Giratina (Japanese: ギラティナ Giratina) is a dual-type Ghost/Dragon Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation IV.

While it is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon, Giratina transforms from its standard form, called its Altered Forme, into a second form, called its Origin Forme, while either holding a Griseous Orb (Gen IV to Gen VIII), a Griseous Core (Gen VIII onward), or while in its home, the Distortion World.

(Specifics may differ in past games. Refer to Game data→Form data for these details.)

Giratina's Origin Forme was officially revealed in early February 2008.

Giratina is the game mascot of Pokémon Platinum, appearing on the boxart in its Origin Forme.

Along with Dialga and Palkia, it is one of the Pokémon of Myth, representing antimatter.

Table of Contents

Biology

Origin Giratina's plate mask opened

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. As seen 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 also causes huge lightnings that drive Noble Pokémon into a frienzied state. It is also capable of cloaking itself in darkness as it attacks. Giratina is said to be equal in strength to Dialga and Palkia. Giratina was banished by Arceus for its violent behavior, though in the anime, it is shown to possess a gentler disposition when in the presence of humans. Giratina at one point carried a large grudge against its creator Arceus and was willing to stand against it with the help of a human named Volo, but after being beaten by a human from another time and fleeing, it would start to change its ways and protect the universe from threats such as Cyrus. 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 home dimension. As depicted in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, 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.

Giratina is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Shadow Force by leveling up, which gives it the ability to temporarily turn invisible.

Forms

Giratina can change between its Altered Forme and Origin Forme.

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.

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV Sinnoh Pt : #210 Johto#—
Diamond A Pokémon that is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours. It appears in an ancient cemetery.
Pearl
Platinum It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
HeartGold This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
SoulSilver
Generation V Unova#—
Black It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
White
Black 2 It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
White 2
Generation VI Kalos#— Hoenn#—
X This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Y It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Omega Ruby This Pokémon is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours, where common knowledge is distorted and strange.
Alpha Sapphire It was banished for its violence. It silently gazed upon the old world from the Distortion World.
Generation VIII Galar#— Sinnoh#— Hisui#237
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sword and Shield.
Altered Forme
Brilliant Diamond A Pokémon that is said to live in a world on the reverse side of ours. It appears in an ancient cemetery.
Shining Pearl
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 Forme
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

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Generation IX

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Cross-Generation

In events

Games Event Language/Region Location Level Distribution period
BWB2W2 10/12 Giratina Korean South Korea 100 September 14 to October 6, 2013
BWB2W2 Summer 2013 Giratina English Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and South Africa 100 September 27 to October 12, 2013
BWB2W2 Summer 2013 Giratina French Europe, the Americas, and Australia 100 September 27 to October 12, 2013
BWB2W2 Summer 2013 Giratina German Europe 100 September 27 to October 12, 2013
BWB2W2 Summer 2013 Giratina Italian Europe, the Americas, and Australia 100 September 27 to October 12, 2013
BWB2W2 Summer 2013 Giratina Spanish Europe, the Americas, and Australia 100 September 27 to October 11, 2013
BWB2W2 Summer 2013 Giratina English United States 100 September 30 to October 20, 2013
XYORAS Dahara City Giratina All Japan 100 June 20 to August 31, 2015
XYORAS Dahara City Giratina Korean region Online 100 November 26, 2015 to January 31, 2016

Held items

Stats

Base stats

Altered Forme
Origin Forme

Pokéathlon stats

Altered Forme
Power
4/5 ★★★★☆
Origin Forme
Speed
3/5 ★★★☆☆
Power
3/5 ★★★☆☆
Skill
3/5 ★★★☆☆
Jump
3/5 ★★★☆☆
Total
15/25 ★★★☆☆

Type effectiveness

Altered Forme

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damagednormally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Origin Forme

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damagednormally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Giratina
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Giratina
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Generation IX
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Giratina
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Giratina
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation IX
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Giratina
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Giratina
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Giratina
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

Altered Forme

Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group: Poké Assist:(present) Field move:(present) (None ×-)
Not available in the past.
Browser entry S-003
It spits out orbs imbued with loathsome emotions and creates gusts of dark wind.
Pokémon Rumble Rush
Walking Speed: 1.77 seconds Base HP: 67
Base Attack: 85 Base Defense: 63 Base Speed: 60

Origin Forme

Pokémon Rumble Rush
Walking Speed: 1.77 seconds Base HP: 67
Base Attack: 86 Base Defense: 59 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Attack Power: ★★★★★

Power of Five
Increases the damage dealt by matching five Pokémon.

Form data

Along with the other members of the Pokémon of Myth, Giratina has the ability to switch to a second form: Origin Forme. However, Giratina is unique in that its standard form is called Altered Forme.

Giratina's Altered Forme debuted in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, while its Origin Forme was introduced in Pokémon Platinum. From Platinum to Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, it transforms into its Origin Forme while holding a Griseous Orb. In Platinum, it also transforms into its Origin Forme while in the Distortion World. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, it changes between its forms when exposed to a Griseous Core. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Giratina transforms into its Origin Forme while holding a Griseous Core. If it is deposited in Pokémon HOME, it will revert to its Altered Forme.

The forms differ in their base stats: Giratina's Origin Forme has its Defense and Special Defense switched with its Attack and Special Attack (its base stat total is unchanged). In Legends: Arceus, its signature move, Shadow Force, has modified base power and accuracy when used by its Origin Forme, as well as a unique animation.

Evolution data

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Cross-Generation

In the anime

Main series

Altered Forme Giratina in the anime
Origin Forme Giratina in the anime

Major appearances

Giratina (movie)

Giratina debuted in Giratina and the Sky Warrior, where it sought revenge against Dialga for the damage it caused to its home, the Reverse World, during its battle with Palkia in The Rise of Darkrai. Zero later attempted to copy Giratina's powers so he could conquer the Reverse World. Throughout the movie, Giratina would take on its Origin Forme whenever it is in the Reverse World, and its Altered Forme whenever it is in the real world.

In Arceus and the Jewel of Life, Giratina was shown for the first time with both the other members of its trio. It resumed its attack on Dialga, but was finally calmed down through the intervention of Ash and Sheena. It later joined forces with Dialga and Palkia to fight Arceus.

Other

In Hoopa and the Clash of Ages, Giratina was one of six Legendary Pokémon summoned and hypnotized by the shadow Hoopa Unbound as its reinforcements. It and its teammates engaged in a battle against the Latios, Latias, and Shiny Rayquaza summoned to protect the real Hoopa in Dahara City. Eventually, after the shadow Hoopa was sealed in a Prison Bottle, the hypnosis on Giratina and the other Legendary Pokémon was lifted, and Giratina departed for its home. It appeared in both of its formes.

Minor appearances

Giratina made its main series debut in Try for the Family Stone! as an illusion that was created by Mitchell's Murkrow.

In Dealing With a Fierce Double Ditto Drama!, Meowth's boss fantasy featured Giratina.

Pokémon Generations

Origin Forme Giratina in Pokémon Generations

In The New World, Giratina interfered with Cyrus's 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.

GOTCHA!

A Giratina briefly appeared in its Origin Forme as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Origin Forme Giratina in Pokémon Adventures

Movie adaptations

Main article: Giratina (movie)

Giratina appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior. Much like in the movie, it attacks Dialga and drags it into the Reverse World, and later is hunted by Zero. It reappears in Arceus and the Jewel of Life, where it, Dialga, and Palkia face off against Arceus.

Giratina also appeared in the graphic novel adaptation of Giratina and the Sky Warrior. It reappeared in the graphic novel adaptation of Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

Pocket Monsters DP

Giratina debuted in PMDP48.

A Giratina appeared in PMDP57, where it was flying by.

Pocket Monsters HGSS

A Giratina appeared in PMHGSS20, where it battled Red's Clefairy but fled after Clefairy didn't use any actual attacks.

Pocket Monsters Platinum: Aim to Be Battle King!!

Giratina debuted in PBK1 as an image on a box cover. It then physically debuted in PBK5, where it fought Yū Shirogane and lost.

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Pokémon of Myth (Adventures)

Giratina is a recurring antagonistic force in Pokémon Adventures, where it has a grudge against Dialga and Palkia for keeping it trapped inside the Distortion World. It first appeared in Double Trouble with Dialga and Palkia VI.

Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!

A Giratina appeared in ABM02 under the ownership of Manabu Kazuo.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Hareta bonded with Giratina after battling it in the Distortion World. After realizing it wanted to fight, Hareta teamed up with Giratina and fought his friends in a friendly battle. It first appeared in A Surprise Visit from Hareta's Father!.

In the TCG

Main article: Giratina (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

Giratina in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

Altered Forme Giratina appears as a Poké Ball summon. It uses Dragon Breath to cause a whirlwind. It also causes damage on contact.

Altered Forme Giratina also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.

Trophy information

NA: 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

Giratina in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

PAL: Also called the Renegade Pokémon, Giratina lives in a dimension known as the Distortion World. It has two forms, and will only be seen in its Origin Forme in our world if it's holding a Griseous Orb. Its Dragon Breath attack creates a powerful tornado that not only damages you, but can carry you off the stage!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Giratina returns as a Poké Ball summon, retaining its behavior from the previous game. Giratina cannot be summoned on Balloon Fight, Brinstar, Corneria, Dream Land GB, Golden Plains, Green Hill Zone, Jungle Japes, Living Room, Mute City SNES, Reset Bomb Forest, Suzaku Castle, Tomodachi Life, Tortimer Island, WarioWare Inc., or Yoshi's Island. It also appears as two Spirits, one in its Altered Forme, which can be enhanced into its Origin Forme.

Trivia

Origin

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.[1] 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 may reference the three primary states of matter; solid, liquid, and gas.

Giratina may also 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".

Additionally, Giratina may 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 resembles a European dragon, albeit with six legs instead of the usual four. Its 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 resembles a serpent or Chinese dragon; some contemporary depictions of the latter in fantasy works and video games are depicted with six or more legs like Giratina. It 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.

Name origin

Giratina may be derived from platina (Spanish for platinum). It may also involve guilty, guillotine, ギラリ girari (onomatopoeia for glaring), girare (Italian for to turn around or to wander), and possibly girasol (a type of opal).

In other languages

Altered Forme

Origin Forme

References