In the Pokémon franchise, hundreds of unique and memorable Pokémon are added with each new generation, and the fans keep coming back for more. Many of the Pokémon in the video games and anime adaptations are based on real animals, not only in appearance but personality as well.
Bear Pokémon are particularly prevalent, appearing in nearly every video game installment in the franchise. From adorably cuddly to terrifyingly fearsome, every Pokémon fan has undoubtedly encountered some of these iconic bear Pokémon during their journey to “catch ’em all.” Like real-life bears, bear Pokémon run the gamut from absolutely cute to totally terrifying.
Updated on September 4th, 2023, by Andrea Sandoval: Bear Pokémon are some of the most iconic ones in the franchise. This list has been updated to include Snorlax’s pre-evolution, Munchlax, and reflect CBR’s current style.
13 Munchlax
Munchlax is a baby Pokémon modeled after a bear cup. It was introduced as Snorlax’s pre-evolution in generation 4, and fans absolutely loved him. While Munchlax isn’t much in fights, players can evolve the Pokémon with high friendship into Snorlax for a defensive tank.
Since Munchlax is a baby Pokémon, fans would have a hard time finding a more adorable bear Pokémon than Munchlax. Snorlax is already a fan-favorite Pokémon, as his sleepy nature and cuddly design made it very lovable. So when Pokémon introduced Munchlax, Snorlax’s baby pre-evolution, fans completely fell in love with it.
12 Stufful
The Flailing Pokémon
Stufful is an adorable Pokémon bear cub whose cuddly appearance contradicts its ferocity as a Fighting-type. The name “Stufful” evokes nostalgic memories of hugging a favorite childhood pet. However, Stufful is a formidable opponent.
Stufful’s Pokédex entry indicates that, despite its adorably inviting appearance and demeanor, “it doesn’t like being touched by strangers.” One can only imagine how many unsuspecting trainers were enticed by Stufful, only to set the bear Pokémon off in an irritated rage.
11 Teddiursa
The Little Bear Pokémon
Considering Teddiursa is basically a teddy bear, it’s no surprise that this Pokémon is also one of the franchise’s cutest. First introduced in the second generation Pokémon video games, Gold & Silver, Teddiursa is a Normal-type Pokémon who prefers to eat honey rather than battle.
However, in the anime, Teddiursa demonstrates a propensity for mischief. In the episode “UnBEARable,” a Teddiursa uses his cuteness to deceive unsuspecting trainers and steal their food. Even worse, Teddiursa blames its misdeeds on innocent Pokémon.
10 Cubchoo
The Chill Pokémon
Introduced in the much-maligned Generation V, Cubchoo is an Ice-type Pokémon whose most notable feature is its constantly running nose. This poor bear Pokémon seems to always have a cold. Some Pokédex entries even state that their snot is a good way to determine how healthy they are.
Cubchoo is cute, but its constant use of snot is offputting. Like many bear Pokémon, this first-evolution form gets a lot more fearsome as it evolves. Despite bears often living in cold climates, Cubchoo and its evolution are the only bear-like Pokémon that are Ice-types.
9 Pancham
The Playful Pokémon
Pancham is another excellent example of a Pokémon whose adorable looks hide that it’s a fearsome opponent. Pancham, a Fighting-type Pokémon, was first introduced in X & Y and has been in several episodes of the anime adaptation.
Unlike some of the other bear Pokémon, however, Panchams don’t like being perceived as cute and are often frustrated by opponents not taking them seriously because of their adorable appearance. Considering a Pancham will inevitably smile when pet by its trainer, it’s understandable why they aren’t usually threatening.
8 Kubfu
Fans of the Pokémon anime may be unfamiliar with Kubfu, since this bear Pokémon has barely featured in the TV series and is uncommon even in the games. First introduced in Pokémon Sword & Shield, Kubfu is a legendary Fighting-type Pokémon.
In the Pokémon video games, Kubfu’s evolution will vary depending on whether players choose to train the Pokémon in the Tower of Darkness or Tower of Waters. Kubfu is so adorable on its own, however, it almost seems a shame to evolve it.
7 Bewear
The Strong Arm Pokémon
When a player’s Stufful reaches level 27 in the video games, the Pokémon will evolve into a Bewear. Though undeniably adorable, like its previous form, Bewear is widely considered one of the most fearsome Pokémon in the entire Alola region.
Terrifyingly, a Bewear can crush its victims’ bones through a seemingly harmless embrace. So much so that Pokémon trainers have to teach their Bewears to hug gently, out of fear they may unintentionally crush someone to death.
6 Snorlax
The Sleeping Pokémon
An undeniable fan favorite of the series, Snorlax is one of the most iconic Pokémon in the franchise. He’s also the source of frustration for many trainers whose path down Route 11 was blocked by this giant Normal-type Pokémon in Red & Blue.
Snorlax has also been featured in many episodes in the anime, most memorably in the episode “Wake up Snorlax!” Though Snorlax weighs half a ton, it’s excessively docile and will only wake when it needs to eat or when someone plays a Poké Flute.
5 Ursaluna
The Peat Pokémon
Introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Ursaluna is the final evolution for one of the earliest bear Pokémon families, Teddiursa and Ursaring. While most Pokémon get scarier as they evolve, Ursaluna is the rare exception.
Ursaluna is a bit cuter than Ursaring, and has become even more likable because it’s one of the many ridable Pokémon in Legends: Arceus. Ursaluna can help the player find hidden items thanks to its fantastic sense of smell. Its large, fluffy design is only made frightening by its massive claws, but those are more for digging than they are for fighting.
4 Pangoro
The Daunting Pokémon
Pangoro is the decidedly more intimidating final evolution form of Pancham. At nearly seven feet tall and weighing just shy of 300 pounds, this Pokémon more than earns its title as the Daunting Pokémon. However, in Pokémon, as in real life, looks can be deceiving.
Even though Pangoros may look intimidating, they’re actually compassionate to those who exhibit kindness and they’re intolerant of bullies. In the episode “The Bamboozling Forest!” a Pangoro demonstrates its ability to nurture and mentor two younger Panchams while still proving to be a proficient fighter.
3 Ursaring
The Hibernator Pokémon
Like its pre-evolved form, Teddiursa, Ursaring was first introduced in Pokémon Gold & Silver. Fans of the anime will recall that Ash’s rival Paul used an Ursaring to great effect in battle. Ursaring was the final evolution of its family from the time of its introduction until the release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Like a real bear, Ursarings are extremely protective of their young and defend them, no matter what. They also have a strong sense of smell they use to hunt down their food, even if it’s buried. However, unlike bears, Ursarings prefer to sleep high up in trees, only coming down for food.
2 Beartic
The Freezing Pokémon
Beartic is a formidable ice-type Pokémon that is significantly less threatening as Cubchoo. First introduced in Pokémon Black & White, Beartics can freeze water with their breath, giving them an efficient way to cross large bodies of water.
Not only that, but a Beartic can create ice claws and fangs, which are described as being even harder than steel. Like Ursaring, Beartics can become protective of their young, often carrying them on their backs to keep them safe.
1 Urshifu
The Wushu Pokémon
Urshifu, like Kubfu (the Pokémon Urshifu evolves from), has not yet appeared in any of the Pokémon anime. However, it’s one of the most powerful Pokémon in the franchise. Interestingly, Urshifu’s evolution will vary depending on a few in-game factors.
In Sword & Shield, if players train their Kubfu in the Tower of Darkness, it will evolve into the Fighting/Dark-type Single Strike Style Urshifu. However, should a player decide to train their Kubfu in the Tower of Waters, it will become the Fighting/Water-type Rapid Strike Style Urshifu with a completely different move set.