Magikarp and Gyarados

Magikarp and Gyarados
Pokémon characters
Magikarp (bottom) and Gyarados (top) as they appear in Pokémon Legends: Arceus
First appearancePokémon Red and Blue
Designed byKen Sugimori (Gyarados, finalized Magikarp)
Voiced byUnshō Ishizuka (Japanese)
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon
TypeWater (Magikarp)
Water and Flying (Gyarados)
Water and Dark (Mega Gyarados)

Magikarp, known in Japan as Koiking (コイキング, Koikingu), and Gyarados (/ˈɡærəds, ˈɡɪərə-, -dɒs/ GARR-ə-do(h)ss, GHEER-; ギャラドス, Gyaradosu) are a pair of Pokémon species in the Pokémon franchise. Both Pokémon first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue, going on to appear in almost every subsequent installments in the series. Magikarp is a weak, fish-like Pokémon, who is inept and almost useless in battle, while Gyarados is the evolved form of Magikarp, boasting significant strength and power.

Since their debut, Magikarp and Gyarados have received mostly positive responses. While Gyarados and its evolution from Magikarp were met with positive commentary, many were more mixed over Magikarp's inability in battle and overall pointlessness. However, Magikarp's weakness has been met with praise. Both have been cited as among the most well-known Pokémon of all time.