The Pokemon franchise is the epitome of the creature-collecting genre. A pop culture superstar and the most profitable media property in history, what started as a late 90s fad became a source of communal bonds. “Evolution” is one of its most iconic elements, but is more akin to metamorphosis despite the name. Evolution is the process of changing a Pokemon’s appearance and updating its stats, learnable moves, and sometimes even its typing and abilities.
Evolution is often assumed to be a ubiquitous process in the Pokemon series. Usually, a Pokemon evolves by levelling up, but as new generations were released, more meticulous and inconvenient methods were introduced. This includes trading, being exposed to a specific stone, leveling up while knowing move, leveling up in a specific location, and having a strong relationship with its Trainer. All of these methods are among the many alternatives the series has come up with, and while their effectiveness is debatable, there is at least some dedication to variety among Pokemon's developers. However, there are many Pokemon that cannot evolve coming in different identifiable categories.
Regular Pokemon
Some Pokemon are regular creatures that currently stand on their own, with no pre-evolutions or evolved forms in sight. A few might have alternate forms, or even regional variants that get brand-new evolutions, but those are as far as they go.
- Kanto: Farfetch'd, Tauros, Lapras, and Ditto.
- Johto: Unown, Girafarig, Dunsparce, Qwilfish, Shuckle, Corsola, Delibird, Skarmory, Stantler, Smeargle, and Miltank.
- Hoenn: Plusle, Minun, Volbeat, Illumise, Torkoal, Spinda, Zangoose, Seviper, Lunatone, Solrock, Castform, Kecleon, Tropius, Relicanth, and Luvdisc.
- Sinnoh: Pachirisu, Chatot, Spiritomb, Carnivine, and Rotom.
- Unova: Throh, Sawk, Maractus, Sigilyph, Emolga, Basculin, Alomomola, Cryogonal, Stunfisk, Druddigon, Bouffalant, Heatmor, and Durant.
- Kalos: Furfrou, Hawlucha, Dedenne, Carbink, and Klefki.
- Alola: Oricorio, Wishiwashi, Comfey, Oranguru, Passimian, Pyukumuku, Minior, Komala, Turtonator, Togedemaru, Mimikyu, Bruxish, Drampa, and Dhelmise.
- Galar: Cramorant, Falinks, Pincurchin, Stonjourner, Eiscue, Indeedee, Morpeko, Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, Arctovish, and Duraludon.
Regular Pokemon with Mega Evolutions
There are also a number of Pokemon that spent most of the series’ lifespan on their own, without any evolutionary forms to depend on. Then, Pokemon X and Y introduced Mega Evolutions. While most Mega Evolutions were given to Pokemon that were already fully evolved and powerful, solo monsters are a big selection exceptions - even if a few of them are notably strong in their own right.
Despite what their collective name implies, Mega Evolutions are not actual evolved forms. Instead, they are one-time upgrades on existing Pokemon that can be used once per battle. Battle capacities change in various ways, as sometimes Mega Evolutions get a new type or a new ability, but for the most part they get drastic stat boosts. While some Legendary Pokemon got Mega Evolutions, Legendaries as a whole are in their own league even when it comes to non-evolving Pokemon.
- Kangaskhan
- Pinsir
- Aerodactyl
- Heracross
- Sableye
- Mawile
- Absol
- Audino
Legendary Pokemon (Including Mythicals and Ultra Beasts)
Legendary Pokemon are a well-known part of the Pokemon world. They are extremely rare creatures that usually cannot breed. Many are relegated to special encounters, tend to have a low catch rate, and usually cannot evolve. With the exceptions of Pokemon Sun and Moon’s Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Type: Null, and Silvally; as well as Sword and Shield’s Kubfu and Urshifu; Legendary Pokemon do not evolve into or from another monster. Even Legendary Pokemon that tend to be lumped together, such as the “Regis,” Mewtwo and Mew, Phione and Manaphy, and Latias and Latios, are simply counterparts to one another.
“Legendary” is a catch-all term that the franchise has deviated from in some situations over the years. This is the case with Mythical Pokemon, which are normally considered to be Legendaries but are usually acquired through real-life events or cheat codes. There is also the Ultra Beasts, a special collective of Pokemon in Sun and Moon that tend to be excluded from the label, but can be counted because their role is similar to that of regular Legendaries.
- Kanto: Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Mewtwo, and Mew.
- Johto: Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Lugia, Ho-Oh, and Celebi.
- Hoenn: Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Latias, Latios, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, and Deoxys.
- Sinnoh: Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Heatran, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Regigigas, Phione, Manaphy, Cresselia, Darkrai, Shaymin, and Arceus.
- Unova: Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Thundurus, Tornadus, Landorus, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Victini, Keldeo, Meloetta, and Genesect.
- Kalos: Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Diancie, Hoopa, and Volcanion.
- Alola: Necrozma, Magearna, Marshadow, Zeraora, Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Stakataka, and Blacephalon.
- Galar: Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus, Regieleki, Regidrago, Glastrier, Spectrier, and Calyrex.
The topic of Pokemon evolution remains an interesting one even after all these years. More Pokemon are getting some form of evolution, but the future of unevolved Pokemon remains unpredictable. Requests to get rid of options such as trade evolutions show that fans want evolved Pokemon to change mechanically in future games, but unevolved creatures should always stay consistent.