Zygarde

Species          Quote “When the Kalos region's ecosystem falls into disarray, it appears and reveals its secret power.” — Zygarde's Pokédex entry[src]     B Zygarde   [Edit]   [Talk]

Zygarde <sup>(JPJapanese: ジガルデ

Romaji: Jigarude)</sup> is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Dragon-type/Ground-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the sixth generation games, X and Y. In Pokémon Sun and Moon, it gained two new forms, 10% and Complete, with the original being renamed to 50% Forme, as well as a Cell mechanic to change between the forms. It is a member of the Aura trio with Xerneas and Yveltal. Zygarde will be featured prominently in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Physiology and Behaviour

Zygarde is a green and black Pokémon whose form depends on the percentage of Zygarde Cores and Zygarde Cells it has assembled. Zygarde is responsible for monitoring the ecosystem of the Pokémon world, having been referred to as a guardian of the ecosystem due to this role. It also is capable of reversing the effects of Xerneas's Fairy Aura and Yveltal's Dark Aura, thus ensuring the equilibrium of the planet and the cycle of life and death are kept in check. It has the ability to use its cell-like units as weapons, such as arrows or waves of energy. Normally, Zygarde avoids getting involved in conflicts unless the ecosystem is in grave danger. In the Pokémon Adventures manga and in the anime, it has been referred to as Z.

Zygarde Cells and Cores

Physically, a Zygarde Core and a Zygarde Cell are almost indistinguishable. Both are small, green cell-like blobs that resemble a planarian. Their body can be segmented into three sections: a large, round head, an abdomen with a colored hexagon, and a stubby tail. They have two eyes, though one is larger and has a pupil, and can stand on their tail (a trait most associated with the Core). The difference between a Core and a Cell is subtle: a Core has a black pupil and a red hexagon on its abdomen, while these are both green on a Cell.

Zygarde Cores have wills of their own, while Cells do not, acting only in accordance to a Core's orders. In any form of Zygarde, the Cores act as brains. The Cells exist in much greater numbers than the Cores and tend to be scattered around the world. On their own, Cores and Cells do not have power to battle and need to be assembled in order to take action. A Zygarde may contain up to five Cores.

In the anime, Zygarde Cores and Zygarde Cells have the ability to turn invisible. Moreover, it revealed that a Core is able to watch over the ecosystem through the eyes of a Cell, can communicate telepathically with other Cores, and does not need to eat, instead absorbing sunlight for sustenance. Cells can actually have a will of their own like a Cores.

50% Form

Zygarde 50% Forme has a serpentine body with green and black markings. Most of its back, head, and neck are black, while the underbelly and the tip of its tail are green. Its eyes are made of four green hexagons, similar to an insect with compound eyes, and there is a thin, white line down the center of its face. Across the back of its neck is a large frill made of five long, flat protrusions that each have two small, green hexagons on them. There are three short tendrils on either side of its chest; they are black on the right and green on the left. Its tail also ends in five tendrils. It has many small, green hexagon markings on its body capable of glowing.

Zygarde 50% Forme is assembled from half of its Cores and Cells reuniting. Despite being at only half of its possible total, its power is capable of overwhelming anyone who stands in its way. The 50% Forme is known to be both ruthless and merciless. Should the region's ecosystem fall into disarray, it will appear and reveal its power. This power is Zygarde changing into the powerful Complete Forme. Zygarde can summon and control massive roots, which it can use to attack and cover areas. It is shown to affect the weather by changing the sky to the color red.

10% Form

Zygarde 10% Forme has a relatively small canine body. It is primarily black with a green collar and a leash-like extension on its neck. Additional green markings include two hexagon markings on its chest, a small hexagon over each eye, the area around its mouth, and its front left paw. There is an elongated, red hexagon marking attached to the collar marking. Its eyes are white hexagons with no discernible pupils and there is a thin, white line on its forehead. On each of its legs are hexagonal extensions: two on the back of each elbow, one behind each knee, and two on each hip. One of the hip extensions is longer than the other on each hip. Zygarde 10% Forme also has razor-sharp teeth.

Zygarde 10% Forme is created when a single Zygarde Core combines with only a tenth of the total Cells. It is skilled at close range combat, overwhelming its opponents with its sharp fangs. It is also capable of running at speeds greater than 60 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour). Since it has just one Core, it is able to act separately from Zygarde's 50% Forme, which comprises its main body, for a only short time before separating. The 10% Forme is assumed in cases of emergency.

Complete Forme

Zygarde Complete Form is a large humanoid Pokémon. There are several flat protrusions around its head and triangular protrusions around its neck. These protrusions create a crown shape. On its face are three white hexagonal marks: one in the middle of its forehead with a line through it and two that act as eyes. There are an additional five green hexagons on its face: four along the bottom and one in the middle of a short protrusion on top. Each shoulder has two serpentine wings protruding from it. The wings all have an undulating pattern and a hexagon near the tip: blue on the right side and red on the left. There are multiple white protrusions on its body: three on each hand acting as claws, one on each knee, and one and the front of each foot. Additionally, there are green hexagons surrounding its wrists and two under the white protrusions on its knees and feet. Its abdomen has a vertical, hexagonal pattern with a thin, white line on either side. Across its chest is a thin, zigzagging opening that when opened, reveals five hexagons colored red, orange, white, cyan, and blue, respectively. It has a long tail similar to Zygarde 50% Forme's body.

Zygarde Complete Forme is created when 100% of its Cells and Cores are gathered. It is said to be Zygarde's perfected form and is specialized for battle, allowing it to fight at full power and complete its duty of protecting the Pokémon ecosystem. Zygarde Complete Forme contains separate Cores for each of its wings and its tail. In this case, each Core can make decisions and act independently of the others. Zygarde is shown to be capable of using the mouths of its tail and wings to attack with energy beams, propel itself, as well as restoring an unbalanced ecosystem back to normal. The multicolored "mouth" on its chest can radiate enough energy to destroy everything around it, even firing energy beams from within it. This form only appears to neutralize huge threats to the ecosystem. The Complete Forme is powerful enough to overwhelm even Xerneas and Yveltal.

Appearances

Main Pokémon games

In Pokémon X and Y, Zygarde 50% Forme appears in Terminus Cave after becoming Champion.

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, ninety-five Zygarde Cells and five Zygarde Cores are scattered throughout Alola. If brought to the Aether Foundation lab on Alola Route 16, depending on how many Cells the player has, Zygarde 10% Forme with Aura Break, 50% Forme with Aura Break, or 50% Forme with Power Construct are available.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, a 50% Forme Zygarde can be found in Resolution Cave after becoming Champion. After catching Zygarde, a different Zygarde can be obtained from Dexio after battling him in the Aether Foundation lab on Alola Route 16, obtaining the Zygarde Cube.

Zygarde will be featured prominently in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.

Other Pokémon games

Super Smash Bros. series

Zygarde appears as a Spirit, in both 50% and Complete forms, in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Trophy descriptions

In the anime

Zygarde played an important role in the 19th season of the Pokémon anime.

A Shiny 10% Forme Zygarde appeared in Pokémon Horizons: The Series, under the ownership of Gibeon. In HZ075, Zygarde was shown to be in its 50% Forme 100 years ago, however, after sacrificing 40% of its cells in an attempt to seal away Laquium, it was forced to stay in its 10% Forme. As of HZ087, it has reunited with these Cells and restored its 50% Forme. In the following episode, it battled against Rising Volt Tacklers and Amethio, but when it approved the group's strength, it forfeited the battle, disassembling into Cells and sadly abandoning Gibeon.

A Complete Forme Zygarde appeared in Pokémon Generations, where Red and his Pikachu encountered it at the end of Terminus Cave.

Origin and inspiration

Zygarde's 10%, 50%, and Complete Formes may be inspired in part by the three children of Loki and Angrboða: Fenrir (10%), Jörmungandr (50%), and Hel (Complete).

Zygarde 50% Forme's appearance is based on a serpent in the shape of the letter Z. It may also draw inspiration from Jörmungandr, a sea serpent that encircles the earth; and Níðhöggr, a dragon that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree. Its flat shape and wriggling movement may be inspired by the tsuchinoko, a Japanese cryptid, and its snakelike appearance may be inspired by nāga, a class of snake entities in South and Southeast Asian cultures.

Zygarde 10% Forme may be based on the wolf Fenrir. The green leash-like object around its neck could be based on Gleipnir, the rope that binds Fenrir. Its left front paw has a different color from the others, being green instead of black, which is possibly a reference to Fenrir biting off the god Týr's right hand in reprisal for being bound by him. This Forme could also draw inspiration from Garmr, the watchdog that guards Helheim's gate. In appearance, it resembles a Doberman Pinscher.

Zygarde Complete Forme may be based on Hel, the ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead in Nordic myth. The colors on its Complete Forme's chest match the colors of the real-world flag of France, the country which inspired the region of Kalos. These colors also match the colors of Xerneas and Yveltal. Design-wise, it resembles a humanoid giant mecha despite its organic basis; its light-up technological appearance, "transforming"/"combining" gimmick, and the face-like pattern on its chest are all tropes commonly used for fictional mecha.

Zygarde Cells and Zygarde Cores may be based on cells as well as flatworms (specifically planaria) and single-celled organisms such as slime molds and members of Euglena. Some planarians' ocelli also resemble eyes, which may have inspired the designs for the Cell and Core Zygarde. The hexagons within them may represent a cell nucleus.

In-game information

Pokédex entries

10% Forme

Complete Forme

Game locations

Form Change

Zygarde	Use Zygarde Cube with 50 or more Cells*	Zygarde 50% Form

Zygarde	Have less than 50% of HP with Ability Power Construct	Zygarde Complete Form

Base Stats

50% Forme

Base Stats
HP	108
Attack	100
Defense	121
Sp. Attack	81
Sp. Defense	95
Speed	95
Total	600

10% Forme

Base Stats
HP	54
Attack	100
Defense	71
Sp. Attack	61
Sp. Defense	85
Speed	115
Total	486

Complete Forme

Base Stats
HP	216
Attack	100
Defense	121
Sp. Attack	91
Sp. Defense	95
Speed	85
Total	708

Moveset

Main article: Zygarde/moveset

Gallery

Main article: Zygarde/gallery

Renders

Renders
X Y File:PKMNXY718-S.png Sword Shield File:PKMNSS718-S.png

10%

Renders
Sun Moon File:PKMNSM718-10-S.png Sword Shield File:PKMNSS718-10-S.png

Complete

Renders
Sun Moon File:PKMNSM718-C-S.png Sword Shield File:PKMNSS718-C-S.png

Trivia

• Zygarde is currently the last Pokémon in alphabetical order.
• Zygarde Complete Forme is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 708.
• Zygarde Complete Forme has the highest base HP stat of all Ground-type Pokémon.
• Zygarde Complete Forme was the first in-battle transformation that changes the base HP of the user in question and the only one prior to the introduction of Dynamax.
  • Consequently, Zygarde is also the only Pokémon that can have its HP increased without Dynamaxing.
• Zygarde is the only Pokémon that has two standard Abilities but does not have a Hidden Ability.
• All of Zygarde's forms, even the Zygarde Core, possess at least one red hexagon in their design except 50% Zygarde.