Vivillon's wing pattern depends on the real-world geographic location set on the game the Pokémon was generated in. There are a total of 20 known patterns. For a partial list on real-world Vivillon pattern locations, see List of Pokémon with form differences → Vivillon.
Vivillon is a butterfly-like Pokémon with wings that come in a large variety of patterns. It has a round, grayish head with large, black, pixelated eyes and a pair of skinny antennae. The tips of the antennae each have an ovoid scale that is dark gray on the upper half and beige on the lower half. Vivillon's thorax is an ovoid and divided into three segments; each segment is a different shade of gray. Its legs are also ovoid and are dark gray on the lower half, beige on the upper half, and have a black band in the middle. It has two black, circular hands and no visible arms.
While Vivillon's wings come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, they always have black edges and pixelated markings. Its wings' pattern is affected by the climate in which it lives. It can spread its scales to calm an opponent's fighting spirit, as shown in the anime. Vivillon is the only known Pokémon capable of learning Powder by level-up.
Multiple Vivillon appeared in To Catch a Pokémon Smuggler!. They debuted in their Continental, Elegant, Garden, Icy Snow, Savannah, and Sun Pattern forms in this episode, in which they all evolved from a group of Spewpa that had been targeted by Dolan.
Vivillon, the Scale Pokémon. Vivillon are skillfully able to find a source of water. It has been said that you'll find a spring if you follow a Vivillon.
Viola owns a Meadow Pattern Vivillon that she uses in her Gym. It first appeared in PS554.
In Dancing Vivillon and Burning Fletchinder, fifteen Sky Trainers were hypnotized by Malva and used fifteen Vivillon, each with a different Pattern. The Vivillon Patterns which debuted were the Archipelago, Continental, Elegant, Garden, High Plains, Icy Snow, Jungle, Modern, Monsoon, Polar, River, Sandstorm, Savanna, Sun and Tundra Patterns. The leader of these Sky Trainers, Yvette, has mentioned that she has 18 of the Vivillon Patterns, including the Poké Ball and Fancy Patterns. After their defeat and no longer being hypnotized the Vivillon safely land the Sky Trainers down in Shooting Frogadier. Yvette later uses a Marine Pattern Vivillon with her other Vivillon and in conjunction with Viola's Meadow Pattern Vivillon.
Archipelago, Continental, Elegant, Polar and Icy Snow Pattern Vivillon in Pokémon Adventures
Archipelago, Sun, Savanna, Monsoon, Modern, High Plains, Icy Snow, River, Tundra, Polar, Sandstorm, Modern, Marine, Garden and Elegant Pattern Vivillon in Pokémon Adventures
Vivillon and its pre-evolved forms are the only Generation VI Pokémon in the BugEgg Group.
Origin
Vivillon is evidently based on a butterfly. Considering the many different varieties of Vivillon that differ depending on the player's geographic location, Vivillon may have been based on divergent evolution or possibly species mimicry. Its block-like wing patterns may be based on pixel art.
Name origin
Vivillon may be a combination of vivid and papillon (French for butterfly) or brillant (French for brilliant).
Viviyon may be a combination of 美 bi (beauty), vivid, and papillon or brillant.