Kommo-o is a bipedal, reptilian Pokémon covered in scaly armor. Most of its body is gray with some lighter gray areas as well as yellow and red markings. It has a rounded, beak-ish snout and small eyes nearly hidden under its head armor. On the tip of its snout is a patch of pale gray and both the upper and lower jaws have a small, tooth-like spike on each side. The top of its head is covered by an elaborate arrangement of scales. At the front of the headdress is an oval scale, which is yellow with a red heart-shape at the base. On either side of the front scale is a chain of four circular scales; the first three scales are red with yellow trim and the last scale is solid yellow. Three additional chains of plain yellow scales extend from the back of the headdress. Running down the front of its long neck is a line of overlapping scales: one solid gray at the top, three larger gray ones with yellow rims, and one solid yellow scale at the bottom. A thick yellow stripe with a rounded projection in the center runs across its chest. Covering its shoulders are tufts of spiky, white feathers with small, gray scales overlapping them. Four overlapping scales cover the tops of its arms: three are gray with yellow edges and the scales that cover its hands are red with yellow edges.
Kommo-o has four scaly chains, all of which consist of four scales, extending from just behind its shoulders. The two foremost chains are made of overlapping scales and have a solid gray scale at the top followed by three scales with yellow edges. The other two chains consist of only solid gray scales and do not appear to overlap. The lower halves of its legs are dark gray and there is a pale gray marking across each knee. Its hands have four yellow claws, while the feet have only three. A long line of slightly raised, pale gray scales runs down the center of its back to about halfway up its tapering tail. Near the tip of its tail are three sets of loose scales that increase in size near the tip. Each set is made up of four separate scales that encircle the tail; the two lower sets are solid yellow, while the set nearest the tip have gray centers. The very tip of its tail is pale gray.
Kommo-o, having completed its harsh training, returns to its birthplace to protect Jangmo-o. However, it only watches over them from a distance. The power of this Pokémon's uppercut is enough to send foes flying, so simply raising its arms can generate enough force to change its surroundings. According to legend, Kommo-o's glittering scales are meant to drive away a great darkness. The reason it seeks strong opponents is also said to be a quest for power to defeat the darkness.[1] Its scales function as both offensive weapons and defensive shields. Because it does not wish to fight weak foes, it clangs its scales together when it senses someone approaching. Weak or cowardly opponents will panic at this sound and flee immediately.
While the animated series shows that Kommo-o is capable of bipedal locomotion, the core series games since Generation VIII show that it vastly prefers to walk and run around by knuckle-walking.
Kommo-o is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the moves Clanging Scales and Clangorous Soul. Kommo-o is also the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Clangorous Soulblaze.
- Totem Pokémon
A special Kommo-o in Alola acts as the Totem Pokémon for an unmanned trial in Vast Poni Canyon. This Kommo-o possesses Z-Power, an energy that originates from Ultra Wormholes and takes the form of a golden, flaring aura. The reward for defeating Totem Kommo-o and completing the trial is a Dragonium Z.
Evolution
Kommo-o evolves from Hakamo-o and is the final form of Jangmo-o.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
Origin
Kommo-o appears to be based on a theropod dinosaur with some traits from ankylosaurs. It may also be based on a monk. Kommo-o's tail bears resemblance to a khakkhara (monk staff), and it is even used in a similar fashion. The fact that it uses its scales to produce sound may also reference cymbals and castanets. Kommo-o also bears a striking resemblance to a pangolin. Additionally, Kommo-o may also be partly based on the Mo'o, a type of shapeshifting Hawaiian Dragon, as well as the Komodo dragon. It's snout bears resemblance to hatchets.
Name origin
Kommo-o may be a combination of commotion (in reference to the noises produced by its scales) and mo'o (Hawaiian for lizard or dragon). It may also incorporate combat, commander, and komodo as in the Komodo dragon.
Jyararanga may derive from ジャラジャラ jarajara (onomatopoetic sound for jingling), dragon, and ガランガラン garangaran (onomatopoetic sound for clanging).