The official Pokémon Information Bureau X account has “apologized” for a series of unusual posts made on September 9 and 10. In typical formal Japanese apology tone, the anonucement reads:
We sincerely apologize about the images and text posted on the Official Pokémon Information Bureau X account between September 9 and 10, which were distorted and difficult to read. After investigating this incident, we have discovered that a Pokémon Information Bureau employee unintentionally distorted the posts. The person in question has stated that they have no recollection of this incident, including the circumstances surrounding it. We have given them strict warnings to ensure that this does not happen again. The newly discovered Mega Evolution, Mega Malamar, appears to be able to freely rewrite personalities and memories using powerful hypnosis, but it is unclear whether this is related to the current incident.
It turns out, the string of inverted images and videos, accompanied by upside-down captions like #uoɯǝ̗ʞoԀ, were a promotion for the new Mega Malamar evolution that will debut in the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Following the tongue-in-cheek apology, the official account’s first right-side-up post features Mega Malamar. Given that the entry describes Mega Malamar as a Pokémon that “shines with overflowing psychic power” and “dominates personalities,” it can be safe to assume that the previous posts were a publicity stunt, much like the recent faux news report exposing the “truth” about Malamar.
A Dark/Psychic Pokémon, Mega Malamar and its evolutions are often associated with hypnosis and inversion. Its first form, Inkay, can only evolve into Malamar once it reaches level 30 and the console is held upside-down (this can be circumvented by playing on a Switch 2 and connecting the Joy-Cons upside-down). Unlike Inkay and Malamar, Mega Malamar looks more akin to a human nervous system. Note its swollen head and glowing mandibles, the latter of which aid with its hypnosis attacks.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A is set to release for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on October 16, 2025.
