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Inkay(JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Dark / Psychic-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the sixth generation games X and Y. It evolves into Malamar by turning the 3DS upside-down at level 30.
Physiology and Behavior[]
Inkay is a blue squid-like Pokémon. It has a transparent mantle with a rounded, pink body inside that has several yellow, circular lights. There are four lights 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. It has round black eyes and a pink beak-like mouth. Inkay is often mistaken for a Water-type because of its appearance.
Those who stare at the lights on Inkay's body become dazed and lose their will to battle; this allows it to escape. It can also use these light-emitting spots to send messages in the form of complex flashing rhythms and to attract prey. Prey 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.
Appearances[]
Main Pokémon games[]
Other Pokémon games[]
Super Smash Bros.[]
Inkay appears as a Poké Ball summon in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. It turns over and hits the ground, making all opponents who are on the ground trip.
In the anime[]
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.
Origin and inspiration[]
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.
In-game information[]
Pokédex entries[]
| Title | Entry |
|---|---|
| Sixth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon X | Opponents who stare at the flashing of the light-emitting spots on its body become dazed and lose their will to fight. |
| Pokémon 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. |
| Pokémon Omega Ruby | Opponents who stare at the flashing of the light-emitting spots on its body become dazed and lose their will to fight. |
| Pokémon 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. |
| Seventh Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Ultra Sun | It draws prey near with its blinking lights and then wraps them up in its long tentacles and holds them in place. |
| Pokémon Ultra Moon | When exchanging information with others of its kind, it flashes the light-emitting spots on its body in a complex rhythm. |
| Eighth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Sword | It spins while making its luminescent spots flash. These spots allow it to communicate with others by using different patterns of light. |
| Pokémon Shield | By exposing foes to the blinking of its luminescent spots, Inkay demoralizes them, and then it seizes the chance to flee. |
| Ninth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Scarlet | It protects itself from tough foes by flashing its luminescent spots to discourage them. |
| Pokémon Violet | Being upside-down improves its blood flow and clears its mind, causing the power of its psychic moves to increase dramatically. |
Game locations[]
| Title | Location(s) |
|---|---|
| Sixth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon X | |
| Pokémon Y | |
| Seventh Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Ultra Sun | |
| Pokémon Ultra Moon | |
| Eighth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Sword | Fields of Honor, Challenge Beach, Training Lowlands, Loop Lagoon Max Raid Battle: Watchtower Ruins, West Lake Axewell, Motostoke Riverbank, Stony Wilderness, Giant's Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills |
| Pokémon Shield | Fields of Honor, Challenge Beach, Training Lowlands, Loop Lagoon Max Raid Battle: Watchtower Ruins, West Lake Axewell, Motostoke Riverbank, Stony Wilderness, Giant's Mirror, Hammerlocke Hills |
| Ninth Pokémon generation | |
| Pokémon Scarlet | |
| Pokémon Violet | |
Evolution[]
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Base Stats[]
| HP | 53 |
| Attack | 54 |
| Defense | 53 |
| Sp. Attack | 37 |
| Sp. Defense | 46 |
| Speed | 45 |
| Total | 288 |
Moveset[]
Gallery[]
Renders[]
| Renders | ||||||||||||
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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. He also thought of the idea of a player discovering it on accident by turning their console to be amusing.
- 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.
- Inkay is the only Dark- or Psychic-type Pokémon with tentacles.