Wobbuffet (Japanese: ソーナンス Sonans) is a Psychic-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II.
It evolves from Wynaut starting at level 15.
Biology
Wobbuffet is a tall, cyan Pokémon with a soft body. Its eyes usually appear scrunched, and it has a jagged upper lip. The female Wobbuffet has a red marking on its mouth that resembles lipstick, while the male does not. It has flat arms that are wider towards the tip and four stubby legs at the base of its body. There are two eyespots on its black tail. Its eyespots are revealed to be capable of blinking and looking around using its tail in the Pokémon Stadium series. Wobbuffet is very protective of its tail, to the point where it will suddenly turn uncharacteristically aggressive if the tail is attacked.
Wobbuffet is usually a docile Pokémon that will never attack first. However, when it is attacked, it will inflate its body and initiate a counter-strike. When two or more of this Pokémon meet, they will attempt to outlast each other in a battle of endurance. However, since neither is able to attack, they may compete to see which can last without food. Because of its overprotective nature regarding its tail and hatred of light, Wobbuffet lives in dark caves.
In the anime
In the main series
Female Wobbuffet in the anime
Major appearances
Jessie has a Wobbuffet that frequently emerges from his Poké Ball to shout his name or cause what Jessie considers to be trouble. He has appeared in almost every episode since she accidentally traded her Lickitung for him in Tricks of the Trade, excluding the Best Wishes series. She rarely uses Wobbuffet in battle, but when she does, the results are generally good. On the other hand, Jessie's few attempts at using Wobbuffet in Contests have all had negative results.
Wobbuffet was left at Team Rocket's headquarters prior to Jessie, James and Meowth's departure to the Unova region. He was later reunited with Jessie when the trio returned to Kanto, and he was the only one of Jessie's Pokémon to accompany her to the Kalos and Alola regions.
Other
Multiple Wobbuffet appeared in Wobbu-Palooza!, which featured a town in which everyone owned a Wobbuffet, including the local Officer Jenny.
A female Wobbuffet appeared in A Fork in the Road! A Parting of the Ways!, under the ownership of Dr. White. She became the love interest of Jessie's Wobbuffet for the majority of the episode.
Minor appearances
A Mirror World Wobbuffet briefly appeared at the end in The Cave of Mirrors!, under the ownership of Mirror Jessie.
A Trainer's Wobbuffet appeared in A Festival Trade! A Festival Farewell?*.
A Wobbuffet appeared in a fantasy in SS019.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP146
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Wobbuffet
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Ash's Pokédex
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Wobbuffet, the Patient Pokémon. Wobbuffet like to live in dark areas so they can keep their pitch-black tails concealed.
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EP146
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Wobbuffet
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James's book
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Wobbuffet, the Patient Pokémon. --- is unable to initiate attacks.
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In Pokémon: Twilight Wings
A Trainer's female Wobbuffet appeared in Buddy.
In the manga
In the Ash & Pikachu manga
- Main article: Jessie's Wobbuffet
Similar to the anime, Jessie owns a Wobbuffet.
In the movie adaptations
- Main article: Jessie's Wobbuffet
Jessie also owned a Wobbuffet in the movie adaptations.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Wobbuffet debuted in Absolutely Azumarill, under the ownership of Crystal's mother, Mirei.
A Wobbuffet appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
A Trainer's Wobbuffet appeared in The Final Dimensional Duel II.
A Wobbuffet appeared in Out-Odding Oddish, under the ownership of a Pokéathlon participant.
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
A Wobbuffet appeared in GDZ67, under the ownership of a monk.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
A Wobbuffet appeared in PMDP20.
In the TCG
- Main article: Wobbuffet (TCG)
In the TFG
One Wobbuffet figure has been released.
Other appearances
When released from a Poké Ball, Wobbuffet will stand on the stage in one place. Anyone attacking or running into it will be damaged by its Counter, apart from the player who threw the Poké Ball, who will only be knocked back.
Wobbuffet is also a Poké Float in Melee. It appears on its side and never fully reveals itself. When it first appears, it will quickly return off-screen but will then come back and remain to allow for fighting to take place on top of it.
Melee trophy information
A Patient Pokémon, Wobbuffet lives in darkness to hide its mismatched black tail. Even for a stoic Pokémon, this creature is a testament to self-control; it will not actively attack an opponent. Its Counter and Mirror Coat moves are solely used for reflecting attacks directly back at its antagonist.
Brawl trophy information
"A Patient Pokémon. A nocturnal, cave-dwelling creature, Wobbuffet is calm and collected, but it will fight back viciously if its black tail is attacked--this hints at something secretive about its tail. If Wobbuffet is put into battle, the opponent cannot run away or switch. Females have lipsticklike markings around their mouths."
Wobbuffet appears as a Spirit.
Game data
NPC appearances
Pokédex entries
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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Generation II
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Johto #107
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Gold
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It hates light and shock. If attacked, it inflates its body to pump up its counterstrike.
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Silver
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To keep its pitch-black tail hidden, it lives quietly in the darkness. It is never first to attack.
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Crystal
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In order to conceal its black tail, it lives in a dark cave and only moves about at night.
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Stadium 2
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It hates light and shock. If attacked, it inflates its body to pump up its counterstrike.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #161
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Kanto #—
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Ruby
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If two or more Wobbuffet meet, they will turn competitive and try to outdo the other's endurance. However, they may try to see which one can endure the longest without food. Trainers need to beware of this habit.
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Sapphire
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Wobbuffet does nothing but endure attacks - it won't attack on its own. However, it won't endure an attack on its tail. When that happens, the Pokémon will try to take the foe with it using Destiny Bond.
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Emerald
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Usually docile, a Wobbuffet strikes back ferociously if its black tail is attacked. It makes its lair in caves where it waits for nightfall.
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FireRed
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To keep its pitch-black tail hidden, it lives quietly in the darkness. It is never first to attack.
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LeafGreen
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It hates light and shock. If attacked, it inflates its body to pump up its counterstrike.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #—
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Johto #108
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Diamond
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It desperately tries to keep its black tail hidden. It is said to be proof the tail hides a secret.
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Pearl
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Platinum
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HeartGold
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It hates light and shock. If attacked, it inflates its body to pump up its counterstrike.
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SoulSilver
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To keep its pitch-black tail hidden, it lives quietly in the darkness. It is never first to attack.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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It desperately tries to keep its black tail hidden. It is said to be proof the tail hides a secret.
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White
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Black 2
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It desperately tries to keep its black tail hidden. It is said to be proof the tail hides a secret.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Coastal #119
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Hoenn #168
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X
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It hates light and shock. If attacked, it inflates its body to build up its counterstrike.
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Y
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To keep its pitch-black tail hidden, it lives quietly in the darkness. It is never first to attack.
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Omega Ruby
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If two or more Wobbuffet meet, they will turn competitive and try to outdo each other's endurance. However, they may try to see which one can endure the longest without food. Trainers need to beware of this habit.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Wobbuffet does nothing but endure attacks—it won't attack on its own. However, it won't endure an attack on its tail. When that happens, the Pokémon will try to take the foe with it using Destiny Bond.
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Generation VIII
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Galar #217
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Sword
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It hates light and shock. If attacked, it inflates its body to pump up its counterstrike.
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Shield
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To keep its pitch-black tail hidden, it lives quietly in the darkness. It is never first to attack.
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Game locations
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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In side games
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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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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190
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250 - 297
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490 - 584
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33
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34 - 93
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63 - 181
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58
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56 - 121
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108 - 236
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33
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34 - 93
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63 - 181
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58
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56 - 121
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108 - 236
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33
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34 - 93
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63 - 181
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Total: 405
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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.
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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 Wobbuffet
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Wobbuffet
- 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 Wobbuffet
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Wobbuffet
- 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 Wobbuffet in Generation VIII
- Moves marked with a dagger (†) can only be bred onto Wobbuffet if it hatches as a Wynaut, and cannot be obtained otherwise.
- 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 Wobbuffet in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Wobbuffet
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Wobbuffet
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Wobbuffet
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Wobbuffet
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Wobbuffet
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Wobbuffet
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Ranger
Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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None
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Loops: 8
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Min. exp.: 55
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Max. exp.: 69
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Browser entry R-170
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When a Capture Line is drawn, Wobbuffet tenses up and inflates itself instantly.
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Group:
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Poké Assist: (present)
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Field move: (present)
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(Teleport ×-)
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Poké Assist: (past)
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Field move: (past)
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(Psy Power ×1)
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Browser entry R-104/N-189
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It attacks by launching strange rings that make Pokémon Stopped.
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Evolution
Sprites
This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation II.
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Trivia
- Wobbuffet has the highest base HP of all Psychic-type Pokémon.
- Wobbuffet is one of fourteen Pokémon that one can collect foreign Pokédex entries for in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
- If the opponent does not attack Wobbuffet, Wobbuffet cannot harm the opponent except with Struggle (itself unusable unless Wobbuffet has run out of moves) or through the use of a Z-Move or a Dynamax move.
- Wobbuffet was banned from many unofficial tournaments until Generation V, due to its unique moveset and Ability, Shadow Tag, making it somewhat difficult to counter.[citation needed]
- Before Generation IV, Wobbuffet could not damage a Ghost- or Dark-type Pokémon (without the use of Struggle) that uses an attack of its own type because all Ghost moves were physical (the Ghost type is immune to Counter) and all Dark moves were special (the Dark type is immune to Mirror Coat). It is still not possible for Wobbuffet to counter the Ghost/Dark typed Sableye or Spiritomb unless another Pokémon uses Foresight, Odor Sleuth, or Miracle Eye first or the Pokémon is holding a Ring Target, or if Scrappy is passed onto Wobbuffet.
- In Generation III, if two Wobbuffet with Leftovers are facing each other in a Single Battle, the battle will become endless as all of Wobbuffet's moves do not directly damage the opponent, and the player cannot switch to their other Pokémon due to Shadow Tag. Even if the Wobbuffet use Struggle, the damage will be healed quickly by Leftovers. Shadow Tag and Struggle were both changed in Generation IV, likely as a direct response to this scenario.
- Wobbuffet was designed by Hironobu Yoshida.
Origin
Wobbuffet is likely based on a punching bag; that is, when it is hit, it bounces back. Alternatively, it may be based on the concept of Karma as it can only cause damage if it is attacked first. Wobbuffet may also be based on an Okiagari-koboshi doll, a Japanese traditional doll with squinted eyes that stands back upright when pushed over.
Given that Wobbuffet often touches its hand to its forehead, it may also be based on the late Japanese comedian 林家三平 Sanpei Hayashiya, who was famous for repeatedly touching his hand to his forehead while saying one of his trademark lines, そうなんす、奥さん sō nansu, okusan, "That's the way it is, ma'am."
Name origin
Wobbuffet is a combination of wobble and buffet (to strike repeatedly), referring to its punching-bag shape.
Sonans is homophonous with the interjection そうなんす sō na-n-su, which roughly means, "That's the way it is." It is played off by its pre-evolution, Wynaut, whose Japanese name, Sohnano, is nearly homophonous with the phrase そうなの sō na no, meaning, "Really?" Together, they make for a potential perpetual conversation of, "Really?" followed by, "That's the way it is," and so on, as seen in Camp Pikachu.
Other languages' names for the Pokémon in this family, due to the fact that they were introduced in different generations, do not feature this pun.
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ソーナンス Sonans
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From そうなんす sō na-n-su
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French
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Qulbutoké
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A play on Culbuto (the French trademarked name for Weebles) and toqué (informal word for "crazy")
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Spanish
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Wobbuffet
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Same as English name
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German
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Woingenau
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Corrupted version of Wohin genau?
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Italian
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Wobbuffet
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Same as English name
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Korean
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마자용 Mazayong
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From 맞아요 majayo; 맞아요 is more polite than 맞아
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Mandarin Chinese
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果然翁 Guǒránwēng
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From 果然 guǒrán and 不倒翁 bùdǎowēng
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Cantonese Chinese
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More languages
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Hebrew
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וואבאפט Wabbaffet
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Transcription of English name
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Russian
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Воббаффет Vobbaffet
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Transcription of English name
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Thai
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โซนานส์ Sonans
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Transcription of trademarked Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
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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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