In Galar, Zigzagoon has a dual-type Dark/Normalregional form. It evolves into Galarian Linoone starting at level 20, which evolves into Obstagoon when leveled up starting at level 35 during the night. Hoennian Linoone is not known to evolve into any other Pokémon.
Zigzagoon is a raccoon dog-like, quadrupedal Pokémon with bristly, zigzag-patterned fur. It has stripes formed by alternating layers of cream and brown fur. It has a brown head with spiky ears and a black nose. A black mask-like pattern surrounds its brown eyes. The upper half of its mouth is jagged, and when it is open, there are two pointed teeth in its lower jaw. Its feet have three claws and pink paw pads. Its fore feet are cream-colored, but the hind feet are brown. Its brush tail is spiky and bristly.
Zigzagoon is abundantly curious, as it wanders restlessly back and forth while rubbing its nose to the ground in search of something. It always moves in a zigzag fashion, and leaves behind distinct zigzag footprints as it runs. It rubs its bristly back hair against trees to mark its territory and plays dead to fool opponents in battle. The Zigzagoon found outside of Galar are friendlier and calmer compared to their Galarian relatives. Zigzagoon are capable of finding items in the grass or ground, including items that were lost. It is found commonly in grassy fields.
Zigzagoon native to Galar generally look similar to its Hoennian counterpart with a few differences, most notably its black-and-white fur. Its red eyes are surrounded by a black spiked mask-like pattern somewhat resembling stars. Its fore feet are black with white claws, while its hind feet are white with black claws. It has a long pink tongue that is constantly hanging outside of its mouth, between its lower teeth. This Galarian form of Zigzagoon is believed to be the earliest, and thus the original, instance of the species.
Much like the Zigzagoon found outside of Galar, Galarian Zigzagoon are known to be constantly on the move and never settling down. It is believed that Galarian Zigzagoon's restless temperament is what originated the zigzag movements observed on both forms of the species. Their known habitat stretches the entirety of Galar, being found in fields, forests, and towns. They enjoy battling to the point where they often attempt to provoke others into fighting them. While this succeeded with other Pokémon, humans instead tend to mistake it as wanting affection, much to the Zigzagoon's frustrations.[1]
In Goodbye, Friend!, two Zigzagoon attempted to steal Ash's backpack, only to be warded off by Goh's Raboot. Raboot later visited them and their leader Lombre to give them some apples, after which they befriended Raboot.
In Zoroark: Master of Illusions, multiple Zigzagoon were living in Crown City. Two Zigzagoon worked with several other Pokémon in surrounding Zorua in the park in order to attack him as retribution for what Zoroark did to the city. Before a fight broke out, the Zigzagoon, along with the other Pokémon, were calmed down by Celebi.
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Zigzagoon sits to the left of the Sapphire Field and will change its position when the ball hits the button in front of it. When Zigzagoon is positioned to pounce, it will immediately stop the slot machine when the A button is pressed, allowing for the prize to be chosen by the player.
Pokémon Emerald: At the beginning of the game, a wild Zigzagoon attacks Professor Birch. The player must use their starter Pokémon to defeat it.
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III.
Zigzagoon restlessly wanders everywhere at all times. This Pokémon does so because it is very curious. It becomes interested in anything that it happens to see.
The hair on Zigzagoon's back is bristly. It rubs the hard back hair against trees to leave its territorial markings. This Pokémon may play dead to fool foes in battle.
Rubbing its nose against the ground, it always wanders about back and forth in search of something. It is distinguished by the zigzag footprints it leaves.
Zigzagoon restlessly wanders everywhere at all times. This Pokémon does so because it is very curious. It becomes interested in anything that it happens to see.
The hair on Zigzagoon's back is bristly. It rubs the hard back hair against trees to leave its territorial markings. This Pokémon may play dead to fool foes in battle.
Zigzagoon's appearance and brown coloration are inspired by the Japanese badger[5] with its fur making a zigzag pattern. Additionally, Zigzagoon's English and Japanese categories suggest it is based on a raccoon or the Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus), also known as tanuki. The word tanuki is used for both badgers and raccoon dogs in Japan, depending on the region. This may be the inspiration behind its mixture of traits, having similarities to both species. Japanese folklore and legend claim that tanuki are tricksters, masters of disguise, and capable of shapeshifting, though also absent-minded and gullible. While Zigzagoon doesn't possess these traits, tanuki are also known for drumming on their bellies with their front paws similar to how Zigzagoon has been known to do. Zigzagoon's body shape and appearance are also similar to certain small dog breeds such as Pekingese and Wheaten Terriers.
Galarian Zigzagoon takes inspiration from the European badger, which has a black-and-white color scheme unlike its Japanese relative.[5] Taking its evolved form Obstagoon under consideration, Galarian Zigzagoon's color scheme, pointed tongue, and star marking around its eyes may also be inspired by Glam rock bands.
Zigzagoon's evolutionary line shares a common theme of movement where Zigzagoon moves in a zigzag pattern, Linoone moves in a straight line, and Obstagoon blocks the way by obstructing it.
Name origin
Zigzagoon may be a combination of zigzag (referring to its fur pattern and unusual habits) and raccoon.
Jiguzaguma may be a combination of zigzag and アライグマ araiguma (raccoon) or 穴熊 anaguma (badger). Guma (from 熊 kuma, "bear") as a suffix is often used for mammals that resemble bears.
Oran Berry (5%)
Potion (50%)
Revive (5%)
Liechi Berry (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Zigzagoon images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
