Nintendo
Register
Advertisement

Greninja (JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a dual-type Water-type/Dark-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the sixth generation games X and Y. It is the final evolution of Froakie. It is also playable in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In Sun and Moon, it has a new form, from its new ability Battle Bond, called Ash-Greninja, activated after defeating an enemy.

Physiology and Behaviour[]

Greninja is a bipedal, frog-like Pokémon. It is mostly dark blue with a yellow chest, a white triangular marking over each eye, a light blue four-pointed star on each thigh, and yellow on the lower half of its face. It has red eyes with white pupils and its mouth is hidden behind a large, pink tongue that wraps around its neck and extends outward behind its head. Running down the middle of its head is a fin-like extension, and there is a similar fin on each side of its head. Light blue webbing connects its head fins. There is a large, white bubble-like bump on each elbow and knee. Its back feet have two toes, while its front feet have three toes. Each digit has a bulbous tip and yellow webbing.

Greninja moves with the speed and grace of a ninja. It uses swift movements to confuse its enemies while it slices them up with weapons made of compressed water, most commonly in the form of throwing stars. The shurikens are also created out of the mucus it excretes from its thighs. These throwing stars are sharp enough to split metal. The long tongue Greninja keeps wrapped around its neck allows it to sense unseen enemies by feeling the air movements.

Ash-Greninja[]

Through a transformation called Bond Phenomenon, Ash's Greninja in the anime and any Greninja with the Ability Battle Bond in the Seventh Pokémon generation can change into an alternate form called Ash-Greninja. In this form, Greninja's skin turns a lighter shade of blue, while its face gains red stripes and its cheeks and side fins turn black, changing shape to resemble Ash Ketchum's hair. Its legs are stronger in this form, and it gains the ability to form large Water Shurikens on its back. Ash-Greninja is always male.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Greninja makes their debut in Pokemon X and Y. Its Ash-Greninja form was added to Pokémon Sun and Moon. From Eighth Pokémon generation onwards, the form did not returned. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Greninja appeared in seven-star Tera battles via the Poké Portal News. Its Battle Bond effect was altered to only increase Greninja's stats when defeating an opponent, and Ash-Greninja no longer exists. Its Ash-Greninja form is referenced in Nemona's house as a painting, however.

Other Pokémon games[]

Pokémon GO: In December of 2020, Greninja was released, being able to be evolved from Frogadier with 100 Froakie Candies.

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Super Smash Bros

Greninja's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate artwork

Greninja appears for the first in the series as a playable fighter in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, taking a very ninja-like playstyle, using water katanas in several attacks. It returns in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, with the Ash-Greninja form appearing in its Final Smash.

Specials[]

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Ash's Greninja

Ash Ketchum's Greninja

Greninja debuted in Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, under the ownership of Ninja Riot. Ash Ketchum would later owned it in the main anime, capable for Bond Phenomenon and released it at the end of the series. Greninja returned as a guest star in Pokémon Journeys: The Series. Sanpei and Ippei also had a Greninja.

Five Greninja appeared in Detective Pikachu. They were genetically modified and put in chambers. They were later used to chase after Harry Goodman, and also Tim and Lucy when they broke into Howard's facility.

Origin and inspiration[]

Greninja's overall appearance is based on a frog, and it may have been inspired by horned frogs from the genera Megophrys and Ceratophrys due to the spiked protrusions above its eyes. Its color scheme and body shape is similar to that of the splendid leaf frog. The bubble-like protrusions on its body may be based on a toad's parotoid glands, possibly referencing the traditional myth of toads causing warts, though they may also be remnants of Froakie and Frogadier's frubbles. Greninja is based on a ninja.

Ash-Greninja's appearance is based on Ash's attire in Pokémon the Series: XY.

Greninja may be a combination of grenouille (French for frog) and ninja.

In-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.
Pokémon Y It appears and vanishes with a ninja’s grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.
Pokémon Omega Ruby It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, these stars can split metal in two.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire It appears and vanishes with a ninja’s grace. It toys with its enemies using swift movements, while slicing them with throwing stars of sharpest water.
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet The movement of air against the long tongue Greninja keeps wrapped around its neck allows it to sense enemies it can't see.
Pokémon Violet It makes shuriken out of mucus excreted from its thighs. These shuriken can cut cleanly through steel cables.

Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Evolve Frogadier
Pokémon Y
Evolve Frogadier
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Completing the demo
Pokémon Moon
Completing the demo
Pokémon Ultra Sun
Poni Wilds (Island Scan)
Pokémon Ultra Moon
Poni Wilds (Island Scan)
Ninth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Scarlet
Poké Portal News
Evolve Frogadier
Pokémon Violet
Poké Portal News
Evolve Frogadier


Evolution[]

Froakie
Reach level 16.
Frogadier
Reach level 36.
Greninja
PKMNSV656 PKMNSV657 PKMNSV658


Form change[]

In the Seventh Pokémon generation, Greninja with Battle Bond transforms into Ash-Greninja, for the remainder of the battle, upon knocking out an opponent via direct damage.

In the Ninth Pokémon generation onward, Ash-Greninja no longer exists, with Battle Bond instead raising Greninja's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed stats by one stage when knocking out an opponent, rather than changing forms.

Greninja
Battle Bond
Greninja
Ash Form
PKMN658 PKMNSM658-A


Base Stats[]

Normal[]

Base Stats
HP 72
Attack 95
Defense 67
Sp. Attack 103
Sp. Defense 71
Speed 122
Total 530

Ash[]

Base Stats
HP 72
Attack 145
Defense 67
Sp. Attack 153
Sp. Defense 71
Speed 132
Total 640


Moveset[]

Main article: Greninja/moveset

Gallery[]

  Main article: Greninja/gallery

Renders[]

Renders
X Y
PKMNXY658


PKMNXY658-S



Scarlet Violet
PKMNSV658


PKMNSV658-S


Renders
Sun Moon
PKMNSM658-A


PKMNSM658-A-S




Trivia[]

External links[]

Advertisement