Illumina phenomenon: Difference between revisions

The Illumina phenomenon (Japanese: イルミナ現象 Illumina phenomenon) is responsible for a specific glow that affects both Pokémon and vegetation of the Lental region. It is the main research area of Professor Mirror.

Story

The cause of the Illumina phenomenon is ultimately unknown. Professor Mirror initially hypothesizes that it was caused by the Tellur Meteorite that descended on the Lental region 2000 years prior to the events of New Pokémon Snap. However, murals in the Outaway Cave and Ruins of Remembrance indicate that the Illumina Pokémon existed before then, and they were responsible for warding off the disaster that the meteor would have caused.

100 years prior to the events of the game, an explorer named Captain Vince encountered an Illumina Pokémon as a child; he thereafter endeavoured to meet the other Illumina Pokémon, recording his experiences in the Lental Travelogue.

During the events of the game, Professor Mirror seeks to understand the Illumina phenomenon. He enlists the help of Rita, the player, and later Phil and Todd Snap to help him uncover the secrets of the phenomenon. The player's love for Pokémon eventually attracts the attention of the Illumina Pokémon, gradually helping Professor Mirror to discover the locations of the others.

Gameplay

The Illumina phenomenon causes Pokémon and Crystabloom flowers to emit a glow. For Pokémon, this increases the quality of photos taken while the phenomenon is in effect, as judged by Professor Mirror; for Crystablooms, only a bloom undergoing the Illumina effect is eligible for judgement. Crystablooms under the Illumina effect will also instill the effect in Pokémon within a certain radius, or those that interact with the flowers. Initially, the phenomenon can only be witness under its natural occurence; select Crystablooms on select courses will be undergoing the effect, imparting the effect to nearby Pokémon. After photographing a Crystabloom under the effects, however, Professor Mirror will bestow the player Illumina orbs, which can be thrown onto Pokémon and Crystablooms to temporarily apply the effect to them.

Some Pokémon will react to Illumina orbs with actions that are unavailable in normal gameplay. Applying the Illumina effect to Crystablooms via Illumina orbs will occasionally have an impact on the surrounding environments, or may cause Pokémon nearby to take poses unseen in normal gameplay.

Illumina Pokémon are Pokémon that respond uniquely to the Illumina phenomenon; when applied, their bodies are covered in vibrant patterns that are unseen on their normal bodies. These Pokémon can only be seen in Illumina Spots found on each of the islands on Lental. The first time the player travels through an Illumina Spot course, the Illumina Pokémon is the only Pokémon to be seen on that course; successfully photographing the Illumina Pokémon while it is undergoing the Illumina phenomenon will automatically elevate the player's research level for that course, which may cause more Pokémon to appear to be photographed.

List of Illumina Pokémon

Course	Pokemon	Behaviour
Florio Island Illumina Spot	Meganium	Meganium wanders peacefully through the Illumina Spot, occasionally interacting with Crystablooms undergoing the Illumina effect. This is the only Illumina Pokémon that can be photographed before acquiring Illumina orbs, and no special effort is needed to take the required photos.
Belusylva Island Illumina Spot	Milotic	Milotic spends the majority of its time under the water in the Illumina Spot; Illumina orbs will not penetrate the surface of the lake. Throwing a fluffruit below to hit Milotic will cause it to surface, where it can be affected by an Illumina orb.
Maricopia Islands Illumina Spot	Wishiwashi	Many Solo Form Wishiwashi are scattered throughout the Illumina Spot; they are not considered Illumina Pokémon, and affecting them with Illumina orbs are not eligible for an Illumina Pokémon photograph. If many Wishiwashi are affected by Illumina orbs, they will gather and enter School Form, which can be struck with an Illumina orb for a requisite photo.
Voluca Island Illumina Spot	Volcarona	Two Volcarona appear in the Illumina Spot; both are normally surrounded by fire, in which state Illumina orbs cannot affect them. Striking a Volcarona with two fluffruits will cause its flames to disperse, whereupon it can be affected by Illumina orbs. After flying for a period, the Illumina effect will wear off, and Volcarona will depart, returning after again being surrounded by flames.
Durice Island Illumina Spot	Steelix	Steelix moves in and out of several holes throughout the Illumina Spot, and can be lured out by throwing Fluffruits into its hiding place. Unlike other Illumina Pokémon, it must be struck with multiple Illumina orbs in order for the Illumina phenomenon to be visible on its body.
Aurus Island Illumina Spot	Xerneas	Xerneas spends most of its time in the form of a ball of light while it travels through the Illumina Spot. Striking it with an Illumina orb will cause it to fully manifest, whereupon striking it with another will cause the Illumina phenomenon to take effect. It will only remain fully manifested for a brief period before retaking the ball-of-light form.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 霓光現象 Ngàihgwōng Yihnjeuhng Mandarin 霓光現象 / 霓光现象 Níguāng Xiànxiàng French Phénomène Lumina German Lumina-Phänomen Italian Fenomeno Lumina Korean 일루미나 현상 Illumina Hyeonsang Spanish Fenómeno Lúmini

This article is part of Project Sidegames, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Sidegames.