Greninja (Pokémon)

For Pokémon GO information on this species, see the game's section.
← #657: Frogadier	Pokémon	#659: Bunnelby →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Greninja (disambiguation).

Greninja Ninja Pokémon ゲッコウガ Gekkouga #658 Greninja Ash-Greninja Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Type Water Dark Unknown Unknown Ash-Greninja Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown
Abilities Torrent Greninja Battle Bond Ash-Greninja Cacophony Protean Hidden Ability Cacophony Hidden Ability Cacophony Ash-Greninja Cacophony
Gender ratio Unknown 87.5% male, 12.5% female	Catch rate 45 (11.9%)
Breeding Egg Group Water 1 Hatch time 20 cycles
Height 4'11" 1.5 m Greninja 0'0" 0 m Ash-Greninja 0'0" 0 m {{{form3}}} 0'0" 0 m {{{form4}}}	Weight 88.2 lbs. 40.0 kg Greninja 0 lbs. 0 kg Ash-Greninja 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form3}}} 0 lbs. 0 kg {{{form4}}}
Mega Stone [[|]] [[|]]
Base experience yield Unknown Gen. IV Unknown IV 239	Leveling rate Medium Slow
EV yield Total: 3 Greninja 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 3 Speed Ash-Greninja 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed
Shape	Footprint File:F658.png Ash-Greninja
Pokédex color   Blue	Base friendship 70
External Links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Greninja (Japanese: ゲッコウガ Gekkouga) is a dual-type Water/Dark Pokémon introduced in Generation VI.

It evolves from Frogadier starting at level 36. It is the final form of Froakie.

With the Battle Bond Ability, Greninja can transform into a special form known as Ash-Greninja. Greninja with the Ability Battle Bond cannot breed.

Biology

Greninja is a bipedal, frog-like Pokémon. It is mostly dark blue with a yellow chest, a white triangular marking over each eye, a light blue four-pointed star on each thigh, and yellow on the lower half of its face. It has red eyes with white pupils and its mouth is hidden behind a large, pink tongue that wraps around its neck and extends outward behind its head. Running down the middle of its head is a fin-like extension, and there is a similar fin on each side of its head. Light blue webbing connects its head fins. There is a large, white bubble-like bump on each elbow and knee. Its back feet have two toes, while its front feet have three toes. Each digit has a bulbous tip and yellow webbing.

Greninja moves with the speed and grace of a ninja. It uses swift movements to confuse its enemies while it slices them up with weapons made of compressed water, most commonly in the form of throwing stars. These throwing stars are sharp enough to split metal. In the past, Water Shuriken and Mat Block were its signature moves.

Through a transformation called Bond Phenomenon, Ash's Greninja in the anime and any Greninja with the Ability Battle Bond in Generation VII can change into an alternate form called Ash-Greninja. In this form, 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.

In the anime

Main series

Greninja in the anime

Ash-Greninja in the anime

Major appearances

Ash's Greninja

Ash's Frogadier evolved into a Greninja in A Festival of Decisions! while battling Heidayu's Bisharp. It soon gained the ability to transform into Ash-Greninja.

Sanpei's Greninja

A Greninja appeared in A Stealthy Challenge!, under the ownership of Sanpei. It reappeared in The Legend of the Ninja Hero! and A Festival of Decisions!. It was mostly seen outside of its Poké Ball.

Other

Greninja debuted in A Rush of Ninja Wisdom!, under the ownership of Ippei, but only in a fantasy. His Greninja made its physical debut in The Legend of the Ninja Hero!, later reappearing in the next episode.

A Greninja appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, under the ownership of Riot. It was his main Pokémon, used to assist him in his thievery.

Minor appearances

A Greninja appeared in the opening sequence of Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel, when it evolved from Froakie and Frogadier.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry XY052 Greninja Ash's Pokédex Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon, and the evolved form of Frogadier. Greninja's swift movements confound its opponents, and it can compress water into sharp-edged throwing stars. XY100 Greninja Ash's Pokédex Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon, and the final evolved form of Froakie. Greninja can compress water into sharp-edged throwing stars. With the grace of a ninja, it slips in and out of sight to attack from the shadows.

GOTCHA!

A Greninja briefly appeared in GOTCHA!, under the ownership of Serena.

In the manga

Greninja in Pokémon Adventures

Movie adaptations

Riot owns a Greninja in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Croaky

Y's Frogadier, Croaky, evolved into a Greninja during a battle against Xerosic in PS587.

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Main article: Ash's Greninja

Ash's Greninja appeared in a fantasy in Legend? Check! Friends? Check!.

In the TCG

Main article: Greninja (TCG)

Other appearances

Greninja in Detective Pikachu

Super Smash Bros.

Main article: Greninja (Super Smash Bros.)

Detective Pikachu

Five Greninja appeared in Detective Pikachu. They were genetically modified and put in chambers. They were later used to chase after Harry Goodman, and also Tim and Lucy when they broke into Howard's facility.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI Kalos Central #009 Hoenn #— 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.
Generation VII Alola #— Kanto #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VII.
Generation VIII Galar #— Sinnoh #— Hisui #— This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Generation VIII.

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI X Y Evolve Frogadier Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Event
Generation VII Sun Moon Trade Greninja Event: transfer from Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo Version Ash-Greninja Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Poni Wilds (Island Scan)Fr Greninja Trade Ash-Greninja Let's Go Pikachu Let's Go Eevee Unobtainable
Generation VIII Sword Shield Unobtainable Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Unobtainable Legends: Arceus Unobtainable

In side games

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI Battle Trozei Renegade Meadow: Stage 5 Shuffle Expert Stage: Stage EX24 Event: Greninja Appears Event: Great Daily Pokémon (First release) Event: Ash-Greninja Appears Ash-Greninja Rumble World Dewdrop Bay: Castle Moat (Back Boss) Picross Area 03: Stage 05
Generation VII Rumble Rush Greninja Sea, Zygarde SeaFinal
Generation VIII UNITE Beginner Login Bonus (Day 14 Reward) Purchase for 10,000 Aeos Coins/575 Aeos Gems

In events

Greninja

Games	Event	Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
ORAS	Super Smash Bros. Greninja	Japanese region	Japan	36	December 9, 2014 to March 31, 2015
XYORAS	Pokémon General Election 720 Greninja	All	Japan	100	July 3, 2016 July 16 to September 30, 2016

Battle Bond Greninja

Games	Event	Region	Location	Level	Distribution period
SM	Ash's Greninja	All	hide	37	November 18, 2016 onwards

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Events*		Master Ball (100%)

Stats

Base stats

Greninja

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 72		132 - 179	254 - 348
Attack: 95		90 - 161	175 - 317
Defense: 67		64 - 130	125 - 256
Sp. Atk: 103		97 - 170	189 - 335
Sp. Def: 71		68 - 135	132 - 265
Speed: 122		114 - 191	224 - 377
Total: 530	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Ash-Greninja

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 72		132 - 179	254 - 348
Attack: 145		135 - 216	265 - 427
Defense: 67		64 - 130	125 - 256
Sp. Atk: 153		142 - 225	279 - 445
Sp. Def: 71		68 - 135	132 - 265
Speed: 132		123 - 202	242 - 399
Total: 640	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature.

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 0× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 0× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 0× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting 2× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 1× Rock 1× Bug 2× Ghost ½× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 2× Electric 2× Psychic 0× Ice ½× Dragon 1× Dark ½× Fairy 2× None

Notes: If Miracle Eye is used by an opponent or this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Psychic-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

Generation IX Other generations: VI - VII - VIII - IX
This Pokémon is unavailable within Generation VIII. Click on the generation numbers above to see Greninja's learnsets from other generations.

Side game data

Pokémon Rumble Rush Walking Speed: 1.42 seconds Base HP: 54 Base Attack: 80 Base Defense: 53 Base Speed: 70
Pokémon Battle Trozei Water Attack Power: ★★★★★ Power of Five Increases the damage dealt by matching five Pokémon.			Pokémon Shuffle Water Attack Power: 70 - 125 10 #177 Mind Zap Delays your opponent's disruptions.
Pokémon: Magikarp Jump Friendship Item: Shell Bell (500) ★✰✰✰✰: +0% ★★✰✰✰: +40% (6) ★★★✰✰: +100% (8) ★★★★✰: +180% (11) ★★★★★: +280% (20) Skill: Awards lots of JP Recovery time: 5 hours
Pokémon GO Base HP: 176 Base Attack: 223 Base Defense: 152 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Bubble, Feint Attack Charged Attacks: Hydro Pump, Surf, Aerial Ace, Night Slash

Ash-Greninja

Pokémon Shuffle Water Attack Power: 70 - 110 5 #177 Power of 4+ Deals even more damage when you make a match of four. Swappable Skill(s): Unity Power

Pokémon GO File:GO658A.png Base HP: 176 Base Attack: 339 Base Defense: 155 Egg Distance: N/A Buddy Distance: 3 km Evolution Requirement: N/A Fast Attacks: Bubble, Feint Attack Charged Attacks: Hydro Pump, Surf, Aerial Ace, Night Slash

Evolution

Unevolved Froakie  Water

Level 16 →

First Evolution Frogadier  Water

Level 36 →

Second Evolution Greninja  Water  Dark

Battle Bond Greninja

Unevolved Greninja-Ash  Water  Dark

Forms

Greninja with Battle Bond transforms into Ash-Greninja, for the remainder of the battle, upon knocking out an opponent via direct damage.

Base form Battle Bond Greninja Greninja  Water  Dark

↔

Battle Bond Ash-Greninja Greninja  Water  Dark

Sprites

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation VI.
Generation VI X Y Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Front Back Front Back
Generation VII Sun Moon Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Front Back Front Back
Generation VIII HOME

For other sprites and images, please see Greninja images on the Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• Ash-Greninja has the highest base Speed stat of all Dark-type Pokémon.
• Greninja is the only starter Pokémon that has more than two possible Abilities, and the only starter Pokémon with an event-exclusive Ability.
• Greninja shares its category with Ninjask. They are both known as the Ninja Pokémon.
• Greninja won first place in the Japanese Pokémon general election 720 (Japanese: ポケモン総選挙720) poll to decide what Pokémon would be distributed at showings of Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel in Japan.
• It was revealed that Greninja was added into Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U before Pokémon X and Y was even released. Masahiro Sakurai knew that a Generation VI Pokémon was going to be a playable fighter in that game, so when Greninja was decided, all they had to go on in terms of design was concept art, similar to Roy during the development of Super Smash Bros. Melee.
• During the Pokémon of the Year vote held by The Pokémon Company International and Google in February 2020, Greninja won first place with 140,559 votes and beat Lucario at second place (102,259 votes) and Mimikyu at third (99,077 votes).
• Greninja is the only Pokémon playable in Pokémon UNITE that is unobtainable in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Origin

Greninja's overall appearance is based on a frog, and it may have been inspired by horned frogs from the genera Megophrys and Ceratophrys due to the spiked protrusions above its eyes. Its color scheme and body shape is similar to that of the splendid leaf frog. The bubble-like protrusions on its body may be based on a toad's parotoid glands, possibly referencing the traditional myth of toads causing warts, though they may also be remnants of Froakie and Frogadier's frubbles.

As its species name implies, Greninja is also based on a ninja. Japanese culture associates frogs and toads with ninjas based on the folk story "The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya" (児雷也豪傑物語 Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari) about a ninja who can shapeshift into a large toad. Greninja and its pre-evolutions may also draw inspiration from the thief or rogue class as they often rely on speed and stealth and are often seen as nimble or ranged combatants while tending to focus more on dodging attacks rather than withstanding damage.

Ash-Greninja's appearance is based on Ash's attire in Pokémon the Series: XY.

Name origin

Greninja is a combination of grenouille (French for frog) and ninja.

Gekkouga is a combination of げこっ geko (croak) and 甲賀流 Kōga-ryū. It may also derive from 月光 gekkō (moonlight), in reference to a popular conception of ninja running through the night or to Greninja's Dark typing, or a combination of both.

In other languages

Language Title Meaning Japanese ゲッコウガ Gekkouga From げこっ geko and 甲賀流 Kōga-ryū French Amphinobi From amphibien and shinobi Spanish Greninja Same as English name German Quajutsu From Quak and Ninjutsu Italian Greninja Same as English name Korean 개굴닌자 Gaegulninja From 개굴개굴 gaegul-gaegul and ninja Mandarin Chinese 甲賀忍蛙 / 甲贺忍蛙 Jiǎhèrěnwā From 甲賀流 Kōga-ryū, 忍者 rěnzhě, and 蛙 wā Cantonese Chinese 甲賀忍蛙 Gaaphohyánwā From 甲賀流 Kōga-ryū, 忍者 yánjé, and 蛙 wā

More languages Greek Γκρενίντζα Greníntza From English name Hindi ग्रेनिंजा Greninja Transcription of English name Russian Грениндзя Grenindzya Transcription of English name Thai เก็คโคกะ Kekkhoka Transcription of Japanese name

Ash-Greninja

Language Title Japanese サトシゲッコウガ Satoshi Gekkouga Chinese Cantonese 小智版甲賀忍蛙 Síuji-báan Gaaphohyánwā Mandarin 小智版甲賀忍蛙 / 小智版甲贺忍蛙 Xiǎozhì-bǎn Jiǎhèrěnwā Danish Ash-Greninja Dutch Ash-Greninja Finnish Ash-Greninja French Sachanobi German Ash-Quajutsu Hungarian Ash-Greninja Italian Greninja Forma Ash Korean 지우개굴닌자 Jiu Gaegulninja Norwegian Ash-Greninja Polish Ashogreninja Portuguese Ash-Greninja Russian Эш-Грениндзя Esh Grenindzya Spanish Greninja Ash Swedish Ash-Greninja Thai ซาโตชิเก็คโคกะ Satoshi Gekkouga Turkish Ash-Greninja

Related articles

• Ash's Greninja
• Sanpei's Greninja
• Croaky
• Greninja (Super Smash Bros.)
• Starter Pokémon
• Bond Phenomenon
• List of Pokémon with form differences

External links

← #657: Frogadier

Pokémon

#659: Bunnelby →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.