Ninjask (Japanese: テッカニン Tekkanin) is a dual-type Bug/Flying Pokémon introduced in Generation III.
It evolves from Nincada starting at level 20. This evolution can trigger the creation of a second Pokémon, Shedinja, if the player has an empty slot in their party and an extra Poké Ball on hand.
(Specifics may differ in past games. Refer to Game data→Evolution data for these details.)
Biology
Ninjask is a small, cicada-like Pokémon with two pairs of wings. Its body is mostly black with accents of yellow and gray. Most of its head is yellow, but there is a solid band of black between its gleaming red eyes. The band expands into a circular pattern on its forehead, between two pointed crests on the sides of its head. The underside of its head is gray and segmented, making it somewhat resemble a veil. On its back is a patch of black with a stretch of yellow, shaped like an upside-down letter Y. Most of its carapace and abdomen is black, but there is a ring of yellow near the tip. Its gray insectoid arms extend from its chest and usually have their small, yellow claws turned inward. There is a similar pair of back legs. It has large, veined wings with triangular, red tipping.
Ninjask is a very fast Pokémon that is said to be able to evade any attack and was long believed to be invisible due to its high speed. If it is not trained properly, it will refuse to obey its Trainer and cry loudly. Due to this, it is said to put the Trainer's abilities to the test. Hearing its loud cries for too long induces a headache. It lives in tropical and temperate forests, where it congregates around tree sap to feed.
Evolution
Ninjask evolves from Nincada. When Nincada evolves into Ninjask, it can also evolve into Shedinja simultaneously, which appears in an empty Poké Ball.
Game data
Pokédex entries
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III. |
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| Generation III | | Hoenn
#043 | | Kanto
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| Ruby | Ninjask moves around at such a high speed that it cannot be seen, even while its crying can be clearly heard. For that reason, this Pokémon was long believed to be invisible. |
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| Sapphire | If Ninjask is not trained properly, it will refuse to obey the Trainer and cry loudly continuously. Because of this quality, this Pokémon is said to be one that puts the Trainer's abilities to the test. |
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| Emerald | Because it darts about vigorously at high speed, it is very difficult to see. Hearing its distinctive cries for too long induces a headache. |
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| FireRed | This Pokémon is so quick, it is said to be able to avoid any attack. It loves to feed on tree sap. |
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| LeafGreen |
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| Generation IV | | Sinnoh
#— | | Johto
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| Diamond | Because it moves so quickly, it sometimes becomes unseeable. It congregates around tree sap. |
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| Pearl |
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| HeartGold | Its cry leaves a lasting headache if heard for too long. It moves so quickly that it is almost invisible. |
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| SoulSilver |
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| Generation V | | | Unova
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| Black | Because it moves so quickly, it sometimes becomes unseeable. It congregates around tree sap. |
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| White |
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| Black 2 | Because it moves so quickly, it sometimes becomes unseeable. It congregates around tree sap. |
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| White 2 |
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| Generation VI | | Kalos
Central #112 | | Hoenn
#044 |
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| X | Its cry leaves a lasting headache if heard for too long. It moves so quickly that it is almost invisible. |
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| Y | Because it moves so quickly, it sometimes becomes unseeable. It congregates around tree sap. |
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| Omega Ruby | Ninjask moves around at such a high speed that it cannot be seen, even while its crying can be clearly heard. For that reason, this Pokémon was long believed to be invisible. |
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| Alpha Sapphire | If Ninjask is not trained properly, it will refuse to obey the Trainer and cry loudly continuously. Because of this quality, this Pokémon is said to be one that puts the Trainer's abilities to the test. |
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| Generation VIII | | Galar
#105 | | Sinnoh
#— | | Hisui
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| This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus. |
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| Sword | Its cry leaves a lasting headache if heard for too long. It moves so quickly that it is almost invisible. |
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| Shield | This Pokémon is so quick, it is said to be able to avoid any attack. It loves to feed on tree sap. |
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| Brilliant Diamond | Because they move so quickly, they sometimes become unseeable. They congregate around tree sap. |
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Game locations
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III. |
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In side games
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III. |
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Stats
Base stats
Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is: | |
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Learnset
Ninjask is available in Sword and Shield and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- 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 Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- 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 Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- 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 Ninjask 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 Ninjask in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- 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 Ninjask 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 Ninjask in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- 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 Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- 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 Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- 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 Ninjask
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Ninjask
- × 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 Ranger| Group: | | Poké Assist: | 
| Field move: | None | | Loops: 1 | Min. exp.: 60 | Max. exp.: 74 | Browser entry R-032
| | Ninjask darts around at dazzling speed while furiously flapping its wings. |
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Pokémon Rumble Rush | Walking Speed: 1.67 seconds | Base HP: 51 | | | Base Attack: 77 | Base Defense: 47 | Base Speed: 80 |
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Evolution data
Ninjask evolves from Nincada starting at level 20. This evolution can trigger the creation of a second Pokémon, Shedinja, if the player has an empty slot in their party and an extra Poké Ball on hand. Note that the Poké Ball has to be a regular Poké Ball. In Generation III, an extra Poké Ball is not necessary to obtain Shedinja.
In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, Shedinja will not be mentioned when evolving Nincada, but will subsequently appear in Chimecho's Assembly.
Sprites
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation III. |
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX. |
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In the anime
Main series
Major appearances
Two Ninjask debuted in The Princess and the Togepi and A Togepi Mirage, under the ownership of Colonel Hansen. Along with a Shedinja, they were his main Pokémon.
In From the Cradle to Save, Evian used a Ninjask as his partner-in-training. It was first used to search for Angela's Kecleon after she assigned Ash and his friends to search for it. Later, it was captured by Team Rocket, but was freed by Ash's Grovyle.
In Pace - The Final Frontier!, Brandon used a Ninjask during his battle against Ash at the Battle Pyramid. Ninjask battled Squirtle but was eventually defeated.
In Zoroark: Master of Illusions, Goone used multiple Ninjask for various tasks, such as capturing and transporting Pokémon to attacking larger Pokémon en masse.
In a flashback in Glory Blaze!, Paul was revealed to have caught a Ninjask at some point during his journey. In A Real Rival Rouser!, Paul used Ninjask during his Full Battle against Ash in the Lily of the Valley Conference. Ninjask faced off against Gliscor before Gliscor was recalled and Infernape was sent out in its place. It eventually lost to Infernape.
Minor appearances
In That's Just Swellow, a Trainer's Ninjask competed in the Crossgate PokéRinger.
A Ninjask appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.
A Ninjask appeared in a visualization in Hi Ho Silver Wind!.
In Saved by the Beldum, a Trainer's Ninjask was at the Ever Grande Conference.
A Coordinator's Ninjask appeared in Harley Rides Again.
In Following A Maiden's Voyage!, a Ninjask had been caught in the web of an Ariados.
A Ninjask appeared in Arceus and the Jewel of Life.
Multiple Ninjask appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction, under the ownership of Riot. Two of them were used to carry Riot when he was about to steal Diancie.
In A Relay in the Sky!, a Trainer's Ninjask participated in the Pokémon Sky Relay. It was in a team also consisting of Vibrava and Shedinja.
A Ninjask appeared in Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel.
Multiple Ninjask appeared in Lulled to La-La Land!.
A Ninjask appeared in Secrets of the Jungle.
Multiple Ninjask appeared in The Spectral Express!, evolving from a group of Nincada. One of them left behind a Shedinja, which entered one of Goh's empty Poké Balls and became his Pokémon.
A Ninjask appeared in The Road Most Traveled!.
In Must Be Our Heroes and the Witch!, a Ninjask appeared in a fantasy.
A Ninjask appeared in Getting to the Heart of it All!.
A Ninjask appeared in As Long as I'm with My Friends.
Pokédex entries
| Episode | Pokémon | Source | Entry |
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| AG190 | Ninjask | May's Pokédex | Ninjask, the Ninja Pokémon. Ninjask is said to be so fast it's able to evade any attack. |
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| Episode | Pokémon | Source | Entry |
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| DP187 | Ninjask | Dawn's Pokédex | Ninjask, the Ninja Pokémon, and the evolved form of Nincada. Because of its swift flying velocity, it can become impossible to see. |
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| Episode | Pokémon | Source | Entry |
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| JN091 | Ninjask | Goh's Rotom Phone | Ninjask, the Ninja Pokémon. A Bug and Flying type. Ninjask are so fast, they are said to be able to dodge any attack. |
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Pokémon Generations
In The Cavern, a wild Ninjask flew away from a storm that a Primal Kyogre was creating.
In The Scoop, a Ninjask was working at TV Mauville.
POKÉTOON
Two Ninjask appeared in Help! I've Turned into a Gengar.
In the manga
Movie adaptations
Goone owns a Ninjask in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Riot was seen with multiple Ninjask in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
Pokémon Adventures
In Can I Ninjask You a Question?, when Amber left all his Pokémon behind deep underseas, he borrowed a Nincada from his teammate Shelly. It evolved right away into a Ninjask, causing much trouble for his opponent Wattson. Even after it was defeated, the Shedinja it had left behind upon evolving was able to land a surprise attack that sent him plummeting toward the bottom of the ocean.
The Battle Tower had a Ninjask available to rent, which was stolen by Guile Hideout in The Final Battle VII.
In the TCG
Main article: Ninjask (TCG)Trivia
- Ninjask has the highest base Speed stat of all Bug-type and Flying-type Pokémon, as well as all non-Legendary and non-Mythical Pokémon.
- Ninjask is the only Pokémon with a base stat total of 456.
- Ninjask shares its category with Greninja. They are both known as the Ninja Pokémon.
- Together with Magikarp, Rattata, Pichu, Goldeen, and Seedot, Ninjask is the easiest Pokémon to catch in Pokémon Ranger, with only one loop necessary.
- Additionally, Ninjask is the only evolved Pokémon to hold this distinction.
Origin
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
Ninjask appears to be based on an adult cicada, with its colors resembling a bush cicada. As its species name implies, it may also be based on a ninja due to its name, quick movement, and natural ability to learn Double Team by leveling up (a common ninja technique in Japanese media) and various cutting attacks. This combination may be further inspired by stories of ninjas using cicadas to mask their own sounds, or a reference to the utsusemi no jutsu (cicada skin technique), a technique using decoys to misdirect opponents.
Name origin
Ninjask may be a combination of ninja and mask.
Tekkanin may be a combination of 鉄仮面 Tekkamen (Man in the Iron Mask) and 忍者 ninja. It may also involve 鉄火 tekka (gunfire).
In other languages
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| More languages |  Hindi | निन्काब Ninkaab | From ninja and नकाब nakab |  Russian | Нинджаск Nindzhask | Transcription of English name |  Thai | เท็คคานิน Thekkhanin | Transcription of Japanese name |
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External links
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