Ash's Lucario
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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
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.
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.
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 Ultra Exciting from the Shocking Start!, 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.
In An Adventure of Mega Proportions!, 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 Battle Three With Bea!, Lucario was the second Pokémon Ash used 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 A Battle of Mega Versus Max!, 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.
In The Gates of Warp!, Lucario, along with Inteleon, was stolen and taken away through a portal by Alternate World Team Rocket. In Showdown at the Gates of Warp!, Lucario devolved back into Riolu and finally an Egg as a result of a clash between Dialga and Palkia distorting time. After Arceus stopped the fight between Dialga and Palkia, the Temporal and Spatial Pokémon repaired the distortions their fighting had caused and restored all the devolved Pokémon back to normal, with Lucario returning to Ash's team in the process.
In Raiding on Thin Ice!, Lucario was Ash's second Pokémon in a Raid Battle against an Articuno. Although it managed to land some strong hits on Articuno, it was ultimately defeated by a powerful Blizzard.
In JN108, Ash and Lucario arrived in Kalos to seek out Ash's Greninja for help in training for their upcoming World Coronation Series battle against Raihan. While camping out in a forest for the night, they were attacked by a group of giant roots, but were quickly saved by Greninja. Wanting to see how strong Ash's former Pokémon was, Lucario immediately accepted a sparring match with Greninja. However, Lucario was easily defeated when it couldn't keep up with Greninja's speed and power. Frustrated, Lucario then proceeded to run off, but was quickly followed by Greninja. Lucario listened to Greninja's advice in strengthening its aura abilities by finding perfect balance. However, after sensing another group of the giant roots attacking Ash and Goh, Lucario and Greninja rushed back to help the boys. Lucario and Greninja worked together to take the roots down through a combination of Aura Sphere and Water Shuriken, after which Ash and Greninja parted ways once again.
In JN109, Ash used Lucario as his last Pokémon against Raihan, going against his Duraludon, who was Gigantamaxed immediately after being sent out. Due to Ash having Gigantamaxed his Gengar earlier in the match, he wasn't allowed to Mega Evolve Lucario. While Lucario's initial attacks seemed to unfaze its opponent, it was able to utilize the teachings from Greninja to grow its Aura Sphere into massive proportions and defeat the Alloy Pokémon, allowing Ash to advance to the Master Class.
Personality and characteristics
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 All Out, All of the Time!, it used its ability to see Auras to locate a Bruxish during the Pokémon Catch Adventure Race. After Ash received a Key Stone from Korrina in An Adventure of Mega Proportions!, Lucario's Aura abilities increased significantly, allowing it to find its Trainer from a great distance.
Lucario 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. Despite this, Lucario has shown to get along with Cinderace, often hanging out with it at Cerise Park. Lucario is also loyal to its friends, and would do anything to protect them. Lucario is shown to have mellowed out with time and has become more open in expressing affection for Ash, but still shows a strong love for battling.
Lucario has occasionally shown to be jealous of those who share a close relationship with Ash, as seen with Pikachu in its debut episode and with Greninja in JN108. However, it would quickly let go of its grudges after befriending them.
Appearance
See also: Mega Evolution
| As an Egg | As a Riolu | As a Mega Lucario |
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Moves used
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| 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 |
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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. This was used to send Team Rocket blasting off after defeating their borrowed Throh and Sawk. | |||
Artwork
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| Artwork for Children's Day by Shūhei Yasuda |
Artwork for Happy Sunshine Day in 2020 by Shūhei Yasuda |
Artwork for Find the difference |
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| 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 |
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| Artwork from "After the story"[1] | Artwork from "After the story"[2] | Artwork from "After the story"[3] |
In the manga
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Lucario debuted as a Riolu in Caring for a Mystery!, where it hatched from an Egg.
In Solitary and Menacing!, 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.
Appearance
| As an Egg | As a Riolu |
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Moves used
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| 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
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Disks
| Tag No. | Name | Type | Grade |
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| 2-1-011 | Lucario |  
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Trivia
- As a Riolu, Lucario was Ash's first:
- Baby Pokémon.
- Capture of a Generation IV Pokémon since Gible in Gotta Get a Gible!, 483 episodes earlier.
- 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 the first of Ash's Pokémon to Mega Evolve.
- As the first Egg shown in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Riolu's Egg was the debut of a new standard for the series. These Eggs more closely resemble the generic Egg designs from the core series games with spots related to the main color of the Pokémon that will be hatched. In particular, the pattern of spots seen on Riolu's Egg matched the one seen on all types of Egg in Pokémon GO at the time of its appearance.
- At the time Caring for a Mystery! aired in Japan, Riolu could be found in 7 km Eggs in Pokémon GO.
- Riolu and other baby Pokémon were also featured in a Wild Area News event in Sword and Shield at the time.
Related articles
References
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This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation. |
