Pokemon: The Most Powerful Eevee Family Members in the Anime, Ranked

Pikachu is still the most recognizable Pokémon, but Eevee has become increasingly popular in recent years. This original Pokémon is a fan favorite, known for its eight different evolved forms – often called “Eeveelutions” by fans. While many people love Eevee itself, its evolved forms are also incredibly popular.

With so many different Eeveelutions – from gentle Leafeon to lively Jolteon – there’s a Pokémon for every Trainer. Because of this variety, Eevee and its evolutions are frequently featured in the original Pokémon animated series. While each Pokémon has its own strengths, some Eeveelutions get more attention on screen than others.

Leafeon Gains Power Through Photosynthesis

Leafeon Only Battles When Necessary

Leafeon first appeared in the fourth generation of Pokémon games. Originally, players could only get Leafeon after finishing the main story of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl. They needed to receive a special Eevee and then level it up near a mossy rock. Once evolved, Leafeon, known as the Verdant Pokémon, becomes very calm and peaceful, preferring to avoid battles whenever possible.

I’ve always found Leafeon fascinating because it’s different from the other Eeveelutions. Instead of hunting, it gets its energy from the sun, almost like a plant! It doesn’t just use this energy to survive, though – Leafeon can also channel it into really strong Grass-type moves, like Solar Beam. I first saw Leafeon when watching a Pokémon Coordinator named Zoey, who was a rival to Dawn. Zoey’s Leafeon was quite skilled, knowing moves like Leaf Blade, but it cleverly combined Aerial Ace and Psywave to win against Nando’s Pokémon, which was a surprising strategy.

Flareon’s Flames Can Be Over 3000 Degrees Fahrenheit

Flareon’s Fluffy Fur Helps It Control Its Body Temperature

Flareon is one of the earliest Eeveelutions discovered, evolving from Eevee when a Fire Stone is used. This evolution makes its fur even fluffier, changing its color to vibrant reds and yellows from its original brown and cream. Flareon also develops a special pouch inside its body that stores air and heats it to incredibly high temperatures – over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit! It then uses this superheated air to create powerful fireballs during battles.

Pyro, one of the Eevee brothers, battles with a Flareon, and he’s very proud of its help. Interestingly, his Flareon only knows the move Fire Spin. However, other Pokemon Coordinators in the anime, like Savannah from Hoenn and Ursula from Sinnoh, have shown off impressively strong Flareon in both contests and battles.

Vaporeon Is Often Found Near Sandy Beaches

Vaporeon Becomes Invisible in Bodies of Water

Vaporeon, like other original Eeveelutions, evolves using a special stone – the Water Stone. When Eevee becomes Vaporeon, it starts to resemble a fish, developing fins and gaining the ability to breathe underwater, similar to many Water-type Pokémon. What really sets Vaporeon apart is its ability to completely dissolve into water, becoming invisible. This makes it a fantastic hunter in the water.

Vaporeon typically lives near water, like beaches, but it’s also happy to travel with its Trainer. This Pokémon first appeared with the Trainer Rainer, who is known as one of the Eevee brothers. Since then, many other Trainers have been seen with Vaporeon. One Vaporeon, belonging to a Trainer named Galea, was particularly skilled with Water-type moves and even helped Ash’s Corphish become stronger.

Espeon Is Able To Predict Its Opponent’s Actions

Espeon Is Extremely Loyal Towards Its Trainer

With the release of the second generation of Pokemon games, two new evolutions of Eevee – Espeon and Umbreon – were introduced. Unlike the original three Eeveelutions, these new forms evolved based on a strong bond with their Trainer and the time of day. If Eevee is friendly with its Trainer and evolves during the daytime, it becomes Espeon. This “Sun Pokemon” has soft, velvety fur that lets it read the surrounding environment, helping it protect its Trainer.

Espeon was first prominently featured through Sakura, a Pokémon Trainer and the younger sister of the well-known Kimono Sisters. The strong connection between Espeon and Sakura earned her the Kimono Sisters’ permission to journey across both the Johto and Kanto regions. Another Espeon appeared as a villain in the movie Pokémon Heroes, controlled by Team Rocket’s Annie. This Espeon demonstrated powerful Psychic-type attacks, using them against both Pokémon and people.

Glaceon Can Freeze the Air Surrounding It

Glaceon Can Turn Its Fur Into Frozen Needles

Similar to Leafeon, another Pokémon that first appeared in the Sinnoh region, Glaceon used to only evolve by finding a special rock. Now, Eevee will evolve into Glaceon with either an Ice Stone or a Leaf Stone. However, originally evolving Glaceon was even more challenging than evolving Leafeon. Trainers had to venture deep into Route 217 and brave a harsh blizzard to find the Ice Rock. Once Eevee evolves into Glaceon, it becomes immune to hail and actually benefits from it.

Glaceon has two main abilities: Snow Cloak and Ice Body. Snow Cloak helps it avoid attacks, while Ice Body restores its health. In the Pokémon anime, May, a Pokémon Coordinator and a friend of Ash, owns a particularly memorable Glaceon. This Glaceon first appeared as an Eevee and later showcased its ice-type powers in a battle against Team Rocket. It also had a challenging fight against Dawn’s Piplup, using moves like Ice Shard and Secret Power, and proved to be a strong competitor despite losing.

Jolteon’s Fur Generates Powerful Volts of Static Electricity

Jolteon Is Known To Be a Sensitive Pokemon

Jolteon is one of the first Pokémon to evolve from Eevee, and it’s considered the most challenging to train. As the Lightning Pokémon, it gets agitated quickly and is constantly brimming with energy. This energy can be difficult for both Jolteon and its Trainer to manage, so patience is key when working with it. But with consistent and careful training, Jolteon can become a fantastic and devoted companion. You’ll easily recognize Jolteon by its distinctive, spiky fur, which it can even shoot off like projectiles.

Beyond the Jolteon belonging to Sparky and Ethan, several other strong Jolteon have appeared in various Pokémon series outside the main animated show. A notable example is Red’s Jolteon in Pokémon Origins, which was a key member of his team. This Jolteon shared its Trainer’s strong sense of justice and courageously battled Team Rocket after meeting Cubone. Additionally, in Pokémon Evolutions, different Jolteon served as partners to both Sayo and Trace during battles.

Umbreon’s Power Grows Stronger Beneath the Moonlight

Umbreon Is a Master at Hunting in the Dark

Similar to Espeon, Umbreon evolves from Eevee only when there’s a strong bond of trust with its Trainer. However, Umbreon specifically needs to evolve during the night. Evolving under the moonlight makes Umbreon strongest when it’s very dark and the moon is visible. At these times, the rings on its fur glow, giving it excellent night vision. If Umbreon gets angry, it releases a poisonous sweat, which allows it to use the move Toxic even though it’s a Dark-type Pokémon.

Umbreon might look intimidating compared to other Eeveelutions, but it’s often partnered with kind and courageous Trainers. Gladion, a well-known Trainer from Alola, rescued an Eevee as a young child, and his Umbreon has been a steadfast and increasingly powerful companion ever since. Similarly, Gary’s Umbreon flourished under his care, becoming both happy and strong thanks to excellent training.

Eevee Itself Can Learn Several Powerful Attacks

Chloe’s Eevee Is Based on the Starter From Generation VII

It’s easy to see why Eevee has become so beloved since it first appeared in the original Pokémon games. It’s practically as recognizable as Pikachu! While Pikachu only has one evolution, Raichu, Eevee is special because it can evolve in so many different ways, making it a great addition to any trainer’s team. As a Normal-type Pokémon, Eevee can learn a wide variety of moves even before evolving, but some trainers actually prefer to keep it that way. We see this with Pokémon Trainer Chloe, who has a female Eevee as her partner and hasn’t evolved it.

Chloe’s Eevee is inspired by the Eevee from the Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! game – a Normal-type Pokémon that prefers to stay in its current form. This Eevee puzzled researchers because it wouldn’t evolve, even when exposed to evolution stones. Chloe discovered that her Eevee was hesitant and anxious about evolving, so she reassured it that their friendship wouldn’t change regardless of its choice. Surprisingly, Eevee became a strong battler without evolving, mastering powerful moves like Hydro Pump and Psychic by mimicking opponents with its Copycat ability.

Sylveon Is One of the Most Iconic Fairy-type Pokemon

Sylveon Is Simultaneously Adorable and Cunning

Sylveon, the newest of the Eeveelutions, was introduced with Generation VI and the Fairy-type Pokémon. While Fairy-types are vulnerable to Poison and Steel attacks, they’re very effective against Dark, Fighting, and Dragon-types—types that previously had few weaknesses. Interestingly, Fairy-types like Sylveon are completely immune to Dragon-type moves. Sylveon is easily recognized by its ribbon-like feelers, which it uses with a calming aura to confuse opponents before striking.

Besides the Sylveon owned by Valerie and Penny, a famous one belongs to Serena, a Pokémon Performer and friend of Ash. Serena’s Sylveon started as an Eevee who loved to dance, and evolved thanks to her trainer’s support. She continued to enjoy performing after evolving, using her new look and abilities to impress people. While she can be a little shy, Sylveon loves being the center of attention and will use her moves to help her friends, all while practicing for Pokémon Contests.

2026-01-14 04:06