Mismagius is a purple, ghost-like Pokémon. It has a round head with elaborate tufts resembling a witch's hat atop it. The tips of the tufts are paler than most of the body. It has a thin, red mouth that resembles the letter "W." Below its head, Mismagius has a short, thorax-like lump from which its body connects. Three elliptical red spheres surround the upper portion of Mismagius's body. There are extensions on the sides of its lower body with the foremost ones tattered compared to rear ones. This gives Mismagius the appearance of wearing some kind of cloak.
Mismagius usually shows up without warning to cause havoc on unsuspecting humans or Pokémon. If it is powerful, Mismagius can use advanced incantations for various purposes, such as causing misery or happiness. Due to this, people have often seek to capture Mismagius as if their life depends on it, solely to make someone fall in love with them. There is a custom on inviting Mismagius to one's home, usually to ward off misfortune with its spells. However, this can also lead to disaster should Mismagius ever be provoked. People that hear its cries will usually receive headaches and hallucinations. As shown in the anime, Mismagius can put its victims to sleep, and cause them to enter a strange dream world without their noticing. If Mismagius falls asleep or is knocked out, the victim will wake up.
Mismagius debuted in Malice In Wonderland!, where it was casting multiple illusions that caused Ash and his friends to see the things they desired the most.
In Zoroark: Master of Illusions, Grings Kodai has owned a Mismagius since it was a Misdreavus. It served Kodai faithfully and helped him by using its Psychic to prevent Ash from stopping Kodai from taking the energy from the Time Ripple and renewing his ability to see the future. Mismagius was later defeated by Pikachu's Volt Tackle.
Two Mismagius appeared in Mystery on a Deserted Island!, where at least one of them was part of the Pirate's Pokémon crew. Multiple Mismagius later appeared on the Deserted Island with the treasure. They were the first Pokémon to attack the group as well as Team Rocket.
Fantina owns a Mismagius that first appeared in Perturbed by Pachirisu. Platinum later battled Mismagius in her Gym battle against Fantina. She was very powerful and shrewdly manipulative using her illusion attacks, and using Trick Room to use Empoleon's speed against her, defeated both Empoleon and her Ponyta before Diamond's Lax finally took her down at the last minute.
The incantations Mismagius chants can ward against misfortune, so a custom exists of inviting it into one's home. Incur the Pokémon's displeasure, however, and disaster will surely ensue.
Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation IV.
Mismagius seems to be based on the concept of mages and witches. It also shares similarities with banshees. Mismagius's coloration might be a reference to the Nasu-babā, a witch-like yōkai with a distinct purple skin. Its shape also resembles the Teru teru bōzu.
Name origin
Mismagius may be a combination of mis- (bad, wrong) and magus or magic.
Mumargi may be combination of 夢魔 muma (nightmare) 蠱 maji (to bewitch) and mage or magic.
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.
For other sprites and images, please see Mismagius images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
