Lucario

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.

First appearance Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
First game Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Designed by Ken Sugimori
Voiced by (English) Sean Schemmel (movie, Smash 3DS/Wii U[1])
Bill Rogers (All other appearances)
Voiced by (Japanese) Daisuke Namikawa (movie, Brawl, Smash 3DS/Wii U)
Daisuke Sakaguchi (anime)
Rikako Aikawa (anime, Cameron's/Kotetsu's)
Kiyotaka Furushima (anime, Korrina's/Corni's)

Lucario (ルカリオ Lukario) 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, and later appeared in the video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and subsequent sequels, also appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. Lucario is voiced by Daisuke Namikawa in Japanese, and Bill Rogers in English.

Known as the Aura Pokémon, Lucario can track energy called Aura (波導 Hadō), which is given off by all living creatures and has the ability to sense it from half a mile away. Lucario is also featured as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Since its debut in the Pokémon series, Lucario has received generally positive reception. It has been featured in several forms of merchandise, including figurines, plush toys, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

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] The species first appeared in the Nintendo DS games, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, released in Japan in 2006. 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 Pokémon that displays canid features and is around four feet in height. Lucario's feet and paw-like hands are black with three digits each, while there is one white spike on each arm on the upper-side of its wrists. In addition, there is a third spike on Lucario's chest. Lucario has a large snout and ears, a yellow furry torso, and blue thighs in the shape of shorts. It has the ability to sense the Aura in all living things, and the one featured in the film is capable of telepathic human speech,[4] similar to Legendary Pokémon of past films. It can read the thoughts and movements of other beings by sensing the aura that they emit.[5] A trained Lucario is able to sense aura and identify the feelings of creatures up to half a mile away.[6] Because of its ability to sense auras, Lucario can see otherwise invisible foes.[7] Lucario has a pre-evolution, Riolu, which evolves when it reaches a certain point of happiness during the day.

Appearances

In the video games

Lucario's first video game appearance is 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 certain point of happiness. Riolu is obtainable in Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2,White 2, X and Y. 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;[8] and by Bruno, an Elite Four member of Johto.[9] In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Lucario is seen as the greatest rescue leader of all time, and his adventures have become legendary. After reaching a certain amount 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.[10] Lucario appears as a boss Pokémon in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia, as the guardian of the Blue Gem.[11] Lucario is one of several Pokémon in Pokémon X and Y that can use the new Mega Evolution mechanic, becoming Mega Lucario.[12][13] Lucario also appears as an NPC in PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure and its sequel, PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond.[14]

Lucario is featured as an unlockable playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Wii. He is unlocked by being encountered in the story mode at The Glacial Peak, or through other special means.[15] Lucario can use moves such as Aura Sphere, Force Palm, ExtremeSpeed, Double Team, and his "Final Smash", Aura Storm. When using his Final Smash, he launches a powerful beam of Aura in which the player can change the direction of.[16] Lucario's fighting style revolves around Aura manipulation and the concept of "high risk, high return"; The more damage Lucario has taken, the stronger he and his attacks become.[15] Lucario was confirmed to be a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl due to an unintentional leak. The leak, which took place on Nintendo's official smashbros.com, detailed that certain stickers could only be applied to certain characters, Ness, Jigglypuff and Lucario.[17] Lucario returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, with the Aura mechanic enhanced, and his Aura Storm Final Smash replaced with his Mega Evolution form.[18][19] Lucario also makes an appearance as a playable fighter in Pokkén Tournament.

A poster featuring Lucario charging up an aura attack. Many characters and locations from the movie appear in the background.
Lucario as seen in Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.

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 in February 2015 in North America.

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. Aaron had trained this Lucario to manipulate Aura. Lucario thinks of Sir Aaron as both his master and close friend, although after Aaron traps him in a magic staff at the film's outset, Lucario begins questioning any Pokémon-human relationship. The Lucario in the movie, voiced by Sean Schemmel, can speak human languages with telepathy. Lucario sacrificed himself in order to save the Tree of Beginning, though the credits showed him with Sir Aaron eating a chocolate bar.[20]

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 used Aura Sphere to stop the battle of Electabuzz, Piplup, and Pikachu, and is seen battling Paul's Pokémon in a flashback.[21] Lucario was seen again where it battled in Dawn's gym battle with Maylene, where it defeated Dawn's Piplup.[22] Then, in the next episode, it battled in Ash's gym battle against Maylene. It defeated Ash's Staravia and Chimchar, but was knocked out along with Ash's Buizel, resulting in a tie.[23] Finally, Lucario was seen when it helped Ash and the others defeat Saturn and Team Galactic.[24] 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.[25]

Lucario appeared was in BW107 and BW108, under the ownership of Cameron. As a Riolu, it was used against Ash's Snivy, Unfezant, and Pikachu, where it evolved while battling Snivy. It was able to defeat all three, giving Cameron the victory. However, in Cameron's battle with Virgil, Lucario was defeated by Virgil's Flareon, eliminating Cameron from the tournament.

Lucario's most recent appearance was in XY030-034 and XY043-044, under the ownership of the 3rd gym leader of the Kalos region, Korrina. In XY031, Korrina and her Lucario attempted to retrieve a Lucarionite, but it was guarded by a Blaziken. Due to its type weakness, Lucario proved to be no match for Blaziken, but under the encouragement of Ash and his friends, it finally attempted to immobilize Blaziken. Before it gave the final blow, the Blaziken was revealed to be owned by Gurkinn, Korinna's father. They retrieved the Lucarionite, allowing it to mega evolve.[26]

In episode XY032, Korinna used her Mega Lucario to battle Ash, but due to lack of control over its transformation, it soon ran out of control until it was finally stopped by Gurkinn's Lucario.[27] In XY034, Lucario finally gained full control of its transformation and successfully defeated Team Rocket, who were attacking Ash and his friends. [28]

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.[29] Diamond meets Riley at Iron Island, and Byron asks Riley to help Diamond sharpen his Pokémon battle skills before Diamond goes to Lake Verity.[30] 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.

Promotion and reception

Since it appeared in the Pokémon series, Lucario has had a generally positive reception. It has been featured in several forms of merchandise, including figurines, plush toys, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Lucario is featured on a collector's tin which contains one Lucario card as well as 4 booster packs from the Diamond and Pearl series.[31] Beckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector editor Sean Cooper stated that Lucario had grown popular in recent years due to his starring role in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[32]

UGO described Lucario as "a new breed of Pokémon" citing its "cooler, more dangerous look". They called it an "attractive choice as an underdog fighter" for Super Smash Bros. Brawl due to its quick movement and powerful attacks.[33] 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.[34] Although another editor stated that it would make sense for Pokémon to be represented by a Fighting-type Pokémon, since Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a fighting game.[35] GamesRadar described it as an "all-around bad-ass" and "the Bruce Lee of Pokémon".[36][37] Gameinformer stated that Lucario earned its spot in Smash Bros. from being one of the most popular Pokémon of the Diamond and Pearl generation.[38]

When Zorua and Zoroark were revealed, they were often compared to Riolu and Lucario, with GamesRadar stating "Zorua and Zoroark are in some ways the Riolu and Lucario of this generation".[39] In a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the 32nd best Pokémon, where the staff commented "Lucario is really, really cool, and a complete badass", further stating that "It also doesn’t hurt that he looks like some sort of awesome Egyptian god".[40]

References

  1. ↑ https://twitter.com/SeanSchemmel/status/472434229997879296
  2. ↑ Stuart Bishop (2003-05-30). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  3. ↑ Noble, McKinley (2009-03-23). "Pokemon Platinum: Developer Interview!". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  4. ↑ Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Diamond. Nintendo DS. Nintendo. It has the ability to sense the Auras of all things. It understands human speech.
  5. ↑ Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Pearl. Nintendo DS. Nintendo. By catching the Aura emanating from others, it can read their thoughts and movements.
  6. ↑ Game Freak (2009-03-22). Pokémon Platinum. Nintendo DS. Nintendo. A well-trained one can sense auras to identify and take in the feelings of creatures over half a mile away.
  7. ↑ Game Freak (2010-03-14). Pokémon HeartGold. Nintendo DS. Nintendo. It's said that no foe can remain invisible to Lucario, since it can detect Auras. Even foes it could not otherwise see.
  8. ↑ Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Nintendo DS. Nintendo.
  9. ↑ Game Freak (2010-03-14). Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Nintendo DS. Nintendo.
  10. ↑ Chunsoft (2006-09-18). Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team. Nintendo DS. Nintendo.
  11. ↑ Creatures Inc. (March 20, 2008). Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia. Nintendo DS. Nintendo.
  12. ↑ "Mega Pokémon". Pokemonxy.com. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
  13. ↑ "メガルカリオ｜『ポケットモンスター Ｘ』『ポケットモンスター Ｙ』公式サイト". Pokemon.co.jp. Retrieved 2013-08-09.
  14. ↑ Creatures (2010-07-09). PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. Wii. Nintendo.
  15. 1 2 Smash Bros. DOJO!! http://www.smashbros.com/wii/en_us/characters/hidden06.html
  16. ↑ Lucario's All-Star Mode trophy information in Super Smash Bros Brawl.
  17. ↑ Scott Jon Siegel (2008-01-21). "Nintendo accidentally confirms Lucario, Ness, Jigglypuff for Brawl". Joystiq. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  18. ↑ "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U: Lucario". Smashbros.com. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  19. ↑ Gera, Emily (January 31, 2014). "Fight as a bipedal Pokemon dog in Super Smash Bros.". Vox Media. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  20. ↑ Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew (DVD). VIZ Media. July 18, 1998.
  21. ↑ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (2008-07-19). "Lost Leader Strategy". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 66. Various.
  22. ↑ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (2008-07-26). "Crossing the Battle Line". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 67. Various.
  23. ↑ Shōji Yonemura (writer) (2008-08-02). "A Triple Fighting Chance". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 68. Various.
  24. ↑ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (2008-08-09). "Enter Galactic". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 69. Various.
  25. ↑ Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (June 13, 2009). "Steeling Peace of Mind!". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Galactic Battles. Episode 110. Various.
  26. ↑ "episode XY031 summary". Bulbapdeia.
  27. ↑ "episode XY032 summary". Bulbapdeia.
  28. ↑ "episode XY034 summary". Bulbapedia.
  29. ↑ Kusaka, Hidenori; Satoshi Yamamoto (November 27, 2008). "Chapter 337". Might As Well. Pokémon Adventures. Volume 29. Shōgakukan. ISBN 978-4-09-140743-6.
  30. ↑ Kusaka, Hidenori; Satoshi Yamamoto (March 27, 2009). Lucky Lucario. Pokémon Adventures. Volume 31. Shōgakukan. ISBN 978-4-09-140799-3.
  31. ↑ "2007 Pokemon Limited Edition Collector's Tin: Lucario (Blue): Toys & Games". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-04-22.
  32. ↑ Cooper, Sean (December 2009). "Lucario - The Aura Pokémon" (121). Dallas, Texas: Beckett: 14, 15, 16, 17.
  33. ↑ "Lucario - Smash Bros. Characters". UGO. February 12, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  34. ↑ "Lucario Biography". IGN. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-09-28.
  35. ↑ Lucas M. Thomas (March 9, 2008). "Smash It Up! - The Animal Kingdom - Wii feature - at IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  36. ↑ Vassar, Darryl. "The complete Pokémon Diamond and Pearl pokedex, part 6". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. p. 7. Retrieved 2009-10-01.
  37. ↑ Padilla, Raymond (2007-11-29). "Pokemusing, week 24". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. p. 3. Retrieved 2009-10-17.
  38. ↑ O'Dell Harmon (November 21, 2012). "Top 50 Pokémon Of All Time". Gameinformer. Retrieved 2014-03-29.
  39. ↑ Carolyn Gudmundson. "Pokemon Black and White spotlight: Zorua and Zoroark". GamesRadar. Future Publishing. Retrieved 2011-04-06.
  40. ↑ Audrey. "Lucario - #32 Top Pokémon - IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2011-05-04.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Thursday, May 05, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.