Gyarados

**Gyarados** is a dual-type Water/Flying Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves from Magikarp starting at level 20.

## Biology

### **Physiology**

Gyarados is a serpentine Pokémon with a long body covered in slightly overlapping scales. It is mostly blue with a yellow underbelly, and it has a row of yellow spots down each side. Its mouth is very large and gaping, bearing four pointed teeth and yellow lips. It has one barbel and a small white fin on each side of its face. The barbels are white on a female and blue on a male. It has small, red eyes, a three-pointed, dark blue crest on its head, and four white, spiky dorsal fins. Gyarados's tail fin is similar in structure to the crest on its head, except with a thin, white fin spread between the points.

The process of evolution causes a change in its brain structure that is believed to cause its violent nature. Gyarados's fangs can crush stones and its scales are harder than steel. Gyarados is feared for its fierce temper and wanton destructive tendencies. It appears in times of conflict and destroys the surrounding area. Its rampages have been known to last a month at a time. Gyarados lives in both fresh and salty waters. Both Gyarados and its Mega form have demonstrated in the anime that it can leap huge distances both from the water and from the ground, usually several times its own body length. However, Gyarados is rarely seen in the wild.

### **Habitat**

Gyarados and its evolutionary line are found in waters throughout all of Ibaro. They can be found in every body of water in the region by Fishing.

## Game Data

### **Stats**

 * Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and a hindering nature, if applicable.

* Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and a helpful nature, if applicable.

## Trivia

### **Origin**

**Gyarados** appears to be based on a sea dragon or sea serpent and a Chinese dragon. It is also partially based on a legend about how carp that leaped over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This is referenced by Pokémon Snap, as the player needs to get a Magikarp into a waterfall to evolve it into Gyarados. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles, which can be tied to the fact that Gyarados' pre-evolved form, Magikarp, could possibly take a lot of drive and effort to legitimately evolve into Gyarados.

It may be partially based on the kraken; both are destructive sea monsters that are infamous for terrorizing humans. Gyarados's Flying type may be a reference to koinobori, a carp-shaped windsock traditionally flown to celebrate Children's Day in Japan, formerly called Tango no Sekku (端午の節句). It could also be inspired by the South African cryptid Inkanyamba, a giant, winged eel that causes storms when angry, a trait Gyarados is famous for.

### **Name Origin**

**Gyarados** may derive from *虐殺 gyakusatsu* (massacre/slaughter) or *逆境 gyakkyō* (hardship/adversity)—both words relate to the creature's violent nature and the hardship it experienced before evolving. In addition, *逆 gyaku* means "reverse" or "contrary", possibly referring to how Gyarados evolves from a weak Pokémon to one capable of destroying entire cities, and, in legend, how the carp goes against the flow of the waterfall in order to reach the top. It may also involve *嵐 arashi* (storm) or *争い arasoi* (conflict, referencing on how it appeared during wars). The last part may be from *脅す odosu* (to threaten), again owing to Gyarados' violent nature.

Alternatively, it could combine *gallant* (gyaranto) and *dosu*, antiquated slang for a crudely made short knife.