Zygarde Core

A Zygarde Core (Japanese: ジガルデ・コア Zygarde Core) is a cell-like component of the Legendary Pokémon Zygarde with its own will. On their own, they have little power, but by gathering Cells, they can assemble Zygarde's different forms.

Biology

Zygarde Cores are small, green cell-like blobs that resemble a planarian and are almost indistinguishable from a Zygarde Cell. Their body can be segmented into three sections: a large, round head, an abdomen with a colored hexagon, and a stubby tail. They have two eyes, though one is larger and has a black pupil, and can stand on their tail. On their abdomen, there is a colored hexagon, which is most commonly depicted as red, but also has appeared in blue in Pokémon the Series: XY.

10% Forme Zygarde contains a single Core, which only allows it to function for a short time.^[1] When Zygarde needs to fight, it will transform into 10% Forme by having the Cores call for Cells across great distances.^[2] Complete Forme Zygarde contain five Cores, one for each of its wings and tail, allowing them to act independently;^[3] in Pokémon the Series: XY, however, it was shown to be possible to assemble a Complete Forme Zygarde from two or even a single Core.

As depicted throughout Pokémon the Series: XY, Zygarde Cores have the ability to turn invisible and fly. Moreover, it revealed that a Core is able to watch over the ecosystem through the eyes of a Cell, can communicate telepathically with other Cores, and does not need to eat, instead absorbing sunlight for sustenance.

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  Zygarde Cells flying towards a Core from across the world
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  A Zygarde Core absorbing sunlight
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  A Zygarde Core seeing through a Cell's eyes
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  An invisible Zygarde Core
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  Two Zygarde Cores flying

In the core series games

Zygarde Cores can be found all around the Alola region in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Upon receiving the Zygarde Cube from Dexio in Heahea City, the player is tasked with collecting all 95 Cells and five Cores spread throughout the region. Each Core unlocks a specific move for Zygarde to learn, as seen below.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Zygarde Cells and Zygarde Cores are not directly collectable as they were in Sun and Moon. All five moves are already unlocked upon receiving the Zygarde Cube from Dexio. The player can instead collect 100 Totem Stickers, replacing the 95 Cells and 5 Cores.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Zygarde Cores do not appear directly and are only mentioned in the description for the Zygarde Cube.

A Zygarde Core appears on the box/key art and are mentioned on the website for Pokémon Legends: Z-A, however, they have yet to make an in-game appearance.

Locations

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, a total of five Cores can be collected. They are found either at an island kahuna's home, or the player's room. The Cores located in Melemele Island will only appear after the player has obtained the Zygarde Cube from Dexio in Akala Island's Heahea City.

The locations of all the Cores in Pokémon Sun and Moon are below:

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Shuffle

Along with Zygarde Cells, Zygarde Core sprites appear in Pokémon Shuffle; however, they go unused.

In animation

Pokémon the Series

Pokémon the Series: XY

A Zygarde Core debuted in Mega Evolution Special IV, it was codenamed Z1 by Team Flare and managed to escape from its captivity with some help from Mairin's Chespin, Chespie. In From A to Z!, it met Bonnie and started traveling with her and her friends, now nicknamed Squishy. In Forming a More Perfect Union!, Squishy left the group alongside Z2.

Another Zygarde Core, codenamed Z2 and recognizable by the blue hexagon on its abdomen, appeared in Meeting at Terminus Cave!. It had first appeared as a 50% Forme Zygarde in From A to Z!, where it was being hunted down by Team Flare. The villainous team managed to capture it in An Explosive Operation!.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

In The Truth Revealed!, Hamber explained to Zirc, Onia, and Amethio how Zygarde works, being composed of Cores and Cells, the former acting as its brain. Hamber also implies that Gibeon's Zygarde has a Shiny Zygarde Core as its brain.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

X & Y arc

Zygarde Core debuted in Floette Returns in a flashback of after Zygarde's disappearance.

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

A Zygarde Core appeared on a tree in Flash and Cosmog's Secret as Gladion felt its presence, but couldn't find it. In Confusion and Monsters from Another World, Dexio and Sina hired Sun to gather the Zygarde Cores and Cells scattered around Alola in a Zygarde Cube. They have since appeared throughout the Arc, usually protecting Sun and forming the three different forms of Zygarde. In Finale!! The Battle Against the Other Dimension!, after defeating Ultra Necrozma, the cores left Sun, having completed their mission in stopping the Ultra Beasts in Alola.

Gallery

Artwork

In key art for Pokémon Legends: Z-A

Concept art

Concept art for Sun and Moon

In other languages

See also

• Zygarde
• Zygarde Cell
• Zygarde Cube
• Pokémon fusion

References

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.