For Pokémon GO information on this species, seethe game's section.
← #0686: Inkay	Pokémon	#0688: Binacle →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, seeMalamar (disambiguation).

Malamar Overturning Pokémon カラマネロ Calamanero #0687 Malamar Mega Malamar Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Dark Psychic Unknown Unknown Mega Malamar Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Contrary orSuction Cups Cacophony Mega Malamar Cacophony Infiltrator Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Mega Malamar Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 50% male,50% female	Catch rate 80(18.4%)
Breeding Egg Groups Water 1 andWater 2 Hatch time 20 cycles
Height 4'11" 1.5 m Malamar 9'06" 2.9 m Mega Malamar 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form5}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form6}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form7}}}	Weight 103.6 lbs. 47.0 kg Malamar 153.9 lbs. 69.8 kg Mega Malamar 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form5}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form6}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form7}}}
Mega Stone Malamarite [[|]]
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 Mega Malamar 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	Footprint Mega Malamar
Pokédex color   Blue	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Malamar (Japanese:カラマネロCalamanero) is a dual-typeDark/PsychicPokémon introduced inGeneration VI.

Itevolves fromInkay starting atlevel 30 when leveled up while the game system is held upside-down. When playing on theNintendo Switch orNintendo Switch 2, this can only be done in handheld mode and while no other controllers are connected, using the orientation of the attached Joy-Con controllers.

Malamar canMega Evolve intoMega Malamar using theMalamarite. Mega Malamar was introduced inPokémon Legends: Z-A.

Biology

Malamar is an amphibiousPokémon that resembles an upside-down squid. Several purple tentacles with bright blue undersides sprout from the top of its bluish-purple head. It has yellow eyes with black sclerae, a dark pinkbeak-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 of light nearly encircling its upper body. Covering its main body is a transparentmantle 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 extremely sharp and can be enhanced usingpsychic energy during battles.

Malamar possesses strong hypnotic powers, which are said to be the most powerful of any Pokémon. It induces hypnosis by flashing the lights on its body and performing certain hypnotic motions. It uses its hypnotic powers to lure in other Pokémon it deems prey, before ensnaring them in its tentacles and finishing them off with its digestive fluids. Malamar can also hypnotize people and control them to do its bidding; those under Malamar's control will lose their memories surrounding the event once the hypnosis wears off. Malamar's hypnotic powers are often used by people for nefarious deeds, and these powers are said to influence several history-changing events. As depicted inA Conspiracy to Conquer! andFacing the Grand Design!, Malamar is shown to be very intelligent — reaching almost human levels — and it is capable of running devices designed and handled by humans.

Both theanimated series and thePokémon Trading Card Game depict Malamar living near water or even under water. As shown in thePokémon the Series: XY episodeKalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!, Malamar uses its tentacles to propel itself, swimming "legs"-first.

Prior toGeneration VIII and inGeneration IX, Malamar and its pre-evolved form, Inkay, were theonly known Pokémon capable of learning the moveTopsy-Turvy.

Forms

Malamar canMega Evolve into Mega Malamar.

Mega Malamar's body grows to be thinner and taller, and its brain has become larger thanks to the power of Mega Evolution.^[2] The tentacles on its head all wrap around themselves, forming a brain-like shape. It has large shoulders that form the appearance of a popped collar, and under these shoulders are its two longer arm tentacles, which are roughly twice as long as its body. Mega Malamar moves around by levitating.

Mega Malamar exhibits luminescence in many parts of its body: the tentacles on its head have a bright blue glow, while its body emits a shifting rainbow as a result of its overflowing psychic power. The light on Mega Malamar's body further amplifies its hypnotic abilities. The tips of its arms also glow when Mega Malamar uses its hypnotic powers:^[2] the tip on its right arm glows green, while the tip on its left arm glows pink. Mega Malamar's tentacle arms allow it to sense the feelings of those around it.^[2]

Mega Malamar possesses greatly enhanced psychic powers, allowing it to go beyond simple hypnosis and overwrite the personalities and memories of its targets, making them act entirely different.^[2] Mega Malamar can further boost its psychic powers by sticking its arms into its head, stimulating its brain.^[1] Highly intelligent, this Pokémon prefers to battle with efficiency, and uses its powerful intellect to calmly analyze the situation during battles. Mega Malamar's haughty personality makes it see others, including Pokémon Trainers, as pawns, and it may even hypnotize its own Trainer if it disagrees with their commands.^[2]

Mega Malamar

Evolution

Malamar evolves fromInkay.

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

Unevolved Inkay  Dark  Psychic

→

First Evolution Malamar  Dark  Psychic

Game data

Pokédex entries

Malamar in theAlola PokédexUSUM	Malamar in theBlueberry Pokédex

Game locations

In side games

In events

Held items

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

Stats

Base stats

Mega Malamar

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Malamar is available inScarlet and Violet Version 3.0.0+ andLegends: Z-A.

Byleveling up

SV

ZA

ByTM

SV

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 getsSTAB 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

ZA

Generation IX Other generations: VI - VII - VIII

TM   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   CD  TM001 TM001 Headbutt Normal Physical 07070 7 TM003 TM003 Psyshock Psychic Special 08080 8 TM006 TM006 Calm Mind Psychic Status 0000— 18 TM011 TM011 Bulk Up Fighting Status 0000— 18 TM012 TM012 Rock Slide Rock Physical 07575 7 TM016 TM016 Light Screen Psychic Status 0000— 12 TM017 TM017 Protect Normal Status 0000— 15 TM031 TM031 Reflect Psychic Status 0000— 12 TM032 TM032 Double Team Normal Status 0000— 15 TM034 TM034 Night Slash Dark Physical 07070 7 TM035 TM035 Endure Normal Status 0000— 12 TM037 TM037 Stealth Rock Rock Status 0000— 10 TM044 TM044 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 20 TM045 TM045 Knock Off Dark Physical 06565 10 TM055 TM055 Giga Impact Normal Physical 150150 20 TM059 TM059 Zen Headbutt Psychic Physical 08080 8 TM060 TM060 Future Sight Psychic Special 120120 10 TM062 TM062 Flamethrower Fire Special 09090 8 TM063 TM063 Psychic Psychic Special 09090 8 TM067 TM067 Thunderbolt Electric Special 09090 8 TM076 TM076 Liquidation Water Physical 08585 8 TM077 TM077 Poison Jab Poison Physical 08080 8 TM083 TM083 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 15 TM085 TM085 Substitute Normal Status 0000— 10 TM090 TM090 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 8 TM095 TM095 Taunt Dark Status 0000— 12 TM097 TM097 Heal Block Psychic Status 0000— 12 TM107 TM107 Close Combat Fighting Physical 120120 12 TM108 TM108 Comet Punch Normal Physical 03030 6 TM109 TM109 Facade Normal Physical 07070 7 TM115 TM115 Trailblaze Grass Physical 04040 6 TM121 TM121 Torment Dark Status 0000— 12 TM125 TM125 Mimic Normal Status 0000— 6 TM129 TM129 Circle Throw Fighting Physical 06060 6 TM132 TM132 Double Hit Normal Physical 05050 6 TM139 TM139 Swagger Normal Status 0000— 10

Bold indicates a move that getsSTAB 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

Bybreeding

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 bechain bred onto Malamar Bold indicates a move that getsSTAB 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 priorEvolution

Side game data

Malamar

Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Battle Connected to:Omastar Connection Orb Set: 11 Phrases Normal I hate being bothered! Don't make me spit ink! Low HP (< 50%) I'm sustaining quite a bit of damage now… Is it time to squirt some ink and run away?

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:300/60/30/15 Fast Attacks:Peck,Psycho Cut,Psywave* Charged Attacks:Psybeam,Foul Play,Superpower,Hyper Beam,Frustration,Return

Mega Malamar

Pokémon GO Base HP: 200 Base Attack: 208 Base Defense: 222 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,Return

Form data

Mega Evolution

Default Malamar Malamar  Dark  Psychic

Malamarite ↔

Held Malamarite Mega Malamar Malamar  Dark  Psychic

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 seeMalamar images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

In animation

Major appearances

Malamar (anime)

An evil, psychopathic Malamar appeared inA Conspiracy to Conquer!. It had hypnotized anOfficer Jenny to pose as "Madame X". While it was defeated in the end, it escaped. Malamar reappeared inFacing 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 toescape into the future.

Other

Six Malamar appeared inFacing 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 helpedJames andClemont stop the three evil Malamar from completing their plans and rescue their friends.

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

A Malamar appeared inCurtain Up! Fight the Fights!, under the ownership ofAlain. It foughtLeon's Charizard in theMasters Eight Tournament and lost.

Minor appearances

Malamar debuted inKalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.

Pokédex entries

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

InX-actly What They Wanted,Team Flare ScientistXerosic was revealed to own a Malamar.

Piers's Malamar debuted inRumble!! The Horrific Darkest Day.

Pokédex entries

In the TCG

Main article:Malamar (TCG)

Trivia

• In addition toInkay's method ofEvolution into Malamar being unique, it would have been impossible in any of the previouscore seriesPokémon games because theNintendo 3DS is Nintendo's first handheld system with an internalgyroscope.
• Malamar and its pre-Evolution are the only Pokémon to haveContrary as a standardAbility instead of aHidden Ability.
• Malamar was the subject of the "My Friend Malamar" (Japanese: マイ・フレンド・カラマネロMy Friend Calamanero) campaign, which ran from September 4 to 10, 2025. The campaign culminated with the reveal ofMega Malamar.
• Mega Malamar is theonly Pokémon with a base stat total of 582.

Concept and development

Malamar and its pre-Evolution were designed byHitoshi Ariga.^[3]

Origin

Malamar is based on an upside-downsquid. According to Hitoshi Ariga, Malamar's upside-down design was inspired by the fact that squids are commonly illustrated upside-down in pictorial books.^[4] Its hypnosis ability appears to be a reference to thecuttlefish and its ability to mesmerize prey by rhythmically changing color. Its body orientation and bioluminescence may also have been inspired by thevampire squid's abilities to invert its tentacles and produce light.

Additionally, as alluded to by Ariga,^[5] Malamar's physical appearance and its use of hypnosis to forcefully control others may be inspired by the extraterrestrial supervillain trope, common intokusatsu shows. Its tentacles acting as living hair also shares some similarities withwitches andgorgon-like monsters.

Mega Malamar appears to iterate on the supervillain trope; particularly, its large, swollen brain and the tentacles wrapped around its head mirrors super-intelligent characters and genius supervillains in popular media, and its high collar is also a common trait in villain costumes. Mega Malamar using its tentacles to stimulate its own brain may also allude to the trope of characters who enhance their cognitive or psychic abilities by injecting a serum or connecting computer cables to their brains. Its body shape may also be based on thenervous system, with its head, body, and tentacles standing in for the brain,spinal cord, and nerves. Its shape may also be inspired byfountain pens, with its legs resembling apen nib. Mega Malamar may also be inspired by various squid species, including thebigfin squid, a deep sea organism which also possesses extremely long and thin tentacles.

Name origin

Malamar may be a combination ofmal- (Latin-derived prefix for bad), μαλάκιοmalákio (Greek formollusk),calamari, andmare (Latin for sea). It could also be a reference to the Spanish expressionmala mar (literally "bad sea"), used by fishermen or sailors to describe rough sea conditions.

Calamanero may be a combination ofcalamaro (Italian for squid) andnero (Italian for black). It may also involve 絡ますkaramasu (to entangle) and 魔ma (demon).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese カラマネロCalamanero Fromcalamaro,nero, and possibly絡ますkaramasu and魔ma French Sepiatroce Fromσηπίᾱsēpíā andatroce Spanish Malamar Same as English name German Calamanero Same as Japanese name Italian Malamar Same as English name Korean 칼라마네로Calamanero Transcription of Japanese name Mandarin Chinese 烏賊王 / 乌贼王Wūzéiwáng From烏賊 / 乌贼wūzéi,烏 / 乌wū,賊 / 贼zéi, and王wáng Cantonese Chinese 烏賊王Wūchaahkwòhng From烏賊wūchaahk,烏wū,賊chaahk, and王wòhng

More languages Hindi कालामारिडCalamarid Fromcalamari,कालाkālā, andrid Russian МаламарMalamar Transcription of English name Thai คาลามาเนโรKhalamanero Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• Malamar (anime)
• Mega Evolution

References

External links

Mega Evolutions

Introduced withPokémon X and Y

Introduced withPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

Introduced withPokémon Legends: Z-A

Introduced withMega Dimension

Related mechanics:Primal Reversion •Bond Phenomenon •Ultra Burst
See also:Mega Evolution characteristics •Mega Stone •Key Stone •Infinity Energy •Mega Energy •Rogue Mega Evolution •Mega Power •Donut

← #0686: Inkay

Pokémon

#0688: Binacle →

This Pokémon article is part ofProject Pokédex, aBulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.

• Pokémon
• Generation VI Pokémon
• Dark-type Pokémon
• Psychic-type Pokémon
• Dual-type Pokémon
• Pokémon with a gender ratio of one male to one female
• Pokémon in the Medium Fast experience group
• Blue-colored Pokémon
• Body style 05 Pokémon
• Pokémon with Mega Evolutions
• Water 1 group Pokémon
• Water 2 group Pokémon
• Pokémon that are part of a two-stage evolutionary line
• Pokémon in the Coastal Kalos Pokédex
• Pokémon in the Alola Pokédex
• Pokémon in the Galar Pokédex
• Pokémon in the Isle of Armor Pokédex
• Pokémon in the Blueberry Pokédex
• Pokémon in the Lumiose Pokédex
• Pokémon with wild held items
• Pokémon with a base stat total of 482
• Pokémon with a base stat total of 582
• Pokémon with a unique base stat total
• Pokémon whose base Attack stat is greater than 100
• Pokémon whose base Special Defense stat is greater than 100
• Pokémon in the Melemele Pokédex
• Pokémon in the Poni Pokédex
• Pokémon in the Mega Evolution Pokédex