Malamar (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
0686MS.png #0686: Inkay
Pokémon
#0688: Binacle 0688MS.png
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Malamar (disambiguation).
Malamar
Overturning Pokémon
カラマネロ
Calamanero
#0687
Malamar



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
80 (18.4%)
Breeding
Egg Groups
Water 1 and Water 2
Hatch time
20 cycles
Height
4'11" 1.5 m
Malamar
0'0" 0 m
{{{form2}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form3}}}
0'0" 0 m
{{{form4}}}
Weight
103.6 lbs. 47.0 kg
Malamar
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
169
Leveling rate
Medium Fast
EV yield
Total: 2
Malamar
0
HP
2
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
Body05.png
Footprint
F0687.png F000.png
{{{form2}}}
Pokédex color
Blue
Base friendship
70
External Links

Malamar (Japanese: カラマネロ Calamanero) is a dual-type Dark/Psychic Pokémon introduced in Generation VI.

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

Biology

 
Malamar under water

Malamar is a Pokémon that resembles an upside-down squid. Several purple tentacles with bright blue undersides sprout from the top of its head. It has yellow eyes with black sclerae, a dark pink beak-like mouth, and lighter purple eyelids. Its main body is dark purple and has six circular yellow lights on the front and back. There is also a yellow stripe nearly encircling its upper body. Covering its main body is a transparent mantle with two white fins on the bottom that function as legs. On each side of the mantle is a long tentacle with dark pink at the top and white, scythe-like fins at the ends. The edge of Malamar's fins are said to be supremely sharp.

Malamar possesses strong hypnotic powers, which are said to be the most powerful of any Pokémon. Malamar uses its hypnotic power to force others to do its bidding. Those under Malamar's control will lose their memories surrounding the event. People often utilize this ability for nefarious deeds. Malamar's hypnotic powers are said to have played a role in several history-changing events. It lures prey with the flashing pattern on its luminescent body and hypnotic motions, then ensnares them in its tentacles. The prey is then finished off with digestive fluids. Both the anime and the TCG show Malamar living near water or even under water. As shown in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!, it uses its tentacles to propel itself, swimming leg-first.

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

Evolution

Malamar evolves from Inkay.

(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

 
Malamar in the anime

Major appearances

Malamar (anime)

An evil, psychopathic Malamar appeared in A Conspiracy to Conquer!. It had hypnotized an Officer Jenny to pose as "Madame X". While it was defeated in the end, it escaped. Malamar reappeared in Facing the Grand Design!, along with two other evil Malamar, where they attempted to initiate their plan of world conquest. After being foiled again, they used a machine to escape into the future.

Other

Six Malamar appeared in Facing the Grand Design!, along with the three evil Malamar. Unlike the three evil Malamar, these Malamar were peaceful and lived with Pokémon living in the forest. They later helped James and Clemont stop the three evil Malamar from completing their plans and rescue their friends.

A Malamar appeared in The Right Hero for the Right Job!, under the ownership of Xerosic. Xerosic used his Malamar to battle several of Clemont's Pokémon, but it was soon defeated. It reappeared in Facing the Needs of the Many!, where it attempted to hypnotize Clemont, but failed.

A Malamar appeared in Curtain Up! Fight the Fights!, under the ownership of Alain. It fought Leon's Charizard in the Masters Eight Tournament and lost.

Minor appearances

Malamar debuted in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry
XY019 Malamar Ash's Pokédex Malamar, the Overturning Pokémon, and the evolved form of Inkay. Possessing the strongest hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, Malamar can compel others to do anything it wants them to do.
Episode Pokémon Source Entry
JN115 Malamar Goh's Rotom Phone Malamar, the Overturning Pokémon. A Dark and Psychic type. Looking at Malamar's luminescent body can cause one to become hypnotized and susceptible to the Pokémon's control.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

In X-actly What They Wanted, Team Flare Scientist Xerosic was revealed to own a Malamar.

Piers's Malamar debuted in Rumble!! The Horrific Darkest Day.

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry
Pokémon Adventures PS587 It has the most powerful hypnotic powers of any Pokémon and can make others do whatever it wants them to.

In the TCG

Main article: Malamar (TCG)

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI Kalos
Coastal #011
Hoenn
#—
X It wields the most compelling hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, and it forces others to do whatever it wants.
Y It lures prey close with hypnotic motions, then wraps its tentacles around it before finishing it off with digestive fluids.
Omega Ruby It wields the most compelling hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, and it forces others to do whatever it wants.
Alpha Sapphire It lures prey close with hypnotic motions, then wraps its tentacles around it before finishing it off with digestive fluids.
Generation VII Alola
USUM: #027
Kanto
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Sun, Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
Ultra Sun When it comes to strong hypnosis, there's an endless number of people who utilize Malamar for their nefarious deeds.
Ultra Moon It flashes the pattern on its torso to control its prey and draw them in. The edges of its fins are supremely sharp.
Generation VIII Galar
#291
Galar
Isle of Armor #109
Sinnoh
#—
Hisui
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Legends: Arceus.
Sword Gazing at its luminescent spots will quickly induce a hypnotic state, putting the observer under Malamar's control.
Shield It's said that Malamar's hypnotic powers played a role in certain history-changing events.
Generation IX Paldea
#—
Kitakami
#—
Blueberry
#81
Scarlet Its hypnotic powers are dangerously strong. Anyone who falls under Malamar’s control loses their memories surrounding the event.
Violet It flashes the luminescent spots on its body to hypnotize its opponents, gaining total control over them.


   
Malamar in the Alola PokédexUSUM Malamar in the Blueberry Pokédex

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI
X Y
Evolve Inkay
Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire
Trade
Generation VII
Sun Moon
Trade
Ultra Sun Ultra Moon
Evolve Inkay
Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee
Unobtainable
Generation VIII
Sword Shield
Watchtower Ruins, West Lake Axewell, Motostoke Riverbank, Stony Wilderness, Giant's Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills (Max Raid Battle)
Expansion Pass
Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands, Loop Lagoon, Training Lowlands (Wanderer)
Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)
Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
Unobtainable
Legends: Arceus
Unobtainable
Generation IX
Scarlet Violet
TradeVersion 3.0.0+
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero
Tera Raid Battles (5★, 6★)


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, Entrance Boss)
Generation VII
Rumble Rush
Pinsir Sea, Greninja Sea, Zygarde SeaFinal
Generation VIII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation VIII side games.
Cross-Generation
Shuffle
Expert Stage: Stage EX32


In events

Games Event Region Location Level Distribution period
OR Shigeki Morimoto's Malamar PAL region Online 50 August 5, 2015 to January 22, 2016

Held items

Game Held Item(s)
Events*   Assault Vest (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Stat Range
At Lv. 50 At Lv. 100
86
146 - 193 282 - 376
92
87 - 158 170 - 311
88
83 - 154 162 - 302
68
65 - 132 126 - 258
75
72 - 139 139 - 273
73
70 - 137 135 - 269
Total:
482
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

Malamar 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 Reversal Fighting Physical 0000 100100% 15
011 Peck Flying Physical 03535 100100% 35
011 Tackle Normal Physical 04040 100100% 35
011 Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000 06060% 20
011 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
3333 Switcheroo Dark Status 0000 100100% 10
3737 Foul Play Dark Physical 09595 100100% 15
4242 Topsy-Turvy Dark Status 0000 00——% 20
4747 Superpower Fighting Physical 120120 100100% 5
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Malamar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Malamar
  • 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
TM006  TM006 Scary Face Normal Status 0000 100}}100% 10
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
TM020  TM020 Trailblaze Grass Physical 05050 100}}100% 20
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
TM134  TM134 Reversal Fighting Physical 0000 100}}100% 15
TM140  TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000 00—}}—% 20
TM152  TM152 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 090}}90% 5
TM161  TM161 Trick Room Psychic Status 0000 00—}}—% 5
TM163  TM163 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 090}}90% 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
TM221  TM221 Throat Chop Dark Physical 08080 100}}100% 15
TM228  TM228 Psychic Noise Psychic Special 07575 100}}100% 10
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Malamar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution or an alternate form of Malamar
  • 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 Malamar
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Malamar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Malamar
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation IX
Other generations:
VI - VII - VIII
 Stage   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP 
This Pokémon has no moves exclusive to prior evolutions.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Malamar
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Malamar

Side game data

Pokémon Rumble Rush
  Walking Speed: 2.1 seconds Base HP: 57
Base Attack: 78 Base Defense: 56 Base Speed: 60
Pokémon Battle Trozei
Dark
Attack Power: ★★★★★

 

Pokémon Shuffle
 
Dark
  Attack Power: 70 - 110   5

#366
 

Quirky+
Sometimes erases two extra matching Pokémon elsewhere.
  Swappable Skill(s): Block Shot


Pokémon GO
  Base HP: 200 Base Attack: 177 Base Defense: 165
Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: N/A
Fast Attacks: Peck, Psycho Cut, Psywave*
Charged Attacks: Psybeam, Foul Play, Superpower, Hyper Beam

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 Malamar images on the Bulbagarden Archives.


Trivia

Origin

Malamar is based on an upside-down squid. According to Hitoshi Ariga, Malamar's upside-down design was inspired by the fact that squids are commonly illustrated upside-down in pictorial books.[2] Its body orientation and hypnosis ability may also have been inspired by the vampire squid's abilities to invert its tentacles and produce light. The fact that Malamar turns upside-down when it evolves from Inkay may also be a reference to torsion, a process in the embryonic development of gastropods where the body rotates 180 degrees with respect to the head (Malamar and Inkay are based on cephalopods, not gastropods, but both are mollusks).

Additionally, as alluded to by Ariga,[3] Malamar's physical appearance and its use of hypnosis to forcefully control others may be inspired by a stereotypical extraterrestrial supervillain, especially ones that are common in tokusatsu shows.

Name origin

Malamar may be a combination of mal- (Latin-derived prefix for bad), μαλάκιο malákio (Greek for mollusk), calamari, and mare (Latin for sea).

Calamanero may be a combination of 絡ます karamasu (to entangle), calamari, 魔 ma (demon), nero (Italian for black), and possibly nero di seppia (Italian for cuttlefish ink).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning
  Japanese カラマネロ Calamanero From 絡ます karamasu, calamari, ma, and possibly nero di seppia
  French Sepiatroce From sepia and atroce
  Spanish Malamar Same as English name
  German Calamanero Same as Japanese name
  Italian Malamar Same as English name
  Korean 칼라마네로 Calamanero Transcription of Japanese name
  Mandarin Chinese 烏賊王 / 乌贼王 Wūzéiwáng From 烏賊 / 乌贼 wūzéi and wáng
  Cantonese Chinese 烏賊王 Wūchaahkwòhng From 烏賊 wūchaahk and wòhng


Related articles

References

External links

  #0686: Inkay
Pokémon
#0688: Binacle  
  This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon as a species.