Kadabra (Japanese: ユンゲラー Yungerer) is a Psychic-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves from Abra starting at level 16 and evolves into Alakazam when traded or when exposed to a Linking Cord.
(Refer to Game data→Evolution data for more details.)
Biology
Kadabra is a primarily yellow, slightly humanoid Pokémon with mammalian features. It has two long, pointed ears on top of its head, a red star on its forehead, narrow, deep-set eyes, and wide cheeks leading down to a thin snout. Extending from each side of its snout are two mustache-like tufts of fur; a male will have a longer mustache than a female. Kadabra's torso is segmented with bulky shoulders, a thick, brown chest, and a small abdomen marked by three red, wavy lines. Attached to the Pokémon's abdomen is a large, thick tail encircled with a brown band near its base. Its arms are thin with brown elbows and end in three-fingered hands with white claws. Its legs have prominent knees and large, three-toed feet, also ending in white claws. Two of its toes face forward and one backward. Kadabra is always seen carrying a silver spoon, which amplifies its telekinetic powers. A gold spoon does not work as an amplifier and Kadabra is only half as strong without a spoon.
Kadabra emits alpha waves strong enough to induce headaches, and can even cause clocks to run backward, machines to malfunction, and delicate devices to cease functioning altogether. The waves increase further in strength the more danger Kadabra faces. By closing its eyes, it can double the number of alpha particles it emits. When it has a headache, the alpha waves become unusual. All of Kadabra's brain cells work in unison while it uses its powers. It sleeps while levitating, using its springy tail like a pillow. It can store up psychic energy inside its star in preparation for its evolution. There is a theory that Kadabra was born from a transformed human child who could not control his powers. Kadabra lives in urban areas.
Kadabra and its evolved form, Alakazam, are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move Kinesis.
Evolution
Kadabra evolves from Abra and evolves into Alakazam.
(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)
In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
Kadabra debuted in Abra and the Psychic Showdown, where Sabrina's Abra evolved into one during the Gym battle that she held against Ash. It reappeared in Haunter versus Kadabra during Ash's rematch with Sabrina.
Minor appearances
In The Mandarin Island Miss Match, a Trainer's Kadabra was defeated in a battle by Prima's Cloyster.
A Kadabra appeared in a fantasy in The Rivalry Revival.
In Fear Factor Phony, a Kadabra lived at an abandoned mining colony. This marks the last physical appearance of Kadabra in the main anime to date.
A Kadabra made a brief cameo in the intro sequence of Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice, along with every other Pokémon from the first five generations, excluding Genesect.
Pokédex entries
Pokémon Evolutions
In The Show, a Kadabra briefly appeared under the ownership of a Trainer in Ecruteak City.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
- Main article: Sabrina's Kadabra
Sabrina owns a Kadabra, which debuted in Meanwhile...Vileplume!.
In Off Course with Corsola, a Kadabra was in a Poké Ball at Professor Oak's laboratory in Cherrygrove City.
In The Last Battle XIII, a Kadabra was sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.
A Kadabra appeared in Mind-Boggling with Medicham.
The Battle Tower rented a Kadabra, which was stolen by Guile Hideout in The Final Battle VII.
In Softening Up Kakuna, Uprooting Seedot, and Outlasting Ledian, Kadabra was one of the Pokémon that Platinum rented during the Battle Factory challenge.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!
Hareta's Kadabra was seen in Team Galactic's Ultimate Warrior. He used its Skill Swap to rid his Regigigas of its Slow Start.
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
- Main article: Sabrina's Kadabra
Sabrina's Kadabra appeared in The Life-or-Death Magic Duel!!, where it challenged Clefairy to a magic duel and lost.
A Kadabra appeared in Aim to be the No. 1 Pokémon!.
A Kadabra appeared in Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!, where it was one of the Pokémon that took part in a baseball match. It was seen with Green during the game.
In the TCG
- Main article: Kadabra (TCG)
In the TFG
One Kadabra figure has been released.
Game data
Pokédex entries
Generation I
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Kanto #064
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Red(JPN)
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(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
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Green
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Red(ENG)
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It emits special alpha waves from its body that induce headaches just by being close by.
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Blue
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Yellow
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Many odd things happen if this Pokémon is close by. For example, it makes clocks run backwards.
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Stadium
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When it uses psychic power, all its brain cells work in unison to generate powerful alpha waves.
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Generation II
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Johto #090
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Gold
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It possesses strong spiritual power. The more danger it faces, the stronger its psychic power.
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Silver
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If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
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Crystal
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When it closes its eyes, twice as many alpha particles come out of the surface of its body.
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Stadium 2
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It possesses strong spiritual power. The more danger it faces, the stronger its psychic power.
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Generation III
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Hoenn #040
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Kanto #064
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Ruby
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Kadabra emits a peculiar alpha wave if it develops a headache. Only those people with a particularly strong psyche can hope to become a Trainer of this Pokémon.
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Sapphire
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Kadabra holds a silver spoon in its hand. The spoon is used to amplify the alpha waves in its brain. Without the spoon, the Pokémon is said to be limited to half the usual amount of its telekinetic powers.
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Emerald
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It is rumored that a boy with psychic abilities suddenly transformed into Kadabra while he was assisting research into extrasensory powers.
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FireRed
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It happened one morning - a boy with extrasensory powers awoke in bed transformed into Kadabra.
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LeafGreen
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It emits special alpha waves from its body that induce headaches just by being close.
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Generation IV
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Sinnoh #021
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Johto #090
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Diamond
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If one is nearby, an eerie shadow appears on TV screens. Seeing the shadow is said to bring bad luck.
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Pearl
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When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision devices.
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Platinum
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It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
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HeartGold
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It possesses strong spiritual power. The more danger it faces, the stronger its psychic power.
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SoulSilver
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If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
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Generation V
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Unova #—
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Black
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It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
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White
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Black 2
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It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
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White 2
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Generation VI
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Kalos Central #103
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Hoenn #041
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X
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When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision devices.
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Y
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If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
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Omega Ruby
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Kadabra emits a peculiar alpha wave if it develops a headache. Only those people with a particularly strong psyche can hope to become a trainer of this Pokémon.
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Alpha Sapphire
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Kadabra holds a silver spoon in its hand. The spoon is used to amplify the alpha waves in its brain. Without the spoon, the Pokémon is said to be limited to half the usual amount of its telekinetic powers.
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Generation VII
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Alola SM: #043
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Alola USUM: #050
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Kanto #064
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Sun
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A theory exists that this Pokémon was a young boy who couldn't control his psychic powers and ended up transformed into this Pokémon.
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Moon
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Kadabra's presence infests televisions and monitors with creepy shadows that bring bad luck.
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Ultra Sun
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It stares at a silver spoon to amplify its psychic powers before it lets loose. Apparently, gold spoons are no good.
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Ultra Moon
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It possesses strong mental capabilities, but its psychic powers are halved when it's not holding a silver spoon.
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Let's Go Pikachu
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Many odd things happen if this Pokémon is close by. For example, it makes clocks run backward.
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Let's Go Eevee
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Generation VIII
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Galar Isle of Armor #032
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Sinnoh #021
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Hisui #059
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Sword
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Using its psychic power, Kadabra levitates as it sleeps. It uses its springy tail as a pillow.
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Shield
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This Pokémon's telekinesis is immensely powerful. To prepare for evolution, Kadabra stores up psychic energy in the star on its forehead.
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Brilliant Diamond
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If one is nearby, an eerie shadow appears on TV screens. Seeing the shadow is said to bring bad luck.
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Shining Pearl
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When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision instruments.
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Legends: Arceus
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There are rumors that a child with mystical powers became a Kadabra; however, this remains unverified. I suspect that the spoon Kadabra holds enhances its brain waves.
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Game locations
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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Held items
Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.
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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35
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36 - 95
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67 - 185
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30
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31 - 90
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58 - 174
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120
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112 - 189
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220 - 372
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70
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67 - 134
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130 - 262
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105
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99 - 172
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193 - 339
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Total: 400
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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 120.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
Kadabra is available in Pokémon Sword and Shield Version 1.2.0+, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
SwShBDSP
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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LA
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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SwSh
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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BDSP
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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SwSh
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Kadabra in Generation VIII
- 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 Kadabra in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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BDSP
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Kadabra in Generation VIII
- 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 Kadabra in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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SwSh
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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LA
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- 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 Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see moves from other generations
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By transfer from another generation
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- Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
- A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Kadabra
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Kadabra
- × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
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Pokémon Rumble Rush
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Walking Speed: 1.67 seconds
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Base HP: 45
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Base Attack: 76
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Base Defense: 48
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Base Speed: 70
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Evolution data
Kadabra evolves from Abra starting at level 16 and evolves into Alakazam when traded. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Kadabra can also evolve into Alakazam when exposed to a Linking Cord. From Generation IV onwards, holding an Everstone will not prevent Kadabra from evolving when traded.
Sprites
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This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
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Trivia
Controversy
- Main article: Pokémon controversy → Uri Geller
Kadabra had not been printed as a TCG card since the English Skyridge expansion in 2003. This may be the result of Nintendo and Pokémon Card Laboratories' desire to avoid further litigation from illusionist Uri Geller, who claimed that Kadabra is a parody of him and attempted to sue Nintendo over the notion. However, on November 28, 2020, Geller released an apology on Twitter, announcing that he would allow Nintendo to print cards featuring Kadabra again. The first Kadabra card released since Uri Geller's dismissal of his lawsuit is included in the Japanese Pokémon Card 151 subset, released on June 16, 2023; and the English 151 expansion, releasing on September 22, 2023.
Due to the now-lifted limitation, Kadabra is the only Stage 1 Pokémon that can be skipped by its Basic evolution, introduced with a particular Abra card able to evolve itself directly into Alakazam.
For possibly the same reason, Kadabra had not made any anime appearances since Fear Factor Phony aired in the United States in 2006, except a small cameo in the "World of Pokémon" opening of Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice. Kadabra finally made its media reappearance in the Pokémon Evolutions episode The Show, its first animated appearance in over 16 years, excluding its cameo in the aforementioned movie. Notably, when Ash and his friends met Mira in the anime, she was seen using an Abra, whereas she has a Kadabra in the games, despite the fact that the other Stat Trainers in the anime own the same Pokémon as they do in the games.
Kadabra also did not appear in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, whereas Abra and Alakazam did.
Origin
Kadabra appears to be based on magicians and spoon benders. It also shares similarities with foxes, animals mythologically tied to magic. Its' mustache-like tufts of fur maybe an exaggeration of a fox's whiskers. The symbols on Kadabra's forehead and abdomen appear to be references to Zener cards, a small deck of symbols used in experiments to test for extrasensory perception and clairvoyance in the early 1930s. As it created the spoon with its psychic powers, it may be based on the practise of alchemy, an early science that sought to synthesise metals with magic. The "Transformation" novel about Kadabra may be based on Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis.
Name origin
Kadabra may be derived from abracadabra, an incantation used in stage magic.
Yungerer may be named after Uri Geller, an illusionist famed for his spoon-bending technique. This contributed to Geller suing Nintendo for using his likeness in a character.
In other languages
Language
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Title
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Meaning
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Japanese
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ユンゲラー Yungerer
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From a corruption of Uri Geller
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French
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Kadabra
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Same as English name
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Spanish
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Kadabra
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Same as English name
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German
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Kadabra
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Same as English name
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Italian
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Kadabra
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Same as English name
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Korean
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윤겔라 Yunghelar
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Mandarin Chinese
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勇基拉 Yǒngjīlā* 勇吉拉 Yǒngjílā*
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Transcription of Japanese name
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Cantonese Chinese
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勇基拉 Yúhnggēilāai* 尤基納 Yàuhgēinaahp'*
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Transcription of Japanese name
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More languages
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Hebrew
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קדברה Kadabra
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Transcription of English name
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Hindi
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काडाबरा Kadabra
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Transcription of English name
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Russian
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Кадабра Kadabra
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Transcription of English name
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Thai
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ยุนเกเรอร์ Yunkeroe
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Transcription of 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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