From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.

Magikarp (Japanese: コイキング Koiking) is a Water-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Gyarados starting at level 20.

Biology

Magikarp is a fish-like Pokémon with large, heavy reddish-orange scales. It has large, vacant eyes and pink lips. Its pectoral and tail fins are white. On its back is stiff, three-peaked yellow fin; there is an identical fin on its underside. It also has long barbels. The barbels are white on a female and pale-yellow on a male. A long-lived Magikarp is able to utilize its immense splashing power to leap high enough to scale mountains. It also has a strong enough immune system to survive in the most polluted of waters. However, it is usually overlooked by Trainers because of its perceived weakness: even in the heat of battle, it will do nothing but flop around. It is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than modern Magikarp, and this led scientists to research this species.

Magikarp is found in many bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, due to its weak swimming ability, it usually lives downstream of the water's flow. It is normally seen using its former signature move, Splash, to leap out of the water, which makes it an easy target for predators such as Pidgeotto and Pidgeot.

In the anime

In the main series

Shiny Magikarp in the anime

Major appearances

In Battle Aboard the St. Anne!, James purchased a Magikarp from the Magikarp salesman. It evolved into a Gyarados in the next episode, after James abandoned it for its uselessness.

Several episodes, the first being Battle Aboard the St. Anne, involved a particular salesman trying to sell certain Pokémon to someone. The person he is usually trying to con is James, and he usually sells Magikarp, claiming that they are very valuable.

In A Little Rocket R & R!, Goh caught a giant Magikarp. In JN026, it competed in the Magikarp High Jump Tournament but lost.

Other

In The Joy of Pokémon, a Nurse Joy from the Orange Islands was revealed to have befriended a giant Magikarp after it saved her as a child. It evolved into an equally large Gyarados but remained friendly.

In The Wacky Watcher!, multiple Magikarp were being observed by Quincy T. Quackenpoker, who was interested in learning their migration patterns and evolution process. Ash and his friends helped him with one of these excursions.

In Mantine Overboard!, Luka used three Magikarp to aid her, Ash, and later Misty in their underwater exploration.

In Ya See We Want An Evolution!, Oralie claimed her Magikarp was the strongest. Indeed, it was able to battle surprisingly well, even giving Ash's Pikachu a hard time.

In Going for the Gold!, a Shiny Magikarp appeared among several others. Clemont tried to lure the Shiny one in with an invention but wound up attracting a horde of Sharpedo instead.

In This Magik Moment!, the efforts of a Magikarp actor nicknamed Karpy to suppress its evolution failed, and it evolved into a Gyarados.

In JN026, Koi Kingen's Magikarp and Kasuking's Shiny Magikarp, nicknamed (Japanese: Kinking), both competed in the Magikarp High Jump Tournament, with the latter winning.

Minor appearances

In Pokémon - I Choose You!, a Magikarp was swimming in the river that Ash jumped into while attempting to escape a flock of Spearow.

In Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village, a Magikarp was under Melanie's care. It reappeared in a flashback in Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!.

In Hypno's Naptime, a Magikarp was in HopHopHop Town's Pokémon Center.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in a fantasy in the banned episode EP035.

In Holy Matrimony!, three Magikarp were owned by James's parents. They were being fed by James's father when Jessebelle bumped into him and James's mother, sending them into the river.

A Magikarp appeared as an image in The Ultimate Test.

In Pikachu's Vacation, a Magikarp was at the Pokémon Theme Park.

In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, multiple Magikarp were living at Professor Oak's Laboratory.

In The Evolution Solution, a Magikarp was living on Seafoam Island.

Two Magikarp appeared in A Friend In Deed, with one under the ownership of a Trainer and the other under the ownership of the Pokémon League.

In Poké Ball Peril, Professor Oak was carefully studying a Magikarp.

In Pikachu Re-Volts, a Magikarp fell under the control of Cassidy and Butch via their Drowzee at Mandarin Island North.

In The Power of One, multiple Magikarp sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.

A wild Magikarp appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.

A Magikarp appeared in a fantasy in The Totodile Duel.

In Love, Totodile Style, Totodile juggled three Magikarp with its Water Gun in an attempt to impress the female Azumarill it had fallen in love with.

A Magikarp appeared in Snorlax Snowman.

In The Light Fantastic, a Magikarp was swimming in a river.

In Sick Daze, Brock's dream featured multiple Magikarp.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in Celebi: The Voice of the Forest. One of them reappeared in a montage in The Rise of Darkrai, which highlighted the preceding nine movies.

In The Joy of Water Pokémon, a Magikarp was living in Lake Lucid.

In Around the Whirlpool, a Magikarp was stolen from the Pokémon Center of Blue Point Isle.

In Octillery The Outcast, Misty's Poliwhirl defeated a Trainer's Magikarp during a Whirl Cup qualifying match. It reappeared in the following episode.

A Magikarp appeared in Dueling Heroes.

In The Legend of Thunder!, a Magikarp was swimming in a lake.

In Journey to the Starting Line, a Magikarp was swimming in a lake.

In a flashback in Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution, a Magikarp evolved into Red Gyarados.

In Enlighten Up!, multiple Magikarp were living in Lake Slowpoke.

A Magikarp appeared in a flashback in The Ties That Bind.

In Johto Photo Finish, a Magikarp evolved into a Gyarados in Gary's explanation.

A Magikarp appeared in Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias, under the ownership of a competitor in the Tour de Alto Mare.

A Magikarp appeared in Whiscash and Ash.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in Destiny Deoxys.

In a flashback in Judgment Day!, Jimmy traded a Shiny Magikarp for a Charmeleon.

In On Olden Pond, a Magikarp was living in the lake.

A Magikarp appeared in Three Jynx and a Baby!.

A Coordinator's Magikarp appeared in Channeling the Battle Zone!.

In Once More With Reeling!, a Coordinator's Magikarp competed in the Terracotta Contest.

A Magikarp appeared in Following A Maiden's Voyage!.

In Arriving in Style!, a Stylist's Magikarp competed in the Hearthome Collection.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in Giratina and the Sky Warrior.

A Magikarp appeared in PK19.

In One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!, Jessie used a Magikarp provided by the Pokémon Summer Academy for the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon.

In Battling the Generation Gap!, a Magikarp was a part of Lila's famous "Tiger Lily Smile".

In Historical Mystery Tour!, Dawn encountered a Magikarp in Xatu's Forest.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in The Needs of the Three!.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in a flashback in Bucking the Treasure Trend!.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

A Magikarp appeared in Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!.

Two Magikarp appeared in An Undersea Place to Call Home!.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.

Two Magikarp appeared in Day Three Blockbusters!. One appeared in a flashback, and the other was under the ownership of a Trainer who participated in the Pokémon Summer Camp.

A Magikarp appeared in a painting in Battling at Full Volume!.

A Magikarp appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.

A Magikarp appeared in XYS06.

In Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!, Pikachu caught a Magikarp by fishing with its tail, only for it to attack Ash before swimming away.

In Rocking Clawmark Hill!, three Magikarp were flopping about on the beach near Professor Kukui's house, having been washed ashore by the tide.

A Magikarp appeared in A Shivering Shovel Search!.

Six Magikarp appeared in Pulling Out the Pokémon Base Pepper!.

A Magikarp appeared in Big Sky, Small Fry!.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in I Choose You!.

Multiple wild Magikarp appeared in Alola, Kanto!, with one having its photo taken by Rotom.

A Magikarp swam along a river in Dewpider Ascending!.

A Magikarp appeared in The Power of Us.

Four Magikarp were swimming in the ocean in the Where Are You Going, Eevee? segment at the end of Don't Ignore the Small Stufful!.

A Magikarp appeared in We Know Where You're Going, Eevee!.

In A Recipe for Success!, a Magikarp was a customer of Oranguru's place.

A Magikarp appeared in Pikachu's Exciting Adventure!.

In Battle Royal 151!, a Trainer's Magikarp competed in the Battle Royal preliminary round of the Manalo Conference. It faced off against another Trainer and his Pyukumuku, only to be defeated by Pikala and her Pikachu, nicknamed Bolt.

Two Magikarp appeared in Enter Pikachu!.

Four Magikarp appeared in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!.

In A Little Rocket R & R!, Ash and Goh fished up multiple Magikarp, one of which Goh caught.

In JN026, Team Rocket pulled a Magikarp from the Rocket Prize Master. Additionally, a Trainer's Magikarp competed in the Magikarp High Jump Tournament.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP021 Magikarp Ash's Pokédex Magikarp, the Fish Pokémon. Magikarp can live in the dirtiest of water. It jumps very well and can evolve into Gyarados.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry XY022 Magikarp Ash's Pokédex Magikarp, the Fish Pokémon. Because all Magikarp seem to do is splash around, some consider them weak, but they're actually a hardy Pokémon that can survive in water no matter how dirty it is.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry JN024 Magikarp Goh's Rotom Phone Magikarp, the Fish Pokémon. A Water type. With neither strength nor speed, Magikarp is thought to be the weakest Pokémon of all.

In Pokémon Origins

In File 2: Cubone, the Magikarp salesman sold Red a Magikarp.

In Pokémon Generations

In The Cavern, a wild Magikarp was in the waters that surrounded the Seafloor Cavern.



In the manga

In the How I Became a Pokémon Card manga

A Magikarp appeared in PW32.

In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga

A Magikarp appeared in Magikarp Journey.

In the Pocket Monsters manga

Five Magikarp appeared in JNM01.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Multiple Magikarp debuted in What a Dragonite, where they escaped a Dragonite.

Two Magikarp appeared in Sea Sea Seadra as residents of a river in Viridian Forest where Yellow was fishing.

In Whacked by Marowak!, Erika is seen teaching a class about a Magikarp that can learn Dragon Rage.

A Magikarp appeared in Breath of the Dragonair Part 1, under the ownership of a Trainer. It was used in a surfing contest, before it was interrupted by Lance controlling the winning prize, a Dragonair.

Bill has a Magikarp that appeared in Make Way for Magikarp. Its resilient body saved Bill from the acidic saliva of a Victreebel.

Lance's Magikarp appeared in a flashback in The Legend as a Pokémon harmed by human industrialization. It evolved into Gyarados sometime before Extricated from Exeggutor, and it was used to shield him from the lava on Mt. Cerise.

In Teddiursa's Picnic, a Magikarp appeared in its Poké Ball after a wild Granbull had spit out all the Poké Balls it stole. It was returned to its owner by Wilton afterwards.

Multiple Magikarp had evolved into Gyarados at the Lake of Rage from the radio waves emitted by Team Rocket in Raise the Red Gyarados.

A Magikarp appeared in Slugging It Out with Slugma as one of the Pokémon at Earl's Pokémon Academy in Violet City.

Two Magikarp appeared in aquariums belonging to Mr. Briney and Team Aqua in Stick This in Your Craw, Crawdaunt I.

A blind boy owned a Magikarp nicknamed Karpy, which debuted in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon VI.

Diamond and Lax dressed up as Magikarp in the Diamond & Pearl chapter. They ate rice balls, and Diamond called himself a Munchikarp.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in Tackling Tangrowth, Mixing It Up with Machamp, and Bogging Down Quagsire.

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

A Magikarp appeared in In Search of the Legendary Pokémon Dialga!!.

A Magikarp appeared in The Mystery Boy, Jun!!.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in The Legendary Pokémon, Captured.

A Magikarp appeared in a fantasy in Look for Giratina!.

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Chris owns six Magikarp in Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys.

A Magikarp appeared in A Spectacular Battle To Save Ampharos!!.

A Trainer's Magikarp appeared in Let's Fight For The Future!!.

In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga

A Magikarp appeared in The Challenge at Celadon University!. It knew the event-exclusive move Dragon Rage.

Shu caught a Magikarp in GDZ51.

In the Pokémon HeartGold SoulSilver: Pokédex Completion Comic manga

A Magikarp appeared in Pokémon HeartGold SoulSilver: Pokédex Completion Comic.

In the Pokémon + Nobunaga's Ambition ~ Ranse's Color Picture Scroll ~ manga

A Magikarp appeared in The Yellow Scroll: Hanbei vs Kanbei.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

A Magikarp appeared in Clefairy's Under Training!!.

In the Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire manga

A Magikarp appeared in I Won't Let You Lead!!.

A Magikarp appeared in Rare Pokémon!!.

In the Pokémon Try Adventure manga

Soro owns a Magikarp.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

Satoshi has multiple Magikarp in Pokémon Zensho.

In the TCG

Other appearances

A Magikarp appeared in Detective Pikachu. It was seen at an illegal fight club, where Detective Pikachu tried to get it to evolve in order to battle a Charizard. It eventually did and scared Charizard away.

Game data

NPC appearances

Magikarp is the focus of the mobile game Pokémon: Magikarp Jump. The player can fish for many patterns of Magikarp, then train their Magikarp and compete with others to see whose Magikarp can jump the highest.

Pokédex entries

Game locations

In side games

Magikarp will not appear in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team until a rescue mission involving it has been completed, using a Wonder Mail code such as the following:

X ? ? S ? ? X ? 4 6 8 ? ♀ + ? ? 9 7 5 6 S Y ? ? Objective: Rescue Magikarp on floor 12 of Stormy Sea.

In events

GTS events

Held items

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation VIII, this Pokémon is: Damaged

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

Learnset

Generation VIII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII Level Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP 01 1 Splash Normal Status 0000 — 00— —% 40 15 15 Tackle Normal Physical 040 40 100 100% 35 25 25 Flail Normal Physical 0000 — 100 100% 15 Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Magikarp

indicates a move that gets when used by Magikarp Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp

indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

Generation VIII Other generations: I - II - III - IV - V - VI - VII TM Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP TM52 TM52 Bounce Flying Physical 085 85 085}} 85% 5 TR03 TR03 Hydro Pump Water Special 110 110 080}} 80% 5 Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Magikarp

indicates a move that gets when used by Magikarp Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp

indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

Generation VIII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VII Parent Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding. Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Magikarp in Generation VIII

onto Magikarp in Generation VIII Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.

Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Magikarp in that game.

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Magikarp

indicates a move that gets when used by Magikarp Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp

indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

Generation VIII Other generations: II - III - IV - V - VI - VII Game Move Type Cat. Pwr. Acc. PP This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Magikarp

indicates a move that gets when used by Magikarp Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp

indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Magikarp Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

Side game data

Evolution

Sprites

Magikarp patterns in Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

Trivia

Origin

Magikarp is based on the Asian carp, which are easily frightened by disturbances in water and can jump 8–10 feet (2.5–3 m.) in the air.

Magikarp's evolution into Gyarados is based on a legend about how carp that leaped over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles. This may have inspired an element in Pokémon Snap where, after certain steps are taken, a Magikarp will splash its way into a waterfall where it evolves.

Name origin

Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp, possibly mocking the Magikarp as a species, as someone with "magic" powers is generally thought to be quite powerful, which Magikarp is not (though carp are said to be able to transform into dragons, which is magical in its own way).

Koiking is a combination of 鯉 koi (carp) and king, giving its name an ironic slant similar to its English name.

In other languages





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