Bond Phenomenon
The Bond Phenomenon (Japanese: キズナ現象 Bond Phenomenon) is a transformation affecting Pokémon that was introduced in Pokémon the Series: XY. It is said to have some connection to the Pokémon's hidden potential, similar to Mega Evolution and Primal Reversion.
Unlike Mega Evolution or Primal Reversion, the transformation does not require any specific items for either the Trainer or the Pokémon, though in the games it requires the Ability Battle Bond. The only known Pokémon able to undergo this transformation is Greninja, whose alternate form is referred to as Ash-Greninja (Japanese: サトシゲッコウガ Satoshi Gekkouga). In this form, its strength increases and it gains the ability to form large Water Shurikens on its back, which it can use in battle to great effect.
Pokémon capable of Bond Phenomenon
| Pokémon | Before Bond Phenomenon | After Bond Phenomenon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Type | Ability | Image | Type | Ability | |
| Greninja | 
|
Water Dark | Battle Bond | 
|
Water Dark | Battle Bond |
In the core series games
- Main article: Greninja (Pokémon) → Form data
Bond Phenomenon made its core series debut in the form of a Greninja that can be transferred to Pokémon Sun and Moon from the Special Demo Version. This unique Greninja possesses the Battle Bond Ability, which triggers the transformation into Ash-Greninja after the opposing Pokémon has fainted and increases the power of Water Shuriken by approximately 33% (or more accurately, by a factor of 5448/4096). In addition, the base Battle Bond Greninja, before transforming, are treated as an alternate form separate from Greninja with Torrent or Protean. As of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Battle Bond no longer transforms Greninja into Ash-Greninja, currently making the form exclusive to Generations VII and VIII.
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Base stats
Generation VII
| Stat | Range | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| At Lv. 50 | At Lv. 100 | ||
HP: 72
|
132 - 179 | 254 - 348 | |
145
|
135 - 216 | 265 - 427 | |
67
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64 - 130 | 125 - 256 | |
153
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142 - 225 | 279 - 445 | |
71
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68 - 135 | 132 - 265 | |
132
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123 - 202 | 242 - 399 | |
Total: 640
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In the spin-off games
Pokémon Tretta
Pokémon Shuffle
Pokémon Picross
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
During Greninja's Final Smash, it temporarily transforms into Ash-Greninja while performing Secret Ninja Attack.
In animation
Pokémon the Series
In Pokémon the Series, the Bond Phenomenon may be achieved when the trust between a Trainer and their Pokémon reaches its maximum. While a Pokémon and Trainer are using this form, the Trainer shares the Pokémon's pain in the same place the Pokémon was dealt damage. The Trainer can also share the Pokémon's point of view. If the form is not mastered, the Trainer and Pokémon can pass out from exhaustion.
Pokémon the Series: XY
In The Legend of the Ninja Hero! , a Greninja in its Battle Bond form is shown on a shrine in the Ninja Village.
The Bond Phenomenon makes its first proper appearance in A Festival of Decisions!, in which Ash's Frogadier evolved into Greninja and assumed the Ash-Greninja form. However, the transformation would not be addressed by name until Kalos League Passion with a Certain Flare!, in which Professor Sycamore, after researching the matter, reported his results to Ash and his friends.
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
In Catching the Aura of Fate!, Ash described that his ability to become one with Greninja felt similar to Lucario's Aura. Flashbacks to scenes that featured Ash-Greninja are changed to feature regular Greninja instead.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
X & Y arc
In the Japan Mini-volume 6 for the X & Y arc, Y's Greninja, Croaky, was revealed to have Battle Bond as his Ability.
Pokémon Journeys
Ash's Greninja appeared in a fantasy in Legend? Check! Friends? Check!, where it was seen in its Ash-Greninja form.
In the TCG
In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Ash's Greninja in its Ash-Greninja form is featured as a Promotional Pokémon
card.
| Related cards Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card | Type | English Expansion |
Rarity | # | Japanese Expansion |
Rarity | # |
| Ash-Greninja
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XY Black Star Promos | XY133 | XY-P Promotional cards | 218/XY-P | ||
| XY-P Promotional cards | 290/XY-P | ||||||
In other languages
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Related articles
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This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation. |