TheBond Phenomenon (Japanese:キズナ現象(げんしょう)Bond Phenomenon) is a transformation exclusive toGreninja which causes it to becomeAsh-Greninja (Japanese:サトシゲッコウガSatoshi Gekkouga). In thisform, Greninja's physical features become similar to those ofAsh Ketchum, and its strength increases along with gaining the ability to form largeWater Shurikens on its back, which it can use inbattle to great effect.

The Bond Phenomenon is said to have some connection to thePokémon's hidden potential, similar toMega Evolution andPrimal Reversion. However, unlike the former, which requires aMega Stone andKey Stone to achieve, and the latter, which necessitates theRed orBlue Orb, it does not require any specificitems for either the Greninja or itsTrainer.

The Bond Phenomenon was originally introduced inPokémon the Series as a transformation achieved byAsh's Greninja. It was later made available in theGeneration VI games through theBattle BondAbility starting withPokémon Sun and Moon. However, inGeneration IX, Battle Bond's effect was changed to make Greninja'sstats increase, making Ash-Greninja no longer playable.

Overview

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

The Bond Phenomenon is a transformation that is made possible thanks to the bonds between people and Pokémon, and is only known to have happened once several hundred years ago. After Greninja becomes Ash-Greninja, its legs are strengthened and its speed is boosted to the point where it can take out opponents in a flash, making it nearly impossible to perceive.^[1] In the games, Greninja turns into Ash-Greninja if itsAbility isBattle Bond and it has defeated an opponent, which also increases thepower of itssignature move,Water Shuriken. In the animated series episodeAll Hail the Ice Battlefield!,Bonnie was the one to coin the term "Ash-Greninja". InKalos League Passion with a Certain Flare!,Professor Sycamore was the one to reveal the concept of the Bond Phenomenon toAsh andhis Greninja.

InA Festival of Decisions!, shortly afterevolving, Greninja through its strong bond with Ash, became able to transform into Ash-Greninja, where it takes on an appearance resembling itsTrainer while being covered in a water veil. In its final form, the water veil moves from around its body to its back and forms an "X" shape, which resemble wings, then the wings form into a small sphere shape of water on the middle of its back with a light blue ring in the middle of it and then grows in size until it forms into a giant shuriken made of water. In its completed form, it can rival the power ofMega-EvolvedPokémon.

This form comes with a drawback: whenever Greninja takesdamage, the pain is shared with Ash in the same location where Greninja was hurt. Ash is also shown to be able to see from Greninja's point of view and will occasionally mimic Greninja's movements. Ash describes it as feeling like he "became" Greninja. InThe Synchronicity Test!,Clemont's device revealed that Ash-Greninja shares the exact same heartbeat with Ash and that it can be accessed when their feelings synchronize. If the form is pushed too hard, it is possible for Ash to pass out from the resulting exhaustion and pain. In theSeeing the Forest for the Trees!, Ash and Greninja made amends and were able to trigger the transformation at will. By the time of their rematch againstWulfric inA Real Icebreaker!, Ash and Greninja were able to use the form without passing out, and while they still shared each other's pain, it seemed to be more manageable for Ash to handle.

	Spoilers end here.

Pokémon capable of achieving the Bond Phenomenon

Pokémon	Before Bond Phenomenon			After Bond Phenomenon
	Image	Type	Ability	Image	Type	Ability
Greninja		Water  Dark	Battle Bond		Water  Dark	Battle Bond

In the core series games

Main article:Greninja (Pokémon) → Form data

The Bond Phenomenon made itscore series debut in the form of aGreninja that can be transferred toPokémon Sun and Moon from theSpecial Demo Version. This unique Greninja possesses theBattle BondAbility, which triggers the transformation into Ash-Greninja after the opposing Pokémon hasfainted and increases thepower ofWater Shuriken by approximately 33% (or more accurately, by a factor of 5448/4096). In addition, the base Battle Bond Greninja, before transforming, is treated as a separate form from Greninja withTorrent orProtean. As ofPokémon Scarlet and Violet, Battle Bond no longer transforms Greninja into Ash-Greninja, currently making the form exclusive toGenerationVII.

#0658 Greninja Battle Bond Greninja ♂ Level 36 (met at level 5) Type: Ability: Battle Bond Held item: None	ID: 131017 OT: サトシ Ash Sacha 지우 Satoshi Met: the Kalos region (fateful encounter) Nature: Random Ribbon: Souvenir Ribbon
Water Shuriken Water Special Aerial Ace Flying Physical Double Team Normal Status Night Slash Dark Physical
Games Method Region Location Duration SM hide all Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version November 18, 2016 onwards
Moves inbold can be taught again at theMove Reminder as a special move if forgotten.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is picked up from the deliveryman.
This Pokémon's origin is the same as the language chosen in the demo, regardless of the language of the receiving game.

Base stats

Generation VII

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Tretta

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Pokémon Shuffle

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Pokémon Picross

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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

DuringGreninja'sFinal Smash, it temporarily transforms into Ash-Greninja while performingSecret Ninja Attack.

In animation

Pokémon the Series

InPokémon the Series, the Bond Phenomenon may be achieved when thetrust between aTrainer and theirPokémon reaches its maximum. While a Pokémon and Trainer are using this form, the Trainer shares the Pokémon's pain in the same place the Pokémon was dealtdamage. The Trainer can also share the Pokémon's point of view. If the form is not mastered, the Trainer and Pokémon can pass out from exhaustion.

Pokémon the Series: XY

InThe Legend of the Ninja Hero!, a Greninja in its Battle Bond form is shown on a shrine in theNinja Village.

The Bond Phenomenon makes its first proper appearance inA Festival of Decisions!, in whichAsh'sFrogadierevolved intoGreninja and assumed the Ash-Greninja form. However, the transformation would not be addressed by name untilKalos League Passion with a Certain Flare!, in whichProfessor Sycamore, after researching the matter, reported his results to Ash andhis friends.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

InCatching the Aura of Fate!, Ash described that his ability to become one with Greninja felt similar toLucario'sAura. Flashbacks to scenes that featured Ash-Greninja are changed to feature regular Greninja instead.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

X & Y arc

In the Japan Mini-volume 6 for theX & Y arc,Y'sGreninja,Croaky, was revealed to have Battle Bond as his Ability.

Pokémon Journeys

Ash's Greninja appeared in a fantasy inLegend? Check! Friends? Check!, where it was seen in its Ash-Greninja form.

In the TCG

In thePokémon Trading Card Game,Ash's Greninja in its Ash-Greninja form is featured as aPromotionalPokémon card.

Related cards Cards listed with ablue background are only legal to use in the currentExpanded format. Cards listed with agreen background are legal to use in both the currentStandard andExpanded formats.
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Ash-Greninja		XY Black Star Promos		XY133	XY-P Promotional cards		218/XY-P
					XY-P Promotional cards		290/XY-P

In other languages

Related articles

• Battle Bond
• Mega Evolution
• Primal Reversion

References

Pokémonforms andvariants Permanent Shiny Pokémon (GO ·GO list ·TCG) •Alternately colored Pokémon (animation) •Gender differences Form differences (GO) •Totem-like Pokémon •Brilliant Pokémon •Alpha Pokémon Form changes and transformations Mega Evolution (Shuffle ·Masters ·GO) •Primal Reversion (GO) •Bond Phenomenon Ultra Burst •Dynamax (GO) •Gigantamax (GO) •Eternamax •Terastal phenomenon Groups Totem Pokémon •Noble Pokémon •Titan Pokémon Regional forms Alolan •Galarian •Hisuian •Paldean Analogous species Paradox Pokémon •Convergent species Species-specific Arbok variants •Pikachu variants (Surfing ·Flying ·Cosplay ·Cap) Ditto transformations •Eevee variants Miscellaneous Giant Pokémon •Spiky-eared Pichu •Partner Pokémon (LGPE) Fusions (GO) •Human–Pokémon transformation •Talking Pokémon Side series original Colo/XD:Shadow Pokémon (Shadow Lugia ·list) Spin-off original GO:Shadow Pokémon (list) •Battle-Only Form •Mighty Pokémon Mystery Dungeon:Primal Dialga •Rumble:Toy Pokémon (Rusty Pokémon) Pokkén:Shadow Mewtwo •Quest:Pokéxel •New Snap:Illumina phenomenon Animation original Pokémon the Series:Pink Butterfree •Clone Pokémon •Crystal Onix Mirage Pokémon •Meta Groudon •Green-crystal Deoxys Manga original Adventures:Thu-Fi-Zer •Electric Tale:Black Fog •Golden Boys:Black Tyranitar TCG original Crystal Pokémon •Dark Pokémon •Light Pokémon δ Delta Species • • •Radiant Pokémon

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