Games - Metapod

	Games - Metapod

Metapod (トランセル Toranseru in Japanese, Safcon in German, Chrysacier in French and '단데기 Dandegi in Korean) is one of the fictional species of Pokémon in the Pokémon
media franchise (a series of video games, anime, manga, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri).

Metapod’s name is probably a combination of “metamorphosis” and “pod”. Its Japanese name, トランセル (Transel), is thought to be derived from the prefix “trans-” and “cell” (as in biology).

Characteristics

Metapod appears as a large, bright-green chrysalis, and only its eyes are visible within. Inside, Metapod’s body is very weak and tender, making it extremely vulnerable while its shell is still soft. Although the shell quickly hardens to the toughness of an iron slab, Metapod is still at risk, as a harsh impact may damage its soft body inside or even cause it to pop out! For this reason, and to conserve energy, Metapod barely moves, instead preparing itself within its shell for its impending evolution.

In the Pokémon video games

Metapod evolve from Caterpie, and can sometimes be caught wild in the same locations where Caterpie appear. Wild Metapod are often at higher levels and will evolve more quickly, however, a Metapod caught in the wild will only know Harden as its sole move, whereas a Metapod which has been evolved from a patiently raised Caterpie will also remember its Tackle and String Shot attacks.

Metapod and the other Cocoon Pokémon are the fastest-evolving species in the games, ready to evolve again a maximum of 3 levels after reaching their Cocoon form.

Metapod also appear in the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap, hanging from trees over the River area.

In the Pokémon anime

In the Pokémon anime, Ash’s Caterpie evolved into a Metapod in record time. He was then challenged by another trainer Samurai. After Metapod beat Samurai’s Pinsir, Samurai sent out his own Metapod. The two stubborn trainers got into a Harden contest, trying to outdo each other and never bothering to actually attack, which frustrated Misty to no end. Soon after, a swarm of Beedrill attacked, and Metapod’s shell was pierced as it moved to protect Ash. Despite the short time it had spent as Metapod, however, it evolved and emerged from the shell as a mature Butterfree.

It is interesting to note that, during evolution, Metapod is one of very few Pokémon in the anime to leave behind a remnant of its old form, instead of transforming completely.

In other media

In the Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu! manga, which loosely parallels the storyline of the anime, Ash’s Caterpie evolved into Metapod while they were having lunch with Misty. Later, at the Cerulean City Pokémon Gym, Misty had challenged Ash to win the Cascade badge from her, and Metapod evolved during the match, turning the tide of the battle. In Pokémon Adventures
, Yellow was reluctant to let Kitty the Caterpie evolve. In a dire circumstance, though, it finally evolved into Metapod to block a Hyper Beam aimed at Yellow, and then evolved again immediately.

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Metapod is a seldom-appearing grass Pokémon, featured on one card each in the Base Set (as well as Base Set 2 and the Legendary Collection), Neo Discovery, Expedition, and EX FireRed/LeafGreen. In all but the base sets, it is less common than Caterpie.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Metapod ]

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