Mawile
A Steel- and Fairy-type Pokémon with a deceptive, jaw-like horn.
Mawile, known in Japan as Kucheat, is a Pokémon species introduced in the 2002 video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. It was designed as part of Game Freak's effort to push the concept of what a Pokémon could look like, with final artwork by Ken Sugimori. Originally a Steel-type, it was reclassified as a Steel- and Fairy-type in Pokémon X and Y, and gained a Mega Evolution called Mega Mawile. Mawile has appeared in multiple games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and the anime, and has been mostly well received for its design and lore.
- species
- Pokémon
- introduced
- Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire (2002)
- type
- Steel (originally); Steel/Fairy (from X and Y)
- height
- 2 ft (61 cm); Mega Mawile 3 ft 3 in (99 cm)
- designer
- Ken Sugimori (finalized design)
- known_for
- Large horn resembling a crocodile maw on back of head; Mega Evolution
Lore & Background
Mawile is a bipedal Pokémon with a short yellow body, cloven feet, black markings on its hands, and a large black horn protruding from the back of its head that resembles a crocodile maw. This horn can open and bite targets, but lacks a tongue or throat. It was originally classified as solely a Steel-type, but with Pokémon X and Y it gained a secondary Fairy typing. Mega Mawile, introduced in the same games, gains an additional horn maw on each side of its head, increased height, and pink coloration on its legs and arms. Despite its feminine appearance, Mawile can be either male or female.
Reader's Guide
Mawile has been mostly well received since its debut, with comparisons drawn to the yōkai futakuchi-onna. Critics have praised its cuteness and noted its popularity among players, despite its gameplay capabilities being called niche and dismal. The addition of the Fairy-type and Mega Mawile transformation in X and Y were praised, with USgamer writer Kat Bailey stating these changes helped increase its popularity and served as an example of Game Freak's approach to gameplay balance. IGN called it 'adorable yet exceedingly tough, evil' and compared it to Cubone. Inside staff cited it as one of the most popular and desired Pokémon, while Carolyn Gudmundson of GamesRadar+ called it a fan favorite despite its 'dismal' gameplay. Cian Maher of USA Today praised its design for making the creature believable as something one could encounter in the real world. An unused design speculated to be a member of Mawile's evolutionary line was uncovered in July 2026 from an internal DVD documentary about Pokémon Diamond and Pearl development.
Did You Know?
- Mawile's large horn resembles a crocodile maw but lacks a tongue, throat, and spittle.
- It was reclassified as a Steel- and Fairy-type Pokémon in Pokémon X and Y.
- Mega Mawile gains an additional horn maw on each side of its head.
- An unused design speculated to be part of Mawile's evolutionary line was uncovered in July 2026.
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