Pokémon evolution. (Theory discussion)

[Nick]

Something I've always wondered, is Pokémon evolution painful? What's the actual physical process of Pokémon evolution like? After all, when Pokémon evolve in the anime, they glow to such a bright color, you can't really make out what's happening. What actually triggers evolution? What about an everstone stops the evolution process? What about the interactions with other evolutionary stones with compatible Pokémon?

 

[antemortem]

As for how it might feel, I've always thought it would feel like what growing pains, when you're about 11-14, feel like in your shins, except the pain doesn't last for a day or two like growing pains would but instead just a few seconds while your appearance goes through a drastic metamorphosis. I think during said stasis the cells of a Pokemon have reached their 'peak' and basically break apart and dramatically reorganize themselves into the new form that composes the physical structure of the new Pokemon. That would also explain 'what triggers' evolution.

The Everstone could emit some sort of aura/energy that chemically reacts with a Pokemon's cells, somehow preventing them from breaking apart/expanding, which, since they never broke apart, prevents the new physical appearance from forming.

Just blowing hot air, haha.

 

[moon]

I'm thinking that all the exp points have accumulated (in the form of energy that the pokémon gains every time it defeats another one) and finally have reached a peak where it turns the pokémon into energy form. And then it changes shape into something stronger and better, energy form, until the exp energy has been used up and the pokémon returns to physical form again. With another look, called having evolved. As such, I don't think it hurts. It merely feels a bit strange, kind of like going inside a pokéball only even more, as you change shape instead of just coming out of the pokéball in the same shape you came in with.

Everstone or evolutionary stone probably can capture the energy leaking from a pokémon nearing evolution. The former captures the energy and somehow stores or disposes of it, while the latter maybe bounce back the energy with an added wavelength or something, making the pokémon reach a peak it normally wouldn't.

Same with other evolution items when a pokémon is traded. While traded, it goes through a machine in energy state. If a special item is near, energy can interact in similar ways as with stones only because the pokémon is already in its energy state. And thus, evolve.


Okay, that may or may not have made sense but that's how I've always thought about it, since not including pokémon in energy form seems kind of grotesque to me. Bursting cells and just sitting around inside your pokéball... And all. :>

 

[Aether★]

Something I've always wondered, is Pokémon evolution painful?

It depends on what circumstances this Pokemon evolved. I personally think that under much stress, anger or sadness, Pokemon feels pain while evolving. If Pokemon is happy, determined, motivated, this is more pleasant feeling.

What's the actual physical process of Pokémon evolution like? After all, when Pokémon evolve in the anime, they glow to such a bright color, you can't really make out what's happening.

I share the similar opinion with posters above me.

What actually triggers evolution?

Again, imo either sadness, anger, stress, or happiness, determination, just a will to become stronger.

What about an everstone stops the evolution process? What about the interactions with other evolutionary stones with compatible Pokémon?

Again, I share the same opinion with posters above me.

 

[Zeffy]

The anime had shown a lot of evolutions, some appears to be almost instant while some are shown wherein the Pokémon is experiencing some sort of pain. The thing about Pokémon evolution is, it's not entirely based of Darwin's theory. There is no natural selection, survival of the fittest mumbo jumbo. It's actually more of a metamorphosis.

Does it hurt? I think it does. Imagine yourself, every bone in your body growing in an accelerated rate, your skin stretching to accommodate the bigger size of your insides, and a complete overhaul of what you look like in just a matter of seconds. That sounds like it hurts. However, since most in most evolutions the Pokémon doesn't howl in pain, I would assume that they undergo some sort of pain-killing process to bypass their brain's nerve receptors (if they have it).

When it comes to what actually causes a Pokémon to evolve, it's a mixed bag. In all the canons, evolution is hinted when the Pokémon is exhibiting bioluminesence (I would assume it is bioluminesence because surely the Pokémon's body could be emitting some sort of chemical that reacts to something very abundant in the atmosphere thus producing light). I think when a Pokémon wins in a battle and gains experience points, those experience points are converted into energy that when accumulated enough triggers a chemical reaction inside the Pokémon's body thus causing evolution. Those who evolve through other means obviously have a different chemical formula and requires more than just experience points in order to trigger a chemical reaction.

Trade evolutions must have been man-made since anyone could just trade pokeballs personally. They added a new requirement into the formula that only the trading machines can emit, which completes the chemical requirement to trigger a chemical reaction inside a Pokémon's body.

I think the everstone acts as a magnet that attracts the required energy to evolve and absorbs it, hindering the evolution of its holder.

These, of course, are all hypothetical. I just think that chemical reaction fits with the metamorphisis-like evolution of Pokémon.