It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.
It is often considered to be closely related to Lugia, even sometimes as its polar opposite. Silver represents Lugia as "guardian of the seas", and Gold represents Ho-Oh as "guardian of the skies."
It can be speculated that Ho-Oh can breed in the Pokémon anime because its unofficial polar opposite, Lugia, can.
Physiology
Ho-Oh is a phoenix-like bird with red being its dominant color. Ho-Oh also has yellow tail-feathers, a white underside, and green feathers at the tip of its wings. Ho-Oh has a green stripe on its neck, a yellow beak, black rings around its eye and a feathered-crest. Ho-Oh's wings are prismatic, causing it to trail a rainbow behind it.
Gender differences
Ho-Oh is a genderless species.
Special abilities
Ho-Oh's most notable ability is its power to resurrect the dead. Ho-Oh is the only known Pokémon that learns Sacred Fire.
According to the anime, Ho-Oh lived in Tin Tower in ancient times. But when war broke out, burning Tin Tower and Brass Tower down, it created Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, and all four disappeared. Later, a new Tin Tower was erected, but Ho-Oh since then has never come back for sure. Also, a sacred flame burns in Dragon's Den which came from Ho-Oh in the same ancient war that burned Tin Tower; it still burns today, protected in a shrine.
After competing in the Silver Conference, Ash saw Ho-Oh flying towards Hoenn. This encouraged him to get over his depression and continue his own journey.
Ho-Oh was most recently seen flying into the sunset at the end of Battling the Enemy Within. This time, Brock, May, Max, Scott and Brandon saw Ho-Oh as well.
Pokédex entries
EP001: "There is no data. There are still Pokémon yet to be identified."
In the manga
In Pokémon Special, Ho-Oh was used by Pryce to kidnap children in his plans to capture Celebi, including Blue and Silver, five years prior to the start of the entire manga. Prior to the events of the GSC saga, Pryce had lost his control over Ho-Oh, and thus attacked Tin Tower using Team Rocket to prompt Ho-Oh to return to Ecruteak City. Ho-Oh was later seen at Indigo Plateau under Pryce's control, alongside Lugia, wreaking havoc and destruction.
Ho-Oh's feathers glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light. These feathers are said to bring happiness to the bearers. This Pokémon is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.
Ho-Oh's feathers glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light. These feathers are said to bring happiness to the bearers. This Pokémon is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.
Its feathers--which glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light--are thought to bring joy. It is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.
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Ho-Oh is one of the three legendary Pokémon whose location changed between generations.
Aside from the opening theme song, Ho-Oh was the first Legendary Pokémon ever seen in the anime.
Ho-oh is also the first Generation II Pokémon to be shown in the anime.
Ho-Oh is so far the only theoretical trio master to be part of the same generation as its trio. Both the legendary beasts and Ho-Oh were introduced in Generation II.
Its backsprite is one of the few backsprites that has never changed its position.
Ho-Oh is not the first Pokémon with its type combination in the National Dex; two other Pokémon (Charizard and Moltres) come first. Also, no other Pokémon of its combination have been introduced since. It shares this trait with Lugia.
In a recent PokeBeach interview with former Pokémon anime director and storyboard artist Masamitsu Hidaka, he stated that Ho-Oh's appearances to Ash are to signify how special he is. Ho-Oh was merely used to further the plot and, much to the dismay of some fans, nothing more. It should be noted that this was only stated by Hidaka and no other crew members.
Origin
Ho-Oh, like Moltres, is based on the legend of the Phoenix; unlike Moltres, it is based on the Fènghuáng (the immortal phoenix of China). Many cultures view the Phoenix as a symbol of resurrection; this is seen in Ho-Oh, which was reborn rising from its own ashes and had a hand in resurrecting Suicune, Raikou and Entei.
On another note, the colors it bears are somewhat similar to a Scarlet Macaw or adarna, a mythological Filipino bird that is said to sing seven songs. Every time that the Adarna finishes a song, it defecates and turns to stone whomever it may land on. Its feathers change to a more beautiful shade, becoming more colorful and shiny just the same as Ho-Oh.
Name origin
Its English name is simply another way of transcribing 鳳凰 Hōō, which is the Japanese word for phoenix, specifically the Chinese phoenix, or Fènghuáng.
This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.
For other sprites and images, please see Ho-Oh images on Bulbagarden Archives.
