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While it is not known to evolve into or from any Pokémon, Tornadus has a second Forme activated by using the Reveal Glass. Its original Forme, Incarnate Forme, will then become Therian Forme.
Its Therian Forme was officially revealed on May 12, 2012.
In Incarnate Forme, Tornadus is a green, muscular humanoid Pokémon, which resembles a genie. It is a male-only species with no female counterpart. On its forehead are two purple long and sharp horns. Tornadus has white, wavy, and billowy styled hair, a spiky white mustache, and two pointed green ears on either side of its head. Its eyes are yellow with beady white irises and no visible pupils. The front of Tornadus's body is covered in various, irregularly shaped purple spots. Its broad chest consists of two joined diamond-shaped pectorals, its shoulders and elbows are adorned with magatama shapes, and on top of its navel is a teardrop, all colored purple. It has two spotted muscular arms, with five fingers on each hand. Its lower body consists of a trailing cloud, with a purple long, curling tail, tipped with a whirl. Spanning the length of its tail, Tornadus has several whorled structures. They are a light khaki color and follow the same direction as the tip of its tail.
In Therian Forme, Tornadus is a large, green, bipedal, long-necked, birdlike Pokémon. It now lacks any visible ears, and the horns on its forehead have become thinner and crest-like. Tornadus's hair is also now crest-like, and the direction of its hair whirl is reversed. The style of its hair is now more relaxed as well, proudly flowing down its long neck. Tornadus's mustache now takes on a more beak-like appearance, puffing out on the edges like coarse plumage against its cheeks. Its eyes remain yellow, but with larger irises that still lack visible pupils. Its chest is now fuller, but remains largely unchanged, while its navel is now bejeweled with a red gem. Tornadus's arms have now become large spanning, feathered wings; each possessing thumbs and five large, purple-tipped primary feathers. It has two strong legs and sharp talons, each with three sharp purple claws and one dewclaw. Tornadus's tail remains largely unchanged, although it appears less curved than before. On its lower back, it has a large trailing cloud-like puff.
Tornadus can travel at speeds of 200 miles per hour (320 kilometers per hour). It can also whip up storms with its tail and is able to blow away houses. This also has the effect of changing the seasons. Tornadus is feared and despised by people and farmers for the destruction it causes with its ferocious gales when unleashed. It also gets into violent crashes with Thundurus when the two meet, having fought its brethren since the beginning of time. It has been observed traveling around oceans in its Therian Form. Tornadus can unleash mini whirlwinds along with surrounding itself with a cloud shield to protect itself from harm.
Tornadus appeared in both of his Formes in Unova's Survival Crisis!, where he was summoned to the Abyssal Ruins by Giovanni and sent on a rampage alongside Thundurus and Landorus. Eventually, he was freed by Meloetta and departed.
Other
A Therian Forme Tornadus appeared in the Hoopa's Surprise Ring Adventures short Flying in the Air. He was among the many Flying-type Pokémon summoned by Hoopa to create wind for Ash and Pikachu, but their combined Gust was too much for them and sent them blasting off.
Minor appearances
Tornadus debuted in a cameo appearance during the ending credits of White—Victini and Zekrom, where he created a windstorm that Ash and his friends encountered.
GOTCHA!
A Tornadus briefly appeared in its Therian Forme as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
Tornadus debuted in Let's Master Pokémon Capturing!, where Monta chased it with the intent of catching it. However, Tornadus was difficult for Monta to catch, since he kept fleeing during each encounter. Using his newly evolved Watchog, Monta was finally able to catch him.
An example of what is known as a “form change,” though I suspect this strange avian guise to be Tornadus's true form. Tornadus has been sighted crossing the ocean while in this form.
Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation V.
In an interview with Nintendo Dream, Ken Sugimori revealed that Tornadus was originally intended to be colored red, to pair with Thundurus's blue. Tornadus's color was changed because the pair ended up looking too similar to Throh and Sawk.[1]
In Incarnate Forme, Tornadus is based on Fūjin, the kami of wind.[1] It may also have drawn some inspiration from genies.
In Therian Forme, Tornadus seems to be based on a bird of prey, most likely an eagle, vulture, or other large avian species. It may also draw inspiration from the Vermilion Bird of the Chinese Four Symbols; from Huītzilōpōchtli, a god from the Aztec mythology that resembles a hummingbird; or from Garuda, a mythical birdlike creature with both zoomorphic and anthropomorphic features.
Name origin
Tornadus and Tornelos may be a combination of tornado and Aeolus (ruler of the winds in Greek mythology).
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.