I still remember the first time I encountered Nihilego in Pokémon Sun. My friend and I were hanging out in his dorm room, trading theories about what these weird new creatures actually were. “They don’t look like Pokémon at all,” he said, squinting at the jellyfish-like thing floating on his 3DS screen. We’d been playing Pokémon games for years, but these Ultra Beasts felt different—alien in a way that made us genuinely uncomfortable.
That conversation happened nearly ten years ago, and we weren’t alone in our confusion. Players worldwide have been debating the true nature of these bizarre creatures since Pokémon Sun and Moon first introduced them to the Alola region. Were they actually Pokémon? Aliens? Some kind of interdimensional parasites?
After a decade of speculation and fan theories, Game Freak developers have finally provided official explanations about ultra beast origins, settling one of the most enduring mysteries in recent Pokémon history.
The Official Word on Ultra Beast Origins
According to recent developer interviews, Ultra Beasts were designed as creatures from alternate dimensions that exist parallel to the Pokémon world. Unlike regular Pokémon, these beings evolved in completely different environments with their own unique rules of biology and physics.
“We wanted to create something that felt genuinely alien,” explained one Game Freak developer. “These aren’t just weird-looking Pokémon—they’re beings that developed under completely different evolutionary pressures.”
The design philosophy behind Ultra Beasts centered on making them feel fundamentally different from traditional Pokémon. Their strange geometries, unusual color schemes, and bizarre proportions were intentional choices to emphasize their otherworldly nature.
Ultra Necrozma, the most powerful of these creatures, serves as a bridge between dimensions. The developers revealed that Necrozma was originally conceived as a being that had lost its original light and was desperately seeking to reclaim it by absorbing light from other worlds.
Breaking Down Each Ultra Beast’s Design Purpose
The development team has shared fascinating details about how each Ultra Beast’s design reflects specific aspects of their interdimensional origins. Here’s what we now know about the most prominent Ultra Beasts:
| Ultra Beast | Design Inspiration | Dimensional Role |
|---|---|---|
| Nihilego | Parasitic jellyfish | Reality manipulator through neurotoxins |
| Buzzwole | Bodybuilder mosquito | Energy vampire from strength dimension |
| Pheromosa | Elegant cockroach | Speed-obsessed being from velocity realm |
| Xurkitree | Electrical tower | Living power grid from energy dimension |
| Celesteela | Bamboo rocket | Space-faring plant from growth dimension |
| Kartana | Origami samurai | Reality-cutting entity from paper dimension |
Each Ultra Beast represents what happens when life develops under completely different universal constants. Buzzwole’s obsession with muscles reflects a dimension where physical strength determines survival. Kartana’s paper-thin body allows it to slice through dimensions themselves.
“We spent months researching different phobias and unsettling concepts,” shared another developer. “Ultra Beasts needed to trigger that uncanny valley feeling where something looks almost familiar but deeply wrong.”
- Nihilego’s translucent body mimics jellyfish but with disturbing human-like features
- Buzzwole’s exaggerated muscles create an uncomfortable parody of fitness culture
- Pheromosa’s elegant appearance masks its cockroach-inspired origins
- Xurkitree’s electrical cables resemble both Christmas lights and neural networks
How This Changes Our Understanding of the Pokémon Universe
These revelations about ultra beast origins fundamentally expand how we think about the Pokémon multiverse. Rather than being isolated incidents, Ultra Beasts represent proof that countless alternate realities exist alongside the main Pokémon world.
The implications go far beyond just these specific creatures. If beings can evolve so differently in parallel dimensions, what does that say about the nature of Pokémon themselves? Are the creatures we know and love just one possible outcome among infinite variations?
“The concept of Ultra Space was our way of exploring what Pokémon might look like if they evolved under completely different rules,” noted a lead designer. “It opened up possibilities we’d never considered before.”
This official explanation also validates many fan theories about the connection between Ultra Beasts and legendary Pokémon. Solgaleo and Lunala, the box legendaries of Sun and Moon, share clear design elements with Ultra Beasts, suggesting they might be evolved forms of interdimensional travelers.
Trainers who struggled to connect with Ultra Beasts now have context for why these creatures felt so different. They weren’t supposed to feel like traditional Pokémon—they were designed to represent the vast unknown possibilities that exist beyond our understanding.
The revelation also explains why Ultra Beasts have different catch rates and require special Beast Balls. They’re literally not from this reality, making standard Poké Ball technology less effective against their alien biology.
Future Pokémon games may continue exploring these interdimensional concepts. With official confirmation of multiple realities, Game Freak has created endless possibilities for new regions, creatures, and storylines that could emerge from alternative dimensions.
FAQs
Are Ultra Beasts actually Pokémon?
Yes, but they’re Pokémon from alternate dimensions with completely different evolutionary backgrounds, making them fundamentally different from creatures native to the main Pokémon world.
Why do Ultra Beasts look so different from regular Pokémon?
They were intentionally designed to feel alien and unsettling, representing creatures that evolved under completely different universal rules and physics.
Can Ultra Beasts breed with regular Pokémon?
No, Ultra Beasts are in the “Undiscovered” egg group, meaning they cannot breed with any other Pokémon due to their interdimensional origins.
Will more Ultra Beasts appear in future games?
While not officially confirmed, the concept of multiple dimensions opens up endless possibilities for new interdimensional creatures in future Pokémon titles.
Are Solgaleo and Lunala related to Ultra Beasts?
The similar design elements suggest they may be evolved or transformed Ultra Beasts, though this connection hasn’t been explicitly confirmed by developers.
Why are Beast Balls more effective on Ultra Beasts?
Beast Balls were specifically designed to work with the alien biology and dimensional properties of Ultra Beasts, making them more effective than standard Poké Ball technology.
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