Gastly seems to be based on general cartoonish ghosts and spirits, or maybe a will-o’-the-wisp. It may also have been based on the Japanese yōkai sōgen bi, the decapitated head of a monk whose head is doomed to wander the Earth, consumed by fire. Its Poison type is most likely a reference to poisonous or polluted gases.
Gastly may be a combination of gas and ghastly (dreadfully frightening or horrible).
Ghos is a shortened form of ghost and may also incorporate gas into its name.
No: 092
English Name: Gastly
Japanese Name: Gosu
Generation: 1
Type: Ghost, Poison
Species: Gas Pokémon
Abilities: Levitate
Evolution: Gastly > Haunter > Gengar
Gastly’s “hands”
Gastly has no true form, due to its body being 95% poisonous gas. However, it consistently appears as a black, spherical Pokémon surrounded by a purple haze. It has a wide, pink mouth with two visible fangs. Though its eyes seem to extend past its round body, visible eyelids surround them. The toxic gas surrounding the main body can induce fainting and suffocation, and is capable of enshrouding an Indian elephant within two seconds. Because it is mostly gas, Gastly will dwindle away when exposed to strong winds.
The anime suggests that Gastly has a playful personality, often frightening and playing pranks on people for fun. However, it has shown a willingness to preserve or pass on the memories of departed humans. It has further been shown changing form and creating illusions, and it is capable of phasing through solid objects and forming tangible hands out of its gasses. The anime has shown Gastly living in old, dilapidated buildings, but it can also be found in caves.
POKEDEX ENTRIES
Pokemon Red: Almost invisible, this gaseous Pokémon cloaks the target and puts it to sleep without notice.
Pokemon Blue: Almost invisible, this gaseous Pokémon cloaks the target and puts it to sleep without notice.
Pokemon Yellow: Said to appear in decrepit, deserted buildings. It has no real shape as it appears to be made of a gas.
Pokemon Stadium: Made of a thin, gas-like substance that induces fainting if you get enshrouded in it. Will not appear if it is very windy.
Pokemon Gold: With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind.
Pokemon Silver: Its thin body is made of gas. It can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation.
Pokemon Crystal: Its thin body is made of gas. It can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation.
Pokemon Stadium 2: With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind.
Pokemon Ruby: Gastly is largely composed of gaseous matter. When exposed to a strong wind, the gaseous body quickly dwindles away. Groups of this Pokémon cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind.
Pokemon Sapphire: Gastly is largely composed of gaseous matter. When exposed to a strong wind, the gaseous body quickly dwindles away. Groups of this Pokémon cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind.
Pokemon Emerald: When exposed to a strong wind, a Gastly’s gaseous body quickly dwindles away. They cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind.
Pokemon FireRed: A being that exists as a thin gas. It can topple an Indian elephant by enveloping the prey in two seconds.
Pokemon LeafGreen: Almost invisible, this gaseous Pokémon cloaks the target and puts it to sleep without notice.
Pokemon Diamond: This Pokémon’s body is 95% made up of gases, which are blown away by strong gusts of wind.
Pokemon Pearl: A Pokémon born from poison gases. It defeats even the largest foes by enveloping them in gas.
Pokemon Platinum: Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison.
Pokemon HeartGold: With its gas-like body, it can sneak into any place it desires. However, it can be blown away by wind.
Pokemon SoulSilver: Its thin body is made of gas. Despite lacking substance, it can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation.
Pokemon Black: Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison.
Pokemon White: Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison.
Pokemon Black 2: Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison.
pokemon White 2: Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison.
Pokemon X: Its body is made of gas. Despite lacking substance, it can envelop an opponent of any size and cause suffocation.
Pokemon Y: Born from gases, anyone would faint if engulfed by its gaseous body, which contains poison.
Pokemon Omega Ruby: Gastly is largely composed of gaseous matter. When exposed to a strong wind, the gaseous body quickly dwindles away. Groups of this Pokémon cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire: Gastly is largely composed of gaseous matter. When exposed to a strong wind, the gaseous body quickly dwindles away. Groups of this Pokémon cluster under the eaves of houses to escape the ravages of wind.
Pokemon SUN: Should a strange light be seen flickering in an abandoned building, Gastly is lurking there.
Pokemon MOON: Although Gastly is barely visible, when it’s near, a faint sweet smell lingers.
