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Ash and Greninja Bond Phenomenon

Ash Ketchum and his Greninja performing Bond Phenomenon to activate Ash-Greninja

The Bond Phenomenon (Japanese: キズナ現象(げんしょう)HepburnKizuna Genshou) is where a Pokémon can bond with its Trainer to activate an ability which is similar to Mega Evolution.

History[]

XY099

Depiction from the Ninja Village of a Greninja who achieved Bond Phenomenon.

Not much known about this Ability, but according to Professor Sycamore, it said that the phenomenon once occurred several hundred years ago and rarely happens. When it does the mutual trust between Trainer and its Pokémon is high and they master it. Sycamore also noted that the phenomenon was related to the Pokémon's potential ability and it doesn't happen to just any Pokémon.

Appearance[]

Ash-Greninja[]

Ash's Ash-Greninja

Ash's Ash-Greninja

One example of the evolution is shown by Ash's Greninja. During the battle against Heidayu, Greninja's strong bond with Ash temporarily activates the Ash-Greninja phenomenon and allows them to defeat Bisharp before reverting to normal.

According to Clemont, when Ash and Greninja have resonated their feelings, Greninja's appearance will resemble Ash's. Serena even recalls Olympia had told them that Greninja will receive full power, which would prevail over greatness.

Abilities[]

In the games, the Bond Phenomenon is introduced in Generation VII as the Ability Battle Bond. When the Ability is activated, Greninja transforms into Ash-Greninja, increasing its Attack, Sp. Atk, and Speed stats, as well as making Water Shuriken more powerful.

XY128

Ash and Greninja seeing each other's point of view in battle.

In the anime, Trainer and Pokémon also share each other's point of view. In his second form, Ash's Greninja has a full form that can surpasses even the strongest Mega-Evolved Pokémon, even if it is a Pokémon that he has type disadvantage against, with the Water Fuma Shuriken on his back, which can deal massive damage to, if not defeat the strongest of his opponents in one hit, Greninja was able to defeat Mega Sceptile with just one hit from Water Fuma Shuriken; despite the fact that Water-type moves have little effect against Grass-type Pokémon. It also turn his Cut attacks into blue kunai blades.

Enhanced power[]

Comparable to Mega evolution, the Pokémon's strength would leap in levels of power to the point of overpowering experienced Pokémon.

Telepathic link[]

Due to their connection, both trainer and Pokémon are able to communicate with their thoughts and share their sense of sight with one another.

Weakness[]

Ash-Greninja[]

XY102 17

Ash experiencing Greninja's pain.

Despite increasing Greninja's speed and power, it comes with the side-effect; if Greninja was attacked and takes damage, Ash will feel his pain as they shares each other's pulse, so if it is pushed too hard, Ash may collapse from exhaustion. It was soon revealed that the main reason why Ash and Greninja were having trouble with this form is because both of them didn't have complete faith and trust in each other. However, the other reasons they were having trouble perfecting this form is that Ash has a fear of losing any of his Pokémon for different reasons and Greninja was insecure of their close bond. After realizing how far they let their flaws get to them, Ash and Greninja resolved it as they made amends for their actions. After that, the weakness became more bearable for Ash as he maintains the pain whenever Greninja takes damage from an attack.

Pokémon Capable of Bond Phenomenon[]

Pokémon Bond Phenomenon Characteristics that change when using Bond Phenomenon
658Greninja Pokémon HOME
Greninja
Type WaterType Dark
658Greninja Ash Pokémon HOME
Ash-Greninja
Type WaterType Dark
Ability: Battle Bond
HP: 72 (±0) Speed: 132 (+10)
Attack: 145 (+50) Defense: 67 (±0)
Sp. Attack: 153 (+50) Sp. Defense: 67 (±0)

Trivia[]

  • This type of evolution appears in the demo of Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, even though it was first made exclusively for the anime. However, Ash-Greninja also appears in the TCG.
  • This type of evolution is similar to Synchro Evolution from the manga.

Gallery[]

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