Gengar
Gengar is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon and is known as the Shadow Pokémon. It evolves from Haunter when traded. Gengar is mischievous and enjoys playing pranks, often hiding in the shadows. With a wicked sense of humor, Gengar is a powerful and iconic Pokémon in the Pokémon franchise.
Biology
Physical Characteristics
Gengar is a Pokémon with distinct physical characteristics.
Gengar resembles a dark purple, ghostly figure. Its body is shadow-like, and it has a sinister grin. It stands on two short legs and has large, pointed ears. Gengar’s eyes are red, adding to its eerie appearance.
Gengar is a medium-sized Pokémon. It is approximately 4 feet, 11 inches (1.5 meters) tall. The average weight of Gengar is around 89.3 lbs (40.5 kg).
Gengar’s body is slightly round, but it has a more solid form compared to its pre-evolutions. It lacks arms, and its hands consist of three fingers each. Gengar has a pair of spikes on top of its head.
The mouth of Gengar is wide, and it often bears a mischievous and malevolent grin. The grin adds to Gengar’s reputation as a trickster. Gengar is often surrounded by a shadowy aura, emphasizing its ghostly nature. This aura contributes to its ability to disappear into the shadows.
Gengar’s eyes are menacing, with a red color that intensifies its spooky appearance. The eyes are expressive and convey the mischievous nature of the Pokémon. Through Mega Evolution, Gengar transforms into Mega Gengar. Mega Gengar gains a third eye on its forehead and becomes larger and more menacing.
Understanding these physical characteristics provides insight into Gengar’s design and contributes to its role as a Ghost-type Pokémon.
Behaviour
Gengar exhibits various behaviors that align with its mischievous and ghostly nature.
Gengar is known for its mischievous behavior, often playing pranks on unsuspecting individuals. It enjoys scaring and startling people and Pokémon by appearing suddenly and unexpectedly. Gengar is more active during the night, as it thrives in darkness and shadows. It may lurk in dark corners, waiting for an opportunity to surprise its targets.
Gengar has the ability to vanish into the shadows, making it elusive and difficult to track. It uses this skill not only for hiding but also for setting up surprise attacks. Gengar’s ghostly nature allows it to move through solid objects effortlessly. It may pass through walls and other barriers, making it a mysterious and unpredictable presence.
Gengar is known to be cunning and opportunistic in battles. It may take advantage of opponents’ fears and insecurities, using its ghostly abilities to intimidate and overwhelm. Gengar has been associated with haunting locations and cursing individuals. Legends speak of Gengar being formed from the shadows of people and Pokémon, implying a connection to the spirit world. Mega Gengar is even more menacing and exhibits heightened predatory behavior. Its Mega Evolution is said to result from a gathering of malevolent spirits.
Despite its mischievous nature, Gengar forms strong bonds with Trainers who understand and appreciate its unique characteristics. Trainers often value Gengar’s loyalty and playfulness.
Understanding Gengar’s behavior adds depth to its character, portraying it as a playful yet formidable Pokémon with a penchant for spooking those around it.
Evolution
Gengar undergoes a distinctive evolutionary process, starting from its pre-evolution Gastly and evolving through two stages. Here are the details of Gengar’s evolution.
Gastly is a Ghost/Poison-type Pokémon known for its gaseous, amorphous form. Gastly evolves into Haunter when reaching level 25. Gastly is often associated with its ability to levitate and its hypnotic, piercing eyes. Gastly exhibits mischievous behavior and can emit toxic gases.
Haunter retains a ghostly, ethereal appearance, with large hands and a menacing grin. Haunter evolves into Gengar through trading. When traded, Haunter transforms into Gengar immediately. Haunter is known for its ability to lick opponents with its long tongue and induce paralysis. It has the ability to travel through walls and solid objects. Haunter is playful and mischievous, enjoying the fright it causes.
Gengar evolves from Haunter when traded. Its appearance becomes more sinister, with a larger body and a wicked grin. Gengar gains additional spikes on its back, enhancing its menacing appearance.
Mega Gengar
Gengar possesses the ability to Mega Evolve into using a Gengarite. Gengar retains its mischievous nature but becomes even more formidable in battles.
Mega Gengar undergoes a significant transformation, with a larger size, a third eye on its forehead, and an overall more menacing demeanor. It Mega Evolves into Mega Gengar during battles using the Mega Stone “Gengarite.”
It gains increased Speed and Special Attack stats. Its ability changes to Shadow Tag, preventing opponents from fleeing or switching out. It is associated with malevolent spirits and heightened predatory instincts
Gigantamax Gengar
Gengar is also capable of Gigantamaxing, a phenomenon specific to certain Pokémon in the Galar region. In its Gigantamax form, Gengar transforms into a massive serpent-like creature.
When Gengar undergoes Gigantamax transformation, its body enlarges, and parts of it sink into the ground, leaving only the head, tail, and arms visible.
Its color shifts from dark to light purple, and its eyes turn white with yellow sclera. Inside its mouth, a tunnel-like structure appears, and a long purple tongue protrudes. Additionally, three red clouds encircle its head.
Gigantamax Gengar gains access to exclusive G-Max moves, making it a formidable force in Dynamax battles.
Appearances
Anime Main Appearances
Ash’s Gengar
Debuting in “Best Friend…Worst Nightmare”, this mischievous Gengar stirred chaos at the Cerise Laboratory. In “A Chilling Curse!” Ash rescued and caught it, discovering it was abandoned due to fear. Despite its lighter hue, it’s not a Shiny Pokémon. In “The Winding Path to Greatness!”, it gained Gigantamaxing ability after consuming Max Soup from Allister.
Morty’s Gengar
Morty’s Gengar made appearances in “A Ghost Of A Chance”, “From Ghost to Ghost” and “For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!” and was never returned to its Poké Ball.
Agatha’s Gengar
In “The Scheme Team,” Agatha, a Ghost-type Trainer and a member of the Indigo Elite Four, utilized her Gengar to face Ash’s Pikachu, securing victory through a combination of Hypnosis and Dream Eater.
Team Meanies
In ”Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out of the Gate!”, a Gengar served as the leader of Team Meanies, a rescue team in this game.
Other appearences include:
- ”Lavender Town” (Ash encountered a Gengar while searching for a Ghost-type Pokémon against Sabrina. Gengar, along with Haunter, enjoyed Japanese stand-up and tried to amuse Ash in vain.)
- ”The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis” (A giant Gengar battled a massive Alakazam in Pokémopolis.)
- ”Hello, Pummelo!” and ”Enter The Dragonite” (Drake used a Gengar in a battle against Ash, causing confusion.)
- ”Illusion Confusion!” (Multiple mischievous Gengar and Haunter created illusions to disrupt Ash and friends in a deep forest.)
- PK15 (A Gengar resided in a spooky house.)
- ”Playing the Leveling Field!” (Fantina’s Gengar, seen in a flashback.)
- ”A Shield with a Twist” (Fantina’s Gengar seen battling Ash but was defeated by Buizel.)
- ”Celebrating the Hero’s Comet!” (Three Gengar lived on an unnamed Decolore Islands.)
- ”Scary Hospitality!” (Lon used a Gengar to spook visitors.)
- ”A Festival of Decisions!” (Ninja army Gengar attacked Ninja Village.)
- ”Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel” (Alva’s Shiny Mega Gengar played a significant role.)
- ”I Choose You!” (Corey’s Gengar faced Neesha’s Blastoise skillfully dodging attacks before succumbing to Ice Beam’s freeze.)
Additionaly, in ”Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?”, a wild Totem-sized Gengar, nicknamed “the Greedy Rapooh,” was unintentionally released and caused mischief, kidnapping Acerola and stealing items on Ula’ula Island. In ”Securing the Future!”, it participated in the effort to help Necrozma return to its true form. Acerola revealed in ”The Battlefield of Truth and Love!” that she recently caught the Gengar, using it to battle Kiawe’s Marowak at the Manalo Conference, where it ultimately succumbed to Shadow Bone.
Anime Minor Appearances
Gengar debuted in ”Pokémon – I Choose You!”, engaging in a colosseum battle with Nidorino on TV, a nod to the original Pokémon Red and Green games. This marked the anime’s initial showcase of Pokémon, excluding the intro.
A Gengar also featured in ”Pikachu’s Rescue Adventure” credits and participated in a Pokémon breeding contest in ”Beauty and the Breeder”. In ”Celebi: The Voice of the Forest”, two Gengar appeared—one owned by a Trainer and the other in the movie’s intro.
Training Daze showcased Gengar with Team Rocket trainees, and it participated in Fortree City Feather Festival in ”Who’s Flying Now?”. ”Ghoul Daze!” and ”One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!” also featured Gengar. ”The Mega Evolution Special I” opening showcased a Mega Gengar, and in ”Alola, Kanto!”, Rotom captured a Gengar with its camera.
Various Gengar appeared in fantasies in ”UnBEARable” (Brock‘s fantasy), ”Control Freak!” and ”Loading the Dex!” (Meowth’s fantasy after an encounter with a Mimikyu).
A Trainer’s Gengar also in the epsodes:
- ”Wired for Battle!” (an image in Shingo’s laptop)
- ”Celebi: The Voice of the Forest” (two of them, one owned by Trainer)
- ”Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!”
- ”A Young Royal Flame Ignites!”
- ”Turning the Other Mask!”
- ”Legend? Go! Friends? Go!” (participated in the Raid Battle against Lugia)
Manga Appearances
Pokémon Adventures
A Gengar initially appeared in ”Holy Moltres”, owned by a Team Rocket Grunt, battling Blaine’s Pokémon. Agatha possesses two Gengar, featuring them in her Ghost-type army. One attacked Blue and Koga, draining the latter’s life force. In ”The Last Battle XIII”, a Gengar participated in a fight in Ilex Forest. Another was spotted in ”Return to Pallet Town”, mirroring the opening sequence of Generation I games. Gurkinn’s Gengar, nicknamed Garma, debuted in ”Tying Trevenant”, capable of Mega Evolution and aiding in battles against Team Flare. Allister’s Gengar, capable of Gigantamaxing, first appeared in ”Glittering!! The Tapestry in the Vault”.
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
In ”A Promise Given to Miltank”, Morty summoned Gengar to thwart a Spearow attempting to snatch the satchel containing Berries collected by Gold.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
One Gengar featured in ”Big Battle in the Viridian Forest!!”. Blue’s Gengar evolved from ”Haunter in Get Rid Of The Ghost Pokémon!!”. Agatha’s Gengar appeared in Panic on the ”Luxury Liner?!”. Giovanni owned a Gengar in ”Squirtle, the Crybaby Pokémon”. Green revealed his Gengar in ”The Pokémon Banana League (Part 2)” against Red. Morty’s Gengar appeared in ”The Legendary Ho-Oh!!”. Karen owned a Gengar in ”A Challenge to the Elite Four!”.
Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission
A Gengar was captured by Solana using her Capture Styler in ”Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission Episode Two”. It reappeared in Episode Four and was released in Episode Five.
Gengar also appeared in the following manga:
Ash & Pikachu – in the episode ”Treasure Hunting?! Try The Maze!”.
Daisuki ♥ Pocket Monsters – in this manga one Gengar appeared.
Darkrai Mission Story: Pokémon Ranger Vatonage – the Comic in the episode ”Team Dim Sun” (as one of the Pokémon Heath controlled).
Magical Pokémon Journey – in the episodes ”How Do You Do, Pikachu?” and ”Wh-Who’s Sc-Scared?!”.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series – in the episode ”Caring for a Mystery!” (owned by Ash).
Pocket Monsters DP – in PMDP16 and PMDP60 (owned by Charon).
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō’s Big Adventure – in the episode JBA2 (owned by Morthy) and reappeared in JBA5 (in a flashback).
Pokémon Gotta Catch ‘Em All – in the episodes GDZ31 (owned by Rei) and GDZ56 (in a game at a game center).
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji’s Rescue Team – in this manga a Gengar from Team Meanies appears as a main character.
Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire – in the episode ”I Won’t Let You Lead!!”.
Pokémon Zensho – in the episodes PZ05 and PZ10 (Gengar owned by Agatha battled Satoshi’s Alakazam and was defeated).
Game data
Stats
Location
| Game version | Location |
|---|---|
| Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Yellow | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Crystal | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire | Trade |
| Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Emerald | Trade |
| Pokémon Colosseum | Trade |
| Pokémon XD | Trade |
| Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl | Old Chateau |
| Pokémon Platinum | Old Chateau |
| Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Black | Trade |
| Pokémon White | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 | Trade |
| Pokémon X and Pokémon Y | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire | Trade |
| Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon | Thrifty Megamart |
| Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon | Thrifty Megamart |
| Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! | Evolve Haunter |
| Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield | Giant's Cap, Giant's Mirror, South Lake Miloch, Stony Wilderness |
| Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl | Evolve Haunter |
| Legends Arceus | Space-Time Distortion |
| Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Trade |
Gengar's origin name
English: The English name “Gengar” is a combination of the words “doppelgänger” and “gangrene.” The term “doppelgänger” refers to a look-alike or double of a living person, often with a sinister or ghostly connotation. “Gangrene” may relate to decay or necrosis, emphasizing the ghostly and sinister nature of Gengar.
Japanese: In Japanese, Gengar is known as “Gōsu” (ゴース). The name is derived from the English word “ghost” (ゴースト, gōsuto), emphasizing its ghostly characteristics.
French: In French, Gengar is called “Ectoplasma.” The name is related to “ectoplasm,” a term associated with supernatural phenomena and ghostly apparitions.
German: The German name for Gengar is “Gengar,” which is the same as its English name.
Spanish: In Spanish, Gengar is known as “Gengar,” similar to the English and German names.
Italian: The Italian name for Gengar is “Gengar,” consistent with the English and German names.
Korean: In Korean, Gengar is called “Gaenggeur” (갱퀴). The name is a transliteration of the English name.
Chinese (Simplified): In Simplified Chinese, Gengar is known as “Húnhún” (魂丸). The name contains the character for “soul” or “spirit.”
Chinese (Traditional): In Traditional Chinese, Gengar is referred to as “Húnhún” (魂丸), also incorporating the character for “soul” or “spirit.”
These names reflect the ghostly, supernatural nature of Gengar, emphasizing its association with spirits, doubles, and otherworldly phenomena.