Ash's Larvitar

**Ash's Larvitar** (Japanese: **サトシのヨーギラス** *Satoshi's Yogiras*) was a recurring Pokémon character in the anime that Ash cared for briefly in the Johto region, and his twenty-second Pokémon overall.

## History

### Original series

In *Lapras of Luxury*, Ash picked up an Egg from the Marine Pokémon Laboratory after he received a call from Professor Elm. Naomi revealed that the mysterious Egg was originally stolen by Pokémon poachers from a Pokémon preserve on Mt. Silver. Later, a member of the public had found the Egg and brought it to Naomi's lab.

In the next episode, the Egg hatched into Larvitar. Ash and his friends were forced to take it to a Pokémon Center when its skin temperature quickly fell. Overnight, Ash entered Larvitar's memories, which revealed that a motorcyclist fell onto the ground and Larvitar's Egg broke free of its crate in the process. Larvitar's Egg traveled downstream, where it was kicked around by a crowd of people and then narrowly avoided being hit by an oncoming truck. Later on, at New Bark Town, Professor Elm tells Ash to return Larvitar to its home on Mt. Silver.

In *Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid*, a wild Elekid took an interest in Larvitar. Although it was uncomfortable at first, it slowly warmed up to the Electric Pokémon after they were both captured by Team Rocket. They were eventually saved by Ash and Casey, which the latter went on to capture Elekid. Larvitar expressed sadness over the loss of its new friend, with Casey assuring Larvitar that she would look after it.

In *You're a Star, Larvitar!*, Team Rocket kidnapped a handful of Trainer's Pokémon, with Larvitar being the only one to avoid being captured. As Team Rocket attempted to escape with the Pokémon, Larvitar bit onto their rear tire and popped it. While the trio took time to fix it, Larvitar snuck into their base and freed Ash. After being told to help the others, it returned to the truck and popped the tire once again. This stalled the group long enough for the other Pokémon to make their escape and their Trainers to find them. With everyone safe, Team Rocket was sent blasting off.

In *Address Unown!*, an Unown teleported Ash, Brock, and Misty to a dimension that physically manifested images and experiences from Larvitar's life. Ash and his friends reached a giant Larvitar Egg with holes in it, as well as a large crystalline thorn sticking out of it. Inside the holes were images of Ash, Misty, and Brock. Both Misty and Brock appeared in black and white, symbolizing Larvitar's distrust towards them. After Ash touched the thorn, he, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, and Togepi were transported inside the Egg and into another dimension where Larvitar was seen sleeping. There, Ash and his friends received visions of Larvitar as an Egg. The group heard Larvitar's voice as it was kidnapped by the Pokémon Poacher Brothers and sensed its mother being brutally attacked. It was later separated from the poachers and mistakenly kicked around. Larvitar's past manifested into thorny branches encasing it, developing into a block of crystal. Together, Ash, Misty, and Brock were able to destroy the branches around Larvitar and help it open up more.

Since that incident, Larvitar became more comfortable around Misty and Brock, but it still hardened around other human beings. It was reunited with its mother in *Mother of All Battles!*, who at first believed Ash and his friends were harming her child. Tyranitar eventually calmed down once she realized Ash and his friends' peaceful and benevolent actions around Larvitar. However, the poachers that had initially stolen Larvitar, the Pokémon Poacher Brothers, returned to capture her, but they were eventually captured through the teamwork of Ash, his friends, Ranger Mason, and Larvitar. Afterward, Larvitar was left at Mt. Silver.

### Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Larvitar reappeared in a flashback in *Alola, Kanto!* while Ash, Brock, and Misty were reminiscing about their travels together.

### Pokémon Journeys: The Series

In *Partners in Time!*, Larvitar appeared as a vision to Pikachu during his battle against Leon's Charizard.

In *Heroes Unite!*, Larvitar appeared in a fantasy while Ash reminisced about the Pokémon he'd caught on his journey.

## Personality and characteristics

Larvitar was particularly shy around humans after birth, and it would subsequently often Harden itself towards them. The trauma that Larvitar suffered as an Egg was the main reason for its introverted nature.

During its adventures with Ash, Larvitar gradually learned to appreciate life and everything around it. Larvitar became very close to Ash and his Pikachu, and went on to make some friends with other Pokémon as well.

Its impressive strength was first shown in *Hatch Me if You Can*, after it defeated Team Rocket with its powerful Hidden Power. Larvitar developed a very courageous attitude in *You're a Star, Larvitar!*, where it managed to rescue a group of Pokémon from Team Rocket by itself.

## Moves used

 A **†** shows that the move was used recently, unless all moves fit this case or there are fewer than five known moves.

## Trivia

* Larvitar is Ash's first:
	+ Pokémon that was never seen being held in a Poké Ball.
	+ Rock-type Pokémon.
	+ Pokémon that can evolve into a pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
* Larvitar is Ash's only Johto Pokémon that has not known Tackle.
* Not counting temporary Pokémon, Larvitar is Ash's only Johto Pokémon that has never been left at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
* Out of all Pokémon to have been released by Ash, Larvitar spent the least amount of time with Ash before being released, lasting for only 6 episodes.
* Larvitar is Ash's only non-temporary Pokémon that he has released to have not reunited with him.
* Larvitar is tied with Ash's Gible for having the lowest base stat total out of any Pokémon owned by Ash.
* During the time it was with Ash, Larvitar continually used Harden whenever it was scared. However, Larvitar cannot learn Harden in the games.