Some of the most memorable moments in thePokemongames are seeing one’s favorite Pokemon evolve. Some undergo subtle changes, while others blossom into stunning and powerful creatures that are vastly different from their unevolved forms. Whatever the case, each evolution serves to improve the Pokemon’s combat potential, whether that be through added bulk or increased strength.
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Unfortunately, however, not every evolution works out aesthetically. In fact, some so-called “evolutions” make players question how those changes came to be in the first place. Size, limb count, and even color scheme differ from one stage to the next. In these instances, Pokemon change in such a drastic fashion that it’s enough to make Charles Darwin roll over in his grave.
Updated July 28, 2025, by Tom Bowen:The Pokemon series has always made a bit of a mockery of the theory of evolution, even at the best of times. The way that creatures can suddenly change at the drop of a hat is more than a little ridiculous, but it’s easy to overlook this on account of it being a children’s series that’s primary purpose is to entertain and make money. That said, some of the series' evolutions are really pushing it, either due to their nonsensical shifts in design or the dramatic alterations they make to the unevolved Pokemon’s type or physical abilities. These are the strangest evolutions from the first eight generations of Pokemon games, though more will surely follow when Pokemon Scarlet & Violet finally arrive in late 2022.
12Magikarp Into Gyarados
When it comes to unusual Pokemon evolutions, they don’t often come much stranger than Magikarp into Gyarados. The little red fish, which is arguably just as hapless as it is helpless, goes on to evolve into one of the most powerful creatures from the first generationPokemongames, without even as much as anawkward middle phase. The Pokemon also changes from red to blue, but that’s just a small part of what makes this evolution such a bizarre one.
The massive leap in strength that Magikarp’s evolution brings about is more than a little strange, as too are the Pokemon’s dramatic changes in both appearance and typing. As a Water/Flying-type with an affinity for Dragon-type attacks, Gyarados could hardly be more different than its flailing first-stage form, while its intimidating appearance is a far cry from the endearing expressions employed by most Magikarp thatPokemonplayers meet.
11Machoke Into Machamp
Another unusual Gen 1 evolution, Machoke into Machamp might not be anywhere near as unusual as Magikarp into Gyarados, but it will likely still have many supporters of Darwin’s theory of evolution scratching their heads. This is because, for whatever reason, Machoke sprouts a couple of extra arms upon evolving into Machamp. That’s not the only strange thing about thisunusual evolutionary lineeither though.
Upon evolving into Machamp, Machop appears to gain both a pair of black pants and a black and gold Power-Save Belt. While it’s possible that the pants are just an illusion caused by the Pokemon’s crotch area changing color after it evolves, there can be no disputing that the belt is a brand new addition to the Pokemon that comes about as a direct result of it evolving. With that in mind, it begs a very serious question about how Pokemon evolution really works (as too does Kadabra getting hold of a pair of spoons after evolving from Abra).
10Graveler Into Golem
Both Graveler and its Alolan variant share a similar design. Building off of Geodude’s simplicity, they become hefty boulders sprouting an extra set of arms and two legs. Going forward, however, this concept gets replaced with something more reptilian; the result is Golem, which looks more like a stony tortoise than a living rock.
Even more bizarrely, the Alolan form of Golem even gains a railgun-like protrusion upon evolving, making even less sense to many players. This transition has stumped veteranPokemonfans for years, though it’s doubtful that a proper explanation will ever come to light.
9Inkay Into Malamar
While not quite as confusing as Graveler’s change, Inkay’s evolution still falls intoa similar category of absurdity. After reaching level 30, Inkay evolves when the game system of choice (whether it be the 3DS or the Switch) is held upside-down.
Malamar definitelylooksthe part, as the squid-like tentacles that acted as Inkay’s legs now appear as hair. Everything else flips around, as well. Somehow, though, the simple act of flipping over causes the Pokemon to grow three feet taller. Perhaps it took a page out of Voltorb’s book?
8Pupitar Into Tyranitar
Larvitar and Tyranitar definitely look enough alike to be related. Pupitar, however, fits into the mold of “awkward middle evolution.” One would think rock monsters didn’t need to envelop themselves in a cocoon like some sort of stony butterfly, but apparently, that assumption is wrong.
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Most interestingly, Pupitar nearly grows a whole three feet in height when evolving into Tyranitar; the weight difference between the two, however, is only 110 pounds. Still, the Hard Shell Pokemoncarries some serious heft, as well as decent base stats to boot.
7Galarian Linoone Into Obstagoon
To their credit, Galarian Linoone and its evolution Obstagoon share very similar designs aesthetically. The real crime in this transformation comes from Linoone’s transition from a badger to something straight out of a KISS concert. Obstagoon, whilepowerful and threatening in its own right, goes through such a crazy change.
It’s a little hard to believe that the developers thought Linoone, of all Pokemon, should be the one to transform into this beast. Was a different Pokemon meant to take its place, is there a missing middle stage, or were the developers just pressed for time?
6Feebas Into Milotic
This meek fish’s transformation into a graceful sea creature is obviously a classic “Ugly Duckling” story, but that doesn’t make the transition any less jarring. Aside from their tail fin’s base color being vaguely similar, Feebas and Milotic have absolutely nothing in common. Not even their Abilities match up!
For as impressive and powerful as Milotic is, it doesn’t make sense for it to evolve straight away from such a horrid fish. And with how difficult it was to catch Feebas in its debut generation, it’s unlikely that many trainerssaw that transformation for themselves.
5Cosmoem Into Solgaleo/Lunala
The Cosmog line is one of the most interesting inPokemonhistory. This is primarily because it is one of the only Legendary Pokemon to evolve, the others being Type: Null and the more recent Kubfu. Its journey to becoming Solgaleo or Lunala is just as interesting.
Cosmoem, which acts as a sort of cocoon stage, stands at four inches tall. Somehow, this galactic egg transforms into a massive beast, either a gallant lion or an ethereal bat. Aside from a few shared properties, Cosmoem’s evolution is possibly one of the most drastic and bizarre.
4Dragonair Into Dragonite
Dratini and Dragonairboth have serpentine designswith small fins or wing-like appendages on the sides of their heads. How, then, do they finish by becoming a large orange dragon with tiny bat-like wings on its back?
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3Torracat Into Incineroar
As a general trend that has yet to be broken, it seems that the final evolution of thefire starterswill always turn out bipedal, regardless of how many legs its previous iterations walked on. Fans were mildly disappointed to find that the same held true for Litten’s final evolution, Incineroar.
While Torracat’s design made sense as a step up from Litten, Incineroar took the changes a bit too far to look natural. Thankfully, however, this wrestler fanaticdidn’t end up being another Fire/Fighting type.
