Staryu is a golden-brown, echinodermPokémon with five appendages. These appendages surround an exterior organ called the core. The core resembles a golden metal casing with a red gem in the center, which is held in place by a golden ring looped around Staryu's lower left point. If any of Staryu's appendages are lost or eaten by predators like Lumineon, it is unharmed and can grow them back with ease provided the core is still intact.
When the sun goes down, Staryu's core glows its brightest. Many Staryu will float from the seafloor to the surface and align themselves with stars of the night sky as their core flickers, displaying a connection with the celestial bodies of space. In the Pokémon the Series episode Bye Bye Psyduck, it is shown that if Staryu becomes weak, its core will grow faint and flash slowly. During the ends of summer, groups of Staryu tend to gather while lighting up in a steady rhythm. Staryu can be found at the very bottom of the ocean on the seafloors. There are times, however, when Staryu finds itself in rivers that lead into the ocean as seen in Pokémon Snap. In Generation III, Camouflage was its signature move.
At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat. (Pokémon Red, Silver, or Crystal inserted) Even if its body is torn, it can regenerate as long as the glowing central core remains intact. (Pokémon Blue, Gold, or Yellow inserted)
Staryu's center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokémon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs.
It gathers with others in the night and makes its red core glow on and off with the twinkling stars. It can regenerate limbs if they are severed from its body.
Staryu's center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokémon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs.
In the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Shooting Star, a Staryu crashed down on Ash and Pikachu and sent them flying, while another blasted Hoopa off.
A Staryu appeared in ''Breath of the Dragonair Part 1, under the ownership of a Trainer. It was used in a surfing contest, before it was interrupted by Lance controlling the winning prize, a Dragonair.
Crystal encounters a herd of twelve Staryu during her journey in Surrounded by Staryu. The dozen Staryu hound after Bill in an attempt to play with him, encasing him and his Farfetch'd in a dodecahedral shell not even Crystal's Cubone could penetrate. Crystal was eventually able to catch and calm Staryu down by breaking them up from the inside, using the new Pokémon Portable Transport System to send her Natu inside. They are later seen playing with Professor Oak in his Laboratory in Cherrygrove City.
When released from a Poké Ball, Staryu will target one of the opponents, spin towards them, and shoot Swift. Its attack is rapid-fire, but it can easily be escaped from by Directional Influence; the player can still move around while getting hit by Swift. In Ultimate, it appears as a Spirit.
Melee trophy information
These starshape Pokémon that evolve into Starmie are found in large numbers at the seashore. At night, Staryu's red center glows and blinks on and off. It's said that as long as its red center remains, it can regrow its limbs. Whether it's related to Cleffa, another Pokémon with a vaguely star-shaped appearance, is unknown.
Brawl trophy information
"A Star Shape Pokémon. It gathers in groups and flashes the red jewel in the center of its body in time to the twinkling of the stars in the night sky. If it loses appendages, it can regenerate them right away. It can also use Camouflage, which allows it to change its type to match the surrounding terrain. If a Water Stone is used on it, evolves into Starmie."
3DS/Wii U Trophy information
Staryu trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
NA: This Water-type Pokémon, Staryu, greatly resembles a star. Exposing one to a Water Stone causes it to evolve into Starmie. Another star-shaped Pokémon, Cleffa, exists, but the two don't look all that similar. In Smash Bros., Staryu will attack foes with Swift. Anyone hit will be seeing stars!
PAL: This Water-type Pokémon evolves into Starmie when you use a Water Stone. Its star shape makes it rather cute, but that doesn't mean Staryu's not a threat. Its Swift attack will pummel fighters with a flurry of stars. If you notice Staryu's aiming at you, quickly move up or down to get out of the line of fire.
Staryu shares its category name with Cleffa. They are both known as the Star Shape Pokémon.
Staryu was programmed to learn Egg moves in Gold and Silver, but these moves were unobtainable because both Staryu and Starmie are gender unknown and so could only breed with Ditto. These moves were removed in Crystal.
Staryu, Starmie, and Mew are the only Pokémon species that are gender unknown but can legitimately learn Attract in Generation II. This move has no effect when used by these Pokémon.
Staryu may be considered a counterpart of Shellder. Both are Water-types in the Water 3Egg Group, both evolve with a Water Stone, and both gain a second type upon evolution. Cloyster is seen as a slow defensive Pokémon, while Starmie is seen as a fast attacking Pokémon.
They also have a chance of holding valuable items, Stardust/Star Piece and Pearl/Big Pearl, respectively. Staryu is exclusive to LeafGreen and X, while Shellder is exclusive to FireRed and Y, with both Pokémon found by fishing in the same locations in their respective versions.
Starfishes and oysters are natural enemies, as starfishes prey on oysters.
Staryu seems to be based on a stylized starfish such as the common starfish, or the necklace starfish with its vivid red center surrounded by bright plates. Like Staryu, many real starfish have the ability to regenerate lost body parts. Given its ties to outer space and ability to emit light, it may also be based on literal stars and meteors. It is also reminiscent of ornate jewelry, with its central core resembling a polished cabochon gem mounted inside a golden prong setting. The standard color of its gem resembles a ruby, while its Shiny color resembles a sapphire. Its tendency to rapidly spin its body is reminiscent of shuriken and propellers.
Additionally, Staryu's ties to outer space, its Japanese name, its ability to learn various beam attacks, and the gem in its middle acting like a heart may all be a reference to the Ultraman series, where Ultra Warriors have similar gems on their chests that start flashing when they are weak, just like Staryu's gem as shown in Pokémon the Series.
Name origin
Staryu may be a combination of star and you (in opposition to the me in Starmie).
Hitodeman may be a combination of 海星 hitode (starfish) and man (possibly in reference to Ultraman).
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.
Stardust (23%)
Star Piece (2%)
For other sprites and images, please see Staryu images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
