Kadabra

Kadabra
Abra
064
Alakazam
Ability	Synchronize Inner Focus Magic Guard (Hidden)
First game	Pokémon Red and Blue (1996)
Creator	Game Freak

Kadabra <sup>(JPJapanese: ユンゲラー

Romaji: Yungerer)</sup> is a species of Pokémon in the series of the same name. It is a Psychic-type Pokémon that made its first appearance in the first generation games Red and Blue. It evolves into Alakazam when traded.

Kadabra is notably controversial due to Uri Geller sued Nintendo, claiming Kadabra embodies an unauthorized appropriation of his identity. However, in 2020, he released a claim that Nintendo could use Kadabra in cards again.

Physiology and Behavior

Kadabra is a primarily yellow, slightly humanoid Pokémon with mammalian features. It has two long, pointed ears on top of its head, a red star on its forehead, narrow, deep-set eyes, and wide cheeks leading down to a thin snout. Extending from each side of its snout are two mustache-like tufts of fur; a male will have a longer mustache than a female. Kadabra's torso is segmented with bulky shoulders, a thick, brown chest, and a small abdomen marked by three red, wavy lines. Attached to the Pokémon's abdomen is a large, thick tail encircled with a brown band near its base. Its arms are thin with brown elbows and end in three-fingered hands with white claws. Its legs have prominent knees and large, three-toed feet, also ending in white claws. Two of its toes face forward and one backward. Kadabra is always seen carrying a silver spoon, which amplifies its telekinetic powers. A gold spoon does not work as an amplifier and Kadabra is only half as strong without a spoon.

Kadabra emits alpha waves strong enough to induce headaches, and can even cause clocks to run backward, machines to malfunction, and delicate devices to cease functioning altogether. The waves increase further in strength the more danger Kadabra faces. By closing its eyes, it can double the number of alpha particles it emits. When it has a headache, the alpha waves become unusual. All of Kadabra's brain cells work in unison while it uses its powers. It sleeps while levitating, using its springy tail like a pillow. It can store up psychic energy inside its star in preparation for its evolution. There is a theory that Kadabra was born from a transformed human child who could not control his powers. Kadabra lives in urban areas.

Origin and inspiration

Kadabra appears to be based on magicians and spoon benders. It also shares similarities with foxes or goats, animals mythologically tied to magic. The symbols on Kadabra's forehead and abdomen appear to be references to Zener cards, a small deck of symbols used in experiments to test for extrasensory perception and clairvoyance in the early 1930s. As it created the spoon with its psychic powers, it may be based on the practise of alchemy, an early science that sought to synthesise metals with magic. The "Transformation" novel about Kadabra may be based on Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis.

Kadabra may be derived from abracadabra, an incantation used in stage magic.

Yungerer may be named after Uri Geller, an illusionist famed for his spoon-bending technique. This contributed to Geller suing Nintendo for using his likeness in a character.

In-game information

Pokédex entries

Title	Entry
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue	It emits special alpha waves from its body that induce headaches just by being close by.
Pokémon Yellow	Many odd things happen if this Pokémon is close by. For example, it makes clocks run backwards.
Pokémon Stadium	When it uses psychic power, all its brain cells work in unison to generate powerful alpha waves.
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold	It possesses strong spiritual power. The more danger it faces, the stronger its psychic power.
Pokémon Silver	If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
Pokémon Crystal	When it closes its eyes, twice as many alpha particles come out of the surface of its body.
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby	Kadabra emits a peculiar alpha wave if it develops a headache. Only those people with a particularly strong psyche can hope to become a Trainer of this Pokémon.
Pokémon Sapphire	Kadabra holds a silver spoon in its hand. The spoon is used to amplify the alpha waves in its brain. Without the spoon, the Pokémon is said to be limited to half the usual amount of its telekinetic powers.
Pokémon Emerald	It is rumored that a boy with psychic abilities suddenly transformed into Kadabra while he was assisting research into extrasensory powers.
Pokémon FireRed	It happened one morning - a boy with extrasensory powers awoke in bed transformed into Kadabra.
Pokémon LeafGreen	It emits special alpha waves from its body that induce headaches just by being close.
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond	If one is nearby, an eerie shadow appears on TV screens. Seeing the shadow is said to bring bad luck.
Pokémon Pearl	When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision devices.
Pokémon Platinum	It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon HeartGold	It possesses strong spiritual power. The more danger it faces, the stronger its psychic power.
Pokémon SoulSilver	If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black	It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon White	It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon Black 2	It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Pokémon White 2	It stares at its silver spoon to focus its mind. It emits more alpha waves while doing so.
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X	When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision devices.
Pokémon Y	If it uses its abilities, it emits special alpha waves that cause machines to malfunction.
Pokémon Omega Ruby	Kadabra emits a peculiar alpha wave if it develops a headache. Only those people with a particularly strong psyche can hope to become a trainer of this Pokémon.
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire	Kadabra holds a silver spoon in its hand. The spoon is used to amplify the alpha waves in its brain. Without the spoon, the Pokémon is said to be limited to half the usual amount of its telekinetic powers.
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun	A theory exists that this Pokémon was a young boy who couldn't control his psychic powers and ended up transformed into this Pokémon.
Pokémon Moon	Kadabra's presence infests televisions and monitors with creepy shadows that bring bad luck.
Pokémon Ultra Sun	It stares at a silver spoon to amplify its psychic powers before it lets loose. Apparently, gold spoons are no good.
Pokémon Ultra Moon	It possesses strong mental capabilities, but its psychic powers are halved when it's not holding a silver spoon.
Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu	Many odd things happen if this Pokémon is close by. For example, it makes clocks run backward.
Pokémon Let's Go Eevee	Many odd things happen if this Pokémon is close by. For example, it makes clocks run backward.
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword	Using its psychic power, Kadabra levitates as it sleeps. It uses its springy tail as a pillow.
Pokémon Shield	This Pokémon's telekinesis is immensely powerful. To prepare for evolution, Kadabra stores up psychic energy in the star on its forehead.
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond	If one is nearby, an eerie shadow appears on TV screens. Seeing the shadow is said to bring bad luck.
Pokémon Shining Pearl	When it uses its psychic power, it emits strong alpha waves that can ruin precision instruments.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus	There are rumors that a child with mystical powers became a Kadabra; however, this remains unverified. I suspect that the spoon Kadabra holds enhances its brain waves.

Game locations

Title	Location(s)
First Pokémon generation
Pokémon Red and Blue	Cerulean Cave
Pokémon Yellow	Route 8
Second Pokémon generation
Pokémon Gold	Route 8
Pokémon Silver	Route 8
Pokémon Crystal	Route 8
Third Pokémon generation
Pokémon Ruby	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Sapphire	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Emerald	Evolve Abra
Pokémon FireRed	Cerulean Cave
Pokémon LeafGreen	Cerulean Cave
Fourth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Diamond	Route 215, Victory Road
Pokémon Pearl	Route 215, Victory Road
Pokémon Platinum	Route 215
Pokémon HeartGold	Route 8, Cerulean Cave
Pokémon SoulSilver	Route 8, Cerulean Cave
Fifth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Black	Trade
Pokémon White	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Black 2	Evolve Abra
Pokémon White 2	Evolve Abra
Sixth Pokémon generation
Pokémon X	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Y	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Omega Ruby	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Alpha Sapphire	Evolve Abra
Seventh Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sun	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Moon	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Ultra Sun	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Ultra Moon	Evolve Abra
Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu	Routes 7 and 8
Pokémon Let's Go Eevee	Routes 7 and 8
Eighth Pokémon generation
Pokémon Sword	Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands (Wanderer) Soothing Wetlands, Challenge Beach (Max Raid Battle) Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)
Pokémon Shield	Fields of Honor, Soothing Wetlands (Wanderer) Soothing Wetlands, Challenge Beach (Max Raid Battle) Max Lair (Dynamax Adventure)
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond	Route 215, Victory Road Grand Underground - Dazzling Cave, Stargleam Cavern
Pokémon Shining Pearl	Route 215, Victory Road Grand Underground - Dazzling Cave, Stargleam Cavern
Pokémon Legends: Arceus	Obsidian Fieldlands: Sandgem Flats, massive mass outbreaks Cobalt Coastlands: Space-time distortions Alabaster Icelands: Lake Acuity, massive mass outbreaks

Evolution

Abra	Reach level 16.	Kadabra	Trade.	Alakazam

Base Stats

Base Stats
HP	40
Attack	35
Defense	30
Sp. Attack	120
Sp. Defense	70
Speed	105
Total	400

Gallery

Sprites

Sprites
Red Green	Red Blue	Yellow
Gold File:PKMNG064-S.png	Silver File:PKMNS064.png File:PKMNS064-S.png	Crystal File:PKMNC064.gif File:PKMNC064-S.gif
Ruby Sapphire File:PKMNRS064-S.png	Emerald File:PKMNE064.gif File:PKMNE064-S.gif	Fire Leaf File:PKMNFRLG064.png File:PKMNFRLG064-S.png
Diamond Pearl File:PKMNDP064-S.png	Platinum File:PKMNP064.png File:PKMNP064-S.png	Heart Soul File:PKMNHGSS064.png File:PKMNHGSS064-S.png
Black White File:PKMNBW064-S.png	Black 2 White 2 File:PKMNBW2064.png File:PKMNBW2064-S.png	X Y File:PKMNXY064-S.png
Pikachu Eevee File:PKMNLGPE064-S.png	Sword Shield File:PKMNSS064-S.png	Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl File:PKMNBDSP064.png File:PKMNBDSP064-S.png
Legends Arceus File:PKMNPLA064.png File:PKMNPLA064-S.png

Controversy

Kadabra had not been printed as a Pokémon Trading Card Game card since the English Skyridge expansion in 2003. This may be the result of Nintendo and Pokémon Card Laboratories' desire to avoid further litigation from illusionist Uri Geller, who claimed that Kadabra is a parody of him and attempted to sue Nintendo over the notion. However, on November 28, 2020, Geller released an apology on Twitter, announcing that he would allow Nintendo to print cards featuring Kadabra again. The first Kadabra card released since Uri Geller's dismissal of his lawsuit is included in the Pokémon Card 151 subset, releasing on June 16, 2023; and the English 151 expansion, releasing on September 22, 2023.

Due to the now-lifted limitation, Kadabra is the only Stage 1 Pokémon that can be skipped by its Basic evolution, introduced with a particular Abra card able to evolve itself directly into Alakazam.

For possibly the same reason, Kadabra had not made any anime appearances since Fear Factor Phony aired in the United States in 2006, except a small cameo in the "World of Pokémon" opening of Pokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice. Kadabra finally made its media reappearance in the Pokémon Evolutions episode The Show, its first animated appearance in over 16 years, excluding its cameo in the aforementioned movie. Notably, when Ash Ketchum and his friends met Mira in the anime, she was seen using an Abra, whereas she has a Kadabra in the games, despite the fact that the other Stat Trainers in the anime own the same Pokémon as they do in the games.

Kadabra also did not appear in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, whereas Abra and Alakazam did.

Trivia

• In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Kadabra was originally known as Pocus.
• Pocket Monsters Encyclopedia says that Kadabra's Pokédex entry from Pokémon Red and Green is a reference to an in-universe novel "Transformation" that won the second Pokémon Literary Award.