Poliwhirl

Poliwhirl in the games

Poliwhirl is the Tadpole Pokémon, a Water type that evolves from Poliwag starting at level 25. It can then evolve into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone, or into Politoed when traded while holding a King's Rock, though it cannot evolve into Politoed in FireRed and LeafGreen before earning the National Pokédex, and it cannot evolve into Politoed at all in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! since Politoed does not appear in those games. The black-and-white spiral on its belly is actually its organs showing through thin skin, and staring at it can induce drowsiness; out of water it sweats an oily fluid that keeps its skin moist and lets it slip away from enemies, though this fluid leaves the smooth swirl on its belly untouched.

Poliwhirl in the anime

Misty's Poliwhirl, which she caught as a Poliwag, appeared in The Totodile Duel and eventually evolved into a Politoed during Outrageous Fortunes. In Tie One On!, Vincent used a Poliwhirl in a battle against Macy, but it lost to her Quilava despite having the type advantage.

Poliwhirl on cards

Poliwhirl's first card came from 1999 Base Set, illustrated by Ken Sugimori, with Misty's Poliwhirl following in 2000's Gym Heroes. Later printings spread across eras with illustrators such as Kagemaru Himeno on Neo Discovery and Ken Sugimori's return for 2016's Evolutions. The 151 set gave Poliwhirl both a Common printing by Kurata So and an illustration rare by Gemi in 2023, and Twilight Masquerade added a further Common illustrated by OKACHEKE in 2024.

Cards to know

• Poliwhirl (Base Set #38)

  Poliwhirl's first card, a 1999 Base Set Uncommon illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

• Misty's Poliwhirl (Gym Heroes #53)

  Gym Heroes' Misty's Poliwhirl, illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

• Poliwhirl (Evolutions #24)

  2016's Evolutions printing brought Ken Sugimori back to illustrate Poliwhirl.

• Poliwhirl (151 #176)

  151's illustration rare Poliwhirl, illustrated by Gemi.