Do Sparkling Aniimo have higher stats?

Sparkling status is completely separate from an Aniimo's potential grade.

An Aniimo can roll any potential tier regardless of whether it sparkles, and the sparkling potential aura is a separate marker from the Sparkling trait itself. A creature can be Sparkling without displaying a potential aura, just as a high-potential Aniimo does not automatically sparkle.

Because the cosmetic layer is detached from battle effectiveness, you do not need to hunt wild Sparkling spawns to secure strong fighters. You can raise a standard Aniimo with the stats you want and convert it into a sparkling variant later by spending saved Sparkling Sigils or shiny stamps. Catching an Aniimo with a Sparkling Cube also applies the effect directly.

Release protection and the Animolog

The game protects Sparkling catches from accidental disposal despite their lack of combat bonuses. The research station menu includes filter options to batch release common, good, and elite Aniimo while keeping Sparkling Aniimo safe. Auto-releasing also protects them from release.

Any unobtained sparkling forms remain temporarily hidden from preview in the Animolog.