Sun

This article is about the Pokémon world's star. For other uses, see Sun (disambiguation).

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The sun is the star that the Pokémon world orbits around. It provides light and heat to the planet, and is only visible during the day. Visible from the surface of the world, the sun is identical in size and appearance to the real-world Sun of Earth.

Overview

There are several sun-related Pokémon, moves, items, and locations that appear across various Pokémon media, as well as some characters with names related to the moon. Additionally, the games Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon feature the sun as a recurring motif, with Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Ultra Sun both containing Sun in their titles and featuring the solar game mascot Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Dusk Mane Necrozma, respectively.

Harsh sunlight acts as a weather condition, causing a variety of effects in battle, such as powering up Fire-type moves and weakening Water-type moves. It also provides benefits to moves that draw power from the sun, such as allowing Solar Beam and Solar Blade to be used instantly, and increasing the health restored by Synthesis and Morning Sun. Additionally, Solar Power is activated in harsh sunlight. A variation called extremely harsh sunlight causes damaging Water-type moves to evaporate and have no effect. Conversely, rain diminishes sunlight, halving the power of Solar Beam and Solar Bade and reducing the amount of health restored by Synthesis and Morning Sun.

Solar eclipses, during which the moon passes over the sun, are mentioned a few times in the anime.

List of Pokémon associated with the sun

Solgaleo in artwork from Pokémon Sun and Moon

Several Pokémon are closely associated with the sun, often incorporating the sun into their appearance and biology, and often capable of learning several sun-based moves. A few also have Evolutions that are influenced by the sun.

Pokémon	Description
Sunflora	Sunflora is categorized as the Sun Pokémon. It converts solar energy into nutrition, and moves around actively in a hectic manner in the daytime in pursuit of warm sunlight, always looking in the direction of the sun. In the darkness after sunset, it closes its petals and becomes still, coming to a complete stop.
Espeon	Espeon evolves from Eevee as a result of being exposed to sunlight; it is categorized as the Sun Pokémon.
Solrock	Solrock is a relatively new Pokémon species, rumored to be from the sun or an avatar of the sun. Solar energy from sunlight is the source of Solrock's power, and it is at its strongest during the daytime. When it rotates itself, it gives off light similar to the sun, thus blinding its foes. On sunny days, groups of Solrock line up facing the sun and absorb its light. Additionally, its body is shaped like a shining sun, and its name seems to incorporate the word sol, Latin for sun.
Sunny Form Castform	Castform can borrow the power of nature to transform itself into a guise of the sun, called its Sunny Form. Castform changes to this form when it basks in bright sunlight. Its body gives the overall appearance of the sun above a small cloud.
Cherrim	As a bud, Cherrim barely moves. It sits still, placidly waiting for sunlight to appear. If Cherrim senses strong sunlight, it blooms, opening its folded petals to absorb the sun's rays with its whole body, changing into its Sunshine Form. It's full of energy while it's like this, and its liveliness will go on until sundown. Cherrim then folds back into a bud if sunlight wanes, turning back into its Overcast Form.
Larvesta	Larvesta was believed to have been born from the sun and was called the Larva That Stole the Sun. Long years ago, people believed Larvesta had a nest on the sun. The people of ancient times worshiped Larvesta as the emissary of the sun and believed it fell from there.
Volcarona	Volcarona is revered as an embodiment of the sun, and is known as the Sun Pokémon. It was feared by ancient people, who referred to it as "the rage of the sun." When volcanic ash darkened the atmosphere, it is said that Volcarona's fire provided a replacement for the sun.
Sun Pattern Vivillon	Sun Pattern Vivillon has a pattern on its wings that resembles the evening sun.
Helioptile	The frills on either side of Helioptile's head act like solar panels, having cells that generate electricity when exposed to sunlight, powering its electric moves. Since Helioptile can generate their energy from basking in the sun, eating food is not a requirement. Its English name may involve ἥλιος helios (Ancient Greek for sun) or heliophile (organism attracted to large amounts of sunlight).
Heliolisk	One Heliolisk basking in the sun with its frill outspread is all it would take to produce enough electricity to power a city. Additionally, with its frill fully expanded, Heliolisk resembles the sun itself when viewed from the front. Its English name may involve helios.
Lycanroc	Lycanroc's Midday Form is influenced by Solgaleo's solar energy, and only evolves into this form from Rockruff during the day. Lycanroc's Dusk Form is influenced by the setting sun in the evening. The animation for the Pokémon's unique Z-Move, Splintered Stormshards, displays either a giant yellow sun in Midday Form, or a sunset in Dusk Form.
Solgaleo Dusk Mane Necrozma	Solgaleo, categorized as the Sunne Pokémon, and Dusk Mane Necrozma are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Sunsteel Strike, as well as the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Searing Sunraze Smash. Known as the "beast that devours the sun" and "the Legendary Pokémon of the sun", Solgaleo has long been honored as an emissary of the sun. While Solgaleo does not have any forms, it has a transformation called its Radiant Sun phase. Dusk Mane Necrozma requires the N-Solarizer to fuse mechanically. Dusk Mane Necrozma is named Solar Eclipse Necrozma in some media for certain languages.

There are also multiple Pokémon that evolve via Sun Stone, namely the Oddish, Sunkern, Cottonee, Petilil, and Helioptile lines.

Additionally, various other Pokémon have behavior that is affected by or related in some way to the sun or its absence.

• Many Grass-type Pokémon absorb energy from the sun through photosynthesis.
• Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger.
• The more sunlight Ivysaur bathes in, the more strength wells up within it, allowing the bud on its back to grow larger. If it starts spending more time lying in the sunlight, it's a sign that the bud will bloom into a large flower soon.
• The plant on Venusaur's back blooms when exposed to solar rays. The flower is said to take on vivid colors if it gets plenty of nutrition and sunlight, and as Venusaur warms itself and absorbs the sunlight, its flower petals release a pleasant fragrance. Venusaur stays on the move to seek sunlight, and when it is catching the sun's rays, it often remains quiet and still. As a result of absoring the sun's energy, it is more powerful in the summertime.
• Zubat remains quietly unmoving in a dark spot during the bright daylight hours. It does so because prolonged exposure to the sun causes its body to become slightly burned.
• During the day, Oddish stays in the cold underground to avoid the sun.
• Because of its dark habitat, Diglett is repelled by and hates bright sunlight, so it comes out only after the sun goes down. It digs underground and chews on tree roots, sticking its head out only when the sun isn't bright.
• Mysteriously, Magneton frequently appear when sunspots flare up. Similarly, according to Pokémon Stadium, Magneton is formed by Magnemite that link together when the number of black spots on the sun increases.
• The fiery surface of Magmar's body gives off a wavering, rippling glare and shimmers like the sun.
• Once Xatu begins to meditate at sunrise, the entire day will pass before it will move again; it is known to stand motionless while staring at the sun all day long.
• When the heavy rainfall season ends, Bellossom is drawn out by warm sunlight to dance in the open; it is said that when cloudy weather persists, the dance is a ritual to summon the sun. Similarly, it is said to be active in the daytime due to the effects of the Sun Stone, and that it likes to dance in pools of sunlight. When Bellossom get exposed to plenty of sunlight, the leaves ringing its body begin to spin around.
• Skiploom spreads its petals to absorb sunlight. It also floats in the air to get closer to the sun and soak up as much sunlight as possible.
• Corsola's branches glitter very beautifully in seven colors when they catch sunlight.
• According to the Photodex in New Pokémon Snap, Quagsire doesn’t like the sun, so it usually stays underwater during the day.
• Shuppet retreats to its nest when the sun begins to rise.
• Turtwig becomes more energetic the more sunlight there is.
• In the daytime, Grotle leaves the forest to sunbathe the trees on its shell.
• The solar energy absorbed by Gigalith's body's orange crystals is magnified internally and fired from its mouth.
• The sun-warmed sands of the desert prevent Sandile's body temperature from dropping, and a dark membrane shields its eyes from the sun. When the sun sets, this Pokémon burrows deep into the sand and sleeps until sunrise.
• Druddigon lives in caves, but it never skips sunbathing—it won't be able to move if its body gets too cold. It warms its body by absorbing sunlight with its wings.
• Modern Pattern Vivillon was born in a sun-drenched land.
• As the sun sets, Pumpkaboo becomes restless and active.
• Once it finds signs of prey, Gumshoos will patiently stake out the location, waiting until the sun goes down.
• Fomantis loves the sunshine. When it basks in the sunlight regularly, it grows up with vivid coloration. When the sun rises, Fomantis spreads its four leaves and bathes in the sunlight, sleeping peacefully. It hates having its naps interrupted. It fires off beams using energy it gathers by bathing in the sun. Many Trainers give their Fomantis their own flowerpots so they can sunbathe in peace and quiet.
• Gossifleur anchors itself in the ground with its single leg, then basks in the sun. After absorbing enough sunlight, its petals spread as it blooms brilliantly.
• Stonjourner stands in grasslands, watching the sun's descent from zenith to horizon. This Pokémon spends its life gazing at the setting sun.
• The sweet scent Sprigatito's body gives off mesmerizes those around it. The scent grows stronger when this Pokémon is in the sun. According to the official Pokémon Scarlet and Violet website, the composition of Sprigatito's fur is similar to that of plants, allowing it to absorb sunlight for energy.
• According to the official Pokémon Scarlet and Violet website, Smoliv prefers dry and sunny climates, and tends to spend its time sunbathing.
• Dolliv basks in the sun to its heart's content until the fruits on its head ripen.

List of characters with names related to the sun

• Cyrus's name refers to the sun, paralleling Cynthia's name, which refers to the moon.
• Elio's English name may be based on Helios, the Greek God of the sun. His Japanese name, 太陽 taiyō, literally means sun. Additonally, he is the male player character for Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
  • Elio's Pokémon Adventures counterpart is named Sun, directly inspired by the sun and named after the game of the same title.
• Solana is the female player character from Pokémon Ranger, whose name may come from sol, the Latin word for sun. Her Japanese name, ヒナタ Hinata, may be derived from 日 hi (sun) and 日向 hinata (sunny place).

List of moves associated with the sun

Sunny Day in the anime

• Solar Beam allows the user to gather light on the first turn, and then blast a bundled beam on the next turn.
• Sunny Day intensifies the sun for five turns.
• Morning Sun allows the user to recover its lost health using sunlight.
• Synthesis allows the user to recover its lost health using sunlight.
• Solar Blade allows the user to gather light on the first turn, and then slash a large blade of solar energy on the next turn.
• Sunsteel Strike is the signature move of Solgaleo and Dusk Mane Necrozma, and can be upgraded to the exclusive Z-Move Searing Sunraze Smash
• Splintered Stormshards is the exclusive Z-Move to Lycanroc. Lycanroc's Midday and Dusk Forms feature the sun at different times of day while using it.

List of Abilities associated with the sun

Drought in the anime

• Drought turns the sunlight harsh when the Pokémon enters a battle.
• Desolate Land, a stronger version of Drought exclusive to Primal Groudon. It creates extremely harsh sunlight used to evaporate water.
• Solar Power boosts the user's Special Attack during harsh sunlight, but its HP decreases every turn.
• Orichalcum Pulse turns the sunlight harsh when the Pokémon enters a battle; the ancient pulse thrumming through the Pokémon also boosts its Attack stat in harsh sunlight.

List of items associated with the sun

A Sun Stone in the anime

• The Sun Stone is an Evolution stone that is as red as the evening sun. In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series it is described as an odd stone that glows with sunny warmth.
• The Sun Flute is said to produce tones that were offered up as an expression of gratitude to the Legendary Pokémon of the sun, Solgaleo. It also causes Nebby to evolve in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Ultra Sun.
• The N-Solarizer is used to fuse Solgaleo and Necrozma.
• In spin-off games, various sun-related items allow Eevee to evolve into Espeon:
  • The Sun Shard^XD
  • The Sun Ribbon^MDRB/MDTDS - A ribbon filled with sunshine. Also allows Budew to evolve into Roselia, Happiny to evolve into Chansey, and Riolu to evolve into Lucario.
  • The Heart of the Sun^MDGtI - A heart-shaped stone that lets you feel sunlight.

List of locations associated with the sun

In the core series

Sinnoh

• Sunyshore City - City named after the sun with the slogan Solar Powered! (Japanese: たいようが てらす まち The town where the sun shines.) The city has raised walkways made out of solar panels, which convert the sun's energy to electricity. The Vista Lighthouse's bright beacon illuminates the Sinnoh region.
• Sunlit Cavern - A type of hideaway in the Grand Underground that's always bathed in sunlight.

Alola

• Altar of the Sunne - In Pokémon Sun, this altar is where a ritual to summon the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo is given. During the story, the player travels to Ultra Space from the Altar of the Sunne using Solgaleo's power. The location heavily features the sun as a visual motif.
• Lake of the Sunne - In Pokémon Moon and Pokémon Ultra Moon, the Sun Flute lies here before Lusamine's family had taken it. In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Ultra Sun, the player can obtain Cosmog here if Solgaleo is in their party. The location heavily features the sun as a visual motif.
• Mount Lanakila - In Pokémon Sun, Kukui states that he founded the Pokémon League on Mount Lanakila because it is the closest point to the Legendary Pokémon of Alola, Solgaleo, said to be the sun incarnate.

Solar eclipses

A solar eclipse in the anime

A solar eclipse is an event in which the moon passes in front of the sun, obscuring the view of the sun from a portion of the planet's surface for a short period of time.

Solar eclipses have been mentioned a few times in the anime.

• In ancient times, Arceus was rescued by Damos after suffering critical injuries by protecting the world from a meteor's impact. In gratitude, Arceus created the Jewel of Life out of its Splash, Meadow, Earth, Zap, and Draco Plates and gave it to Damos to make the desolate land of Michina Town rich and fertile. Damos was to return the Jewel to Arceus on the day of a solar eclipse, but due to being controlled by Marcus, he betrayed Arceus and did not return the Jewel.
• The Manalo Festival is celebrated in the Alola region, occurring once every 21 years during a solar eclipse.
• The Eclipse Festival is an event celebrating solar eclipses held annually at Eclipse Castle in Johto.

See also

• Sun on Wikipedia
• Moon
• Time
• Diurnal Pokémon

References

This article is part of Project Locations, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every location in the Pokémon world.