Lucario

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lucario
Pokémon series character
A bipedal blue and black jackal with tan fur on its torso. It has a spike on its chest, and on the end of its two arms.
National Pokédex
Riolu - Lucario (#448) - Hippopotas
First appearancePokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
First gamePokémon Diamond and Pearl
Designed byKen Sugimori
Voiced byEnglish
Sean Schemmel (movie, SSB for 3DS/Wii U, Ultimate[1])
Bill Rogers (all other appearances)
Japanese
Daisuke Namikawa (movie, Brawl, SSB for 3DS/Wii U, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate)
Daisuke Sakaguchi (anime)
Rikako Aikawa (anime, Cameron's/Kotetsu's)
Kiyotaka Furushima (anime, Korrina's/Corni's)

Lucario (ルカリオ, Rukario, /luːˈkɑːrioʊ, lʊ-/) is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Lucario first appeared as a central character in the film Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, then a cameo in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, and later appeared in the video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and subsequent sequels, also appearing in various merchandise, spin-off titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. Lucario is voiced by Daisuke Namikawa, Daisuke Sakaguchi, Rikako Aikawa and Kiyotaka Furushima in Japanese, and Bill Rogers and Sean Schemmel in English.

Known as the Aura Pokémon, Lucario can sense and manipulate Aura (波導, Hadō), a special kind of energy emitted by all living creatures. Since its debut, Lucario has received critical acclaim, and has been featured in several forms of merchandise, including figurines, plush toys, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Lucario has also been featured as a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series since Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Concept and creation[]

The design and art direction for Lucario was provided by Ken Sugimori, a friend of the creator of the Pokémon games, Satoshi Tajiri.[2] In an interview, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl director Junichi Masuda noted Lucario's name as one of the most difficult to create, due to an effort to make it appealing to both Japanese and American audiences.[3]

Lucario is a canid-like Pokémon that is a bipedal digitigrade with finger-like digits on its forepaws. Its chest and the exterior of its wrists each feature a single, white spike. It also has a large snout and ears, red irises with vertical slit pupils, an "hourglass"-shaped figure with leering thighs significantly thicker than the rest of its body, iron rings incorporated into its shoulders and waist, and a raccoon's "mask" that loosely resembles a khakkhara with four small dreadlock-like appendages on the back of its head that are used to sense Aura. The coloration of Lucario's fur is predominantly blue and black, although its torso features buff-colored fur slightly shaggier than the rest of its body. When it opens its mouth wide enough, sharp fangs can be seen.[4]

Appearances[]

In the video games[]

Lucario's debut and video game appearance is in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, though it only appears as a Statue Cameo when the player gets 15,000 points and the Lucario rank. It then appeared in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, where its pre-evolved form, Riolu, can be obtained as an egg from Riley. Riolu evolves into Lucario when it reaches a sufficiently high level of happiness. Lucario is used by notable trainers Maylene, the third Sinnoh Gym Leader; a tag team partner known as Riley; Cynthia, Sinnoh's Elite Four Champion;[5] and by Bruno, an Elite Four member of Johto.[6] In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Lucario is perceived as the greatest rescue leader of all time, and his adventures have become legendary. After reaching a certain number of points, a Lucario statue will be displayed outside the rescue base. While the player never meets Lucario, Alakazam tells the player that his goal is to become closer to Lucario's greatness.[7] Lucario can be found and befriended in Lost Wilderness dungeon in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time and Darkness, but it has no particular main role. However, in Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Sky and Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon, its pre-evolution form Riolu may be played as the main character or be chosen as the partner Pokémon. Lucario appears as a boss Pokémon in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, as the guardian of the Blue Gem.[8] Lucario is one of the few Pokémon in Pokémon X and Y that can use the new Mega Evolution mechanic while holding Lucarionite, its Mega Stone; doing so results in it Mega Evolving into Mega Lucario in the process.[9][10] Lucario also appears as an NPC in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure and its sequel, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond.[11]

Due to an unintentional leak on Nintendo's official Super Smash Bros. website, which detailed how certain stickers could only be applied to certain characters, Lucario was indirectly confirmed as a playable character for Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[12] In Brawl, Lucario is unlocked upon being encountered in the story mode at The Glacial Peak, or through other special means.[13] Lucario's special moveset consists of Aura Sphere, Force Palm, ExtremeSpeed, and Double Team, each of which it can learn within the Pokémon games. Its "Final Smash", Aura Storm, consists of launching a powerful beam of Aura, which the player can adjust in a slow, fanning motion.[14] Lucario's fighting style revolves around a mixture of martial arts, predominately Shaolin Kung Fu, and Aura manipulation. Aura itself is also a game mechanic unique to Lucario: its attacks become stronger as it continues to receive damage.[13]

Lucario returned as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U and again in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, now being voiced by Sean Schemmel as in Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Additionally, its Aura mechanic now affects the entirety of its moveset and has made Lucario's attacks riskier, yet more rewarding, due to the mechanic's damage multipliers being adjusted. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, Lucario's Mega Evolution, Mega Lucario, replaced Aura Storm as its Final Smash, reflecting the form change introduced in Pokémon X and Y.[15][16] In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, its Final Smash consists of it Mega Evolving into Mega Lucario before performing Aura Storm. In addition to the Super Smash Bros. series, Lucario appears as a playable character in Pokkén Tournament,[17] Pokémon Go, New Pokémon Snap and Pokémon Unite.

In the anime[]

Lucario's main role in the anime is his appearance in the eighth Pokémon movie, Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. In the movie, Lucario is a servant to a nobleman named Sir Aaron in a Renaissance-themed city called Cameron Palace. Lucario thinks of Sir Aaron as both his master and close friend, although after Aaron traps him in a magic staff, Lucario begins questioning any Pokémon-human relationship. The Lucario in the movie, voiced in English by Sean Schemmel, can speak human languages with telepathy. Lucario sacrifices himself to save the Tree of Beginning, though the credits showed him with Sir Aaron in the afterlife, where they happily eat a chocolate bar.[18]

Maylene, the third Sinnoh Gym Leader, has a Lucario and it was seen in four different episodes of the Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension series. It was first seen battling with Maylene in their training. Lucario uses Aura Sphere to stop the battle of Electabuzz, Piplup, and Pikachu, and is seen battling Paul's Pokémon in a flashback.[19] Lucario was seen again where it battles in Dawn's gym battle with Maylene, where it defeats Dawn's Piplup.[20] Then, in the next episode, it battles in Ash's gym battle against Maylene. It defeats Ash's Staravia and Chimchar, but gets knocked out along with Ash's Buizel, resulting in a tie.[21] Finally, Lucario was seen when it helps Ash and the others defeat Saturn and Team Galactic.[22] A different Lucario appears on Iron Island, owned by a trainer named Riley. Lucario protects Ash from Pokémon on the island that are fighting against each other.[23]

In the Black and White series, during the Unova League, a trainer named Cameron had his Riolu evolve into Lucario and easily pulverized Ash's Snivy and Pikachu winning Cameron the match, despite bringing five Pokémon into battle (Hydreigon, Samurott, Ferrothorn, Swanna and Lucario). This whole battle was seen as a sick joke to many fans, although to be fair, Ash's Unova members used here were poorly handled (e.g., Unfezant failed to defeat Riolu/Lucario despite a type advantage) or were not fully evolved (e.g., Snivy, Boldore, Oshawott, Pignite).

In the XY series, Ash met Korrina, the Fighting-type Gym Leader, who owns a Lucario capable of Mega-Evolution. However, because Korrina acted arrogant and failing to notice that her Lucario was too obsessed with battle, it goes berserk whenever Lucario goes into its Mega-evolved form. As a result, Korrina and Lucario had to train under Mabel and her Mega-Mawile in order to learn to be in sync with each other through floral designs. Korrina was later successful and she used it in battle against Ash for the third Kalos Gym badge but lost. In the Journeys series, Korrina used her Mega-Lucario against Ash in the Battle Festival only to again lose to him and his newly obtained Dragonite.

In Pokémon Journeys, Ash was able to obtain a Lucario himself when his Riolu evolved to fight against and defeat Chairman Rose's Ferrothorn and Copperajah. The reason Ash was given a Lucario in the anime was for the writers to make amends with the fans for failing to give Ash the Riolu/Lucario line in Diamond and Pearl series and for completely disregarding Ash's connection to Aura until Journeys.

In other media[]

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, like in games, it appears under the ownership of Riley who was on a boat heading to the Battle Frontier.[24] Diamond meets Riley at Iron Island, and Byron asks Riley to help Diamond sharpen his Pokémon battle skills before Diamond goes to Lake Verity.[25] In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! the main character, Hareta, gains an egg from Riley which hatches into a Riolu; it later evolves into Lucario. Phantom Thief Pokémon 7 is centered on a boy and his Lucario who take back stolen items from thieves. The name Lucario itself appeared also in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team saga where, after the end of the main scenario, the player can talk to Alakazam who tells them the story of a Lucario being a legendary Pokémon rescuer.

Reception[]

Since it appeared in the Pokémon series, Lucario has received universal acclaim from critics. Beckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector editor Sean Cooper stated that Lucario had grown popular in recent years due to its starring role in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and its appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[26] Kevin Slackie of Paste listed Lucario as the 29th best Pokemon.[27] Official Nintendo Magazine writer Thomas East included it in his list of some of the coolest Pokémon, further stating that it also happens to be one of the very best-looking Pokémon.[28] GamesRadar described it as "the Bruce Lee of Pokémon".[29] IGN readers voted Lucario as the ninth-best pocket monster.[30] Dale Bishir of IGN described Lucario as the most important Pokémon that impacted the franchise’s history, and further stated that it rose through popularity to become one of the most beloved Pokémon of all time, who also made it into Super Smash Bros. and was heavily featured in its own movie, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.[31] Steven Bogos of The Escapist listed Lucario as tenth of their favorite Pokemon, describing it as one of the most recognizable faces of the franchise.[32] International Business Times cited Lucario as an example of best Pokémon design in Generation IV.[33] CJ Andriessen of Destructoid ranked Lucario as 39th at his list on Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters, stating that "He’s actually my favorite Pokémon to play as in Smash, but compared to the other Pokémon games represented on this list, the Diamond and Pearl duo is probably the least exciting and inventive of the bunch."[34]

UGO described Lucario as "a new breed of Pokémon" citing its "cooler, more dangerous look".[35] IGN called its presence in Super Smash Bros. Brawl "a bit on the head scratching side" in light of more familiar characters in the title, such as Pikachu.[36] On the other hand, another IGN editor stated that it made sense for Pokémon to be represented by a Fighting-type character, since Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a fighting game.[37] Game Informer stated that Lucario earned its spot in Super Smash Bros. from being one of the most popular Pokémon in Diamond and Pearl.[38] In the Pokémon of the Year poll held by The Pokémon Company, Lucario was voted the most popular Pokémon from Diamond and Pearl, receiving 102,259 votes. It was also the second-most popular Pokémon overall.[39] Jeremy Parish of Polygon ranked 73 fighters from Super Smash Bros. Ultimate "from garbage to glorious", listing Lucario as 34th.[40] Gavin Jasper of Den of Geek ranked Lucario as 43th of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate characters, criticizing the character that it only belongs to a fight.[41]

Merchandise[]

Lucario has been featured in several forms of merchandise, including figurines, plush toys, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Lucario has also been a part of the third wave of amiibo, with its figure having been released on January 22, 2015, in Japan, and as a Toys "R" Us-exclusive beginning in February 2015 in North America.[42] Nanoblock kits,[43] and gallery figures have been also made.[44]

References[]

  1. ^ Sean Schemmel [@SeanSchemmel] (May 30, 2014). "@AshPaulsen @GameXplain I'm voicing Lucario in that game..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Stuart Bishop (May 30, 2003). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved February 7, 2008.
  3. ^ Noble, McKinley (March 23, 2009). "Pokemon Platinum: Developer Interview!". GamePro. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved June 9, 2009.
  4. ^ "Fight as a bipedal Pokemon dog in Super Smash Bros". January 31, 2014.
  5. ^ Game Freak (April 22, 2007). Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  6. ^ Game Freak (March 14, 2010). Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  7. ^ Chunsoft (September 18, 2006). Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  8. ^ Creatures Inc. (March 20, 2008). Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (Nintendo DS). Nintendo.
  9. ^ "Mega Pokémon". Pokemonxy.com. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  10. ^ "メガルカリオ｜『ポケットモンスター エックス』『ポケットモンスター ワイ』公式サイト". Pokemon.co.jp. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  11. ^ Creatures (July 9, 2010). PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure (Wii). Nintendo.
  12. ^ Scott Jon Siegel (January 21, 2008). "Nintendo accidentally confirms Lucario, Ness, Jigglypuff for Brawl". Joystiq. Retrieved June 4, 2009.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Smash Bros. DOJO!! http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/characters/hidden06.html
  14. ^ Lucario's All-Star Mode trophy information in Super Smash Bros Brawl.
  15. ^ "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U: Lucario". Smashbros.com. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  16. ^ Gera, Emily (January 31, 2014). "Fight as a bipedal Pokemon dog in Super Smash Bros". Vox Media. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  17. ^ "Combo Attack Video Released for Pokkén Tournament - Hardcore Gamer".
  18. ^ Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (DVD). VIZ Media. July 18, 1998.
  19. ^ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (July 19, 2008). "Lost Leader Strategy". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 66. Various.
  20. ^ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (July 26, 2008). "Crossing the Battle Line". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 67. Various.
  21. ^ Shōji Yonemura (writer) (August 2, 2008). "A Triple Fighting Chance". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 68. Various.
  22. ^ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (August 9, 2008). "Enter Galactic". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 69. Various.
  23. ^ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (June 13, 2009). "Steeling Peace of Mind!". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles. Episode 110. Various.
  24. ^ Kusaka, Hidenori; Satoshi Yamamoto (November 27, 2008). "Chapter 337". Might As Well. Pokémon Adventures. Volume 29. Shōgakukan. ISBN 978-4-09-140743-6. |volume= has extra text (help)
  25. ^ Kusaka, Hidenori; Satoshi Yamamoto (March 27, 2009). Lucky Lucario. Pokémon Adventures. Volume 31. Shōgakukan. ISBN 978-4-09-140799-3. |volume= has extra text (help)
  26. ^ Cooper, Sean (December 2009). "Lucario - The Aura Pokémon" (121). Dallas, Texas: Beckett: 14, 15, 16, 17. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  27. ^ "The 100 Best Pokémon". pastemagazine.com. February 27, 2017.
  28. ^ "Cool Pokemon - Official Nintendo Magazine". Archived from the original on October 8, 2014.
  29. ^ Padilla, Raymond (November 29, 2007). "Pokemusing, week 24". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. p. 3. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
  30. ^ IGN
  31. ^ IGN
  32. ^ "The Top 10 Pokemon of All Time". February 27, 2016.
  33. ^ "Gotta list 'em all! Here's our top 5 best Pokémon of each generation". February 25, 2016.
  34. ^ "The debut game of every Super Smash Bros. Ultimate fighter, ranked". December 8, 2018.
  35. ^ "Lucario - Smash Bros. Characters". UGO. February 12, 2008. Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
  36. ^ "Lucario Biography". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved September 28, 2009.[dead link]
  37. ^ Lucas M. Thomas (March 9, 2008). "Smash It Up! - The Animal Kingdom - Wii feature - at IGN". IGN. Archived from the original on August 7, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  38. ^ O'Dell Harmon (November 21, 2012). "Top 50 Pokémon Of All Time". Gameinformer. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
  39. ^ Hernandez, Patricia (February 27, 2020). "Google's Pokémon of the Year contest is a humiliating defeat for Pikachu". Polygon.
  40. ^ Parish, Jeremy (December 3, 2018). "We rank the Smash Bros. (and friends)". Polygon. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  41. ^ "Super Smash Bros. Characters Ranked". Den of Geek. March 7, 2019.
  42. ^ "Lucario Amiibo Is a Toys R Us Exclusive - IGN" – via www.ign.com.
  43. ^ "Newest Pokemon Nanoblock Kits Will Let You Build Galarian Ponyta and Lucario". July 21, 2020.
  44. ^ "Lucario is the Latest Pokémon to Receive a Gallery Figure - Hardcore Gamer".

External links[]

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