Ash's Lucario

Ash's Lucario
サトシのルカリオ Satoshi's Lucario
Bag Poké Ball SV Sprite.png
Ash Lucario.png
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 Inner Focus
Nature Serious*
Current location In rotation
HOMEEgg.png HOME447.png HOME448.png
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-seventh overall.

In the anime

History

 
Lucario and 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. 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. However, all of them were too strong for it, causing it to get beat up. 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, after which 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 happily agreed to.

 
Riolu admiring Korrina's Lucario

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 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 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. Still, 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 defeated 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.

 
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 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 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 subsequently 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, allowing Goh to catch it and seal 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 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. After enduring a powered-up Hex and an Air Slash from Rotom, Lucario 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.

 
Ash feeling Lucario's Aura through his Key Stone

In An Adventure of Mega Proportions!, Ash and Lucario visited Korrina at the Shalour Gym. Since Ash would face many strong opponents in his upcoming World Coronation Series matches, he asked Korrina to help 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 were separated but could 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 got past the Psi Pokémon and grabbed 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 and sent out Machamp, whose four arms effectively held 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 trying to rush things, and the battle resumed.

 
Lucario's Lucarionite

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, 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. During 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 to normal, with Lucario returning to Ash's team in the process.

In Battling in the Freezing Raid!, 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.

 
Lucario training with Greninja to strengthen its Aura

In Catching the Aura of Fate!, 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 proceeded to run off but was followed by Greninja. Lucario listened to Greninja's advice in strengthening its aura abilities by finding the perfect balance. However, after sensing another group of 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 Aim For The Eight!, 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 leave its opponent unfazed, it utilized 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.

In Friends, Rivals, Lend Me Your Spirit!, Ash visited Pallet Town and introduced his Pokémon to his new friends whom he caught during his journey around the world, including Lucario. During the visit, Lucario trained with Heracross, Buizel, and Hawlucha. Ash later used Lucario as his first Pokémon in his battle against Paul, going up against Gyarados. During the battle, Lucario learned Bullet Punch and defeated Gyarados. Before Ash left his hometown, it posed with the rest of Ash's Pokémon in a group photo with him.

 
Inner Focus activated

In Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling!, Lucario was the last Pokémon that Ash used in his Masters Eight Tournament match against Cynthia. It was sent out to face Cynthia's Togekiss, which was Dynamaxed soon into the confrontation after exchanging several blows, with its Inner Focus Ability stopping Togekiss's Serene Grace-boosted Air Slashes from making it flinch. The battle continued in the next episode, with Ash Mega Evolving Lucario and defeating Togekiss after its Dynamax state ended. Mega Lucario next clashed with Garchomp and fought with it to a near standstill in a brutal slugfest. A final clash between Dragon Claw and Reversal caused both Pokémon to fall to the ground, but only Lucario could get back up, winning Ash the match.

In Toying With Your Motions!, Ash used Lucario as his fourth Pokémon in his Masters Eight Tournament battle against Leon. It instantly Mega Evolved to face Mr. Rime. Despite Mr. Rime's agility in the ice-covered battlefield, Lucario scored a hit and defeated it with a single Aura Sphere. Lucario next went up against Dragapult and landed a flurry of Bullet Punches, but was quickly recalled after getting hit with a super effective Flamethrower. However, Lucario was later forced back on the battlefield after Dragonite was hit by Dragapult's Dragon Tail. Despite its best efforts, Lucario was paralyzed by a Thunderbolt, which allowed Dragapult to defeat it with another Flamethrower. In Partners in Time!, Lucario appeared as a vision to Pikachu during his battle against Leon's Charizard. After Ash had won the battle, Lucario joined him and the rest of his team for the awards ceremony.

In This Could be the Start of Something Big!, Lucario joined up with Pikachu and Goh's Galar first partner Pokémon against Lugia in a Raid Battle. Despite firing off multiple strong attacks—including combining their moves for extra power—they were unable to defeat the Diving Pokémon.

Ash left Lucario along with the rest of his Journeys team at Professor Oak's Laboratory sometime prior to The Road Most Traveled!, as he decided he wanted to start rotating his team for his new journey.

Personality and characteristics

 
Lucario using its Aura vision

Lucario, like other members of its species, responds to Aura. As such, it subconsciously connected 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 was 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.

 
Lucario and Cinderace

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. It later increased it even further with training from Greninja.

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 is shown to get along with Cinderace, often hanging out with it at Cerise Park. 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 Catching the Aura of Fate!. However, it would quickly let go of its grudges after befriending them. Lucario was also shown to be honorable, as seen in Whittle While You Work! when it helped Cynthia's Garchomp get back on her feet after their battle.

Appearance

See also: Mega Evolution

As an Egg As a Riolu As a Mega Lucario
     

Moves used

 
Using Reversal
as a Riolu
 
Using Steel Beam
as Mega Lucario
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 A Battle of Mega Versus Max!
Bullet Punch  Friends, Rivals, Lend Me Your Spirit!
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. This was used to send Team Rocket blasting off after defeating their borrowed Throh and Sawk.
  This Could be the Start of Something Big! Thunderbolt, Aura Sphere, Pyro Ball, Mud Shot, and Wood Hammer Pikachu, Cinderace, Inteleon, and Grookey
Description: A combination between Thunderbolt, Aura Sphere, Pyro Ball, Mud Shot, and Wood Hammer. Cinderace kicks a Pyro Ball, which merges with Lucario's Aura Sphere before Grookey swings its Wood Hammer to send the Aura-clad fireball flying. Inteleon and Pikachu add to the attack with Mud Shot and Thunderbolt, respectively, creating a high-speed flying fireball surrounded by blue energy, mud, and electricity. This was used in a Raid Battle against a wild Lugia.

Artwork

       
Artwork for Children's Day
by Shūhei Yasuda
Artwork for Happy Sunshine Day in 2020
by Shūhei Yasuda
Artwork for Find the difference Artwork from
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
       
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
Artwork from "After the story"
       
Artwork from "After the story"[1] Artwork from "After the story"[2] Artwork from "After the story"[3] Artwork from "After the story" [4]
   
Official poster from
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Poster for
Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master

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 Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken! (Part 2), Riolu was used in a Tag Battle alongside Goh's Raboot against Rose's Copperajah and Oleana's Milotic. Initially, the two had some difficulty, but that changed when Riolu evolved into Lucario at the same time that Raboot evolved into Cinderace, thus giving the two enough power to defeat their opponents.

In Getting More than You Battled For!, Lucario was used in a battle against Mewtwo, but lost.

In Ultra Exciting from the Shocking Start! & Trial on a Golden Scale! (Part 1), Lucario was the first Pokémon used by Ash in his World Coronation Series battle against Volkner, facing down his Luxray. Despite Lucario doing its best, in the next chapter, both Pokémon were shown to have fainted simultaneously.

Appearance

As an Egg As a Riolu
   

Moves used

 
Using Reversal as a Riolu
Move First Used In
Vacuum Wave Caring for a Mystery!
Double Team  Solitary and Menacing!
Force Palm  Solitary and Menacing!
Reversal  Solitary and Menacing!
Aura Sphere  Sword and Shield... The Legends Awaken! (Part 2)
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

Core series games

Lucario, along with the rest of Ash's Journeys team, was made available in Pokémon Sword and Shield through Pokémon anime broadcasts in Japan. These Pokémon utilize a common password which was revealed during the Japanese TV broadcasts. Players could claim Lucario with the password HAD0UW0CATCH. He has 31 IVs in HP, Special Attack, and Speed, as well as 30 IVs in Attack, Defense, and Special Defense.

Wonder Card 150 | サトシ's Lucario Gift
#0448  Lucario (ルカリオ)    
Dynamax Level: 0
  Level 80  
Type:
   
Ability: Inner Focus
Held item: None
ID: 200412
OT: サトシ
Met: the Pokémon animated show (fateful encounter)
Nature: Serious
Ribbon:   Classic Ribbon
Aura Sphere
 Fighting  
Bullet Punch
 Steel  
Reversal
 Fighting  
Steel Beam
 Steel  
Games Method Location Duration
SwSh Password: HAD0UW0CATCH hide September 16 to 29, 2022
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Japanese in origin, regardless of the language of the game.

Side 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.

Spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

Lucario, along with the rest of Ash's Pokémon Journeys: The Series team, appears during the special events The Classic Thunderbolt and Blazing Battle with Ash in Pokémon Masters EX.

Pokémon Mezastar

Lucario appears in Pokémon Mezastar as one of Ash's Pokémon. It appears as an opponent during the first Super Tag set and in the first Double Chain set. Upon beating Ash during the first Super Tag set, the player can receive a Support Pokémon Ticket based on Lucario, with Ash's Gengar as its tag partner. Lucario also appeared as an opponent in an event that recreated the Masters Eight Tournament that ran from October 27 to November 21, 2022.

As an opponent
Lucario
 
  Aura Sphere


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



Trivia

 
A 12 km Egg in Pokémon GO

References

Related articles

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




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