Each new generation of Pokémon brings a slew of unique and bizarre monsters to be caught, trained, and battled. Since the original games and anime, fans have seen Pokémon that draw inspiration from a wide variety of themes. Some are as simple as real-life animals and mythological creatures, while others are based on more abstract ideas like technology, household items, or even music.
Music has been core to the Pokémon series since the beginning. While there is no designated type for sound-based Pokémon or moves, sound and music are set apart in some specific ways. A whole collection of Pokémon moves are defined as "sound-based," and these moves interact with Abilities like Soundproof, Liquid Voice, and Throat Chop to create a sort of pseudo Pokémon type. Whether they are beautiful singers or just like to make some noise, a ton of Pokémon are very closely tied to making music.
Updated December 7th, 2022, by Daniel Kurland: Pokémon is currently in the middle of a renaissance after the release of Generation IX's Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, which have added a whole batch of new creatures and concepts. Some audiences were hopeful that Generation IX would also introduce a new sound-based Pokémon type since so many Pokémon fit into this category. There are still no official "Sound-type" Pokémon, but there are still plenty of Pokémon with musical associations.
15 Kricketune Expresses Itself Through Emotional Music
Bug-Type
If this Pokémon's clever name isn't already a strong indication of Kricketune's association with music then audiences would likely figure it out after only spending a few moments with the Sinnoh region Bug-Type Pokémon. Like a real cricket, Kricketune's knife-like arms create beautiful music when they're rubbed together.
Not only is music a major strategy in Kricketune's arsenal, but the nature of the Pokémon's music reflects the creature's mood and feelings. Kricketune's battles in the anime typically involve the Pokémon creating at least one piece of music.
14 Ludicolo Loves To Break Out In Dizzying Dances
Water/Grass-Type
Ludicolo is an adorable Water/Grass-type Pokémon from the Hoenn region who's hard to hate because of its infinitely cheerful disposition. Ludicolo is the final form of Lotad and the result of exposing Lombre to a Water Stone.
This nonchalant Pokémon is helpless to a good rhythm and Ludicolo is at its best when it hears a catchy song and succumbs to dance. Music actively makes Ludicolo stronger, which is a rarity for Pokémon. In the anime, "Gotta Dance!" properly establishes just how much Ludicolo loves to boogie.
13 Altaria's Heavenly Hum Is One Of The Pokémon's Highlights
Dragon/Flying-Type
Altaria and its previous form, Swablu, make their debut in Generation III's Hoenn region, and this special Dragon/Flying-type Pokémon could get confused for a Legendary Bird under the right circumstances.
Altaria often doesn't get its due. However, the Humming Pokémon is true to its name and responsible for an angelic high-pitched song that it frequently releases. Altaria stays among the clouds, and it's typically been used in the anime for combat rather than concerts, but it's still shown off its natural musical abilities.
12 Audino's Extraordinary Ears Are The First To Detect Music
Normal-Type
Audino is a fetching Normal-Type Pokémon who first appears in the Unova region and is basically the perfect audience for any Pokémon concert. Audino's distinct ears don't create their own music, but they function like powerful stethoscopes that allow them to hear for miles.
This has led to Audino becoming a useful partner for Nurse Joy in the Unova region, as the Pokémon uses its talent to recognize ailments in Pokémon. Audino's aural abilities are too important to ignore, and it's possible that some sort of feedback loop between Audino could create its own sort of music.
11 Quaxwell's Limber Legs Can't Help But Dance To The Rhythm
Water-Type
The trio of Starter Pokémon from Generation IX's Scarlet & Violet have proven to be incredibly popular and the Water-type representation, Quaxly, has emerged as an early favorite. Quaxwell, Quaxly's first evolved form, begins to build upon the Pokémon's powerful legs and zest for dance.
Quaxwell doesn't generate music of his own, but his dance routines appear to be infectious and are likely to inspire other Pokémon to drop a beat. Curiously, Quaxwell's evolved form, Quaquaval, is a Water/Fighting-type, and its legs become better suited for combat than performance.
10 Noivern Is A Pokémon With Loudspeaker Ears
Flying/Dragon-Type
Noivern is one of many Pokémon that are based on bats, but its moves and overall design also incorporate sound. The top of Noivern's head is adorned with two large ears that are modeled after loudspeakers. Noivern's ears are capable of emitting ultrasonic waves that, according to Pokémon X's Pokédex entry, "can reduce a large boulder to pebbles."
In Episode 17 of Pokémon the Series: XYZ, "An Electrifying Rage!," Ash's newly evolved Noivern is able to hold its own against the legendary Zapdos by hitting it with its Boomburst attack. This move allows its user to unleash a powerful sound on its opponent, and Noivern is one of just a handful of singing Pokémon that can learn it.
9 Loudred Has A Powerful Voice
Normal-Type
Loudred's ears are designed to look like speakers and are capable of amplifying its already powerful voice. With its stomach muscles, Loudred is able to shout loudly, as its name implies. Loudred's shout can cause destruction and mayhem, and the Pokémon FireRed & LeafGreen Pokédex claims that these ultrasonic waves are so powerful that they "can blow apart a house."
In Season Six, Episode 23 of the Pokémon anime, "Gone Corphishin'," Jessie accidentally steps on a sleeping Loudred, which then angrily screeches so loudly that it sends Team Rocket blasting off. While it is not explicitly based on music, Loudred's overall design is very reminiscent of a boombox. It just happens to use its powers for destructive outbursts more often than music.
8 Jigglypuff Is A Pokémon Who Loves To Perform
Normal-Type
First introduced in Season One, Episode 45 of the Pokémon anime, "The Song of Jigglypuff," this singing Pokémon enjoys putting on a show. In its debut episode, the story revolves around how the adorable Jigglypuff wants nothing more than to perform its song for people without them falling asleep.
Unfortunately, Jigglypuff's innate ability to make anyone who hears its singing drowsy turns this into an impossible task. Since this initial appearance, Jigglypuff has become widely known within the fandom for its signature lullaby and its passion for singing. The trademark Kanto companion was one of the first Pokémon added to the Super Smash Bros. series, and its signature musical abilities are in full use there, too.
7 Primarina Has A Dominant Desire For Dance
Water/Fairy-Type
Like Jigglypuff, Primarina is another Pokémon that loves to perform. Known for its theatricality, Primarina uses its voice as a weapon against opponents. In Episode 123 of the Pokémon Sun & Moon anime, "A Fiery Training Camp Trick!," the talented trainer Lana and her Primarina pull off Oceanic Operetta, the upgraded Z-Move of its signature attack, Sparkling Aria.
In both cases, the Pokémon throws its head back and sings a song that generates a giant bubble overhead, which then bursts and sends smaller bubbles hurtling toward its foe. Primarina's Hidden Ability Liquid Voice turns any sound-based moves into Water-type moves, further underscoring its reliance on its beautiful voice both in and out of combat.
6 Maractus Keeps The Rhythm Alive Through Maraca Performances
Grass-Type
Maractus is designed first and foremost to look like a cactus, but the Grass-type Pokémon also has a secondary inspiration. When Maractus dances, it emits a sound like maracas. According to the Pokédex in Pokémon Black, Maractus uses this song and dance routine to scare off other Pokémon that might want to eat its seeds.
Maractus made its anime debut in Episode 53 of Pokémon Black & White, "A Maractus Musical!" In the wholesome episode, a trainer named Toby and a trio of Maractus prepare to enter the Pokémon Performance Competition. The three melodic Pokémon have trouble working together in sync but are eventually able to pull off the performance.
5 Children Love Chatot's Signature Showmanship
Normal/Flying-Type
One of the most obvious music Pokémon, Chatot resembles a parrot with an eighth note as its head and a metronome on its tail. Chatot has the unique ability to mimic human speech as well as the cries of other Pokémon.
In Chatot's anime debut in Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire, "Strategy Tomorrow — Comedy Tonight!," the Flying-type Pokémon doesn't hide its inherent musical talents. Chatot can't help but put on a touching performance for children at a local hospital. Alongside its trainer Ada, Chatot presents a rap and a comedy routine that the two have practiced to perfection.
4 Chimecho Can Heal The Wounded With Its Sound Waves
Psychic-Type
Chimecho, as its name teases, is designed to look like a wind chime. More specifically, Chimecho's long tail resembles the paper tag that decorates a "furin," a glass wind chime from Japan. This nocturnal Pokémon is able to emit powerful sound waves from its body, which can be devastating to its opponents. However, it can also use these same sound waves to heal, like Heal Bell.
Chimecho plays a small role in the anime's Hoenn storyline, but it still makes an impression. It's revealed that this Pokémon is actually one that James has pined for since his childhood. James is finally able to make his dream become a reality after he befriends a cute Chimecho in Fortree City.
3 Toxtricity Attacks With Its Electric Guitar
Electric/Poison-Type
Believe it or not, everything about Toxtricity is musical. It's also known as "The Punk Pokémon," which indicates both its preferred genre and its attitude. Toxtricity's Gigantamax form wields a giant guitar that's crafted from pure electricity, which becomes a powerful weapon that causes massive damage to the competition.
Toxtricity comes in two forms: the yellow Amped Form and the electric-blue Low Key Form, both of which reflect different aspects of being a punk rocker. Both Toxtricity forms made their anime debut in Episode 99 of Pokémon Journeys, appropriately titled, "Battling Turned Up to Eleven!"
2 Rillaboom Brings The Beat To The Battle
Grass-Type
The Generation VIII Grass-type starter Pokémon, Rillaboom, is the second starter in as many generations to have a musical theme. Rillaboom is known for carrying a stump-made drum on its back, which it pulls out in battle. This drum becomes even more powerful in its Gigantamax form, where Rillaboom uses the beat of its music to control the stump's roots and even attack its foes.
Rillaboom has made several appearances in the Pokémon anime, both as a battle participant and also as a bandmate. In Episode 115 of Pokémon Journeys, Leon uses a Gigantamax Rillaboom to great effect in his fight against Alain.
1 Meloetta Can Dance & Sing With The Best Of Them
Normal/Psychic-Type (Aria Forme); Normal/Fighting-Type (Pirouette Forme)
Meloetta is a Mythical Pokémon from the Unova region that's probably the most explicitly music-based Pokémon. Meloetta's hair resembles music bars, its arms resemble quarter notes, and it wears a headset to sing like a pop star. Meloetta's signature move, Relic Song, can be used to swap between its singing Aria Forme and its dancing Pirouette Forme, where Meloetta's hairstyle and color change from green to red.
In the anime, Meloetta has a major story arc that spans multiple episodes of the Pokémon Black & White series. After Ash saves Meloetta and befriends it in "An Epic Defense Force," he goes on to protect the Pokémon from Team Rocket's attempts to steal it.