Greninja
It appeared prominently in the "XYZ" series of the Pokémon anime as one of Ash Ketchum's primary Pokemon, voiced by Yūji Ueda. This Greninja used its bond with Ash to transform into a unique and powerful form, Ash-Greninja, which was later released to the games as an empowered form of Greninja accessible to players of the "Pokemon Sun and Moon Special Demo Version." Greninja was introduced as a playable fighter to the "Super Smash Bros." franchise with "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS" and "Wii U" as one of the Pokemon series' five representatives, and was integrated  into manga such as "Pokémon Adventures". Greninja has been met with a very positive reception, quickly becoming one of the most popular Pokémon of the sixth generation, and of all time in the 2020 vote with 140559 votes, because of its endearing design and strength in competitive play. Its popularity has resulted in its integration into various merchandising and promotions of the "Pokémon" franchise. Concept and characteristics. Greninja is a streamlined frog-like creature with dark blue skin and a beige underbelly, with long limbs and thin, slender physique particularly reminiscent of tree frogs. What resembles a pink scarf is  actually its prehensile tongue wrapped around its head. Two long, ear-like protrusions extend from both sides of its head and connect with a smaller horn-like structure in the middle by azure blue-colored webbing. Spots of the same azure coloring can be found on each thigh, arguably resembling ninja stars or battle scars along with a stubby tail that wraps inwards. Much like a frog, Greninja has webbed feet, wall-clinging suction cups on each digit, and powerful hind legs. It shoots streams of compressed water patterns from its palms. A large bubble can be found on each  limb. A bipedal creature, Greninja can comfortably stand on its hind legs, but leans on one of its front limbs in a crouching stance when in battle. When at rest its eyes are white with hyphen-shaped pupils, but when engaged they gain red, oval-shapes irises, white pupils, and a narrow gaze. It only weighs 88.2 lbs. (40 kg), but is still quite tall at 4' 11" (1.5 m). It shares a motif of role-playing game classes with its Grass-type (Chesnaught) and Fire-type (Delphox) counterparts; while the former resemble a knight and witch respectively, Greninja draws  heavy inspiration from the ninja. In Japan, frogs and toads have long been associated with ninjutsu through the folk story "The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya" (児雷也豪傑物語 "Jiraiya Gōketsu Monogatari"), a story about a ninja who can shapeshift into a large toad. Greninja is able to move with "a ninja's grace", and has a design and set of abilities associated with Ninjutsu. Among its attacks are the formerly exclusive Water Shuriken, which lets it quickly fire throwing stars made from compressed water, Shadow Sneak, and Double Team. It is also the only Pokemon to learn Mat Block, which shields  the user's side with a flipped-up mat. The Protean ability, which lets the user camouflage to the type of the attack it uses, is exclusive to Greninja and the chameleon Pokemon Kecleon (as well as the former's pre-evolutions). Capable of vanishing and reappearing quickly, it enjoys toying with enemies in such a manner. It is very adaptable, learning many moves such as Bounce, Extrasensory, and Low Kick from different types. Greninja's stealth and swiftness are unique among Water-type starters, contrasting with previous designs like Blastoise and Swampert. It shoots jets of compressed water from  its hands, as opposed to many other Water-types that shoot water from their mouths. It was created by Yusuke Ohmura, who designed the Water-type starters of the previous two generations as well as the mascot creatures for "X" and "Y", Xerneas and Yveltal. Greninja's design was finalized by Ken Sugimori, Game Freak's art director. As "Pokémon X" and "Y" take place in Kalos, a fictional region inspired by France, Greninja's name combines the French word for frog ("grenouille") and "ninja". It is used for the English, Spanish, and Italian localizations of "X" and "Y." Ironically , a completely different name is used in the French localization, with "Amphinobi" combining the French word for amphibian ("amphibie") and "shinobi". Its Japanese name is "Gekkouga", combining the Japanese word for croak (げこっ "geko") and the Koga ninjutsu school (甲賀流 "Kōga ryū"). Appearances. In video games. Pokémon game series. Greninja debuted in "Pokémon X" and "Y", which was released internationally on October 12, 2013, for the Nintendo 3DS. As is the case for most Pokemon evolved from starters, Greninja is rare except for choosing Froakie at the game's beginning and fully training it. It can only be obtained otherwise  by evolving a Friend Safari Frogadier, by fully evolving the Froakie named "Froabble" in-game rival Shauna trades to the player after the game's completion, if Fennekin was the chosen starter, or through trading with another player. It can be transferred to "Omega Ruby" and "Alpha Sapphire" through trade, or into "Sun" and "Moon" and "Ultra Sun" and "Ultra Moon" through the online storage system Pokémon Bank. Though very rare, Greninja has a Shiny variant obtainable in the games that is jet black with a red tongue. Greninja has been incorporated in spin-off "Pokémon" games as well. In  the action game "Pokémon Rumble World," Greninja is the back boss of Dewdrop Bay's Castle Moat, and can be recruited as a playable character. It is the boss of Area 03's fifth stage in "Pokémon Picross", of Renegade Meadow in puzzle game "Pokémon Battle Trozei", and of Expert Stage 24 in "Pokémon Shuffle". Through evolving the player character of Froakie, Greninja is playable in "Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon," and is even included on the game's box art. It also appeared in "Pokémon Go", "Pokémon UNITE", and "Pokkén Tournament DX". Other Nintendo games. Outside of the "Pokémon" series , Greninja also appears in Nintendo's "Super Smash Bros." series. Greninja was included as a new fighter in "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS" and "Wii U" in 2014, returning in "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" in 2018. Greninja's inclusion was revealed during the Super Smash Bros. Direct on April 8, 2014, alongside returning characters Zero Suit Samus, Sheik, Yoshi, and fellow Pokémon Charizard. The game's director, Masahiro Sakurai, stated that he decided to include finishing development, and he working very closely with Game Freak's conceptual illustrations and making his own interpretations of the character. Its characteristics in  the "Pokémon" games are reflected in "Smash", being an agile fighter with ninja-like stealth capable of attacking opponents with water from its palms. Its final smash, Secret Ninja Attack, incorporates Greninja's signature move Mat Block. Its home stages include Prism Tower, the Pokémon Gym of Kalos' capital city on the 3DS version, and Kalos Pokémon League on the Wii U version. "Ultimate" granted Greninja its anime debuted Battle Bond form, “Ash-Greninja” as part of its Final Smash move, confirming the playable Greninja in this game series as a male. Through completing the challenge modes of "Super Mario  Maker", the player can unlock a Mystery Mushroom for Greninja that can be used in the player's customizable levels. When Mario makes contact with the Mushroom, he takes on Greninja's likeness and animations until he finishes the level, makes contact with an enemy, or loses a life. Greninja has the same sound bits as Mario, instead of those from "Pokémon" games; this is also true for Pikachu, Charizard, Jigglypuff, Mewtwo and Lucario but not for Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. In anime. Multiple Greninja have made appearances in the of the Pokémon anime. While the Pokémon was first alluded  to in the episode "A Rush of Ninja Wisdom!", it made its formal debut in the 17th Pokémon movie, "Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction", under the ownership of a thieving ninja named Riot. Ippei and Sanpei, two recurring characters in the anime, both have a Greninja. They both chose Froakie as their starter in tribute to a folkloric Greninja that saved their home village. Series protagonist Ash Ketchum's Greninja is the most prominent; he first appeared as a Froakie in the first episode "Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!", was caught by Ash in the following episode "Lumiose  City Pursuit!", and evolved from Frogadier into Greninja in episode seven of "XYZ", "A Festival of Decisions!". Uniquely, Greninja and Ash are able to temporarily link their consciousnesses during battle. When such an exchange occurs, the former physically morphs to somewhat resemble Ash, a form called "Ash-Greninja". However, while well received by fans, Ash-Greninja is the main reason why the writers failed to give Ash a genuine Mega-Evolved Pokémon until Journeys; the writers wanted Ash to catch Generation VI only Pokémon in the XY series to promote the XY games, but the traditional concept of giving Ash  current generation only Pokémon to promote the current generation games had worn out its welcome with fans. In episode 46 of the XYZ season, "Facing the Needs of the Many!", Ash released Greninja in order to assist Zygarde and Squishy in destroying some of the remaining roots of the Giant Rock, which threatened to destroy Kalos and the whole world, symbolizing someday that Ash's Greninja will rejoin Ash in the future after all of the remaining roots of the Giant Rock are all destroyed. However, this decision resulted in a lot of controversy, with fans and critics alike labeling  Facing the Needs of the Many! as the worst episode in Pokemon anime history. Greninja returned in Journeys after a long absence and reunites with Ash. Greninja teaches Ash and his Mega Lucario new moves and how to boost up its aura powers. While the reunion episode is well received by fans, some are disappointed that Greninja did not officially rejoin Ash's team, unlike his Charizard in the Black and White series. In live-action films. A band of Greninja appears in the live-action film "Pokémon Detective Pikachu", but as minor antagonists working as hired guns for Clifford  Enterprises against Tim Goodman, Harry Goodman as Detective Pikachu, and Lucy Stevens. Lucy's Psyduck manages to defeat them by using its full power. The Greninja had been victims of illegal experimentation by the mastermind Howard Clifford. Other media. Since its introduction, Greninja has regularly been featured in "Pokémon" merchandise. In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Greninja-EX is one of the flagship cards associated with the Kalos Power Tin set and in promotion for BREAKpoint Wave Slasher Theme Deck. Ash-Greninja has also been incorporated into the trading card game and lineup of plushies. Key chains, soft toys, and  figures of the Pokémon are all available on the online Pokémon Center store as well as in local toy store chains. Greninja was introduced among the fourth wave of amiibo, Nintendo's lineup of collectible toys-to-life figures. The figure is based on its appearance in "Super Smash Bros." and is compatible with many different video games for the Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch. Initially released on April 3, 2015, as a Toys "R" Us exclusive, Greninja proved to be so desirable that the figure sold out within just 30 minutes. Reception. Greninja has proven to be  one of the most popular Pokémon introduced in "X" and "Y", described as likely to be popular just from its design upon reveal. A 2016 Japan election held by The Pokémon Company determined that Greninja was the most popular Pokémon species in the country. Greninja was named the 2020 "Pokémon of the Year", based on results of a vote by fans in a poll run by Google and The Pokémon Company. Michael Derosa of "Screen Rant" called Greninja was one of the most popular Pokémon from the entire series, while "Mic" author Alex Borkowski described Ash-Greninja as "stylish." Kevin  Slackie of "Paste" listed Greninja as 9th of the best Pokemon. Dale Bishir of "IGN" described Greninja as the most important Pokémon that impacted the franchise's history, and further stated that it rose through popularity to become one of the most beloved Pokémon of all time, getting its own slot in "Super Smash Bros." and even getting its own Super Saiyan-like form. Steven Bogos of "The Escapist" listed Greninja as 30th of their favorite Pokemon, stating that its probably the most popular X and Y starter. It even managed to find its way into "Super Smash Bros. 4 . International Business Times" cited Greninja as an example of best Pokémon design in "Pokémon X and Y". Reception to its inclusion in "Super Smash Bros." has been mostly positive, with many online reviewers appreciating the uniqueness of the character and being genuinely surprised by its unveiling. Gavin Jasper of "Den of Geek" ranked Greninja as 27th of "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" characters, praising its design as fitting for such an "outrageous" game. Jeremy Parish of Polygon ranked 73 fighters from "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" "from garbage to glorious", listing Greninja as 35th and stated that a frog ninja is a  pretty heady character concept. In 2014, Ben Reeves of "GameInformer" claimed Greninja is the easily the best new "Super Smash Bros." character. The inclusion of Greninja in the "Detective Pikachu" film also received praise for staying true to its ninja-like portrayal in the video games and anime, though some reviewers found its tongue scarf "disgusting" when rendered in CGI. Merchandise. In 2015, an Amiibo of Greninja was made available at Toys 'R Us, Ash-Greninja figure and a plush of it was released during Pokemon's 25th Anniversary.