Manaphy - Shaymin

Shaymin

Shaymin (シェイミ, Sheimi?), known as the Gratitude Pokémon, is a hedgehog-like Pokémon that premiered in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. In its original hedgehog-like form officially named Land Forme, its fur is pure white and instead of quills, Shaymin has green grass growing on its back along with pink flowers growing on the sides of its head, giving it an even more flower-like appearance. It also has another form officially named Sky Forme, where it becomes reindeer-like, keeping its white body but gets a green touch at the end of its legs, and also getting a mohawk-like head decoration and two leaves on its neck somewhat resembling a scarf. Its Land Forme cry is similar to birdsong; however, it changes its cry upon getting to Sky Forme. Shaymin resides in the Flower Paradise, a flower-filled field untouched by humans.

In order to go unnoticed by intruders or attackers, in its Land Forme it utilizes its own form of camouflage, rolling up into a ball resembling a flower in a patch of grass. By doing so, it blends in with the surrounding flowers, going undetected even if the attacker is beside it. Shaymin also has the power to decompose the toxins in the air and turn the land into flower fields in an instant. It is said to have turned the desolate area of Floaroma Town into a fertile field.

Shaymin's ability changes between Formes. In Land Forme, its ability is Natural Cure, which heals status ailments upon switching out. In Sky Forme, its ability is Serene Grace, which increases the chances of added effects happening. Its signature move is "Seed Flare", which is a shock wave from Shaymin's body.

Shaymin first appears in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl along with Pokémon Platinum. It is not readily available in any of the games; instead, players have to receive it by either using the item Oak's Letter which was distributed by Nintendo in 2009, or by directly getting a Shaymin handed out in several events; the most well known in US being the Toys "R" Us event ran also in 2009. In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, one is able to obtain a Gracidea Flower from a lady in Floaroma Town which allows a fatefully encountered Shaymin to transform to its Sky Forme. Outside of the main games, Shaymin appears in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky, Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, Pokémon Rumble, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure.

Shaymin is featured in the movie Giratina and the Sky Warrior. In the movie, Shaymin appeared to show a timid nature. While in the Reverse World, where Giratina resided, it panicked frequently thinking that Giratina wanted to eat it, and was careful not to lose its wariness. Despite this, it tends to have an overall prideful personality. It is especially confident in its Sky Forme. It is able to talk telepathically.

IGN's Nintendo Team called Shaymin a "fan favorite". Video Gamer's James Orry called it "one of the most unusual and highly popular Pokemon". Fellow editor Raymond Padilla called it "the cutest Pokemon ever!" He added that while it being only Grass type in its original form made its move pool "comparatively limited", its Seed Flare attack is "one of the nastiest moves we've ever seen". He also wrote that it would make a "great cleric" but wrote that "if you take away Seed Flare, it pretty much becomes a poor man's Celebi". Official Nintendo Magazine's Tom East called it "one of the rarest and most popular Pokémon".