Bond Phenomenon

Ash Ketchum and his Greninja performing Bond Phenomenon to activate Ash-Greninja

The Bond Phenomenon (Japanese: キズナ現象(げんしょう), Hepburn: Kizuna Genshou) is where a Pokémon can bond with its Trainer to activate a transformation which is extremely similar to Mega Evolution, only without the stones.

History

Depiction from the Ninja Village of a Greninja who achieved Bond Phenomenon.

Not much known about this Ability, but according to Professor Sycamore, it said that the phenomenon once occurred several hundred years ago and rarely happens. When it does the mutual trust between Trainer and its Pokémon is high and they master it. Sycamore also noted that the phenomenon was related to the Pokémon's potential ability and it doesn't happen to just any Pokémon.

Appearance

Ash-Greninja

Ash-Greninja's mastered form achieved for the first time.

One example of the evolution is shown by Ash's Greninja. During the battle against Heidayu, Greninja's strong bond with Ash temporarily activates the Ash-Greninja phenomenon and allows them to defeat Bisharp before reverting to normal.

According to Clemont, when Ash and Greninja have resonated their feelings, Greninja's appearance will resemble Ash's. Serena even recalls Olympia had told them that Greninja will receive full power, which would prevail over greatness.

Abilities

In the games, the Bond Phenomenon is introduced in Generation VII as the Ability Battle Bond. When the Ability is activated, Greninja transforms into Ash-Greninja, increasing its Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed stats, as well as making Water Shuriken more powerful.

Ash and Greninja seeing each other's point of view in battle.

In the anime, Ash's Greninja has two forms, the first of which amplifies Greninja's power, and only consists of him shrouded by a vortex of water. The second form, which is his mastered form has the vortex of water gather on his back and turn into a huge shuriken. The mastered form of Bond Phenomenon causes Greninja's attack power, defense, and speed to skyrocket. The boost in power is so great that it surpasses even the strongest Mega-Evolved Pokémon, even if it is a Pokémon that he has type disadvantage against, as shown when he first achieved the form against Diantha's Gardevoir and came extremely close to winning. The most notable change to Greninja is the fuma-style Water Shuriken on his back, which can deal massive damage to, if not defeat the strongest of his opponents in one hit. Greninja was able to defeat Mega Sceptile with just one hit from Water Fuma Shuriken; despite the fact that Water-type moves have little effect against Grass and Dragon-type Pokémon. His Cut move was also upgraded into kunai blades made of water.

Enhanced power

Comparable to, if not greater than Mega Evolution, the Pokémon's level of strength would increase to the point of outclassing experienced Mega-Evolved Pokémon.

Mental link

Because this transformation is through their bond, both trainer and Pokémon are synchronized to the point where they're mentally linked with each other. This allows them to communicate with each other telepathically and share their senses with one another. The Trainer and Pokémon also share each other's point of view.

Weakness

Ash-Greninja

Ash experiencing Greninja's pain.

Despite increasing Greninja's power, speed, and endurance massively, it comes with the side-effect; Because they're mentally linked, any damage taken by Greninja is felt by Ash. For instance: if Greninja is injured or hit, Ash will feel like he has been injured or hit as well. So if it is pushed too hard, Ash may collapse from exhaustion. It was soon revealed that the main reason why Ash and Greninja were having trouble with this complete form is because both of them didn't have complete faith and trust in each other. However, the other reasons they were having trouble perfecting this form is that Ash has a fear of losing any of his Pokémon for different reasons and Greninja was insecure of their close bond. After realizing how far they let their flaws get to them, Ash and Greninja resolved it as they made amends for their actions. After that, the weakness became slightly more bearable for Ash, even though he still feels whatever pain Greninja feels.

Pokémon Capable of Bond Phenomenon

Pokémon	Bond Phenomenon	Characteristics that change when using Bond Phenomenon
Greninja	Ash-Greninja	Ability: Battle Bond
		HP: 72 (±0)	Speed: 132 (+10)
		Attack: 145 (+50)	Defense: 67 (±0)
		Sp. Attack: 153 (+50)	Sp. Defense: 67 (±0)

Trivia

• This type of evolution appears in the demo of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, even though it was first made exclusively for the anime. However, Ash-Greninja also appears in the TCG.
• This type of evolution is similar to Synchro Evolution from the manga.
• The ability was retconned from the anime in Catching the Aura of Fate! during flashbacks where the form was used and was replaced with Greninja's regular state.

Gallery