Cubone may be based on a dinosaur. It also could be based on primitive cultures that wore bones for decoration and used them for weapons.
Cubone may be a combination of cute and bone, cub and bone, or cue ball (a reference to its pale white head or that its bone resembles a billiards or snooker cue) and bone. It could also be a combination of the Latin word cubo (recluse) and bone; this can refer to its lonely nature.
Karakara may be taken to mean からから (clattering). It is worth noting that karakara denotes lighter clattering than がらがら garagara.
No: 104
English Name: Cubone
Japanese Name: Karakara
Generation: 1
Type: Ground
Species: Lonely Pokémon
Abilities: Lightning Rod, Rock Head, Battle Armor (hidden ability)
Evolution: Cubone > Marowak
Cubone is a small, bipedal Pokémon with a golden brown hide that covers most of its body, including both dorsal spikes. Its belly is a very light brown. Two small claws, one on each hand, serve as its thumbs, and one large nail on each foot make up its toes. 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. The bone allows it to learn Bone Club and Bonemerang, two moves exclusive to Cubone and its evolution Marowak.
It is called the Lonely Pokémon because of its tendency to keep to itself and avoid social situations, as it was apparently traumatized 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 moon, and so it howls with a particular sadness. It 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. Mandibuzz is a natural predator of Cubone.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Because it never removes its skull helmet, no one has ever seen this Pokémon’s real face.
Pokemon Blue: Because it never removes its skull helmet, no one has ever seen this Pokémon’s real face.
Pokemon Yellow: Wears the skull of its deceased mother. Its cries echo inside the skull and come out as a sad melody.
Pokemon Stadium: Always wears the skull of its deceased mother on its head and never shows its face. It cries mournfully in the moonlight.
Pokemon Gold: If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound.
Pokemon Silver: It always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.
Pokemon Crystal: It lost its mother after its birth. It wears its mother’s skull, never revealing its true face.
Pokemon Stadium 2: If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound.
Pokemon Ruby: Cubone 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.
Pokemon Sapphire: Cubone 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.
Pokemon Emerald: It 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.
Pokemon FireRed: It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Because it never removes its skull helmet, no one has ever seen this Pokémon’s real face.
Pokemon Diamond: When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Pokemon Pearl: When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Pokemon Platinum: When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Pokemon HeartGold: If it is sad or lonely, the skull it wears shakes, and emits a plaintive and mournful sound.
Pokemon SoulSilver: It always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.
Pokemon Black: When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Pokemon White: When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Pokemon Black 2: When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
pokemon White 2: When it thinks of its dead mother, it cries. Its crying makes the skull it wears rattle hollowly.
Pokemon X: It wears the skull of its dead mother on its head. When it becomes lonesome, it is said to cry loudly.
Pokemon Y: It always wears the skull of its dead mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Cubone 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.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Cubone 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.
Pokemon SUN: When it thinks of its deceased mother, it weeps loudly. Mandibuzz that hear its cries will attack it from the air.
Pokemon MOON: The 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.
