Guardian deities

(Redirected from Tapu)
Tapu redirects here. For the location, see Tapu Village.

The guardian deities (Japanese: guardian deity) are a group of Legendary Pokémon from the Alola region who protect the archipelago. Each of the tapu protect one of the four main islands in Alola, with Tapu Koko on Melemele Island, Tapu Lele on Akala Island, Tapu Bulu on Ula'ula Island, and Tapu Fini on Poni Island. Each deity has its own shrine or ruins dedicated to it on their own corresponding island. Island kahunas are each chosen by their island's guardian deity and are known to serve and fight along side them if necessary.

The guardian deities on a card sleeve for the TCG

Shared design

They all share Fairy as a secondary type, Telepathy as their Hidden Ability, and Land Spirit Pokémon as their category in the Pokédex, as well as have a common move in Nature's Madness and its corresponding Z-Move, Guardian of Alola. Their primary Abilities each create the terrain corresponding to their primary type, with the exception of Tapu Fini's Misty Surge, which terrain corresponds to its secondary type.

The guardian deities can all pull their shells together and hide their bodies inside, creating an impression of a stylized animal. In its closed shell state, Tapu Koko resembles a rooster, Tapu Lele resembles a butterfly, Tapu Bulu resembles a bull, and Tapu Fini resembles a swordfish. When encapsulated in these shells, they are absorbing the energy of nature, with long periods of time causing them to become hard and sturdy. The deities are in this state when they perform their exclusive Z-Move, Guardian of Alola. The attack summons a giant, yellow headless humanoid energy-based entity from the ground. The guardian closes its shell and merges on top of the entity as its head. Each guardian's color corresponds with the island they represent. For example, Tapu Koko is yellow, whilst "Melemele" is Hawaiian for yellow.

Tapu Koko
  
Tapu Lele
  
Tapu Bulu
  
Tapu Fini
  

Terminology

Throughout Generation VII, the island guardians are also referred to by many names such as:

  • the tapu (Japanese: カプ kapu)
  • the guardians (Japanese: guardian deity)
  • the sacred guardians (Japanese: guardian deity)
  • the island guardians (Japanese: island's guardian deity)
  • the spirit guardians (Japanese: guardian deity)
  • the land spirits (Japanese: とちがみポケモン Land Spirit Pokémon)
  • the guardian tapu (Japanese:  カプ island's guardian deity kapu)
  • the Alola's Guardian Deities[1]

Additionally, the description for Guardian of Alola will use their category of Land Spirit Pokémon (Japanese: とちがみポケモン Land Spirit Pokémon).

In the games

The tapu debuted in Generation VII in Pokémon Sun and Moon. They make home on each of the corresponding islands they are known to protect, having shrines built for them where the people of Alola may offer prayer. Each of these shrines are also known to be a symbolism of the journey of life. Tapu Koko's shrine is the Ruins of Conflict, where life is tested; Tapu Lele's is the Ruins of Life, where life is born; Tapu Bulu's is the Ruins of Abundance, where life grows; and Tapu Fini's is the Ruins of Hope, where life ends. Many decorations and honoring are made for each of the guardians, and can be found throughout the region, examples being the many tiki statues found throughout Mahalo Trail, as well as the Strange Souvenir item that made its debut in Pokémon X and Y. The island kahunas, who are often chosen by the tapu, are known to serve and fight alongside the them when necessary. According to Olivia, the kahuna of Akala Island, most normal Pokémon typically avoid the guardians unless they're strong enough to face them on their own. The guardian deities, while known for being protective of their land, people and Pokémon, they can be quite destructive when angered. Threatening island life on the Alolan Islands in any way, such as harming Pokémon or nature could bring wrath the people or Pokémon involved.

In Iki Town, Tapu Koko is known to watch the battle at festivals that begin a Trainer's island challenge. Along with grand trials, these along with the festivals are offerings to the guardian deities.

The stamps used to mark a Trainer's success at their grand trial is in the shape of that island's guardian. Additionally, each tapu appears as their own stamp for their individual island Pokédexes

History

 
The guardian deities and Nebby in the anime

According to the legends of Alola, the guardian deities serve as protectors of the island each resides in. They also served as leaders of the armies for each of the island's kings. Using their Z-Power in these battles would cause great destruction to the islands, and thus they stopped being involved in human affairs. However, they occasionally fight to see who is the strongest amongst themselves, which led to the creation of the Battle Royal format. The deities will fiercely fight against intruders and harmful bodies in order to protect their islands from invaders, as evidenced by when Ultra Beast appear in Alola. The tapu not only choose the kahuna of their respective island, but are also the ones to provide them with Sparkling Stones which can then be turned into Z-Rings or Z-Power Rings. The reason for this is unknown outside the two groups.

According to a book called "The Light of Alola" in the Malie Library, a SolgaleoSUS/LunalaMUM once came from an Ultra Wormhole and fought against the guardian deities, defeating them easily. As a reward for putting up a good fight, however, Tapunium Z was bestowed upon them. The SolgaleoSUS/LunalaMUM then created many Cosmog for the Guardian deities to protect and watch over until they fully evolve.

In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, according to secret notes found in the Malie Library, a "pillager of light" once invaded Alola, stealing all of its light and shrouding the region in darkness. The guardian deities fought against it at Tapu Village to regain the stolen light. Together with the assistance of a youth and the power of Z-Crystals, the guardians were able to banish the invader, restoring Alola's light and freeing SolgaleoUS/LunalaUM. This set of events are known to have been the start of the island challenge that many Trainers go on at the age of 11. The island challenge is another custom done in favor of the Tapu.

In more recent history, Tapu Bulu has gotten upset at the land development and modernization of Tapu Village being built on top of sacred land, causing it to destroy it in a fit or rage, resulting in only a Pokémon Center. The nearby Thrifty Megamart has become a trial site. Many of these trial sites the guardians' favorite places and are guarded by the Totem Pokémon. Mount Lanakila is also considered a sacred area of the guardian deities, and that Alola's Pokémon League was built in respect to have battles dedicated to the Pokémon.

In Pokémon Sun and Moon, Tapu Koko plays the largest role within the games' storyline, appearing before the player picks their first partner Pokémon to save them after they fall from a broken bridge with Nebby in tow. Tapu Koko, in recognition of the player's bravery, gives the player a Sparkling Stone, which is later refined by Hala into a Z-Ring. Tapu Koko later appears to defend Melemele Island against the then-unidentified Ultra Beast BuzzwoleS/PheromosaM alongside Hala. After becoming Champion, the player and Lillie visit Tapu Koko at the Ruins of Conflict to give thanks to it, after which the player battles it. The player can choose to lose, win, run or catch Tapu Koko, with different dialogue depending on the outcome. Regardless of outcome, they will receive a Tapunium Z.

The guardian deities play a near-identical role in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon as they did in Sun and Moon. However, instead of defending against Buzzwole or Pheromosa, Tapu Koko comes to battle BlacephalonUS/StakatakaUM, and Hala allows Hau to serve as the guardian's partner. Tapu Koko is not battled during the festival in Iki Town after the player becomes champion. All four guardian deities can be approached in their respective ruins after the credits. After catching or defeating their first deity, the player receives a Tapunium Z.

Tapu Fini, while not physically seen, plays a small role in the story as well, granting Hapu the title of island kahuna after her grandfather, the previous kahuna, passed away. Afterwards, the player and Lillie go to the Ruins of Hope to see Tapu Fini, hopes of finding an answer to help Nebby.

The other three tapu are seen heading towards their own islands with the same Ultra Beast invasion during the games' climax, most notably Tapu Fini and Tapu Lele. In Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, after Necrozma has opened Ultra Wormholes, the Tapu are seen headed towards their respective islands in protection against threat with each kahuna being seen at each of the guardian deities' shrines during the sequence, implying they have fought alongside them as Hau and Hala do with Tapu Koko. The player can battle and catch the remaining guardian deities (and Tapu Koko if they failed) after the credits roll.

If Tapu Bulu is in the player's party, the Pokémon can be interviewed by a Reporter, who is interested in the destruction of Tapu Village.

In The Crown Tundra DLC expansion of Pokémon Sword and Shield, the guardian deities can be found in the Max Lair during Dynamax Adventures, having come through an Ultra Wormhole created by a member of the light trio. The result has ended with them Dynamaxing.

Similar movesets

Lv.  
Tapu Koko
 Electric  Fairy 
 
Tapu Lele
 Psychic  Fairy 
 
Tapu Bulu
 Grass  Fairy 
 
Tapu Fini
 Water  Fairy 
1 Quick Attack Astonish Rock Smash Disarming Voice
Thunder Shock Confusion Leafage Water Gun
5 Withdraw
10 Fairy Wind Aromatherapy Disable Mist
Haze
15 False Swipe Draining Kiss Leech Seed Aqua Ring
20 Spark Psybeam Mega Drain Water Pulse
25 Shock Wave Flatter Whirlwind Brine
30 Charge Aromatic Mist Horn Attack Defog
35 Agility Sweet Scent Scary Face Heal Pulse
40 Screech Extrasensory Horn Leech Surf
45 Discharge Psyshock Zen Headbutt Muddy Water
50 Mean Look
55 Nature's Madness
60 Wild Charge Moonblast Wood Hammer Moonblast
65 Brave Bird Tickle Megahorn Hydro Pump
70 Power Swap Skill Swap Skull Bash Soak
75 Electric Terrain Psychic Terrain Grassy Terrain Misty Terrain
Moves in bold get STAB. Moves in italics do no damage.


Base stat comparison

Pokémon  
Tapu Koko
 
Tapu Lele
 
Tapu Bulu
 
Tapu Fini
HP
70
70
70
70
Attack
115
85
130
75
Defense
85
75
115
115
Sp. Attack
95
130
85
95
Sp. Defense
75
115
95
130
Speed
130
95
75
85
Total 570 570 570 570


In the anime

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Main article: Guardian deities (anime)
 
The guardian deities of Alola

Tapu Koko first appeared in Alola to New Adventure!, where it gave Ash a Z-Ring. In the next episode, it challenged Ash and Pikachu to a battle, where it taught them how to use the Z-Move Gigavolt Havoc before fleeing. In Trial and Tribulation!, it briefly appears to return Ash's Electrium Z after his battle with Hala. In A Guardian Rematch!, it has a rematch with Ash in front of the students at the Pokémon School, and rescues both him and Pikachu after they fall off a cliff during the battle.

Tapu Lele made its first appearance in Partner Promises!, where it was briefly spotted by Ash at nighttime and healed a scratch he suffered while rescuing a Wimpod trapped in a cave.

In A Dream Encounter!, the four guardian deities were all alerted to the creation of Cosmog.

They all appeared again in Family Determination! and Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, where they performed a ritual by singing to activate the Altar of the Sunne to evolve Nebby into Solgaleo. They also upgraded Ash's Z-Ring to a Z-Power Ring to allow him and Nebby to perform Searing Sunraze Smash to open an Ultra Wormhole.

In the manga

 
The guardian deities in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc

The guardian deities were first seen in a fantasy in The Delivery of Rotom and the Girl, where Hala, Olivia, and Nanu each discussed that all four deities were spotted by people on their respective island. As the guardian deities were normally reclusive, the kahunas assumed that something must have angered the four Pokémon. In The Final Match and a Surprising Finale!, Sun was given the task of delivering a special Mirage Berry to each guardian deity as a way of calming them down.

Tapu Koko first appeared in The Delivery of Rotom and the Girl, attacking Sun and Moon. After a short battle, it escaped, leaving behind a Sparkling Stone for Sun. In The Decision and the Tournament of Six, Tapu Koko appeared at Mahalo Trail, where it saved Moon and Nebby after the latter broke the Plank Bridge to escape from a group of Spearow that attacked it.

Tapu Lele first appeared in True Identity and the Totem Pokémon of Brooklet Hill, where it fought against a Xurkitree that tried to escape from an Ultra Wormhole and lost. It was saved by Moon, who fired a Poké Ball-tipped arrow at Xurkitree, forcing it to retreat back to where it came from. Afterward, it returned to the Ruins of Life to recuperate, only for Gladion to arrive and try to capture it. After being defeated by Sun, Gladion gave up on Tapu Lele, claiming that it was too weak to fight against the Ultra Beasts. Once Gladion left, Sun successfully delivered the Mirage Berry to Tapu Lele. As thanks, Tapu Lele decided to test the abilities of Sun and his friends by battling them. Though it proved to be powerful, Tapu Lele left satisfied after Sun managed to land a hit on it with his newly-evolved Torracat, Dollar.

Tapu Bulu first appeared at Po Town, where it rescued Sun, Moon, and Anabel from an attacking Blacephalon. Sun was initially reluctant to give a Mirage Berry to Tapu Bulu, as he felt that it had no reason to help humans as one was responsible for the appearance of Ultra Beasts in Alola to begin with. Moon argued that if humans were the cause, then they should take responsibility by fixing the mess as well. Sun and Moon then give the Mirage Berry to Tapu Bulu, which it readily accepts.

Tapu Fini first appeared at Seafolk Village, where it watched Hapu battle a group of wild Crabrawler led by a Crabominable. Tapu Fini watched the battle to see if Hapu was worthy of succeeding the title of kahuna of Poni Island. After Hapu successfully defeated the wild Pokémon, Sun had her deliver the Mirage Berry, as he was too injured by Crabominable's attacks to do so himself. Hapu then received a Sparkling Stone from Tapu Fini, confirming that it accepted her as the next kahuna.

The guardian deities appeared before Sun in Play the Melody That Echoes in the Altar, where they took him and Moon to Poni Altar to awaken Solgaleo and Lunala. In Destroy!! Results of the Training!, the guardian deities appeared at Mount Lanakila, where they scattered the Ultra Beasts to their respective islands to battle them.

Trivia

  • The guardian deities are the only Pokémon to have an interpunct in their Japanese names.
  • The guardian deities share similarities to the treasures of ruin:
    • They are a quartet of Legendary Pokémon situated in a region.
    • Both quartets share a base stat total of 570.
    • Each quartet has a shared type: the guardian deities share the Fairy-type, while the treasures of ruin share the Dark-type.
    • The respective quartets' signature moves, Nature's Madness and Ruination, are differently typed variations of each other, both being moves that deal damage equivalent to half the target's remaining HP.
    • Both quartets also share variations of given Abilities: the guardian deities all share Abilities that summon a different type of terrain upon entering battle, while the treasures of ruin all have variations of Abilities that lower a stat of all other Pokémon on the field when they are present.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 守護神 Sáuwuhsàhn
Mandarin 守護神 / 守护神 Shǒuhùshén
  Czech Pokémon strážcem
  Danish Øens vagt
Guardian Pokémon
Øvagt
Åndevagt
  Dutch Eilandbeschermer
Beschermgod
  Finnish Suojelija
  French Pokémon Gardien
Divinité gardienne
Pokémon protecteur
  German Schutzpatron
  Hungarian Védőistene
  Indonesian Dewa pelindung
  Italian Pokémon protettore
  Korean 수호신 Suhosin
  Malaysian Dewa penjaga
  Norwegian Øyvokter
  Polish Duchowy strażnik
Portuguese   Brazil Espírito guardião*
Guardião da Ilha*
  Portugal Divindade guardiã
  Russian Божественный хранитель Bozhestvennyy khranitel'
Дух хранитель Dukh khranitel'
  Spanish Espíritu guardián
  Swedish Öväktare
Guardian Pokémon
Spirit guardian
  Thai เทพพิทักษ์ Thepphithak
  Turkish Gardiyan
  Vietnamese Thần

See also

References


Duos:
Trios:
Quartets:
Quintets:


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