Slowbro’s shell and lifestyle are somewhat similar to hermit crabs, though it is physically similar to giant otters, giant salamanders, and hippopotamuses. Slowbro’s appearance may also be a reference to the mythical sazae-oni, a magical sea demon of Japanese folklore distinguished by its spiny “sazae” or “turban shaped” snail shell.
Its parasitic relationship with Shellder may be inspired by leeches. Interestingly enough, Slowbro is known as the Hermit Crab Pokémon and many real-world parasites, including leeches, often target crabs.
Slowbro is a combination of slow and bro (short for brother). It may just be used in a general sense, or it could refer to the brotherly/symbiotic relationship shared by the combined form of Slowpoke and Shellder.
Yadoran may be taken to mean 宿らん (to not lodge/dwell). It may also reference 宿借り yadokari (hermit crab) or 宿主 yadonushi ([parasitic] host).
No: 080
English Name: Slowbro
Japanese Name: Yadoran
Generation: 1
Type: Water, Psychic
Species: Hermit Crab Pokémon
Abilities: Oblivious, Own Tempo, Regenerator (hidden ability)
Evolution: Slowpoke > Slowbro
Slowbro is a bipedal, pink Pokémon with a tan, striped belly and a tan muzzle. It has large, vacant eyes, curled ears, and two pointed teeth protruding from its upper jaw. On its hands, it has three clawed fingers, and two clawed toes on its feet. There is a Shellder attached to its tail. This Shellder has a gray, spiraled shell with darker gray spots. There are several spikes across the surface of the Shellder, and it holds onto Slowbro with many sharp teeth. If the Shellder is knocked off, Slowbro will revert to its unevolved form.
Slowbro has lost the capability to feel pain due to the Shellder’s poison. However, it apparently becomes inspired when the Shellder bites down on its tail. While it is capable of unleashing powerful psychic attacks, Slowbro is typically rather peaceful and usually prefers not to fight. Because it can no longer fish using its tail, it instead swims to catch its prey and allows the Shellder to feed on its leftover scraps. Slowbro tends to live near ponds, lakes, and seashores.
When Slowbro Mega Evolves into Mega Slowbro, it becomes engulfed by the Shellder to the point where only its head, arms and tail are visible. The spiral Shellder now has an opening at its tip, allowing the tail of Slowbro to stick out, which it balances on due to its legs being engulfed. It can move by bouncing, using its tail as a spring. The spikes on the Shellder are now reduced to four on the bottom section of its body, with the dark spots only visible on its middle section. Mega Slowbro’s energy has gathered into Shellder, which has increased its hardness. This allows it to act as an armor so hard that nothing can scratch it.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: The Shellder that is latched onto Slowpoke’s tail is said to feed on the host’s left over scraps.
Pokemon Blue: The Shellder that is latched onto Slowpoke’s tail is said to feed on the host’s left over scraps.
Pokemon Yellow: Lives lazily by the sea. If the Shellder on its tail comes off, it becomes a Slowpoke again.
Pokemon Stadium: If its tail is bitten by a Shellder, Slowpoke evolves into Slowbro. The Shellder seems to like its crunchy tail.
Pokemon Gold: If the tail-biting Shellder is thrown off in a harsh battle, it reverts to being an ordinary Slowpoke.
Pokemon Silver: Naturally dull to begin with, it lost its ability to feel pain due to Shellder’s seeping poison.
Pokemon Crystal: An attached Shellder won’t let go because of the tasty flavor that oozes out of its tail.
Pokemon Stadium 2: If the tail-biting Shellder is thrown off in a harsh battle, it reverts to being an ordinary Slowpoke.
Pokemon Ruby: Slowbro’s tail has a Shellder firmly attached with a bite. As a result, the tail can’t be used for fishing anymore. This causes Slowbro to grudgingly swim and catch prey instead.
Pokemon Sapphire: Slowbro’s tail has a Shellder firmly attached with a bite. As a result, the tail can’t be used for fishing anymore. This causes Slowbro to grudgingly swim and catch prey instead.
Pokemon Emerald: Its tail has a Shellder firmly attached with a bite. As a result, the tail can’t be used for fishing anymore. This forces it to reluctantly swim and catch prey.
Pokemon FireRed: When a Slowpoke went hunting in the sea, its tail was bitten by a Shellder. That made it evolve into Slowbro.
Pokemon LeafGreen: The Shellder that latches onto Slowpoke’s tail is said to feed on the host’s leftover scraps.
Pokemon Diamond: Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.
Pokemon Pearl: Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.
Pokemon Platinum: Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.
Pokemon HeartGold: If the tail-biting Shellder is thrown off in a harsh battle, it reverts to being an ordinary Slowpoke.
Pokemon SoulSilver: Naturally dull to begin with, it lost its ability to feel pain due to Shellder’s seeping poison.
Pokemon Black: Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.
Pokemon White: Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.
Pokemon Black 2: Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.
pokemon White 2: Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.Though usually dim witted, it seems to become inspired if the Shellder on its tail bites down.
Pokemon X: An attached Shellder won’t let go because of the tasty flavor that oozes out of its tail.
Pokemon Y: When a Slowpoke went hunting in the sea, its tail was bitten by a Shellder. That made it evolve into Slowbro.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Slowbro’s tail has a Shellder firmly attached with a bite. As a result, the tail can’t be used for fishing anymore. This causes Slowbro to grudgingly swim and catch prey instead.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Slowbro’s tail has a Shellder firmly attached with a bite. As a result, the tail can’t be used for fishing anymore. This causes Slowbro to grudgingly swim and catch prey instead.
Pokemon SUN: It spaces out while gazing at the sea. With Shellder’s poison flowing through its body, it becomes even spacier.
Pokemon MOON: Whenever Shellder bites down hard on its tail, it gives Slowbro a flash of inspiration…which it forgets a moment later.
