Highlights
- Pokemon like Chimecho, Altaria, and Ludicolo showcase their musical abilities and add a unique element to the Pokemon universe.
- Each of these Pokemon is inspired by different forms of music or musical instruments, reflecting their appearance, moves, and interactions.
- From the soothing melodies of Chimecho to the energizing dance moves of Ludicolo, these musically-gifted Pokemon bring joy and entertainment to their trainers.
Aside from their prowess on the battlefield, Pokemon have a variety of special talents, with some even favoring the musical sphere. In the Pokemon universe, Pokemon are involved in every aspect of day-to-day life, with some providing entertainment with their melodies.
Pokemon like Obstagoon, Rillaboom, and Toxtricity showcase their musical abilities on and off the battlefield by performing in a Pokemon band, whereas Pokemon like Jigglypuff use their singing to put people to sleep. Whatever the case might be, with these Pokemon on your team, there will always be a song to sing to keep you in high spirits on your Pokemon journey.
Updated August 8, 2023 by Casey Foot: With hundreds of Pokemon, the designers have taken inspiration from a range of places, including real-world animals, world mythology, and simple everyday life being but a few examples. With music having an integral role in Pokemon, it’s no surprise that a selection of Pokemon are inspired by different instruments or types of music with the way that they interact with the world, their appearance, or the different moves that they can learn showing their musical roots. We’ve updated this list to include even more musically-gifted Pokemon.
12 Chiming In: Chimecho
The Psychic-type Pokemon Chimecho is known as the Wind Chime Pokemon on account of its appearance that resembles a Japanese wind chime. It has a round head similar to the bell part of a wind chime, as well as a tail that sways in the wind.
Wind chimes are known for the gentle melody they create, and Chimecho produces similar sounds too. According to multiple of its Pokedex entries, Chimecho either uses its “sucker” to hang onto trees or ride on the wind, generating “ultrasonic cries” as it does so. Although its cries can take down other Pokemon, they’re also described as “beautiful notes” akin to its real-world inspiration, albeit more dangerous.
11 Beautiful Birdsong: Altaria
The Dragon and Flying-type Pokemon Altaria is known for its beautiful voice, which earned it the category of Humming Pokemon in the Pokedex. True to its majestic appearance, Altaria’s singing voice charms anyone who hears it, with it being described as having a “beautiful soprano voice” in multiple games.
Its humming is so appealing that it “makes its listeners experience dreamy wonderment.” Although its singing is loved by many, it can also be wielded in battle, with Altaria being able to learn moves such as Disarming Voice and the devastating Perish Song. Altaria’s close connection with humming is most likely drawing inspiration from real-life songbirds and hummingbirds that similarly evoke awe in their listeners.
10 Dancing The Blues Away: Ludicolo
The kappa-inspired Pokemon Ludicolo has a carefree disposition that extends to its musical sensibilities. Ludicolo’s appearance resembles a mariachi performer, as the lily pad on its head looks like a sombrero, and its fur is similar to a poncho.
Ludicolo is definitely the life of any party that it attends, as its Pokedex entries say that “if it hears festive music," it’ll break out into dance. Not only is this a fun quirk, but it also has the energizing effect of making Ludicolo perform better in battle.
9 Rocking Out: Obstagoon
The Dark and Normal-type Pokemon Obstagoon has a voice that can cause its opponent to flinch, as stated in its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Shield. However, its voice has other, more musical purposes, too - the Gym Leader of Spikemouth, Piers, has an Obstagoon as his Pokemon partner. Aside from being a Gym Leader, Piers is a singer, and can be seen in Pokemon Sword and Shield putting on a show.
In a similar vein, Obstagoon’s roots can be traced to the musical world, specifically Gene Simmons from the band Kiss, as Obstagoon’s facial markings bear a striking resemblance to Simmons' signature make-up look. An Obstagoon is even part of a Pokemon band called the Maximizers that’s popular in the Galar region, alongside Rillaboom and both an Amped and Low Key Toxtricity.
8 Sing You To Sleep: Jigglypuff
The original Pokemon songstress, Jigglypuff is an adorable pink Pokemon that can use its singing abilities in battle to put the opposition to sleep, giving it an opening to attack.
Jigglypuff’s moniker, the Balloon Pokemon, directly correlates to its ability to produce sleep-inducing lullabies, as, according to Pokemon Sun, Jigglypuff can inflate its stomach to produce hypnotic melodies. If people in the Pokemon world have trouble falling asleep, they can even purchase recordings of Jigglypuff’s lullabies. Not every Jigglypuff sounds alike, though, as Pokemon Ultra Moon says that the voice of Jigglypuff can vary depending on the region it's from.
7 The Chatterbox: Chatot
Chatot’s musical affinities aren’t a secret, as its entire appearance is centered around a musical note, with its head resembling an eighth note and its tail a metronome pointer. Similar to its real-world counterpart, the parakeet, Chatot is able to imitate human speech.
It’s the only Pokemon able to learn the move Chatter, a move that uses sound waves to attack and potentially confuse its opponent. With Chatot’s ability to mimic human speech, it would have no problem attempting to make its own music by singing.
6 Delelelewoop: Kricketune
The Bug-type Pokemon Kricketune is most well-known for its infamous cry, which, according to various Pokedex entries, it can use to convey its emotions. Kricketune’s musical sensibilities don’t stop at its cry, though, as its appearance is similar to an instrument, with a string-like pattern going down its round body.
Kricketune also has the characteristics of a conductor, as its black wings resemble the coattails at the end of a suit jacket, and its mustache gives it a dignified appearance. Its blade-like limbs would certainly make it easy for it to conduct an orchestra of musical Pokemon.
5 Singer Of The Sea: Primarina
In folklore, mermaids and sirens are known for their singing abilities, and Primarina lives up to its aquatic inspiration. Known as the Soloist Pokemon, Primarina can “control its water balloons” using sonic waves, according to its Pokedex entry in Pokemon Sword.
It’s said that Primarina’s singing voice is beautiful, and with such an elegant design, it’s easy to picture Primarina singing on top of a rock in the ocean à la The Little Mermaid. However, Primarina’s voice is also its main weapon in battle, as it can use it to mesmerize its opponents and take them down when they’re vulnerable.
4 Skilled Drummer: Rillaboom
Rillaboom is the final evolution of the Grass-type starter Pokemon Grookey. Similar to Grookey and Thwacky, Rillaboom is a talented drummer, and it uses its special tree stump as a drum set to produce harmonies. In Pokemon Shield, it’s said that the Rillaboom with the best drumming techniques is chosen to become the leader of the group, showing how important drumming is to this Pokemon species.
In its Gigantamax form, Rillaboom’s tree stump drum set grows, making it resemble a forest. If Rillaboom were to put on a performance in its Gigantamax state, it would definitely be heard throughout the entire Galar region.
3 Punk Rocker: Toxtricity
The Generation Eight Pokemon Toxtricity is inspired by punk subcultures, with a mohawk made of electricity and spikes on its wrists that look like bracelets. Toxtricity has an Amped and Low Key Form, with its previous evolution, Toxel, evolving into either form at level 30 depending on its nature.
Amped Form Toxtricity’s Pokedex entry says it can imitate guitar-like sounds by strumming at the protrusions on its chest, generating electricity it uses in battle. In its Gigantamax form, Toxtricity Amped and Low Key forms merge together, with it being able to produce an electric guitar shaped like a lightning bolt. During some moves, it smashes it on the ground, much like how punk rock performers do in their shows.
2 Desert Tunes: Maractus
True to its name, this Pokemon is a combination of maracas and a cactus. The maraca-like noise Maractus generates isn’t purely for musical purposes, as it uses it to scare away bird Pokemon that prey on its seeds. It’s a true multitasker, putting on a performance while it protects itself from predators.
Maractus fills Unova’s Desert Resort with the sounds of its musical tones, permeating the air and cutting through the silence of the barren wasteland. This Pokemon might have a prickly exterior, but it’s always down for a party.
1 Born Performer: Meloetta
Debuting in Generation Five, Meloetta is known as the Melody Pokemon and was encountered in Unova at Castelia City during an event. Meloetta’s appearance reflects its musical inspiration, as it has humanoid characteristics reminiscent of a performer, with a built-in microphone headset on the side of its head.
Both in its Aria Forme and Pirouette Forme, its hair resembles a sheet of music, and its hands and arms look like music notes. Meloetta’s singing has a special quality, as it “can control the feelings of those who hear it,” according to Pokemon Black.