From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

This is a list of Pokémon by their shape (Japanese: 形 shape) according to the Pokédex. This listing is available as a search method in the Pokédex from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl to Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon and in Pokémon HOME. As the games only use symbols to define each group, the titles below are simply fan-created descriptions. The concept was formerly referred to in English in-game as body style in Generation IV and form in Generation IV and V.

Shape icons

• Pokémon consisting of only a head: This is the simplest body shape a Pokémon can take. This body shape is the basis from which all other body shapes stem from. Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to have faces which are enormous in proportion to the rest of the body.
• Pokémon consisting of a head and a base: This body shape appears to be a direct distortion of ; The head has become more oblong to give off the appearance of a torso. Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to have very poorly-optimized limbs if they have any at all, limiting walking and/or grasping. It also excludes Pokémon that while may have a body that extends from the head (Mismagius, for example), those bodies seem to merely have pronounced "body appendages"—like hair/fur, nails/claws/hooves, feathers, scales, and antlers/horns—or vestigial limbs, meaning other parts are allowed on the body, but only if they have a minimal use, if any use at all.
• Pokémon with serpentine bodies: Alternatively labeled as Pokémon consisting of a head, a base, and a tail, this body shape appears to be a direct distortion of . The head has become even more oblong to give off the appearance of a slithering body. Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to be based on snakes, gastropods, and certain elongated arthropods.
• Pokémon consisting of a head and legs: This body shape appears to add legs and/or feet to a base body (, , or ). Legs are one of the first forms a limb could take; that are used to propel the body primarily, but can be used to attack secondarily. Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to be very mobile compared to , or at least can move without certain awkward/curious displays of bounciness or jerkiness when walking or running.
• Pokémon with a quadruped body: This body shape appears to add legs and/or feet to , for a total of four legs. This body shape is one of the most common forms a Pokémon will come in.
• Pokémon with tentacles or a multiped body: This body shape appears to add legs and/or feet to , for a number of legs greater than or equal to four.
• Pokémon with an insectoid body: This body shape appears to add legs and/or feet to , in addition to other details. Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to have 6-8 legs, segmented bodies, or both. It is also entirely composed of Pokémon based on arthropods.
• Pokémon consisting of a head and arms: This body shape appears to add arms to a base body (, , or ). Arms are prehensile limbs that are used to grab primarily, attack secondarily, and can be used to propel the body finally. Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to have no legs, or they have vestigial legs if they have any at all; as such, many of them travel by bouncing or floating. Curiously, almost none the Pokémon in this group use their arms as movement.
• Pokémon with a single pair of wings: This body shape appears to add wings to a base body (, , or ). Wings are limbs that are used to propel the body off of the ground, also known as the XY axis, and allow movement in 3D spaces along the XYZ axis. If the limbs branch off from the pectoral area rather than the back, they can alternatively be seen as a distortion of . Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to have feathered or membraneous wings, but this group also include Pokémon based on coleopterans—also known as the beetle family.*
• Pokémon with two or more pairs of wings:This body shape appears to add wings to . These extra limbs are usually used to accelerate flight and add more sharp, dynamic, and precise movement to the XYZ axis. These wings are often used to perform elaborate airborne dances for communication or to more profiently hunt and/or avoid others.
• Pokémon with fins: This body shape appears to add fins to a base body (, , or ). Fins are limbs that are used to propel the body in liquids. There is no distinction between fins—pectoral fins, pelvic fins, dorsal fins, etc.—meaning this classification can be seen as a body distortion of , , or , making it the vaguest form of classification. Some noteworthy characteristics are that Pokémon within this group tend to be based on piscine, cetacean, or pinniped creatures.
• Pokémon with a bipedal, tailless form: Alternatively labeled as Pokémon consisting of a head, arms, and legs or Pokémon consisting of a head, a base, arms, and legs, this body shape appears to be a combination of previously stated body shapes (( or ), and ). Alternatively, can be seen as a body distortion of , given how certain lifeforms evolved from quadrupeds to four-limbed bipeds. Curiously, this body shape does not have a limit as to how many arms can be on a single body. This body shape is also one of the most common forms a Pokémon will come in.
• Pokémon with a bipedal, tailed form: Alternatively labeled as Pokémon consisting of a head, a base, arms, legs, and a tail, this body shape appears to be a combination of previously stated body shapes (, and ). Becuase of the collection of unique body parts, this body shape, even at its most basic variation, allows a Pokémon to access the widest range of physically-oriented moves by using the full capabilities of their body.
• Pokémon consisting of multiple bodies: This body shape appears to consist of any body shape previously mentioned, but multiplied in quantity. As such, this body shape will only ever be as simple or as complex as the design of the base body. A Pokémon's body consisting of any body type multiplied can qualify e.g. a group of six , A group of three , etc.

Changes

The following Pokémon had their shape changed in a new game. 11 Pokémon were changed in Pokémon X and Y and 1 Pokémon was changed in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

Prior to December 2023, several Pokémon were listed with different shapes in the mobile version of Pokémon HOME compared to the Nintendo Switch version; the mobile version was subsequently changed to match the Nintendo Switch version.

Form differences

Starting from Generation V, the player can change which form is displayed in the main Pokédex entry for Pokémon with multiple forms. The following Pokémon have forms which differ drastically enough to be listed under different shapes.

List of Pokémon by shape

Pokémon consisting of only a head

Pokémon consisting of a head and a base

Pokémon with serpentine bodies

Pokémon consisting of a head and legs

Pokémon with a quadruped body

Pokémon with tentacles or a multiped body

Pokémon with an insectoid body

Pokémon consisting of a head and arms

Pokémon with a single pair of wings

Pokémon with two or more pairs of wings

Pokémon with fins

Pokémon with a bipedal, tailless form

Pokémon with a bipedal, tailed form

Pokémon consisting of multiple bodies

In other languages

See also

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