Starmie
Template:Short description Template:Good article Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox character Template:Nihongo is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise, and the evolved form of Staryu. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, it was designed by Ken Sugimori, and has appeared in multiple games in the series, including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Resembling two overlapped starfish with a jewel in its center, Starmie is classified as a Water- and Psychic-type Pokémon. In the franchise's fictional universe, Starmie is believed to have arrived from outer space and can transmit radio waves. A Starmie has been owned by the Gym Leader Misty in both the games and Pokémon: The Series; the latter is voiced by Rikako Aikawa. An additional form of Starmie, referred as Mega Starmie, was introduced in the 2025 video game Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Following its debut, Starmie received positive reception for its good stats and competitive abilities, going on to win multiple tournaments. The fight against Misty's Starmie also received discussion due to its function as an early game challenge. However, its Mega Evolution was more divisively received due to its design, becoming a meme within the Pokémon community.
Concept and creation
Template:Multiple images Starmie is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.<ref name="millenial"/> Each Pokémon has one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.<ref name="millenial">Template:Cite book</ref>
Starmie evolves from the Pokémon Staryu when a "Water Stone" item is used on Staryu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Starmie is a purple starfish-like Pokémon with ten arms;<ref name="Birch">Template:Cite web</ref> its body resembles two starfish overlapped.<ref name="Starman">Template:Cite web</ref> Unlike most Pokémon, Starmie does not have a face,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Reference page instead having a glowing red jewel at its center,<ref name="IGNStar">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Vasquez">Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Reference page which can glow in rainbow colors.<ref name="Dojo">Template:Cite web</ref> Starmie's shiny form changes its body to a deep blue-purple and its jewel to cerulean with its barrier turning to red.<ref name="Shiny">Template:Cite web</ref> Starmie, alongside its prior evolutionary stage, Staryu, are implied in-universe to be from outer space. At night, Starmie transmits radio waves into outer space.<ref name="Dojo" /> To move around, it lifts itself into the air and floats,<ref name="Ride">Template:Cite web</ref> although it has also been depicted walking.<ref name="Starman" /> Starmie's English name is believed to be a play on words; in conjunction with its prior stage, Staryu, their names are a combination of "Starfish"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> / "Star", "You", and "Me".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Both Staryu and Starmie are genderless.<ref name="SR"/> Its design is speculated to be based on the sunflower sea star,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Reference page due to their shared similarities in color and large amount of arms.<ref name="Birch" /> Starmie's jewel may be a reference to the Colour Timer from the Ultraman franchise. Starmie and Staryu's jewels start blinking when they are injured, similar to how Colour Timers indicate its user is running out of energy. The Ultraman reference is extended to their appearances in the Pokémon anime, where they communicate only using grunts instead of repeating their names, similar to how Ultras only grunt and shout during fights.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The 2025 game Pokémon Legends: Z-A introduced a temporary, in-battle transformation for Starmie known as Mega Starmie. Mega Starmie looks identical to Starmie, but grows two human-like legs, which it can use to run around. It also poses with its arms on its hips when standing.<ref name="Starman" /> Its Mega Evolution gives it high speed and strong attacking stats. In the games' lore, Mega Starmie takes on this form due to attempting to resemble humans, though it is unclear if this is to replicate or to replace humanity.<ref name="PolyStar">Template:Cite web</ref> Its design may be partially also inspired by the Japanese superhero Ultraman.<ref name="MecStar">Template:Cite web</ref>
Appearances
In video games
Starmie first appeared in the 1996 video game Pokémon Red and Green (Red and Blue outside of Japan); it is classified as a Water- and Psychic-type Pokémon and obtainable by evolving from Staryu using a Water Stone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Starmie appears in multiple games after, including the remakes FireRed and LeafGreen,<ref name="RGGuide">Template:Cite book</ref> and later Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. In the latter, the player can ride on Starmie around the games' overworld.<ref name="Ride" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is typically only available through evolving from Staryu, though in some games, like Pokémon Black and White, it can be found in the wild.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Starmie has occasionally been a version exclusive, meaning one would need to be trade to be seen in the opposite version; a naturally obtainable Starmie can only be found in Pokémon LeafGreen and Pokémon X.<ref name="RGGuide" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the player can witness an event in which a Starmie is having a staring contest against a Corsola and a Slowpoke. Starmie can lose the contest if the player uses a Pokémon that can tickle it, and in-return the player is rewarded.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was initially absent from Pokémon Sword and Shield until the release of the Isle of Armor DLC expansion pack.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was not included in Pokémon Legends: Arceus or Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was later featured in Pokémon Legends Z-A, receiving a new form called Mega Starmie that makes it more powerful.<ref name="PolyStar" />
In the first generation games,Template:Efn Starmie is a Pokémon used by the Water-type Cerulean City Gym Leader Misty; it is considered her best Pokémon.<ref name="Misty">Template:Cite web</ref> Misty, alongside her Starmie, re-appear in Pokémon Gold and Silver,Template:Efn Pokémon Crystal,<ref name="GSC" /> and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the mobile game Pokémon Masters EX, Misty, alongside her Starmie, are featured as a playable duo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Starmie can be seen in other spin-off Pokémon video games, including Pocket Monster Stadium,<ref name="Starman" /> Pokémon Stadium,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokémon Snap and its sequel New Pokémon Snap,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokémon Pinball: Ruby and Sapphire,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Pokémon Ranger,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and the mobile game Pokémon Go.<ref name="Shiny" /> Starmie has appeared in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including a controllable Starmie found in the Sunken Treasure minigame in Gates to Infinity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Pokémon: Magikarp Jump, the player can receive a decoration based on Starmie after winning the "Heal League".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has been featured in multiple card sets in the Pokémon Trading Card Game,Template:Efn with the card "Starmie ex" also appearing in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket.<ref name="TCGP">Template:Cite web</ref> In Super Smash Bros. for the Nintendo 64, players can summon various Pokémon from Poké Balls to fight for them, including Starmie.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In other media
Starmie appears in Pokémon: The Series, with one being featured on Misty's team since her introduction, who accompanies protagonist Ash Ketchum. Misty had trouble using her Starmie, often times losing with it. Instead, she used it as a mode of transport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the anime, Starmie is voiced by Japanese voice actress Rikako Aikawa.<ref name="VA" />
"First Prize For Starmie" is an entry in the Pokémon Tales board book series for children. Written by Kazuyuki Yamamoto, illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno and published by Viz Media, it tells the story of a group of Starmie that race each other across the galaxy, with one exploring the cosmo to get home for Christmas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Promotion and reception
Starmie has been featured on a number of merchandise, such as a plush,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> figurines,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> accessories,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a pillow,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> painted Template:Nihongo,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> card sleeves,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and clothing.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During a collaboration between Pokémon Centers and Star Jewelry, a number of items were designed which featured Starmie on them.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In Japan, a pokéfuta depicting Starmie was installed in an area of Toyohashi in July 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2016, to capture the rising popularity of Pokémon GO, an Auckland-based jeweller created a promotion in-which customers who have caught Starmie in-game would receive a free gemstone.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> According to a document leak published by WikiLeaks, a hacking program named after Starmie was allegedly developed by the CIA for the purpose of exploiting Android devices that use the operating system versions Android 4.0 to 4.3, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, the Galaxy Note and the Epic 4G Touch,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> to gain remote access in order to collect user data.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Starmie has received positive reception from both critics and fans, appearing in many best Pokémon rankings; Alex Lucard from the Beckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector magazine noting that its typing and ability to learn powerful attacks made it a well-rounded member of any team.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Alex Olney, Jon Cartwright and Zion Grassl remarked during a video for Nintendo Life that it was an improvement over Staryu due to finding Starmie more intimidating.<ref>Template:Cite video</ref> Inside GamesTemplate:' Suenaga praised Starmie's return in Sword and ShieldTemplate:'s DLC, describing it as one of their favourite Pokémon from the first generation and being an ace at combat; Suenaga even ran a full team of shiny Starmie each with a different moveset.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During a study published in the journal Language Arts, professor Vivian Maria Vasquez observed how players believed Starmie to be an enigma, citing it's unthreatening appearance contradicting its ability to have some of the best moves in the games. Vasquez also noted how, despite being genderless, Starmie garnered a reputation for being a "girl's Pokémon" because of its appearance as a "starry jewel."<ref name="Vasquez" /> Writing for Nintendo Life, Evan Lambert described Starmie as being a non-binary icon within the community due to its genderless status and color scheme being similar to the non-binary flag. Additionally, he noted Starmie was a subject of memes among fans due it making suggestive cries in the French dub of the Pokémon anime.<ref name="Lambert">Template:Cite web</ref>
Critics commented on Starmie's role as an early game challenge in the first generation games as Misty's ace. Starmie's high speed stat and use of attacks such as Bubble Beam as reasons why many younger players had particular trouble beating it,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with IGN describing Misty's Starmie as "an absolute pain" to fight.<ref name="OTD">Template:Cite web</ref> Critics noted that players that chose Charmander as their starter would have a harder time beating it compared to players that chose Bulbasaur,<ref name="OTD" /> with some seeing this a way to teach players to catch more type effective Pokémon such as Oddish in order to beat it.<ref name="Misty" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Writing for Magmix, author Sootball saw the fight as an example how basic knowledge about Pokémon mechanics such as Technical Machines (TMs) and type matchups are essential during early game, noting that for younger players who brute force through the game with just strong move "Misty's Starmie will likely seem too strong, like a world champion."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In competitive
Starmie gained particular attention for its combat abilities, where it was noted as both a strong and fast Pokémon among the selection during the earlier games in the series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Between 1997 and 1998, Starmie had been used to win official regional tournaments as well as the finals tournament "Nintendo Cup '97",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> prompting it to be banned alongside other Pokémon from use in "Nintendo Cup '99" following the addition of new rules to promote other Pokémon to have more exposure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of 2024, Starmie is ranked in the top tier of competitive player for the first generation according to competitive Pokémon fan site Smogon.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In IGNTemplate:'s "PokémonoftheDayChick" series of articles, Starmie was noted as being very versatile due to having a variety of different combat strategies for any situation in the first and second generations due to being able to learn many good offensive and defensive moves. When covering specific movesets for Starmie to use, the "DeathStar" moveset was brought up as being infamous within the Pokémon community,Template:Efn and described as being "nigh unparalleled if you're in the market for a world class annoyer" due to being able to both paralyse and confuse opponents. However, when it came to Starmie's physical design, the author found it hard to attach to due to its lack of a face.<ref name="OTD" /> FutabanetTemplate:'s Honey similarly noted Starmie's moveset options, declaring it one of the best Pokémon to use in Red and Green.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They continued that due to Starmie being able to learn the move "Blizzard", it alongside other Pokémon that could use the move such as Tauros were used abundantly at tournaments, causing Dragon-type Pokémon to become unable to be used at a competitive level due to their weakness to Ice-type moves.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Writing for USA TodayTemplate:'s For the Win website, Cian Maher described Starmie as one of the best designed Psychic-type Pokémon in the series due to it having impressive Speed and Special Attacks stats for its type. Maher further recalled the "DeathStar" strategy, referred to in the article as "Death Starmie", reminiscing that "it doesn’t even need a Psychic move" to be considered the best of all Psychic-types.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Conversely, Screen RantTemplate:'s Scott Baird believed that Starmie and its pre-evolution were poorly designed in Gold and Silver, pointing out that they are programmed to learn moves that either don't work properly or can't be obtained due to being genderless. Baird speculates that this was likely an oversight during development, noting that the programmed moves were likely a holdover from a previous in-development build that was leaked where the pair were originally gendered.<ref name="SR">Template:Cite web</ref>
In Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, the "Starmie ex" card was seen as a strong card within the game's meta during the first few weeks. Often used in a deck alongside the Misty card and another Water-type Pokémon card,<ref name="TCGP" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> such as "Lapras ex" or "Articuno ex",<ref name="KotTCG">Template:Cite web</ref> the "Starmie ex" card was considered a powerful card due to its ability to be easily set up as well as being able to do high amounts of damage without using a lot of energy;<ref name="KotTCG" /><ref name="GameP">Template:Cite web</ref> outlets such as IGN, Nintendo Life and TheGamer listed the card as one of the strongest cards in the game,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with the latter two noting it had little weakness outside of electric attacks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Starmie's card became quickly hated in the game's community due to believing it had too many strengths.<ref name="GameP" /> The card would also be listed on websites such as eBay by players to be sold through the game's trading mechanic for in-game currency and lower-value cards, in what IGN described as a "strange [community ran] black market".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> By March 2025, Starmie's position had fallen slightly in the meta, with players speculating this to be due to lower health points and the introduction of more affordable Water-type Pokémon cards,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> however, the card is still considered to be a high tier.<ref name="KotTCG" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mega Evolution
Mega Starmie's design received a mixed reception from both critics and Pokémon fans, with some fans supportive of the design and finding it funny and silly,<ref name="EuroStar">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="GRStar">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="EscStar">Template:Cite web</ref> whereas others believed it ruined Starmie's design and took over from Mega Dragonite as the worst Mega design in Z-A.<ref name="PolyStar" /><ref name="TheStar">Template:Cite web</ref> TheGamer executive editor Rebecca Phillips believed Mega Starmie to be the best Mega form in Z-A, finding that part of its appeal came from evoking the uncanny valley and that its "bizarre, humanoid design gives it a little oomph."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Conversely, writing for Polygon Giovanni Colantonio declared Mega Starmie to be Z-ATemplate:'s worst Mega form, describing it as a "body horror monstrosity" designed by David Cronenberg.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also writing for Polygon, Patricia Hernandez joked that Mega Starmie looked silly and "had the vibe of a meme or a shitpost", although commented it was quite strong due to its high stats.<ref name="PolyStar" /> Kenneth Shepard, writing for Kotaku, felt that while the concept for Mega Starmie was interesting, the design was bland and could have had more done with it. Shepard felt it was too goofy and that it took away from Starmie's usual "elegant" vibe.<ref name="KotStar">Template:Cite web</ref> In a later article for Kotaku, Shepard admitted that although he initially hated the design, Mega Starmie became a crucial part of his team during his playthrough because of its increased movement speed.<ref name="SoBad">Template:Cite web</ref> Olivia Richman from The Escapist heavily criticized the design as being indicative of Game Freak being lazy and adding that people should feel bad for buying Z-A.<ref name="EscStar" />
Additional commentary was made regarding Mega Starmie's walking animation. IGNTemplate:'s Tom Phillips praised the look of the animation, mentioning how it changed from "a more graceful roll to something out of a Saturday-morning cartoon."<ref name="IGNStar" /> Commenting on Starmie's Pokédex entry mentioning its walk, Shepard found the different implications of what it could mean to be equally horrifying as either meaning Starmie was supplanting humanity or that it believes humanity walks around "like something out of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon," though noted the latter as a sort of burn to humans.<ref name="KotStar" /> Similarly, TheGamerTemplate:'s Josh Coulson wrote how he found Mega Starmie's ability to walk creepy, although he admitted the way it ran was amusing and as if the "Benny Hill theme" was playing whenever it ran.<ref name="GamStar">Template:Cite web</ref> Richman questioned why the developers ignored its ability to float, calling the movement animations "stupid as hell" and that "Game Freak should feel bad."<ref name="EscStar" />
EurogamerTemplate:'s Connor Makar noted that Mega Starmie, compared to other new Mega Evolutions, had been discussed substantially more as a result of its appearance.<ref name="EuroStar" /> Shepard reported that a week after Z-ATemplate:'s release and the design had received a "wave of backlash", players had begun to find the design endearing, commenting that it had "reached the "so bad it's good" status".<ref name="SoBad" /> Following Mega Starmie's reveal, the Pokémon became the subject of memes and shitposts on social media,<ref name="IGNStar" /><ref name="GRStar" /> with fans creating fan art of the design to mock or to express support such as by depicting Mega Starmie with buff legs;<ref name="EuroStar" /> fan art was even created by the Spanish social media account of fast-food chain KFC.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other people used the opportunity to create alternate designs of Starmie's mega form, in particular leaning into the space aspect of Starmie, with journalists such as Richman and Coulson thinking they were an improvement over the original and were disappointed the fans design couldn't become a reality.<ref name="TheStar" /><ref name="EscStar" /> In Japan, fans made art of the creature running or wearing stockings,<ref name="AutoStar">Template:Cite web</ref> or by comparing / fusing Starmie with the demons Decarabia and Kaiwan from the Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series.<ref name="GRStar" /> Both journalists and fans commonly compared its design to a scene in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, in which Patrick Star is depicted with long legs and fishnets.<ref name="DesStar">Template:Cite web</ref> Fans have also compared the design to the Starmen from EarthBound,<ref name="Starman" /><ref name="IGNStar" /> Starro from DC Comics and Starman from the Kirby series.<ref name="AutoStar" /> Shepard believed that Mega Starmie's legs made it "easy to graft onto just about anything."<ref name="SoBad" /> According to Evan Lambert, Mega Starmie had earned a queer icon status online, with queer cosplayers and drag queens dressing up as and designing outfits based on it, as well as being used in memes referencing movies such as The Devil Wears Prada. Lambert described Mega Starmie as a "symbol of resistance" due to it becoming a breakout star despite it initially being rejected by society.<ref name="Lambert" />