Ash's Lucario

Ash's Lucario サトシのルカリオ Satoshi's Lucario

Ash's Lucario

Egg obtained in Caring for a Mystery! Egg obtained at Vermilion City Pokémon Center Hatches in Caring for a Mystery! Hatched at Cerise Laboratory (Caught at Vermilion City Pokémon Center) Evolves in Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken! Gender Unknown Ability Unknown Current location In rotation

→ → This Pokémon spent less than 1 episode in its Egg and 24 episodes as Riolu.

Voice actor Japanese English As Riolu Kei Shindō Cristina Vee As Lucario Daisuke Namikawa Bill Rogers

Ash's Lucario (Japanese: サトシのルカリオ Satoshi's Lucario) was the third Pokémon that Ash caught in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, and his fifty-fifth overall.

In the anime

History

As a Riolu, with Ash

Lucario's Egg was originally found in the Sinnoh region. Despite being passed from one Day Care worker to another for a long time, it seemed unwilling to hatch. Eventually, the Egg made its way to the Kanto region, coming under the care of the Nurse Joy working in Vermilion City.

While Ash battled Hayden in Caring for a Mystery!, the Egg sensed the strong Aura being emitted by the former and reacted to it. Ash also felt the Egg calling for him. While Pikachu was being treated at the Pokémon Center, Ash followed the call to the room where the Egg was being kept. When the Egg reacted to Ash's presence by rolling towards him, Nurse Joy decided to entrust its care to him.

As a Riolu, admiring Korrina's Lucario

The following night, the Egg hatched into a Riolu. As Ash wasn't exuding the same Aura as he had earlier, Riolu didn't recognize him and instantly fled from the Cerise Laboratory and started attacking various wild Pokémon, although all of them were too strong for it. Ash finally caught up to Riolu as it was getting attacked by an Onix. During the battle against the Rock Snake Pokémon, Riolu recognized Ash's Aura as the same one it had sensed earlier. With both Pikachu and Riolu attacking Onix, Ash was soon able to drive it away, and then, he took Riolu to the Pokémon Center to be healed. After Nurse Joy treated Riolu, it expressed willingness to be caught by Ash, which he agreed to.

In A Little Rocket R & R!, Ash used Riolu to battle Team Rocket Grunts trying to steal Pokémon at the Resort Area, but it was defeated by their Purugly.

In A Festival Reunion!, when Ash traveled to Shalour City to participate in a Battle Festival Challenge in order to raise his World Coronation Series rank, Riolu sensed the Aura emanating from Korrina's Lucario and led Ash and his other Pokémon to it. Korrina took a liking to Riolu and encouraged it to become stronger with Ash. Riolu instantly started admiring to Korrina's Lucario, and it came to the point that when Ash was about to start his battle with Korrina in the Battle Festival Challenge, it showed eagerness to battle, but Ash decided to go with his more experienced Pokémon. During and after the battle, even though Lucario had been defeated, Riolu still showed great admiration towards its evolved form.

In Toughing It Out!, Riolu battled a Galarian Farfetch'd. With a new array of moves at its disposal, it was able to defeat the Farfetch'd, which later joined Ash's team.

In Betrayed, Bothered, and Beleaguered!, Ash used Riolu in his World Coronation Series match against Tony. Riolu succeeded in defeating Tony's Electabuzz, increasing Ash's World Coronation Series rank in the process.

As a Riolu, battling Grapploct

In Solitary and Menacing!, Ash took Riolu with him to the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City, where it was used to battle a Black Belt's Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee. During Ash's World Coronation Series match against Bea, Riolu volunteered to battle her Grapploct, only to be defeated, losing the match and causing Ash's World Coronation Series rank to go down.

In Making Battles in the Sand!, Ash used Riolu in two World Coronation Series matches, with the first against an Octillery and the second against a Tentacruel. After his loss against Bea, Ash was insistent on Riolu fighting from a distance, but as they had not trained in this fighting style, Riolu lost both of these battles, resulting in Ash dropping back to the Normal Class.

In Octo-Gridlock at the Gym!, Riolu battled Grapploct again following Pikachu's defeat during Ash's second battle against Bea at the Cianwood Gym. Using a new strategy, Riolu managed to use its opponent's arms to its own advantage. Despite this, the battle ended in a draw.

In Sword and Shield, Slumbering Weald!, Riolu was used alongside Pikachu and Dragonite to battle a rampaging Gigantamax Centiskorch. Despite their best efforts, the Centiskorch was only defeated when Leon arrived.

In Sword and Shield: "From Here to Eternatus!", Riolu was sent out to battle Chairman Rose's Copperajah and Ferrothorn with Pikachu at the Hammerlocke Stadium. In the next episode, it evolved into Lucario while protecting Ash and Pikachu from Copperajah and Ferrothorn's attacks. Ash commanded it to use Vacuum Wave, but Lucario instead used its Aura powers to contact him and requested to use Aura Sphere instead. Ash agreed, and they used it to defeat each of Chairman Rose's Pokémon. Lucario then assisted Leon in stopping Eternatus from attacking Galar. With the assistance of Zacian and Zamazenta, Lucario, Pikachu, and Cinderace combined their powers and weakened Eternatus until it collapsed. Goh then caught Eternatus and sealed it away, putting an end to the Darkest Day.

In Getting More Than You Battled For!, Ash sent Lucario out to battle Mewtwo on Cero Island, teaming up with Goh's Cinderace after Pikachu had been defeated. However, despite putting in its best effort, Lucario stood no chance against the Genetic Pokémon and was defeated by a massive Shadow Ball.

In JN077, Lucario was the first Pokémon Ash sent out during his World Coronation Series match against Volkner, going up against his Luxray. However, it was quickly recalled after being overwhelmed by a combination of Electric Terrain and Rising Voltage. Lucario was later sent out to battle Electivire, who managed to paralyze Lucario with Thunder Punch before being recalled and replaced by Fan Rotom. Enduring a powered-up Hex and an Air Slash from Rotom, Lucario then proceeded to defeat it with Reversal. Lucario subsequently fought against Luxray again and managed to tie with it, thanks to the damage previously dealt on it by Gengar.

Lucario's Lucarionite

In JN084, Ash and Lucario visited Korrina at the Shalour Gym. Since Ash was going to be facing many strong opponents in his upcoming World Coronation Series matches, he asked Korrina to help him Mega Evolve his Lucario. Korrina agreed to help and gave Ash a Mega Glove, which enhanced Lucario's Aura powers enough for it to sense the location of a Lucarionite on Mega Island off the coast of Shalour City. On Mega Island, Ash and Lucario got separated, but were able to contact each other through Aura and reunite at the Lucarionite's location. Before they could obtain the Mega Stone, however, they were challenged by a man referring to himself as the Mega Evolution Sage (later revealed to be Gurkinn in disguise), who challenged Ash and Lucario with his Mega Alakazam. While Lucario was paralyzed by Alakazam's Tri Attack, it managed to get past the Psi Pokémon and grab the Lucarionite.

In JN085, Lucario was the second Pokémon Ash during his second rematch against Bea at the Stow-on-Side Stadium, being sent out to face Grapploct once again after Pikachu had been recalled from the battle. However, before Lucario could land a single hit on Grapploct, Bea recalled it and sent out Hawlucha in its place. Hawlucha's speed proved troublesome for Lucario, taking heavy damage from a High Jump Kick and a Sky Attack. Bea eventually recalled Hawlucha as well and sent out Machamp, whose four arms were effective in holding Lucario back. Ash tried to escape from the desperate situation by Mega Evolving Lucario, but Lucario refused to do so, managing to escape from Machamp's grasp without help. Ash apologized to Lucario for having tried to rush things, and the battle resumed.

In JN086, after Lucario had managed to land a Reversal on Machamp with its feet, Ash chose to substitute it for Sirfetch'd. Later, once Sirfetch'd and Pikachu had been defeated, Lucario was sent back out against Grapploct as Ash's last Pokémon standing. Wanting to preserve Lucario's strength for Machamp, Ash aimed for and succeeded in defeating Grapploct with a single blow, thanks to all the damage the Jujitsu Pokémon had already taken. Lucario then faced Machamp again, now allowing itself to be Mega Evolved, while Bea Gigantamaxed Machamp. Lucario was able to deal heavy hits on Machamp while surviving its Max Moves and signature G-Max Chi Strike. Machamp soon returned to normal, and attempted to use the critical hit boost from G-Max Chi Strike to its advantage while attacking with Bullet Punch, which Lucario met with a Force Palm. In the midst of the clash, Force Palm suddenly transformed into Steel Beam, which overpowered Machamp and defeated it, making Ash the winner and increasing his rank.

Personality and characteristics

Lucario and Ash

Lucario using its Aura vision

Lucario, like other members of its species, responds to Aura. As such, it developed a subconscious connection to Ash before it even hatched. As a Riolu, it displayed a very headstrong personality, attacking wild Pokémon and even Ash, as if it had something to prove. Despite being a baby Pokémon, it disliked being coddled and generally seemed very independent. At the same time, it appeared to respect Ash as a Trainer, and it could be seen following him and Pikachu around Cerise Laboratory. This is in contrast to the other Pokémon Ash has caught in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, who generally wander around and do their own thing. It also had an eagerness to battle, as seen in Toughing It Out!, when it let itself out of its Poké Ball on its own to battle a Galarian Farfetch'd.

After evolving, Lucario's control of Aura improved, as seen in Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken!, where it used its Aura to tell Ash it had learned Aura Sphere. In JN076, it used its ability to see Auras to locate a Bruxish during the Pokémon Catching Adventure Race. It also seems to have attained a more stoic personality, although it is still prone to acts of immaturity, as demonstrated in A Close Call... Practically!, where Cinderace's cheerful personality and antics clashed with its stoic attitude and caused it to get frustrated at Cinderace on multiple occasions, even angrily chasing it when pushed far enough.

Appearance

See also: Mega Evolution

As an Egg	As a Riolu	As a Mega Lucario

Moves used

Using Double Team as a Riolu Using Double Team	Move First Used In Vacuum Wave Caring for a Mystery! Force Palm Toughing It Out! Double Team Toughing It Out! Reversal Toughing It Out! Aura Sphere Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken! Steel Beam † JN086
A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

Moves improvised

Picture	First Used In	Moves Involved	Partnered With
	A Close Call... Practically!	Aura Sphere and Pyro Ball	Goh's Cinderace
	Description: A combination of Aura Sphere and Pyro Ball. Lucario launches an Aura Sphere while Cinderace kicks a Pyro Ball and the two attacks converge into a fireball surrounded by light blue streaks of energy.

Artwork

Artwork for Children's Day by Shūhei Yasuda	Artwork for Happy Sunshine Day in 2020 by Shūhei Yasuda	Artwork for Find the difference
Third poster for the Japanese version of Pokémon Journeys: The Series	Fourth poster for the Japanese version of Pokémon Journeys: The Series	Cover for the Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack

In the manga

As a Riolu with Ash in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Lucario debuted as a Riolu in JNM08, where it hatched from an Egg.

In JNM11, Riolu was sent out to battle Bea's Grapploct. It was defeated by Grapploct's Liquidation.

In JNM14, Riolu evolved into a Lucario during a battle against Rose and his Copperajah.

Moves used

	Move First Used In Vacuum Wave JNM08 Double Team JNM11 Force Palm JNM11 Reversal JNM11 Aura Sphere † JNM14
A † shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

In the games

Pokémon GO

On November 6, 2020, as part of Pokémon GO's Animation Week 2020 event, which was based on Pokémon Journeys: The Series, several Pokémon based on those that Ash and Goh encountered in the anime appeared more frequently in the wild, in raids, from 7 km Eggs, and during surprise encounters, with Riolu appearing only in 7 km Eggs. The event ran from November 6, 2020, at 8:00 a.m., to November 12, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time.

Pokémon Mezastar

Lucario appears in Pokémon Mezastar as one of Ash's Pokémon. It appears as an opponent during the first Super Tag set.

As an opponent

Lucario Aura Sphere

Disks

Tag No.	Name	Type	Grade
2-1-011	Lucario

Trivia

A 10km Egg in Pokémon GO

• As a Riolu, Lucario was Ash's first:
  • Capture of a Generation IV Pokémon since Gible in Gotta Get a Gible!, 483 episodes earlier.
  • Baby Pokémon.
  • Pokémon in Pokémon Journeys: The Series to not be obtained in its fully evolved form.
  • Pokémon in Pokémon Journeys: The Series that did not originate from Generation I.
  • Pure Fighting type since Primeape, who was caught in Primeape Goes Bananas, 1,081 episodes earlier.
  • Pokémon to evolve outside of the region it was obtained in since Quilava, who was caught as a Cyndaquil in Johto and evolved in Sinnoh in An Old Family Blend!, 482 episodes earlier.
• Lucario spent only 24 episodes as a Riolu after hatching, making it the fastest evolved hatched Pokémon out of all the protagonists.
• Lucario is Ash's first pokemon to
  • Mega Evolve
  • Learn a move introduced in Gen VIII
• Riolu's Egg is a reference to the 10 km Egg in Pokémon GO. At the time Caring for a Mystery! aired in Japan, Riolu could be found in these Eggs.
  • Riolu and other baby Pokémon were also featured in a Wild Area News event in Sword and Shield at the time.

Related articles

• For more information on this Pokémon's species, see Riolu and Lucario.

Ash's Pokémon
On hand:	Pikachu
Traveling with:	Rotom Phone
At Oak's/In rotation:	Pidgeot	Bulbasaur	Charizard	Kingler	Muk	Tauros (×30)
	Snorlax	Heracross	Bayleef	Quilava	Totodile	Noctowl
	Donphan	Swellow	Sceptile	Corphish	Torkoal	Glalie
	Staraptor	Torterra	Infernape	Buizel	Gliscor	Gible
	Unfezant	Oshawott	Pignite	Snivy	Scraggy	Leavanny
	Palpitoad	Boldore	Krookodile	Talonflame	Hawlucha	Noivern
	Dragonite	Gengar	Lucario	Sirfetch'd	Dracovish
With Kukui/In rotation:	Rowlet	Lycanroc	Incineroar	Melmetal
At home:	Mr. Mime
In training:	Squirtle	Primeape
Released:	Butterfree	Lapras	Larvitar	Greninja	Goodra	Nebby
	Naganadel
Temporarily owned:	Seaking	Buzzwole	Stakataka	Pheromosa	Rowlet
Traded away:	Raticate	Aipom
Given away:	Beedrill
Traveled with:	Haunter	Azelf	Meowth	Meloetta	Rotom Pokédex	Latias
The Power of Us only:	Ekans	Sentret
EToP only:	Fearow	Oddish	Mankey	Slowpoke
Newspaper Strip only:	Starmie	Clefairy
For a list of Pokémon Ash has temporarily owned, used, or commanded, see here

Nurse Joy's Pokémon
Recurring:	Chansey	Blissey	Audino	Wigglytuff	Comfey	Indeedee
	Indeedee
Other:	Pikachu	Magnemite	Bulbasaur	Gwendela	Jynx	Swinub
	Piloswine	Combusken	Ponyta	Scizor	Oddish	Meganium
	Drifloon	Chrissy	Latias	Bay-Bay
Given away:	Treecko	Mudkip	Comfey	Egg
Temporary:	Squirtle	Vanillite
Befriended:	Gyarados	Zoroark

This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.