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Kadabra (JP) is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Psychic-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. It evolves into Alakazam when traded.

Physiology and Behavior[]

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.

Appearances[]

Main Pokémon games[]

Other Pokémon games[]

Super Smash Bros. series[]

Trophy descriptions[]

In the anime[]

Origin and inspiration[]

Kadabra appears to be based on magicians and spoon benders. It also shares similarities with foxes or goats, animals mythologically tied to magic. 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.

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-game information[]

Pokédex entries[]

Title Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue It emits special alpha waves from its body that induce headaches just by being close by.
Pokémon Yellow Many odd things happen if this Pokémon is close by. For example, it makes clocks run backwards.
Pokémon Stadium When it uses psychic power, all its brain cells work in unison to generate powerful alpha waves.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold It possesses strong spiritual power. The more danger it faces, the stronger its psychic power.
Pokémon Silver If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
Pokémon Crystal When it closes its eyes, twice as many alpha particles come out of the surface of its body.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby 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.
Pokémon Sapphire 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.
Pokémon Emerald It is rumored that a boy with psychic abilities suddenly transformed into Kadabra while he was assisting research into extrasensory powers.
Pokémon FireRed It happened one morning - a boy with extrasensory powers awoke in bed transformed into Kadabra.
Pokémon LeafGreen It emits special alpha waves from its body that induce headaches just by being close.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond If one is nearby, an eerie shadow appears on TV screens. Seeing the shadow is said to bring bad luck.
Pokémon Pearl When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision devices.
Pokémon Platinum It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon HeartGold It possesses strong spiritual power. The more danger it faces, the stronger its psychic power.
Pokémon SoulSilver If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon White It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon Black 2 It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon White 2 It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision devices.
Pokémon Y If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
Pokémon Omega Ruby 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.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire 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.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun A theory exists that this Pokémon was a young boy who couldn't control his psychic powers and ended up transformed into this Pokémon.
Pokémon Moon Kadabra's presence infests televisions and monitors with creepy shadows that bring bad luck.


Game locations[]

Title Location(s)
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue
Cerulean Cave
Pokémon Yellow
Route 8
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold
Route 8
Pokémon Silver
Route 8
Pokémon Crystal
Route 8
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby
Evolve Abra
Pokémon Sapphire
Evolve Abra
Pokémon Emerald
Evolve Abra
Pokémon FireRed
Cerulean Cave
Pokémon LeafGreen
Cerulean Cave
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond
Route 215, Victory Road
Pokémon Pearl
Route 215, Victory Road
Pokémon Platinum
Route 215
Pokémon HeartGold
Route 8, Cerulean Cave
Pokémon SoulSilver
Route 8, Cerulean Cave
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black
Trade
Pokémon White
Evolve Abra
Pokémon Black 2
Evolve Abra
Pokémon White 2
Evolve Abra
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X
Evolve Abra
Pokémon Y
Evolve Abra
Pokémon Omega Ruby
Evolve Abra
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire
Evolve Abra
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun
Evolve Abra
Pokémon Moon
Evolve Abra


Evolution[]

Abra
Reach level 16.
Kadabra
Trade.
Alakazam
PKMN063 PKMN064 PKMN065

Base Stats[]

Base Stats
HP 40
Attack 35
Defense 30
Sp. Attack 120
Sp. Defense 70
Speed 105
Total 400

Moveset[]

Main article: Kadabra/moveset

Gallery[]

Sprites[]

Sprites
Red Green
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Red Blue
PKMNRB064
Yellow
PKMNY064
Gold
PKMNG064


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Silver
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Crystal
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Ruby Sapphire
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Emerald
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Fire Leaf
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Diamond Pearl
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Platinum
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File:PKMNP064.png


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Heart Soul
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Black White
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Black 2 White 2
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X Y
PKMNXY064


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Pikachu Eevee
PKMNLGPE064


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Sword Shield
PKMNSS064


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Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl
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Legends Arceus
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Controversy[]

Kadabra had not been printed as a Pokémon Trading Card Game 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 Pokémon Card 151 subset, releasing 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 Pokémon the Movie: 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 Ketchum 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.

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