Staryu’s design is based on a starfish, likely a common starfish. The large gem attached to its body is held on by a bracket similar to a ring mount.
Staryu is derived from star (referring to its shape) and yu (possible corruption of you, in opposition to the mie in Starmie). Yu is also the Chinese word for fish (魚).
Hitodeman is probably derived from ヒトデ hitode (starfish) and the English word man.
No: 120
English Name: Staryu
Japanese Name: Hitodeman
Generation: 1
Type: Water
Species: Star Shape Pokémon
Abilities: Illuminate, Natural Cure, Analytic (hidden ability)
Evolution: Staryu > Starmie
Staryu is a golden-brown sea star-like Pokémon with five appendages. These appendages surround an exterior organ called the core, which is held in place by a golden ring looped around Staryu’s left “leg”. If any of Staryu’s appendages are lost, it can grow them back with ease provided the core is still intact. The core resembles a red jewel and is similar to a madreporite.
When the sun goes down, the core glows its brightest. Many will float from the seafloor to the surface and align themselves with stars of the night sky as their core flickers, displaying a connection with the celestial bodies of space. The anime has shown that if Staryu becomes weak, its core will grow faint and flash slowly. Staryu can be found at the very bottom of the ocean on the seafloors. There are times, however, when Staryu finds itself in rivers that lead into the ocean as seen in Pokémon Snap.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: An enigmatic Pokémon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle.
Pokemon Blue: An enigmatic Pokémon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle.
Pokemon Yellow: As long as the center section is unharmed, it can grow back fully even if it is chopped to bits.
Pokemon Stadium: It is capable of growing back any portion of its body that is cut off. At night, the center core glows with a red light.
Pokemon Gold: At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat.
Pokemon Silver: Even if its body is torn, it can regenerate as long as the glowing central core remains intact.
Pokemon Crystal: When the stars twinkle at night, it floats up from the sea floor, and its body’s center core flickers.
Pokemon Stadium 2: At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat.
Pokemon Ruby: Staryu’s center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
Pokemon Sapphire: Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokémon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs.
Pokemon Emerald: It gathers with others in the night and makes its red core glow on and off with the twinkling stars. It can regenerate limbs if they are severed from its body.
Pokemon FireRed: It appears in large numbers by seashores. At night, its central core flashes with a red light.
Pokemon LeafGreen: An enigmatic Pokémon that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle.
Pokemon Diamond: If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
Pokemon Pearl: If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
Pokemon Platinum: If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
Pokemon HeartGold: At night, the center of its body slowly flickers with the same rhythm as a human heartbeat.
Pokemon SoulSilver: Even if its body is torn, it can regenerate as long as the glowing central core remains intact.
Pokemon Black: If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
Pokemon White: If its body is torn, it can grow back if the red core remains. The core flashes at midnight.
Pokemon Black 2: As long as its red core remains, it can regenerate its body instantly, even if it’s torn apart.
pokemon White 2: As long as its red core remains, it can regenerate its body instantly, even if it’s torn apart.
Pokemon X: Even if its body is torn, it can regenerate as long as the glowing central core remains intact.
Pokemon Y: It appears in large numbers by seashores. At night, its central core flashes with a red light.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Staryu’s center section has an organ called the core that shines bright red. If you go to a beach toward the end of summer, the glowing cores of these Pokémon look like the stars in the sky.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Staryu apparently communicates with the stars in the night sky by flashing the red core at the center of its body. If parts of its body are torn, this Pokémon simply regenerates the missing pieces and limbs.
Pokemon SUN: Large numbers of these Pokémon make their home at the seaside. At night, a strange red glow radiates from the center of their bodies.
Pokemon MOON: This Pokémon gets nibbled on by Lumineon and others. Thanks to its red core, it regenerates fast, so it’s unconcerned by their snack attacks.
