In the sixth issue of Best Buy’s @Gamer magazine, Game Freak developers Junichi Masuda and Ken Sugimori revealed that Ditto was originally based on the iconic smiley face. Its eyes and mouth are exactly like “:)”, which is an emoticon representing the smiley.
Additionally, Ditto strongly resembles an amoeba, a single-celled organism with no definite shape. This may emphasize its ability to alter its cellular composition. This could also explain why Ditto is unavailable through breeding, since single-celled organisms reproduce differently from multi-cellular plants and animals. It also could partially be based on an undifferentiated cell, a cell in the body that can change into any other cell by sampling it. It could also have been based on a blob.
Ditto is literally ditto, a substitute for repeating what was previously written or said. It was also a common name for copies of master documents created by mimeograph machines, as well as English slang meaning “the same” (in agreement or to copy someone’s order).
Metamon is a combination of metamorph and monster. Alternatively, Meta as a prefix means “to encompass all,” which Ditto’s Transform move does do to Pokémon.
No: 132
English Name: Ditto
Japanese Name: Metamon
Generation: 1
Type: Normal
Species: Transform Pokémon
Abilities: Limber, Imposter (hidden ability)
Evolution:-
Duplica’s Ditto transformed as a Pikachu
In its natural state, Ditto is a light purple or magenta free-form blob with vestigial facial features. It also appears to have two vestigial, handless ‘arms’ protruding from its body. It is capable of transforming into an exact replica of any physical object. However, if Ditto tries to transform into something based on memory, it may get some of the details wrong. The anime and the TCG have shown that occasionally a Ditto cannot change its face. Ditto will also be unable to remain in a transformed state if it starts laughing. Ditto cannot mimic the strength of another Pokémon, but it will adapt the form and abilities of its foe. When two Ditto meet in the wild, they will attempt to transform into each other. Ditto will also transform into a rock when sleeping to avoid attack. Ditto is never far from civilization or people.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Capable of copying an enemy’s genetic code to instantly transform itself into a duplicate of the enemy.
Pokemon Blue: Capable of copying an enemy’s genetic code to instantly transform itself into a duplicate of the enemy.
Pokemon Yellow: When it spots an enemy, its body transforms into an almost perfect copy of its opponent.
Pokemon Stadium: Capable of reorganizing its cells to transform into an exact duplicate of its enemy. It is usually a shapeless blob.
Pokemon Gold: It can transform into anything. When it sleeps, it changes into a stone to avoid being attacked.
Pokemon Silver: Its transformation ability is perfect. However, if it is made to laugh, it can’t maintain its disguise.
Pokemon Crystal: When it encounters another Ditto, it will move faster than normal to duplicate that opponent exactly.
Pokemon Stadium 2: It can transform into anything. When it sleeps, it changes into a stone to avoid being attacked.
Pokemon Ruby: Ditto rearranges its cell structure to transform itself into other shapes. However, if it tries to transform itself into something by relying on its memory, this Pokémon manages to get details wrong.
Pokemon Sapphire: Ditto rearranges its cell structure to transform itself into other shapes. However, if it tries to transform itself into something by relying on its memory, this Pokémon manages to get details wrong.
Pokemon Emerald: A Ditto rearranges its cell structure to transform itself. However, if it tries to change based on its memory, it will get details wrong.
Pokemon FireRed: It can freely recombine its own cellular structure to transform into other life-forms.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Capable of copying an opponent’s genetic code to instantly transform itself into a duplicate of the enemy.
Pokemon Diamond: It has the ability to reconstitute its entire cellular structure to transform into whatever it sees.
Pokemon Pearl: It has the ability to reconstitute its entire cellular structure to transform into whatever it sees.
Pokemon Platinum: It has the ability to reconstitute its entire cellular structure to transform into whatever it sees.
Pokemon HeartGold: It can transform into anything. When it sleeps, it changes into a stone to avoid being attacked.
Pokemon SoulSilver: Its transformation ability is perfect. However, if made to laugh, it can’t maintain its disguise.
Pokemon Black: It has the ability to reconstitute its entire cellular structure to transform into whatever it sees.
Pokemon White: It has the ability to reconstitute its entire cellular structure to transform into whatever it sees.
Pokemon Black 2: It can reconstitute its entire cellular structure to change into what it sees, but it returns to normal when it relaxes.
pokemon White 2: It can reconstitute its entire cellular structure to change into what it sees, but it returns to normal when it relaxes.
Pokemon X: It has the ability to reconstitute its entire cellular structure to transform into whatever it sees.
Pokemon Y: It can freely recombine its own cellular structure to transform into other life-forms.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Ditto rearranges its cell structure to transform itself into other shapes. However, if it tries to transform itself into something by relying on its memory, this Pokémon manages to get details wrong.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Ditto rearranges its cell structure to transform itself into other shapes. However, if it tries to transform itself into something by relying on its memory, this Pokémon manages to get details wrong.
Pokemon SUN: It can reorganize its cells to make itself into a duplicate of anything it sees. The quality of the duplicate depends on the individual.
Pokemon MOON: With its astonishing capacity for metamorphosis, it can get along with anything. It does not get along well with its fellow Ditto.
