Purrloin is a primarily purple, feline Pokémon. Its head has tufted fur on its ears and cheeks. There are long, tapered violet markings above its green, eyes. It has a diminutive black nose on its creamy muzzle, and a small, oval, cream-colored marking above each eye. Its neck, shoulders, back, and hind paws are also cream-colored. The tip of its tail has a curved, vaguely scythe-like extension. Purrloin is a quadruped Pokémon, but it can stand and walk on its hind legs as well.
Purrloin is a mischievous Pokémon that likes to steal from people. It will put on a cute act in order to get its victims to let its guard down. However, it is often forgiven even if it is caught stealing due to its charm. When angered, it fights back with its claws.
A Purrloin appeared in Purrloin: Sweet or Sneaky? under the ownership of Misha. Ash's Oshawott and Meowth both fell in love with Purrloin but Misha later revealed that Purrloin was actually a boy and had been tricking them.
A Purrloin appeared in Cilan and the Case of the Purrloin Witness! under the ownership of Mrs. Ripple. Having witnessed the theft of the Eye of Liepard, it tried to help Cilan's investigation but Cilan was scared of Purrloin but it eventually revealed Teaque was the culprit.
Purrloin, the Devious Pokémon. Purrloin fools people into letting their guard down so it can steal their possessions. When angered, it uses its claws to fight back.
Prior to Unforgettable Memories, Hugh received a Purrloin from his grandfather, and later gave it to his younger sister for her birthday. It was stolen by Team Plasma when Hugh and his sister were out battling.
In the Pokémon BW: The Heroes of Fire and Thunder manga
N owns a Purrloin in the manga which was used to deliver a letter to Togari.
In the Pocket Monsters BW manga
N's Purrloin was only shown interacting with him while Clefairy was recording his voice to sell CD's.
Purrloin was seen first in the Pokémon Sunday special episode preview on September 6, 2010. It was later removed from the same preview, much like the revelation of Zekrom's secondary type earlier.
Purrloin is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 281.
Purrloin has the lowest base Attack stat of all Dark-type Pokémon.
Origin
Purrloin is based on a black cat. Its fur patterning, behavior, and feline influence suggest that it may also be based on a female thief, commonly known as a cat burglar.
Name origin
Purrloin is a combination of purr (a sound a cat makes) and purloin (to steal).
Choroneko may be a combination of ちょろまかす choromakasu (to pilfer) and 猫 neko (cat).