| Butterfree | |
|---|---|
| Pokémon character | |
 | |
| First game | Pokémon Red and Blue (1996) |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Pokémon |
| Type | Bug and Flying |
Butterfree (/ˈbʌtərfriː/; Japanese: バタフリー) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise, and the evolved form of Metapod, an evolution of the Pokémon Caterpie. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, it is among the first Pokémon available to the player and evolves sooner than most other Pokémon species. Since Butterfree's debut, it has appeared in multiple games in the series, including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise.
Classified as both a Bug and Flying-type Pokémon, Butterfree is an insect which is based on a butterfly, while its previous forms are based on a caterpillar and chrysalis, respectively. It has white wings with black patterns, antennae, red compound eyes, and a purple two-segment body with blue hands and feet. Entomologist Rebecca M. Kittel argued that these Butterfree and its prior forms all take inspiration from different insects. Due to these dissimilarities, an urban legend was formed that suggested the Pokémon Venomoth originally evolved from Metapod and that Butterfree evolved from Venonat due to Butterfree's similarities to it.
In the Pokémon anime, Butterfree is a Pokémon of protagonist Ash Ketchum, evolving from a Caterpie he caught. Its departure in the anime has been considered one of the most touching moments in the series due to it being the first Pokémon he caught, as well as the fact that it did not return for most of the anime. It eventually returned in the finale of Ash's story, which was considered an impactful moment.