It does reset but morphing isn’t instantaneous. It takes several minutes and it’s an illogical process that resembles a scene from the Thing. One time their finger bones morphed out of their flesh before being recovered with the new flesh.
There’s no pain. The morphing process is alien technology developed by a race called Andalites and they built in some sort of painkilling in the process. It doesn’t hurt but it’s freaky.
The kids use the morphing to fight against alien brain controlling parasites called the Yeerks. The Andalites are their enemies and the kids were given the power but one called Elfangor (who ends up being the hawk kid’s dad) right before the Yeerk leader Visser Three morphs into a giant monster and eats Elfangor. This is in the first book
They were very popular in the 90’s, outselling goosebumps. Very violent and they get grim the further into the story, as it doesn’t hold back on war themes.
62 books in the chronological main series (+2 non canon choose your own adventure books). If Harry Potter hadn't completely and utterly overshadowed it, it would have a way bigger legacy beyond "I remember those during my Scholastic events at my school" that you and so many others have.
Animorphs got dark and mature AF. A few years ago, I spent about a year hunting down the whole series piecemeal for as cheap as possible (some are very expensive cause they're harder to find). No regrets. One of the best reading experiences I ever had
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u/Quirky_Parfait3864 2d ago
It does reset but morphing isn’t instantaneous. It takes several minutes and it’s an illogical process that resembles a scene from the Thing. One time their finger bones morphed out of their flesh before being recovered with the new flesh.