In most cases, when a Pokémon evolves, it gets larger and its appearance changes in one way or another, including changing color. There may be a practical or scientific reason for certain Pokémon to change color when they evolve, or it could just be a matter of aesthetics.
Whatever the case, those that do change color upon evolution are at turns eye-catching, mysterious, and points of contention among fans. There even exists families that have a number of color changes, a Pokémon that changes color to reflect its change in personality, and one that can change into several different colors.
10 The Reason For Vulpix's Change From Brown To Ninetales's White-Gold Is Rooted In Japanese Folklore
Vulpix's pelt goes from red-brown to golden-white when it evolves into Ninetales. While the Vulpix is based on a traditional red fox, Ninetales takes it in a more spiritual direction, being based on the 'kyubi no kitsune', or 'nine-tailed fox', which gains a tail for each century of living, and whose fur turns white-gold after it has lived for 1,000 years. Vulpix evolves into Ninetales when exposed to a Fire Stone.
9 Staryu's Change From Brown To Starmie's Purple Is Necessary
The reason why Staryu goes from being a golden-brown color to purple is fairly obvious: the two designs would just be too similar for fans to be able to tell them apart otherwise. Staryu goes from being a five-pointed starfish to a ten-pointed one; Starmie is basically two Staryu stuck together. The gem at Staryu's center and the gold casing around it remain the same color, the gem growing slightly larger when it evolves into Starmie.
8 Poliwhirl Gets Rid Of The Blues In Exchange For Green With Politoad
Depending on the method, Poliwhirl can either evolve into Poliwrath or Politoad. When exposed to a Water Stone, it evolves into Poliwrath, which is blue like both of its pre-evolutionary forms. But if it's traded while holding a King's Rock, the Tadpole Pokémon evolves into Politoad, which is green and without boxing gloves. If not for the swirl on its belly, it might be difficult to tell that it's even part of the Poliwag family.
7 The Famous Pikachu Yellow Turns Orange With Raichu
The yellow of Pikachu that's synonymous with the Pokémon franchise turns to dark orange when it evolves into Raichu. Gone are Pikachu's red cheeks, replaced by yellow, while brown fur covers Raichu's hands, feet, and ears, and it has a white belly.
The only parts of the Mouse Pokémon's body that remain the same color are the eyes and nose. Raichu is the final form of Pichu, and there is an Alolan variant that's similar in color to the fully evolved Pokémon.
6 There Might Be A Reason Why Dragonair Goes From Blue To Dragonite's Orange
Dragonair undergoes a dramatic color change when it goes from blue to orange when evolving into Dragonite. A possible explanation for this is that Dragonite spends more time in the air than Dragonair, so to make it stand out against the blue sky, its color was changed to orange. Not only does Dragonair change color when it evolves into Dragonite, but the two don't particularly look like they belong in the same evolutionary family. A slender blue Pokémon becomes a hefty orange one with wings.
5 Yellow-Bellied Psyduck Changes Into A Bold Blue Golduck
Psyduck goes from yellow to blue when it evolves into Golduck. It also undergoes a change in demeanor, going from spaced-out and vacant-looking thanks to its constant headache, to the more composed-looking Golduck, which also gets a red gem set in its forehead. Psyduck's tuft of black hair is replaced by blue spikes, and the Duck Pokémon also becomes a very proficient swimmer when it evolves, with Golduck even able to outswim gold medalists.
4 The Hoppip Family Has 3 Different-Colored Pokémon
There are three different colors in the Hoppip evolution family. Hoppip, which is pink with green leaves, evolves into Skiploom, which has a green body with a yellow bloom on its head, and Skiploom evolves into Jumpluff, which is blue with three cream-colored cotton spores attached to its body. Except for their similar size, each of the Pokémon in the family don't look as if they're closely related and could belong to other families entirely.
3 Remoraid Goes From A Blue Handgun To A Red War Machine In Octillery
Not only does Remoraid change color when it evolves, but it also changes species. It goes from a light-blue-colored fish to a red octopus. While the two don't look at all related, they are actually linked in a certain way.
Remoraid is based on a revolver, its blue stripes representing the barrel of a gun, and fins in the position of a trigger and sight, while Octillery is based on a tank or howitzer. This still doesn't explain the color change, however.
2 Scyther Changes Color And Type When It Evolves Into Scizor
One of the most prominent color changes between evolutions is Scyther's green giving way to Scizor's red. Not only does the Pokémon change color, but it also goes from being a Bug/Flying-Type to a Bug/Steel-Type. It evolves as a result of being traded while holding a Metal Coat and is the only Pokémon to not have its base stat total (500) changed when it evolves, although Scyther trades its Speed for increased Attack and Defense with Scizor.
1 Eevee Can Change Into 8 Different-Colored Pokémon
The brown-colored Eevee is by far the most versatile first form, able to evolve into eight different Pokémon, changing color as well as Type in the process. Vaporeon is blue, Jolteon yellow, Flareon reddish-orange, Espeon lilac, Umbreon black, Leafeon tan and green, Glaceon light-blue, and Sylveon pink and cream-colored.
Which Pokémon Eevee evolves into depends on the method used. It could level up with high friendship at a specific time of day, as is the case with Espeon and Umbreon, or when exposed to a certain Stone, as with Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon.