Koffing and Weezing facts for kids

Koffing and Weezing are two well-known Pokémon species from the popular Pokémon games and anime. In Japan, they are known as Dogars and Matadogas. They were created by Ken Sugimori and first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue.

Koffing evolves into Weezing when it reaches level 35. These Pokémon are known as the Poison Gas Pokémon because they are Poison-type Pokémon. They are filled with special gases that help them float in the air. You often see them used by bad guys like Team Rocket, and by Gym Leaders who specialize in Poison-type Pokémon, such as Koga and Roxie. In the Pokémon TV show, Koffing and later Weezing were the main Pokémon used by James from Team Rocket.

In the Galar region, there is a special version of Weezing that is both Poison and Fairy-type. This version has a unique ability called Neutralizing Gas.

Creating Koffing and Weezing

Koffing and Weezing were designed by Ken Sugimori for the very first Pokémon games, Red and Green (which were called Pokémon Red and Blue outside of Japan). In these games, players become a Pokémon Trainer who catches and trains creatures called Pokémon. Trainers use their Pokémon's special abilities to battle other Pokémon.

The English names "Koffing" and "Weezing" come from the words "coughing" and "wheezing." These words describe breathing problems that can be caused by bad fumes, which fits these gas-filled Pokémon! Fun fact: originally, these Pokémon were going to be named "NY" and "LA" in English. This was a nod to the air pollution in big American cities like New York City and Los Angeles.

Koffing's Look

Koffing looks like a big, floating blue-purple ball. It has a smiling face with two eyes and two small white fangs sticking out. Below its mouth, there's a skull and crossbones symbol. Its body has several stud-like holes that let out gas, making it look a bit like a naval mine. Koffing is known for being able to learn powerful explosion attacks. It stands about 2 feet (60 cm) tall.

Weezing's Look

Weezing's design shows two Koffings that have joined together. One head is larger than the other, and they are connected by a small, round mass. Both faces look like they are frowning. The larger head has two big lower fangs and two blunt upper teeth. On both heads, the skull symbol is simpler, and the smaller head doesn't have the crossbones. Weezing is about 3 feet 11 inches (119 cm) tall.

Abilities and Behavior

Koffing and Weezing are filled with toxic gases. These gases allow them to float and move through the air. Their bodies can grow bigger or shrink depending on how they feel or the temperature. If they get too upset or too hot, they might even explode! They also release gases from their bodies, and how poisonous these gases are depends on their mood.

Weezing is formed when two Koffings combine after their gases mix. When one of Weezing's heads inflates, the other one will deflate, like a special kind of balloon experiment. Even though the games mention triple-headed Weezing, we haven't seen one in any games or shows yet. In the Pokémon anime, both heads of a Weezing "speak" at the same time when it says its name. These Pokémon often live in cities and towns, and they eat things like dust, fumes, garbage, and toxic waste.

Koffing and Weezing in Games

Koffing and Weezing first appeared in the very first Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Blue. Since then, they have appeared in many other Pokémon games, including Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, and Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

Many NPCs (characters not controlled by players) in the games use Koffing and Weezing. This includes the bad guys from Team Rocket and the Poison-type bosses like Koga. Koga's daughter, Janine, also uses them in later games. In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, the Gym Leader Roxie uses Koffing and Weezing, and Koffing's design is even part of her gym!

In the American version of Pokémon Red and Blue, Koffing's skull and crossbones symbol was on its forehead. But in every other Pokémon game and the anime, the symbol is shown below its head.

Koffing and Weezing have also appeared in other Pokémon spin-off games:

• In Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2, Koga and Janine use these Pokémon in battles.
• Weezing is one of Team Rocket's Pokémon in Pokémon Puzzle League.
• In [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]', a Koffing is part of Team Skull, a group of minor bad guys.
• In the Super Smash Bros. fighting games, Koffing and Weezing can appear from a Pokéball and release toxic gas to damage opponents. Weezing also appeared as a floating stage in Super Smash Bros. Melee.
• Koffing is also featured in the popular 2016 augmented reality game Pokémon Go.

Koffing and Weezing in Other Media

In the Anime

In the Pokémon anime series, a Koffing was often used by James from Team Rocket. It first showed up in the second episode of the series. Later, this Koffing evolved into a Weezing. James eventually released his Weezing in the sixth episode of Pokémon: Advanced so it could protect a group of other Koffing and Ekans that were set free. This happened after Weezing had been with James for over 260 episodes!

Ash also used a Weezing once during a Pokémon League entrance exam in an episode called The Ultimate Test. His Weezing managed to defeat the instructor's Flareon.

More recently, Koffing appeared in the anime as one of Roxie's Pokémon in the Pokémon Black and White: Rival Destinies series. Roxie's Koffing was very strong in her Gym Battles, winning many times. When Ash challenged Roxie for the Toxic Badge, her Koffing defeated Ash's Boldore and Unfezant, but it was eventually defeated by Ash's Leavanny.

In Manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, James's Weezing makes an appearance. It first shows up as a Koffing and later evolves.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Koffing is one of Koga's Pokémon. In one story, when Koga and Blue were attacked by Agatha's Gengar, Koga used Koffing's smoke to secretly tell Blue his plan without Gengar noticing. Koga's daughter, Janine, also has a Weezing on her team in the manga.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Pokémon de la primera generación para niños