Mean Look (move)

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Mean Look (Japanese: くろいまなざし Dark Look) is a non-damaging Normal-type move introduced in Generation II.

Effect

Generations II

Mean Look prevents the target from switching out or fleeing (including via Teleport). It bypasses accuracy checks to always hit, unless the opponent is in the semi-invulnerable turn of a move such as Dig or Fly. The effect only applies as long as the Pokémon that used it remains in battle.

The affected Pokémon can still switch out via Baton Pass, but in that case, the Pokémon that switches in will now be affected. Affected Pokémon can also switch out with U-turn. Conversely, the Pokémon that used Mean Look can switch out with Baton Pass and the effects of Mean Look will still apply. Also, if the affected Pokémon is Roared at or hit with a Whirlwind, they will still be switched out.

If a wild Pokémon uses Mean Look on the player's Pokémon, the player will be unable to escape.

Generations III and IV

Pokémon affected by Mean Look can escape if the Pokémon has the Ability Run Away or is holding a Smoke Ball.

Mean Look can also be used as part of a Pokémon Contest combination, giving extra two appeal points if Curse was used in the prior turn. It can also be used to start a combination, causing Destiny Bond and Perish Song to have their base appeal points doubled if used in the next turn.

Generation V

If a Pokémon traps a target with Mean Look and then switches with Baton Pass the target will no longer be trapped. Pokémon affected by Mean Look can switch out with Volt Switch. Also, Dragon Tail and Circle Throw will force the affected Pokémon to switch out.

Generation VI onwards

Mean Look no longer affects Ghost-type Pokémon.

Mean Look can also be used as part of a Contest Spectaculars combination, causing certain moves (Explosion, Memento, Perish Song and Self-Destruct) to give extra three appeal points if used in the next turn.

If powered up by a Normalium Z into Z-Mean Look, the user's Special Defense stat raises one stage.

Description

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Level
						I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0041		Zubat		Flying		Flying	36	36	29	29BW 34B2W2	34XY 29ORAS	29
0042		Golbat		Flying		Flying	42	42	33	33BW 38B2W2	38XY 32ORAS	32
0092		Gastly		Amorphous		Amorphous	13	13RSE 48FRLG	8	8	8	8
0093		Haunter		Amorphous		Amorphous	13	13RSE 64FRLG	8	8	8	8
0094		Gengar		Amorphous		Amorphous	13	13RSE 64FRLG	8	8	8	8
0124		Jynx		Human-Like		Human-Like	35	35	21	25	25	25
0169		Crobat		Flying		Flying	42	42	33	33BW 38B2W2	38XY 32ORAS	32
0197		Umbreon		Field		Field	42	42	57	57BW 37B2W2	37	37
0198		Murkrow		Flying		Flying	41	48	41	41	41	41
0200		Misdreavus		Amorphous		Amorphous	19	23	19	19	19	19
0238		Smoochum		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered	35	33	21	25	25	25
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like		45	57	60	1, 60XY 46ORAS	46
0355		Duskull		Amorphous		Amorphous		45	38	41	41XY 46ORAS	46
0356		Dusclops		Amorphous		Amorphous		51	43	49	49XY 52ORAS	52
0477		Dusknoir		Amorphous		Amorphous			43	49	49XY 52ORAS	52
0504		Patrat		Field		Field				31	31	36
0505		Watchog		Field		Field				36	36	43
0562		Yamask		Mineral	Amorphous				45	45	45
0563		Cofagrigus		Mineral	Amorphous				51	51	51
0678		Meowstic Male		Field		Field					1	1
0785		Tapu Koko		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered						1
0786		Tapu Lele		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered						1
0787		Tapu Bulu		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered						1
0788		Tapu Fini		style="text-align:center; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" width="140px" colspan="2" | Undiscovered	style="text-align:center; display:none; background:#Template:Undiscovered egg color;" | Undiscovered						1
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Types	Parent Egg Groups		Egg Move
						II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX
0088		Grimer		Amorphous		Amorphous	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
088A		Grimer Alola Form		Amorphous		Amorphous						✔
0203		Girafarig		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0280		Ralts		Amorphous		Amorphous		✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
0302		Sableye		Human-Like		Human-Like				✔	✔	✔
0359		Absol		Field		Field			✔	✔	✔	✔
0495		Snivy		Field	Grass				✔	✔	✔
0551		Sandile		Field		Field				✔	✔	✔
0574		Gothita		Human-Like		Human-Like				✔	✔	✔
0624		Pawniard		Human-Like		Human-Like				✔	✔	✔
0629		Vullaby		Flying		Flying				✔	✔	✔
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

Special move

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0553		Krookodile		Field		Field	Dream World - Rugged Mountain
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By event

Generation V

#	Pokémon		Types	Egg Groups		Obtained with
0235		Smeargle		Field		Field	2013 World Championships Smeargle
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

In other games

Description

In the anime

Haunter Dusknoir Watchog Oshawott failing to return due to Mean Look
The user affixes the foe with a dark, arresting look. The target becomes unable to flee.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	Haunter's eyes glow light purple, preventing the opponent from escaping.
Morty's Haunter	From Ghost to Ghost		Debut
	Misdreavus opens its eyes wide and its body flashes black. The opponent can no longer run away from the battle.
Nelson's Misdreavus	Entei at Your Own Risk		None
	Dusclops's iris glows purple and it releases a black ring from its eye at the opponent. When the ring hits the opponent, the opponent becomes surrounded by a purple aura, causing the opponent to no longer be able to be recalled into its Poké Ball.
Brandon's Dusclops	Gathering the Gang of Four!		None
	Dusknoir's iris glows purple and it releases a black ring from its eye at the opponent. When the ring hits the opponent, it flips around so it's above the opponent, and it falls down onto it. The ring then disappears and the opponent's body flashes black, preventing it from escaping.
Conway's Dusknoir	Working on a Right Move!		None
	Watchog closes its eyes and its body becomes surrounded in a dark purple aura. It then opens its eyes and they start glowing bright red. The purple aura then rises into the air and forms together into an oval shape. The aura then solidifies and forms into a black oval. The top part of the oval then opens, forming itself into an eye with a pure black pupil. The eye itself and the pupil then becomes surrounded in a magenta aura and multiple smaller eyes, each with a magenta aura around it, form and appear around it and spread throughout the battlefield. The opponent's body then becomes surrounded in a magenta colored aura. Once it does, the eyes disappear. The opponent can then no longer go back into its Poké Ball. If the Trainer tries, a purple forcefield appears around the opponent.
Lenora's Watchog	The Battle According to Lenora!		None
	Gengar's iris's and pupils turn purple, with a light purple glow around them. The opponent then glows purple, its eyes glow bright red, and a dark purple shadowy mist appears around the opponents body and then opponent turns towards the user.
Alva's Gengar	Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel		None

In the manga

In the Be the Best! Pokémon B+W manga

Watchog
The user projects an evil eye at the opponent, scaring it and preventing it from running.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Watchog projects an evil eye at the opponent, scaring it and preventing it from running.
Monta's Watchog	Let's Master Pokémon Capturing!		Debut

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Smoochum
The user fires black eye beams at the opponent, preventing them from escaping.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Smoochum fires black eye beams at the opponent from its eyes, stunning it and preventing it from escaping.
Crystal's Chumee	Slugging It Out with Slugma		Debut

In the Pokémon Gold and Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Gastly Gengar The effect
The user looks at the opponent and eyes are targeted at it.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Gastly makes a scary face at the opponent and at least five eyes are targeting it.
Black's Gastly	Extreme Power!! The Friday Pokémon		Debut
	Gengar makes a scary face at the opponent and a few eyes are targeting it, causing the opponent to shudder in fear.
Morty's Gengar	A Promise Given to Miltank		None

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Umbreon
Multiple eyes appear which prevents the foe from doing anything.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Umbreon looks at the foe and multiple eyes appear.
Karen's Umbreon	A Challenge to the Elite Four!		Debut

In other generations

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 黑色眼光 Hēi​sè​ Yǎn​guāng Danish Ondt Blik Dutch Boze Oog Finnish Inhonaama French Regard Noir German Horrorblick Greek Άγρια Ματιά Indonesian Tatapan Gelap Mata Hitam Italian Malosguardo Korean 검은눈빛 Geom-eun Nunbit Polish Ciemne Spojrzenie Portuguese Brazil Olhar Malvado Portugal Olhar Paralisante Serbian Zao pogled Spanish Latin America Mirada Maligna (EP182) Cara Mala (EP259) Mirada Mala (AG189, BW015-BW016) Mal de Ojo (DP185) Spain Mal de Ojo Vietnamese Cái Nhìn Ác Ý

Variations of the move Mean Look
Block • Mean Look • Spider Web

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.