Chinchou is a small, piscine Pokémon with a round, blue body. It has large yellow eyes with pupils shaped like plus signs, a pair of semi-transparent, light blue pectoral fins, and stubby feet. Positioned on Chinchou's rear, where its tail would be, are a pair of antennae that curve up and over its head. The antennae developed from fins and have yellow, teardrop-shaped orbs at the tips.
Inside Chinchou's antennae are electricity-generating cells that create so much electrical power that they even make Chinchou tingle slightly. The orbs on its antennae can glow and light up from the electric current, which Chinchou uses to lure prey. It also flashes its light to communicate with others of its kind and claim territory. By discharging positive and negative electricity from the antennae, it can both defend itself and stun its prey. Chinchou lives on dark ocean floors, rarely ever coming up to the surface. However, it has demonstrated the ability to walk on land in the anime.
Evolution
Chinchou evolves into Lanturn.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Main series
A Chinchou
Egg in the anime
Major appearances
Multiple Chinchou made their main series debut in Takin' It on the Chinchou, all under the ownership of Dayton, with one of them being nicknamed Bright. They were featured as subjects of the Parade of the Chinchou, which celebrated the natural migration of newly-hatched Chinchou from the mountains to the ocean.
In The Perfect Match!, Trinity used a Chinchou in her battle against Misty during the Whirl Cup. It was able to defeat Corsola with a combination of Confuse Ray and Water Gun. It reappeared in a flashback in Espeon, Not Included.
In The Great Eight Fate!, a Chinchou was part of Juan's Sootopolis City Water Exhibit. It and Juan's other Pokémon were captured by Team Rocket, but they all worked together to escape.
In Octo-Gridlock at the Gym!, Goh caught a Chinchou while in Cianwood City. It has since made further appearances in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
Minor appearances
Chinchou debuted in Pikachu & Pichu, where it was one of the Pokémon living in Big Town.
A Chinchou appeared in Snorlax Snowman.
In The Legend of Thunder!, a Chinchou was swimming in a lake. Another was swimming in a pool in a Pokémon Center.
A Chinchou appeared in Pikachu's PikaBoo.
In As Clear As Crystal, a Chinchou was affected by a crystal that gave a lake the ability to heal Electric-type Pokémon.
In Enlighten Up!, multiple Chinchou were living in Lake Slowpoke.
In Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, two Chinchou and a Mantine escorted Latias to Ash and his friends' boat. A third belonged to a Trainer competing in the Tour de Alto Mare.
Multiple Chinchou appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.
Multiple Chinchou appeared in The Relicanth Really Can.
A Coordinator's Chinchou appeared in Harley Rides Again.
In Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, multiple Chinchou witnessed the final showdown with The Phantom and his crew. They briefly reappeared in a montage in The Rise of Darkrai, which chronicled the preceding nine movies.
In One Big Happiny Family!, Jessie's fantasy featured a Chinchou.
Multiple Chinchou appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.
In Up Close and Personable!, a Chinchou lived in the lake near the Pokémon Summer Academy.
Multiple Chinchou appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.
In An Undersea Place to Call Home!, multiple Chinchou made the wreck of the S.S. Cussler their home.
Three Chinchou appeared in Alola to New Adventure!.
A Chinchou appeared in a fantasy in Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!.
A Chinchou appeared in The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!.
Multiple Chinchou appeared in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.
In Love at First Twirl!, a Chinchou was attacked by Poipole and forced to defend itself.
In Securing the Future!, four Chinchou joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
Four Chinchou appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.
A Chinchou appeared in a fantasy in Dreams of the Sun and Moon!.
A Trainer's Chinchou appeared in Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!.
In The Sinnoh Iceberg Race!, multiple Chinchou used their lights to mark the racetrack for the Pokémon Iceberg Race.
A Chinchou appeared in On Land, In the Sea, and to the Future!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
|
Pokémon
|
Source
|
Entry
|
EP212
|
Chinchou
|
Ash's Pokédex
|
Chinchou, the Angler Pokémon, have the ability to conduct electrical currents from their two tentacles, which flow positive from one end and negative from the other. Chinchou can also communicate underwater by flashing its tentacles.
|
|
Pokémon Generations
In The Cavern, two wild Chinchou were in the waters that surrounded the Seafloor Cavern.
Pokémon: Twilight Wings
In Early-Evening Waves, a Chinchou lived in a lake where Nessa was doing a photo shoot.
Pokémon Evolutions
In The Show, a Chinchou briefly appeared in the seas around the Whirl Islands.