings on its forearms, and its right arm and wing are frozen. Its neck is the same shape but becomes upright due to White Kyurem using Reshiram's fur.
The ice covering Kyurem's upper jaws has partially disappeared, allowing it to move its mouth. During a battle, White Kyurem enters Overdrive mode, and tubes sprout from its back to its tail. In White Kyurem's case, the ends of its hair and wings become fiery and its tail acquires fiery highlights.
White Kyurem can use both the power of fire and ice due to fusing with Reshiram. White Kyurem can fly using its wings and the jet engine-like tail. Due to Reshiram's influence, White Kyurem firmly believes in truth. Due to foreseeing a world of truth, it will fight to protect said future for both humans and Pokémon.
Black Kyurem
Black Kyurem in Overdrive mode
Black Kyurem resembles a hybrid version of itself and Zekrom. When transformed into Black Kyurem, its legs are just like the original, but shorter, and the middle toe becomes ice. Its tail resembles that of Zekrom but is attached to the body with three gray parts of the skin. The tail is capable of movement and contains four holes: they are vertical on Black Kyurem. Black Kyurem's torso is bulkier. Its shoulders are covered in 'squares' of ice with two pins protruding from each which can come out and 'plug into' the aforementioned holes. As Black Kyurem, it has Zekrom's arms, but they are more muscular and without wings, and its left arm and wing are frozen. Its neck is the same shape but becomes upright due to Black Kyurem using Zekrom's skin.
The ice covering Kyurem's lower jaws has partially disappeared, allowing it to move its mouth. During a battle, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem enter Overdrive mode, and tubes sprout from its back to its tail. In Black Kyurem's case, parts of its right arm and the tip of the horn on the back of its head turn blue, while its tail lights up with electricity.
Black Kyurem can use the power of both electricity and ice due to fusing with Zekrom. Black Kyurem can fly using an anti-gravity field through its generator-like tail. Due to Zekrom's influence, Black Kyurem firmly believes in ideals. Due to foreseeing an ideal world, it will fight to protect said future for both humans and Pokémon.
Kyurem debuted in all three of its forms in Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice. It was challenged by Keldeo, who wasn't ready to fight it, but arrogantly claimed that he was a Sword of Justice. After the terrified Keldeo fled during the middle of the fight, Kyurem relentlessly pursued Keldeo in order to finish the battle they had started. Along with the other Legendary Pokémon present in the movie, Kyurem can speak through telepathy.
Other
Kyurem appeared in all three of its forms in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages as one of six Legendary Pokémon summoned and hypnotized by the shadow Hoopa Unbound as its reinforcements. It and its teammates engaged in a battle against the Latios, Latias, and ShinyRayquaza summoned to protect the real Hoopa in Dahara City. Eventually, after the shadow Hoopa was sealed in a Prison Bottle, the hypnosis on Kyurem and the other Legendary Pokémon was lifted, and Kyurem departed for its home.
In The King Returns, Ghetsis used Kyurem as part of his final attempt to freeze Unova, but he was challenged by N and his Reshiram. However, Ghetsis used the DNA Splicers to fuse the two Pokémon into White Kyurem. It was last seen being challenged by Hilbert and his Zekrom.
GOTCHA!
A Kyurem briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
Kyurem appears in its Normal Form as a Master Ball Pokémon. Upon summoning, it releases Icy Wind from its sides to freeze any caught opponents.
Kyurem trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Normal Form Kyurem also appears as a trophy in both games.
Trophy information
NA: While this Dragon/Ice-type Pokémon is definitely a Pokémon, some believe it is what remained after Reshiram and Zekrom were split apart. In battle, it will generate incredibly cold energy and then unleash it using Icy Wind. This move will deal constant damage before freezing opponents.
PAL: Kyurem is thought to be an empty shell left behind when Reshiram and Zekrom split into two. Its icy energy is so powerful that it can freeze its own body. When Kyurem has built up enough energy, it can unleash Icy Wind, shooting spirals of cold left and right. After damaging fighters, this attack with leave them frozen.
Starting in Generation VIII, Kyurem can learn Scary Face even if fused. In that case, if Kyurem becomes unfused while knowing Scary Face, it will forget this move before the fusion move (Fusion Bolt or Fusion Flare) is replaced with Scary Face.
Kyurem, in addition to its standard form, has two other forms: White Kyurem and Black Kyurem. They are the game mascots of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, which they were introduced in.
Kyurem changes its form through the use of the DNA Splicers, which fuses it with Reshiram or Zekrom. The combination retains Kyurem's attributes, such as its level, Poké Ball, held item, game of origin, personality value, IVs, EVs, nickname, OT, Trainer ID number, secret ID number, met location, Pokérus, and so on. This fusion can be reversed by using the DNA Splicers again, with Reshiram or Zekrom remaining unaltered from before being fused, including whatever item it may have been holding. The DNA Splicers can only fuse one Kyurem at a time. White Kyurem and Black Kyurem cannot be deposited into Pokémon Bank or Pokémon HOME, nor can they be traded or released without having the fusion undone first.
White Kyurem has the AbilityTurboblaze and learns the movesFusion Flare and Ice Burn by leveling up, and its cry is a combination of standard Kyurem and Reshiram's cries. Black Kyurem has the Ability Teravolt and learns the moves Fusion Bolt and Freeze Shock by leveling up, and its cry is a combination of standard Kyurem and Zekrom's cries.
When Kyurem becomes fused with or separated from either Reshiram or Zekrom while it knows certain moves, Kyurem's move set will automatically be updated without prompting the player. Fusing Kyurem will replace Scary Face with either Fusion Bolt or Fusion Flare, and replace Glaciate with either Freeze Shock or Ice Burn if one or both of these moves are present. Reversing the fusion will perform the inverse of these move transformations. In Generation VIII, it is possible for Kyurem to learn Scary Face by TM after becoming fused; in these games, if Kyurem becomes unfused while it knows both Scary Face and the fusion move, the fusion move will change back to Scary Face and then all but the earliest instance of Scary Face will be deleted from the move set, to prevent having duplicate copies of the same move.
White Kyurem has the highest base Special Attack stat of all Ice-type Pokémon, while Black Kyurem has the highest base Attack stat of all Ice-type Pokémon.
White Kyurem is the tallest Pokémon introduced in Generation V.
Kyurem has the most separate cries used in-game, with a total of five. It has one for each form and two longer cries that play in stereo.
In its base form, Kyurem is the only Pokémon with an effort valueyield of 1 HP, 1 Attack, and 1 Special Attack.
White Kyurem and Black Kyurem will not react if whistled at in the Isle of Armor or the Crown Tundra, as only their Overdrive Modes have attack animations. They share this distinction with Xerneas.
Of the Pokémon capable of fusion with another Pokémon, Kyurem is the only one whose fused forms do not have different typing than its base form. It is also the only one which does not learn a new move in the standard manner upon fusing, as Glaciate and Scary Face are respectively replaced with Freeze Shock and Fusion Bolt or Ice Burn and Fusion Flare upon fusion.
Origin
Kyurem and its two counterparts Reshiram and Zekrom are based on the concept of yin and yang in Taoism. Kyurem, however, symbolizes wuji, the absence of yin and yang. In regards to overall design, it appears to be based on a theropod and a European dragon, similar to Zekrom. Its arms in particular seem to be influenced by Tyrannosaurus. Its Ice-typing may allude to the absence of energy and the concept of absolute zero. Its rock-like body and origin story of arriving on Earth like a meteor are references to comets, which are largely composed of ice crystals.
Given that its Japanese name contains mu, it may be based on the kōanmu.
Name origin
Kyurem may be derived from 急冷 kyūrei (rapid cooling). It may also involve 冷 rei (cold), 零 rei (zero), or 雪 yuki (snow) with the kana reversed, and 無 mu (nothing). Rem may also mimic the rom of Zekrom and the ram of Reshiram.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
キュレム Kyurem
From 急冷 kyūrei, and possibly 冷 rei, 零 rei, 雪 yuki, and 無 mu, with rem mirroring the naming scheme of Reshiram and Zekrom
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.
White Kyurem in the anime
Black Kyurem in the anime
Kyurem in the Hoopa and the Clash of Ages manga
Black Kyurem in the Hoopa and the Clash of Ages manga
White Kyurem in the Hoopa and the Clash of Ages manga
Black Kyurem in the Pokémon Adventures manga
White Kyurem in the Pokémon Adventures manga
Life Orb (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Kyurem images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
