Palafin (イルカマン, Irukaman?) (PAL-uh-fin[1]) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation IX.
Biology[]
Physiology[]
In its Zero form resembles Finizen but with a heart on its underbelly.
In its Hero form, it stands up with the heart on its chest looking larger, and also gains hands. The heart now looks more like a shield.
Behavior[]
When hearing an allies calling for help, Palafin will transform from its "Zero" form into its "Hero" form to help those in need such as drowning people and Pokémon. However, they refuse to show the moment of their transformation to others.
Natural abilities[]
Palafin comes with the ability Zero to Hero, which causes it to change into its "Hero" form when swapped out but redeployed during battle. In its Hero form, it is extraordinary strong due to awakening its ancient genes, and it can lift a cruise ship with ease with just one fin and travel at rapid speeds of 50 knots.
Evolution[]
Palafin evolves from Finizen starting at level 38 when in a Union Circle with another player.
Game Info[]
Locations[]
| Locations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Version(s) | Area(s) | Rarity |
Pokédex entries[]
- Scarlet
Zero Form: This Pokémon changes its appearance if it hears its allies calling for help. Palafin will never show anybody its moment of transformation.
Hero Form: This Pokémon’s ancient genes have awakened. It is now so extraordinarily strong that it can easily lift a cruise ship with one fin. - Violet
Zero Form: Its physical capabilities are no different than a Finizen's, but when its allies are in danger, it transforms and powers itself up.
Hero Form: This hero of the ocean swims at a speed of 50 knots and saves drowning people and Pokémon.
Stats[]
| Stats | |
|---|---|
| HP | |
| Attack | |
| Defense | |
| Sp. Atk | |
| Sp. Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 457
|
| Stats | |
|---|---|
| HP | |
| Attack | |
| Defense | |
| Sp. Atk | |
| Sp. Def | |
| Speed | |
| Total | 650
|
Learnset[]
Leveling[]
| Generation IX | ||||||
| Level | Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | PP |
| 1 | Jet Punch | 
|
Physical | 60 | 100% | 15 |
| 1 | Water Gun |
|
Special | 40 | 100% | 25 |
| 1 | Supersonic | 
|
Status | - | 55% | 20 |
| Evo. | Flip Turn |
|
Physical | 60 | 100% | 20 |
| 7 | Astonish | 
|
Physical | 30 | 100% | 15 |
| 10 | Focus Energy |
|
Status | - | -% | 30 |
| 13 | Aqua Jet |
|
Physical | 40 | 100% | 20 |
| 17 | Double Hit |
|
Physical | 35 | 90% | 10 |
| 21 | Dive |
|
Physical | 80 | 100% | 10 |
| 25 | Charm | 
|
Status | - | 100% | 20 |
| 29 | Acrobatics | 
|
Physical | 55 | 100% | 15 |
| 34 | Encore |
|
Status | - | 100% | 5 |
| 39 | Aqua Tail |
|
Physical | 90 | 90% | 10 |
| 44 | Mist | 
|
Status | - | -% | 30 |
| 50 | Hydro Pump |
|
Special | 110 | 80% | 5 |
| 55 | Focus Punch | 
|
Physical | 150 | 100% | 20 |
| 61 | Wave Crash |
|
Physical | 120 | 100% | 10 |
| Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
TM[]
Breeding[]
| To see the Egg Moves that Palafin can learn, refer to Finizen. |
|---|
Tutoring[]
| Generation IX | ||||||
| Games | Move | Type | Category | Power | Accuracy | PP |
| Bold indicates that this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates that an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. | ||||||
Sprites[]
Appearances[]
Anime[]
Trivia[]
Origin[]
Palafin seems to be based on a dolphin and a comic book superhero. Its Zero Form's relative lack of visual changes from its pre-evolution seems to be inspired by the trope of superheroes assuming civilian identities to keep their true identity a secret, while its Hero Form seems to represent the hero suiting up whilst unseen and emerging as a superhero. The names of its forms and Ability reference the term "going from zero to hero". The connection between dolphins and superheroes may be inspired by numerous real-life accounts of wild dolphins saving people in open seas.
Additionally, Palafin may be based on the Boto, a mythical South American creature that takes the form of an ordinary pink river dolphin, but can occasionally take a human form, and will join in human festivities. Eventually, the Boto must return to the water, and shapeshift back into an ordinary pink dolphin.
It's hero form is based on a superhero; more specifically, it seems to be based on DC's Superman, often considered to be the archetypal superhero, due to its Hero Form's body shape, cape, blue-and-red color scheme, the heart-like symbol on its chest resembling the shape and position of the symbol on Superman's suit, and the fact that it evolves from Finizen at level 38, as Superman's first debut was in Action Comics #1, published in 1938.
It may also be based on Aquaman, an aquatic superhero also created by DC who calls upon sea animals to fight along him as allies, and/or Namor, an aquatic comic character created by Marvel who's been variously portrayed as a hero, antihero, and a villain. In addition, it bears some resemblance to several incarnations of the tokusatsu hero Ultraman, as well as the Yu-Gi-Oh cards Elemental HERO Aqua Neos and Elemental HERO Marine Neos, given that they're formed by fusing the superhero-like Elemental HERO Neos with the dolphin-like Neo-Spacian Aqua Dolphin and Neo-Spacian Marine Dolphin respectively.
It needing to switch out in order transition into Hero Form is a reference to the trope of superheroes changing between their civilian and hero outfits without being seen by anyone in public (the trope is used by and often associated with Superman, though other superheroes, such as Batman, Spider-Man, Green Lantern, Shazam, and the Flash have also used it).
Etymology[]
Palafin is a portmanteau of "paladin" (a heroic or knightly champion), "pal" (friend), and "fin".
Irukaman, its Japanese name, is a portmanteau of 海豚 (iruka, Japanese for "dolphin") and "man", a common suffix for male superhero codenames.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ Silvestri, Cris (2024). Pokémon Super Duper Extra Deluxe Essential Handbook [Book]. p. 395. Scholastic. ISBN 978-1-339-02801-9.
See also[]
- Pokémon.com Pokédex
- Legendary Pokémon data
- The Pokémon Database
- Pokémon Dream Pokédex data
- Psypokes Psydex data
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| Generation IX | |
| Characters · Locations (Paldea · Kitakami · Terarium) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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