Dodrio is a large, wingless, three-headed bird-like bipedal Pokémon. Each head has a long, sharp beak and is adorned with a black feathered, V-shaped crest. It has bristly brown feathers covering its heads and upper body; while its lower half has a smooth layer of black feathers. Its wingless body rests on two long and slender, but powerful legs with anisodactyl feet and sharp claws on each toe. Males have a black coloring on their neck, whereas females have a brown coloring; both genders have brown coloring on their legs. Each head has its own working brain and distinct personality, representing and expressing sorrow, anger and joy respectively. Despite being separate, it has the innate ability to use all three of its brains to collect data, formulate and then execute complex plans and strategies. However, on occasion it may over think and analyze a situation, causing itself to be immobilized and unable to carry out any action whatsoever. Along with its three heads, it has three sets of hearts and lungs as well. This allows it to efficiently oxygenate and pump blood throughout its body, thus giving it increased endurance to run vast distances without rest. It is especially prone to race vigorously across grassy plains, even in arid seasons with little rainfall. Being separate individuals on the same body, the heads are well known to squabble with one another. Often they will continue to bicker until they, or at least one of the heads gets to eat. This satisfies the other two heads, quelling them and temporarily ending their infighting. Another adaption it has acquired is the ability to have at least one head alert at all times. While two are asleep, one will stand guard and look out for any approaching enemies. Extreme caution is advised when all three heads are facing separate directions. It is in this state that it is the most dangerous, and going near it may result in a severe pecking. Besides running, it loves to wake up early and call out cries every morning. While primarily native to the grassy plains of the Kanto region, some populations can be found within Sinnoh and Unova as well. It has also been imported to the Johto and Hoenn Safari Zones.
Major appearances
Dodrio's first major appearance was in The Flame Pokémon-athon!. Dario used the three-headed bird to compete in a race, but was beaten by Ash who was riding Lara Laramie's Ponyta, after it evolved into Rapidash.
Falkner, the Gym Leader of Violet City, used a Dodrio to battle Ash in Fighting Flyer with Fire.
Dodrio served as mounts for the Diglett thieves in the episode, Plant It Now...Diglett Later.
Gary Oak's Doduo evolved into a Dodrio some time before Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl. Gary used it to attack Team Rocket's helicopter when they made a second attempt to capture Aerodactyl.
A group of Dodrio were used in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part Two by Ash, Kellyn, Dawn and Brock to get to the Riolu that J had kidnapped.
Minor appearances
Dodrio first appeared in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where it has a brief appearance, while shouting its cry to the rising sun like a rooster, notably as the first Pokémon seen in real life in the anime (all Pokémon that had appeared beforehand in the episode were either on TV, in dreams, or not real).
Dodrio also appeared in Primeape Goes Bananas and The March of the Exeggutor Squad.
A Dodrio also appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash.
Dodrio also made a cameo in A Chansey Operation. This Dodrio had its necks tied in a knot.
A Dodrio appeared in The Case of the K-9 Caper!.
A Dodrio under the ownership of Stella appeared in It's Mr. Mime Time.
Dodrio made an appearance in Make Room for Gloom.
Tracey was seen riding a Dodrio in a flashback in The Lost Lapras while Pokémon watching. However, it is unknown whether Dodrio belonged to him or if it was simply borrowed.
A pink Dodrio appeared in In the Pink.
Dodrio also appeared in The Power of One.
Three Dodrio were seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory in A Tent Situation.
A Dodrio appeared in Beauty and the Breeder where it participated in a Pokémon breeding competition.
In Extreme Pokémon!, a Dodrio appeared with its Trainer, participating in the Extreme Pokémon Race.
Multiple Doduo appeared in the opening of Destiny Deoxys.
A Dodrio made a cameo in Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea.
A Dodrio appeared in Camping It Up!.
Dawn used a Dodrio in the first leg of the Pokémon Triathlon in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.
Candice used a Dodrio in A Pyramiding Rage!.
A group of Dodrio also appeared in Historical Mystery Tour!.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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EP033
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Dodrio
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Ash's Pokédex
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Dodrio, a three-headed Bird Pokémon that can run faster than it can fly. Its three heads represent joy, sorrow and anger.
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EP047
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Dodrio
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Dr. Proctor's Medical Chart
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Dodrio, a Triple Bird Pokémon. Its three heads represent joy, sorrow, and anger.
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- While one of its heads is saying something in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, the others say me too or mine too, but its pre-evolved form's other head will not.
- Before Generation IV, the normal necks of Dodrio is the color of the female's (brown), while its pre-evolution's is based on the male's (black).
- Dodrio's National Dex number is the whole number portion of its weight in kilograms. As of Generation V, this is a unique characteristic. However, Slowpoke and Scyther share the distinction when considering their respective weights in pounds.
- Dodrio was the first Pokémon to appear in the flesh in the anime (all others before that were either dreamt of by Ash, or else shown on the TV in his room).
- According to its Pokédex entries, Doduo can run at 60 mph, while Dodrio can only run at nearly 40 mph. However, Dodrio's base Speed stat is higher.
- Dodrio is featured in the Generation III wireless mini-game, Dodrio Berry Picking, where it is required that players own a Dodrio to be able to play.
Origin
Despite its name, Dodrio seems like it has more in common with ostriches than dodos. It also seems to show some similarity to the Moa, an extinct flightless bird, and the Emu, another flightless bird. It also resembles the Kiwi in some ways as well. Its crests may mean it may have been based on cassowaries.
Name origin
Dodrio is a combination of dodo (an extinct, flightless bird) and trio (group of three).
Dodorio may be a combination of ドードー dodo and トリオ trio. To note, dori may be a reference to 鳥 tori (bird).