Best Bear Pokemon in the Franchise

The Pokemon universe, the only place where bears can hatch from eggs! These unique Pokémon combine undeniable strength with a calm and fuzzy demeanor, with some of the most adorable looks we've ever seen throughout the whole franchise. Even if they are hungry, clumsy and sleepy, that makes them extra special. Plus they are known for their loyalty and protective qualities, so amazing to have around, even if we can't get too close. Here are some of the best Pokémon that look like, or share a resemblance to bears.

10. Munchlax

Known as the Big Eater Pokemon, Munchlax is a normal-type baby Pokémon from the Sinnoh region that was first introduced in Generation 4 and had its first major appearance in the 117th episode of the Advanced Generation series – Berry, Berry Interesting! It is a teal Pokémon with a cream spot on its chest. Its round head is teal in the top half and cream on the bottom half and has big round eyes. It is also the baby and prevolved form of everyone's favourite snoozing Pokemon Snorlax. As it prepares to evolve in to Snorlax's giant form, Munchlax eats almost everything it finds on its way, even stopping to devour rotten food! It is a bear like Pokemon with a special fondness for honey, so earns a spot on this list and, although a baby, Munchlax is incredibly energetic, active and always on the run in the search for food, in contrast to Snorlax.

9. Snorlax

Following up on our Munchlax entry, lets take a look at its beloved evolved adult form, Snorlax! An OG normal type Pokemon from Generation 1, it first made an appearance in the 41st episode of the anime, Wake Up Snorlax! It’s a big, bipedal, dark blue creature with a big cream squishy belly and also earns a special feature in the Heaviest Pokemon in the Franchise for its gigantum size! It adores sleeping and eating, a little like a bear, panda, koala or sloth in real life, but perhaps Snorlax is a little of all of these fused together in one big cuddly beast. Snorlax is known to sleep almost all the time which make one of the mildest Pokémon in the Poké universe. It wakes only to devour about 900 pounds or 400kg of food and then, with its belly now full, returns to its deep slumber or state of year round hibernation. Most of the Snorlax from any generation have very high base stats - yet the only way you'll be able to wake them is by playing the Poké Flute.

8. Teddiursa

From Generation 2 comes this adorable, mischevious looking baby bear critter that is Teddiursa - here, the clue is in the name! This clever bear can make its own honey using Beedrill pollen together with fruit and then absorb it in to its paws. It also sports a unique crescent moon marking on its forehead, making it instantly recognisable, that also is known to glow whenever Teddiursa finds honey on its path. This normal-type baby bear Pokémon make its first appearance in the animated movie Pokémon 3: The Movie - Spells of the Unown: Entei. It hails from the mountainous regions of Johto and Mountain Kalos. It is interesting to note that the moon marking on its forehead may have been derived from Norse mythology and the Ursa Minor constellation which is nicknamed “Little Bear”.

7. Ursaring

The evolved form of Teddiursa and hailing from the regions of Johto and Mountain Kalos, Ursaring is known as the Hibernator Pokemon. There's some kind of stereotype about bears sleeping a lot going around here! This Normal type Pokemon from Generation 2 is a big crazy bear that you definitely want on your side of the battle field. Its major debut ocurred in the 6th episode of the Diamond & Pearl series, even though it first appeared alongside Teddiursa. It appears as a huge grizzly bear-like Pokémon with a huge towering form, brown fur with some fringing around its shoulders, a light coloured muzzle and sharp visible fangs sticking out from the upper jaw. Ursaring can also be recognised for its characteristic symbol of a ring located on its chest. It has an incredibly heightened sense of smell and is known to mark the most bountiful trees with its long and sharp claws so it can return in the future.

6. Cubchoo

Known as the Chill Pokemon, Cubchoo is an ice-type baby bear Pokémon that first appeared in Generation 5 and had its anime debut in The Beartic Mountain Feud! episode in the Best Wishes series. Hailing from the frostier regions of Unova and Kalos, it appears as a small blue polar bear like cub with a constantly running nose which is its most recognisable feature! Some may find this endearing but we just want to offer it a tissue! Streaming noses are not fun. Curiously, this is another creature that is not actually an official baby Pokémon, but just appears like one.

5. Beartic

An ice type Pokemon and the evolved form of Cubchoo, this critter looks a lot fiercer than its younger form! Inspired by a polar bear and known as the Freezing Pokemon, Beartic first appeared in the Iris and Excadrill Against the Dragon Buster! episode of the Best Wishes series. It resides on icy ridges and caves among the Kalos Mountains and frosty areas within Unova, wherever it can find food to maintain its cub family. It has white fur with a blue tint, with a particularly fuzzy area around its chin, that looks like a beard. True to form, Beartic is known for its massive attack and HP stats which make it a great damage-dealing Pokémon that can withstand a lot in battle.

4. Pancham

A mischevious looking little Panda critter, this Fighting type Pokémon was first introduced in Generation 6 and had its debut in the 47th episode of the XY series. Known as the Playful Pokemon, it appears just like a panda and just like its later form, this little guy carries a trademark leaf in its mouth which seems to have no purpose, but it is thought that whenever Pancham makes a mistake, an older and stronger Pangoro takes the leaf away from it. Wanting to make sure it's taken seriously, Pancham's always giving others a glare. But if it's not focusing, it ends up smiling.

3. Pangoro

The evolved form of Pancham at level 32, this dual Fighting and Dark-type Pokémon is an extremely good fighting type. This fierce looking beast definitely looks intimidating in battle, aptly named the Daunting Pokemon, with a cantankerous temperment. Best not get too close! This huge critter had its major anime debut in the 11th episode of the XY series under the episode The Bamboozling Forest! where it protected two troublesome Pancham in danger. Despite its well, daunting, physical appearance, Pangoro doesn’t approve of those who pick on those of small sizes. It is known to be extremely protective of younglings and will rush to fight to defend them without hesitation. It cleverly uses the leaf within its jaws to detect the movements of its enemies nearby. It has some seriously high stats overal alongside brutal abilities such as Iron Fist and Mold Breaker that make it formidable in battle.

2. Stufful

Look at this little pink faced critter! Although not typically resembling a bear, Stufful appears as a little like a cub and a red panda and later undergoes a big bear transformation when it evolves in to Bewear at level 27. It is a dual Normal and Fighting type Pokemon that first appeared in Generation 7 and had its anime appearance in the 44th episode of the Sun & Moon series where it was featured in a video advert. It has a small pink body, brown legs, and a tiny puffy tail, along with distinctive pointy ears set on both sides of its head and a white marking on the forehead resembling a headband. Like many a Pokemon, this critter's innocent and youthful appearance is deceiving as Stufful is actually a strong Pokémon capable of defeating plenty of enemies on its own, with high attack and speed abilities which accord with its fierce attitude and readiness to jump into a fight.

1. Bewear

Its name alone is a warning to others, although it still keeps the cuteness of baby faced Stufful, this is the most adorable looking beast ever seen (on par with Snorlax of course!) It is a dual Normal/Fighting type Pokémon that appears as a little like a mascot bear costume. Its head, tail, and back retain that classic pink color from Stufful, whereas the rest of its body is pitch black color. Despite looking adorable and like a mystery guest at children's parties, one cannot forget its undeniable strength. Its Pokédex entry states it may be the most powerful Pokémon in the entire Alola region, aside from legendaries. It's known as the Strong Arm Pokemon and what makes it so dangerous is that it is so strong it can easily crush and kill those it loves by hugging them. It hugs a little too hard!

If you enjoyed this run down definitely also check out best Fire Type Pokemon, best Water Type Pokemon or best Grass Pokemon - so much to explore, whatever your preferred element!