Cursola is a coral-like Pokémon. The lower body of Cursola resembles that of Galarian Corsola, albeit broken apart to reveal an ectoplasmic "body" which has taken the shape of a ghost. This ectoplasm surrounds Cursola's core, which is a white sphere with a face like that of Galarian Corsola, and has an oval-shaped opening with three inward-facing notches where the core is. Two half-circle openings similar to eyes are located above Cursola's core. Together, the three openings resemble a screaming face with a sad or pained expression. On its ectoplasmic body, two small branches below the core serve as its arms and one small branch on its forehead serves as a horn. It has three long branches each on both sides of the head, and three more on its lower back. All of its branches can split apart when it attacks.
Cursola's overflow of ectoplasm is the result of a long and continuous process of absorbing spirit energy from other creatures. The ectoplasm causes anyone who touches it to become stiff like stone. Cursola can be seen wobbling while wandering, possibly because it enjoys being so light-weight. Cursola are known to gather together under a full moon, and send their branches into the sky. The reason for this behavior is unknown — one hypothesis suggests that it is a ritual of release, shedding the energy they've gathered from others; while another hypothesis posits that this is a form of communication between the Cursola.[1]
Cursola and its pre-evolution are the only Ghost-type Pokémon in both the Water 1 and Water 3 Egg Groups.
Excluding form changes, Cursola has the largest decrease in a single base stat upon evolving, losing 50 Defense.
Origin
Cursola appears to be based on bleached coral, a phenomenon in which coral expels the algae that gives it color, primarily because of rising water temperatures as a result of climate change. Its Ghost type refers to the high mortality rate of bleached coral. Additionally, its appearance and ability to petrify, along with its name in various languages, may reference the Gorgon of Greek mythology. This is possibly a visual pun on Alcyonecea, a suborder of coral which are also collectively known as "gorgonian corals".
Alcyonecea also contain a secroprotein known as gorgonin, which forms and supports the corals skeletons, explaining Cursola's skeletal appearence. The ectoplasmic encasing that it periodically sheds may draw inspiration from the mucus houses of larvaceans. Cursola's odd ritual of gathering together under a full moon and sending their branches into the sky may be a reference to real life coral spawning and its possible relationship to the phase of the moon.
Name origin
Cursola may be a combination of curse and Corsola.
Sunigoon may be a combination of サニーゴ Sunnygo (Corsola), ゴルゴーン Gorgon, and gone.