Poliwag (Japanese: ニョロモ Nyoromo) is a Water-type Pokémon.
It evolves into Poliwhirl starting at level 25, which evolves into Poliwrath when exposed to a Water Stone or into Politoed when traded holding a King's Rock.
Biology
Poliwag resembles a blue, spherical tadpole. It has large eyes and pink lips. There is a black and white swirl on its abdomen, which are actually its internal organs showing through its semitransparent skin. The swirl looks clearer after it eats, and the skin is very elastic so that it will not break if the Pokémon is bitten. The direction of the belly spiral differs by area, with the equator being thought to have an effect on this. It has newly developed legs that are poor at walking, and no arms. Its long, mostly transparent tail makes it a powerful swimmer. Because of its ineptitude on land, Poliwag is more likely to be found swimming in small freshwater ponds and lakes. In the anime, Poliwag feeds on salveyo weed, which can only be found on clear lake bottoms.
In the anime
Major appearances
Misty had a Poliwag that eventually evolved into a Poliwhirl and then a Politoed.
Other
One of the Pokémon used at the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School was a Poliwag. Max used it in a battle. It helped defeat Team Rocket later on.
A Poliwag also made an appearance in Like It Or Lup It!.
Minor appearances
Poliwag first appeared in Primeape Goes Bananas.
Poliwag also appeared in the banned episode EP035.
A Poliwag appeared in A Chansey Operation and The Breeding Center Secret.
Multiple Poliwag were among the Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in Showdown at the Po-ké Corral.
Poliwag also appeared in Pallet Party Panic, at a party among other Pokémon.
A Poliwag was among the Pokémon controlled by Cassidy and Butch in Pikachu Re-Volts.
A Poliwag appeared in Marina's fantasy in Bye Bye Psyduck.
A Poliwag under the ownership of an unnamed Trainer was treated by Nurse Joy in The Joy of Pokémon.
Multiple Poliwag also appeared in The Power of One and Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias.
Four Poliwag were among the Pokémon competing in the Fire and Rescue Grand Prix in The Fire-ing Squad!.
A Poliwag was one of the inhabitants of an oasis just for Pokémon in Got Miltank?.
A Poliwag was seen in Octillery The Outcast, under the ownership of an unknown Trainer.
A Poliwag made a brief appearance in Dueling Heroes.
A Poliwag was seen at a Pokémon Center in The Legend of Thunder!.
Lola has a Poliwag as seen in A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!. In that episode, Flint revealed that the reason he had fallen in love with Lola was the precision of her Poliwag's Hydro Pump against his Graveler, now a Golem.
A Poliwag appeared in The Saffron Con as a Pokémon owned by a Coordinator.
A Poliwag appeared in Curbing the Crimson Tide!, and another in Up Close and Personable!.
Multiple Poliwag were owned by a family of traveling circus performers in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.
A Poliwag also appeared in One Big Happiny Family! in Jessie's fantasy.
A Poliwag appeared in Bagged Then Tagged! and The Dream Continues!.
Multiple Poliwag made a brief appearance in Coming Full-Festival Circle!.
A Poliwag made a very brief appearance in League Unleashed!.
A Poliwag appeared in a flashback in Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race!.
A Trainer's Poliwag appeared in XY083.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP110
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Poliwag
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Ash's Pokédex
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Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon. It has no arms, but its tail makes it a strong swimmer.
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In Pokémon Origins
Two Poliwag appeared in File 3: Giovanni.
In the manga
Poliwag in Pokémon Adventures
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Poli
- Main article: Polibo
Poliwag makes a cameo in Bulbasaur, Come Home! as one of the Pokémon that escapes from Professor Oak's Laboratory.
In Danger: High Voltorb, a flashback shows Red's Poliwhirl, Poli, as a Poliwag. It has since evolved into Poliwrath.
Gold has a Poliwag in Murkrow Row, one of the many Pokémon raised in the house he lived in. It was lost when Team Rocket stole Gold's backpack and its Poké Ball was lost when fell into the water. Gold eventually retrieved Poliwag at the Famous Fishing Zone from a wild Granbull that was stealing to draw attention so that it could get its jaw healed. It evolved into Poliwhirl in Ampharos Amore and then evolved straight into Politoed utilizing a trade with its held King's Rock.
In Volume 8 the previous illustrator Mato, had used Polibo with a King's Rock as a self-portrait.
A Poliwag appeared in Slugging It Out With Slugma where it is seen as one of the Pokémon at Earl's Pokémon Academy in Violet City .
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
Shū has a Poliwag in the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga.
In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
- Main article: Misty's Politoed
Misty is shown with a Poliwag in Clefairy Tale. It later evolved into a Poliwhirl.
In the Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire manga
Ruby has a Poliwag at his house as seen in Something Happened!! Let's Go After Pikachu!!.
In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga
A Poliwag is one ofTotodile's friends.
In the TCG
- Main article: Poliwag (TCG)
In the TFG
One Poliwag figure has been released.
Game data
NPC appearances
- Pokémon Pinball: A Poliwag appears on the Blue Table, and earns the player points when it is hit.
Pokédex entries
| Generation I
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| Red(ENG)
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Its newly grown legs prevent it from running. It appears to prefer swimming than trying to stand.
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| Blue
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| Yellow
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The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
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| Stadium
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The spiral on its belly is its internal organs seen through its thin skin. It is better at swimming than walking.
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| Generation II
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| Gold
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Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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| Silver
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The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
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| Crystal
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The swirl on its belly is its insides showing through the skin. It looks clearer after it eats.
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| Stadium 2
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Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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| Generation III
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| Ruby
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Poliwag has a very thin skin. It is possible to see the Pokémon's spiral innards right through the skin. Despite its thinness, however, the skin is also very flexible. Even sharp fangs bounce right off it.
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| Sapphire
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| Emerald
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It is possible to see this Pokémon's spiral innards right through its thin skin. However, the skin is also very flexible. Even sharp fangs bounce right off it.
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| FireRed
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Its slick black skin is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.
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| LeafGreen
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Its newly grown legs prevent it from walking well. It appears to prefer swimming over walking.
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| Generation IV
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| Diamond
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Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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| Pearl
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| Platinum
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| HeartGold
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Because it is inept at walking on its newly grown legs, it always swims around in water.
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| SoulSilver
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The direction of its belly spiral differs by area. The equator is thought to have an effect on this.
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| Generation V
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| Black
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Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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| White
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| Black 2
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Its skin is so thin, its internal organs are visible. It has trouble walking on its newly grown feet.
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| White 2
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| Generation VI
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| X
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Its slick black skin is thin and damp. A part of its internal organs can be seen through the skin as a spiral pattern.
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| Y
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The direction of the spiral on the belly differs by area. It is more adept at swimming than walking.
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| Omega Ruby
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Poliwag has a very thin skin. It is possible to see the Pokémon's spiral innards right through the skin. Despite its thinness, however, the skin is also very flexible. Even sharp fangs bounce right off it.
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| Alpha Sapphire
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Game locations
| Generation I
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| Red
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Blue
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Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau, and Routes 4*, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14*, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 (Good Rod)
Pallet Town, Viridian City, and Route 22 (Super Rod)
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| Blue (Japan)
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Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau, and Routes 4*, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14*, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 (Good Rod)
Pallet Town, Viridian City, and Route 22 with (Super Rod)
Trade for Rattata on Route 5
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| Yellow
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Pallet Town, Viridian City, Cerulean City, Cerulean Gym, Cerulean Cave, Vermilion City, Vermilion Harbor, Celadon City, Fuchsia City, Safari Zone, Seafoam Islands, Cinnabar Island, Indigo Plateau, and Routes 4*, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14*, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 (Good Rod)
Viridian City and Routes 22 and 23 (Super Rod)
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| Generation II
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| Gold
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Silver
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Routes 22, 28, 30, 31, 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver* (surfing and fishing)
Routes 6, 35, 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
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| Crystal
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Routes 22, 28, 30, 31, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver* (surfing and fishing)
Routes 6, 35, 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
Routes 22, 30, 31, 44 (tall grassNight)
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| Generation IV
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| Diamond
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Pearl
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| Platinum
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| HeartGold
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SoulSilver
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Routes 22, 28, 30, 31, 44, Violet City, Ecruteak City, Viridian City, Mt. Silver* (fishing and surfing)
Routes 6, 35, 43, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Blackthorn City (fishing)
Cliff Edge Gate (Good/Super Rod)
Cerulean Cave (Old/Good Rod)
Safari Zone (fishing or surfing)
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| Pal Park
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| Pokéwalker
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| Generation V
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| Black
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White
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| Black 2
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White 2
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| Routes 6, 19, 20, 23, Floccesy Ranch, Relic Passage, Lostlorn Forest, Giant Chasm, Victory Road, Clay Tunnel, Wellspring Cave (Super Rod)
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| Dream World
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In side games
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| Generation II
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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40
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100 - 147
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190 - 284
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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40
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40 - 101
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76 - 196
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90
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85 - 156
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166 - 306
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Total: 300
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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 40.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Poliwag in Generation VI
- 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 Poliwag in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Poliwag can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Poliwag cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Poliwag
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Poliwag
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Poliwag is the favorite Pokémon of Satoshi Tajiri.
- In its FireRed Pokédex entry, it is stated Poliwag has black skin. The Ruby and Sapphire Pokédex entry for Poliwhirl states that Poliwhirl's skin is covered in oily fluid - if the same applies to Poliwag, it might be a case similar to the common bilberry: the berry itself is black but covered in a wax-like coating that makes it look blue.
- In The Official Pokémon Handbook, published by Scholastic, the back cover says "Did you know that the swirls on Poliwhirl's stomach changes direction when it evolves into Poliwag?" However, Poliwhirl evolves from, not into, Poliwag.
- Generation V changed Poliwag's base Experience yield from 77 to 60, making it the only Pokémon whose base Experience yield is the same as its National Dex number.
- Poliwag shares its species name with Poliwhirl, Poliwrath, and Tympole. They are all known as the Tadpole Pokémon.
- Prior to Generation VI, Poliwag and Ditto had the same cry.
- A prototype design of Poliwag was shown on Game Freak's official Japanese website.
Origin
Poliwag is based on a tadpole. The spiral pattern on its belly is supposed to represent how the intestines of tadpoles are sometimes seen through their transparent skin.[1]
Name origin
Poliwag is a corruption of polliwog (outdated term for tadpole). Wag may refer to its long tail, although it is worth noting that polliwog literally means "head-wiggle."
Nyoromo may be a combination of ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro (the sound of slithering) and 子供 kodomo (child).
In other languages
| Language
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Title
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Meaning
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 Japanese
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ニョロモ Nyoromo
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From ニョロニョロ nyoronyoro and 子供 kodomo
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 French
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Ptitard
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From petit and têtard
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 Spanish
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Poliwag
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Same as English name
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 German
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Quapsel
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From Kaulquappe
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 Italian
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Poliwag
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Same as English name
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 Korean
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발챙이 Balchaeng'i
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From 발 bal and 올챙이 olchaeng'i
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 Mandarin Chinese
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蚊香蝌蚪 Wénxiāngkēdǒu
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From 蚊香 and 蝌蚪
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 Cantonese Chinese
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蚊香蝌蚪 Mānhēungfōdáu
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From 蚊香 and 蝌蚪
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| More languages
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 Hindi
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पॉलीवॅग Poliwag
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Transcription of English name
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Related articles
External links
Notes
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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.
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For other sprites and images, please see Poliwag images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
