Tapu Lele (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
0785MS.png #0785: Tapu Koko
Pokémon
#0787: Tapu Bulu 0787MS.png
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Tapu Lele (disambiguation).
Tapu Lele
Land Spirit Pokémon
カプ・テテフ
Kapu-Tetefu
#0786
Tapu Lele



Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Psychic Fairy
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Abilities
Psychic Surge Cacophony
Cacophony
Telepathy
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Gender unknown
Catch rate
3 (1.6%)
Breeding
Egg Group
No Eggs Discovered
Hatch time
15 cycles
Egg not obtainable
Height
3'11" 1.2 m
Tapu Lele
0'0" 0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
41.0 lbs. 18.6 kg
Tapu Lele
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form4}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield
Unknown
Gen. IV
Unknown
IV
257
Leveling rate
Slow
EV yield
Total: 3
Tapu Lele
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
3
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Shape
Body04.png
Footprint
F0786.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Pink
Base friendship
70
External Links

Tapu Lele (Japanese: カプ・テテフ Kapu-Tetefu) is a dual-type Psychic/Fairy Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation VII.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It is the guardian deity of Akala Island, with Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini being the deities of the other islands.

Biology

Concept artwork of Tapu Lele for Pokémon Sun and Moon

Tapu Lele is a vaguely butterfly-like Legendary Pokémon. Tapu Lele has a black upper body and head with a few small white markings. Its eyes are blue with a pink line through the middle of each iris. Below each eye is a curved white line and above each is a curved pink line separated into three segments. On its upper body is another, thicker curved white line. Its thin arms have digitless hands and puffy pink bracelets on each wrist. On top of its head is a mass of dark pink, tentacle-like hair. Two longer strands of hair frame its face. Encasing its dark pink lower body and on top of its head is a shell resembling an insect.

Tapu Lele's shell is primarily light pink. The portion on top of its head is conical with a white diamond marking in the center and a white half-diamond marking below that. Both diamond shapes are framed in black. The shell around its lower body mirrors these diamond markings and has an additional half-diamond on the back. On each side is a hexagon marking consisting of five dark pink triangles and one light pink triangle all outlined in black. These resemble the compound eyes of many insects. There are also projections on the back of the shell that resemble butterfly wings and a small black bump on the bottom similar to a curled proboscis. When closed, the shell resembles a bug's head with small wings.

The people of Akala Island worship Tapu Lele. This guardian of Akala Island is known to scatter glowing scales, which affect others by stimulating and healing their bodies; however, these scales are also dangerous if too many are touched at once. Some consider it to be guilelessly cruel for the way it destroys others as it scatters its scales for its own amusement. This has resulted in Tapu Lele being described as an incarnation of nature, the reason being it does not feel remorse for its cruel actions. An old legend says that Tapu Lele ended a war between Alola's islands by healing the tired warriors with its scales, but rumors point to a more disturbing truth behind this story. Its strength comes from the energy stored within its shell. If Tapu Lele finds itself at a disadvantage in battle, it will prioritize not outright losing as opposed to trying for a decisive victory.[1] It is said to gain energy from the scent of flowers. Tapu Lele is known to defend its home from the Ultra Beasts. As seen in Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Tapu Lele and the other tapu can transform a Z-Ring into a Z-Power Ring.

Tapu Lele and the other guardian deities are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Nature's Madness. They are also the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Guardian of Alola.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Alola
 S  M : #286
Alola
 US  UM : #384
Kanto
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
Sun This guardian deity of Akala is guilelessly cruel. The fragrant aroma of flowers is the source of its energy.
Moon As it flutters about, it scatters its strangely glowing scales. Touching them is said to restore good health on the spot.
Ultra Sun It heals the wounds of people and Pokémon by sprinkling them with its sparkling scales. This guardian deity is worshiped on Akala.
Ultra Moon Although called a guardian deity, Tapu Lele is devoid of guilt about its cruel disposition and can be described as nature incarnate.
Generation VIII Galar
#—
Sinnoh
#—
Hisui
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VIII.
Generation IX Paldea
#—
Kitakami
#—
Blueberry
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation IX.


Pokédex Image Tapu Lele SM.png
Tapu Lele in the Alola Pokédex

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII
Sun Moon
Ruins of Life (after becoming Champion) (Only one)
Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Ruins of Life (after becoming Champion) (Only one)
Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee
Unobtainable
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
TradeVersion 1.3.0+
Expansion Pass
Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure) (Only one)
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
Unobtainable
Legends: Arceus
Unobtainable
Generation IX
Scarlet Violet
Unobtainable


In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII
Rumble Rush
Rowlet SeaFinal
Generation VIII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Cross-Generation
Shuffle
Event: Tapu Lele Appears
Masters EX
Poké Fair sync pair scout: Sygna Suit Lana & Tapu Lele


In events

Games Event Region Location Level Distribution period
USUM Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele Japanese region Online 60Shiny December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019
USUM Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele American region Online 60Shiny December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019
USUM Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele PAL region Online 60Shiny December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019
USUM Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele Korean region Online 60Shiny December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Events* Psychic Seed Psychic Seed (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
70
130 - 177 250 - 344
85
81 - 150 157 - 295
75
72 - 139 139 - 273
130
121 - 200 238 - 394
115
108 - 183 211 - 361
95
90 - 161 175 - 317
Total:
570
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting ¼×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting ¼×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting ¼×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting ¼×
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic ½×
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Notes:

Learnset

Tapu Lele is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.3.0+.

By leveling up

Generation VIII
Other generations:
VII - IX
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Astonish Ghost Physical 03030 100100% 15
011 Confusion Psychic Special 05050 100100% 25
055 Withdraw Water Status 0000 00——% 40
1010 Aromatherapy Grass Status 0000 00——% 5
1515 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 05050 100100% 10
2020 Psybeam Psychic Special 06565 100100% 20
2525 Flatter Dark Status 0000 100100% 15
3030 Aromatic Mist Fairy Status 0000 00——% 20
3535 Sweet Scent Normal Status 0000 100100% 20
4040 Extrasensory Psychic Special 08080 100100% 20
4545 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100100% 10
5050 Mean Look Normal Status 0000 00——% 5
5555 Nature's Madness Fairy Special 0000 09090% 10
6060 Moonblast Fairy Special 09595 100100% 15
6565 Tickle Normal Status 0000 100100% 20
7070 Skill Swap Psychic Status 0000 00——% 10
7575 Psychic Terrain Psychic Status 0000 00——% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele

By TM/TR

Generation VIII
Other generations:
VII - IX
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM08
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM08 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5
TM09
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM09 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5
TM17
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM17 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 30
TM18
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM18 Reflect Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM19
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM19 Safeguard Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 25
TM21
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM23
Bag TM Dark SwSh Sprite.png
TM23 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25
TM24
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15
TM25
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM29
Bag TM Fairy SwSh Sprite.png
TM29 Charm Fairy Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TM34
Bag TM Fire SwSh Sprite.png
TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM39
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM59
Bag TM Dark SwSh Sprite.png
TM59 Fling Dark Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
TM60
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM60 Power Swap Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM61
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM61 Guard Swap Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM62
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM62 Speed Swap Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM69
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM69 Psycho Cut Psychic Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM71
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM71 Wonder Room Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM72
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM72 Magic Room Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM76
Bag TM Normal SwSh Sprite.png
TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
TM87
Bag TM Fairy SwSh Sprite.png
TM87 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 05050 100}}100% 10
TM91
Bag TM Psychic SwSh Sprite.png
TM91 Psychic Terrain Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR08
Bag TR Electric Sprite.png
TR08 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 100}}100% 15
TR09
Bag TR Electric Sprite.png
TR09 Thunder Electric Special 110110 070}}70% 10
TR11
Bag TR Psychic Sprite.png
TR11 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TR20
Bag TR Normal Sprite.png
TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR25
Bag TR Psychic Sprite.png
TR25 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100}}100% 10
TR26
Bag TR Normal Sprite.png
TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR27
Bag TR Normal Sprite.png
TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR33
Bag TR Ghost Sprite.png
TR33 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TR34
Bag TR Psychic Sprite.png
TR34 Future Sight Psychic Special 120120 100}}100% 10
TR37
Bag TR Dark Sprite.png
TR37 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TR40
Bag TR Psychic Sprite.png
TR40 Skill Swap Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TR46
Bag TR Steel Sprite.png
TR46 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000 00—}}—% 15
TR49
Bag TR Psychic Sprite.png
TR49 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TR64
Bag TR Fighting Sprite.png
TR64 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5
TR65
Bag TR Grass Sprite.png
TR65 Energy Ball Grass Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TR77
Bag TR Grass Sprite.png
TR77 Grass Knot Grass Special 0000 100}}100% 20
TR82
Bag TR Psychic Sprite.png
TR82 Stored Power Psychic Special 02020 100}}100% 10
TR83
Bag TR Psychic Sprite.png
TR83 Ally Switch Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 15
TR90
Bag TR Fairy Sprite.png
TR90 Play Rough Fairy Physical 09090 090}}90% 10
TR92
Bag TR Fairy Sprite.png
TR92 Dazzling Gleam Fairy Special 08080 100}}100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele

By breeding

Generation VIII
Other generations:
VII - IX
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Tapu Lele in Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Tapu Lele in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele

By tutoring

Generation VIII
Other generations:
VII - IX
 Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By transfer from another generation

Generation VIII
Other generations:
None
 Gen.   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
VII Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10
VII Confide Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
VII Double Team Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 15
VII Echoed Voice Normal Special 04040 100}}100% 15
VII Frustration × Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
VII Gravity Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
VII Hidden Power × Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15
VII Magic Coat Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 15
VII Nature Power Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
VII Psych Up Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
VII Psywave × Psychic Special 0000 100}}100% 15
VII Return × Normal Physical 0000 100}}100% 20
VII Swagger Normal Status 0000 085}}85% 15
VII Telekinesis × Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 15
VII Torment Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 15
VII Toxic Poison Status 0000 090}}90% 10
  • Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
  • A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele
  • × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield

Side game data

Pokémon Shuffle
None Shuffle.png
Psychic
None Shuffle.png Attack Power: 70 - 113 Raise Max Level.png 6

#758
Shuffle786.png

Stabilize++
Sometimes erases five of the foe's disruptions on the board.
Skill Swapper.png Swappable Skill(s): Typeless Combo


Pokémon Rumble Rush
Rush786Body.png Walking Speed: 1.5 seconds Base HP: 53
Base Attack: 83 Base Defense: 58 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon GO
GO786.png Base HP: 172 Base Attack: 259 Base Defense: 208
Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 20 km Evolution Requirement: N/A
Fast Attacks: Confusion, Astonish
Charged Attacks: Psyshock, Moonblast, Focus Blast, Future Sight, Nature's Madness*

Evolution data

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII
Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Spr 7s 786.png
Spr b 7s 786.png
Spr 7s 786.png
Spr b 7s 786.png
Spr 7s 786 s.png
Spr b 7s 786 s.png
Spr 7s 786 s.png
Spr b 7s 786 s.png
Front Back Front Back
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation
HOME
HOME0786.png HOME0786 s.png
786MS.png For other sprites and images, please see Tapu Lele images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


In animation

Main series

Major appearances

Tapu Lele (anime)

Tapu Lele debuted in Partner Promises!, where Ash encountered it along with Pikachu. It was seen floating over the ocean, and scattered its glowing scales on Ash to heal the wounds he got while rescuing a trapped Wimpod, after which it took off into the sky. After Ash returned to Professor Kukui's house, Rotom identified it as Tapu Lele. It made many further appearances throughout the rest of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.

Minor appearances

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
SM020 Tapu Lele Rotom Pokédex Tapu Lele, the Land Spirit Pokémon. A Psychic and Fairy type. Tapu Lele playfully flutters around while scattering its mysteriously glowing scales. It's said whoever touches its scales is instantly healed.

GOTCHA!

A Tapu Lele briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Tapu Lele in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Tapu Lele debuted in a fantasy in The Delivery of Rotom and the Girl. Olivia and her fellow kahunas noted that the guardian deities had been angered by something, as they were spotted by people at their respective islands despite usually being reclusive. Later, Tapu Lele physically debuted in True Identity and the Totem Pokémon of Brooklet Hill. It was seen flying above Lush Jungle, where it was attacked by a Xurkitree as it was emerging from an Ultra Wormhole. It reappeared in Unleashing the Incredible Z-Move, Play the Melody That Echoes in the Altar, and Summon the Emissaries of the Moon and the Sun; and in a flashback in An Urgent Task and the Capture of an Ultra Beast.

A Tapu Lele appeared in a fantasy in Pokémon Move Specialist Professor Kukui, Going Ashore and Neighboring Akala Island, and Homecoming and the Brilliant Professional Golfer.

In the TCG

Main article: Tapu Lele (TCG)

Trivia

Origin

Tapu Lele appears to be based on a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. When its mask is closed, it resembles a stylized butterfly head. Its overall design is also similar to a tiki statue. It may also be inspired by Kāne, one of the four major Hawaiian gods. Kāne is a creator god, bestowing life into the first human in Hawaiian mythology.

Name origin

Tapu Lele may be a combination of tapu (Hawaiian for sacred or holy) and pulelehua (Hawaiian for butterfly).

Kapu-Tetefu may be a combination of kapu (Hawaiian for sacred or holy) and てふてふ tefutefu (an old way of writing butterfly).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
Japan Flag.png Japanese カプ・テテフ Kapu-Tetefu From kapu and てふてふ tefutefu
France Flag.png French Tokopiyon From totem, tiki, and papillon
Spain Flag.png Spanish Tapu Lele Same as English name
Germany Flag.png German Kapu-Fala From kapu and Falter
Italy Flag.png Italian Tapu Lele Same as English name
South Korea Flag.png Korean 카푸나비나 Kapunabina From kapu and 나비 nabi
China and Taiwan Flags.png Mandarin Chinese 卡璞・蝶蝶 Kǎpú Diédié From kapu and dié
Hong Kong Flag.png Cantonese Chinese 卡璞・蝶蝶 Kāpok Dihpdihp From kapu and dihp


Related articles

References

External links

0785MS.png #0785: Tapu Koko
Pokémon
#0787: Tapu Bulu 0787MS.png
Project Pokédex logo.png This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.