Gengar (Pokémon)

← #093: Haunter	Pokémon	#095: Onix →
This article is about the species. For a specific instance of this species, see Gengar (disambiguation).

Gengar ゲンガー Gengar #094
Art by Ken Sugimori from FireRed and LeafGreen
Type Ghost Poison Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Shadow Pokémon
Ability Levitate ----- Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #094 Johto #060 Hoenn #264 Sinnoh #071 Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R-096 Almia R-019 Oblivia R-166 N-185
Height 4'11" Imperial 1.5 m Metric 4'11"/1.5 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 89.3 lbs. Imperial 40.5 kg Metric 89.3 lbs./40.5 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Purple	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown 50% male, 50% female
Breeding Indeterminate group 21 cycles (5355 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 3 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 190 Battle Exp.: 1901*
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

Gengar (Japanese: ゲンガー Gangar) is a dual-type Ghost/Poison Pokémon.

It evolves from Haunter when traded. It is Gastly's final form.

Biology

Physiology

Gengar is a dark-purple furred Pokémon with a roundish body. Gengar's hands now connect to the rest of its body and it now has a pair of legs. Gengar has a spiky fur-covered back. Upon evolution, Gengar's eyes are now red. Also, its mouth is usually curled into a sinister grin.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

File:Gengar Floating.png

Morty's Gengar floating through the air

Gengar has the ability to hide perfectly in the shadow of any object, granting it exceptional stealth. However, Gengar's body acts as a heat sink; its presence cools the temperature of the surrounding area by nearly 10°F, because it took the warmth. In addition, Gengar possesses the ability to fly through the air, as demonstrated by Morty's Gengar. Since Gengar is a fully evolved Pokémon, it can use Hyper Beam and Giga Impact.

Behavior

Gengar are very mischievous, and at some times, malicious. They enjoy playing practical jokes, such as pretending to be one's shadow, then behaving erratically. When the quarry notices, the Gengar takes delight in its victim's terror. Gengar may also cast curses.

Habitat

File:Cave.gif

Cave Pokémon

Gengar live in shadows of rooms, caves, and dark places where shadows form, especially in urban areas such as cities and back alleys but only during the night. Gengar are also known to live in mountains. It normally shares its range with Gastly and Haunter, but reports of wild Gengar aren't unheard of.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Gengar drains the life force from its victims. It may also eat its victim's dreams. Like its pre-evolution, Haunter, it may lick its prey to drain the life force.

In the anime

Gengar in the anime

Major appearances

Gengar first appeared in the opening of the first episode, Pokémon - I Choose You!, where it and a Nidorino battled in a Colosseum on TV.

Ash first saw a Gengar in person in Lavender Town in The Tower of Terror while searching for a Template:Type2 Pokémon to fight Sabrina with. Due to a close call, Ash got to spend some unexpected time with the ghostly trio, Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar. It, along with Haunter, seemed to have a fondness for Japanese stand-up, and attempt to (unsuccessfully) amuse Ash by acting as a pair of performers.

In The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis, a giant Gengar was awakened near the Ancient City of Pokémopolis where it battled an equally large Alakazam.

Drake of the Orange Islands used a Gengar in his battle with Ash in Hello, Pummelo! and Enter The Dragonite. His Gengar managed to confuse Ash's Tauros before he returned it and instead tried with Ash's Lapras. In the collision between Night Shade and Ice Beam, both Lapras and Gengar fainted.

A Gengar appeared under the ownership of Ecruteak City Gym Leader Morty in A Ghost Of A Chance, From Ghost to Ghost, and For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll!.

Agatha used a Gengar to battle Ash's Pikachu in The Scheme Team. The Ghost Pokémon defeated Pikachu.

Gengar was the leader of "Team Meanies" in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!.

A Gengar appeared in Ghoul Daze! together with its pre-evolutions, Gastly and Haunter.

Minor appearances

A Gengar appeared in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.

A Gengar under the ownership of Hearthome City's Gym Leader Fantina appeared in a flashback in Playing the Leveling Field!, and appeared in A Shield with a Twist where it was defeated by Ash's Buizel.

Pokédex entries

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP023 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar. No information available. EP072 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. The evolved form of Haunter. Details about this Pokémon are unknown. Original series entries continue below.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry EP182 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. The evolved form of Haunter. Details about Gengar are unknown.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry AG132 Gengar Ash's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. Gengar is the final evolved form of Gastly. It can absorb any surrounding heat, leaving a sudden chill.

Episode Pokémon Source Entry DP102 Gengar Dawn's Pokédex Gengar, the Shadow Pokémon. Gengar hides in the shadows. If a Gengar is nearby, it is said to feel ten degrees colder than normal.

In the manga

In Pokémon Adventures, Agatha has two Gengar on her team, and many in her Ghost-type army. One of them was used to attack Blue and Koga from the shadows, draining the latter's life force as it possessed his shadow. Eventually, it was taken down when Koga used the tail that the old woman's Arbok bit off his own to distract it long enough for Blue's Porygon to deal the finishing blow.

Another Gengar was seen at the beginning of the FireRed and LeafGreen saga in Volume 23. It was used by a kid from Pallet Town in an attempt to capture a Nidorino, thus replicating the opening sequence of the Generation I video games (and their remakes).

Pokédex entries

Manga Chapter Entry Pokémon Adventures PS077 Able to merge with and inhabit the shadow of another being.

In the TCG

Main article: Gengar (TCG)

Game data

NPC appearances

• Pokémon Pinball: A Gengar appears in a bonus stage accessible from the Red Table. Once the player has knocked out the three Gastly and the pair of Haunter, a Gengar that appears must be defeated to win.
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gengar is the leader of Team Meanies. While often accompanied by Ekans and Medicham, Gengar will often act alone and spends much of the game causing trouble, even convincing the village to exile the hero, blaming him or her for the natural disasters. However, it is later revealed that he is the cursed human.

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Under a full moon, this Pokémon likes to mimic the shadows of people and laugh at their fright. Blue Yellow A Gengar is close by if you feel a sudden chill. It may be trying to lay a curse on you. Stadium Appears to attack people who get lost in the mountains. Said to be the culprit behind shadows that laugh in the moonlight.
Generation II Gold It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared. Silver To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity. Crystal Hiding in people's shadows at night, it absorbs their heat. The chill it causes makes the victims shake. Stadium 2 It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared.
Generation III Ruby Sometimes, on a dark night, your shadow thrown by a streetlight will suddenly and startlingly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow. Sapphire {{{sapphiredex}}} Emerald Deep in the night, your shadow cast by a streetlight may suddenly overtake you. It is actually a Gengar running past you, pretending to be your shadow. FireRed It is said to emerge from darkness to steal the lives of those who become lost in mountains. LeafGreen On the night of the full moon, if shadows move on their own and laugh, it must be Gengar's doing.
Generation IV Diamond It hides in shadows. It is said that if Gengar is hiding, it cools the area by nearly 10 degrees F. Pearl Lurking in the shadowy corners of rooms, it awaits chances to steal its prey's life force. Platinum The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people. HeartGold It steals heat from its surroundings. If you feel a sudden chill, it is certain that a Gengar appeared. SoulSilver To steal the life of its target, it slips into the prey's shadow and silently waits for an opportunity.
Generation V Black The leer that floats in darkness belongs to a Gengar delighting in casting curses on people. 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 Haunter Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow None Evolve Haunter
Generation II Gold Silver None Evolve Haunter Crystal None Evolve Haunter
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen None Evolve Haunter Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl Dongle Old Chateau (Any Gen III game) Platinum Dongle Old Chateau (Any Gen III game) HeartGold SoulSilver None Evolve Haunter Pal Park Forest Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Evolve Haunter (White only) Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Pinball	Evolve Haunter
Pokémon Trozei!	Endless Level 68 Forever Level 18 Pair Battle Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red/Blue Rescue Team	Evolve Haunter
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time/Darkness	Sky Stairway (1F-49F)
Pokémon Ranger	Fiore Temple
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia	Hippowdon Temple Altru Building Altru Tower
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs	Oblivia Ruins Dark Temple
Pokémon Rumble	Eternal Tower
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure	Haunted Zone

Stats

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 60		120 - 167	230 - 324
Attack: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Defense: 60		58 - 123	112 - 240
Sp. Atk: 130		121 - 200	238 - 394
Sp. Def: 75		72 - 139	139 - 273
Speed: 110		103 - 178	202 - 350
Total: 500	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 130.

Pokéathlon stats

Speed 2/3 ★★☆	Power 2/3 ★★☆
Skill 5/5 ★★★★★	Stamina 4/4 ★★★★
Jump 2/3 ★★☆	Total 15/18 ★★★

Type effectiveness

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

Damaged normally by: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Weak to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Immune to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Resistant to: Normal 0× Fighting 0× Flying 1× Poison ¼× Ground 0× Rock 1× Bug ¼× Ghost 2× Steel 1× Fire 1× Water 1× Grass ½× Electric 1× Psychic 2× Ice 1× Dragon 1× Dark 2× None

Notes: If Foresight or Odor Sleuth is used by an opponent, the opponent has Scrappy, or this Pokémon is given a Ring Target, the effectiveness of  Normal-type  moves is 1× and the effectiveness of  Fighting-type  moves is ½×. In Generations I and II, or if Gravity is in effect, this Pokémon is given an Iron Ball or affected by Smack Down or Ingrain, the opponent has the Ability Mold Breaker, Turboblaze or Teravolt, or this Pokémon is affected by Gastro Acid, or this Pokémon's Ability is replaced, the effectiveness of  Ground-type  moves is 2×. In Generation I, the effectiveness of  Bug-type  moves is 2×.

Learnset

By leveling up

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

Level   Move   Type   Cat.   Pwr.   Acc.   PP  00Start Hypnosis Psychic Status 0000— 06060% 20 00Start Lick Ghost Physical 02020 100100% 30 00Start Spite Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 10 055 Spite Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 10 088 Mean Look Normal Status 0000— ——% 5 1212 Curse Ghost Status 0000— ——% 10 1515 Night Shade Ghost Special 0000— 100100% 15 1919 Confuse Ray Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 10 2222 Sucker Punch Dark Physical 08080 100100% 5 2525 Shadow Punch Ghost Physical 06060 ——% 20 2828 Payback Dark Physical 05050 100100% 10 3333 Shadow Ball Ghost Special 08080 100100% 15 3939 Dream Eater Psychic Special 100100 100100% 15 4444 Dark Pulse Dark Special 08080 100100% 15 5050 Destiny Bond Ghost Status 0000— ——% 5 5555 Hex Ghost Special 05050 100100% 10 6161 Nightmare Ghost Status 0000— 100100% 15

Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar 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
	TM06	Toxic	Poison	Status	0000—	090}}90%	10
	TM09	Venoshock	Poison	Special	06565	100}}100%	10
	TM10	Hidden Power	Normal	Special	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM11	Sunny Day	Fire	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM12	Taunt	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM15	Hyper Beam	Normal	Special	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM17	Protect	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM18	Rain Dance	Water	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM19	Telekinesis	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM21	Frustration	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM24	Thunderbolt	Electric	Special	09595	100}}100%	15
	TM25	Thunder	Electric	Special	120120	070}}70%	10
	TM27	Return	Normal	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	20
	TM29	Psychic	Psychic	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	TM30	Shadow Ball	Ghost	Special	08080	100}}100%	15
	TM31	Brick Break	Fighting	Physical	07575	100}}100%	15
	TM32	Double Team	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	15
	TM36	Sludge Bomb	Poison	Special	09090	100}}100%	10
	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
	TM46	Thief	Dark	Physical	04040	100}}100%	10
	TM48	Round	Normal	Special	06060	100}}100%	15
	TM52	Focus Blast	Fighting	Special	120120	070}}70%	5
	TM53	Energy Ball	Grass	Special	08080	100}}100%	10
	TM56	Fling	Dark	Physical	0000—	100}}100%	10
	TM61	Will-O-Wisp	Fire	Status	0000—	075}}75%	15
	TM63	Embargo	Dark	Status	0000—	100}}100%	15
	TM64	Explosion	Normal	Physical	250250	100}}100%	5
	TM65	Shadow Claw	Ghost	Physical	07070	100}}100%	15
	TM66	Payback	Dark	Physical	05050	100}}100%	10
	TM68	Giga Impact	Normal	Physical	150150	090}}90%	5
	TM77	Psych Up	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM84	Poison Jab	Poison	Physical	08080	100}}100%	20
	TM85	Dream Eater	Psychic	Special	100100	100}}100%	15
	TM87	Swagger	Normal	Status	0000—	090}}90%	15
	TM90	Substitute	Normal	Status	0000—	—}}—%	10
	TM92	Trick Room	Psychic	Status	0000—	—}}—%	5
	TM94	Rock Smash	Fighting	Physical	04040	100}}100%	15
	HM04	Strength	Normal	Physical	08080	100}}100%	15
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar 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
	Astonish	Ghost	Physical	30	100%	15
	Clear Smog	Poison	Special	50	—%	15
	Disable	Normal	Status	—	100%	20
	Fire Punch	Fire	Physical	75	100%	15
	Grudge	Ghost	Status	—	—%	5
	Haze	Ice	Status	—	—%	30
	Ice Punch	Ice	Physical	75	100%	15
	Perish Song	Normal	Status	—	—%	5
	Psywave	Psychic	Special	—	80%	15
	Scary Face	Normal	Status	—	100%	10
	Smog	Poison	Special	20	70%	20
	ThunderPunch	Electric	Physical	75	100%	15
Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Gengar 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 Gengar in that game. Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar 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 Gengar can be tutored the move in that game A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Gengar cannot be tutored the move in that game Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By a prior evolution

Generation V Other generations: I - II - III - IV - VI - VII - VIII - IX
Stage	Move	Type	Cat.	Pwr.	Acc.	PP
This Pokémon has no moves exclusive to prior Evolutions.
Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Gengar Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Gengar Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations

Side game data

Pokémon Pinball    Acquisition: Evolve		Pokémon Pinball RS  N/A  Not available		Pokémon Trozei!    Rarity: Rare
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team Body size: 1 Recruit rate: Evolve Friend Area: Darkness Ridge Phrases 51%-100% HP My red eyes aren't from lack of sleep! 26%-50% HP Confound it! My HP is already missing by half... 1%-25% HP This is my ruin... Even my shadow grows dim... Level up Very well! I've leveled! Partner phrases 51%-100% HP Kekeh! I'm counting on you! 26%-50% HP Kekeh? This is getting a bit rough... 1%-25% HP Gegeh! I'm about to faint! Oi! Heal me quick! Level up N/A
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky Body size: 1 Recruit rate: -10% IQ group: G
Pokémon Ranger Group:  Ghost  Poké Assist: ( Ghost ) Field move: None Loops: 7 Min. exp.: 100 Max. exp.: 120 Browser entry   Beware--Gengar abducts your Pokémon. It makes copies of itself to attack.
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia Group:  Ghost  Poké Assist: ( Ghost ) Field move: (Psy Power ×3) Browser entry   It attacks by spitting out eerie orbs and sinister ones imbued with loathing.
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs Group: Poké Assist: Field move:  Ghost  ( Ghost ) Past ( Normal ) (Psy Power ×3) Past (Electrify ×1) Browser entry   It shoots out orbs imbued with loathsome emotions that make Pokémon Paused.
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: Gengar appeared out of the painting in the Haunted Zone. Watch him take the lead at Dusknoir's Speed Slam and Rotom's Spooky Shoot-'em-Up.
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 Gastly  Ghost  Poison

Level 25 →

First Evolution Haunter  Ghost  Poison

Trade →

Second Evolution Gengar  Ghost  Poison

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 Gengar images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

• "Phantom" was the original English name for Gengar.
• Gengar, along with Nidorino, who it battles in the beginning of Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, FireRed, and LeafGreen, and probably a couple of other Pokémon, originate from the old manga, Capsule Monsters, which is considered the precursor to the Pokémon franchise.
• Gengar can be caught in the wild in Generation IV through the dual-slot mode, as can another Pokémon previously obtainable only via trading, Steelix, though Steelix can be battled normally.
• Even though Gengar is part Template:Type2, like its pre-evolutions, it cannot learn any Poison-type moves via level up.
• Gengar is tied with Froslass for the fastest Template:Type2 Pokémon, with a base Speed of 110, and has the highest base Special Attack stat of any Template:Type2 Pokémon at 130.
• Despite its ability to hide in shadows, Gengar is unable to learn Shadow Sneak.
• Gengar is shorter than its pre-evolution, Haunter. The same thing happens to Dragonite, Bellossom, and Porygon2.
• Gengar is the same height as Ethan. While many other Pokémon share this distinction, Gengar comes the closest to also weighing the same (Gengar weighs 89.3 lbs, the Trainer weighs 88.2).

Origin

It seems to be simply based on general cartoonish ghosts, cats, or Cheshire Cat and possibly on a distorted shadow of a human being like shadow people.

Name origin

Gengar's name is possibly a shortening of doppelgänger - a ghostly double of a person, which would be a fitting name for a Pokémon with a habit of pretending to be a person's shadow. The kanji 幻, which can be read "gen", can be used for words meaning "phantom" or "illusion". There is also a striking pronunciation similarity between Gengar's name and the Danish word "genganger", which simply is a spirit that after its death chose not to go to the other world but to return to the world of humans in the shape of a ghost. "Gen" is translated as "again" or simply "re" and "ganger" is an old-fashioned word meaning "walker" or "someone that walks".

In other languages

Language Name Name Origin German Gengar French Ectoplasma From ectoplasm, the substance that supposedly emanates from the body of a spiritualistic medium when contacting the dead. Korean 팬텀 Paenteom A transliteration of the English word phantom. Chinese (Taiwan) 耿鬼 Gěng Guǐ Transliteration of its Japanese name. The last character "鬼" means ghost. Literally "Bright/upright ghost".

Notes

← #093: Haunter

Pokémon

#095: Onix →

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.