What is the cutest Pokémon? This question has stumped scholars for millennia. Okay, that's not true, but it has been the subject of heated debate ever since the first Pokémon card made its way onto the primordial playgrounds of the mid-90s. There are as many 'cutest Pokémon' as there are ways to measure cuteness, so we're going to embrace that diversity - and rank our favorite cute Pokémon, each one shining in its own category of adorability.
Our criteria are entirely subjective, because so is cuteness. One Pokémon lover's trash is another's treasure, as it were - and, as a result, our list is 100% accurate and unarguable!
The cutest Pokémon are:
27. Charmander
Alright, so Charmander is a controversial choice for one of the 27 cutest Pokémon ever. It may be an original starter Pokémon, with all the 29 years of love and nostalgia that brings, but you have to admit, it's not eminently cuddle-able. Those pointy claws and teeth are liable to Scratch you at any moment, and a permanently on-fire tail makes flameproofing a pre-hug requirement.
And yet, just look at the little orange fire baby. Look at its mischievous grin, as full of lovable naiveté as it is feisty, boisterous charm. Look at its teeny arms, flung out to its sides, ready to gambol around a meadow without a care in the world, totally oblivious to the incinerated daisies in its wake. You get on the list, Charmander. We can't say no to you.
26. Purrloin
Purrloin is the ultimate cat. Accordin to its Pokédex entry, despite this chaos-monger's well documented habit of causing trouble on purpose, their owners "can't help but forgive them" - its deception is just too purrfect!
Your cat is cute, but would you forgive it for smashing a priceless vase just to see the look on your face? Well, Purrloin could get away with it. It's so cute, it's criminal!
25. Cubone
Cubone is the Pokémon most deserving of hugs. Known as 'The Lonely Pokémon', Cubone wears the skull of its dead mother and weeps for her nightly. Sometimes Cubone will sob at the sight of the moon, and other times it'll sniffle in its sleep.
With large, soulful eyes and a soft, huggable tummy, Cubone is the epitamy of pitiful. If you see one and don't immediately reach out your arms to comfort it, we're pretty sure you have no heart. Tragically adorable.
24. Growlithe
The Gen One Pokédex is filled with adorable Pokémon, and Growlithe captured our hearts all the way back in the '90s. These extra-fluffy canines are puppy-sized tigers that, occasionally, set everything on fire.
Growlithe have a reputation for being fiercely friendly and loyal, just like a real-world cuddly canine. They're also quite territorial, with a habit of barking at strangers who encroach on their turf. However, if you can deal with the never-ending yips and yaps, you'll have a friend for life.
23. Dratini
As a rule, dragons don't tend to be cute - there's just something about fire-breathing leviathans that puts people rule. Dratini looks at that rule, shakes its elegant, mouthless, wing-eared little head, and just carries on being an adorable little blue sea wyrm with a weird ball for a nose.
Yes, it's a Dragon type - from the first gen Red and Blue games, no less - that eventually evolves into the gormless but powerful Dragonite. That silly great orange lump steals the show, chucking Hyper Beams all over the place - but Dratini has an unbeatable combo of quiet dignity and extreme cuddliness. It's just the cutest evolutionary stage in its line.
22. Squirtle
All three of the original starter Pokémon are contenders in this cuteness competition, and the one you rank highest probably depends on which Pokéball you picked up from Professor Oak's table. Our favorite of the the trio is Squirtle, one of the roundest little guys in the Pokédex.
We're suckers for circular Pokémon with big eyes who look like they'd enjoy a tummy rub. And if Squirtle's looks haven't already convinced you how adorable it is, its behavior will. These 'mons are known to hide in their shells and rock themselves gently to sleep - aww!
21. Sandshrew
Sandshrew is a desert-dweller with a tough exterior and a soft white belly that we'd love to scritch. Its pudgy paws can dig through the earth at great speed, and though they end in strong claws, Sandshrew is more likely to use them to attack passing bug Pokémon than people.
Perhaps the most appealing thing about Sandshrew is its unique ability to roll into a ball - it can even bounce if it falls from a great height. This is a great protective measure, but it's also great for making us say "aww!".
20. Greavard
Introduced in Scarlet and Violet, Greavard just wants to play, loves people, and - oh yeah - it may or may not slowly drain the life force out of you by accident. While unfortunate for the recipients of its affection, that sort of dimwitted bumbling ghostliness only serves to make it even more endearing.
If you pay attention to a Greavard it will follow you forever, fulfilling its lifelong dream of being a good dog and walking right into our hearts as the cutest new addition to the Pokémon roster. Who's a good dog? Who's a little buddy? Oh, I feel woozy…
19. Azurill
Introduced in the third-generation Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire games, the li'l baby Polka Dot Pokémon Azurill is just a miniature avalanche of cuteness. According to Pokédex entries its fat tail bobble "is packed full of the nutrients it needs to grow", and it also moves on land by bouncing on it. It has its own space hopper.
The pièce de résistance? In battle, Azurill spins the tail like a lasso, catapulting its entire body at the target. Catapult yourself at me, Azurill! Please! Want hugs!
18. Cutiefly
C'mon, Cutiefly is a Pokémon with 'cutie' in its name. This one's kind of a home run.
While Cutiefly is indeed a little guy and just a lad, you may not be aware of its ability to see the emotional auras of others. They often confuse auras with the flowers they collect nectar and pollen from, so Cutiefly will buzz above the heads of those experiencing strong emotions, like young lovers - aw!
17. Pumpkaboo
Ghost Pokémon have trouble making it onto cute lists. Many have sweet appearances, but they're often spoiled when you read their Pokédex entries and discover that they kidnap children (Drifloom), are actually the souls of dead children (Phantump) or are prone to fits of murderous rage - probably against children (Mimikyu).
But Pumpkaboo is a model citizen. It just helps lost spirits find their way to the afterlife, because it's a very good boy. Its appearance is also too cute. It looks a bit like it's wearing pumpkin dungaree pants with big shiny buttons, while its top half is part bat, part cat, all adorable.
If you're concerned that Pumkaboo could put Ghost types' dark reputation at risk, don't worry. Once it evolves into Gourgeist it starts dragging living people to the underworld. We believe the sins of the father shouldn't be visited upon the son, so we're putting Pumpkaboo on the list anyway.
16. Snom
On paper, Snom sounds like it shouldn't be cute at all. It's a larvae-like bug Pokémon whose body is mainly made up of icy, translucent spikes. However, one look at Snom's round body, chubby cheeks, and sweet 'lil eyes should be enough to change your mind.
Snoms have a huge appetite for their small size. Luckily, all they want to eat is snow, so you won't have to share your lunch with them. The more snow they munch on, the bigger their ice spikes grow. Eventually, when your friendship is high enough with a Snom, they'll transform into a graceful Frosmoth.
15. Piplup
Baby penguins are the best. That's a fact in real life and in Pokémon games. Piplup is a round, bright blue little guy who's known for falling over in ways that'll get even the crabbiest person cooing. Piplup is also known for being stubborn and independent, so they're not easy to bond with. So he's high maintenance - but just look at him. We're certain the cuddles are worth the effort.
14. Sprigatito
Big ears and tiny paws? Check. Loves hugs and attention? Check. Cuteness-aggression-inducing face? Check, check, and check. Sprigatito, the grass Pokémon that can release soothing scents from its perfectly round paws, is a must-catch for any cat lovers. Just imagine it doing all those darling kitten things - playing with balls of yarn, making biscuits, and presumably knocking things off tables.
13. Phanpy
Phanpy is a tiny, elephant-like Pokémon that has cuteness baked into its every movement. It flaps its oversized ears to keep cool, and it's often seen playfully swinging its stumpy trunk around and splashing about joyfully in water.
One Pokédex entry says that it bumps people it likes with its snout to show affection. However, Phanpy can get a bit carried away - and its trunk is strong enough to fling a grown human across the room. We love Phanpy. We're willing to take that hit.
12. Pop Star Pikachu
While Pikachu is an obvious choice among the cute 'mons, Pop Star Pikachu is the cutest - look at her little outfit! Look at it. She even matches the femme trainer's contest outfit! What a star.
Introduced for Contests in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, this Pikachu is actually a powerhouse in the in-game Cuteness contest. Her effort costuming means she's almost guaranteed to win the Cuteness contest. So this isn't just our opinion - it's downright canonical. And since she's reappeared in other games like Pokémon GO, we think the Pokémon Company knows what a winner she is.
11. Mudkip
Mudkip may be tiny - one of the very littlest of little guys - but they're incredible swimmers and surprisingly strong. But who cares about that - just look at that gormless facial expressions and the silly smiley face they make when they open their mouths! It's impossible not to smile when you spot a Mudkip.
10. Joltik
It's tough to make spiders look 'cute' - most people think that once you go above four limbs 'cuteness' is no longer applicable - but Pokémon has somehow managed it. A round, fluffy body and giant googly eyes make Joltik look incredibly huggable. Things that might horrify you with a normal spider - extra eyes, moving mandibles - look positively twee on Joltik. Anyone who's prepared to squish one of these is a straight-up monster.
9. Togepi
We're simple people when it comes to cute Pokémon. Is it round? Is it baby? That's a cutie, alright. Case in point: the very round, very baby Togepi. The little face that pokes out from behind its own eggshell is irresistible. Everyone wants a Togepi around - especially as they're known to bestow good luck and joyful emotions on people that they like.
8. Alolan Vulpix
While the original Vulpix was a strong contender for cutest of the OG 151, Gen 7 Pokémon Alolan Vulpix dropped in 2016 and blew it out of the water. Everything cute about the original design has been amplified. Its head is bigger, its eyes softer and more soulful, its fur rounder and fluffier.
As a species, it moved to the mountains some time ago to get some peace and quiet from what I can only assume is its adoring fan club. So on top of everything else, it also has that "friend's introvert cat" appeal where, if it likes you, you get to feel special. Marvelous.
7. Wooper
There's something about Wooper that just makes it look like it's having the time of its life. This second generation water type is so whimsical, with its goofy expression and lack of arms. Also it's an axolotl, and as we've demonstrated by putting Mudkip on the list, we just love axolotls.
Unlike most cute Pokémon, the adorableness of Wooper isn't entirely lost upon evolution. While Quagsire isn't quite as adorably gormless, it is still friend shaped: rounded and squishy, with a big ol' smile. Even Clodsire is basically just an even bigger, even derpier Quagsire.
6. Pichu
It's a rule of human psychology that the baby version of a thing is cuter than the grown up version (see also: baby humans). The diabolical heartstring tuggers at The Pokémon Company have long understood this - it's why, all the way back in Generation 2, Pichu entered the Pokémon world, and our hearts.
Like its evolved form - a little known 'Mon called Pikachu - Pichu's squat, bright yellow body and rounded, welcoming face just make you want to wrap them in a blanket and feed them little treats. Its shorter, flat ended tail hasn't yet taken the distinctive lightning bolt shape of Pikachu's - and Pichu's massive ears are folded out into diamond shapes, rather than Pikachu's big old shoehorns.
5. Shaymin
You might think it'd be tough to make a hedgehog cuter than it already is, but Shaymin finds your lack of faith disturbing. The master stroke that makes Shaymin truly weapons grade adorable is making it Grass type, rather than Ground - so that everything about a real world hedgehog that's even remotely antagonistic is replaced with something softer.
In place of a hedgehog's spines, Shaymin has a fluffy mane of green fur that's described as being like grass or moss - with a fetching pink flower growing out of it for good measure. And on top of that just look at Shaymin's joyful, hopeful little face and upturned, snuffling, piggy nose. Shaymin must be protected at all costs.
4. Tepig
At Wargamer, we have a bit of a… thing about pigs. We can't really explain it, but we really, really love pigs. Join our Discord, look at our custom emojis, and you'll see. Their little bellies, their crinkly snout noses, their innocent little eyes, their adorable snuffling noises… they're just brilliant.
And you know what's even cuter than a pig? Tepig. A li'l orange, fire-type, piglet Pokémon, with porky, stubby little legs, and a curly tail with a luminous red ball on the end. Why does it have long rabbit ears when it's a pig? Mind your own business, it's cute as heck.
The fire-type starter Pokémon in 2010's Black and White games, Tepig doesn't rank too highly in the all time Pokémon hall of fame. That's probably partly because it got upstaged by its fellow starters: Snivy (a snake/plant hybrid that thinks it's better than you) and Oshawott (a disturbing otter clown wearing a clam themed onesie). That's wrong; it's unjust; and we're setting the matter to rights. We love you, Tepig.
3. Yamper
We're weak for any Pokémon that resembles a dog, but Yamper is an especially cute case. It's pleasingly round, and it even has a heart-shaped patch of fur on its butt. Thanks to a perpetually lolling tongue and bright, shiny eyes, this 'mon is the perfect mix of goofy and sweet.
Yamper's cute factor is also helped by its personality. They're excitable little scamps, able to speedily chase cars and herd sheep-like Pokémon despite their stubby little legs. Plus, according to one Pokédex, "this gluttonous Pokémon only assists people with their work because it wants treats". A certified good boy after our own hearts.
2. Mew
Mew is a mythical Pokémon and brings with it its own formidable arsenal of endearing traits. Designed to look like both a baby and a kitten, Mew has a soft, pink exterior with wide and innocent blue eyes and a playful, naïve disposition. Could you look that cute while locked in a battle of the fates with your genetically engineered clone? I don't think so.
This is just the beginning, though. Getting more technical, Mew can learn every move available by Technical Machine (TM), giving it unparalleled access to moves like Charm, Disarming Voice, Rest… And, even more importantly, its naturally-learned Transform allows it to ape the appearance of every other Pokémon on this list! Talk about legendary cuteness.
1. Eevee
Eevee is just the best, and we're not the only ones who think so. It's so frequently in the top three for fan polls of cute Pokémon characters that we simply have to hand first place to the adaptable fox…dog…thing that's been around since the very beginning, charming our hearts. And if you were to count all of its evolutions, Eevee and the Eeveelutions could practically fill this whole list on their own, crushing the competition. Cutely.
If you've made it through this river of effervescent Pokéfandom, chances are you'd enjoy learning how to play Pokémon cards if you don't already. We can also help you keep up with the best Pokémon packs to buy to hunt out cute 'mons from this list. Or, if you're a little more hardcore, here are the priciest rare Pokémon cards from across history's Pokémon sets.