The Most Powerful Eevee Family Members in Anime, Ranked

Although the adorable Mouse Pokemon, Pikachu, is still the face of the Pokemon franchise, recent years have seen another Generation I Pokemon share the spotlight. That Pokémon is Eevee, the fan-favorite Normal type with currently eight different evolutions, called “Eeveelutions” by fans. Although Eevee is still an extremely popular Pokémon, a majority of fans also love its evolved forms.

There really is an Eeveelution for every trainer, from the docile Leafeon to the energetic Jolteon. As such, Eevee and its family members also appear frequently in the original Pokémon anime. Every Pokemon is different in terms of power, and some Eeveelutions have particularly prominent screen time compared to others.

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Leafeon gets power through photosynthesis

Only Leafeon fights when necessary

Introduced in Generation IV, Leafeon was initially only obtainable after the game of Pokemon diamond and Pokemon Pearl via a gift Eevee. When taken to a mysterious rock covered in moss and leveled up nearby, the player's Eevee would then evolve into Leafeon. After evolving, the verdant Pokémon becomes much calmer in personality. In fact, it's so soft that Leafeon isn't one to fight most of the time.

Unlike other Eeveelutions, Leafeon does not hunt for prey; rather, it gathers energy by absorbing sunlight like a plant. In addition to serving as a food source, Leafeon can also use the sunlight it has collected for powerful grass-type attacks, such as Solar Beam. Leafeon made her debut via Zoey, a Pokemon Coordinator and one of Dawn's rivals. This particular Leafeon had several unique moves in its roster, such as Leaf Blade, but it was able to combine Aerial Ace and Psywave to defeat Nando's Pokémon.

Flareon's flames can be over 3000 degrees Fahrenheit

Flareon's fluffy fur helps it control its body temperature

One of the very first known Eeveelutions, the Flareon can be obtained if the player uses a Firestone on their Eevee. As it evolves, the Flame Pokémon's fur becomes even fluffier, turning red and yellow as opposed to brown and cream. Flareon also develops a heat pouch inside its body, which allows it to store air and heat it to temperatures over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In battle, Flareon will use this air to create powerful fireballs.

Pokemon trainer Pyro, one of the Eevee brothers, uses a Flareon as his partner Pokemon. Pyro highly praises his Pokémon for helping him in battles, even though this Flareon's only known move is Fire Spin. However, several Pokemon Coordinators from the anime are known to have their own powerful Flareons for competitions as well as battles. These examples include Savannah of the Hoenn region and Ursula of the Sinnoh region.

Vaporeon is often found near sandy beaches

Vaporeon becomes invisible in bodies of water

Like its second generation I Eeveelutions, Vaporeon evolves through the use of a stone; in this case a water stone. When Eevee evolves into Vaporeon, it becomes more fish-like and takes on fins and the ability to breathe underwater like many other water-type Pokémon. However, a key feature of the Vaporeon's power is its ability to dissolve in water, rendering it invisible. This ability allows the Bubble Jet Pokémon to be a great underwater hunter.

Vaporeon is usually found near bodies of water, especially beaches, but has been known to travel with trainers. The Bubble Jet Pokémon debuted alongside Rainer, one of the Eevee brothers. But it has since been shown with several other trainers throughout Pokémon world. Owned by Trainer Galea, One Vaporeon had a particularly nimble Water-type that helped Ash's Corphish grow stronger.

Espeon can predict the opponent's actions

Espeon is extremely loyal to its trainer

In Generation II, two new Eeveelutions, Espeon and Umbreon, debuted in Pokémon world. Unlike the first three Eeveelutions, Espeon and Umbreon evolved through the strength of their friendship with their trainers, as well as the time of day. If an Eevee that likes its Trainer evolves during the day, it will become an Espeon. The Sun Pokémon's velvety fur allows it to sense the surrounding atmosphere, a skill it learned to protect its trainer.

Espeon's first and biggest appearance was via Sakura, a trainer who was also the younger sibling of the famous Kimono Sisters. It was thanks to the bond between Espeon and Sakura that the Kimono Sisters allowed her to travel all over the world; since then she has traveled not only through Johto but Kanto as well. A villainous Espeon also appeared in Pokemon heroesunder the ownership of Team Rocket Trainer Annie. It appears using several powerful Psychic-type moves, even on humans as well as Pokémon.

Glaceon can freeze the air surrounding it

Glaceon can turn its fur into frozen needles

Like Leafeon, another Eeveelution that debuted in the Sinnoh region, Glaceon was initially only able to evolve by finding a mysterious stone; since then, Eevee now reacts to both the blade stone and the ice stone. However, the original way of developing Glaceon was even more difficult than Leafeon's method. Instead of finding Glaceon's rock, a slab of rock made of shiny ice, in a forest, a trainer would have to travel to the depths of Route 217, where the Ice Rock can be found in the middle of a terrible blizzard. Once Eevee evolves, it not only becomes immune to the surrounding hail, but thrives on it.

Glaceon's two known abilities are Snow Cloak and Ice Body, which either increase its ability to dodge attacks or regain lost HP. The most famous Glaceon in the anime is the one belonging to May, a Pokémon coordinator and one of Ash's former travel partners. Originally seen as an Eevee, the Fresh Snow Pokémon debuted its new powers against Team Rocket. It also battled Dawn's Piplup, and although it was defeated, it proved a worthy opponent thanks to moves like Ice Shard and Secret Power.

Jolteon's fur generates powerful volts of static electricity

Jolteon is known to be a sensitive Pokémon

Jolteon is one of the three original Eeveelutions, and known to be the hardest to train, at least according to the Pokédex. Because Lightning Pokémon is easily upset, it often surges with power. This power can be difficult to control for both Pokémon and trainers, so whoever is caring for Jolteon must be patient. But with the right training, Jolteon can be a great and loyal travel partner. The Lightning Pokémon is easy to distinguish due to its spiky fur, which it can fire like missiles.

Aside from the Jolteon owned by Sparky and Ethan, many powerful Jolteons have been seen outside the head Pokémon anime. A prominent example is the Jolteon used by Red i Pokémon Originswho remained one of his main members. This Jolteon had a strong sense of justice as its trainer, and fought bravely against Team Rocket after encountering Cubone. Meanwhile, i Pokemon Evolutionsvarious Jolteons were seen as battle partners to Sayo and even Trace.

Umbreon's power grows stronger under the moonlight

Umbreon is a master of hunting in the dark

Pokemon Umbreon stands against a green background

Like Espeon, Umbreon can only be obtained if an evolving Eevee truly trusts its trainer; however, that Eevee would need to evolve at night to become an Umbreon. When it evolved under the moonlight, Umbreon is at its most powerful when pitch black and near the moon. During this event, the rings on the Umbreon's fur begin to glow, and it can see its prey even in total darkness. When Umbreon is angry, it secretes a toxic sweat, allowing it to use Toxic despite being a Dark-type.

While Umbreon can certainly be quite menacing compared to its fellow Eeveelutions, the Moonlight Pokémon has often been seen with heroic trainers. One such example is Gladion, a famous young trainer from Alola who saved an Eevee when he was a small child. Since then, Umbreon has remained a loyal friend to its trainer, growing increasingly powerful over time. Another example is Gary's Umbreon, which thanks to Gary's excellent training was happy and strong.

Eevee itself can learn several powerful attacks

Chloe's Eevee is based on the starter from Generation VII

With how popular Evolution Pokémon have become since debuting in Generation I, it's no surprise that Eevee is now considered a secondary mascot alongside Pikachu. However, while Pikachu can only evolve into Raichu, Eevee has several different evolutions that make it an excellent member of any team. As a normal type, Eevee can learn several moves before evolving, although some trainers choose not to evolve Eevee. One such example lies with Pokémon trainer Chloe, who has a female Eevee as her partner Pokémon.

Chloe's Eevee is based on the starter Eevee i Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee!a Normal type that never wants to evolve. In the case of Chloe's Eevee, she caused great confusion among researchers because she never evolved despite being exposed to various evolution stones. Chloe could tell that Eevee was indecisive and nervous about evolving and promised to be her friend no matter what path she took. Eevee proved to be a great fighter even without evolving, capable of using powerful moves like Hydro Pump and Psychic via Copycat.

Sylveon is one of the most iconic Fairy-type Pokemon

Sylveon is both adorable and cunning

The most recently debuted Eeveelution of the roster, Sylveon, arrived alongside the start of Generation VI and the premiere of the Fairy type. Although Fairy-type Pokémon are weak to Poison-type and Steel-type moves, they are strong against Dark-types, Fighting-types, and Dragon-types, which were once only weak to their own type. Most exciting of all, Fairy-type Pokémon, including Sylveon, are immune to Dragon-type moves. The sylveon is distinctive due to its ribbon-like antennae, which it uses along with a calming aura to distract its prey before attacking.

Aside from Valerie and Penny's own Pokémon, one of the most well-known Sylveon is the one owned by Ash's friend Serena, a Pokémon artist. Originally a dance-loving Eevee, Sylveon was able to evolve due to his trainer's encouragement. She retained this love of performing after evolving, using her new appearance and powers to dazzle audiences. Although the Fairy type can be a bit shy, Sylveon still loves to be in the limelight and will use her moves to protect her friends while they train to compete in the Contest Spectaculars.