Tapu Lele (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #0785: Tapu Koko	Pokémon	#0787: Tapu Bulu →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Tapu Lele (disambiguation).

Tapu Lele Land Spirit Pokémon カプ・テテフ Kapu-Tetefu #0786 Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Psychic Fairy Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Psychic Surge Cacophony Cacophony Telepathy Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Cacophony
Gender ratio Gender unknown	Catch rate 3 (1.6%)
Breeding Egg Group No Eggs Discovered Hatch time 15 cycles Egg not obtainable
Height 3'11" 1.2 m Tapu Lele 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 41.0 lbs. 18.6 kg Tapu Lele 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form2}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield Unknown Gen. IV Unknown IV 257	Leveling rate Slow
EV yield Total: 3 Tapu Lele 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 3 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Pink	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Tapu Lele (Japanese: カプ・テテフ Kapu-Tetefu) is a dual-type Psychic/Fairy Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation VII.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It is the guardian deity of Akala Island, with Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini being the deities of the other islands.

Biology

Concept artwork of Tapu Lele for Pokémon Sun and Moon

Tapu Lele is a vaguely butterfly-like Legendary Pokémon. Tapu Lele has a black upper body and head with a few small white markings. Its eyes are blue with a pink line through the middle of each iris. Below each eye is a curved white line and above each is a curved pink line separated into three segments. On its upper body is another, thicker curved white line. Its thin arms have digitless hands and puffy pink bracelets on each wrist. On top of its head is a mass of dark pink, tentacle-like hair. Two longer strands of hair frame its face. Encasing its dark pink lower body and on top of its head is a shell resembling an insect.

Tapu Lele's shell is primarily light pink. The portion on top of its head is conical with a white diamond marking in the center and a white half-diamond marking below that. Both diamond shapes are framed in black. The shell around its lower body mirrors these diamond markings and has an additional half-diamond on the back. On each side is a hexagon marking consisting of five dark pink triangles and one light pink triangle all outlined in black. These resemble the compound eyes of many insects. There are also projections on the back of the shell that resemble butterfly wings and a small black bump on the bottom similar to a curled proboscis. When closed, the shell resembles a bug's head with small wings.

The people of Akala Island worship Tapu Lele. This guardian of Akala Island is known to scatter glowing scales, which affect others by stimulating and healing their bodies; however, these scales are also dangerous if too many are touched at once. Some consider it to be guilelessly cruel for the way it destroys others as it scatters its scales for its own amusement. This has resulted in Tapu Lele being described as an incarnation of nature, the reason being it does not feel remorse for its cruel actions. An old legend says that Tapu Lele ended a war between Alola's islands by healing the tired warriors with its scales, but rumors point to a more disturbing truth behind this story. Its strength comes from the energy stored within its shell. If Tapu Lele finds itself at a disadvantage in battle, it will prioritize not outright losing as opposed to trying for a decisive victory. It is said to gain energy from the scent of flowers. Tapu Lele is known to defend its home from the Ultra Beasts. As seen in Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Tapu Lele and the other tapu can transform a Z-Ring into a Z-Power Ring.

Tapu Lele and the other guardian deities are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Nature's Madness. They are also the only known Pokémon capable of using the Z-Move Guardian of Alola.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Alola  S  M : #286 Alola  US  UM : #384 Kanto #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Sun This guardian deity of Akala is guilelessly cruel. The fragrant aroma of flowers is the source of its energy. Moon As it flutters about, it scatters its strangely glowing scales. Touching them is said to restore good health on the spot. Ultra Sun It heals the wounds of people and Pokémon by sprinkling them with its sparkling scales. This guardian deity is worshiped on Akala. Ultra Moon Although called a guardian deity, Tapu Lele is devoid of guilt about its cruel disposition and can be described as nature incarnate.
Generation VIII Galar #— Sinnoh #— Hisui #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VIII.
Generation IX Paldea #— Kitakami #— Blueberry #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation IX.

Tapu Lele in the Alola Pokédex

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Sun Moon Ruins of Life (after becoming Champion) (Only one) Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Ruins of Life (after becoming Champion) (Only one) Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Unobtainable
Generation VIII Sword Shield TradeVersion 1.3.0+ Expansion Pass Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure) (Only one) Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Unobtainable Legends: Arceus Unobtainable
Generation IX Scarlet Violet Unobtainable

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Rumble Rush Rowlet SeaFinal
Generation VIII This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Cross-Generation Shuffle Event: Tapu Lele Appears Masters EX Poké Fair sync pair scout: Sygna Suit Lana & Tapu Lele

In events

Games	Event	Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
USUM	Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele	Japanese region	Online	60	December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019
USUM	Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele	American region	Online	60	December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019
USUM	Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele	PAL region	Online	60	December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019
USUM	Akala Island Shiny Tapu Lele	Korean region	Online	60	December 18, 2018 to January 31, 2019

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Psychic Seed (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 70		130 - 177	250 - 344
Attack: 85		81 - 150	157 - 295
Defense: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Sp. Atk: 130		121 - 200	238 - 394
Sp. Def: 115		108 - 183	211 - 361
Speed: 95		90 - 161	175 - 317
Total: 570	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 1× Poison 2× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 2× Steel 2× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice 1× Dragon 0× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 1× Poison 2× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 2× Steel 2× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice 1× Dragon 0× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 1× Poison 2× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 2× Steel 2× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice 1× Dragon 0× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ¼× Flying 1× Poison 2× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 1× Ghost 2× Steel 2× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass 1× Electric 1× Psychic ½× Ice 1× Dragon 0× Dark 1× Fairy 1× None

Notes: If this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Dragon-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

Tapu Lele is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.3.0+.

By leveling up

Generation VIII Other generations: VII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 011 Astonish Ghost Physical 03030 100100% 15 011 Confusion Psychic Special 05050 100100% 25 055 Withdraw Water Status 0000— 00——% 40 1010 Aromatherapy Grass Status 0000— 00——% 5 1515 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 05050 100100% 10 2020 Psybeam Psychic Special 06565 100100% 20 2525 Flatter Dark Status 0000— 100100% 15 3030 Aromatic Mist Fairy Status 0000— 00——% 20 3535 Sweet Scent Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 4040 Extrasensory Psychic Special 08080 100100% 20 4545 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100100% 10 5050 Mean Look Normal Status 0000— 00——% 5 5555 Nature's Madness Fairy Special 0000— 09090% 10 6060 Moonblast Fairy Special 09595 100100% 15 6565 Tickle Normal Status 0000— 100100% 20 7070 Skill Swap Psychic Status 0000— 00——% 10 7575 Psychic Terrain Psychic Status 0000— 00——% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele

By TM/TR

Generation VIII Other generations: VII - IX

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  TM08 TM08 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 5 TM09 TM09 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5 TM17 TM17 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 30 TM18 TM18 Reflect Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM19 TM19 Safeguard Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 25 TM21 TM21 Rest Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM23 TM23 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25 TM24 TM24 Snore Normal Special 05050 100}}100% 15 TM25 TM25 Protect Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM29 TM29 Charm Fairy Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TM34 TM34 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 TM39 TM39 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM59 TM59 Fling Dark Physical 0000— 100}}100% 10 TM60 TM60 Power Swap Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM61 TM61 Guard Swap Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM62 TM62 Speed Swap Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM69 TM69 Psycho Cut Psychic Physical 07070 100}}100% 20 TM71 TM71 Wonder Room Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM72 TM72 Magic Room Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TM76 TM76 Round Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 TM87 TM87 Draining Kiss Fairy Special 05050 100}}100% 10 TM91 TM91 Psychic Terrain Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR08 TR08 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 100}}100% 15 TR09 TR09 Thunder Electric Special 110110 070}}70% 10 TR11 TR11 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR20 TR20 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR25 TR25 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100}}100% 10 TR26 TR26 Endure Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR27 TR27 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR33 TR33 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100}}100% 15 TR34 TR34 Future Sight Psychic Special 120120 100}}100% 10 TR37 TR37 Taunt Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 20 TR40 TR40 Skill Swap Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 TR46 TR46 Iron Defense Steel Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 TR49 TR49 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TR64 TR64 Focus Blast Fighting Special 120120 070}}70% 5 TR65 TR65 Energy Ball Grass Special 09090 100}}100% 10 TR77 TR77 Grass Knot Grass Special 0000— 100}}100% 20 TR82 TR82 Stored Power Psychic Special 02020 100}}100% 10 TR83 TR83 Ally Switch Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 TR90 TR90 Play Rough Fairy Physical 09090 090}}90% 10 TR92 TR92 Dazzling Gleam Fairy Special 08080 100}}100% 10

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele

By breeding

Generation VIII Other generations: VII - IX

Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.

Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Tapu Lele in Generation VIII Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation. Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Tapu Lele in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele

By tutoring

Generation VIII Other generations: VII - IX

Game   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By transfer from another generation

Generation VIII Other generations: None

Gen.   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  VII Charge Beam Electric Special 05050 090}}90% 10 VII Confide Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 VII Double Team Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 VII Echoed Voice Normal Special 04040 100}}100% 15 VII Frustration × Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 VII Gravity Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 5 VII Hidden Power × Normal Special 06060 100}}100% 15 VII Magic Coat Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 VII Nature Power Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 VII Psych Up Normal Status 0000— 00—}}—% 10 VII Psywave × Psychic Special 0000— 100}}100% 15 VII Return × Normal Physical 0000— 100}}100% 20 VII Swagger Normal Status 0000— 085}}85% 15 VII Telekinesis × Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 15 VII Torment Dark Status 0000— 100}}100% 15 VII Toxic Poison Status 0000— 090}}90% 10

Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Tapu Lele Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Tapu Lele × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield

Side game data

Pokémon Shuffle Psychic Attack Power: 70 - 113 6 #758 Stabilize++ Sometimes erases five of the foe's disruptions on the board. Swappable Skill(s): Typeless Combo

Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.5 seconds Base HP: 53 Base Attack: 83 Base Defense: 58 Base Speed: 60

Pokémon GO Base HP: 172 Base Attack: 259 Base Defense: 208 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 20 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Confusion, Astonish Charged Attacks: Psyshock, Moonblast, Focus Blast, Future Sight, Nature's Madness*

Evolution data

Unevolved Tapu Lele  Psychic  Fairy

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VII.
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation HOME

For other sprites and images, please see Tapu Lele images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

In animation

Main series

Tapu Lele in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Major appearances

Tapu Lele (anime)

Tapu Lele debuted in Partner Promises!, where Ash encountered it along with Pikachu. It was seen floating over the ocean, and scattered its glowing scales on Ash to heal the wounds he got while rescuing a trapped Wimpod, after which it took off into the sky. After Ash returned to Professor Kukui's house, Rotom identified it as Tapu Lele. It made many further appearances throughout the rest of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry SM020 Tapu Lele Rotom Pokédex Tapu Lele, the Land Spirit Pokémon. A Psychic and Fairy type. Tapu Lele playfully flutters around while scattering its mysteriously glowing scales. It's said whoever touches its scales is instantly healed.

GOTCHA!

A Tapu Lele briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Tapu Lele in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Tapu Lele debuted in a fantasy in The Delivery of Rotom and the Girl. Olivia and her fellow kahunas noted that the guardian deities had been angered by something, as they were spotted by people at their respective islands despite usually being reclusive. Later, Tapu Lele physically debuted in True Identity and the Totem Pokémon of Brooklet Hill. It was seen flying above Lush Jungle, where it was attacked by a Xurkitree as it was emerging from an Ultra Wormhole. It reappeared in Unleashing the Incredible Z-Move, Play the Melody That Echoes in the Altar, and Summon the Emissaries of the Moon and the Sun; and in a flashback in An Urgent Task and the Capture of an Ultra Beast.

A Tapu Lele appeared in a fantasy in Pokémon Move Specialist Professor Kukui, Going Ashore and Neighboring Akala Island, and Homecoming and the Brilliant Professional Golfer.

In the TCG

Main article: Tapu Lele (TCG)

Trivia

• Tapu Lele shares its category with Tapu Koko, Tapu Bulu, and Tapu Fini. They are all known as the Land Spirit Pokémon.

Origin

Tapu Lele appears to be based on a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. When its mask is closed, it resembles a stylized butterfly head. Its overall design is also similar to a tiki statue. It may also be inspired by Kāne, one of the four major Hawaiian gods. Kāne is a creator god, bestowing life into the first human in Hawaiian mythology.

Name origin

Tapu Lele may be a combination of tapu (Hawaiian for sacred or holy) and pulelehua (Hawaiian for butterfly).

Kapu-Tetefu may be a combination of kapu (Hawaiian for sacred or holy) and てふてふ tefutefu (an old way of writing butterfly).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese カプ・テテフ Kapu-Tetefu From kapu and てふてふ tefutefu French Tokopiyon From totem, tiki, and papillon Spanish Tapu Lele Same as English name German Kapu-Fala From kapu and Falter Italian Tapu Lele Same as English name Korean 카푸나비나 Kapunabina From kapu and 나비 nabi Mandarin Chinese 卡璞・蝶蝶 Kǎpú Diédié From kapu and 蝶 dié Cantonese Chinese 卡璞・蝶蝶 Kāpok Dihpdihp From kapu and 蝶 dihp

More languages Hindi टापू लेले Tapu Lele Transcription of English name Russian Тапу Леле Tapu Lele Transcription of English name Thai คาปู เทเทฟู Khapu Thethefu Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Guardian deities (anime)
• Guardian deities
• Legendary Pokémon

External links

Legendary Pokémon

Generation I

Generation II

Generation III

Generation IV

Generation V

Generation VI

Generation VII

Generation VIII

Generation IX

See also: Mythical Pokémon

← #0785: Tapu Koko

Pokémon

#0787: Tapu Bulu →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.