Pancham
Pancham is a Fighting-type Pokémon categorized as the Playful Pokémon, introduced in Generation VI with Pokémon X and Y. Registered as #0674 in the National Pokédex, it resembles a small panda cub and constantly tries to project a tough image despite its inherently cute features.
Overview
Pancham is a Fighting-type Pokémon categorized as the Playful Pokémon, introduced in Generation VI with Pokémon X and Y. Registered as #0674 in the National Pokédex, it resembles a small panda cub and constantly tries to project a tough image despite its inherently cute features.
Appearance
Pancham is a bipedal Pokémon modeled after a panda cub, possessing a white head and tail alongside a two-tone black and gray body. It has short whiskers on the sides of its face and a tuft of fur along the top of its head resembling a mohawk. While its eyes normally carry a sharp glare, the dark patches around its eyes round out when it grins or acts surprised. It continuously holds a small, rounded leaf in the corner of its mouth. Its shiny counterpart features brown fur.
Personality
Living up to its classification, Pancham exhibits a wild and mischievous temperament, making it difficult for inexperienced trainers to manage. It constantly scowls to intimidate opponents so it will not be looked down upon, though its naturally cute features render these threats largely ineffective. Despite its tough front, it cannot help but break into a relaxed smile whenever its head is petted. The leaf kept in its mouth serves no practical purpose other than to make it look cool.
Abilities
As a Fighting-type Pokémon, Pancham can possess the Iron Fist or Mold Breaker abilities, alongside the Hidden Ability Scrappy. It introduced the unique move Parting Shot, which lowers an enemy's offensive stats while allowing Pancham to swap places with a teammate. It also utilizes various physical battle techniques, including Low Kick, Crunch, Low Sweep, and Body Slam.
Background
Pancham was first discovered in Pokémon X and Y. In the wild, it primarily inhabits bamboo forests, following Pangoro to mimic its behavior and acquire hunting and fighting skills. It evolves into Pangoro starting at level 32 when a Dark-type Pokémon is present in the player's party. Across media, it serves as one of Serena's main partners in the animated series and appears as a schoolyard troublemaker in Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon.
Relationships
Pancham respects its evolved form, Pangoro, treating it as a leader while learning how to become an independent fighter. Under certain environmental conditions, such as in New Pokémon Snap, it undergoes instruction from Shiftry instead. In the animated series, it builds a partnership with its trainer, Serena. In Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, it acts alongside its sidekick Shelmet while interacting with schoolmates like Goomy and Deerling.
Trivia
Its Japanese name merges "yancha" (mischievous) with "champion," whereas its English name blends "panda," "punch," and "champion." It shares its category title, the "Playful Pokémon," with Monferno. Pancham is featured on official Poké Lid manhole covers in Izu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Shirahama Town, Wakayama Prefecture, commemorating local bamboo paths and panda sanctuaries.
