Gen II saw the introduction of breeding and, naturally, baby Pokémon. There are quite a few Pokémon who retroactively got pre-evolutions to fill out their evolution families in Gen II, and over the next few generations, more pre-evolutions were added to families that had room for another.
The addition of baby Pokémon meant that there now existed Pokémon that evolved into those introduced in a previous generation. Owing to their small size and cuteness, baby Pokémon are often the most popular forms in evolution families, and they have been featured frequently in the anime since their introduction.
10 Mr. Mime Welcomed Mime Jr. To The World In Gen IV
Mime Jr. didn't come along until Gen IV. The baby form of Mr. Mime had its anime debut in "Sweet Baby James," episode 147 of the Ruby & Sapphire series, when James teamed up with Ash of all people to stop Jessie and Meowth from stealing Mime Jr. and Munchlax from a kindly old couple. Its Pokédex entries say it mimics the expressions and motions of those it sees to understand the feelings of others.
9 The Jigglypuff Family Got Even Cuter When Igglybuff Was Brought Into The World In Gen II
One may have thought that it couldn't get much cuter and smaller than Jigglypuff, but Igglybuff — although slightly creepy-looking — just about managed it. Its first appearance in the anime series was in "Same Old Song And Dance," in which twin Igglybuffs acted as assistants to singer and dancer Brittany. Team Rocket attempted to kidnap the twins, nicknamed Gigglybiff and Gigglybuff, only to be sent flying by Jigglypuff. Introduced in Gen II, Igglybuff's Pokédex entries state that if it starts to roll, it will bounce all over the place and be impossible to stop.
8 Wynaut Arrived A Generation After Wobbuffet In Gen III
Wynaut came along in Gen III as the baby form of Wobbuffet. Its anime debut was in "Fangs for Nothin'," episode 252 of the series, when it began to follow Team Rocket. Wynaut is the only baby Pokémon that can be found in the wild in the Gen III games, while in the Gen IV games, it's the only Pokémon that can't be found in the wild. Wynaut travels in herds and likes to eat sweet fruit.
7 The Sudowoodo Family Turned Over A New Leaf With The Arrival Of Bonsly In Gen IV
Bonsly made its anime debut in "From Cradle to Save," episode 156 of the Ruby & Sapphire series. After being blamed by some students for strange robberies, Brock proved Bonsly's innocence and ended up catching it.
The baby Bonsai Pokémon, introduced in Gen IV, evolves into Sudowoodo when it levels up while knowing the move Mimic. Its Pokédex entries say that Bonsly leaks water that looks like tears when adjusting its moisture level.
6 Gen II Saw Hitmonlee & Hitmonchan Get Tyrogue
Tyrogue was introduced in Gen II as a pre-evolution for Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Hitmontop who was also introduced in Gen II. It has a unique evolution system that sees it evolve into three different, previously unrelated Pokémon depending on its stats. If its Attack is higher than its Defense, it evolves into Himonlee; if it's the opposite, it evolves into Hitmonchan; and if its Attack and Defense are the same, it evolves into Hitmontop. It's also the only baby Pokémon whose base stats are all equal.
5 Happiny Made Chansey Happy In Gen IV
The adorable Normal-type Happiny was introduced in Gen IV and made its anime debut in "One Big Happiny Family!," the 38th episode of the Diamond & Pearl series, when it hatched from Brock's egg. Happiny has the lowest Attack and Defense of all Pokémon along with Chansey, at 5, and it has the lowest Special Attack of all Normal-type Pokémon. It carries a round white stone in its pouch that it gives to friends, and if it's taken away, it will throw a tantrum.
4 Azurill Came Along In Gen III To Complete The Marill Family
Azurill was introduced in Gen III and debuted in "A Ruin with a View," when May tried and failed to catch one. In "The Scheme Team," it was revealed that Misty acquired an Azurill that hatched from an egg given to her by Tracey.
The baby Polka Dot Pokémon sits on its tail, which can be spun around like a lasso. Azurill evolves into Marill when leveled up with high friendship, and it has the lowest base stat total of all baby Pokémon.
3 Snorlax Had To Wait 3 Generations For Munchlax
It wasn't until Gen IV that Munchlax was introduced, which evolves into Snorlax when leveled up with high friendship. Munchlax made its anime debut in "Berry, Berry Interesting," the 117th episode of the Ruby & Sapphire series, in which it tried to eat a Poké ball thrown at it by May, who ended up catching it. According to its Pokédex entries, The Big Eater Pokémon needs to consume its own weight in food every day.
2 Mantine's Pre-Evolved Form Mantyke Was A Gen IV Baby
Mantyke made its anime debut in "Pikachu's Ocean Adventure" and its main series debut in the first episode of the Diamond & Pearl series, "Following A Maiden's Voyage!" Mantyke evolves into Mantine when Remoraid — the Pokémon that attaches itself to Mantyke and Mantine — is in the party. Mantyke is the only Pokémon that evolves when a specific Pokémon is in the party. The baby Kite Pokémon has the highest base Special Defense of all baby and unevolved Pokémon, with 120.
1 The Popular Pichu Joined The Pikachu Family In Gen II
Pichu is the baby form of Pikachu, and there's arguably no baby Pokémon that's more popular. Pichu was introduced in Gen II and made its debut in the anime series in episode 179, "The Apple Corp!," which saw a group of Pichu stealing apples from an orchard. Pichu has the lowest base stat total of all Electric-type Pokémon, and its Pokédex entries allude to the fact that it may send out a jolt if amused or startled.