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Giratina(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Ghost/Dragon legendary Pokémon that made its first appearance in the fourth generation games Diamond and Pearl. It is the third member of the Pokémon of Myth trio along with Dialga and Palkia, representing antimatter. It can also change formes if it is holding the Griseous Orb (Pokémon Platinum to Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl) or Griseous Core (starting Pokémon Legends: Arceus). Giratina serves as the mascot for Pokémon Platinum.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Giratina is a large gray draconic Pokémon with three gold half-rings on each side of its long neck. Its head has a gold crown-like object surrounding it with two large horns pointing sideways. A thick black stripe runs vertically along its front with five red horizontal stripes. In its Altered Forme, it has two large black ghostly wings with three red tips on each that can resemble claws. These wings can change shape as if made of a liquid or gas. Its six legs are thick and have golden claws. Two golden half-circles similar to those on its neck are on each side of each leg, resembling shackles. It has a tail with two band-like markings. Giratina remains in its Altered Forme when outside of its home dimension. It generally moves by levitating itself in the air, as opposed to walking on its six legs.

Giratina is a highly aggressive and territorial Pokémon that is protective of its home. Legends claim that Giratina lives in a world on the reverse side of the Pokémon world, and has also been reported to appear in ancient cemeteries. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Giratina has the power to tear a hole in reality, creating a space-time distortion along with driving both Dialga and Palkia berserk. The rift is capable of creating the Alpha Pokémon and driving Noble Pokémon into berserk Lord/Lady States. Giratina is said to be equal in strength to Dialga and Palkia. Giratina was said to be banished for its supposedly violent behavior, though in the anime it is shown to possess a gentle side as well. Giratina at one point carried a grudge against its creator Arceus and was willing to stand against it with Volo's help, though years later, it would become a protector of the world. Due to its typically violent nature, the history of Giratina was covered up due to ancient people fearing it. Giratina is said to have observed the real world silently while in its own home dimension. The anime reveals Giratina can also open portals through any reflective surface. Giratina's role is to keep both worlds in balance. Giratina also had many different titles to it; banished Pokémon, Arceus's shadow, the Pokémon of Shadows, and being on the other side of our world.

Origin Form Giratina[]

In its Origin Forme, it takes on a serpentine look. Its legs are reduced to golden-tipped spikes, and four additional golden spikes appear near the edge of its tail. While in Origin Forme, the six gold half-rings can grip objects. The back points of each half-ring have a black ghostly tendril with a red spike at its tip. The horns on its head are now facing the back. The sides of the golden "crown" cover its mouth and separate vertically like an insect's mandible when it opens its mouth. The black vertical stripe is broken into pieces and runs down its body. Giratina can only be in its Origin Forme when in its home, the Distortion World, or when holding either a Griseous Orb or Griseous Core. Giratina can also maintain its Origin Forme in the real world without items should it get a sufficient amount of power, enough to potentially be equal to Arceus. Giratina is at its full power when in the Origin Forme, and is always levitated in this state.

The Origin Forme of Giratina is said to be Giratina's true form, capable of traveling through and controlling dimensions besides those of time and space. When in its Origin Forme, it can pass through dimensions at will, however, it will turn back to its Altered Forme due to the gravity change from the Distortion World. Giratina has the power to turn itself into a shadow and to merge the Distortion World with the Pokémon world, as seen during the events of Spear Pillar. However, this has the dangerous side effect of distorting it to the risk of being destroyed.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Normally in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, you will find it in the Turnback Cave, but in Pokémon Platinum, Giratina is found in the Distortion World after the Spear Pillar event. After defeating Cyrus, the player find the Giratina in its Origin Form which is more offensive than the other Form. The Griseous Orb is required to change Giratina's form.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Arceus can create a Giratina at the Sinjoh Ruins along with the rest of its trio.

In Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, the player must battle a Shadow Origin Form Giratina, which is Level 100 in Ramanas Park to get the Griseous Orb. The Shadow Origin Form Giratina cannot be caught.

In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Giratina in its Origin Form, can be obtained at the Turnback Cave after the player defeated Volo at the Temple of Sinnoh. Volo used Giratina to fight the player before catching it at Turnback Cave. Starting with Legends: Arceus, the Griseous Core is required to change Giratina's form. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Griseous Orb no longer changes Giratina's form.

Other Pokémon games[]

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness: Giratina is the guardian of the Rock Horn.

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Giratina was introduced as a Poké Ball Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U: where it gets rarely summoned like other legendaries. Giratina uses Dragon Breath which is a multihit attack that can take opponents offscreen unless they shuffle out of it.

Trophy descriptions[]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

"This Ghost/Dragon-type Pokémon is a resident of the Distortion World. When it is given a Griseous Orb, it'll change into its Origin Forme. Its Dragon Breath attack can catch fighters in a powerful damaging tornado. If you're on the receiving end, be careful it doesn't carry you right off the stage."

In the anime[]

Giratina anime

Giratina in the anime

Giratina was the lead Pokémon in the eleventh Pokémon movie, Giratina and the Sky Warrior, alongside Shaymin. It also appeared in Arceus and the Jewel of Life and Hoopa and the Clash of Ages alongside with its fellow Pokémon of Myth members.

In Pokémon Generations, Giratina interfered with Cyrus' plan to destroy the world and recreate it. It first emerged from the Distortion World to free Dialga and Palkia from the Red Chain. Then, it took Cyrus with it back to its homeworld. It was last seen in its Origin Forme, observing Cyrus as he regained consciousness, realized he was in the Distortion World, and accepted it as the new world he sought.

Origin and inspiration[]

Giratina may be based on the biblical figure of the fallen angel, celestial beings that rebelled against God and were excommunicated to Hell. This is analogous to Giratina, due to being a Pokémon created by Arceus (Pokémon World's God) and excommunicated to another dimension due to its belligerent nature. Nonetheless, it might have drawn inspiration by Samael, who is the ruler of the 5th Heaven and has grim and destructive duties whilst being a member of a heavenly host; both traits allude to Giratina being the ruler of another dimension (Reverse World) and its threatening visage. Furthermore, both of Giratina's Forms resemble the Beasts of Revelation, with its Altered Form standing for the "Earth Beast", and its Origin Form standing for the "Sea Beast".

Giratina may also be based on Seta, a giant centipede, from the Japanese fairy-tale, "My Lord Bag of Rice", which was said to prey on dragon hatchlings and be as large as a mountain.

In its Altered Forme, Giratina's wings may be based on a bat's, and its body has an insect-like, six-legged feature, but its posture is similar to a sauropod.

Its Origin Forme has a body similar to the Seraphim , an archangel commonly known for its six wings, and in some depictions, a serpentine body (due to saraph meaning snake or serpent in Islamic languages). Additionally, "Seraphim" alternatively translates to "[the] burning one", which could have been one of the inspirations for Giratina's destructive nature. The exact design of its six wings may be based on a scorpion's stinger or spider legs. This Forme also shares physical traits with the Amphiptere, a European dragon-like creature with wings but no legs.

In interviews Junichi Masuda and Takeshi Kawachimaru had with G4, they said that Giratina and the Distortion World were created to be personifications of antimatter. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, Cynthia also states this. Its Ghost-type may have been chosen to represent this, being the type of metaphysical and "otherworldly" substances and beings. Additionally, it parallels its counterparts' types; Dialga is part Steel-type, and Palkia is part Water-type - all three reference the three primary states of matter; solid, liquid, and gas.

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Altered[]

Title Entry
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond A Pokémon that is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours. It appears in an ancient cemetery.
Pokémon Pearl A Pokémon that is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours. It appears in an ancient cemetery.
Pokémon Platinum It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Pokémon HeartGold This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Pokémon SoulSilver This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Pokémon White It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Pokémon Black 2 It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Pokémon White 2 It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Pokémon Y It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Pokémon Omega Ruby This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond A Pokémon that is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours. It appears in an ancient cemetery.
Pokémon Shining Pearl A Pokémon that is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours. It appears in an ancient cemetery.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus There is one Hisuian verse that tells of a powerful light creating a deep shadow. I imagine that this deep shadow is Giratina.


Origin[]

Title Entry
Pokémon Legends: Arceus Giratina loses its legs upon changing into this form. I believe this Pokémon must hail from a world where the heavens and the earth are as one, though I have no way of proving it.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Turnback Cave
Pokémon Pearl
Turnback Cave
Pokémon Platinum
Distortion World (Origin)
Turnback Cave (Altered)
Pokémon HeartGold
Sinjoh Ruins (requires event Arceus)
Pokémon SoulSilver
Sinjoh Ruins (requires event Arceus)
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Trade
Pokémon Black 2
Transfer from Pokémon Dream Radar (requires Pokémon Platinum)
Pokémon White 2
Transfer from Pokémon Dream Radar (requires Pokémon Platinum)
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Trade
Pokémon Y
Trade
Pokémon Omega Ruby
Soaring (requires Dialga and Palkia in party)
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Soaring (requires Dialga and Palkia in party)
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ultra Sun
Ultra Space Wilds (Cave World) (requires Dialga and Palkia in party)
Pokémon Ultra Moon
Ultra Space Wilds (Cave World) (requires Dialga and Palkia in party)
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword
Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)
Pokémon Shield
Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond
Turnback Cave (Altered)
Ramanas Park (Origin, cannot be caught)
Pokémon Shining Pearl
Turnback Cave (Altered)
Ramanas Park (Origin, cannot be caught)
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Turnback Cave (Origin, after defeating Volo at the Temple of Sinnoh)

Base Stats[]

Altered[]

Base Stats
HP 150
Attack 110
Defense 120
Sp. Attack 100
Sp. Defense 120
Speed 90
Total 680

Origin[]

Base Stats
HP 150
Attack 120
Defense 100
Sp. Attack 120
Sp. Defense 100
Speed 90
Total 680


Form change[]

In all games prior to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Giratina changes form using the Griseous Orb. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Griseous Orb no longer changes Giratina's form.

Giratina
Griseous Orb (Pt to BDSP)
Griseous Core (LA onwards)
Giratina
Origin Form
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Moveset[]

Main article: Giratina/moveset

Gallery[]

  Main article: Giratina/gallery

Sprites[]

Sprites
Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Legends Arceus
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Scarlet Violet
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Origin[]

Sprites
Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
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Sword Shield
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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Legends Arceus
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Scarlet Violet
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Trivia[]

  • Altered Forme Giratina is the heaviest Ghost-type Pokémon.
  • Giratina is tied with Lunala, Dawn Wings Necrozma, and Shadow Rider Calyrex for the highest base stat total of all Ghost-type Pokémon.
    • Giratina is tied with Drifblim for the highest base HP stat of all Ghost-type Pokémon.
  • Giratina's roar is actually based on that of Mothra's. However, due to copyright reasons, its roar is not among the game's sound clips.
  • In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Shiny Giratina in its Origin Forme causes a game crash when using Shadow Force. This bug has yet to be fixed.
  • In Pokémon Platinum, when encountered in the Distortion World the unique message "The Distortion World's Giratina appeared" is displayed. However, it is still a wild Pokémon.
  • Giratina is the only Legendary Pokémon that can be obtained in all five of the Fourth Pokémon generation mainline handheld games.
  • In Pokémon Platinum, Origin Forme Giratina is the only Pokémon to come out from above the screen during the start of the battle.
  • In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Fantina has an Origin Forme Giratina without a Griseous Orb in The Battle Between Legendary Pokémon.

External links[]

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