Gyarados (Pokémon)

← #129: Magikarp	Pokémon	#131: Lapras →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Gyarados (disambiguation).

Gyarados ギャラドス Gyarados #130
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Water Flying Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Atrocious Pokémon
Abilities Intimidate ----- Blue-Striped ----- Overconfident Hidden Ability
Exp. at Lv. 100 1,250,000
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #130 Johto #077 Hoenn #053 Sinnoh #024 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-125 Almia R— Oblivia
Height 21'04" Imperial 6.5 m Metric 21'04"/6.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 518.1 lbs. Imperial 235.0 kg Metric 518.1 lbs./235.0 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Blue	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Water 2 and Dragon groups 6 cycles (1530 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 2 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 214 Battle Exp.: 2141*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Gyarados (Japanese: ギャラドス Gyarados) is a dual-type Water/Flying Pokémon.

It evolves from Magikarp starting at level 20.

Biology

Physiology

Gyarados is a large dragon Pokémon, resembling dragons seen in Chinese mythology. Its serpentine body is mostly blue, but its underbelly is yellow, as well as the spots along its body. It has a three-pointed, dark blue crest on its head and four white fins down its back. Its mouth is very large and gaping, bearing four canine teeth, but bears some resemblance to that of its pre-evolution Magikarp. Like Magikarp, it has one barbel on both sides of its face. Its pectoral and dorsal fins also resemble Magikarp's. Gyarados is rarely shown with its mouth closed.

Gender differences

A female has white barbels, while a male has blue.

Special abilities

Gyarados, like most dragon-like Pokémon, has a high Attack stat, causing it to rely more on physical attacks than special ones. It is one of the few Template:Type2s able to wield both Template:Type2 and Template:Type2 attacks. Its fangs can crush stones and its scales are harder than steel.

Behavior

This Pokémon bears little resemblance to its docile pre-evolution. Gyarados is infamously known for its fierce temper and wanton destructive tendencies. Once it has worked itself into a frenzy, it will not calm until everything around it is destroyed—this tendency is attributed to the dramatic structural changes its brain undergoes during evolution. It seems attracted to violence, although this Pokémon is very rarely seen in the wild. During times of human conflict Gyarados are said to appear, burning entire cities down to the ground.

Habitat

File:Watersedge.gif

Water's-edge Pokémon

Gyarados usually live in large bodies of water, such as lakes and ponds or even seas and oceans. The Lake of Rage is the best known nesting area for Gyarados, and most famously, the red Gyarados, however, they are still quite rare even in the Lake Of Rage, as they are seldom found in the wild.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

In the anime

Misty's Gyarados in Cerulean Blues

File:Gyarados Hyper Beam.png

Red Gyarados using Hyper Beam

Major appearances

Misty's Gyarados

Misty obtained a Gyarados after passing the PIA test in Cerulean Blues. Prior to the test, Misty was terrified of Gyarados, but in order to pass the test, she had to overcome her fear of it. In the end, she calmed and kept the Gyarados.

Red Gyarados

Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution and Rage Of Innocence focused on a red Gyarados. It was on a destructive rampage until Lance captured it. This Gyarados appeared again in Gaining Groudon and The Scuffle of Legends to stop the feuding of Groudon and Kyogre.

Other

Gyarados had a cameo appearance in Pokémon - I Choose You! It was then seen in Pokémon Shipwreck. James was frustrated with his Magikarp and kicked it into the water. That Magikarp evolved into a Gyarados.

Groups of Gyarados were seen from within a submarine disguised as or styled after a Gyarados by Jessie, James, and Meowth in The Pi-Kahuna shortly before the onset of a massive, annual tidal wave celebrated by local surfers who were apparently not aware of the annual migration. According to James, the Gyarados gathered each year in this location to lay their eggs.

Another Gyarados was used in A Crasher Course in Power!, under the ownership of Crasher Wake.

Minor appearances

In Mewtwo Strikes Back, a Gyarados owned by Fergus was one of the Pokémon that were captured and cloned by Mewtwo. Fergus attacked Mewtwo with Gyarados' Hyper Beam but Mewtwo turned the attack back on itself, knocking the Gyarados out. The Gyarados clone is seen again in Mewtwo Returns.

A Gyarados appeared in Poké Ball Peril.

Nurse Joy had befriended a giant Magikarp that later evolved into Gyarados in The Joy of Pokémon. Despite Magikarp being giant, it was regular-sized as a Gyarados.

The Magikarp that Dr. Quackenpoker had been observing evolved into Gyarados in The Wacky Watcher!.

Trinity used a Gyarados in her battle against Misty in the Whirl Cup in The Perfect Match!.

A Gyarados appeared in Sandshrew's Locker!.

A Gyarados is used by one of the students of Pokémon Summer Academy in the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.

A Gyarados blasted Team Rocket away in Strategy Begins at Home!.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP016 Gyarados Ash's Pokédex Gyarados. This Pokémon has a vicious temperament, so use extreme caution. Its fangs can crush stones and its scales are harder than steel.

In the manga

File:Misty Gyarados manga.png

Misty's Gyarados in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

In the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Main article: Misty's Gyarados

Misty owns a Gyarados in the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Gyara

Main article: Red Gyarados

Gyarados debuts in the Red, Green & Blue arc in its own round, Gyarados Splashes In!. Here, an enraged one attacks its own trainer, Misty, but is recaught by Red, who supposedly returns it to her. The drastic change in attitude of the Pokémon was the result of a Team Rocket experiment as is shown in Raging Rhydon.

Later on, Misty traded this Gyarados to Red in exchange for Red's Krabby which he names Gyara.

Gyarados is later seen with Lance, using its BubbleBeam to shield him from the lava of Mt. Cerise.

A Red Gyarados was seen in the Lake of Rage three years later, but it was caught by Silver. It had the ability to control the other Gyarados in the lake.

When Red borrows Blue's Charizard to travel to Mt. Silver, he temporarily trades his Gyarados to Blue. It later appears as one of Blue's Pokémon in Volume 13, used against Entei, and later part of his revealed team during the Gym Leader faceoff. Prior to the FireRed and LeafGreen saga, Blue returns Gyarados to Red.

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry Pokémon Adventures PS006 The evolved form of Magikarp. Rarely seen in the wild. Huge and vicious, it is capable of destroying entire cities in a rage. Can fire a Hyper Beam from its mouth.

In the TCG

Main article: Gyarados (TCG)

Red Gyarados have appeared three times in the TCG, once in Neo Revelation as Shining Gyarados, once in EX Holon Phantoms as Gyarados δ, and in HeartGold & SoulSilver as Gyarados. The most recent appearance in HeartGold & SoulSilver most likely commemorates Red Gyarados's initial appearance as a significant part of the storyline in Pokémon Gold and Silver.

Game data

In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, a red Gyarados is featured on the TV on a program called "Search for the Red Gyarados." It is this that inspires Lucas or Dawn and their rival to go to Lake Verity, to see if there is a rare Pokémon dwelling in it.

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness: A Gyarados appears in the Miracle Sea. He attempts to take control of the Phione, but is stopped by the player's team.
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: The same Gyarados takes on the same role as it did in Time and Darkness.
• PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure: Gyarados tries to take over the Beach Zone in Empoleon's absence. Pikachu then has to beat Pelipper's Circle Circuit so Gyarados stops trying to take over.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Rarely seen in the wild. Huge and vicious, it is capable of destroying entire cities in a rage. Blue Yellow Brutally vicious and enormously destructive. Known for totally destroying cities in ancient times. Stadium Extremely vicious and horribly brutal. Has enough destructive power to totally annihilate even a major city.
Generation II Gold They say that during past wars, Gyarados would appear and leave blazing ruins in its wake. Silver Once it appears, it goes on a rampage. It remains enraged until it demolishes everything around it. Crystal It appears whenever there is world conflict, burning down any place it travels through. Stadium 2 They say that during the past wars, Gyarados would appear and leave blazing ruins in its wake.
Generation III Ruby When Magikarp evolves into Gyarados, its brain cells undergo a structural transformation. It is said that this transformation is to blame for this Pokémon's wildly violent nature. Sapphire Once Gyarados goes on a rampage, its ferociously violent blood doesn't calm until it has burned everything down. There are records of this Pokémon's rampages lasting a whole month. Emerald It is an extremely vicious and violent Pokémon. When humans begin to fight, it will appear and burn everything to the ground with intensely hot flames. FireRed It has an extremely aggressive nature. The Hyper Beam it shoots from its mouth totally incinerates all targets. LeafGreen Rarely seen in the wild. Huge and vicious, it is capable of destroying entire cities in a rage.
Generation IV Diamond Once it appears, its rage never settles until it has razed the fields and mountains around it. Pearl In ancient literature, there is a record of a Gyarados that razed a village when violence flared. Platinum Once it begins to rampage, a Gyarados will burn everything down, even in a harsh storm. HeartGold They say that during past wars, Gyarados would appear and leave blazing ruins in its wake. SoulSilver Once it appears, it goes on a rampage. It remains enraged until it demolishes everything around it.
Generation V Black いちど　あばれだした　ギャラドスは　あらしが　ふきすさんでいようとも　どんなものでも　やきつくしてしまう。 White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue None Evolve Magikarp Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow Uncommon Fishing in Fuchsia City (Super Rod)
Generation II Gold Silver Uncommon One Fishing at the Lake of Rage, Fuchsia City (Super Rod) Red Gyarados Crystal Uncommon One Fishing at the Lake of Rage, Fuchsia City (Super Rod) Red Gyarados
Generation III Ruby Sapphire Common Fishing in Sootopolis City (Super Rod) Emerald Rare Fishing in Sootopolis City (Super Rod) FireRed LeafGreen Rare Fishing (Super Rod) Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Common Fishing (Super Rod) Platinum Common Fishing (Super Rod) HeartGold SoulSilver Uncommon One Fishing at the Lake of Rage, Fuchsia City, Mt. Silver, Seafoam Islands (Super Rod) Red Gyarados* Pal Park Pond Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Snap	Valley
Pokémon Pinball	Evolve Magikarp
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire	Evolve Magikarp
Pokémon Trozei!	Phobos Submarine Trozei Battle Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Evolve Magikarp
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Bottomless Sea (B1F-B49F) Miracle Sea (Deep B5F)
Pokémon Ranger	Olive Jungle (during mission)
Pokémon Rumble	Bright Beach

Held items

Game		Held Item(s)
Red*	Blue*	Bitter Berry (100%)
Yellow*

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 95		155 - 202	300 - 394
Attack: 125		117 - 194	229 - 383
Defense: 79		75 - 144	146 - 282
Sp. Atk: 60		58 - 123	112 - 240
Sp. Def: 100		94 - 167	184 - 328
Speed: 81		77 - 146	150 - 287
Total: 540	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. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 100.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/3 ★★☆	Power 5/5 ★★★★★
Skill 1/2 ★☆	Stamina 3/4 ★★★☆
Jump 4/5 ★★★★☆	Total 15/19 ★★★

Type effectiveness

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

Damaged normally by: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 1× Electric 4× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Weak to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 1× Electric 4× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Immune to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 1× Electric 4× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Resistant to: Normal 1× Fighting ½× Flying 1× Poison 1× Ground 0× Rock 2× Bug ½× Ghost 1× Steel ½× Fire ½× Water ½× Grass 1× Electric 4× Psychic 1× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 1× None

Notes: If Gravity is in effect, this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball or a Ring Target, or it is affected by Smack Down or Ingrain, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is 1×.

Learnset

By leveling up

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Thrash Normal Physical 120120 100100% 10 2020 Bite Dark Physical 06060 100100% 25 2323 Dragon Rage Dragon Special 0000— 100100% 10 2626 Leer Normal Status 0000— 100100% 30 2929 Twister Dragon Special 04040 100100% 20 3232 Ice Fang Ice Physical 06565 09595% 15 3535 Aqua Tail Water Physical 09090 09090% 10 3838 Rain Dance Water Status 0000— ——% 5 4141 Hydro Pump Water Special 120120 08080% 5 4444 Dragon Dance Dragon Status 0000— ——% 20 4747 Hyper Beam Normal Special 150150 09090% 5

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

By TM/HM

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
TM		Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
	TM05	Roar	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM07	Hail	Ice	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM12	Taunt	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM13	Ice Beam	Ice	Special	09595	100}}100%	10
	TM14	Blizzard	Ice	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM25	Thunder	Electric	Special	120120	070}}70%	10
	TM26	Earthquake	Ground	Physical	100100	100}}100%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM35	Flamethrower	Fire	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM37	Sandstorm	Rock	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM38	Fire Blast	Fire	Special	120120	085}}85%	5
	TM41	Torment	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM42	Facade	Normal	Physical	07070	100}}100%	20
	TM44	Rest	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM45	Attract	Normal	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM48	Canon	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM55	Boiling Water	Water	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM59	Devastate	Fire	Special	03030	100}}100%	15
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	05050	100}}100%	10
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM71	Stone Edge	Rock	Physical	100100	080}}80%	5
	TM73	Thunder Wave	Electric	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM78	Smooth Over	Ground	Physical	06060	100}}100%	20
	TM82	Dragon Tail	Dragon	Physical	06060	090}}90%	10
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	04040	100}}100%	15
	HM03	Surf	Water	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
	HM05	Waterfall	Water	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
	HM06	Dive	Water	Physical	08080	100}}100%	10
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gyarados Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gyarados Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Father	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by breeding.
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Gyarados in Generation V 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 Gyarados in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gyarados Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gyarados Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation V Other generations: II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Game				Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon learns no moves by tutoring.
A black abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Gyarados can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Gyarados cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gyarados Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gyarados Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

TCG-only moves

• Wrap

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Pinball RS    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team File:MDP RT 130.png Body size: 4 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Waterfall Lake Phrases 51%-100% HP Don't make me angry. I can ruin the world! 26%-50% HP Do something. My HP is down to about half. 1%-25% HP I've had it... I couldn't rampage if I wanted to... Level up I leveled up! My Hyper Beam's been boosted, too! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP <name>, my HP is between 51% and 100%. 26%-50% HP <name>, my HP is between 26% and 50%. 1%-25% HP <name>, my HP is between 1% and 25%. Level up I leveled up! My Hyper Beam's been boosted, too!
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 4 Recruit rate: -4.5% IQ group: C
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Water  Poké Assist: ( Water ) Field move: None Loops: 11 Min. exp.: 0 Max. exp.: 0 Browser entry   Gyarados is a brutal Pokémon that can spit a huge jet of water from its mouth.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Normal  Poké Assist: None Field move: None Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Normal  None Past ( Normal ) None Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   This Pokémon does not have a browser entry.
Pokémon Rumble N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed			Pokémon Rumble Blast N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed N/A Not Available Defense Speed
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure PokéPark Pad entry: Gyarados is the Attraction Chief of Gyarados's Aqua Dash in the Beach Zone. After he got too cocky, he said he wanted to become the Zone Keeper.
PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond Strong: {{{Park2strong}}} Weak: {{{Park2weak}}} PokéPark Pad entry: This Pokémon has no PokéPark Pad entry.
Pokémon Conquest HP: Move: {{{ConquestMove}}} Attack: Ability 1: {{{ConquestAbility1}}} Defense: Ability 2: {{{ConquestAbility2}}} Speed: Ability 3: {{{ConquestAbility3}}} Does not evolve. Range: 0 Perfect Links: {{{ConquestLink}}}

Evolution

Unevolved Magikarp  Water

Level 20 →

First Evolution Gyarados  Water  Flying

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

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

Trivia

File:GyaradosMouthClosed.jpg

Gyarados with its mouth closed and violet eyes

• According to some Nintendo of America artwork, Gyarados was originally slated to have the English name Skullkraken, a combination of the words "skull" and "kraken" (a mythological sea monster). This name would be impossible due to a 10-character limit on English Pokémon names.
• Despite being part Template:Type2, the only Flying-type move it can learn is Bounce, which is only possible via move tutor in Pokémon Platinum. However, it has been seen flying in the anime.
• In Generation II and Generation IV, Gyarados is the only 100%-certain Shiny encounter and the first of only two shiny Pokémon to be integrated into a game's plot (the second was Celebi in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness).
• In the Pokémon anime, Gyarados's eyes are violet instead of the red that appears in its sprites and official artwork.
• In the anime episode Sandshrew's Locker!, Gyarados has the same cry as Dialga.
• In many ways, Gyarados is the Kanto counterpart of Hoenn's Milotic. Both are the evolved forms of incredibly weak fish Pokémon, and both appear in times of conflict, Gyarados to destroy, Milotic to becalm. Both have base stat totals of 540 with numbers matching down to the digits, but a different distribution in their stats: Gyarados is more Physical-Attack/Special Defense based while Milotic is more of an Special-Defense/Special Attack based. They both have the same HP, Defense, and Speed.
• Gyarados has the greatest increase of its base stat total of any Pokémon compared to its prevolution, an increase of 340 points. It shares this distinction with Milotic.
• As of Generation V, Gyarados is used by three of the six Pokémon League Champions, being used by Blue, Lance and Wallace, making it the most popular Pokémon among Pokémon League Champions thus far (although Blue does not always have a Gyarados, depending on the player's starter Pokémon).
• Starting at level 20 (when it evolves from Magikarp), Gyarados learns new moves every 5 levels in Generation II and III games, and every 3 levels (20,23,26...) in the Generation V games.
• In Houndoom's Special Delivery, Ash, Misty, and Brock encountered a rather small Gyarados while trying to find Togepi. Brock noted that the Gyarados was young and its parents may have been near by. This suggests that a parent Gyarados will take care of its young or that the parent will encounter the offspring later in its lifetime.

Origin

It appears to be based on a sea dragon or sea serpent. Gyarados is partially based on a legend about how carp that leapt over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. (This is backed by Pokemon Snap. As you need to get Magikarp into a waterfall to evolve it into Gyarados.) This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles (which can be tied to the fact that Gyarados' pre-evolution, Magikarp, could possibly take a lot of drive and effort to legitimately evolve into Gyarados).

Name origin

Gyarados's name may be derived from a combination of 虐殺 gyakusatsu massacre/slaughter, and 逆境 gyakkyō, hardship/adversity. Both words relate to the creature's violent nature and the hardship it experienced before evolving. The end of Gyarados' name, ドス dosu, is a Japanese onomatopoeic word representing the piercing of flesh, once again owing to Gyarados' violent nature. Alternatively, the dos may just indicate that it's the second in its evolutionary line.

In other languages

• German: Garados
• French: Leviator - A corruption of Leviathan.
• Korean: 갸라도스 Gyaradoseu
• Chinese (Taiwan): 暴鯉龍 Bào Lǐ Lóng - "Violent carp dragon"

Related articles

• Misty's Gyarados
• Red Gyarados
• Gyara

Notes

← #129: Magikarp

Pokémon

#131: Lapras →

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.