Pokémon of the Day

VeeVee [They/Them] pfp by @vampireflareon

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Pokémon of the Day #0431

Name: Glameow

Pronunciation: Glah-Mee-Yaow

Etymology: Glamorous + Meow 

Type: Normal

Design Origins:

Glameow is based on a cat, specifically a Devon Rex, a species which emerged in England in the 1950s and which is known for its tall ears. It also has elements of a ribbon gymnast. Its tail shape resembles a spring toy, possibly a reference to a belief from the Edo period that cats with snake-like tails had the ability to bewitch people, an inspiration which is referenced in its Legends Arceus Pokédex entry. 

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Bewitches humans with its helical tail and piercing gaze. Its hidden claws are quite sharp as well, making this Pokémon an exceedingly tricky opponent if antagonized.” - Legends Arceus

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 7: LC National Dex: LC

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0430

Name: Honchkrow

Pronunciation: Hawnch-Kroh

Etymology: Honcho (boss, as in “head honcho”) + Crow

Type: Dark / Flying

Design Origins:

Honchkrow is based on both a crow and a raven, leaning more towards raven than Murkrow due to its bulkier build. Honchkrow is also inspired by mob bosses, with its crest resembling a wide-brimmed fedora, a hat stereotypically associated with crime bosses. This design element also reframes Murkrow as its gang members. It also takes some inspiration from witches, with its tail resembling a besom broom and its “hat” also somewhat resembling a witch’s hat. The witch connection is strengthened by the fact that crows and ravens are often depicted in the role of the witch's familiar, which would reframe Honchkrow’s relationship with Murkrow as it being the leader of a magical organisation or coven, and the crescent moon design around its eyes strengthens the witch connection even more so.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“If its Murkrow cronies fail to catch food for it, or if it feels they have betrayed it, it will hunt them down wherever they are and punish them.” - Moon

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0429

Name: Mismagius

Pronunciation: Miss-Mah-Gee-Us

Etymology: Mischievous + Magus or Magic

Type: Ghost

Design Origins:

Mismagius is conceptually based on a witch, a connection strengthened by its purple colour scheme which may be inspired by the purple skin of the Nasu-Babā, a witch-like Yokai. Its Pokédex entries stating that its cries sound like it’s a tormented person may be a reference to the Irish Banshee, a spirit from Irish Mythology depicted as a wailing woman. Additionally, it may also be inspired by various Polish spirits, such as the zmory, a succubus-esque spirit associated with night terrors, or the strzygi, a scarecrow spirit. This is strengthened by the red gems on its body resembling red korale beads, which were popular in 19th century Poland and were said to be imbued with magical power.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It appears as if from nowhere—muttering incantations, placing curses, and giving people terrifying visions.” - Sun

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: PU

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0428

Name: Lopunny

Pronunciation: Lawp-Un-Nee

Etymology: Lop (a breed of rabbit with floppy ears) + Bunny

Type: Normal

Normal / Fighting (Mega Lopunny)

Design Origins:

Lopunny is based on a lop rabbit. Its patches of fur on its arms and legs resemble a fashion model wearing faux-fur gloves and boots. Its default stance also suggests that it may be inspired by the Playboy bunny, and the concept of bunny girls as a whole.

Mega Lopunny gains a design reminiscent of 1980s acrobatic outfits, reflecting its new fighting typing. The black fur on its legs resemble leggings with rips in them, and the fur on its arms and legs now resemble arm and leg warmers respectively. The fur in its hair is likely based on scrunchies.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Once hot seasons are over, Lopunny’s coat will be replaced with fur that holds a lot of insulating air in preparation for colder weather.” - Shield

“It swings its ears like whips and strikes its enemies with them. It has an intensely combative disposition.” - Ultra Sun (Mega Lopunny)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Champions: UU

[Mega Lopunny]

Champions: OU

VGC:

Indianapolis Regionals, USA (30/5/2026) - 132nd

UK Nationals 2015 (30/5/2015) - 21st

[Mega Lopunny]

2019 World Championships (17/8/2019) - 47th, 42nd

North American International Championships 2019 (21/6/2019) - 64th, 48th, 19th

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Pokémon of the Day #0427

Name: Buneary

Pronunciation: Bun-Neer-Ree

Etymology: Bunny + Ear

Type: Normal

Design Origins:

Buneary is based on a bunny rabbit. The cream-coloured area on its lower body may be based on a skirt and the way its ear curls up resembles a fashionable hat.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“My hypothesis as to why Buneary rolls up its ears is that its hearing is far too keen. I surmise that the Pokémon protects its hearing by limiting the sound that may enter its ears.” - Legends Arceus

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: LC

National Dex: LC

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0426

Name: Drifblim

Pronunciation: Drif-Blihm

Etymology: Drift + Blimp

Type: Ghost / Flying

Design Origins:

Drifblim is based on a hot air balloon, as well as possibly a blimp. The yellow marking on its face resembles tape over a puncture and white puff on the top of its head resembles a cloud. The way its four arms hang down is similar to the rigging used to connect a hot air balloon to its basket. Visually it's also similar to some box jellyfish, such as the Carukia barnesi, or a space jellyfish, a phenomenon caused by rocket launches which is sometimes mistaken for a UFO sighting. Conceptually it may draw from kaidan ghost stories, a Japanese form of storytelling where ghosts have historically been compared to balloons.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Some say this Pokémon is a collection of souls burdened with regrets, silently drifting through the dusk.” - Sword

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

VGC:

Seville Special, Spain (28/3/2026) - 75th

Curitiba Regionals, Brazil (14/3/2026) - 24th

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Pokémon of the Day #0425

Name: Drifloon

Pronunciation: Drif-Floon

Etymology: Drift + Balloon

Type: Ghost / Flying

Design Origins:

Drifloon is based on a balloon, with the yellow marking on its face resembling tape over a puncture. The white puff in the top of its head resembles a cloud, and the heart-shaped things at the end of the strings resemble the weights of helium balloons used to prevent them from flying away. Visually it may also loosely be inspired by a comb jelly, specifically the tentaculata, or a space jellyfish, a phenomenon caused by rocket launches which is sometimes mistaken for a UFO sighting. Conceptually it may draw from kaidan ghost stories, a Japanese form of storytelling where ghosts have historically been compared to balloons.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Stories go that it grabs the hands of small children and drags them away to the afterlife. It dislikes heavy children.” - Sun

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0424

Name: Ambipom

Pronunciation: Am-Bee-Pom

Etymology: Ambi- (prefix meaning “both”) or Ambidextrous (proficient with using both hands) + Palm

Type: Normal

Design Origins:

Ambipom is based on a New World monkey, which is best known for its prehensile tail, a feature which is exaggerated in Ambipom by giving it hands at the ends of its tails. Visually it bears some resemblance to the iconic cymbal-bashing monkey toy, and it may also conceptually draw from the ahuizotl, a creature from Aztec mythology which has monkey hands and a fifth human hand on its tail.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It uses its tails for everything. If it wraps both of its tails around you and gives you a squeeze, that’s proof it really likes you.” - Ultra Moon

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: PU

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0423

Name: Gastrodon

Pronunciation: Gass-Troh-Dawn

Etymology: Gastropod + Don (Spanish for “lord”) or -don (common dinosaur suffix, derived from ancient Greek word for “tooth”)

Type: Water / Ground

Design Origins:

Gastrodon is based on a sea slug, specifically one from the Opisthobranchia order, or perhaps a sea hare, which are known to secrete a purple fluid for self defense. The tentacles on its head resemble the horns of a cow, possibly as a pun on “umiushi”, the Japanese word for sea slug which directly translates to “sea cow”. Its distinct split in colours is based on environmental adaptation.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Long ago, it had a shell on its back. There’s now a vestigial plate on its back that’s hard but thin.” - Ultra Sun (West Sea Form)

“Fishers say that they didn’t see many of these Pokémon in the past, but this form of Gastrodon is now increasing in number.” - Violet (East Sea Form)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: RU

VGC:

Orlando Regionals, USA (4/4/2026) - 67th

Houston Regionals, USA (21/3/2026) - 25th

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Pokémon of the Day #0422

Name: Shellos

Pronunciation: Shell-Law-Ss

Etymology: Shell + Loss (referencing its lack of a shell) or -los (German suffix meaning “-less”)

Type: Water

Design Origins:

Shellos is based on a sea slug, it also resembles various species of nudibranch, a type of aquatic gastropod mollusc. Its ability to secrete a purple fluid is likely based on a sea hare, which secretes a purple ink in self defense. Recent Pokédex entries referencing a noticeable increase in one Shellos population while the other has decreased may be inspired by real world sea slug populations changing with climate change. Its distinct split in colours is based on environmental adaptation.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It used to have a shell on its back long ago. This species is closely related to Pokémon like Shellder.” - Scarlet (West Sea Form)

“A recently published research paper states that this form of Shellos is gradually decreasing in number.” - Scarlet (East Sea Form)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0421

Name: Cherrim

Pronunciation: Cheh-Rumm

Etymology: Cherry + Cherubim or Blossom

Type: Grass

Design Origins:

Cherrim is based on photonastic flowers, flowers which react when given light based stimuli, hence why its form changes when the weather is sunny. Its overcast form resembles a fuchsia flower bud, as well as other flowing plants such as cherry blossoms or fruits.

Its sunshine form is based on cherry blossoms, which are fairly symbolic of Japan.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“Motionless, save for the occasional quiver. A rich array of Pokémon can be found gathered around it, drawn by the scent exuded from Cherrim’s folded petals.” - Legends Arceus (Overcast Form)

“After absorbing plenty of sunlight, Cherrim takes this form. It’s full of energy while it’s like this, and its liveliness will go on until sundown.” - Sword (Sunshine Form)

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: ZU

National Dex: RU

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0420

Name: Cherubi

Pronunciation: Churr-Roo-Bee

Etymology: Cherry + Cherubic (childlike) + Ruby (shade of red)

Type: Grass

Design Origins:

Cherubi is based on a cherry, which is known to grow with multiple “heads”, hence the two faces.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It nimbly dashes about to avoid getting pecked by bird Pokémon that would love to make off with its small, nutrient-rich storage ball.” - Sword

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 8: NFE

National Dex: LC

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0419

Name: Floatzel

Pronunciation: Floh-T-Zuhl

Etymology: Float or Flotsam (the debris of a shipwreck floating at sea) + Weasel

Type: Water

Design Origins:

Floatzel is based on a weasel with elements of a sea otter. It has various floatation devices incorporated into its design, such as armbands, a life jacket, and a life raft. Its two tails rotate around each other in a manner reminiscent of propellers.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It is a common sight around fishing ports. It is known to rescue people and carry off prey.” - Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: PU

VGC:

Korean Nationals 2018 (5/5/2018) - 7th

Korean Winter League 2018 (28/1/2018) - 3rd

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Pokémon of the Day #0418

Name: Buizel

Pronunciation: Bwee-Zuhl

Etymology: Buoy + Weasel

Type: Water

Design Origins:

Buizel is based on a weasel, with elements of a sea otter. The yellow ring around its neck and blue fins on its arms are based on inflatable floatation devices. Its two tails rotate around each other in a manner reminiscent of propellers.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It moves freely in the water by spinning its forked tail for propulsion. The resemblance to the screw of a steamboat is coincidental.” - Legends Arceus

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0417

Name: Pachirisu

Pronunciation: Pah-Chee-Ree-Soo

Etymology: Pachipachi (Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound of crackling electricity) + Risu (Japanese for “squirrel”)

Type: Electric

Design Origins:

Pachirisu is based on a squirrel, specifically the red squirrel as that species is found abundantly on Hokkaido, the real world Japanese island Sinnoh is based on, and nowhere else in Japan. The way its tail has spikes may be inspired by how static electricity causes hairs to stand on end. Its prominent cheeks are due to the fact that Pachirisu is the generation four “Pikachu clone”, and therefore mirror Pikachu’s cheeks.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It’s one of the kinds of Pokémon with electric cheek pouches. It shoots charges from its tail.” - HeartGold, SoulSilver, Scarlet

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

VGC:

North American International Championships 2025 (13/6/2025) - 119th

2019 World Championships (17/8/2019) - 72nd

2014 World Championships (17/8/2014) - 1st

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Pokémon of the Day #0416

Name: Vespiquen

Pronunciation: Vess-Pih-Kwinn

Etymology: Vespa (Latin for “wasp”) + Queen

Type: Bug / Flying

Design Origins:

Vespiquen is based on both a bee queen and wasp queen, specifically a honey wasp. Its abdomen area resembles a beehive or umbrella wasp nest, as well as being similar to a dress worn by royalty. The red gem on its forehead may be inspired by royal jewels.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“It raises grubs in the holes in its body. It secretes pheromones to control Combee.” - HeartGold, SoulSilver, Violet

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: ZU

VGC:

N/A

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Pokémon of the Day #0415

Name: Combee

Pronunciation: Cohm-Bee

Etymology: Honeycomb or Combination + Bee

Type: Bug / Flying

Design Origins:

Combee is based on both a bee and a piece of honeycomb. The red mark on female Combee may be a reference to queen marking, a practice done by beekeepers where a small bit of paint is applied to the thorax of the queen for quicker identification.

Most Interesting Pokédex Entry:

“This Pokémon is a set of three. When they sleep, they gather up and form a giant hive of 100 Combee.” - Black 2, White 2

Most Recent Competitive Standings:

Smogon:

Gen 9: LC

VGC:

N/A