While it is not known to evolve into or from any Pokémon, Kyurem has two other forms, which are activated by using the DNA Splicers on it and either Reshiram or Zekrom, resulting in a process called Absofusion that removes Reshiram or Zekrom from the party until the fusion is undone. It will then become White Kyurem when fused with Reshiram or Black Kyurem when fused with Zekrom.
It is impossible to own a White Kyurem and a Black Kyurem at the same time legitimately, as the games reject the second fusion of Kyurem with Reshiram or Zekrom. Kyurem can neither be traded or placed in Pokémon HOME while fused.
Along with Reshiram and Zekrom, Kyurem is a member of the Tao trio, which exists in the legends of the Unova region.
Kyurem is a gray and blue, bipedal Pokémon of indefinable but seemingly draconic basis. Kyurem has a blue head and snout and has yellow eyes without pupils, has a pair of pointed light bluish horns on its head, and a yellow crest on its skull. Three pointed teeth jut out the bottom of either side of its jaws, which are frozen shut by the ice covering its head. Its long, gray neck has lines running around its whole body, legs, arms, and tail. It has two arms, each with its own claw, and each arm is jointed together from its oddly shaped blue wings, which are believed to be used for flying and storing cold air. Each wing has two spikes of ice. The ice covering the wings can break, revealing gray tendril-like appendages on Kyurem's back.
The right side of its body seems to be damaged in some way, as the wing and horn on its head on that side are shorter; the right side of its head also has a spiked edge near its jaw hinge that is absent from its left. Its legs are somewhat slender and have three sharp ice-like claws on each enormous foot. Its tail has three blue conical spikes on its tip, and appears to be some sort of propulsion device or a container of energy; exactly what it is based on is unclear, but it may be a damaged turbine.
Kyurem has two alternate forms, White Kyurem and Black Kyurem, which are formed by combining with Reshiram and Zekrom, respectively, and share many aspects of their designs with them. It can use Absofusion on their respective Dragon Stones to change to White or Black Kyurem. The reason for this is due to Kyurem retaining the gene of the other dragons which allows said fusion. When transformed into either, its legs are just like before, but shorter and the middle toe becomes ice.
As White Kyurem, it has some extra icy details on the legs. Its tail resembles that of Reshiram or Zekrom, but they are attached to the body with three gray parts of the skin. The tail is capable of movement and contains four holes: they are horizontal on White Kyurem and vertical on Black Kyurem. The torsos of each form are similar, but White Kyurem's torso is slimmer than Black Kyurem's bulky torso. Its shoulders are covered in 'squares' of ice with two pins protruding from each which can come out and 'plug into' the aforementioned holes. As White Kyurem, it has thin arms with two rings and three claws each, wings between the rings on its forearms, and its right arm and wing are frozen. As Black Kyurem, it has Zekrom's arms, but more muscular and without wings, and its left arm and wing are frozen. Its neck is the same shape, but becomes upright; White Kyurem uses Reshiram's fur and Black Kyurem uses Zekrom's skin.
In both forms, the ice covering one of Kyurem's jaws (upper for White Kyurem, lower for Black Kyurem) has partially disappeared, allowing it to move its mouth. During a battle, Black Kyurem and White Kyurem enter Overdrive mode and tubes sprout from its back to its tail. In White Kyurem's case, the ends of its hair and wings become fiery and its tail acquires fiery highlights. In Black Kyurem's case, parts of its right arm and the tip of the horn on the back of its head turn blue, while its tail lights up with electricity. In Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, Kyurem can also change into Black Kyurem or White Kyurem without fusing by channeling the power of powers of both Reshiram and Zekrom it has within itself.
Kyurem generates powerful, freezing energy inside itself, but its body became frozen when the energy leaked out. By keeping its body frozen, the cellular structure will remain stable. It is said to have a power that exceeds that of Reshiram and Zekrom; however, this power is kept at bay by the extreme cold. Kyurem also shares Reshiram's or Zekrom's beliefs in truth or ideals, respectively, when fused with either of the two dragons. Due to an old legend, it may be assumed Kyurem may be hostile towards Pokémon and humans, due to the fact it supposedly ate them if they were found outside at night. It is said to be an extraterrestrial Pokémon, according to folklore.
Kyurem debuted in all three of its forms in Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice. It was challenged by Keldeo, who wasn't ready to fight it, but arrogantly claimed that he was a Sword of Justice. After the terrified Keldeo fled during the middle of the fight, Kyurem relentlessly pursued Keldeo in order to finish the battle they had started. Along with the other Legendary Pokémon present in the movie, Kyurem can speak through telepathy.
Other
Kyurem appeared in all three of its forms in Hoopa and the Clash of Ages as one of six Legendary Pokémon summoned and hypnotized by the shadow Hoopa Unbound as its reinforcements. It and its teammates engaged in a battle against the Latios, Latias, and ShinyRayquaza summoned to protect the real Hoopa in Dahara City. Eventually, after the shadow Hoopa was sealed in a Prison Bottle, the hypnosis on Kyurem and the other Legendary Pokémon was lifted, and Kyurem departed for its home.
In The King Returns, Ghetsis used Kyurem as part of his final attempt to freeze Unova, but he was challenged by N and his Reshiram. However, Ghetsis used the DNA Splicers to fuse the two Pokémon into White Kyurem. It was last seen being challenged by Hilbert and his Zekrom.
GOTCHA!
A Kyurem briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
Kyurem appears in its Normal Form as a Master Ball Pokémon. Upon summoning, it releases Icy Wind from its sides to freeze any caught opponents.
Kyurem trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Normal Form Kyurem also appears as a trophy in both games.
Trophy information
NA: While this Dragon/Ice-type Pokémon is definitely a Pokémon, some believe it is what remained after Reshiram and Zekrom were split apart. In battle, it will generate incredibly cold energy and then unleash it using Icy Wind. This move will deal constant damage before freezing opponents.
PAL: Kyurem is thought to be an empty shell left behind when Reshiram and Zekrom split into two. Its icy energy is so powerful that it can freeze its own body. When Kyurem has built up enough energy, it can unleash Icy Wind, shooting spirals of cold left and right. After damaging fighters, this attack with leave them frozen.
Starting in Generation VIII, Kyurem can learn Scary Face even if fused. In that case, if Kyurem becomes unfused while knowing Scary Face, it will forget this move before the fusion move (Fusion Bolt or Fusion Flare) is replaced with Scary Face.
White Kyurem has the highest base Special Attack stat of all Ice-type Pokémon, while Black Kyurem has the highest base Attack stat of all Ice-type Pokémon.
White Kyurem is the tallest Pokémon introduced in Generation V.
Kyurem has the most separate cries used in-game, with a total of five. It has one for each form and two longer cries that play in stereo.
Kyurem's effort valueyield of 1 HP, 1 Attack, and 1 Special Attack in its base form is unique.
White Kyurem and Black Kyurem will not react if whistled at in the Isle of Armor or the Crown Tundra, as only their Overdrive Modes have attack animations. They share this distinction with Xerneas.
Of the Pokémon capable of fusion with another Pokémon, Kyurem is the only one whose fused forms do not have different typing than its base form. It is also the only one which does not learn a new move in the standard manner upon fusing, as Glaciate and Scary Face are respectively replaced with Freeze Shock and Fusion Bolt or Ice Burn and Fusion Flare upon fusion.
Origin
Kyurem and its two counterparts Reshiram and Zekrom are based on the concept of yin and yang in Taoism. Kyurem, however, symbolizes wuji, the absence of yin and yang. In regards to overall design, it appears to be based on a theropod and a European dragon, similar to Zekrom. Its arms in particular seem to be influenced by Tyrannosaurus. Its Ice-typing may allude to the absence of energy and the concept of absolute zero. Its rock-like body and origin story of arriving on Earth like a meteor are references to comets, which are largely composed of ice crystals.
Given that its Japanese name contains mu, it may be based on the kōanmu.
Name origin
Kyurem may be a combination of 冷 rei (cold), 零 rei (zero), 急冷 kyūrei (rapid cooling), or 雪 yuki (snow) with the kana reversed, and 無 mu (nothing). Rem may also mimic the rom of Zekrom and the ram of Reshiram.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
キュレム Kyurem
From 急冷 kyūrei and possibly 無 mu, mirroring the naming scheme of Reshiram and Zekrom
Life Orb (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Kyurem images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
