Thanks to Hamada for helping with edits.
Sometimes, I ask people to suggest topics for this column. A few months ago, I held a poll asking who from Pokémon I should discuss for the series’ looming anniversary. Accruing just over half the total votes, Sylveon won. Several of my buddies have also advocated Sylveon over the years, owing to my unorthodox stance on it. Altogether, I’d say this character is the one I’ve gotten the most requests to chronicle. I’m fine with that — so let’s go, friends.
Ken Sugimori art of Sylveon (Image: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)
Sylveon (or “Nymphia,” as it’s called in Japan) is the latest addition to the Eevee family, one of the multimedia franchise’s biggest. Eevee and its original three evolutions have been around since the series’ monochromatic genesis. Occasionally, we get new “Eeveelutions.” Sometimes, the Eevee clan is given starring roles, and they’re often highlighted in promotional materials. Sylveon, however, shouldered a unique responsibility during its unveiling…
Sylveon’s History
Pokémon X & Y began the franchise’s sixth generation, introducing seventy-two new creatures for players to catch, raise, and battle alongside. Naturally, some of them were revealed prior to the games’ release, and Sylveon’s unveiling occurred exactly nine years ago. After the previous generation’s soft reboot approach, seeing an older ‘Mon score a new evolution was a big deal and pleasant surprise. Oddly, however, this beast’s typing was not announced alongside it, spurring speculation that a new one was coming. Indeed, one was — Sylveon was our first tease of the Fairy-type, the inclusion of which helped rebalance the series’ stagnating type chart.
Sylveon’s winning this battle against Hydreigon, illustrating the Fairy-type’s advantage over the Dragon and Dark-types. (Image: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)
In X & Y, players can obtain a Sylveon by evolving an Eevee (later games would adjust its evolution method). One also fittingly serves as Fairy-type specialist Valerie’s strongest Pokémon. Subsequent mainline games, barring both Let’s Go iterations and Sinnoh remakes Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl, keep the fluffy fairy readily available. Additionally, Sun, Moon, and their Ultra versions give Sylveon a cameo when Eevee uses its stat-boosting Z-Move, Extreme Evoboost.
A franchise mainstay, Sylveon remains a regular across spinoffs, supplemental media, and merchandise. Some of its bigger side game appearances include batting alongside Valerie in Pokémon Masters, modeling in New Pokémon Snap, and most recently joining Pokémon UNITE’s roster. Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U honor Sylveon with a trophy. Sylveon’s largest extracurricular role, however, is within the Pokémon anime, where one appeared in a special prior to X & Y’s release. During the XY series, Ash battles a few (one of whom is Valerie’s; notably, it isn’t her ace here) and traveling companion Serena later obtains one of her own.
So, what’re my thoughts on Sylveon?
Erica Schroeder is Sylveon’s go-to English voice actress. A few different actresses portray the species in Japanese. (Image: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)
One of Pokémon’s greatest strengths is its diverse pool of monsters. All of them represent different creatures or objects, wield distinct abilities, and carry their own stories. Likewise, we are all diverse, speaking to our personal tastes, values, and life experiences. Each Pokémon will resonate with us differently, and every one is someone’s favorite. For that reason, there aren’t many I outright dislike; even those who don’t appeal to me still have a purpose and place.
Sylveon is one of those elusive specimens. Before discussing why, however, let’s summarize the earlier Eeveelutions, starting with Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon. This trio closely iterates on Eevee’s basic template, maintaining the clearest visual continuity with it and each other. Eevee’s original transformations reflect their respective types by changing their color palettes, manes, and tails. Vaporeon, admittedly, is more complex: a row of scales adorn its back, its ears drastically change shape, and its palette is the busiest. Still, it’s fine; these add texture to the Water-type without sacrificing those defining commonalities.
Atsuko Nishida designed Sylveon, and Sugimori basically accepted it on the spot. Notably, Nishida created every Eeveelution barring Jolteon and Flareon. (Image: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)
Afterwards, though? Nishida’s later Eeveelutions subtly move away from that template. Now, Espeon and Umberon still look fantastic, enough so for me to excuse their abandoning of Eevee’s ruff (the former replaces it with a pair of whiskers, though). Next comes Eevee’s fourth generation counterparts, both of whom I’m lukewarm towards. Glaceon’s tidy haircut clashes with its kin’s naturalistic aesthetics. And Leafeon is almost incoherent; its palette is the least harmonious one thus far, and the superfluous quills sprouting from its body do so with little rhyme or reason. Oh, and this duo’s paws are colored differently from their torsos, an admittedly small change.
Now, Sylveon. First, its color scheme is unquestionably the most vibrant of its tribe, flaunting white, pink, cyan, and blue. In isolation, it’s actually a really strong palette. Comparing it with those of Sylveon’s predecessors, however? The latecomer looks lurid. The neon hobgoblin also replaces Eevee’s mane with bows and ribbons, forsaking its precursors’ organic-looking coats (I also, historically, rarely favor Pokémon whose designs feature clothing-esque elements). Admittedly, this veneer does communicate the fairy’s typing well, which is good! But Sylveon looks so… synthetic, like it was made by tossing a bunch of stereotypically cute things together. It all feels excessive, since Eevee’s already cute and charming. Sylveon buries that under tawdry details, exasperating recent tendencies to fluff up its family. Ultimately, we’re left with an animal who looks too incongruous with them, and too saccharine on its own terms.
Sylveon’s eyes resembles Eevee’s in shape, something that isn’t true of its siblings. Amusingly, a friend once compared its eyes to those of the Black Puddle Queen, a Courage villain. (Image: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)
A few of my friends defend Sylveon, claiming it’s useful in battle. That alone isn’t enough for a spot on my team (barring rare exceptions, like with Colosseum and its limited pool of Pokémon). Why bother spending time raising something I find unappealing? Unfortunately, Sylveon lacks anything — namely, a strong personality or lore — that could compensate for that. While the mammal’s elegant and cheerful demeanor is serviceable, it’s also nothing special. Meanwhile, other Pokémon harbor strong designs and elevate them with equally strong personalities or backstories. And if I’m specifically seeking Fairy-types, there’s no shortage of compelling options.
Of course, my position on Sylveon doesn’t conform with the general consensus; it regularly ranks highly in popularity polls. Clearly, it resonates with people, and I’m sure many will argue Sylveon fits in with its lineage perfectly well — and, so there’s no mistake, I am not arguing it’s inherently bad for any Eeveelution to deviate from their base’s mold. A few absences aside, Sylveon is rightfully here to stay. And hey, at least the mystique surrounding its debut was fun.
Congratulations, Sylveon! Ta-da!
Sylveon sort of reminds me of Waluigi. Visually, both mesh awkwardly with their iconic seniors, and both of their articles in this column were particularly challenging to write. (Image: Nintendo/The Pokémon Company)
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