Urshifu (Pokémon)

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Urshifu (Japanese: ウーラオス Wulaosu) is a Legendary Pokémon introduced during Generation VIII, in The Isle of Armor.
It evolves from when shown the scroll in one of the Towers of Two Fists or when exposed to the Scroll of Darkness or the Scroll of Waters.
It has two separate forms. Its form is determined by how it is evolved from Kubfu.
* In its Single Strike Style, it is dual-type . Kubfu evolves into this form when shown the Scroll of Darkness.
* In its Rapid Strike Style, it is dual-type . Kubfu evolves into this form when shown the Scroll of Waters.
(Refer to Game data→Evolution data for more details.)
Urshifu has two Gigantamax forms, one for each Style. It can Gigantamax into Gigantamax Urshifu if it has the .
Urshifu is the game mascot of The Isle of Armor, appearing on the boxarts of the .
==Biology==
Urshifu is a large, bipedal resembling a humanoid black bear with a wushu motif. It has a muscular build with long legs and long arms with large paws and claws for striking. Its body and head are covered in gray, black, and white fur, minus the yellow muzzle. The front of Urshifu's pelt slightly resembles a traditional frog buttoned/braid buttoned hanging off ends on both front and back. The fur on Urshifu's head is spikier and flares into a flowing white and black headband. The backs of Urshifu's hands, its knuckles, and the tops of its feet are also white-colored.
Urshifu's fighting style and personality are determined by how it trained as a and which one of the special scrolls it reads from one of the Towers of Two Fists. Urshifu is the evolved form of the "" of the Isle of Armor's Master Dojo, and reaches its full potential through either the path of darkness or the path of waters. It is also known to enjoy eating honey, particularly Max Honey found in Honeycalm Island. Wild Urshifu live in mountainous areas of a region far away from the Galar region, training its legs and moves by racing across sheer cliffs. 
Urshifu is the only known Pokémon that can have as its Ability.
===Forms===
Urshifu has two forms, Single Strike Style and Rapid Strike Style, each with unique Gigantamax forms. The two Styles appear nearly identical to each other, with the main differences being the look of the fur on top of its head, and the posing of both of its fists and legs.
;Single Strike Style
Appearance-wise, the fur on top of Single Strike Style Urshifu's head and on its legs flows up, while its headband flares upward and backward. The two styles also have different default poses: Single Strike Style Urshifu has its front fist raised, back fist lowered, and both feet planted.
Single Strike Style Urshifu prefers battling without holding back, and often employs one-hit KO strategies. If enraged, it will mercilessly attack the opponent until utterly crushed. Its movements are direct and involve rushing in a straight line. When it is a certain distance away from an opponent, it quickly leaps in to unleash .Urshifu | Official Website | Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
Single Strike Style Urshifu is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move .
;Rapid Strike Style
Appearance-wise, the fur on top of Rapid Strike Style Urshifu's head and on its legs flows down, while its headband flares forward and outward. Rapid Strike Style Urshifu has its back fist raised, front fist lowered, and front foot lifted off the ground.
Rapid Strike Style Urshifu prefers calmly observing the opponents and their strengths while dodging. Its movements and attacks have been compared to a river, flowing but unyielding. It uses flowing movements to ward off an opponent's attack before overwhelming them with .
Rapid Strike Style Urshifu is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move . 
;Gigantamax Single Strike Style
When Single Strike Style Urshifu Gigantamaxes, the patterns on its fur become significantly accentuated, its headband lengthens, and its eyes and mouth take on a white glow. In general, parts of its fur that used to be gray are now white, and parts that used to be black are now red. In addition, Urshifu's leg fur and headband become spikier.
Gigantamax Single Strike Style Urshifu has been called "the very embodiment of rage" and "a divine emissary that banishes evil spirits with its fury."Gigantamax Urshifu | Official Website | Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield It is believed that Gigantamax Single Strike Style Urshifu can rid the world of its malevolence through its terrifying expression and shouting. The shockwaves released from its fists can blow away Dynamaxed Pokémon with just one hit.
Gigantamax Single Strike Style Urshifu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the G-Max Move .
; Gigantamax Rapid Strike Style
When Rapid Strike Style Urshifu Gigantamaxes, the patterns on its fur become significantly accentuated, its headband lengthens, and its eyes and mouth take on a white glow. In general, parts of its fur that used to be gray are now white, and parts that used to be black are now blue. In addition, Urshifu's leg fur and headband become rounder and less spiky.
Gigantamax Rapid Strike Style Urshifu maintains a perfect one-legged stance in a calm, unflinching manner. Opponents who face it may either feel greatly agitated or experience a sense of relief as if freed from evil spirits. Gigantamax Rapid Strike Style Urshifu could supposedly destroy those with evil in their hearts by simply glaring at them.
Gigantamax Rapid Strike Style Urshifu is the only known Pokémon capable of using the G-Max Move .
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Urshifu(Single Strike Style)
===Evolution===
Urshifu evolves from .
(For specifics on this Pokémon's Evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
==Game data==
===NPC appearances ===
*Pokémon Sword and Shield: The Isle of Armor: is a major character in the DLC. As a , it serves as the "Secret Armor" of the Master Dojo and is given to the player by Mustard after passing his three trials. It is later evolved into Single Strike Style or a Rapid Strike Style Urshifu after they defeat Mustard and his own Kubfu at the final floor of the Tower of Darkness or the Tower of Waters, by examining the Scroll of Darkness or the Scroll of Waters. The player later unlocks Urshifu's Gigantamax potential and has the chance to use it against Mustard's own Urshifu in the final battle against him.
=== Pokédex entries ===
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===Game locations===
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====In side games====
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====In events====
=====Wild Area News=====
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*Urshifu that appeared in Wild Area News events were not able to be caught, only battled for a chance at certain item rewards.
===Held items===
===Stats===
====Base stats====
Single Strike Style and Rapid Strike Style Urshifu have the same base stats.
===Type effectiveness===
====Single Strike Style====
====Rapid Strike Style====
===Learnset===
====By leveling up====
=====Single Strike Style=====
=====Rapid Strike Style=====
====By TM====
=====Single Strike Style=====
=====Rapid Strike Style=====
====By ====
====By a prior Evolution====
===Side game data===
====Single Strike Style====
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=====Gigantamax Strike Style=====
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====Rapid Strike Style====
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=====Gigantamax Rapid Style=====
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===Form data ===
Urshifu has two non-interchangeable forms: Single Strike Style and Rapid Strike Style.
The two forms share the same in-game model, and are only animated differently, but have different types, with Single Strike Style being -type and Rapid Strike Style being -type. They also learn different moves and have different cries and Gigantamax forms.
	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
 	 	
Moves in bold are . Moves in italics do no damage.	Moves in bold are . Moves in italics do no damage.	Moves in bold are . Moves in italics do no damage.
====Gigantamax====
Urshifu has two Gigantamax forms, one for each Style.
===Evolution data===
In Generation VIII, the form of Urshifu that evolves into is dependent on which of the Towers of Two Fists it evolved at, with it evolving into Single Strike Style at the Tower of Darkness or Rapid Strike Style at the Tower of Waters. In Generation IX, Kubfu evolves into Single Strike Style when exposed to the Scroll of Darkness or Rapid Strike Style when exposed to the Scroll of Waters.
===Sprites===
==In animation==
===Main series===
====Major appearances====
Single Strike Style Urshifu debuted in Leaping Toward the Dream!, under the ownership of Quillon.
Rapid Strike Style Urshifu debuted in Trial on a Golden Scale!, under the ownership of Danika.
====Minor appearances====
====Pokédex entries====
==In the manga==
===Pokémon Adventures===
Mustard's Urshifu debuted in PASS35 as the final opponent and had to face at the Tower of Waters.
In PASS36, Kubfu evolved into a Urshifu after inspecting the Scroll of Waters and officially joined Henry's team. It was later given the nickname Āman.
===Pokémon Journeys===
Quillon's Single Strike Style Urshifu debuted in Leaping Toward the Dream!. It reappeared in Ultra Exciting from the Shocking Start! & Trial on a Golden Scale! (Part 2), alongside Danika's Rapid Strike Style Urshifu.
== In the TCG==
==Other appearances==
===Pokémon UNITE===
Urshifu is playable through obtaining a Unite License. It is a meelee all-rounder in both Single and Rapid Strike Styles.
==Trivia==
*Urshifu and its pre-Evolution were designed by Yusuke Ohmura.Tweet about designing Kubfu and Urshifu
*Urshifu is the only Legendary Pokémon that has a Gigantamax form, and consequently the only Legendary Pokémon that can use a G-Max Move.
** It is also the only Pokémon with more than one Gigantamax form, and consequently the only Pokémon with more than one G-Max Move.
**It is also the only Pokémon with a Gigantamax Form whose form is unavailable, not counting , as Melmetal has been made legitimately available in Shiny form, albeit without the Gigantamax Factor, which it cannot gain from .
===Origin===
Urshifu may be based on an and a fighter. Its two forms may reference various styles of Chinese martial arts.
Single Strike Style Urshifu may have been based on , a highly assaultive style featuring precise, powerful and direct strikes. This can give meaning to Single Strike Style Urshifu's signature move, Wicked Blow; which always lands in a critical hit and described to be a singular, strong punch. The posture of Single Strike Urshifu in its official artwork may be based on the shàngbù dǐngzhǒu (Chinese: 上步頂肘 / 上步顶肘) stance of Bajiquan, where the practicer takes a step forward and protrudes an elbow towards the opponent. The Single Strike Style may also be a reference to Ikken Hissatsu (一拳必殺), a term commonly associated with karate meaning "to annihilate in one blow" or "one hit, one kill."
Rapid Strike Style Urshifu and its signature move, Surging Strikes, may have been based on , which is based around flowing movements, balance, dodging, deflecting, and tactile surging movements of "push hands." Its typing may also be a reference to the water parable in Taoism, which is popularized by the "be like water" quote by . The posture of Rapid Strike Urshifu in its official artwork may be based on the "golden rooster stands on one leg" posture of the Taijiquan forms.
Both Urshifu forms may represent each side of the martial art concept of "hard and soft" or "external and internal," with the Single Strike Style representing the "hard" or "external" side, while the Rapid Strike Style represents the "soft" or "internal" side. Both forms of Urshifu and their pre-Evolution Kubfu may also be based on the and the constellations.
Urshifu's Gigantamax forms may be inspired by , transformed Buddhas with terrifying appearances yet noble hearts, that judge and punish the spirits of the dead, and additionally, quell evil. Alternatively, they might have been influenced by , Agyō and Ungyō, a pair of viciously powerful that ward off evil spirits and protect good spirits, as Urshifu is also capable of doing both. Typically, statues depicting Agyō will have its mouth open as a sign of violent aggression, while Ungyō will have its mouth closed to represent latent strength. Gigantamax Urshifu's forms seem to reverse this, as Rapid Strike Style's mouth is closed and it attacks its foes relentlessly, while Single Strike Style's mouth is open and it confidently delivers a single punch to a weak point. Additionally, the statues are often colored red and blue, though the color is not a prominent trait of either, as they can each be red or blue, and sometimes both.
====Name origin====
Urshifu may be a combination of ursus (Latin for bear) and (Chinese for master). It may also involve .
Wulaosu may be a combination of (Chinese martial arts), 老師 / 老师 lǎoshī (Chinese for teacher), and possibly ウラー urā (hurrah, battle cry) and 押忍 osu (interjection used in Japanese martial arts).
==In other languages==
Single Strike Style
Rapid Strike Style
==Related articles==
*Āman
* Urshifu (UNITE)
*Legendary Pokémon
* Gigantamax
*List of Pokémon with form differences
*The Isle of Armor
*Myths and legends involving Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
==References==
==External links==
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Category:Legendary Pokémon
Category:Galar Legendary Pokémon
Category:Game mascots
Category:Pokémon introduced in The Isle of Armor
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