Inkay (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
0685MS.png #0685: Slurpuff
Pokémon
#0687: Malamar 0687MS.png
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Inkay (disambiguation).
Inkay
Revolving Pokémon
マーイーカ
Maaiika
#0686
Inkay



Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type
Dark Psychic
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Unknown Unknown
Abilities
Contrary or Suction Cups Cacophony
Cacophony
Infiltrator
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Hidden Ability
Cacophony
Cacophony
Gender ratio
Unknown
50% male, 50% female
Catch rate
190 (35.2%)
Breeding
Egg Groups
Water 1 and Water 2
Hatch time
20 cycles
Height
1'04" 0.4 m
Inkay
0'0" 0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
7.7 lbs. 3.5 kg
Inkay
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form2}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form3}}}
0 lbs. 0 kg
{{{form4}}}
Mega Stone
[[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield
Unknown
Gen. IV
Unknown
IV
58
Leveling rate
Medium Fast
EV yield
Total: 1
Inkay
0
HP
1
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
0
HP
0
Atk
0
Def
0
Sp.Atk
0
Sp.Def
0
Speed
Shape
Body10.png
Footprint
F0686.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Blue
Base friendship
70
External Links

Inkay (Japanese: マーイーカ Maaiika) is a dual-type Dark/Psychic Pokémon introduced in Generation VI.

It evolves into Malamar starting at level 30 when leveled up while the game system is held upside-down.

Biology

Inkay is a blue, squid-like Pokémon. It has a transparent mantle with a rounded, pink body inside that has several yellow, circular spots that can glow brightly. There are four of these luminescent spots on the front and two on the back. Attached to its mantle are two transparent tentacles; its remaining tentacles are part of its main body, eight in total. It has round black eyes and a pink beak-like mouth.

Inkay can cause its luminescent spots to blink and flash; this behavior serves a variety of uses. If Inkay is threatened, the blinking lights will cause its opponents to become dazed and lose their will to battle, allowing it to escape. The blinking also serves to attract Inkay's prey, which is then ensnared and held in place by its tentacles. Inkay also uses various complex rhythms and patterns of lights to communicate to others of its kind. Because of this, Inkay instinctively reacts to anything in its habitat that emits light or echoing sounds. By floating upside-down, Inkay improves its blood flow along with clearing its head. This also drastically boosts the power of Inkay's Psychic moves and is what triggers its evolution into Malamar.

Prior to Generation VIII and in Generation IX, Inkay and its evolved form, Malamar, are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Topsy-Turvy.

Evolution

Inkay evolves into Malamar.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

 
Unevolved
Inkay
 Dark  Psychic 

 
First evolution
Malamar
 Dark  Psychic 


In the anime

 
Inkay in the anime

Major appearances

James's Inkay

An Inkay appeared in A Battle of Aerial Mobility!, which James caught while he was eating sandwiches. When James traveled to Alola in Loading the Dex!, Inkay was revealed to have been left at Team Rocket HQ.

Other

Multiple wild Inkay appeared in Facing the Grand Design!, where James's Inkay helped save them, as well as some good Malamar, from the evil Malamar. James tried to release Inkay afterwards so Inkay could be happy with the other Inkay, but Inkay refused and rejoined his team.

Minor appearances

In the manga

Pocket Monsters XY: The Legend of the Pokémon Dragon King

Kanna owns an Inkay, as seen in LDK1.

Pokémon Adventures

Inkay debuted in Kangaskhan...Kangascan't, under the ownership of a male Poké Fan.

Xerosic's Malamar was revealed to have been under his ownership since he was an Inkay. He evolved when Lysandre explained his peculiar evolution method and demonstrated it by turning Inkay upside-down, making him evolve instantly. He showed up in a flashback in Chesnaught Protects.

In the TCG

Main article: Inkay (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

 
Inkay trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

Inkay appears as a Poké Ball summon in both versions of the game. It turns over and hits the ground, making all opponents who are on the ground trip.

Inkay also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.

Trophy information

NA: Inkay may look like a Water-type Pokémon, but it's actually a Dark/Psychic type! Once it has reached the proper level, Inkay can evolve into Malamar if you hold the Nintendo 3DS upside down. In Smash Bros., its Topsy-Turvy move will flip anyone who wanders too close upside down. Watch out!

PAL: A Pokémon that looks this much like a squid MUST be a Water-type, right? Wrong! It's a Dark- and Psychic-type. If you're struggling to get it to evolve, try holding your system upside down. In this game, Inkay's Topsy-Turvy move can knock you over, and you won't be much use like that, so watch out!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Inkay returns as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball, retaining the same behavior from the previous game. Inkay also appears as a Spirit.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI Kalos
Coastal #010
Hoenn
#—
X Opponents who stare at the flashing of the light-emitting spots on its body become dazed and lose their will to fight.
Y It flashes the light-emitting spots on its body, which drains its opponent's will to fight. It takes the opportunity to scuttle away and hide.
Omega Ruby Opponents who stare at the flashing of the light-emitting spots on its body become dazed and lose their will to fight.
Alpha Sapphire It flashes the light-emitting spots on its body, which drains its opponent's will to fight. It takes the opportunity to scuttle away and hide.
Generation VII Alola
USUM: #026
Kanto
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sun, Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
Ultra Sun It draws prey near with its blinking lights and then wraps them up in its long tentacles and holds them in place.
Ultra Moon When exchanging information with others of its kind, it flashes the light-emitting spots on its body in a complex rhythm.
Generation VIII Galar
#290
Galar
Isle of Armor #108
Sinnoh
#—
Hisui
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus.
Sword It spins while making its luminescent spots flash. These spots allow it to communicate with others by using different patterns of light.
Shield By exposing foes to the blinking of its luminescent spots, Inkay demoralizes them, and then it seizes the chance to flee.
Generation IX Paldea
#—
Kitakami
#—
Blueberry
#80
Scarlet It protects itself from tough foes by flashing its luminescent spots to discourage them.
Violet Being upside-down improves its blood flow and clears its mind, causing the power of its psychic moves to increase dramatically.


   
Inkay in the Alola PokédexUSUM Inkay in the Blueberry Pokédex

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI
X Y
Route 8, Azure Bay, Friend Safari (Dark)
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Trade
Generation VII
Sun Moon
Trade
Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Route 1, Ancient Poni Path, Poni Gauntlet, Poni Wilds
Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee
Unobtainable
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Route 7, Route 9, Bridge Field, Dusty Bowl, Giant's Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills
Watchtower Ruins, West Lake Axewell, Motostoke Riverbank, Stony Wilderness, Giant's Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills (Max Raid Battle)
Expansion Pass
Fields of Honor, Challenge Beach, Training Lowlands, Loop Lagoon
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
Unobtainable
Legends: Arceus
Unobtainable
Generation IX
Scarlet Violet
TradeVersion 3.0.0+
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
Coastal Biome, Torchlit Labyrinth
Tera Raid Battles (3★)


In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI
Battle Trozei
Mountain of Order: Stage 4
Rumble World
Starlight Islands: Upside-Down Island (All Areas)
Picross
Area 17: Stage 01
Generation VII
Rumble Rush
Snorlax Sea, Pinsir Sea, Greninja Sea, Zygarde SeaFinal
Generation VIII
New Snap
Blushing BeachNight, Maricopia Reef Evening, Lental SeafloorLevel 3
Cross-Generation
Shuffle
Roseus Center: Stage 251


In events

Games Event Region Location Level Distribution period
XY Pokémon Center Tokyo Bay Inkay All Japan 10 November 22, 2013 to January 26, 2014;
December 26, 2013 to January 26, 2014

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Events*   Aspear Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
53
113 - 160 216 - 310
54
53 - 116 101 - 227
53
52 - 115 99 - 225
37
37 - 97 71 - 190
46
45 - 107 87 - 210
45
45 - 106 85 - 207
Total:
288
Other Pokémon with this total
  • Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature.
  • Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Weak to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Immune to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Resistant to:
Normal
Fighting
Flying
Poison
Ground
Rock
Bug
Ghost
Steel
Fire
Water
Grass
Electric
Psychic
Ice
Dragon
Dark
Fairy
None
Notes:

Learnset

Inkay is available in Scarlet and Violet Version 3.0.0+.

By leveling up

Generation IX
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII
 Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP
011 Peck Flying Physical 03535 100100% 35
011 Tackle Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35
033 Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000 06060% 20
066 Wrap Normal Physical 01515 09090% 20
099 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100100% 10
1212 Pluck Flying Physical 06060 100100% 20
1515 Psybeam Psychic Special 06565 100100% 20
1818 Swagger Normal Status 0000 08585% 15
2121 Slash Normal Physical 07070 100100% 20
2424 Night Slash Dark Physical 07070 100100% 15
2727 Psycho Cut Psychic Physical 07070 100100% 20
3131 Switcheroo Dark Status 0000 100100% 10
3333 Foul Play Dark Physical 09595 100100% 15
3636 Topsy-Turvy Dark Status 0000 00——% 20
3939 Superpower Fighting Physical 120120 100100% 5
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Inkay
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Inkay
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM

Generation IX
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII
   TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
TM003  TM003 Fake Tears Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TM007  TM007 Protect Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM016  TM016 Psybeam Psychic Special 06565 100}}100% 20
TM018  TM018 Thief Dark Physical 06060 100}}100% 25
TM025  TM025 Facade Normal Physical 07070 100}}100% 20
TM027  TM027 Aerial Ace Flying Physical 06060 00—}}—% 20
TM032  TM032 Swift Normal Special 06060 00—}}—% 20
TM041  TM041 Stored Power Psychic Special 02020 100}}100% 10
TM043  TM043 Fling Dark Physical 0000 100}}100% 10
TM047  TM047 Endure Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM049  TM049 Sunny Day Fire Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM050  TM050 Rain Dance Water Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM054  TM054 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 100}}100% 10
TM062  TM062 Foul Play Dark Physical 09595 100}}100% 15
TM070  TM070 Sleep Talk Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM074  TM074 Reflect Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM075  TM075 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 30
TM085  TM085 Rest Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM086  TM086 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 090}}90% 10
TM087  TM087 Taunt Dark Status 0000 100}}100% 20
TM094  TM094 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100}}100% 15
TM098  TM098 Skill Swap Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM103  TM103 Substitute Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM109  TM109 Trick Psychic Status 0000 100}}100% 10
TM110  TM110 Liquidation Water Physical 08585 100}}100% 10
TM120  TM120 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 100}}100% 10
TM125  TM125 Flamethrower Fire Special 09090 100}}100% 15
TM126  TM126 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 100}}100% 15
TM129  TM129 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM130  TM130 Helping Hand Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM132  TM132 Baton Pass Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 40
TM140  TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM161  TM161 Trick Room Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM171  TM171 Tera Blast Normal Special 08080 100}}100% 10
TM177  TM177 Spite Ghost Status 0000 100}}100% 10
TM178  TM178 Gravity Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM181  TM181 Knock Off Dark Physical 06565 100}}100% 20
TM185  TM185 Lunge Bug Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM199  TM199 Lash Out Dark Physical 07575 100}}100% 5
TM203  TM203 Psych Up Normal Status 0000 00—}}—% 10
TM217  TM217 Future Sight Psychic Special 120120 100}}100% 10
TM218  TM218 Expanding Force Psychic Special 08080 100}}100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Inkay
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Inkay
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation IX
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII
 Parent   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
Acupressure Normal Status —% 30
Destiny Bond Ghost Status —% 5
Disable Normal Status 100% 20
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Inkay
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Inkay
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Inkay
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Rumble Rush
  Walking Speed: 2.08 seconds Base HP: 49
Base Attack: 67 Base Defense: 48 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Dark
Attack Power: ★★★★

 

Pokémon Shuffle
 
Dark
  Attack Power: 40 - 90   5

#365
 

Mega Boost+
Fills the Mega Gauge of the same type of Pokémon more.


Pokémon GO
  Base HP: 142 Base Attack: 98 Base Defense: 95
Egg Distance: 12 km Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement:  50 with mobile device held upside-down*
Fast Attacks: Peck, Tackle, Psywave*
Charged Attacks: Psybeam, Night Slash
New Pokémon Snap
 
Photodex entry #087
Inkay instinctively reacts to anything in the water that lights up or makes an echoing sound. That’s because it usually uses its own luminescence to communicate with others of its kind.

Evolution data

 
Unevolved
Inkay
 Dark  Psychic 
  +  
Level 30
(hold game system
upside-down)

 
First evolution
Malamar
 Dark  Psychic 


Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI
X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Front Back Front Back
Generation VII
Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Cross-Generation
HOME
   
  For other sprites and images, please see Inkay images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


Trivia

  • Shigeru Ohmori came up with Inkay's method of evolution into Malamar. He suggested the method as the development team were thinking of ways to utilize the internal gyroscope on the Nintendo 3DS.[1] He also thought of the idea of a player discovering it on accident by turning their console to be amusing.[2]
    • In addition to Inkay's evolutionary method being unique, it would have been impossible in any of the previous core series Pokémon games, because the Nintendo 3DS is Nintendo's first handheld system with an internal gyroscope.
    • Inkay is one of Ohmori's favorite Pokémon from Pokémon X and Y.[1]
  • Inkay and its evolution were designed by Hitoshi Ariga.[3]
  • Inkay and its evolution are the only Pokémon to have Contrary as a standard Ability instead of a Hidden Ability.

Origin

Inkay appears to be based on a squid, and it also seems to bear a small resemblance to a cuttlefish. Considering its flashing abilities, Inkay may have been inspired by the vampire or humboldt squids, or by deimatic behaviour in cephalopods as a whole.

Additionally, Inkay's physical appearance and its use of lights for mind control may be inspired by a stereotypical extraterrestrial supervillain, especially ones that are common in tokusatsu shows.

Name origin

Inkay may be a combination of ink or inkfish and okay.

Maaiika is derived from 烏賊 ika (cuttlefish or squid) and a pun on まあ,いいか Mā, iika ("Well, whatever"; "Oh well").[4] It may also involve 魔 ma (demon) or 真烏賊 maika (Japanese flying squid).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
  Japanese マーイーカ Maaiika From ma, 烏賊 ika or 真烏賊 maika, and a pun on まあ、いいか Mā, iika
  French Sepiatop From sepia, top, and c'est pas top
  Spanish Inkay Same as English name
  German Iscalar From Kalmare and Ja ne, is klar
  Italian Inkay Same as English name
  Korean 오케이징 Okayjing From OK and 오징어 ojing'eo
  Mandarin Chinese 好啦魷 / 好啦鱿 Hǎolayóu*
豪喇花枝 Háolǎhuāzhī*
From 好啦 hǎo la and 魷魚 / 鱿鱼 yóuyú
From 好啦 hǎo la and 花枝 huāzhī
  Cantonese Chinese 好啦魷 Hóulāyàuh*
毫喇魷 Hòuhlāyāu*
From 好啦 hou lā and 魷魚 yāuyú


Related articles

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Developer Interview - Junichi Masuda & Shigeru Ohmori." GameXplain. YouTube.
  2. Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori Sun and Moon Interview
  3. Pocket Monsters XY by HitoshiAriga on deviantART
  4. Horan, Chiaki; Pettas, Nicholas (hosts) (October 15, 2013). "Pokémon X and Pokémon Y". Imagine-nation. NHK World.

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Pokémon
#0687: Malamar  
  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.