Vaporeon is a Pokémon that shares physical traits with both aquatic and land animals. Vaporeon's body is light blue with a dark blue marking around its head and a spiky ridge down its spine. It has black eyes and a tiny black nose. There is a white fin encircling its neck and three fins with cream-colored webbing on its head. Two of these fins are on either side of its head, similar to ears; and one is directly on top of its head, resembling a dorsal fin. Vaporeon is a quadruped with three small toes on each foot and dark blue paw pads on the hind feet. Its split tail fin has been mistaken for a mermaid's in the past and is believed to be the origin of mermaid folklore. It can detect moisture with its fins, which vibrate when sensing incoming rain.
Vaporeon is mostly found in urban settings under the ownership of a Trainer. It is rarely seen in the wild, but it prefers clean freshwater lakes and shores. It has developed gills to become better suited to an aquatic lifestyle, and its cell composition's similarity to water allows it to melt into the water. This ability enables Vaporeon to remain camouflaged while swimming, hiding itself from enemies and allowing it to ambush its prey: fish Pokémon.
When Vaporeon's fins begin to vibrate, it is a sign that rain will come within a few hours. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) It prefers beautiful shores. With cells similar to water molecules, it could melt in water. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Vaporeon underwent a spontaneous mutation and grew fins and gills that allow it to live underwater. This Pokémon has the ability to freely control water.
Vaporeon underwent a spontaneous mutation and grew fins and gills that allow it to live underwater. This Pokémon has the ability to freely control water.
Tests show that its cells closely resemble water molecules, which perhaps explains its ability to conceal its form while submerged. I believe the origins of mermaid folklore lie with this Pokémon.
An empty-looking blue hole may actually be home to Vaporeon. Because their cells are similar to water molecules, Vaporeon can’t be seen when they’re in the water.
Its body's cellular structure is similar to water's molecular composition, so it can melt invisibly in water. When Vaporeon sleeps on land, you can observe it as closely as you like.
Vaporeon, the Bubble Jet Pokémon, and an evolved form of Eevee. The composition of its cells is similar to molecules of water, and as such, can melt in water.
Vaporeon, the Bubble Jet Pokémon. A Water type. Vaporeon evolves from Eevee, a Normal type, into a form adapted for movement in the water. The cells of its body resemble water molecules, so it can hide itself in the water as if it had melted into it.
A Vaporeon appeared in The Show, under the ownership of Kuni. It was used in the Kimono Girls' performance of the destruction of the Brass Tower, where it represented the rain that fell to douse the tower's flames.
In Pokémon Yellow, Vaporeon is programmed to learn both Haze and Mist at level 42; however, a bug prevents a Pokémon from learning more than one move at the same level when leveled up outside of Pokémon Day Care, so Vaporeon can only learn Mist if it reaches level 42 in Pokémon Day Care.
In Pokémon Colosseum, Vaporeon possesses a snow-like visual effect surrounding its body in battle. No other Pokémon in the series has this effect. The reason for this visual effect is unknown.
Vaporeon is the only Eeveelution that does not share any weakness with another Eeveelution.
Concept and development
Vaporeon was designed by Atsuko Nishida.[1][2] Nishida originally designed Vaporeon to resemble a dog with fins on its legs but Ken Sugimori redesigned Vaporeon to resemble a cat and removed the fins.[1]
In Generation I, Vaporeon had a notably different design, with the backs of its ears being all black, fins on each leg, and a fin running down the entire length of its back, possibly remnants of its original dog-like design. All of these details were removed in Generation II. Notably, these details weren't present in its original Pokémon Red and Green artwork.
Red and Green sprite
Generation I back sprite
Red and Green art
Origin
According to designer Atsuko Nishida, Vaporeon and especially its tail were designed with the idea of mermaids in mind.[1] It also resembles various aquatic creatures such as fish and dolphins. Its ears resemble a mix between a fish's fin and a fennec fox's ears.
Vaporeon may also be inspired by the Telchines of Greek mythology, or a pun on the catfish. Due to the fringe around its neck resembling a ruff and a lion's mane, Vaporeon may also be a possible reference to the heraldic sea-lion; or the similar-looking Merlion, a national symbol of Singapore. Its ability to become invisible and turn into water might be inspired by the Asrai. Vaporeon's resemblance to both carnivorans and cetaceans could be based on primitive whales, such as Kutchicetus.
Name origin
Vaporeon may be a combination of vapor and eon (an immeasurably long period of time, possibly referring to how long evolution takes naturally). Eon is a suffix all Eeveeevolutions share and was Eevee's English prototype name.
Showers is literally showers, referring to a bathroom shower or rain shower.
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.