Riolu's Egg originally came from the Sinnoh region. Despite being passed from hand to hand, it was taking an abnormally long time to hatch. Eventually, it came under the care of the Vermilion City Nurse Joy.
When Ash battled Hayden, the Egg sensed the strong Aura emitted by him and reacted to it. Ash also felt the Egg calling for him. While Pikachu was being treated at the Pokémon Center, Ash followed the sensation to the room where the Egg was being kept. As the Egg reacted to Ash's presence by rolling towards Ash, Nurse Joy decided to entrust the Egg to him.
The following night, the Egg hatched into a Riolu, who 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 was impressed by Ash's Aura. With both Pikachu and Riolu attacking it, Ash was soon able to drive the Onix away, and then took Riolu to the Pokémon Center to be healed. After Nurse Joy had treated Riolu, it expressed willingness to be caught by Ash, which he agreed to.
With Ash[]
Riolu was later seen to be training its Vacuum Wave against Mimey's Reflect. It then accompanied its Trainer to investigate the food shortage at Cerise Park.
In A Festival Reunion!, when Ash traveled to Kalos to participate in a Battle Fest to raise his World Coronation Series ranking, Riolu sensed the aura emanated by Korrina's Lucario and led Ash and his other Pokémon to it. Both Korrina and Lucario encouraged Riolu to get strong with Ash, and Riolu started admiring Lucario to the point that when Ash was about to start his battle with Korrina in the finals of the Battle Fest, it showed eagerness to battle, but Ash decided to go with his more experienced Pokémon. During and after the battle, even after Lucario had been defeated, Riolu 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 Ash Versus the Solitary Fighter!, Ash took Riolu with him to the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City, where it was used to battle a Black Belt's Hitmonchan, Hitmonlee and Hitmontop. 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 The Octo-Gridlock at the Gym!, Riolu battled Grapploct again following Cranidos's defeat during Ash's second battle against Bea. 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 The Darkest Day Special!, Riolu was used alongside Pikachu, Dragonite and Fennekin to battle a rampaging Gigantamax Centiskorch. Despite their best efforts, the Centiskorch was only defeated when Leon arrived. Riolu was sent out to battle Rose's Copperajah and Ferrothorn with Pikachu. 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 Rose's Pokémon. Lucario then assisted Leon in stopping Eternatus from attacking Galar. With the assistance of Zacian and Zamazenta, Lucario, Pikachu, and Raboot 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 Raboot 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 Volkner and Barry: Ultra Class Ultimates!, 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.
Season 2: Revolution[]
In Mega Island Journeys! and To Master the Unexpected!, 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 Ultra Class Rivals: Ash and Bea!, Lucario was the second Pokémon Ash 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 Mega Lucario VS Gigantamax Machamp!, 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.
Personality[]
Lucario, like other members of his 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 The Darkest Day Special!, where it used its Aura to tell Ash it had learned Aura Sphere. It also attained a more stoic personality, although that doesn't stop it from getting easily agitated by things that frustrate it. This was demonstrated in A Close Call... Practically?, where Goh's Raboot smudged Lucario's face with food on two occasions, with the second instance leading to Lucario angrily chasing the Rabbit Pokémon.
Description: A combination of Aura Sphere and Flame Charge. First, Lucario launches an Aura Sphere, then Raboot launches a Flame Charge inside the Aura Sphere, and the two attacks converge into a fireball surrounded by light blue streaks of energy.
In the original anime, Aura Sphere is combined with Pyro Ball instead. While in the remake Raboot launches a Flame Charge while inside the Aura Sphere, Cinderace kicks a Pyro Ball instead together with Aura Sphere.
Abilities[]
Aura: A form of spiritual energy that is described as the essence of every living creature.
Aura Vision: Acts as a second source of sight when their normal eyes are closed or they are blinded.
Mega Aura: A version of Aura Vision used when Lucario is Mega Evolved.
Aura transmission: Lucario can transmit signals to those who are sensitive to aura, including thoughts and memories.
Projection: Lucario manipulates his aura to conjure up barriers to protect those around him or for self-defense.
Spiritual Sensory: Using this power allows Lucario to pick up on the thoughts and emotions of any individual and anticipate their actions. He can also use this as a means of locating lost individuals or those in hiding.
Healing: Using this power allows Lucario to heal themselves with his injuries by chanting out a healing phrase/chant.
Gallery[]
Riolu's Egg
As a Riolu
Lucario's Lucarionite
With Ash as Riolu
Using Vacuum Wave as Riolu
Preparing to use Reversal as a Riolu
Using Reversal as Riolu
Using Double Team as Riolu
Using Force Palm as Riolu
Preparing to use Reversal
Using Reversal
Using Double Team
Using Force Palm
Using Bullet Punch
Using Reversal against Mewtwo
Using Aura Sphere while Mega Evolved
Using Force Palm while Mega Evolved
Using Steel Beam while Mega Evolved
Ash and Lucario releasing a wave of Aura as Riolu
Lucario training with Mimey as Riolu
Lucario admiring Korrina's Lucario as Riolu
Notice Ash having small eyes in the remake.
Mega Lucario's Mega Aura
Lucario's Aura vision
Pikachu, Lucario and Raboot fist bump together
Lucario after getting his Lucarionite
Lucario fist bumps with Ash
Ash and Lucario departing together from Kalos
Mega Lucario, alongside Gigantamax Gengar
Trivia[]
As a Riolu, Lucario was Ash's first:
Capture of a Generation IV Pokémon after Gible.
Baby Pokémon.
Pokémon in Pokémon Journeys: TheRandomBlock Remake to not be obtained in its fully evolved form and not originate from Generation I.
Pure Fighting type since Primeape.
If one counts Ash's Meltan as a Mythical Pokémon, Lucario is Ash's first non-Mythical Pokémon with the Steel type.
Lucario spent only 24 episodes as a Riolu after hatching, making it the fastest evolved hatched Pokémon out of all the protagonists.
Riolu's Egg is a reference to the 10 km Egg in Pokémon GO. At the time the canon episode Riolu debuted in aired in Japan, Riolu could be found in these Eggs.
Riolu, along with other baby Pokémon, was also featured in a Wild Area News event in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield at the time.
This Lucario shares similarities with a Lucario who served under Sir Aaron:
Both reacted strongly to Ash's Aura from their confinements.
Both are voiced by Daisuke Namikawa in the Japanese versions.
Riolu is Ash's fourth walking Pokémon overall, the others being Pikachu, Rowlet, and Naganadel.