Evolution Appearances

[Saironi]

Ever since I was little, I have attempted to talk about the evolution of pokemon, not knowing about how many pokemons' physical appearances. Some pokemon resemble their evolved/unevolved forms, and some don't. I would like to discuss how their bodies change, stay the same before and after evolution.

:lx075: :lx074:

:lx100: :101:

:lx088: :089:

I'm putting some examples here.

 

[Jukain]

There are many different kinds of evolution in the pokemon world. One indeed is the one where it mimics the growth stages of real animals. They essentially grow into an "adult" form, which may or may not have an inbetween stage, which I am not sure if I can equate it with adolescence. Grass pokemon, of course, seem to emulate the growth stages of plants. For some bug pokemon and Tyranitar, they go through a complete metamorphosis cycle of larva, pupa, and adult. Some pokemon even grow new body parts that I wouldn't attribute to the normal growth process, like how Machamp has four arms and Dodrio has three heads. Some pokemon even evolve in a sort of Darwinian sense, across closely related species to a more complex animal. There are a few anomalies in pokemon evolution, however. When Nincada evolves, it not only grows, but it leaves a husk that carries a small piece of its life force. Remoraid, a remora-like pokemon evolves into an invertebrate, a mollusk, an octopus. Clamperl has the same nature, only in reverse of how two unrelated animal phyla in our world evolve into each other. Shroomish, a fungus-like creature, evolves across the kingdoms to a kangaroo-like creature. I'm not even sure how to explain Exeggcute, a bunch of eggs that evolve to a coconut plant. There are also some pokemon that evolve by merging into one pokemon. There is much debate as to the nature of Slowbro and Slowking, the only example of when we are told that two different pokemon evolve into one. The rest of them involve two or more of the same species to unify into one more powerful form. It can be pretty unpredictable what a pokemon will evolve to, or it can be plainly obvious. Whether it be by level-up, evolution stones, trading with or without an item attached, baby stage pokemon that are acquired by breeding which also may or may not involved an attached item, the one that is determined by its stats, the one that evolves by contest stat, and the few that evolve by happiness rating. There seems to be no end to the varied forms of pokemon evolution.

 

[Roses Ablaze]

I have kinda always wondered how one would distinguish a poliwhirl from a polywrath and a grimer from a muk IRL. Maybe they're just bigger and you have to scan it with a pokedex to be sure (except for an expert, who would be able to spot minute differences in the species). Or maybe they look completely different, but their differences are hard to capture in an animation. For example, if there were two blond-haired, blue-eyed girls in the anime with the exact same hairstyle, they'd look exactly alike in the anime. But there are plenty of blond-haired, blue-eyed girls IRL who have the exact same hairstyle, but it would be easy to tell one from the other (as long as they weren't identical twins). Does that make sense?

 

[Pie]

I believe that every part of the Pokémon is 'rebuilt', which results in an entirely new composition that usually, but not always, bears some resemblance to the first. So, while of the pieces of the former body are recycled into the new body, pretty much nothing would remain the same, even if the two look as much alike as, say, Poliwhirl and Poliwrath.

If you'd like to hear it, I've developed a rather long theory about how evolution works on a biological scale, since I needed one for my fanfiction. I admit a lot of things are BSed and probably wouldn't work in a real world setting, but what is Pokémon, if not BS and exaggerations?

 

[Saironi]

Yes. Maturing is what I was hitting at when I began this thread. The ones I was thinking of most of all were the more planty-looking grass-types, such as these....

:lx069: :lx070: :071:

When Bellsprout hatches, its' body comprises of a thin and wavy stem with a bell flower for a head, but as Weepinbel, the flower as become its' entire body while the stem has shrunk down to a thin vine. After evolving into Victreebel, it seems its' body has been completely switched about so its' mouth is in its' "head". I feel a gardener can truly appreciate what I am saying.

 

[Barb]

Most evolutions follow the basic steps Saironi outlined, going from a 'baby' form (say, for example, Bulbasaur) to an intermediate form (Ivysaur) and then an adult form (Venusaur). A few exceptions to this seem to be Kabuto/Kabutops, which don't really resemble one another and Dratini/Dragonair/Dragonite, which progresses from a serpentlike creature to a full-fledged dragon.

 

[Saironi]

There are also pokemon evolutions that look nothing alike except by color and similarities.

Such as....
Hoothoot and Noctowl, :lx163: :164:

Ekans and Arbok, :lx023: :lx024:

And, Eevee and Espeon, :lx133: :lx196:

 

[Argy]

I have come to assume that Pokemon evolution is like real-life animal evolution, only on a much, much faster scale.

 

[Barb]

And we haven't considered that some Pokémon evolve only when exposed to certain types of stones.

 

[Saironi]

Good observation. Also, in the anime, trade-evolved pokemon like Golem and Gengar appear.

 

[Juputoru]

We've seen wild trade-evo Pokemon in the wild, in the anime at least - mostly Gengar, but I think we've seen Golem too. Then again, the anime seems to dance around the concept of trade evolution anyway...

I'd think that stone-evo Pokemon evolve in the wild by accedently being exposed to their respective evolution stones. IMO...
-Stone evolution works via radation that has no effect on most beings, but effects certain Pokemon in such a way that they evolve. Bringing a stone into direct contact with a Pokemon provides them with a sudden burst of radiation that produces instant evolution. Alternatively, being exposed to small, continual amounts of radiation will evolve the Pokemon after a long period of time. This takes a long time because the stones normally emit only a small amount of radition; bringing them into contact with a Pokemon somehow causes them to rapidly decompose and radiate, evolving the Pokemon quickly while destroying the stone.
-The stones are found naturally in the wild in small deposits, and the same types of stones tend to be found in the same general area. The stone-evo Pokemon usually live around those same areas, and over time adapted to evolve from the radiation emitted from those stones.
-Over time, these wild Pokemon recieve a critical amount of radiation, and evolve on their own.

I believe that Pokemon have an intristic amount of energy; this energy is different from what the organisms we know use simply due to the fact that Pokemon possess a much larger amount of it. Also, each Pokemon "type" has a slightly different kind of energy, which is also responsable for weaknesses and resistances(including the ones that don't make sense otherwise) - when an attack hits, the special kind of energy used in it reacts with the Pokemon's natural energy in a way that either boosts or weakens it. Although each Pokemon has some of each kind of energy involved in using any attack they can learn, their predominent types of energy(expressed in the Pokemon's type) are what really matter when it comes to weaknesses, resistances, and STAB, since they have so much more of those kinds of energy. STAB works simply because each attack uses energy specific to its type, and Pokemon of that type have more of that kind of energy, thus allowing them to use those attacks that much more powerfully. Although the types of energy each Pokemon has USUALLY makes sense when all other things are considered, sometimes it doesn't. (Cases in point:Gyarados(flying), Lati@s(dragon), and Altaria(dragon))

This energy has two other main purposes for Pokemon: Strengthening aspects of attacks that don't involve physical power and allowing their use in the first place(this is measured in both level and the Special stat), and in certain Pokemon, allowing them to evolve after they get enough energy. Of course, it helps power the amazing physical feats that Physical attacks can accomplish as well. Mechanisms in the Pokemon's body produce energy at a rapid rate, and may be stored in special chemicals that store a lot of energy and can release their energy bery rapidly. These chemicals tend to congregate around the areas responsible for executing Special attacks, and around the muscles. The ability of a Pokemon to make energy increases through maturing and through taking part in activities that make it use an unusual amount of energy - usually, battling.

In Pokemon that evolve normally(via level), eventually their energy levels increase to a point that triggers a rapid change in their bodies. The required amount of energy is different for every Pokemon species; this can be represented by evolution level, BUT...there seem to be wild Pokemon that are in an evolved form that *should* be impossible for their level. Furthermore, some trainers(Lance pops to mind - didn't he have Lv.50 Dragonite?) also have evolved Pokemon that are below their evolution level.
In stone-evolution Pokemon, the required amount is so high that they need to take in the radiation energy from evolution stones to evolve.
I'm not sure about trade-evo Pokemon...
Happiness-evo Pokemon are another oddball that I can't explain.

When a Pokemon evolves, their bodies are rebuilt with two things: Their former bodies, and the energy they have. The burst of light seen in evolution is probably a burst of energy; this energy might be used to incorporate new materials into the Pokemon's body(most(if not all) evolved Pokemon are larger than their previous forms, and I doubt that they can create matter out of nowhere), but where these materials come from...some might come from the air, but I doubt that Pokemon could get all the materials they need just from the air. Also, some Pokemon might evolve underwater(Water Pokemon or not).


...I'm sure you didn't expect a long rant about Pokemon energy, but it's the best explaination I have. It's also a long-winded one that's not always related to evolution.

 

[Pie]

Mmm, I don't think it's radiation that is the direct cause of evolution, though it certainly plays a part...

Care if I share my theory I held off on showing earlier?

First, the theory assumes that any Pokémon could potentially evolve, given the right circumstances, and has blueprints for a 'next' form already coded into its DNA. The reason why most don't is because there is a part of a code for an enzyme that is basically the cause of evolution, and in Pokémon who cannot evolve, a certain line of that code has been reversed, rendering it useless for evolution. This line can be switched 'on' with evolutionary stones, and parts of the genetic coding can also be rewritten, but only certain Pokémon are sensitive enough to respond to a single stone; otherwise, any non-evolving Pokémon, if bathed in a massive amount of this radition, would be able to evolve as well.

However, the enzyme is not the only piece that comes into play with evolution. The enzyme is the how, but there needs to be something else that tells when. That comes in the form of a hormone, one that invigorates. For many evolving Pokémon, the hormone enters their system as a part of their natural growth, much like puberty. For others, the ones that evolve via happiness, the hormone would likely be released during times of high emotion, sort of like an adrenaline rush. For Pokémon that evolve by stones, the hormone is constantly present in their system, which is why stone evolvers tend to have very energetic natures (Clefairy and Skitty are very happy and silly, Nidorino and Nidorina are very aggressive or affectionate depending on their moods, etc.).

Besides a hormone that tells when to begin, there is also a hormone that tells the enzyme when to stop, which is usually released as a final step in the evolutionary process. This plays a critical role in two things. One, when a Pokémon does not want to evolve, such as Bulbasaur in the anime, the hormone possible for them to 'fight' the evolution. Two, in many cases where a Pokémon has evolved to not evolve (as in, the species weeded out pretty much all cases of that Pokémon possessing the genes to evolve), the stopping hormone had no presence in its system. This would result in an endless evolution, where the Pokémon would basically grow out of control until their size and form could not support itself and the monstrous Pokémon died. (This is, if you haven't already guessed, something that comes into play during that fanfic I mentioned.)

So, there's the how and the when, but there's still a final piece needed, and that's 'with what?' Something like evolution would require an extremely high energy burn to happen so quickly, Pokémon are supposedly tired after evolution (according to the Shipwreck episode, anyway) and just the glowing would show that a lot of energy is being burned; I bet Pokémon heat up a lot during evolution. The answer, I think, is sugar, or some other quickly processed carbohydrate which can be found in mass quantities on the planet. Then again, just to perform some of the other abilities Pokémon can, I bet a Pokémon already has to consume a lot of carbs, particularly to use special attacks. That would, however, explain why there's a tendancy for carnivorous Pokémon to use physical abilities, which require much fewer carbs, and a tendancy for friendly, happy, most likely vegetarian Pokémon to use special attacks...

Anyway, during evolution, if the enzyme has been invigorated and has the sugar to burn, it will basically go crazy in the system, processing and rebuilding everything according to the 'next form' blueprints and any other influencing factors, such as some absorbed pieces of Deepseatooth or Deepseascale. The enzyme rewrites the DNA as well, matching it to the body that's been created and even writing down the preset next form. It actually, in a way, tells itself to stop, since there is a point where it is told to build the gland that makes the hormone that stops the enzyme's vigorous rebuilding. Without the hormone, the enzyme will keep building, though at a slowed rate due to the depletion of sugar in the system.

And, voila. A new (well, recycled) Pokémon, complete with instructions on what to do with it next.

 

[redchesus]

Design-wise, I've noticed that the evolutions of third generation pokemon are generally a lot more distinct than those of the first generation

Take a random pokemon such as Ponyta compare with, say, Spoink

Rapidash looks a lot more like Ponyta than Grumpig does Spoink
other examples are Seel/Dewgong, Grimer/Muk, Mankey/Primeape which look very similar to one another while 3rd generation lines like Cacnea/Cacturne, Numel/Camerupt, Carvanha/Sharpedo are more different from each other

So it seems that the newer pokemon can evolved across a wider gap in the evolution tree

 

[Another Fan]

Can't be to hard to explain. I'd imagine that it would be growth and metamorphasis for most pokemon. Stones would be just a rock with some specific energy in it. Happiness evolutions I guess happen because the pokemon needs to be safe before it can survive evolving. Trading involves some strange process or substance that may occur in the wild but not often. So, some items mix and change the pokemon during trading. Like metal coat and king's rock. Porygon's upgrade was probably made to upgrade it when traded. I think poliwrath is quite different. It first grew taller, slimer, more muscular on upper body, eys more sensitive and shaped diagonally. Like I can imagine most evolutions occuring. Like Remoraid, heads expands, scales shed, bones break down, muscle tissue changes, more grows and there a Octillary. So, it sounds crazy but pokemon never has been too realistic.

 

[Another Fan]

Well, It probably starts by growing wings and then sheds skin for scales, eyes become less fish-like for life on land, grows limbs and gets bigger for more protection against the elements. They leave the water so they have a lot to change.

It isn't long because it it doesn't need to be hydrodynamic and it isn't much of a flyer. As for the fact that isn't blue, that is because the skin or scales need to change to adapt to land.