While it is not known to evolve into or from another Pokémon, it has a second Forme activated by using a Gracidea flower in the daytime. Its original Forme, Land Forme, will then become the Grass/Flying-type Sky Forme. Shaymin's Sky Forme will revert into its Land Forme during the night or when frozen. Other circumstances may also cause it to revert.
Shaymin was officially revealed in February 2008, when it was listed as a star of Giratina and the Sky Warrior. In early June of the same year, its Sky Forme was revealed.
Land Forme Shaymin's petals after absorbing toxins
Sky Forme Shaymin's petals after absorbing toxins
Shaymin is a small, white hedgehog-like Pokémon. In Land Forme, it has green grass-like fur on its back and a pink flower with two leaves on each side of its head, which resembles the Gracidea flower. Several Gracidea-like flowers also appear on its back whenever it feels comfortable, but when it senses an impending danger, it rapidly hides it back. Its legs are short and its underside is plump. Shaymin is the smallest Mythical Pokémon to date.
In Sky Forme, it has a slender, canine appearance like that of a small reindeer. The fur on its back becomes a mohawk, and it has a red flower petal on the left side of its neck, resembling a scarf or cape. It has flat, white ears resembling wings, a small tuft of fur on the front of its neck, and a stumpy tail. Shaymin will change into Sky Forme and back if it touches a Gracidea. It reverts to Land Forme at night or if it is frozen. Shaymin can instantly purify any polluted area of all impurities in the air and transform it into a lush field of flowers. It takes in the polluted air, purifies it inside its body, breaks it down into water and light, and releases the purified substance in a violent, explosive burst. Its power varies based on the type of pollution absorbed. Shaymin can also communicate with telepathy and sense the gratitude of others.
Each season, Shaymin gathers with others in a flower field somewhere and migrates from there. This behavior is called Flower Carrying because a new field of flowers grow where it lands. Shaymin is also attracted to areas where there is a lot of gratitude. Its personality is almost opposite with each form: in Land Forme, it is shy and easily scared, while in Sky Forme, it is courageous and playful. If wet, it shakes itself to dry itself off, and exhibits the behavior of scratching itself with a hind leg. Shaymin lives in fields of flowers. Since it camouflages by curling itself up, it can easily escape people's notice. It has been seen liking sweet food. Shaymin is the only known Pokémon to know Seed Flare.
Shaymin debuted in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, where it was fleeing from Giratina, after enraging it in the Reverse World. Shaymin thought that Giratina wanted to eat it, but in reality, the Renegade Pokémon wanted to use Shaymin to utilize its Seed Flare to open a portal to the real world. It appeared in both of its Formes in the movie. It reappeared in a cameo in the ending credits of Arceus and the Jewel of Life. This Shaymin had the ability to talk via telepathy.
A Shaymin appeared in SM108, where it encountered Mallow after being drawn to her strong feelings of gratitude towards her late mother. Mallow then decided to take it in until the time came for it to turn into its Sky Forme and fly away.
Other
Shaymin made its main series debut in Keeping In Top Forme!, where Marley was protecting it from Team Rocket. She, along with Ash and his friends, then spent the majority of the episode trying to take Shaymin to a flower field so it could reunite with its friends.
Shaymin, the Gratitude Pokémon. When the Gracidea flower is in bloom, its pollen allows Shaymin to change into its Sky Forme from its Land Forme. Shaymin also have a tendency to migrate.
Shaymin physically debuted in The Final Dimensional Duel IV. Marley was introduced to it by a letter from Professor Oak. In the Distortion World, Shaymin tried its best not to get involved in a big clash that broke out between the rest of the Legendary Pokémon. Cyrus then caught Shaymin in his hands and showed the gratitude towards Shaymin that allowed it to transform into its Sky Forme. After Charon was arrested, Shaymin chose to stay with Marley.
Shaymin appears in both Formes as a trophy in the 3DS version of the game. It also randomly appears on Unova Pokémon League, where it changes from Land to Sky Forme. It does not affect the battle in any way.
Trophy information
NA: When in its Land Forme, this Pokémon sports a fetching pink flower. In Sky Forme, it can take to the air with ease. This Legendary Pokémon is hard to find, but it can sense anyone with a grateful heart. This ability is where the name "Gratitude Pokémon" comes from.
PAL: No wonder this Mythical Pokémon is so hard to find! In its Land Forme, it looks just like a flowery patch of grass. Good luck spotting that in a field! Shaymin has two different forms, though, and in Sky Forme, it can fly. In both forms, Shaymin reacts to gratitude, hence its nickname: the Gratitude Pokémon.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: A tribe of Shaymin have made their home at near the trail leading to the top of the nearby Sky Peak mountain. An accompanying Shaymin demonstrates its ability to instantly purify polluted environments, its use of the Gracidea to transform into its Sky Forme, and can be later recruited into the player's party.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Shaymin's Sky Forme has a different cry than its Land Forme.
In Generation IV, this cry cannot be played in the Pokédex, due to it only registering the first Forme encountered. As wild or traded Shaymin will be in Land Forme and Pokémon aren't registered in link battles, it is impossible to register a Sky Forme Shaymin.
A Shaymin caught at the Flower Paradise in Pokémon Platinum will be a fateful encounter Pokémon.
If a frozen Shaymin in Sky Forme is holding a Lum Berry or an Aspear Berry, it will eat the Berry after transforming back to Land Forme.
Despite being a Mythical Pokémon, normal wild Pokémon battle music plays while battling it. It is the only Mythical Pokémon with this trait.
In Generation VI and prior it is impossible to use Shaymin's Sky Forme in the Battle Spot or in online competitions that allow Mythical Pokémon. This is because only Pokémon stored in the PC can be used and Shaymin would revert to Land Forme as soon as deposited. In Generation VII this was changed so that Sky Forme can be deposited into the PC and only revert to Land Forme when withdrawn.
Origin
Shaymin is based on a hedgehog. However, its white body and the grass-like fur on its back makes it somewhat resemble a chia pet as well. Moreover, when Land Forme Shaymin blooms with flowers, as seen in the anime, Shaymin appears as a bouquet of flowers, emphasizing Shaymin's role as the Gratitude Pokémon.
Sky Forme Shaymin shares most of its traits with a small, young terrier-type dog, but its sprightly behavior, its affinity for flowers, and its ability to fly bring to mind angels and fairies. Shaymin's Sky Forme has a few aspects that resemble a reindeer as well. Due to its healing abilities, it could also be based on a guardian angel.
Name origin
Shaymin may be a combination of 謝 xiè (Chinese for thanks/gratitude) and 蝟 harinezumi (hedgehog). It's english name may also involve shaman (a mystic) or stamen (a plant part). Alternatively, it may be a corruption of םשמי Shamayim (Hebrew for heaven/sky), correlating directly with Shaymin's Sky Forme.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
シェイミ Shaymin
From 謝/谢 xiè, and 蝟 harinezumi. It may be derived from shaman, stamen, or םשמי Shamayim.