Butterfree

Butterfree in the games: Caterpie's final evolution

Butterfree is the Kanto Bug and Flying type that Caterpie reaches in two quick steps: Metapod at level 7, then Butterfree at level 10. It stands 1.1 meters tall and weighs 32.0 kilograms. Compound Eyes raises the accuracy of its moves, and its hidden ability, Tinted Lens, doubles the damage of its not-very-effective attacks. Pokémon Sword and Shield gave it a Gigantamax form.

Ash's Butterfree and the pink Butterfree

In the anime, a Caterpie was the first wild Pokémon Ash caught. It evolved into Metapod in the same episode and into Butterfree in the next, Challenge of the Samurai. In Bye Bye Butterfree (first broadcast in Japan in August 1997 and in the United States in October 1998), Ash released it during mating season so it could leave with a pink Butterfree. That pink Butterfree was the first alternately colored Pokémon shown anywhere in the franchise, before Shiny Pokémon reached the games in Generation II.

Butterfree on cards: Jungle to Butterfree VMAX

Butterfree's first card is Jungle #33 (June 1999), an Uncommon illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno, and Legendary Collection (2002) reprinted that artwork as a Rare. Neo Discovery (2001) added a Rare by Atsuko Nishida, and Expedition Base Set (2002) printed two by Sumiyoshi Kizuki, including the #5 Holo Rare.

Supreme Victors (2009) printed Butterfree FB, one of the Pokémon SP cards for the Battle Frontier's Frontier Brains, and like every non-LV.X Pokémon SP it is a Basic Pokémon rather than a Stage 2. Darkness Ablaze (2020) brought Butterfree V and VMAX for its Gigantamax form, including a Secret Rare VMAX (#190) by aky CG Works. Journey Together (2025) added a Rare by satoma.

Cards to know

• Butterfree (Jungle #33)

  Butterfree's first card, a 1999 Uncommon illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno.

• Butterfree (Legendary Collection #21)

  The 2002 reprint of the Jungle artwork, raised to Rare.

• Butterfree (Expedition Base Set #5)

  A 2002 Holo Rare illustrated by Sumiyoshi Kizuki.

• Butterfree FB (Supreme Victors #17)

  A Frontier Brain Pokémon SP card that plays Butterfree as a Basic, drawn by Lee HyunJung.

• Butterfree VMAX (Darkness Ablaze #190)

  The Secret Rare version of Butterfree VMAX, tied to its Gigantamax form, by aky CG Works.