Zapdos (Pokémon)

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Zapdos (Japanese: サンダー Thunder) is a dual-type Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
In Galar, Zapdos has a dual-type regional form, introduced in The Crown Tundra expansion. Neither Kantonian Zapdos nor Galarian Zapdos are known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
Along with and , it is one of the three legendary birds of Kanto.
==Biology==
Zapdos is a large, with predominantly yellow plumage. It has small, triangular eyes with black around them and a long, thin, light orange beak. Its wings and tail are a mass of spiky feathers and there are black feathers covering the back of its wings and inner tail feathers. A large crest of spiked feathers surrounds its head. Its thighs are tan, and it has thin, light orange legs. It has feet with three forward-facing toes and one backward-facing toe; each toe has a short talon. 
, in An Illustrated Book of POCKET MONSTERS, Zapdos is said to be a divine bird that presides over the heavens, spending millennia among thunderclouds, before descending with lightning bolts. When Zapdos flaps its glittering wings, it releases electricity that can potentially cause thunderstorms. Naturally, it produces massive crackling and snapping sounds when it flies; these are attributed to the lightning bolts it sheds when airborne. Zapdos reportedly appears only during thunderstorms and gains power when struck by lightning. When attacking, Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Cards shows that Zapdos can electrify its talons. In The Power of One, Zapdos is said to regulate the ocean's currents, and when captured, they become catastrophically unstable. It is also shown to communicate with other Electric-type Pokémon through exchanging lightning bolts. Furthermore, it is exceptionally territorial, immediately conquering and terraforming Fire Island after is captured in the interests of controlling the Orange Islands with thunder. It is said to be capable of defeating a lone when battling alongside and . 
As seen in Pokémon Horizons, like other Legendary Pokémon, Zapdos can be found in the Pokémon paradise Laqua. Zapdos loves Zapdos Treats made by Snacksworth, who once saw it fly right by him in the past.
 Zapdos is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move .
===Forms===
Zapdos has a regional form: Zapdos.
In Galar, Zapdos has a different appearance. Its body is red-orange with black plumage. Its head features yellow eyes with more pronounced, mask-like black coloration around them, a shorter black beak, and a longer, more visible neck. Its legs are black, longer, and more muscular, its thigh feathers are also black, and its talons are yellow with red rings at their bases. Its red-orange wings are smaller, with small black markings that appear to be remnants of its Kantonian counterpart's black plumage. Finally, it has a row of spiky feathers along its chest, and a similar row of black feathers on its back.
Belligerent by nature and ever thirsting for battle, Zapdos seeks out opponents stronger than itself so it could test its might. Its powerful legs allow it to perform capable of destroying a dump truck, and it can run across mountains at up to 180 mph (300 km/h). Its wings have atrophied to the point that it can barely fly, but its movements are so swift that they have been compared to a lightning strike. This Pokémon earned the name of its Kantonian counterpart due to the electric-like crackling sounds that come from its feathers rubbing together. It is constantly migrating around the world but can be found in the Crown Tundra once every few decades congregating with the other birds at the Dyna Tree to eat its fruits.Galarian Zapdos | Official Website | Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
Galarian Zapdos is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the move .
145Zapdos-Galar 2.png|Galarian Zapdos about to deliver 
GalarianZapdosVChillingReign174.jpg|Galarian Zapdos running up a steep mountain
==Game data==
===NPC appearances===
* Zapdos is the first Legendary Pokémon encountered in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon. After it kidnaps , the player must fight it at the top of Mt. Thunder. It is possible to recruit Zapdos by returning for another fight after the credits.
===Pokédex entries===
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===Game locations===
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====In side games====
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====In events====
=====Zapdos=====
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=====Galarian Zapdos=====
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===Held Items===
===Stats===
====Base stats====
=====Zapdos=====
=====Galarian Zapdos=====
====Pokéathlon stats====
===Type effectiveness===
====Zapdos====
====Galarian Zapdos====
===Learnset===
====By leveling up====
=====Zapdos=====
=====Galarian Zapdos=====
====By TM====
=====Zapdos=====
=====Galarian Zapdos=====
====By ====
=====Zapdos=====
=====Galarian Zapdos=====
====-only moves====
Move	Card
 	Zapdos G (Arceus 12)
===Side game data===
====Zapdos====
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====Galarian Zapdos====
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===Evolution data===
====Zapdos====
====Galarian Zapdos====
===Sprites===
==In animation==
===Main series===
====Major appearances====
==========
Zapdos debuted in The Power of One, where Lawrence III sought it, along with the other two legendary birds and their leader, , for his own personal collection.
=====Other=====
Zapdos made its physical animated series debut in As Clear As Crystal, where it intercepted in their attempt to steal a crystal that gave a lake the ability to heal Pokémon. As a result, they changed their objective to capture Zapdos instead.
In The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, the Mirage Master briefly used a Mirage Zapdos.
In An Electrifying Rage!, and witnessed a Zapdos flying across the sky. later made an attempt to capture the Zapdos, which infuriated it, forcing Ash to battle it with , , and the newly evolved . When Team Rocket continued their attempt, Noivern and helped save Zapdos and calm it down.
In A Crackling Raid Battle!, a Zapdos caused power outages in Vermilion City. Ash and Goh encountered it at the Kanto Power Plant and had a Raid Battle against it with the assistance of Team Rocket. Goh was able to weaken it with his and , but he wasn't able to it like he had hoped.
====Minor appearances====
Zapdos made its animated series debut in 's fantasy in An EGG-sighting Adventure!.
In the ending credits of Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, Jackie captured a Zapdos with his Capture Styler and flew away on its back.
In Doc Brock!, a Zapdos roamed around Sinnoh.
In a flashback in Dealing With a Fierce Double Ditto Drama!, Narissa saw a Zapdos flying by and had her two into it, intimidating a potential opponent.
A Zapdos appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
In the opening sequence of The Rise of Darkrai, a Zapdos was flying across the sky.
A Zapdos appeared in the opening sequence of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
A Zapdos appeared in I Choose You!.
A silhouetted Zapdos appeared in a fantasy in Healing the Healer!.
A shadowed Zapdos appeared in This Could be the Start of Something Big!.
A Zapdos appeared in HZ075, during a flashback.
====Pokédex entries====
===Pokémon Origins===
A Zapdos briefly appeared in File 3: Giovanni, as part of the explanation of the Master Ball's capabilities.
In File 4: Charizard, a Zapdos in the Power Plant.
===Pokémon Generations===
In The Adventure, a Zapdos briefly flew by during a battle between Red's Pikachu and a wild .
===GOTCHA!===
A Zapdos briefly appeared as a silhouette in GOTCHA!.
===Pokémon: Twilight Wings===
In The Gathering of Stars, a Zapdos was seen in the Crown Tundra.
==In the manga==
===Movie adaptations===
Zapdos appeared in of The Power of One.
Zapdos also appeared in of the same movie.
===Pokémon Journeys===
A Zapdos appeared in A Crackling Raid Battle!.
===Pocket Monsters DP===
A Zapdos appeared in PMDP11.
===Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure===
A Zapdos appeared as a silhouette in JBA5.
===Pokémon Adventures===
In Holy Moltres, Team Rocket Commander Lt. Surge Zapdos at the abandoned Power Plant. He later used it as an infinite source of electricity for his Pokémon while battling at Silph Co. Red managed to defeat Surge by using Saur's to cut his insulation suit, causing Zapdos to unintentionally shock him unconscious. Zapdos was later merged with and into that was defeated by Red, , and , causing it to split up again and freeing the legendary birds.
Green later caught Zapdos before the as a part of overcoming her fear of birds. She used it and the other legendary birds to battle and in Ilex Forest.
A Zapdos first appeared in PASS36.
===Pokémon Battrio: Aim to be Battrio Master!===
A Zapdos appeared in ABM01.
===Pokémon: Yeah! I Got Pokémon!===
A Zapdos appeared in GDZ74.
===Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team===
A Zapdos appeared in I Want to be Human Again!. It reappeared in a flashback in Why I Became a Pokémon. The Answer Finally Revealed!!.
===Pokémon Pocket Monsters===
Zapdos debuted in Regain the Deserted Power Plant!.
A Zapdos appeared in Get Lugia!.
===Pokémon Zensho===
A silhouette of a Zapdos appeared in PZ07.
==In the TCG==
==Other appearances==
===Super Smash Bros. Melee===
When released from a , Zapdos uses a powerful that hits opponents several times to produce a substantial amount of damage.
====Trophy information====
Zapdos flaps its wings, and summer storms appear, throwing lightning every which way. It's said that you can hear this legendary Pokémon coming, as its wings make a very distinctive popping sound as it flies. In addition to electrical moves like the dreaded , it also wields a vicious move called .
===Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS===
Zapdos appears in the background of the stage in the 3DS version of the game.
Zapdos also appears as a trophy in the 3DS game.
====Trophy information====
NA: Gazing up at dark storm clouds gathering in the sky, many children must have once wondered if the Pokémon they saw in the second Pokémon movie was in the clouds. An innocent and childish dream, perhaps... but even today as adults, the sound of thunder might just bring back memories of this Legendary bird Pokémon.
PAL: Gazing up at dark storm clouds gathering in the sky, many children must once have wondered if the Pokémon they just saw in the latest movie was lurking somewhere in their depths. An innocent and childish dream, perhaps...but even today as adults, the sound of thunder might just bring back memories of this Legendary Bird Pokémon.
===Super Smash Bros. Ultimate===
Along with returning in the background of Prism Tower, Zapdos appears as a alongside and .
==Music==
This is a list of music associated with Zapdos in the Pokémon games.
Games	Location 	Song name 	Composition 	Arrangement
 	When battling Zapdos, , or 	Battle! (Wild Pokémon) 	Junichi Masuda	Junichi Masuda
 	When battling Galarian Zapdos, Galarian , or Galarian	Battle! (Legendary Bird Pokémon)	Gō Ichinose 	Gō Ichinose
 	When battling Zapdos, , or 	Battle! (Wild Pokémon) 	Junichi Masuda	Shota Kageyama
==Trivia==
* In English, the "Electric Pokémon" is shared by , , and Kantonian Zapdos.
** In Japanese, Elekid has the category でんきポケモン Denki Pokémon (Electric Pokémon), while the other two Pokémon share the category でんげきポケモン Dengeki Pokémon (Electric Shock Pokémon).
* Out of all the Legendary Pokémon with fixed in-game locations, Zapdos can be obtained with the fewest number of Badges: two. The can catch Zapdos with only the and either the or the .
** The Cascade Badge can be skipped in the Generation I games by sending a drink from another game through Pokémon Stadium 2's , which allows the player to access Saffron City and ultimately the rest of Kanto's mainland without ever having to obtain HM01 or use outside of battle.
* Zapdos and 's Japanese names are almost exactly the same as each other's, with a final ~s being the only difference.
* Kantonian Zapdos possesses a type advantage over all of the other members of its trio, as well as , often viewed as the leader of the trio.
** This is reversed for the trio's regional forms, with Galarian Zapdos possessing a type disadvantage against the other members and Lugia.
* In The Bridge Bike Gang, Chopper's bike is decorated to resemble a Zapdos.
* Zapdos's cry in Pokémon Journeys: The Series is the same as 's, as seen in A Crackling Raid Battle!.
* Zapdos's English name was suggested by Bill Giese, who assisted in the naming of many Generation I Pokémon.
* Zapdos and the other two legendary birds had Australian beetle species named after them: Binburrum articuno, Binburrum zapdos, and Binburrum moltres. The three species were first described in 2020, and were collectively named after the Legendary birds to reflect their rarity.Tweet by Yun Hsiao (@YHsiaoBeetle), posted Jan 2, 2021Hsiao, Y. & Pollock, D. A. (2020). Contribution to the knowledge of the endemic Australian genus Binburrum Pollock, 1995 (Coleoptera: Pyrochroidae: Pilipalpinae), with description of three new species. The Canadian Entomologist. 153 (2): 244–256.
===Origin===
Zapdos seems to be based on the legend of the , a spirit of thunder, lightning, and rain that took the form of a giant . The beating of the wings was said to create thunder. It may also have been based on the , a bird created from wherever lightning hits the earth. Aesthetically, it may be based on s, due to the long beak, the rather simple wings, and described violent behavior.
As suggested by the Pokédex entries, the three legendary birds appear to be embodiments of , Zapdos represents , while and represent and , respectively. is however unrepresented.
Galarian Zapdos appears to be based on s, with in particular matching its brown feathers and long beak. Due to its speed, it may also be based on a . Its powerful kicks might also draw influence from the , a mostly terrestrial bird that hunts by stomping and kicking its prey. Its legs could also be derived from the , a pigeon breed known for such. Its coloration is similar to Kantonian Zapdos's regular coloration.
====Name origin====
Zapdos is a combination of zap and dos (Spanish for two, indicating that it is the second in the series of Kanto legendary birds).Dockery, Daniel (October 4, 2022). Monster Kids: How Pokémon Taught a Generation to Catch Them All. Running Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0762479504.(2006). Pokémon Fan: 10th Anniversary News Booklet, p. 9 (Archive)
Thunder is literally thunder.
==In other languages==
==See also==
* Zapdos (M02)
* Zapdos (Adventures)
* Legendary birds
* Legendary Pokémon
* Regional form
* Myths and legends involving Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
==References==
==External links==
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Category:Shadow Pokémon in Pokémon XD
Category:Legendary Pokémon
Category:Legendary trio Pokémon
Category:Kanto Legendary Pokémon
Category:Pokémon that are included in the Japan-only Pokémon Stadium
Category:Sinnoh Legendary Pokémon
Category:Galar Legendary Pokémon
Category:Orre Legendary Pokémon
Category:Roaming Pokémon
Category:Pokémon that run from battle
Category:Super Smash Bros. trophies
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