Volo

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Volo
ウォロ Volo
Legends Arceus Volo.png
Art from Legends: Arceus
Gender Male
Hometown Unknown
Region Hisui
Trainer class Ginkgo Guild Member
Pokémon Wielder
Generation VIII
Games Legends: Arceus
Member of Ginkgo Guild
Rank Member

Volo (Japanese: ウォロ Volo) is one of the Ginkgo Guild merchants. He is the only character in the games to have the Trainer class Ginkgo Guild Member and Pokémon Wielder.

He bears a striking resemblance to Cynthia, but the relationship between the two, if any, is unknown.

In the games

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Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Volo is first met in Pokémon Legends: Arceus after the player gets their starter. Upon leaving the village Volo will offer to battle with his Togepi and reward the player with five Potions for their victory. During the player's mission to meet Mai from Fieldlands Camp, Volo appears to tell the player about Back Strikes and how to use them in Pokémon capturing and battle. Later, when the player is about to leave Jubilife Village in order to calm Lord Kleavor, Volo arrives to wish the player good luck, prays they used Back Strike right, and gives them Super Potions. After calming down the first Noble Pokémon, Volo greet the player's return to the village and asks to see the two Plates the player obtained from Wyrdeer and Kleavor respectively.

Volo makes minor appearances throughout the game, delivering items to others as part of the Ginkgo Guild and encouraging the player's efforts to complete the Pokédex.

When Kamado exiles the player from Jubilife Village, Volo seeks them out and offers his aid. He brings the player to the Ancient Retreat and introduces them to Cogita, a descendant of the Celestica people who has been teaching Volo the mythology of Hisui. Volo accompanies the player to Lake Verity, Lake Valor and Lake Acuity as they follow Cogita's advice to seek out the Red Chain. He also takes up temporary residence at the Ancient Retreat, offering to sell the player items due to their inability to access Choy's shop in the village. Once the Red Chain is assembled, Volo — eager for a chance to see history unfold — follows the player to the Temple of Sinnoh on their mission to prevent Kamado from attacking Dialga/Palkia in a misguided attempt to close the space-time rift. He again sells items just before the final ascent to the temple.

After Origin Forme Dialga/Palkia is captured, Volo enlists the player for a mission to locate the remaining Plates. He splits up with the player to conduct his own research while the player seeks out various legendary Pokémon and assembles the missing Plates. They later meet up at the Ancient Retreat again, where they discover that Cogita possessed one of the Plates all along, using it as a cutting board while unaware of its true significance. With only the Spooky Plate remaining, Volo asks the player to meet him at the Celestica Ruins. There, he muses about the existence of a Pokémon that could equal Dialga and Palkia, yet was banished to a world on the opposite side of the real one, named Giratina. He grows excited and begins to lose his composure at the thought of how close to uncovering the truth about Hisui's mythology he is. Expressing frustration at the state of the world, he explains that he always sought answers when he faced difficulty in his life and asks the player where a creature like Giratina that wants to fight Arceus might appear, deducing that it would be the Temple of Sinnoh.

At the temple, Volo observes that it is now ruined, turned into a site where "pillars turned into spears stab into the heavens". Dropping his false persona, Volo confesses that in order to meet Arceus, he contacted Giratina and had it tear open the space-time rift, which directly caused the Noble Pokémon to rampage and led to the player's arrival in Hisui. He discards his Ginkgo Guild uniform and reveals that he possessed the Spooky Plate all along, demanding that the player hand over the rest so that he may meet and subjugate Arceus, then use its power to destroy and recreate the world. Although he offers the player a chance to stop him by defeating him in battle, he adds that he will not hesitate to use force to collect the Plates for himself. After a long, difficult battle, Volo angrily lashes out at the player, furious that they seemingly arrived from the space-time rift solely to get in his way. However, he excitedly notes the creeping presence of an eldritch being arriving at the ruined temple. Giratina emerges from a portal, and Volo takes control of it, commanding it to strike the player down. A battle against Giratina ensues, but just as it is seemingly defeated, it unleashes its true strength and transforms into its Origin Forme.

When Giratina finally falls in battle, it reverts into its Altered Forme and flees, causing Volo to fully lose his composure. Denouncing Giratina for fleeing from a human, he cries out in vain to Arceus, desperate to know what qualities it sees him as lacking and wondering if his defeat means the world does not need to be remade. Volo surrenders the Spooky Plate to the player, telling them that his story ended when he was defeated by them. However, when the player's Celestica Flute transforms into the Azure Flute, Volo realizes Arceus has chosen the player over him and lashes out again, refusing to stay and watch as they realize his dream of meeting Arceus. Before departing, Volo swears that he will discover all of Hisui's mythological secrets and conquer Arceus, no matter how many years, decades or centuries it takes him.

He is not seen again for the rest of the game. However, Professor Laventon later reveals that Volo visited him to encourage him to finish work on the Pokédex and tell him that it would likely be the last time they would ever meet.

Pokémon

Pokémon Legends: Arceus

First battle



Second battle



Third battle

Volo summons Giratina in its Altered Forme immediately after his main team is defeated. Experience is awarded, but the player is not given a chance to heal. If the player is defeated by Giratina, they must also battle Volo's initial team again. During this battle, Giratina is filled with terrible might (Japanese: すさまじい力 Tremendous Strength) — All Giratina's stats are boosted, and it will take reduced indirect damage, such as from poisoning and splinters. Upon being defeated for the first time, Giratina changes into its Origin Forme and heals itself completely, effectively making the second part of the battle against two Pokémon, and the entire battle against eight.

Part 1



Part 2



Quotes

Jubilife Village
"Oh? What a curious getup you have there. I can already tell you're quite the character! I'm Volo of the Gingko Guild, the go-to choice for any of your mercantile needs here in Hisui! I've heard talk about you. Fell from the sky, didn't you? Now that's certainly a tale I'd like to hear... Oh, you've a Pokémon! You're certainly full of interesting surprises... Investigating the odd and novel is key to any good merchant's success! So what do you say? How about you and I see how our Pokémon stand up to one another in battle?"
Maybe not...: "But what's the point of having a Pokémon, then? Come on, now—it's just a friendly competition!"
Sounds good: "I like you better and better! What a delightful find!"
"I've also heard about this trial you're to attempt. Let's have a quick battle to get your blood pumping before you head out! Though I hope you know you'll lose if your Pokémon's HP reaches zero!"
  • Being defeated
"Moves, items... Use them well, and the world will open up to you!"
  • After being defeated
"It's always good fun to have your Pokémon do battle, don't you think? And as they gain experience through battle, they'll learn more moves and grow even stronger!"
"But so few people here have their own Pokémon. If only more knew how to use Poké Balls! At any rate, let me help our two battlers recover from their little exercise."
"And to you, my sky-fallen friend... I present some Potions in thanks!"
"You can use them on your Pokémon whenever they might be worn out from battle. I'll be hoping that you're successful on that trial of yours. More Galaxy Team members means more customers for yours truly, after all!"
  • Returning after learning Secret Back Strike Technique
"How are things, my good friend! I certainly hope you're putting that Secret Back Strike Technique I taught you to good use! Either way, I have some Super Potions here, just for you!"
"Oh, think nothing of it! Having the Survey Corps out and about studying Pokémon is great for business, you know. Supporting you now is actually an investment in my own fortunes! And now I must depart! There are ruins that are just calling to me!"
"I saw the light fading into the sky. You must have quelled the lord Pokémon! And what do you have there? Could it be...? Ah! Those are two of the fabled plates of old! Please, let me have a look!"
"I see there are letters carved into them. Let's see. This one says... "Where all creation was born, that is the being's place of origin." It seems to be a phrase from a very old myth. How did you come across these?"
"I see! So you were given the plates when you impressed Wyrdeer and Kleavor? That is quite something, indeed! My heart is practically racing with excitement! It is my guess that you will find more plates like these scattered across Hisui! If we were to gather them all and decipher the scripts on them, we may uncover something absolutely amazing! The mysteries of the past! Oh, how they tickle my curiosity! What a joy to be alive in such times! Well, I must be on my way. Until next time!"
Obsidian Fieldlands
"Boo! Did I surprise you? I bet I did! I was trying to, anyway. There's a secret technique to catching Pokémon, you see. It's what I call the Secret Back Strike Technique! Hitting a Pokémon's back with your Poké Ball will surprise it, making it easier to catch or giving you an advantage once a battle starts! If you're part of the Survey Corps now, working to create that Pokédex as they all are, you might end up meeting every last Pokémon here in Hisui. You should know I'm already looking forward to the day you accomplish that!"
Solaceon Ruins
  • Before battle
"Ah, <player>! How about you show me the strength that could quell even a frenzied lord? A battle with you might let me experience even a fraction of the power the nobles wield!"
  • Being defeated
"Oh, my! You're quite adept at instructing your Pokémon in battle! My goodness, that was fun!"
  • After being defeated
"Such prodigious strength! Now, let me just heal up your Pokémon... Well now! I think that settles it. I must ask your help in retrieving the Wall Fragment. With your skill, it should be a cinch!"
Wall Fragment?: "Yes, exactly! Some bandits pillaged the Solaceon Ruins and made off with a fragment of the wall engravings!"
"Have you not heard of the notorious Miss Fortunes? They're a trio of bandits that have even hit us Gingko Guild more than a few times! Not the kind of regulars I like to have, let me tell you! Miss Calaba is doing everything she can to regain the fragment, but at 99 years old... It's a bit hard for her top chase leads all over the place. So what do you say, kind sir/(female term)? Why not help find the fragment for the warden? Oh--naturally I'll be happy to lend you a hand! Those sisters swiped my wares, too, and I'm no Gingko Guild merchant if I take that lying down! And far be it from me to let them just get away with vandalizing the precious ruins of this region! You know, I did see the remains of a campfire near the Mirelands Camp. Perhaps worth checking out?"
Wait...stolen?
"Good work, very good work indeed, <player>! You got the fragment back safe and sound! I'm well aware of Calaba's reputation--they say she's stubborn, too old-fashioned, and so on... But she's given the Pearl Clan all she has, ever since she was young. She lived her prime years here in the Hisui region, trusting in the guidance of almighty Sinnoh. I don't think it's that she hates he Diamond Clan or the Galaxy Team--rather, I think she simply loves the Pearl Clan very, very much. Anyway, I do hope you're able to calm Ursaluna's frenzy, <player>! A raging Pokémon in the area isn't good for business, I assure you."
Crimson Mirelands
"You're a real wonder! I saw light disappearing into the space-time rift. Quelled another frenzied Pokémon, have you? We still don't know what's causing the lightning that frenzies these Pokémon... But you! You just go on rescuing them, without even a hint of trepidation! You might even change the entire course of history here in Hisui... And I definitely want to be in the good books of someone like that! Let's stay in touch, friend!"
Temple of Sinnoh
  • Before battle
"The temple lies in ruins now... Columns cracked and broken... Like pillars now turned into spears, stabbing into the heavens..."
"Well, I detect a distinct lack of Giratina."
"Hmm? Is something bothering you?"
"Ah, I do beg your pardon. I suppose I must seem to be behaving strangely!"
"I daresay you deserve to know what I'm really after by now."
"Ever since I became convinced that Arceus really does exist, there has been one question that consumed my thoughts... How can I meet such a being myself?"
"It was in an attempt to answer this question that I originally sought out Giratina and had it tear open that rift in space and time... After all, Giratina wished to stand against Arceus. But that didn't do the trick..."
"So then I had you gather the fragments of the all-encompassing deity, just as the murals of the ruins directed."
"Eighteen plates said to be the fragments of the all-encompassing deity... You hold in your hands seventeen of them. So, you must be wondering: Where is the last one?"
"Why, it's right here!"
"Now hand over the plates you gathered! I will be the one to bring them all together!"
"My desire to meet Arceus cannot be contained any longer! I need to know what it is! I MUST know what it is!"
"If I can meet Arceus myself, then I may also be able to subjugate its power... And using that, I will attempt to create a new, better world!"
"Of course, if I create a brand-new world, then the Hisui region that we currently exist in will be undone and returned to nothing. You, everyone you know, and all the Pokémon living here will vanish in an instant, as if you'd never been."
"If you want to keep this world from disappearing, then face me in battle! Not that you have a choice. Even if you don't wish to battle me, I'm not above using force to take those plates from you."
  • Being defeated
"Why? Why you?! Why do you have the blessing of Arceus?!"
  • After being defeated
"Why? How?!"
"I've devoted myself to Arceus beyond any other! I worshiped it as the creator of our entire world! I bent all of my passion and interest to its study! All the time I've spent poring over the legends... Everything that I've done—!"
"You outsider! It's almost as if you were spat out of the space-time rift just to get in my way!"
"No...no, this isn't finished yet!"
"Can't you feel it? The chill creeping through your veins—the eldritch presence icing your heart?"
"Giratina! Strike him/her down!"
  • After Giratina is defeated
"Turning tail and running? From this puny HUMAN? Pathetic! I was the one to feed you the power you needed so that you could take on Arceus! I was the one who gave you the chance to claw open that space-time rift, driving the deity of space and time mad so that you could drag the creator out from hiding!"
"How? How could this happen?! Almighty Arceus, if you have any heart within you, then tell me..."
"The blood of the ancient Sinnoh people flows in my veins, does it not?! What is it, then, that you find so lacking in me?!"
"Do you mean to tell me that this world doesn't need to be remade?"
"I can't live with such questions... I can't bear not satisfying this ache to know!"
"Answer me, then, <player>. Do you have some dream that propels you, as I've had?"
I do!: "So you do... Doubtless that dream of yours would never leave from for the dreams of one like me..."
I don't know.: "You don't even know... Then perhaps the day will come when you will suffer and agonize as I do now..."
"I am the great wielder of Pokémon. And you... You battle alongside your Pokémon. In the end, I was alone... But not you. You will fight together with your Pokémon to seize whatever dreams you have."
"Here. Take it... Take the plate that started me on this path—the plate I once received from Giratina."
"My journey is over. My story ended when I lost to you."
"I suppose now you've gathered all of the plates said to exist in this land of Hisui."
"So that's...that's it... The Azure Flute. Heh. It comes to you."
"So Arceus wishes to meet you... Of all people, you had to be the one... Is that why you were brought to this world?"
"Gah! I've no desire to watch from the sidelines as Arceus comes to you! And I absolutely cannot accept a world in which you would ever manage to defeat Arceus..."
"Someday, I'll solve every riddle in the legends of Hisui's Pokémon. And on that day, I'll stand before Arceus at last—No, I will CONQUER it! No matter how many years, how many decades, how many centuries it takes me!"

Trivia

  • In the final battle against him, Volo shares five Pokémon with Cynthia's Pokémon Platinum team: Spiritomb, Garchomp, Togekiss, Roserade, and Lucario.
    • The only Pokémon that Volo does not use from said team is Milotic, as it is not present in Legends: Arceus. He instead uses Hisuian Arcanine. Interestingly, Gastrodon, which is in Cynthia's Diamond and Pearl team, is available in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
    • Similarly, Volo will always begin the battle by sending out Spiritomb, just like Cynthia.
  • The music that plays before Volo's final battle begins is an arrangement of Cynthia's battle theme. His final battle theme is an arrangement of Cynthia's encounter theme. When he summons Giratina, it shifts to an arrangement of the Sinnoh Legendary Pokémon theme, then to an arragement of Giratina's Platinum theme when Giratina transforms into its Origin Forme.
  • Volo is the third Trainer to battle the player with seven Pokémon. The other two are Greevil in Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness and Ghetsis in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, who both battle the player using a controlled Legendary Pokémon before using their party Pokémon against them. Inversely, Volo uses his party Pokémon before calling out Giratina.
  • Volo is the first main story antagonist to be fought in the post-game.
    • He is also the first main antagonist of a main series game to not be affiliated with a villainous team or equivalent organization like the Aether Foundation or Macro Cosmos, as the Ginkgo Guild does not have any role in his scheme and his only ally is Giratina.
  • Volo's claim that he's willing to even take centuries to locate and conquer Arceus, and his goal to subjugate Arceus in order to create a peaceful new world, alludes to Team Galactic and their ambitions. In Platinum, Cyrus's plans to accomplish this goal using Dialga and Palkia are disrupted by the intervention of Giratina, Volo's ally in the past.
    • Inversely, his claim to someday solve every riddle in Hisui's legends alludes to Cynthia's studying of mythology. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Cynthia fulfills his goal of meeting Arceus during the Sinjoh Ruins event.
  • Volo's appearance once he removes his Ginkgo Guild uniform makes a number of references to Arceus.
    • His hair is styled after Arceus' head.
    • He wears golden accessories reminescent of Arceus' own markings.
    • He dons clothing similar to that worn by ancient Greeks. Zeus, the central God of the Greek pantheon, is believed to be one of the inspirations for Arceus.
    • Volo's haircut and outfit, in various colors, can be purchased by male player character after obtaining Arceus: the Sinnoh Outfit, Sinnoh Sandals, and Sinnoh-style haircut.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese ウォロ Volo From volō (Latin for "I wish")
English, German Volo Same as his Japanese name
Spanish Volus Similar to his Japanese name
French Percupio From percupio (Latin for "to wish greatly")
Italian Ethelo From ἐθέλω ethélō (Ancient Greek for "to wish")
Korean 월로 Volo Transcription of his Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin) 望羅 / 望罗 Wàngluó From 望 wàng / mohng (to hope) and transcription of his Japanese name
Chinese (Cantonese) 望羅 Mohnglòh
Russian Воло Volo Transcription of his Japanese name


Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Hisui Clan LeaderGinkgo Guild MemberPokémon WielderThe Bandit
The Galaxy Team'sThe Survey Corps'The Security Corps'Warden


Project CharacterDex logo.png This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.