Drifloon has a spherical, purple body with two stringy arms that have yellow, heart-shaped hands on the ends of them. At the base of its body is a frayed protrusion that resembles the tied end of a balloon. In the very center of its body is a yellow tape-like "X", which contains its small mouth in the very center. Located on either side of the "X" are its small, black eyes. A white mass of fluff that resembles a cloud sits on top of Drifloon's head.
Driifloon are created from many souls gathering together. Due to its aimless drifting, this species is known as "Signpost for Wandering Spirits". Drifloonseeks out children due to it deserving company. It has been known to steal children that mistake it for a regular balloon. However it dislikes stealing heavy children. Drifloon's round body expands from the souls it collects. When the body explodes, the soul unleashes a screeching sound.However, due to its light weight, it can be resisted easily and is often pulled around. This results in Drifloon running away from any children that is rough with it. Although created by lost spirits of Pokémon and people, as seen in the anime, it can be friendly and helpful. It prefers to reside in damp, humid locations and can expand or shrink to express its feelings.
Four Drifloon debuted in Drifloon on the Wind!, under the ownership of Marnie and Paige. They were commonly used for transport. Marnie owned three of the Drifloon, while Paige owned the fourth.
Multiple Drifloon appeared in PK18, where Pikachu and his friends grabbed on to them while escaping from Meowth and his cronies. Meowth's group was later forced to hold on to more after being blasted off by a Registeel.
Multiple Drifloon appeared in PK20, where Pikachu and his friends grabbed on to them while pursuing a Murkrow that had taken a large diamond ring piece.
Multiple Drifloon appeared in Foggy Pokémon Orienteering!. They were used by Ash to hop across a gorge safely in order to reach Bonnie, who was sleeping on the other side.
"A Balloon Pokémon that appears each Friday at the Valley Windworks in the Sinnoh region. It's round and cute, but it has a dreadful side too, as it attempts to drag children into the underworld by their hands. It likes damp, humid seasons. If it's on the verge of fainting in battle, it will counterattack by self-destructing. It evolves into Drifblim."
In the Japanese version of Pearl's Pokédex entry, Drifloon specifically takes children to the "world of the dead" (Japanese: あのよ), instead of just trying to "steal them away" as in the English version. However, in the US release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, the description along with Drifloon's trophy still states that it is "taking children to the underworld".
Fuwante may be a combination of ふわふわ fuwa fuwa (soft, airy and light, or an onomatopoeia for floating), 風船 fūsen (balloon), and 不安定 fuantei (unstable).