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Greninja (Japanese: ゲッコウガ, HepburnGekkouga) (greh-NIN-jah[1]) is a Water/Dark-type Pokémon introduced in Generation VI. It is the final evolution of Froakie, the Water-type starter from Kalos.

Biology[]

Physiology[]

Greninja, like its previous evolution, has the body style of a frog. In this form, it now resembles Toxicroak and has gained the appearance of a ninja. It is dark blue in color and has its tongue wrapped around its neck like a scarf instead of the bubbles found on Froakie and Frogadier.

As Ash-Greninja, Greninja's skin turns a lighter shade of blue, while its face gains red stripes and its cheeks and side fins turn black, changing shape to resemble Ash's hair. Its legs are stronger in this form, and it gains the ability to form large Water Shurikens on its back.

Shiny Greninja changes all of the blue into black and its tongue changes color to red.

Behavior[]

A Greninja moves with the speed and grace of a ninja. They use swift movements to confuse their enemies while they slice them up with throwing stars made of compressed water. These throwing stars are sharp enough to split metal.

Greninja can sometimes be found hanging upside-down from tree branches or ceilings in the shadows, waiting for unwary foes to approach. They can propel themselves considerable distances by shooting jets of water at the ground beneath them (though they can often jump just as high, if not higher). Their blinding speed and incredible stealth have made Greninja popular starter Pokémon in the Kalos region for years.

Natural abilities[]

Greninja, as mentioned, are able to create shurikens via compressed water.

They are also capable with stretching their tongues at long distances with much elasticity.

Special abilities[]

A specific Greninja is also capable of using Bond Phenomenon, in the anime as well its special ability Battle Bond in Generation VII, which can change into an alternate form called Ash-Greninja.

Evolution[]

Greninja evolves from Frogadier at level 36 and is the final evolved form of Froakie.

Game info[]

Game locations[]

Locations
Version(s) Area(s) Rarity
X and Y Evolve Frogadier None
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Trade None
Sun and Moon Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo One

Pokédex entries[]

  • X

    It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.

  • Y

    It appears and vanishes with a ninja's grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.

  • Omega Ruby

    It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.

  • Alpha Sapphire

    It appears and vanishes with a ninja's grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.


Stats[]

Stats
HP
72
Attack
95
Defense
67
Sp. Atk
103
Sp. Def
71
Speed
122
Total
530

Stats
HP
72
Attack
145
Defense
67
Sp. Atk
153
Sp. Def
71
Speed
132
Total
640

Learnset[]

Leveling[]

LevelingGeneration VII
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
Evolve Water Shuriken 15 100% 20 Type Water HOME Water Physical
1 Night Slash 70 100% 15 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
1 Haze —% 30 Type Ice HOME Ice Status
1 Role Play 100% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
1 Mat Block —% 10 Type Fighting HOME Fighting Status
1 Pound 40 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
1 Growl 100% 40 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
1 Quick Attack 40 100% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
5 Bubble 20 100% 30 Type Water HOME Water Special
8 Quick Attack 40 100% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
10 Lick 20 100% 30 Type Ghost HOME Ghost Physical
14 Water Pulse 60 100% 20 Type Water HOME Water Special
19 Smokescreen 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
23 Shadow Sneak 40 100% 30 Type Ghost HOME Ghost Physical
28 Spikes —% 20 Type Ground HOME Ground Status
33 Feint Attack 60 —% 20 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
42 Substitute —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
49 Extrasensory 80 100% 20 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Special
56 Double Team —% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
68 Hydro Pump 110 80% 5 Type Water HOME Water Special
70 Haze —% 30 Type Ice HOME Ice Status
77 Night Slash 70 100% 15 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

LevelingGeneration VI
Level Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
1 Night Slash 70 100% 15 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
1 Role Play 100% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
1 Mat Block —% 10 Type Fighting HOME Fighting Status
1 Pound 40 100% 35 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
1 Growl 100% 40 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
5 Bubble 20 100% 30 Type Water HOME Water Special
8 Quick Attack 40 100% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
10 Lick 20 100% 30 Type Ghost HOME Ghost Physical
14 Water Pulse 60 100% 20 Type Water HOME Water Special
20 Smokescreen 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
23 Shadow Sneak 40 100% 30 Type Ghost HOME Ghost Physical
28 Spikes —% 20 Type Ground HOME Ground Status
33 Fling 100% 10 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
36 Water Shuriken 15 100% 20 Type Water HOME Water Physical
43 Substitute —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
49 Extrasensory 80 100% 20 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Special
52 Double Team —% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
56 Haze —% 30 Type Ice HOME Ice Status
60 Hydro Pump 110 80% 5 Type Water HOME Water Special
70 Night Slash 70 100% 15 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
75 Water Shuriken 15 100% 20 Type Water HOME Water Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Breeding[]

To see the Egg Moves that Greninja can learn, refer to Froakie.


TM/HM[]

TMs, TRs, and HMs Generation VII
TM/HM/TR Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat.
TM01 Work Up —% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM06 Toxic 90% 10 Type Poison HOME Poison Status
TM10 Hidden Power 60 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM12 Taunt 100% 20 Type Dark HOME Dark Status
TM13 Ice Beam 90 100% 10 Type Ice HOME Ice Special
TM14 Blizzard 110 70% 5 Type Ice HOME Ice Special
TM15 Hyper Beam 150 90% 5 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM17 Protect —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM18 Rain Dance —% 5 Type Water HOME Water Status
TM21 Frustration 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM23 Smack Down 50 100% 15 Type Rock HOME Rock Physical
TM27 Return 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM32 Double Team —% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM39 Rock Tomb 60 95% 15 Type Rock HOME Rock Physical
TM40 Aerial Ace 60 —% 20 Type Flying HOME Flying Physical
TM42 Facade 70 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM44 Rest —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
TM45 Attract 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM46 Thief 60 100% 25 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
TM48 Round 60 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM55 Scald 80 100% 15 Type Water HOME Water Special
TM56 Fling 100% 10 Type Dark HOME Dark Special
TM59 Brutal Swing 60 100% 50 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
TM62 Acrobatics 55 100% 15 Type Flying HOME Flying Physical
TM68 Giga Impact 150 90% 5 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM80 Rock Slide 75 90% 10 Type Rock HOME Rock Physical
TM86 Grass Knot 100% 20 Type Grass HOME Grass Special
TM87 Swagger 85% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM88 Sleep Talk —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM89 U-turn 70 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
TM90 Substitute —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM94 Surf 90 100% 15 Type Water HOME Water Special
TM97 Dark Pulse 80 100% 15 Type Dark HOME Dark Special
TM98 Waterfall 80 100% 15 Type Water HOME Water Special
TM100 Confide —% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

TMs, TRs, and HMs Generation VI
TM/HM/TR Move Power Accuracy PP Type Cat. Contest Cat. Appeal Jam
TM06 Toxic 90% 10 Type Poison HOME Poison Status
TM10 Hidden Power 60 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM12 Taunt 100% 20 Type Dark HOME Dark Status
TM13 Ice Beam 90 100% 10 Type Ice HOME Ice Special
TM14 Blizzard 110 70% 5 Type Ice HOME Ice Special
TM15 Hyper Beam 150 90% 5 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM17 Protect —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM18 Rain Dance —% 5 Type Water HOME Water Status
TM21 Frustration 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM23 Smack Down 50 100% 15 Type Rock HOME Rock Physical
TM27 Return 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM32 Double Team —% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM39 Rock Tomb 60 95% 15 Type Rock HOME Rock Physical
TM40 Aerial Ace 60 —% 20 Type Flying HOME Flying Physical
TM42 Facade 70 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM44 Rest —% 10 Type Psychic HOME Psychic Status
TM45 Attract 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM46 Thief 60 100% 25 Type Dark HOME Dark Physical
TM48 Round 60 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Special
TM55 Scald 80 100% 15 Type Water HOME Water Special
TM56 Fling 100% 10 Type Dark HOME Dark Special
TM62 Acrobatics 55 100% 15 Type Flying HOME Flying Physical
TM68 Giga Impact 150 90% 5 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM80 Rock Slide 75 90% 10 Type Rock HOME Rock Physical
TM86 Grass Knot 100% 20 Type Grass HOME Grass Special
TM87 Swagger 85% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM88 Sleep Talk —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM89 U-turn 70 100% 20 Type Bug HOME Bug Physical
TM90 Substitute —% 10 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
TM94 Rock Smash (XY) 40 100% 15 Type Fighting HOME Fighting Physical
TM94 Secret Power (ORAS) 70 100% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
TM97 Dark Pulse 80 100% 15 Type Dark HOME Dark Special
TM98 Power-Up Punch 40 100% 20 Type Fighting HOME Fighting Physical
TM100 Confide —% 20 Type Normal HOME Normal Status
HM01 Cut 50 95% 30 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
HM03 Surf 90 100% 15 Type Water HOME Water Special
HM04 Strength 80 100% 15 Type Normal HOME Normal Physical
HM05 Waterfall 80 100% 15 Type Water HOME Water Physical
HM06 Rock Smash (ORAS) 40 100% 15 Type Fighting HOME Fighting Physical
HM07 Dive (ORAS) 80 100% 10 Type Water HOME Water Physical
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.
Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

Sprites[]

Appearances[]

Anime[]

In the anime, Ash's Greninja is arguably the most powerful Pokémon aside from other Greninja trainers, particularly ninjas from the Ninja Village. He has an alternate form known as Ash-Greninja form which it can transforms this form via Bond Phenomenon and its power rivals the power from the Mega Evolved Pokémon. Ash's Greninja also gains a rivalry with Sawyer's Sceptile and its pre-evolution stage that can evolved into its mega form, Mega Sceptile via Key Stone.

Other media[]

Outside of the Pokémon series, Greninja also appears in Nintendo's Super Smash Bros., beginning with Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in 2014.[2] Greninja returns to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate,[3] and this time is officially a male, due to the confirmation his Ash-Greninja form as part of his Final Smash move.[4] Greninja also received an amiibo figure in 2015. The figure was only distributed at Toys "R" Us in the United States,[5] with stock quickly selling out following his release.[6]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U[]

Greninja (Super Smash Bros

Greninja's appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

Greninja was confirmed from the April Super Smash Bros. Nintendo Direct Trailer as a Newcomer in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Though for some reason, almost everyone who saw the trailer thought Greninja was Mewtwo. Other people thought it might have been Lucario (slightly resembled its Aura), Takumaru (because it was a Shuriken), someone thought it was Squirtle (because it was a Water move), and someone thought it was Swift (because it looked like a Star). But a few things: one, the figure was charging Water Shuriken and almost everyone saw Shadow Ball. Two, the figure was upside-down on a tree branch, which Mewtwo has never been shown to do. And three, the figure performed a hand symbol before charging Water Shuriken, which Greninja does in several of its poses. However, there was some things missing. The webbing in between Greninja's fingers was not present until after done charging Water Shuriken . And two, its chest was shaped more like Mewtwo's then what its chest is normally shaped like. Plus, both Pokémon have three fingers each. This is most likely why everyone saw Mewtwo. It is possible that Mashahiro Sakurai did this on purpose to fool his audience. However, Mewtwo does make an appearance in the game as DLC. Greninja is a starter character and it mainly attacks using ninja-like moves.

Unsurprisingly for a character with a ninja aesthetic, fits into the "hit-and-run" archetype. Its smash attacks have decent power and have moderate range and its boasts remarkable movement speed, as it is the sixth fastest dasher in the game and its walking speed is the fourth fastest in the game. Although somewhat predictable and telegraphed, Water Shuriken deals respectable damage and functions well for both zoning and edge-guarding. Shadow Sneak is an excellent way to play mindgames with opponents while also functioning either as a way to aid its recovery or as a KOing option at high percents. It has a useful counter in Substitute that enables it to retaliate from various angles; however, it is considered the worst counter move in the game due to the fact that can be attacked out of it. Lastly, Hydro Pump is a long-distanced and unpredictable move that can easily enable it to return to the stage. However, is not without its flaws. In most of its attacks, both damage and knockback power are somewhat limited, sometimes leaving it with limited options to KO outside of reads and edge-guarding. While its attacks have fast start-up, they have among the longest ending lag in SSB4, particularly its aerials, which effectively forces players to use them wisely. Surprisingly for a humanoid frog, 's wall jump is situational at best due to it having the shortest height in the game. 's excellent speed does not translate to it having a good combo game, as its moves sometimes have trouble linking into each other. As a result, it tends to be overly reliant on throws to set up combos. Aside from Shadow Sneak, 's out of shield options are also very lacking (possessing one of the slowest standing grabs in the entire game), leaving it at a disadvantage against characters who have powerful spacing options against shield. Finally, the overall short range of its attacks leaves it at a disadvantage to zoning-oriented characters.

Special moveset[]

  • Neutral Special: Water Shuriken: Horizontally throws a chargeable shuriken made of water. Gains power but loses speed and range the more it is charged. Hits multiple times when fully charged.
    • Custom Neutral Special 1: Stagnant Shuriken: The thrown shuriken stays in place, but deals less damage at varying charges.
    • Custom Neutral Special 2: Shifting Shuriken Uncharged shurikens have strong upwards knockback, while charged ones go through opponents.
  • Side Special: Shadow Sneak: Silently prepares to teleport to a moving shadow, which activates when the button is released. If the shadow is in front of the opponent, Greninja attacks with a handstand-initiated backflip kick. If the shadow is behind the opponent, Greninja dropkicks them instead. The latter strike is slightly stronger than the former.
    • Custom Side Special 1: Shadow Strike: The shadow moves slower and farther while the attack is stronger. Additionally, Greninja takes longer to reappear.
    • Custom Side Special 2: Shadow Dash: Teleports a fixed distance instantly, though it is weaker than normal.
  • Up Special: Hydro Pump: Shoots two streams of water from one of its hands in the opposite direction of travel, propelling Greninja in the input directions. Functions similarly to Pikachu's Quick Attack.
    • Custom Up Special 1: High-Capacity Pump: The water streams are more controllable, but they deal no damage.
    • Custom Up Special 2: Single-Shot Pump: Only one water stream is fired, though it is slightly more powerful.
  • Down Special: Substitute: Greninja enters a defensive stance. If attacked, it disappears with a Substitute doll or a log taking its place before countering with a flying kick upon reappearing. The kick's direction can be input while Greninja has vanished. The latter portion of the move can act either as a semi-spike or even as a meteor smash.
    • Custom Down Special 1: Exploding Attack: Instead of counterattacking, Greninja vanishes and reappears with an explosion around itself.
    • Custom Down Special 2: Substitute Ambush: Greninja disappears for a longer amount of time and performs a stronger counterattack upon reappearing.
  • Final Smash: Secret Ninja Attack: Greninja launches opponents into the air with Mat Block, before it proceeds to slash them several times in midair while a moonlit backdrop appears and then finally spikes them down to the stage with a downward knifehand strike.

Palutena's Guidance[]

Palutena's Guidance is featured in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and is similar to Snake's Codec in Brawl. Pit holds a special conversation with Palutena and Viridi to comment on one of Pit's opponents, giving him helpful tips about their strengths and weaknesses. This feature is based on the numerous chapter dialogue in Kid Icarus: Uprising.

Pit: What is that? Some kind of ninja frog?

Palutena: That's the Pokémon Greninja. It's strengths are agility and speed. What looks like a scarf is actually his tongue.

Viridi: As a defensive measure, I suggest rubbing spicy peppers all over yourself.

Pit: How can Greninja taste anything with its tongue hanging out like that?

Palutena: It could be one of those rare ninjas that just eats very slowly.

Pit: What?! But that makes no sense! ...Anyway, just tell me how to win!

Palutena: Greninja creates throwing stars out of compressed water and unleashes them at high speed. This attack is called Water Shuriken. If Greninja starts to charge up its Water Shuriken, be prepared to reflect it back!

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Greninja's moveset is mostly the same except one new feature. Greninja is able to turn into its Ash Greninja form during its Final Smash, meaning it is now confirmed to be a male due to its alternate form's trait being exclusively used by male Greninja.[7]

Trivia[]

  • When transformed into Ash-Greninja, Greninja has the highest base stat total of all starter Pokémon at 640.
  • Greninja is the lightest water-type final evolved starter Pokémon.
  • It is the only Pokémon with the ability Battle Bond.
  • It shares the same species name as Ninjask, as both are called the Ninja Pokémon.
  • Greninja placed 1st in a special poll created to see which Pokémon was the most popular to be distributed for the movie Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.
    • Another poll wall held for Pokémon of the Year 2020. During this poll, Greninja ranked the most popular among all Kalos Pokémon and all Pokémon altogether, giving it first place in the poll, even though it was unavailable in, but untransferable to Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra, and also, even though was one of the popular species of Pokémon to appear almost in the Pokémon Journeys: The Series, thus far.
  • Greninja is the only Pokémon in Pokémon UNITE that is was unavailable in, but unobtainable to Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the Isle of Armor and the Crown Tundra, leaving players upset and disappointed due to Greninja being everyone's popular Pokémon until Scarlet and Violet where it became available.
  • Greninja is one of the popular Pokémon that isn't playable and didn't appear in Pokkén Tournament or DX.
  • Greninja was the first water/dark-type starter until the introduction of Samurott's Hisuian form.

Origin[]

Greninja is based on a frog, specifically a horned frog due to the horns it sports. The bumps on its elbows, knees, and head may be based on the bumps of toads. Its association with ninjutsu is inspired by the mythical ninja: Jiraiya, a Ninja who uses magic and could summon or transform into a giant toad. It may also be based on the thief class in some RPG games.

Etymology[]

Greninja comes from grenouille (French for "frog") and ninja.

Its Japanese name, Gekkouga, is a combination of the word geko (croak) and Kōga-ryū, the ancient school of ninjutsu. It may also derive from 月光 (gekkō, moonlight).

Gallery[]

References[]

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