Cubone (Japanese: カラカラ Karakara) is a Ground-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

It evolves into Marowak starting at level 28.

In Alola, Cubone evolves into Alolan Marowak when leveled up at night starting at level 28.

Biology

Cubone is a small, bipedal, dinosaur-like reptilian Pokémon with a light brown hide that covers most of its body, except for its cream-colored belly. Two small claws, one on each hand, serve as its thumbs, and one large nail on each foot make up its toes. It has two small spikes on its back and a short tail. On its head, Cubone wears the skull of its dead mother as a helmet. Because of this, much of its actual face has never been seen, except for its triangular, black eyes and a small area surrounding them. The skull has two rounded horns on the top of its head and a tooth-like point on the lower sides. Under the skull, Cubone has a brown snout. The small Cubone survives only through the immense skill it possesses in wielding the bone it carries as a weapon.

It is called the Lonely Pokémon because of its tendency to keep to itself and avoid social situations, due to the trauma caused by the death of its mother. Cubone will often weep at night in mourning of its mother. When Cubone cries, the skull that it wears on its head vibrates and emits "a plaintive and mournful sound." On the night of a full moon, the cries are said to be especially terrible. Cubone seems to recognize its mother in the full moon, and so it howls with a particular sadness. Its cries attract Mandibuzz, a natural predator. It is said a Cubone will evolve into a Marowak once it comes terms with its mother's death. As mentioned in Pokémon Sleep, Cubone is known to cry while sleeping.[1]It is theorized that Cubone's dreams are about its deceased mother. The dreams Cubone have make it cry, but crying makes it stronger. Cubone lives in rocky areas, usually on mountains or in caves. It also once inhabited the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town where deceased Pokémon were buried and mourned.

Cubone and its evolved form, Marowak, are the only known Pokémon capable of learning the moves Bone Club and Bonemerang. Cubone and Marowak are also the only known Pokémon capable of using the Thick Club item. In Generations II and III, Bone Rush was another one of their signature moves.

Evolution

Cubone evolves into Marowak.

In Alola, it evolves into Alolan Marowak.

(For specifics on this Pokémon's evolution in the games, refer to Game data→Evolution data.)

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokédex entries

Generation IKanto
#104
Red(JPN)(This entry was originally untranslated in English until it was reused in Pokémon FireRed.)
Green
Red(ENG)Because it never removes its skull helmet, no one has ever seen this Pokémon's real face.
Blue
YellowWears the skull of its deceased mother. Its cries echo inside the skull and come out as a sad melody.
StadiumAlways wears the skull of its deceased mother on its head and never shows its face. It cries mournfully in the moonlight.
Generation IIJohto
#203
GoldIf it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound.
SilverIt always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.
CrystalIt lost its mother after its birth. It wears its mother's skull, never revealing its true face.
Stadium 2If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound.
Generation IIIHoenn
#—		Kanto
#104
RubyCubone pines for the mother it will never see again. Seeing a likeness of its mother in the full moon, it cries. The stains on the skull the Pokémon wears are made by the tears it sheds.
Sapphire
EmeraldIt pines for the mother it will never see again. Seeing a likeness of its mother in the full moon, it cries. The stains on the skull it wears are from its tears.
FireRedIt wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly.
LeafGreenBecause it never removes its skull helmet, no one has ever seen this Pokémon's real face.
Generation IVSinnoh
#—		Johto
#208
DiamondWhen it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Pearl
Platinum
HeartGoldIf it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound.
SoulSilverIt always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.
Generation VUnova
#—
BlackWhen it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
White
Black 2When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
White 2
Generation VIKalos
Coastal #060		Hoenn
#—
XIt wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly.
YIt always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.
Omega RubyCubone pines for the mother it will never see again. Seeing a likeness of its mother in the full moon, it cries. The stains on the skull the Pokémon wears are made by the tears it sheds.
Alpha Sapphire
Generation VIIAlola
 S  M : #163		Alola
 US  UM : #197		Kanto
#104
SunWhen it thinks of its deceased mother, it weeps loudly. Mandibuzz that hear its cries will attack it from the air.
MoonThe skull it wears on its head is that of its dead mother. According to some, it will evolve when it comes to terms with the pain of her death.
Ultra SunAt night, it weeps loudly for its dead mother, but those cries only attract its natural enemy—Mandibuzz.
Ultra MoonIt wears its mother's skull on its head, so no one knows what its bare face looks like. However, it's clear that it's always crying.
Let's Go PikachuWears the skull of its deceased mother. Its cries echo inside the skull and come out as a sad melody.
Let's Go Eevee
Generation VIIIGalar
Isle of Armor #170		Sinnoh
#—		Hisui
#—
This Pokémon has no Pokédex entries in Legends: Arceus.
SwordWhen the memory of its departed mother brings it to tears, its cries echo mournfully within the skull it wears on its head.
ShieldThis Pokémon wears the skull of its deceased mother. Sometimes Cubone's dreams make it cry, but each tear Cubone sheds makes it stronger.
Brilliant DiamondWhen it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Shining Pearl

Game locations

Generation I
Generation II
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Generation IX

In side games

Generation I
Generation II
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
Generation VIII
Cross-Generation

In events

Held items

Pokémon caught in Generation I must be traded to a Generation II game in order for a held item to appear.

Stats

Base stats

Pokéathlon stats

Power
2/5★★☆☆☆

Type effectiveness

Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
Damaged
normally by:
Immune to:
Resistant to:

Learnset

Cubone is available in Sword and Shield Version 1.2.0+ and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.

By leveling up

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Cubone
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations

By TM/TR

SwSh

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Cubone
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

BDSP

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Cubone
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations

By breeding

SwSh

Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Cubone in Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Cubone in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Cubone
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

BDSP

Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Cubone in Generation VIII
  • Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
  • Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Cubone in that game.
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Cubone
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations

By tutoring

Generation VIII
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Cubone
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations

By transfer from another generation

Generation VIII
  • Transferred Pokémon only retain these moves in Pokémon Sword and Shield
  • A striped background indicates a generation in which the move can only be obtained via event or as a special move
  • Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Cubone
  • Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an evolution of Cubone
  • × indicates a move that cannot be used in Sword and Shield
  • Click on the generation numbers at the top to see transfer-only moves for other generations

TCG-only moves

Side game data

Pokémon Rumble Rush
Rush104Body.pngWalking Speed: 1.97 secondsBase HP: 48
Base Attack: 69Base Defense: 54Base Speed: 60

Evolution data

Sprites

Generation I
Generation II
Generation III
Generation IV
Generation V
Generation VI
Generation VII
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation IX.
Cross-Generation

In the anime

Main series

Major appearances

Goh's Cubone

In A Snow Day for Searching!, Goh helped a Cubone retrieve its stolen bone before catching it.

Other

Cubone debuted in The School of Hard Knocks, under the ownership of Giselle. It was used in a battle against Ash and his Pikachu, but lost.

In Pikachu's Vacation, a Cubone was part of a group of troublemakers causing trouble for Pikachu and his friends until they came to a truce.

In Pichu Bros. in Party Panic, a Cubone helped Meowth prepare his party and played the drums in his band. Cubone would get easily sad and gloomy whenever Meowth yelled at it, but it was also easily consolable.

In PK15, a Cubone was the leader of a group of Pokémon who took up residence in a haunted house. They would attempt to scare visitors out of the house.

In Battling With a Clean Slate!, Alvin used a Cubone in a Gym battle against Clembot and managed to defeat Magneton and Heliolisk.

Minor appearances

In Hypno's Naptime, a Cubone was seen in HopHopHop Town's Pokémon Center.

In Pokémon Fashion Flash, a Cubone was on Scissor Street.

In A Chansey Operation a Cubone was injured and had to be treated at the human hospital.

In Princess vs. Princess, a Cubone competed in the Queen of the Princess Festival.

A Cubone appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.

In The Power of One, multiple Cubone sensed the disturbance caused by Lawrence III.

A wild Cubone appeared in Pikachu's Rescue Adventure.

A Cubone appeared in a flashback in Ignorance is Blissey, under the ownership of the Pokémon Nurse School.

In Wired for Battle!, a Trainer's Cubone came up as an image in Shingo's laptop.

In Pikachu & Pichu, a Cubone was living in Big Town.

In The Heartbreak of Brock, a Cubone was living at Temacu's father's lab.

In Doin' What Comes Natu-rally, a Cubone participated in a street festival.

A Cubone appeared in Bulbasaur's flashback in Bulbasaur... the Ambassador!.

In Gonna Rule The School!, the Pokémon Trainers' School lent a Cubone to the school's underage students for use in lessons.

A Cubone appeared in the opening sequence of Destiny Deoxys.

In Showdown at Linoone, a fantasy explaining the function of a Thick Club featured a Cubone.

A Cubone appeared in the opening sequence of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.

A Coordinator's Cubone appeared in Harley Rides Again.

In Dawn's Early Night!, a Coordinator's Cubone was used along with a Marowak for the Double Performance required during the Hearthome Contest.

In a flashback in Dealing With a Fierce Double Ditto Drama!, a Trainer's Cubone was going to battle Narissa alongside a Marowak, but they retreated when her Ditto transformed into Zapdos.

A Cubone made brief cameo appearances in Giratina and the Sky Warrior and Arceus and the Jewel of Life.

A Cubone appeared in A Jolting Switcheroo!.

Two Trainers' Cubone appeared in Alola to New Adventure!.

In Lillie's Egg-xhilarating Challenge!, a Cubone was playing in Lillie's garden.

Two Cubone appeared in I Choose You!. One of them took shelter from the rain in a cave with Pokémon including Entei.

A Trainer's Cubone appeared in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.

A Trainer's Cubone appeared in Alola, Kanto!.

A Cubone appeared in The Power of Us.

In I Choose Paradise!, a Cubone was at the Pokémon Paradise Resort.

In Securing the Future!, four Trainers' Cubone joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its true form.

A Trainer's Cubone appeared in The Dealer of Destruction!.

A Cubone appeared in Enter Pikachu!.

A Trainer's Cubone appeared in Take My Thief! Please!.

In Heroes Unite!, a Cubone appeared during a flashback.

A Trainer's Cubone appeared in Getting to the Heart of it All!.

A Cubone appeared in The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.

Pokédex entries

EpisodePokémonSourceEntry
PK01CuboneDexterA Ground-type Pokémon, Cubone. Cubone has earned its classification as the Lonely Pokémon from its usual attitude of caring only for itself.
EpisodePokémonSourceEntry
JN015CuboneGoh's Rotom PhoneCubone, the Lonely Pokémon. A Ground type. Cubone wears a skull as a helmet, concealing its face as it sheds tears for its long-lost mother. It cries loudly to express its loneliness. It also always carries a long, thick bone.

Pokémon Origins

In File 2: Cubone, a Cubone was in the Pokémon House in Lavender Town. It is the child of the ghostly Marowak, who died while defending it from Team Rocket.

A Ripple in Time

A Cubone appeared in A Ripple in Time, under the ownership of Arsham. It was used in a battle against Ash and his Pikachu.

The Adventures of Snorlax & Cubone

Snorlax and Cubone in The Adventures of Snorlax & Cubone Main article: The Adventures of Snorlax & Cubone

Cubone was featured alongside Snorlax in an animation produced as part of Project Snorlax.

In the manga

Pocket Monsters DP

A Cubone appeared in PMDP16.

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Bonee

Cubone made a cameo in Onix is On!, under the ownership of a Trainer at the Pewter Gym. It battled Red's Bulbasaur.

A Cubone appeared as a silhouette when Green talks about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.

Multiple Cubone were under the control of Team Rocket Grunts in Piloswine Whine. They attack Gold and Silver but are easily defeated.

Crystal owns a Cubone nicknamed Bonee, which first appeared in Slugging It Out With Slugma. It notably has a star-shaped crack in his skull. Cubone's main role in the team is to take out targets from afar using his bone-based attacks. In Lively Larvitar, the origin of Crystal's Cubone is revealed: it, along with Crystal's Natu, Hitmonchan, and Parasect, were wild Pokémon living in Mt. Mortar and had fought with a local Arcanine that had gone berserk from a severe eye injury. Bonee had used several bone clubs for Crystal to use as arm casts.

A Cubone appeared in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to participate in the fight in Ilex Forest.

A Cubone appeared in Weavile Wobbles But It Won't Fall Down, under the ownership of a Youngster at the Safari Zone.

A Cubone appeared in a fantasy in Ray of Light!! Through the Crack in the Sky!.

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

Ken owns a Cubone, as seen in GDZ16.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

A Cubone appeared in Fierce Competition at the Pokémon Baseball Tournament!, where it was one of the Pokémon that took part in a baseball match. It was seen with Green during the game.

A Cubone appeared in Clefairy's Christmas Present?!.

Giovanni has a Cubone, which was used in his Gym battle against Red in Get The Last Badge!!.

Red caught a Cubone prior to Red VS Green?!.

A Cubone appeared in Pikachu's Birthday Party.

A Cubone appeared in Demanding Tests at the Pokémon School!.

Pokémon Zensho

A Cubone appeared in PZ05.

In the TCG

Main article: Cubone (TCG)

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In the Pokémon Stadium 2 stage, a Cubone can be seen on the Ground Terrain standing atop the highest platform built into a rock. Dugtrio and Pokémon Fossils can also be seen on the Ground Terrain.

Trophy information

"A Lonely Pokémon. It wears its mother's skull as a helmet--for this reason, no one has ever seen its face. It sometimes sees its departed mother's face in the full moon, which causes it to grow sad and cry. The stains on the skull are tracks of its tears. When it cries, the skull shakes and emits a mournful sound. When it levels up, it evolves into Marowak."

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

It appears again on Pokémon Stadium 2.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

It appears again on the same stage and as a Spirit.

POKÉMON Detective Pikachu

A Cubone appeared in POKÉMON Detective Pikachu. Tim Goodman attempted to catch it at the behest of his friend Jack, but the effort went awry and the Cubone attacked Tim before escaping.

Merchandise

Cubone was one of the first four Pokémon designs revealed when the Pokémon 151 brand was first announced. In the shirt design, Cubone's skull is in the center of the shirt, with two Thick Clubs in crossing below it.

Music

This is a list of music associated with Cubone in the Pokémon games.

Trivia

Cubone's face partially revealed
  • In the Pokémon Red and Blue beta, Cubone was originally known as "Orphon", a corruption of the word "orphan", based on its abandonment at birth.
  • Cubone is Midori Harada's favorite Pokémon.
  • Cubone is one of the Pokémon that appears in the Pokémon 151 clothing line.
  • Cubone is the only Pokémon that can evolve into a dual-type Pokémon that doesn't share any types with its evolution.
  • A Japanese trading card, which features Cubone using the move Growl, partially reveals Cubone's face.
  • While Alolan Marowak shares the Rock Head Ability with Cubone, Cubone is unable to retain this Ability after evolving in the Alola region. This is because Cubone's Rock Head is its first Ability, while Alolan Marowak's Rock Head is its Hidden Ability. It shares this trait with Tyrogue and Hitmontop's Ability Steadfast.
  • In the second episode of Pokémon Origins, a mother Marowak is shown protecting her child Cubone from Team Rocket. Even though the Marowak is alive, the Cubone is still wearing a skull.
  • Cubone are born wearing the skulls.

Origin

Cubone was created out of the thought of how sad it would be for a Pokémon to die.[2] In its design, it is reptilian in nature and seems to be loosely based on bipedal dinosaurs. It also could be based on primitive cultures that wore bones for decoration and used them for weapons. The use of its bone as a boomerang and as a weapon at the same time seems to be a reference to the boomerang's original use for hunting in Indigenous Australian cultures.

Name origin

Cubone is a combination of cub and bone.[3]

Karakara may be derived from カラカラ karakara (onomatopoeia for light clattering), contrasting with the ガラガラ garagara (onomatopoeia for heavy clattering) in Marowak's Japanese name.

In other languages

References

  • ↑ Sleep Style Dex
  • ↑ Satoshi Tajiri: "There's also Cubone, who was born from the thought of how sad it would be for a Pokémon to die. The bone Cubone holds is actually the bone of its dead mother. Cubone treasures it." Translation: Satoshi Tajiri Cuts Loose (1997 Interview)
  • ↑ Dockery, Daniel (October 4, 2022). Monster Kids: How Pokémon Taught a Generation to Catch Them All. Running Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0762479504.

    • See also

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