Alien Pokemon – A guide to extraterrestrial Pokémon

The pocket creature universe, though seemingly rooted solely in Earth’s reality, harbors a fascinating group of beings from beyond our planet. These extraterrestrial creatures bring a cosmic dimension to the world of games, anime, and other media related to this popular franchise. In this article, we’ll examine all confirmed aliens, their origins, histories, and impact on the universe as a whole.

Confirmed Extraterrestrial Origins

Deoxys – The Space Virus

Deoxys is perhaps the most famous and definitively confirmed alien. This mythical psychic creature was created when a common space virus was exposed to laser beams, mutating its DNA. The red crystal on its chest is actually its brain, an interesting element of its alien physiology.

Deoxys’s story was particularly highlighted in Episode Delta in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where players had the opportunity to battle it in the vacuum of space while riding Rayquaza. This episode confirmed its extraterrestrial origins and showed how it arrived on Earth. It’s worth noting that Deoxys has four distinct forms (Normal, Attack, Defense, and Fast) that it can change depending on its needs, highlighting its remarkable adaptability—a trait that may have been crucial to its survival in space.

Elgyem and Beheeyem – Classic “Gray Aliens”

Elgyem and its evolution Beheeyem are creatures that not only look like aliens but actually are. According to Pokédex entries, they suddenly appeared approximately 50 years before the events of Black and White, at the site of a UFO crash in the desert of the Unova region.

Their names are a direct reference to alien-related terminology – Elgyem comes from the acronym “LGM” (Little Green Men), and Beheeyem from “BEM” (Bug-Eyed Monster). Elgyem’s Japanese name, “Ligray,” alludes to the stereotype of the “gray alien.”

These psychic creatures possess the ability to transcribe the memories of humans and other monsters, which may explain why their presence hasn’t caused much of a stir in the game world. They can also disrupt electronic devices – televisions display strange images when Elgyem stands nearby.

In the anime, Beheeyem is shown operating a UFO, further confirming its extraterrestrial origins. Their presence in the Celestial Tower in Unova may suggest they are still attempting to communicate with their home.

Cleffa Family – Moon Visitors

Cleffa, Clefairy, and Clefable are arguably the most recognizable aliens in the series. While their origins were initially only hinted at, they became more clear over time.

According to Pokédex entries from the Gold and Crystal games, Cleffa may have arrived on Earth on a meteorite. The second-generation games also introduced an event where Clefairy can be found dancing in Mt. Moon Square on Monday nights—around the rock with the Moonstone or around the lake with the moon’s reflection.

In the anime, their extraterrestrial origins are clearly confirmed. In an early episode, a group of Clefairy crash land on Earth in a spaceship. Later episodes, “Clefairy Tales” and “Wish Upon a Star Shape,” show Clefairy stealing various items to build a spaceship and return to the moon. Surprisingly, their makeshift ship actually takes off and leaves Earth, suggesting the moon may be their natural habitat.

This evolutionary line has strong ties to the moon—they evolve using the Moonstone and are known to celebrate the full moon. Their pink, fluffy appearance may be a misleading adaptation that allows them to blend into the Earthly environment.

Staryu and Starmie – Star Creatures

Staryu and Starmie, while at first glance resembling ordinary starfish, have fascinating cosmic connections. According to the Pokédex in Pokémon Stadium, “This creature may have come from outer space.” Other entries mention that it sends radio signals into space, as if communicating with… something.

Staryu gather at night and flash their red cores toward the stars. Starmie emits radio signals from its core at night, apparently communicating with something in space. Their extraordinary regenerative abilities also support the theory that they are more than just Earth creatures.

Interestingly, the red gem in Staryu and Starmie’s heart resembles the crystal on Deoxys’s chest, suggesting a connection between the two species. Many places have their own legends about how stardust falling into the ocean transforms into Staryu, which may make them literally “starfish.”

Lunatone and Solrock – Meteorites Revived

Lunatone and Solrock are creatures that, according to the Pokédex, came from outer space and draw their power from lunar and solar radiation, respectively. They are known as “Meteorites” because they were discovered at the site of a meteorite impact approximately 40 years before the events of the X and Y games.

In the original games, Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald can only be found in Meteor Falls, emphasizing their extraterrestrial origins. According to some anime sources, Liza and Tate (Gym Leaders in Mossdeep City) have Solrock and Lunatone, which their father caught on the moon.

These rock creatures are strongly associated with celestial bodies—Lunatone with the moon, and Solrock with the sun. Their powers seem to be somehow connected to these celestial bodies, suggesting they can draw energy directly from space.

Kyurem – The Ice Arrival

Kyurem’s history is a bit more complicated and controversial. According to an old legend from Lacunosa Town, a large meteor fell from the sky, apparently containing Kyurem. At night, this “monster” brought cold winds and kidnapped people and creatures to eat. The residents therefore surrounded Lacunosa Town with a wall to keep Kyurem out and established a rule prohibiting leaving the town at night.

Kyurem resides in the Giant Chasm, the impact crater of the meteorite that supposedly brought it to Unova. However, in Black 2 and White 2, it was confirmed that Kyurem is actually what remained when the original dragon split into Reshiram and Zekrom. It is possible that this original dragon came to Earth from space, which would make Reshiram and Zekrom extraterrestrials as well, allowing both theories to be true simultaneously.

Eternatus – Cosmic Energy

Eternatus, the main antagonist of Sword and Shield, arrived on Earth on a meteor 20,000 years before the events of the games. The Wishing Stars and Wish Fragments that occasionally fall from the sky are said to be parts of Eternatus’s body.

This dragon-like/poisonous creature is the source of the energy needed for Dynamax in the Galar region, implying that the entire Dynamax phenomenon is connected to extraterrestrial phenomena. Its design resembles a UFO, and its immense power and ability to manipulate energy suggest a being far beyond Earth’s origins.

Minior – Shooting Stars

Minior is a creature that lives in the stratosphere and is literally a shooting star. Its body is composed of atmospheric dust and gases that have accumulated around a core. As it falls to Earth, its outer shell cracks, revealing a colorful, sparkling interior.

While Minior isn’t technically an “aliens” in the traditional sense, its ability to live in the stratosphere and its nature as a shooting star make it a creature at the interface between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. It’s a fascinating example of a creature that has evolved to live in an environment most people would consider inhospitable to life.

Gothorita and Her Evolutions

Gothorita and her evolutionary line (Gothita and Gothitelle) are considered extraterrestrials due to their habit of arranging pebbles into the shapes of constellations. While there is no direct evidence of their cosmic origins, their deep connection to the stars and psychic abilities suggest they may have some connection to the cosmos.

Gothitelle, in particular, is known for her ability to predict the future by observing the movements of stars, suggesting a profound understanding of cosmic patterns that goes beyond ordinary Earthly knowledge.

Ultra Beasts – Visitors from Other Dimensions

Ultra Beasts (UB) are a group of creatures introduced in the Sun and Moon games that originate from other dimensions. While they are not technically “aliens” in the traditional sense, their alien origins and bizarre appearance qualify them for this category.

Ultra Beasts travel through Ultra Rifts to reach various locations, and even some humans, such as Looker and Anabel, have been caught in these rifts and transported from their original universes. The first UB group includes Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, and Guzzlord, while Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon added Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka, and Blacephalon.

Nihilego – Parasitic Jellyfish

Nihilego is a rock/poison-type Ultra Beast that resembles a jellyfish. Its body is composed primarily of a glassy substance similar to glass. It is known to secrete a neurotoxin that can alter the personality of its victim, making them more aggressive and uninhibited.

In the anime and games, Lusamine, the president of the Aether Foundation, is infected by Nihilego, drastically changing her personality and appearance. This Ultra Beast is particularly dangerous due to its ability to manipulate other beings.

Buzzwole – A Space Mosquito on Steroids

Buzzwole is a bug/fighting-type Ultra Beast that resembles a giant, muscular mosquito. It is known for its immense strength and ability to suck fluids from other creatures and plants.

In the anime, Buzzwole is shown as a creature that enjoys showing off its muscles and strength, often striking bodybuilding poses. Despite its menacing appearance, it sometimes exhibits childish and playful behavior.

Pheromosa – An Elegant Insectoid

Pheromosa is a bug/fighting-type Ultra Beast that resembles a slender, elegant-looking insect. It is known for its incredible speed and ability to seduce opponents with its pheromones.

In the anime, Pheromosa is shown as a thief who steals Z-Crystals from Trainers in the Alola region. Its speed makes it nearly impossible to catch until it is defeated by Bewear.

Xurkitree – Living Wires

Xurkitree is an Electric-type Ultra Beast that resembles a tangle of electrical cables with a humanoid silhouette. It is known for generating enormous amounts of electricity, which it can release in powerful blasts.

In the anime, Xurkitree is depicted as a creature that absorbs electricity from power plants, causing power outages. Its body is incredibly flexible and can stretch, making it a difficult opponent.

Celesteela – Bamboo Rocket

Celesteela is a steel/flying Ultra Beast that resembles a giant bamboo rocket. It is known for its ability to launch itself into the air using thrusters in its arms.

In the anime, Celesteela is depicted as a being stuck on Earth for 200 years, slowly growing until it becomes enormous. When it finally awakens from its long slumber, it attempts to return to its own dimension by launching itself into the sky.

Kartana – Paper Samurai

Kartana is a grass/steel Ultra Beast that resembles an origami samurai. It is known for its incredible sharpness – it can cut through virtually anything with its body.

In the anime, Kartana is depicted as a being that randomly creates works of art by cutting through various objects. Despite its menacing appearance, it has a rather gentle personality and is not aggressive unless provoked.

Guzzlord – The Insatiable Abyss

Guzzlord is a Dragon/Dark-type Ultra Beast that resembles a huge, walking maw. It is known for its insatiable appetite – it can eat literally anything, even mountains and buildings.

In the anime, Guzzlord is depicted as a creature that destroyed an alternate version of Hau’oli City, leaving behind the Ultra Ruins. It is extremely destructive and difficult to defeat due to its immense strength and resilience.

Poipole and Naganadel – Space Bees

Poipole is a Poison-type Ultra Beast that resembles a small, purple alien with a needle on its head. It evolves into Naganadel, which resembles a giant, poisonous wasp.

In the anime, Ash captures Poipole, which later returns to its hive in Ultra Space. It is later revealed that Poipole has come to Alola to find a new home for its swarm, led by Naganadel.

Stakataka – Living Fortress

Stakataka is a Rock/Steel-type Ultra Beast that resembles a stack of stone blocks arranged in the shape of a tower or fortress. It is known for its incredible defense, having the second-highest base defense stat of all creatures, behind only Mega Steelix, Aggron, and Shuckle.

In the anime, Stakataka is depicted as a creature that arrives at Creature School at night. When it is mistaken for a pedestal and a statue is placed on it, it goes berserk, requiring the intervention of the Ultra Guardians.

Blacephalon – Exploding Clown

Blacephalon is a Fire/Ghost-type Ultra Beast that resembles a colorful clown with an exploding head. It is known for its ability to detach its head and use it as a bomb.

In the anime, Blacephalon is shown as a creature that enjoys performing and entertaining others with its explosive displays. However, its performances are dangerous due to the force of its explosions.