Orthworm is a long, worm-like Pokémon with a six-segmented metal body. Its body is red on top and light orange on the bottom, except for its second segment, which is steel-colored. The first segment is its head, which contains its small, pale blue eyes and a large, toothless mouth. There are pairs of cyan ovals lining either side of its body from its third to fifth segments, while its second segment has three of such pairs. Tendrils can extend from the ovals on its second segment, which resemble simple fists. When threatened, Orthworm uses these tendrils to punch its opponents. Orthworm lives in dry deserts, and eats iron from the soil to maintain its body. It is sometimes seen buried in the ground, with only its head visible.
Orthworm is the only known Pokémon that can have Earth Eater as an Ability.
A giant Orthworm, known as the Lurking Steel Titan, is one of the Titan Pokémon found in the Paldea region.
- Despite its Pokédex entry in Pokémon Scarlet stating that Orthworm can "wield the tendrils on its body like fists and pelt the opponent with a storm of punches," it cannot learn any punching moves.
Origin
Orthworm appears to be based on an earthworm, and also shares similarities to a subway train. Its tendrils may be derived from the pronounced parapodia of polychaetes, relatives of earthworms.
The Titan Orthworm may take some inspiration from giant earthworms, the Mongolian death worm, or giant sandworms, a common archetype of monster popularized through works like Dune and Beetlejuice.
Name origin
Orthworm may be a combination of ore, ortho- (prefix meaning "straight" or "upright"), orthoclase (a mineral), and earthworm.
Mimizuzu may be a combination of 蚯蚓 mimizu (earthworm) and 埋める uzumeru (to bury).