Kingdom Hearts Pokémon Teams

The stand-in for Meow Wow! Obtained during DDD. They're both silly little balloon-y animals.

Traded to him by Riku (for Eevee) when they were kids. Sora has a lion association (it's what his beta design was based on, plus the crown theme he has going on, AND he turns into one in Pridelands), so I knew he needed a lion. And I love the theory of Sora getting his crown necklace from Riku, so… this is a sort of reference to that. Anyway! Shinx evolves into Luxio during KH1, and into Luxray during KH2.

Given to him by Kairi when they were kids, and evolves at some point during KH1. The Destiny Trio all have matching Rockruff, all from Kairi. You might think, due to being the protagonist, that Sora would get Dusk Lycanroc… but it's important that Sora's a normal guy with love in his heart! He gets Midday, which also is a good contrast with Riku's Midnight Lycanroc.

Funny little guys who work together. All for one and one for all, and all that. Sora would LOVE this guy. I think he caught this in Musketeer world in DDD… maybe he got Falinks from Donald and/or Goofy in that world. So in that way, Falinks works as a Pokémon representing his bond with those two.

Options: Absol, Gastly/Haunter/Gengar, Shuppet/Banette, Drifloon/Drifblim, Charcadet/Ceruledge

An icon of one series representing an icon of… well, not another series, but of Disney. I don't think there's any other real choice for Disney Town.

Look, I don't like Agrabah. I didn't want to spend too much time pondering over what Pokémon I would give it. So I chose a Pokémon based on what Agrabah has a lot of: sand.

I considered other Psychic-types, but considering Wonderland has a lot of weird stuff going on, I think a fitting candidate is a Pokémon that evolves by turning the console upside-down.

Some esteemed warriors for the Coliseum… If there's a more Greek Pokémon that fits here, I'll probably switch to that. But for now, I think the Sirfetch'd line is best.

The ultimate Halloween Pokémon for the ultimate Halloween town!

A mermaid-y Pokémon that sings!

You may think "hey, wouldn't it've been a better idea to put a monkey of some sort for Deep Jungle?" And my answer to that is that I don't like monkeys. Also that the monkey options were, like… Simisage or Passimian? Which would work, but I think a jungle-y Grass-type is a better fit.

Options: Cottonee/Whimsicott, Cutiefly/Ribombee

Considering the two parts of the world as a whole, I didn't think Wailord would be as good a fit as a Poison-type weirdo like Toxapex. They resemble the weird inside of Monstro's belly, and could count as a prankster.

Not exactly a bear, but is a healer/not a Pokémon necessarily equipped for combat, and I think that's more important for a Pokémon representing 100 Acre Wood. Just a nice little guy who'll give you a minigame!

Options: Treecko/Grovyle/ Sceptile

Options: Crocalor/Skeledirge, Hisui Typhlosion, Dusk Lycanroc

The rose… There's other aesthetic elements in Beast's Castle I could've drawn from, but I think the Roselia line is the right choice.

Admittedly, I decided this while working on the webpage. I didn't have anything down for Timeless River, so I looked at monochrome Pokémon, and you know what? The Wooloo line is a barnyard animal in (approximately) black and white. I think that works!

I mean, it had to be a dragon. And while they're not Eastern dragons, I think a Dragon/Fighting-type is a good match.

The lions! The Simba summon in KH3 is even a fire elemental.

Porygon was also an option, but I feel like the Beldum line fits the aesthetic better, especially in terms of how the Heartless in Space Paranoids look.

Options: Dhelmise, Gyarados, Carvanha/Sharpedo, Corphish/Crawdaunt

I was thinking about the aesthetic of the Noise keyblade you get in DDD, and I considered Runerigus (a Ghost-type that also fits TWEWY), but I think Alolan Marowak is cooler and more colorful.

Ancient bells… or at least, something that looks like one. Chimecho was a solid contender, too, but I felt like something bigger would fit more.

Surprise! This is the Falinks I put in Sora's main team. Like I said before, it's a good link to Donald and Goofy.

A dancing Pokémon that changes colors/styles throughout the islands of Alola… good for a musical world with multiple stages.

Options: Electrike/Manectric, Stufful/Bewear, Mimikyu

Options: Kangaskhan, Whismur/Loudred/Exploud, Kecleon, Lickitung/Lickilicky, Goomy/Sliggoo/Goodra

Options: Cutiefly/Ribombee, Chikorita/Bayleef/Meganium, Hoppip/Skiploom/Jumpluff, Leafeon, Skiddo/Gogoat, Gossifleur/Eldegoss, Mareep/Flaaffy/Ampharos

The Keyblade Crystal Snow gives Sora claw abilities? So here's an Ice-type with claws.

This world is very tech-based, and I feel like the Porygons fit the robotic aesthetic!

Options: Perrserker, Excadrill

Admittedly, I've never played FF7, so I based this off my impression of Cloud in KH only. And I decided that, with that context, the best choice… was a cool edgy bird with Fighting-type moves.

Options: Clefairy/Clefable

I also haven't played FF10. I've only actually played/watched the beginning of FF4, FF6, and then all of FF9… anyway, this is another choice informed by my impression of Auron in KH. (I didn't know who he was before KH.) And I think a cool ghost sword is good? He's in the Underworld, he's dead, he's gotta have a Ghost-type with that context.

Options: Arcanine, Hisui Arcanine, Typhlosion

Samurott is the evolved form of the Oshawott that Xion gave Roxas (referencing the seashells she left for him in Days). If we're talking one Keyblade that represents the two of them, this is the best I got.

I gave Ephemer a Carbink, because I feel like they're a good match, and that's how I want to represent the KHUx Keyblade. The light of the past…

The Pokémon equivalent to Komory Bat, obtained during DDD. I really considered various other bats for him, I had Swoobat down here for a very long time… but I decided to give various other Rikus the various other bats. So now Riku Prime here has Noivern!

So, uh… have you ever played Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue? Gardevoir's role in that game echoes its many Pokédex entries about protecting its trainer at the cost of its own life. I gave Riku one because he did that, with Sora, in KH3. I think he got this Kirlia in the time between CoM and KH2, and it evolves during DDD— the game where he accepts himself and saves Sora.

Terra gave Riku a Larvitar when he bequeathed him the Keyblade, and it stays with him into the current day. I think it's a good fit since it's Rock-type (referencing both Terra and Riku's names) and Dark-type (well, you know). It evolves into Pupitar during KH1, and then evolves into Tyranitar in the year between KH1 and KH2.

Traded to him by Sora (for Shinx) when they were kids. Evolves at some point post-KH1, maybe during CoM? A basic choice, but like… it's a friendship evolution that evolves into a Dark-type, with that still being a positive thing. I don't like to give out Eeveelutions too much, but I like Riku, this one's good, it works.

Given to him by Kairi when they were kids. I think this guy evolves at some point in early KH1? The Destiny Trio all have matching Rockruff, all from Kairi, and of course Riku gets the nighttime one.

Another Pokémon Riku obtained during the period between KH1 and KH2. There's a scene in the Pokémon movie Mystery of Mew where Lucario trains with his friend Sir Aaron blindfolded, and that almost certainly influenced my decision here. Another friendship evolution, too! Also, a Pokémon that's strong against Dark-types.

Absol was on Riku's team before he got Noivern during DDD. Absol is another Pokémon from the CoM - KH2 period, since it fits well with his blindfold era. The colors match, he's edgy enough for it.

Kairi got this Marill from Aqua when she was little, when Aqua protected her in Radiant Garden, and it stayed with her when she went to Destiny Islands. I think it evolved into Azumarill around late KH2, when she gets her Keyblade?

Kairi gave a Rockruff to both Sora and Riku when they were kids, and she kept one of her own. She's a Princess of Heart, she's special, she gets the special Lycanroc.

Uxie is a Pokémon that can erase memories… so obviously Naminé has to have one. Although Naminé herself states that that's not exactly how her powers work, the concept is so similar, she had to have one.

Naminé is associated with the stark white walls of Castle Oblivion, so of course she needs a white Pokémon. Swablu line felt like a good fit! I also feel like they go with the imagery of the little Naminé angel doll trapped in a birdcage.

She's an artist, she's gotta have the artist Pokémon! I think she'd think Smeargle is cute, too. That's her friend.

Continuing to give Rikus bats. I think it's cute if he gets a stereotypical-villain-team-Pokémon that evolves with friendship!

This is a line I gave KH1 Riku specifically that later got taken by Ansem SoD, and since Repliku is a copy of Riku past the end of KH1, I think it would be neat if he got them.

Xion obviously gets Silvally, so Repliku is more of a Mewtwo situation. He's emo enough for it.

Big ominous dragon.

Feels fitting for him, especially with the shadow that floats behind him.

Nerdy researcher Pokémon! Also, uh, I had a Noctowl named Ansem during my initial Shield playthrough, so the association stuck.

One of KH1 Riku's Pokémon that Ansem took and kept.

I wanted to give him a tech Pokémon. Remember how Ansem was the admin of Space Paranoids? Wild.

I don't remember exactly what my logic here was. I think it was to tie into him being the Sage-King? Also that I don't particularly like Alakazam…

I thought it would be fun to have a throughline for the Radiant Garden castle characters… so they all have fossil Pokémon, to denote that they did questionable science. Also, it's pretty funny to give DiZ an Omastar when he's the only one who got kicked out of the cult that was about to form.

It matches his clothes as DiZ, and is a threatening Pokémon he could have. It's slick and mechanical. I think it matches his vibe as a piece of garbage as DiZ.

Roxas may not have dead parents, or parents at all, but I think he still fits the vibe of Cubone. It'd be cute if his Cubone wielded two bones…

Traded to him by Xion. Shelmet and Karrablast exchange traits with each other during their shared trade evolution, which is a good way to represent Roxas and Xion's effect on each other during 358/2 Days.

Also traded to him by Xion, as a stand-in for the shells she gives to Roxas while he's in a deep sleep. That, and Samurott is a swordsman! I'm proud of this one.

Traded to him by Axel. The symbol of the Sea Salt Trio's friendship 🥺

A lil guy who evolves by being around Dark-types. That seems about right.

Obviously, this is a Pokémon I love very much. It's a whole thing with me to assign a Type: Null to someone in every series I get into, when there's someone who will fit. A synthetic creature created to battle that was never shown kindness until it makes true friends… Silvally is for Xion.

From Axel. Kind of a dual-purpose 'mon— so she shares a Pokémon with Axel, and to represent how Xion has a different face to anyone who doesn't truly know her.

Traded to her by Roxas. Shelmet and Karrablast exchange traits with each other during their shared trade evolution, which is a good way to represent Roxas and Xion's effect on each other during 358/2 Days.

His main Pokémon. This is a really good fit, I don't even know how to explain this. The hair/flames is the same.

I argued with myself about this, because Xion, Zexion, and Ava already have Zoroarks, and that's a lot of Zoroarks. But Axel… just… kinda looks like a Zoroark? The face, the hair, the vibes… It was too good to pass up. He's gotta have a Zoroark.

I looked at teen Lea for the first time and went, "this guy has a Flareon." This impression has not left me.

Shiny Dusk Lycanroc looks exactly like Isa. The color schemes are so similar. Similar enough that I had to make an excuse to give Isa a shiny, other than him being like, 6th favorite KH character. Not to mention that Dusk Lycanroc, as a "middle point" between Midday and Midnight Lycanroc… has a temporary "rage mode" where its eyes go red. So yeah, perfect match, here.

From Lea! Saïx's berserk attacks include blue flames (most visible in KH3), so Mega Charizard X fits for that. The original reasoning was definitely not because I love Mega Charizard X.

There's a like, air of pretentiousness about young Isa. I can so clearly imagine young Isa with a Prinplup. So naturally, he keeps it into his adulthood, when it eventually evolves into an Empoleon.

Similar to Empoleon, I think Luxio fits teen Isa's vibes. And the colors match!

Star imagery to go with his moon imagery, as well as tying into the idea that Skuld is Subject X, and Skuld has star imagery. And if that doesn't work out, well… I think Starmie fits anyway.

Moon imagery! He would like this guy.

This slot used to be taken up by Tyranitar, until Gen 9 came around. Tyranitar is Terra's Pokémon, he gave a Larvitar to Riku, it's representative of him, and giving one to Xemnas would symbolize his connection to Terra. However… Iron Thorns is a future version of Tyranitar. It's not the same, but it's not completely different, either. Xemnas is his own person, he's not exactly Terra. It's a surprisingly good metaphor that happened to fall into my lap. Xemnas (or, more appropriately, the World that Never Was) has a pretty futuristic aesthetic, too!

"Being consumed in Chandelure's flame burns up the spirit, leaving the body behind." A cool Ghost-type whose Pokédex entries echo the alleged existence of Nobodies.

A good representative of nothingness as Xemnas wants the rest of the Organization to see it. It's a cursed, hollow shell that was left behind when Nincada evolved into Ninjask, and is said to steal souls.

Another Fossil Pokémon for a Radiant Garden apprentice. It's a shame to have him overlap with Xaldin, but I think it's the best fossil fit for Xemnas, aesthetic-wise.

A discarded plush doll. The reasoning here is pretty similar to what I have for Shedinja, it's another good representative of nothingness. Also, it's an equivalent to Xigbar's Dusclops/Dusknoir.

During both his KH2 and DDD boss fights, Xemnas throws buildings at Sora. Duraludon's a dragon skyscraper. Perfect.

Another symbol of nothingness, this time the banished dragon of Sinnoh. I think its story fits nicely with Xemnas, with being banished corresponding to them becoming Nobodies, and with many of its Pokédex entries saying that the world it lives in is "on the reverse side of ours", similar to how some Worlds are talked about in KH lore. Also, he's a final boss, with a big robotic dragon. Giratina's not robotic, but I feel like it's the most fitting Pokémon to fit that. It's his 7th Pokémon because I don't think it's on his main team.

Surprisingly, not a Mystery Dungeon reference! He has one eye, the colors match, and I felt like he needed a good Ghost-type. Its dex entries are all mysterious, and mention Dusknoir working for a higher power…

One of Braig's Pokémon that Xigbar ended up keeping. A cool Pokémon for a villain's lackey. And it fits Braig's color scheme!

Nihilego is an otherworldly parasite that can possess other people. Not quite body-stealing, but close.

I saw a completely different Pokémon AU make Xigbar a Skarmory, and it struck me how cool that was, and took that for his team here. It doesn't help that Skarmory is one of my favorite Pokémon.

I took this one from a friend's Luxu team. I wasn't going to, but I kept coming back to it, endeared by the idea of Luxu with a Deino… and eventually, it became the Pokémon that stayed with Luxu into the present day. They take a long time to evolve…

A stand-in for No Name. Obtained again at the end of KH3.

Dragon/Flying-type.

Dragon. Kind of. I think it suits him.

Cool, semi-edgy Flying-type.

All the Radiant Garden apprentices get fossils, Xaldin's is the cool dinosaur that flies.

Flying/Dragon-type.

Cool Flying-type that fits the aesthetic he has going.

A classic scientist Pokémon, in my mind. I thought Colress might have one, and that was why, but he doesn't. I just came to this one on my own. Maybe it's just because they're cells? Regardless, that's the reasoning.

Another classic scientist Pokémon! (Colress does have this.)

Weirdo snowflake that looks like a shield. Perfect! Also, I enjoy finding fits for Pokémon that I've never managed to pair with anyone else, and I think this is a fun one.

Continuing the pattern of the Radiant Garden apprentices getting fossils, Even of course gets the Ice-type. Terrible defensive type, though.

Another bulky, shield-like Ice-type. It carries Bergmite on its back… It's a threatening-looking Ice-type with some kind tendencies, it made me think of Even being Ienzo's adoptive parent.

Big Rock/Ground-type who could defend a castle.

Strong Rock-type.

His Radiant Garden apprentice fossil Pokémon! It's the big bulky guy with a shield for a face. Of course.

Big dude that gained a secondary Ground typing.

The Illusion Pokémon! They're kind to their family but terrifying to their foes. Zexion had to have one.

A transforming Pokémon with a probable link to science?! Of course! I think Even gave Ienzo his Ditto.

Ienzo's the tech guy by KH3, he's gotta have a tech Pokémon. Unfortunately this means further overlap with Ansem the Ansem, but sometimes that's how it goes.

His Radiant Garden apprentice fossil, also overlapping with Ansem the Ansem.

Music-related Water-type weirdo! Honestly, I'd never found anyone to pair this line with before, so I went with them.

Water-type weirdo. I think it's fun that it has bubbles, I guess they kinda remind me of the water clones.

Persian is a Pokémon I associate with gambling, for some reason. So… Luxord gets one.

I had forgotten my reasoning for Kadabra here, but I checked what I said at the time, and my reasoning… was pretty silly. Kadabra is the Pokémon most associated with cards (although not the typical 4-suit 60-card deck), it has a mustache, it's Psychic-type. And their Pokédex entries say that they make clocks run backward, so, sure! Luxord is already so hard to find Pokémon for, this is the best I'm gonna get.

Lapras is the Pokémon I associate most with Perish Song, which is a move very similar to the gimmick of Luxord's boss battles. Lapras is also… y'know… car-like. You can ride the sea on Lapras, it's kind of the poster child for surf. And Luxord… has a car. This is all I got

A cute dog that kinda matches his color scheme.

A basic, early-game Pokémon that fits Hayner's rougher vibe.

I wanted to give the Twilight Town kids semi-matching starters, and Torchic seemed best for Hayner.

He's the tech guy, I'm giving him an early-game techy Pokémon! I'm fond of this as a match.

Pence's semi-matching starter with the trio!

Another techy Pokémon that is a bit mysterious. I bet he found it buzzing around the abandoned mansion.

Another mysterious Pokémon.

A fun, early-game bird.

Olette's semi-matching starter with the rest of the trio! Treecko would match better, but it didn't feel right. I think Bulbasaur's fun.

I dunno, I like them! Their colors kinda match.