Malamar

Malamar
Current
Information
Type	Dark /  Psychic
Gender	50% ♂ / 50% ♀
Abilities	Regular Contrary, Suction Cups Hidden Infiltrator
Species	Overturning Pokémon
Height and Weight	Height 1.5 m / 4'11" Weight 47.0 kg / 103.6 lbs.
Introduced in	Generation VI
Evolution	Evolves from Inkay
Body, Footprint, Color, Egg group, and Cry	Body Footprint Color Blue Cry
Pokédex
National Pokédex	0687
Kanto	N/A / N/A (PE)
Johto	N/A / N/A (HGSS)
Hoenn	N/A / N/A (ORAS)
Sinnoh and Hisui	Sinnoh N/A / N/A (Pt) Hisui N/A
Unova	N/A / N/A (B2W2)
Kalos	Central Kalos N/A Coastal Kalos 011 Mountain Kalos N/A
Alola	027 / N/A (USUM)
Galar	291 / 109 (TIoA) / N/A (TCT)
Paldea, Kitakami and Blueberry	Paldea N/A Kitakami N/A Blueberry 081
In other languages
Japanese	Name カラマネロ Karamanero
Japanese	Name カラマネロ Karamanero
English	Name Malamar
English	Name Malamar

Malamar (Japanese: カラマネロ, Hepburn: Karamanero) (MAL-uh-MAR) is a Dark/Psychic Pokémon introduced in Generation VI.

Biology

Physiology

Malamar is an amphibious Pokémon that resembles an upside-down squid. It has sinister-looking yellow eyes with light purple eyelids that have a squinted appearance. It has a magenta beak for a mouth. Malamar has a fringe of bluish tentacles sprouting from its head, and an oblong deep purple body with yellow patches and spots that form a pattern on its belly. Two long arm-like tentacles sprout from its shoulders; they are magenta and pastel purple in color, with white fins at the tips. Malamar stands upright on two large white sharp-edged fins on either side of its lower body, which it uses as legs.

Behavior

Malamar use the flashing lights like an anglerfish to lure prey in and ensnare them before eating the prey. They are in fact masters of manipulation, because of their ability that enables them manipulate those who see them into doing their bidding.

In civilized society, their powers pose far more sinister applications; there have been confirmed cases of Malamar controlling people serving as judges, police officers, and high-ranking officials in criminal groups—most notably Team Plasma. A number of conspiracists even hypothesize that Malamar control a number of world leaders as well, in the same vein as Aegislash were purported to in medieval times. Some even go as far as to claim that Malamar are behind every current celebrity in the world.

There are also instances where they are actually kind to other Pokemon and will act as protectors.

Natural abilities

Malamar have strong hypnotic powers akin to brainwashing, which many shady people exploit.

Evolution

Malamar is the evolved form of Inkay. Its evolution method is very unique, as it evolves from Inkay at level 30 only when the 3DS is held upside down.

Starting from Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the upside down trick can only be done by setting the switch into handheld mode.

Game info

Game locations

Locations
Version(s)	Area(s)	Rarity
X and Y	Evolve Inkay	None
Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire	Trade	None

Pokédex entries

• X

  It wields the most compelling hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, and it forces others to do whatever it wants.

• Y

  It lures its prey close with hypnotic motions, then wraps its tentacles around it before finishing it off with digestive fluids.

• Omega Ruby

  It wields the most compelling hypnotic powers of any Pokémon, and it forces others to do whatever it wants.

• Alpha Sapphire

  It lures its prey close with hypnotic motions, then wraps its tentacles around it before finishing it off with digestive fluids.

• Ultra Sun

  When it comes to strong hypnosis, there’s an endless number of people who utilize Malamar for their nefarious deeds.

• Ultra Moon

  It flashes the pattern on its torso to control its prey and draw them in. The edges of its fins are supremely sharp.

• Sword

  Gazing at its luminescent spots will quickly induce a hypnotic state, putting the observer under Malamar's control.

• Shield

  It's said that Malamar's hypnotic powers played a role in certain history-changing events.

Stats

Stats
HP	86
Attack	92
Defense	88
Sp. Atk	68
Sp. Def	75
Speed	73
Total	482

Learnset

Leveling

• Generation VII
• Generation VI

LevelingGeneration VII
Level	Move	Power	Accuracy	PP	Type	Cat.
1	Reversal	—	100%	15	Fighting	Physical
1	Tackle	40	100%	35	Normal	Physical
1	Peck	35	100%	35	Flying	Physical
1	Constrict	10	100%	35	Normal	Physical
1	Reflect	—	—%	20	Psychic	Status
4	Reflect	—	—%	20	Psychic	Status
8	Foul Play	95	100%	15	Dark	Physical
12	Swagger	—	85%	15	Normal	Status
13	Psywave	—	100%	15	Psychic	Special
15	Topsy-Turvy	—	—%	20	Dark	Status
18	Hypnosis	—	60%	20	Psychic	Status
21	Psybeam	65	100%	20	Psychic	Special
23	Switcheroo	—	100%	10	Dark	Status
27	Payback	50	100%	10	Dark	Physical
31	Light Screen	—	—%	30	Psychic	Status
35	Pluck	60	100%	20	Flying	Physical
39	Psycho Cut	70	100%	20	Psychic	Physical
43	Slash	70	100%	20	Normal	Physical
46	Night Slash	70	100%	15	Dark	Physical
48	Superpower	120	100%	5	Fighting	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	Superpower	120	100%	5	Fighting	Physical		6 ♥	0 ♥
1	Reversal	—	100%	15	Fighting	Physical		1 ♥	0 ♥
1	Tackle	50	100%	35	Normal	Physical		4 ♥	0 ♥
1	Peck	35	100%	35	Flying	Physical		4 ♥	0 ♥
1	Constrict	10	100%	35	Normal	Physical		3 ♥	0 ♥
4	Reflect	—	—%	20	Psychic	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
8	Foul Play	95	100%	15	Dark	Physical		1 ♥	0 ♥
12	Swagger	—	90%	20	Normal	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
13	Psywave	—	100%	15	Psychic	Special		1 ♥	0 ♥
15	Topsy-Turvy	—	100%	20	Dark	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
18	Hypnosis	—	60%	20	Psychic	Status		1 ♥	3 ♥
21	Psybeam	65	100%	20	Psychic	Special		3 ♥	0 ♥
23	Switcheroo	—	100%	10	Dark	Status		2 ♥	1 ♥
27	Payback	50	100%	10	Dark	Physical		2 ♥	0 ♥
31	Light Screen	—	—%	30	Psychic	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
35	Pluck	60	100%	20	Flying	Physical		3 ♥	0 ♥
39	Psycho Cut	70	100%	20	Psychic	Physical		4 ♥	0 ♥
43	Slash	70	100%	20	Normal	Physical		4 ♥	0 ♥
46	Night Slash	70	100%	15	Dark	Physical		3 ♥	0 ♥
48	Superpower	120	100%	5	Fighting	Physical		6 ♥	0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

TM/HM

• Generation VII
• Generation VI

TMs, TRs, and HMs Generation VII
TM/HM/TR	Move	Power	Accuracy	PP	Type	Cat.
TM03	Psyshock	80	100%	10	Psychic	Special
TM04	Calm Mind	—	—%	20	Psychic	Status
TM06	Toxic	—	90%	10	Poison	Status
TM10	Hidden Power	60	100%	15	Normal	Special
TM11	Sunny Day	—	—%	5	Fire	Status
TM12	Taunt	—	100%	20	Dark	Status
TM15	Hyper Beam	150	90%	5	Normal	Special
TM16	Light Screen	—	—%	30	Psychic	Status
TM17	Protect	—	—%	10	Normal	Status
TM18	Rain Dance	—	—%	5	Water	Status
TM21	Frustration	—	100%	20	Normal	Physical
TM24	Thunderbolt	90	100%	15	Electric	Special
TM27	Return	—	100%	20	Normal	Physical
TM29	Psychic	90	100%	10	Psychic	Special
TM32	Double Team	—	—%	15	Normal	Status
TM33	Reflect	—	—%	20	Psychic	Status
TM35	Flamethrower	90	100%	15	Fire	Special
TM40	Aerial Ace	60	—%	20	Flying	Physical
TM41	Torment	—	100%	15	Dark	Status
TM42	Facade	70	100%	20	Normal	Physical
TM44	Rest	—	—%	10	Psychic	Status
TM45	Attract	—	100%	15	Normal	Status
TM46	Thief	60	100%	25	Dark	Physical
TM48	Round	60	100%	15	Normal	Special
TM56	Fling	—	100%	10	Dark	Physical
TM59	Brutal Swing	60	100%	20	Dark	Physical
TM63	Embargo	—	100%	15	Dark	Status
TM66	Payback	50	100%	10	Dark	Physical
TM68	Giga Impact	150	90%	5	Normal	Physical
TM77	Psych Up	—	—%	10	Normal	Status
TM80	Rock Slide	75	90%	10	Rock	Physical
TM87	Swagger	—	85%	15	Normal	Status
TM88	Sleep Talk	—	—%	10	Normal	Status
TM90	Substitute	—	—%	10	Normal	Status
TM92	Trick Room	—	—%	5	Psychic	Status
TM97	Dark Pulse	80	100%	15	Dark	Special
TM100	Confide	—	—%	20	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
TM03	Psyshock	80	100%	10	Psychic	Special		1 ♥	4 ♥
TM04	Calm Mind	—	—%	20	Psychic	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM06	Toxic	—	90%	10	Poison	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM10	Hidden Power	60	100%	15	Normal	Special		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM11	Sunny Day	—	—%	5	Fire	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM12	Taunt	—	100%	20	Dark	Status		2 ♥	1 ♥
TM15	Hyper Beam	150	90%	5	Normal	Special		4 ♥	4 ♥
TM16	Light Screen	—	—%	30	Psychic	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM17	Protect	—	—%	10	Normal	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM18	Rain Dance	—	—%	5	Water	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM21	Frustration	—	100%	20	Normal	Physical		2 ♥	3 ♥
TM24	Thunderbolt	90	100%	15	Electric	Special		4 ♥	0 ♥
TM27	Return	—	100%	20	Normal	Physical		4 ♥	0 ♥
TM29	Psychic	90	100%	10	Psychic	Special		4 ♥	0 ♥
TM32	Double Team	—	—%	15	Normal	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM33	Reflect	—	—%	20	Psychic	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM35	Flamethrower	90	100%	15	Fire	Special		4 ♥	0 ♥
TM40	Aerial Ace	60	—%	20	Flying	Physical		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM41	Torment	—	100%	15	Dark	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM42	Facade	70	100%	20	Normal	Physical		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM44	Rest	—	—%	10	Psychic	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM45	Attract	—	100%	15	Normal	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM46	Thief	60	100%	25	Dark	Physical		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM48	Round	60	100%	15	Normal	Special		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM56	Fling	—	100%	10	Dark	Physical		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM63	Embargo	—	100%	15	Dark	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM66	Payback	50	100%	10	Dark	Physical		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM67	Retaliate	70	100%	5	Normal	Physical		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM68	Giga Impact	150	90%	5	Normal	Physical		4 ♥	4 ♥
TM70	Flash	—	100%	20	Normal	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM77	Psych Up	—	—%	10	Normal	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM80	Rock Slide	75	90%	10	Rock	Physical		2 ♥	2 ♥
TM87	Swagger	—	90%	15	Normal	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM88	Sleep Talk	—	—%	10	Normal	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM90	Substitute	—	—%	10	Normal	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
TM92	Trick Room	—	—%	5	Psychic	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
TM94	Secret PowerORAS	70	100%	20	Normal	Physical		1 ♥	0 ♥
TM97	Dark Pulse	80	100%	15	Dark	Special		4 ♥	0 ♥
TM100	Confide	—	—%	20	Normal	Status		3 ♥	0 ♥
HM01	Cut	50	95%	30	Normal	Physical		4 ♥	0 ♥
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 Malamar can learn, refer to Inkay.

Tutoring

• Generation VII
• Generation VI

Tutoring Generation VII
Move	Power	Accuracy	PP	Type	Cat.
Ally Switch USUM	—	—%	15	Psychic	Status
Bind USUM	15	85%	20	Normal	Physical
Block USUM	—	—%	5	Normal	Status
Foul Play USUM	95	100%	15	Dark	Physical
Knock Off USUM	65	100%	20	Dark	Physical
Role Play USUM	—	—%	10	Psychic	Status
Signal Beam USUM	75	100%	15	Bug	Special
Snatch USUM	—	—%	10	Dark	Status
Snore USUM	50	100%	15	Normal	Special
Spite USUM	—	100%	10	Ghost	Status
Superpower USUM	120	100%	5	Fighting	Physical
Telekinesis USUM	—	—%	15	Psychic	Status
Throat Chop USUM	80	100%	15	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.

Tutoring Generation VI
Move	Power	Accuracy	PP	Type	Cat.	Contest Cat.	Appeal	Jam
Bind ORAS	15	85%	20	Normal	Physical		3 ♥	0 ♥
Block ORAS	—	—%	5	Normal	Status		2 ♥	0 ♥
Foul Play ORAS	95	100%	15	Dark	Physical		1 ♥	0 ♥
Knock Off ORAS	65	100%	25	Dark	Physical		2 ♥	3 ♥
Role Play ORAS	—	—%	10	Psychic	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
Signal Beam ORAS	75	100%	15	Bug	Special		3 ♥	0 ♥
Snatch ORAS	—	—%	10	Dark	Status		1 ♥	0 ♥
Snore ORAS	50	100%	15	Normal	Special		4 ♥	0 ♥
Spite ORAS	—	100%	10	Ghost	Status		2 ♥	1 ♥
Superpower ORAS	120	100%	5	Fighting	Physical		6 ♥	0 ♥
Bold indicates this Pokémon receives STAB from this move. Italic indicates an evolved or alternate form of this Pokémon receives STAB from this move.

3D Models

• Generation VI

Malamar's X and Y/Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire sprite

Malamar's back sprite

Malamar's X and Y/Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire shiny sprite

Malamar's back shiny sprite

Appearances

Three Malamar appeared in the very first episode of the XY series, swimming along with some Water-type Pokémon.

A Malamar made its appearance as an evil, rogue Pokémon who used its hypnotic abilities to put Ash's friends, Pikachu, Team Rocket (bar Meowth), Officer Jenny, and several other Pokémon in a trance in A Conspiracy to Conquer!. This very same Malamar appeared again where it faced off against James' Inkay in Facing the Grand Design! and partnered up with two other evil Malamar.

Several other Malamar also made an appearance in Facing the Grand Design!. However, unlike the three evil Malamars, they appeared to be gentle and kind to both humans and Pokémon and would fight for freedom, peace, honor and justice. When the three evil Malamars kidnapped everyone except for Clemont, James and Meowth, they joined forces with them along with several Inkays on a rescue mission to stop the evil Malamars from fulfilling their dark plans and save their friends from mortal danger.

• Malamar (anime)
• Malamar_(XY056)
• Xerosic's Malamar (anime)
• Alain's Malamar

Trivia

• Its appearance, as well as the evolution method to evolve Inkay into one, makes it possible that it is actually upside-down.
• Inkay and Malamar are the only Pokémon that have no resistances and are not normal type.
• It is designed by Hitoshi Ariga.
• Despite its Pokédex entries saying that it sounds malicious, most Malamar are actually very peaceful in the anime, save for the recurring one and Xerosic's.

Origin

Malamar is based on an upside-down squid. Its lights and hypnosis abilities are similar to that of the cuttlefish which are known to rapidly change their color to hypnotize prey. Its lights may also be based on the bioluminescence found in several squid species, such as the firefly squid. It also resembles an owl, who are often associated with knowledge, pairing with the psychic type.

Etymology

Malamar comes from mal- (a prefix meaning "bad" or "evil") and "calamar" (Spanish for "squid").

Its Japanese name, Karamanero, calamari, 絡ます (karamasu, to entangle), 魔 (ma, magic or demon), Nero (a Roman emperor commonly thought of as a cruel dictator), and nero di seppia (Italian for "cephalopod ink").

Gallery

Malamar in the anime