From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

Kantonian and Alolan Vulpix in the anime

A regional form (Japanese: リージョンフォーム Region Form), previously referred to as a regional variant in Generation VII, is a species of Pokémon found in a specific region that takes on a different form than it does in most other regions. These Pokémon 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 peripatric speciation in regards to real-world phenomena, where a population that is isolated from the rest of the species develop unique traits and eventually evolve into a new species.

In the Alola and Galar regions, certain Pokémon species have regional forms known as an Alolan Form (Japanese: アローラのすがた Alola Form), previously Alola Form in Generation VII, or a Galarian Form (Japanese: ガラルのすがた Galar Form), respectively. A Pokémon in these forms are described as Alolan or Galarian—for example, Meowth in its Alolan Form is referred to as Alolan Meowth and Meowth in its Galarian Form is referred to as Galarian Meowth.

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.

There are 36 different regional forms and 35 Pokémon currently known to have them.

Alolan Form

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. 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 pass are available as rewards for finding hidden Alolan Diglett on the Isle of Armor. An Alolan Meowth even makes a cameo appearance in the NPC Pokémon Camp on Route 7.

A total of eighteen Alolan Forms were introduced in Generation VII, all of which are for Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

Galarian Form

Unlike Alolan Forms, there are Galarian Forms of Pokémon from beyond Generation I, and several Galarian Forms have an evolution that their regular form does not.

Currently, a total of nineteen Galarian Forms have been introduced in Generation VIII.

In spin-off games

In the Super Smash Bros. series

Alolan Raichu, Vulpix, and Exeggutor appear as Pokémon that can appear from Poké Balls in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

In 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 4 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 4 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 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 DLC for Pokémon Sword and Shield, Galarian Farfetch'd could also be found in the wild, but unlike Zigzagoon and Meowth, it could not be evolved into 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 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.

In Pokémon Masters

Nanu and his Alolan Persian, Hau and his Alolan Raichu, and Summer Seasonal Steven and his Alolan Sandslash are playable sync pairs that are obtained in the main storyline.

In the anime

In the main series

Kantonian Exeggutor and Alolan Exeggutor in the anime

Alolan Pokémon have been 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.

A Kantonian and Galarian Farfetch'd in the anime

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.

A Galarian Farfetch'd appeared in JN027, where it was caught by Ash.

An Alolan Exeggutor appeared in JN037, where it was caught by Goh. An Alolan Dugtrio also appeared in the episode.

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

A Galarian Zigzagoon in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

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 PASM29, 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 PASM30 on Exeggutor Island.

Alolan Vulpix, Ninetales, Sandshrew, and Sandslash all debuted in PASM32, where they were seen on Mount Lanakila.

Alolan Graveler and Golem both debuted in PASM33, under the ownership of Samson Oak.

Galarian Zigzagoon debuted in the PASS01.

Galarian Linoone debuted under the ownership of a Team Yell grunt in PASS04.

Sōdo's Ransun was caught as a Galarian Farfetch'd, as seen during a flashback in PASS05. Shirudomiria's Galarian Stunfisk, nicknamed Mega, was also seen during the flashback.

Bede's Galarian Ponyta debuted in the Sword & Shield chapter.

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.

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.

Trivia

In other languages

Alola FormSMUSUMPE / Alolan FormSwSh Language Title Chinese Cantonese 阿羅拉的樣子 Alòhlāai-dīk Yeuhngjí Mandarin 阿羅拉的樣子 / 阿罗拉的样子 Āluólā-de Yàngzi Danish Alola Form Dutch Alola Form *

Alola-vorm * Finnish Alola-muoto French Forme d'Alola German Alola-Form Indonesian Bentuk Alola Italian Forma di Alola Korean 알로라의 모습 Alloraui Moseup Malaysian Bentuk Alola Norwegian Alola Form Polish Forma Aloli *

Forma Alolańska * Portuguese Brazil Forma Alola *

Forma de Alola * Portugal Forma Alola Russian Форма региона Алола Forma regiona Alola Spanish Forma de Alola Swedish Alola Form Thai ร่างอโลลา Rang Alola Turkish Alola Formu Vietnamese Dạng Alola

Hình thái Alola



Galarian form Language Title Chinese Cantonese 伽勒爾的樣子 Gālahkyíh-dīk Yeuhngjí Mandarin 伽勒爾的樣子 / 伽勒尔的样子 Jiālè'ěr-de Yàngzi Dutch Galarian-vorm French Forme de Galar German Galar-Form Italian Forma di Galar Korean 가라르의 모습 Garareuui Moseup European Portuguese Forma Galarian Russian Галарский форма Galarskiy forma Spanish Forma de Galar



See also



