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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.
Malamar possesses strong hypnotic powers, which it uses to force others to do its bidding. People often utilize this ability for nefarious deeds. It lures prey with the flashing pattern on its body and hypnotic motions, then ensnares them in its tentacles. The prey is then finished off with digestive fluids. Malamar and its pre-evolution, Inkay, are the only known Pokémon that can learn Topsy-Turvy.
An evil, psychopathic Malamar appeared in A Conspiracy to Conquer!. It appeared to be under the control of a woman named "Madame X", but in reality, it had hypnotized an Officer Jenny to pose as Madame X. It also hypnotized Jessie, James, Clemont, Serena, Bonnie, and many Pokémon, including Ash's Pikachu. While it was defeated in the end, it escaped after boasting of a grand plan to conquer the world. It reappeared in Facing the Grand Design! along with two other evil Malamar, where they attempted to initiate their plan of world conquest. However, they were thwarted again, forcing them to flee.
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.
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.
In addition to Inkay's method of evolution into Malamar 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.
Malamar and its pre-evolution were designed by Hitoshi Ariga.[1]
Inkay and Malamar are the only Pokémon in the Water 2 egg group that are not Water-type.
Origin
Malamar is based on an upside-down squid. Its body orientation and hypnosis ability may have been inspired by the vampire squid's abilities to invert its tentacles and produce light. It also somewhat resembles a standard owl, which would symbolically relate to its distinctive wisdom/intelligence.
Name origin
Malamar may be a combination of mal- (Latin for bad), μαλάκιο malákio (Greek for mollusk), calamari, and mare (Latin for sea).
Calamanero may be from 絡ます karamasu (to entangle), calamari, 魔 ma (demon), and possibly nero di seppia (Italian for cephalopod ink).
In other languages
Language
Title
Meaning
Japanese
カラマネロ Calamanero
Possibly from 絡ます karamasu, calamari, 魔 ma, and possibly nero di seppia
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.