While it is not known to evolve into or from another Pokémon, Shaymin has a second Forme activated by using a Gracidea flower in the daytime. Its original Forme, Land Forme, will then become the Grass/Flying-type Sky Forme. Shaymin's Sky Forme will revert into and remain in its Land Forme during the night or when frozen. Other circumstances may also cause it to revert.
Shaymin was officially revealed in February 2008, when it was listed as a star of Giratina and the Sky Warrior. In early June of the same year, its Sky Forme was revealed.
Land Forme Shaymin's petals after absorbing toxins
Sky Forme Shaymin's petals after absorbing toxins
Shaymin is a small, white hedgehog-like Pokémon. In Land Forme, it has green grass-like fur on its back and a pink flower with two leaves on each side of its head, which resembles the Gracidea flower. Several Gracidea-like flowers also appear on its back whenever it feels comfortable, but when it senses an impending danger, it rapidly hides it back. Its legs are short and its underside is plump. Shaymin is the smallest Mythical Pokémon to date, and one of the shortestGrass-type Pokémon.
In Sky Forme, it has a slender, canine appearance like that of a small reindeer. The fur on its back becomes a mohawk, and it has a red flower petal on the left side of its neck, resembling a scarf or cape. It has flat, white ears resembling wings, a small tuft of fur on the front of its neck, and a stumpy tail. Shaymin will change into Sky Forme and back if it touches a Gracidea. It reverts to Land Forme at night or if it is frozen.
Shaymin can instantly purify any polluted area of all impurities in the air and transform it into a lush field of flowers. It takes in the polluted air, purifies it inside its body, breaks it down into water and light, and releases the purified substance in a violent, explosive burst. Its power varies based on the type of pollution absorbed. Shaymin can also communicate with telepathy and sense the gratitude of others.
Each season, Shaymin gathers with others in a flower field somewhere and migrates from there. This behavior is called Flower Carrying because a new field of flowers grow where it lands. Shaymin is also attracted to areas where there is a lot of gratitude. Its personality is almost opposite with each form: in Land Forme, it is shy and easily scared, while in Sky Forme, it is courageous and playful. If wet, it shakes itself to dry itself off, and exhibits the behavior of scratching itself with a hind leg. Shaymin lives in fields of flowers. Since it camouflages by curling itself up, it can easily escape people's notice. It has been seen liking sweet food.
Shaymin debuted in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, where it was fleeing from Giratina. It thought that Giratina wanted to eat it, but in reality, the Renegade Pokémon wanted to use Shaymin's Seed Flare to open a portal from the Reverse World to the real world. It appeared in both of its Formes in the movie. This Shaymin had the ability to talk via telepathy.
In Memories in the Mist!, a Shaymin encountered Mallow after being drawn to her strong feelings of gratitude towards her late mother. Mallow took care of it until Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!, where Shaymin was exposed to some Gracideas, transforming into its Sky Forme, and then flew away. This Shaymin was unique in that, in its Sky Forme, its eyes resembled the eyes of Mallow's mother, instead of those of a regular Shaymin.
Other
Shaymin made its main series debut in Keeping In Top Forme!, where Marley was protecting it from Team Rocket. She, along with Ash and his friends, then spent the majority of the episode trying to take Shaymin to a flower field so it could reunite with its friends.
Three Shaymin appeared in their Sky Formes in Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!, where they greeted the Shaymin Mallow had been taking care of and accompanied it during its departure.
Shaymin, the Gratitude Pokémon. When the Gracidea flower is in bloom, its pollen allows Shaymin to change into its Sky Forme from its Land Forme. Shaymin also have a tendency to migrate.
Shaymin, the Gratitude Pokémon. A Grass type. When it rolls itself up, it looks like a flower. During the season when Gracidea flowers bloom, Shaymin changes Forme and takes flight to show its gratitude.
Shaymin randomly appears on Unova Pokémon League, where it changes from Land to Sky Forme. It does not affect the battle in any way.
Shaymin trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS
Shaymin also appears in both Formes as a single trophy in the 3DS version of the game.
Trophy information
NA: When in its Land Forme, this Pokémon sports a fetching pink flower. In Sky Forme, it can take to the air with ease. This Legendary Pokémon is hard to find, but it can sense anyone with a grateful heart. This ability is where the name "Gratitude Pokémon" comes from.
PAL: No wonder this Mythical Pokémon is so hard to find! In its Land Forme, it looks just like a flowery patch of grass. Good luck spotting that in a field! Shaymin has two different forms, though, and in Sky Forme, it can fly. In both forms, Shaymin reacts to gratitude, hence its nickname: the Gratitude Pokémon.'
Shaymin appears as Spirits in its Land Forme and Sky Forme.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: A tribe of Shaymin have made their home at near the trail leading to the top of the nearby Sky Peak mountain. An accompanying Shaymin demonstrates its ability to instantly purify polluted environments, its use of the Gracidea to transform into its Sky Forme, and can be later recruited into the player's party.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
When the turning of seasons brings the cruel winter to its end and the joyous people give thanks to the heavens, Shaymin appears and covers the withered land with flowers.
Upon taking in the scent of a particular rare flower, Shaymin is enveloped in light, and its tiny body transforms. I took a whiff of the flower myself, but alas, my body remained unchanged.
Shaymin has the incredible power to transform ruined land into a lush field. When it curls up, it looks like a flowering plant, so it's hard to spot even up close.
This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: In what games/generations does Shaymin's battle use the regular wild battle theme? what about after Gen 4?
Shaymin's Sky Forme has a different cry than its Land Forme.
In Generation IV, this cry cannot be played in the Pokédex, due to it only registering the first Forme encountered. As wild or traded Shaymin will be in Land Forme and Pokémon aren't registered in link battles, it is impossible to register a Sky Forme Shaymin.
In Generation VI and prior it is impossible to use Shaymin's Sky Forme in the Battle Spot or in online competitions that allow Mythical Pokémon. This is because only Pokémon stored in the PC can be used and Shaymin would revert to Land Forme as soon as deposited. In Generation VII this was changed so that Sky Forme can be deposited into the PC and only revert to Land Forme when withdrawn.
Shaymin is based on a hedgehog. However, its white body and the grass-like fur on its back make it somewhat resemble a Chia Pet as well. Moreover, when Land Forme Shaymin blooms with flowers, as seen in the anime, Shaymin appears as a bouquet of flowers, which are commonly given as a sign of thankfulness, emphasizing Shaymin's role as the Gratitude Pokémon.
Sky Forme Shaymin shares most of its traits with a small, young terrier-type dog, but its sprightly behavior, an affinity for flowers, and the ability to fly bring to mind angels and fairies. Shaymin's Sky Forme has a few aspects that resemble a reindeer as well. Due to its healing abilities, it could also be based on a guardian angel. Given the appearance of the flower around its neck resembling the knot of a neckerchief, the resemblance to the green of its legs to boots or gloves, ability to fly, and more confident attitude seen in the anime, Sky Forme Shaymin may be inspired by superheroes, particularly those in the Japanese sentai genre.
Shaymin's ability to convert toxic gases into fresh air may be a reference to the environmentalist practice of removing pollution from nature for a healthier ecosystem. It could also be a reference to plants filtering non-breathable carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into breathable oxygen, or decomposer organisms converting decaying or waste materials into nutrient-rich soil for future plant growth.
Name origin
Shaymin is from 謝謝 xièxie (Chinese for thanks).[1] It may also be derived from 蝟 harinezumi (hedgehog) and םשמי Shamayim (Hebrew for heaven) with the latter correlating directly with Shaymin's Sky Forme.
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
シェイミ Shaymin
From 謝謝 xièxie and possibly 蝟 harinezumi and םשמי Shamayim
Lum Berry (100%)
Micle Berry (100%)
Soothe Bell (100%)
Everstone (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Shaymin images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
