Inkay (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #0685: Slurpuff	Pokémon	#0687: Malamar →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Inkay (disambiguation).

Inkay Revolving Pokémon マーイーカ Maaiika #0686 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 190 (35.2%)
Breeding Egg Groups Water 1 and Water 2 Hatch time 20 cycles
Height 1'04" 0.4 m Inkay 0'0" 0 m {{{form2}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 7.7 lbs. 3.5 kg Inkay 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 58	Leveling rate Medium Fast
EV yield Total: 1 Inkay 0 HP 1 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	Footprint {{{form2}}}
Pokédex color   Blue	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Inkay (Japanese: マーイーカ Maaiika) is a dual-type Dark/Psychic Pokémon introduced in Generation VI.

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

Biology

Inkay is a blue, squid-like Pokémon. It has a transparent mantle with a rounded, pink body inside that has several yellow, circular spots that can glow brightly. There are four of these luminescent spots 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, eight in total. It has round black eyes and a pink beak-like mouth.

Inkay can cause its luminescent spots to blink and flash; this behavior serves a variety of uses. If Inkay is threatened, the blinking lights will cause its opponents to become dazed and lose their will to battle, allowing it to escape. The blinking also serves to attract Inkay's prey, which 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. By floating upside-down, Inkay improves its blood flow along with clearing its head. This also drastically boosts the power of Inkay's Psychic moves and is what triggers its evolution into Malamar.

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

Evolution

Inkay evolves into Malamar.

(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

Game data

Pokédex entries

Inkay in the Alola PokédexUSUM	Inkay in the Blueberry Pokédex

Game locations

In side games

In events

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Aspear Berry (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Type effectiveness

Learnset

Inkay is available in Scarlet and Violet Version 3.0.0+.

By leveling up

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 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 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 TM140 TM140 Nasty Plot Dark Status 0000— 00—}}—% 20 TM161 TM161 Trick Room Psychic Status 0000— 00—}}—% 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

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Inkay Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution or an alternate form of Inkay 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 Inkay Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Inkay Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Inkay Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon Body size: Standard (1 tile) How to Recruit: Retrieve the Popular Ribbon from Basculin Connected to: Kingler, Goldeen, Lanturn, Gorebyss, Red-Striped Basculin Connection Orb Set: 9 Phrases Normal Oh no! I forgot something! Oh well… Should be OK. Low HP (< 50%) Come to think of it, I've taken some damage. So far, I guess I'm OK.

Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 2.08 seconds Base HP: 49 Base Attack: 67 Base Defense: 48 Base Speed: 60

Pokémon Battle Trozei Dark Attack Power: ★★★★★

Pokémon Shuffle Dark Attack Power: 40 - 90 5 #365 Mega Boost+ Fills the Mega Gauge of the same type of Pokémon more.

Pokémon GO Base HP: 142 Base Attack: 98 Base Defense: 95 Egg Distance: 12 km Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: 50 with mobile device held upside-down* Fast Attacks: Peck, Tackle, Psywave* Charged Attacks: Psybeam, Night Slash

New Pokémon Snap Photodex entry #087 Inkay instinctively reacts to anything in the water that lights up or makes an echoing sound. That’s because it usually uses its own luminescence to communicate with others of its kind.

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 Inkay images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

In animation

Inkay in Pokémon the Series: XY

Major appearances

James's Inkay

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. Inkay returned to James's party in Rocket Revengers!.

Other

Multiple wild Inkay appeared in Facing the Grand Design!, where James's Inkay helped save them, as well as some good Malamar, from the evil Malamar. James tried to release Inkay afterwards so Inkay could be happy with the other Inkay, but Inkay refused and rejoined his team.

Minor appearances

In the manga

Inkay in Pokémon Adventures

Pocket Monsters XY: The Legend of the Pokémon Dragon King

Kanna owns an Inkay, as seen in LDK1.

Pokémon Adventures

Inkay debuted in Kangaskhan...Kangascan't, under the ownership of a male Poké Fan.

Xerosic's Malamar was revealed to have been under his ownership since he was an Inkay. He evolved when Lysandre explained his peculiar evolution method and demonstrated it by turning Inkay upside-down, making him evolve instantly. He showed up in a flashback in Chesnaught Protects.

In the TCG

Main article: Inkay (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U

Inkay trophy in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS

Inkay appears as a Poké Ball summon in both versions of the game. It turns over and hits the ground, making all opponents who are on the ground trip.

Inkay also appears as a trophy in both versions of the game.

Trophy information

NA: Inkay may look like a Water-type Pokémon, but it's actually a Dark/Psychic type! Once it has reached the proper level, Inkay can evolve into Malamar if you hold the Nintendo 3DS upside down. In Smash Bros., its Topsy-Turvy move will flip anyone who wanders too close upside down. Watch out!

PAL: A Pokémon that looks this much like a squid MUST be a Water-type, right? Wrong! It's a Dark- and Psychic-type. If you're struggling to get it to evolve, try holding your system upside down. In this game, Inkay's Topsy-Turvy move can knock you over, and you won't be much use like that, so watch out!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Inkay returns as a Pokémon summoned from the Poké Ball, retaining the same behavior from the previous game. Inkay also appears as a Spirit.

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.^[1] He also thought of the idea of a player discovering it on accident by turning their console to be amusing.^[2]
  • 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.^[1]
• Inkay and its evolution were designed by Hitoshi Ariga.^[3]
• Inkay and its evolution are the only Pokémon to have Contrary as a standard Ability instead of a Hidden Ability.
• Inkay is the only Dark- or Psychic-type Pokémon with tentacles.

Origin

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.

Name origin

Inkay may be a combination of ink or inkfish and okay.

Maaiika is derived from 烏賊 ika (cuttlefish or squid) and a pun on まあ，いいか Mā, iika ("Well, whatever"; "Oh well").^[4] It may also involve 魔 ma (demon) or 真烏賊 maika (Japanese flying squid).

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese マーイーカ Maaiika From 魔 ma, 烏賊 ika or 真烏賊 maika, and a pun on まあ、いいか Mā, iika French Sepiatop From sepia, top, and c'est pas top Spanish Inkay Same as English name German Iscalar From Kalmare and Ja ne, is klar Italian Inkay Same as English name Korean 오케이징 Okayjing From OK and 오징어 ojing'eo Mandarin Chinese 好啦魷 / 好啦鱿 Hǎolayóu* 豪喇花枝 Háolǎhuāzhī* From 好啦 hǎo la and 魷魚 / 鱿鱼 yóuyú From 好啦 hǎo la and 花枝 huāzhī Cantonese Chinese 好啦魷 Hóulāyàuh* 毫喇魷 Hòuhlāyāu* From 好啦 hou lā and 魷魚 yāuyú

More languages Hindi स्याहीहै Syaaheehai From स्याही syāhī and a pun on सही है Sahī hai Russian Инкей Inkey Transcription of English name Thai มาอีกะ Maika Transcription of Japanese name

Related articles

• James's Inkay

References

External links

← #0685: Slurpuff

Pokémon

#0687: Malamar →

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.