Guardian deities (anime)

The guardian deities of Alola are a group of Legendary Pokémon that appeared in the. They have appeared at various times during 's island challenge, at times to help him and, and at other times to test them and their Pokémon.

In addition, Ash encountered a  in the alternate world of the Ultra Ruin.

Tapu Koko
Tapu Koko (Japanese: カプ・コケコ Kapu-Kokeko) is the guardian of Melemele Island, and the first deity to appear before Ash.

History
debuted in Alola to New Adventure!, where it dropped a couple of Sitrus Berries on a wild, which ended up chasing after and his. Ash saw it later in the episode, but he wasn't sure what it was, until he described it to and, and they told him what the Pokémon he saw was. Near the end of the episode, Ash heard some cries, which led to him meeting Tapu Koko in person. It gave Ash a Z-Ring, equipped with an Electrium Z.

In the following episode, Tapu Koko came across Ash and his classmates as they were enjoying lunch, and it stole Ash's hat. It flew off to a nearby forest, where it waited for Ash to battle it. After a couple of attacks, Tapu Koko came up to Ash and activated his Electrium-Z, leading Ash to command his Pikachu to use his first Z-Move, on Tapu Koko. Despite the attack creating a big explosion, Tapu Koko protected itself with its armor and did not receive any damage. After that, Tapu Koko flew off, ending its battle with Ash.

In To Top a Totem!, Hala informed Ash about Tapu Koko. Later in the episode, it watched Ash's battle against a, a , and a Gumshoos in Verdant Cavern.

In the following episode, Tapu Koko stole the Fightinium Z that Hala was about to give Ash for defeating him in the island challenge, and replaced it with an Electrium-Z, much to Ash and Hala's surprise.

In A Guardian Rematch!, Tapu Koko had a rematch against Pikachu and was able to withstand Gigavolt Havoc. The match ended with no clear winner after Pikachu fell off a cliff, which Tapu Koko helped to save Ash and Pikachu from.

In A Dream Encounter!, Tapu Koko and the other guardian deities sensed the birth of a nicknamed Nebby. The next day, it led Ash to Nebby, then flew away.

In the Poké Problem segment of SM050, Tapu Koko sensed Nebby's evolution from Cosmog into. In the following episode, it appeared at Poni Island together with the other guardian deities.

In Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Tapu Koko and the other guardian deities revealed that they were the ones who took Nebby to Melemele Island, where Ash would eventually find and take care of it. At the Altar of the Sunne, the four guardian deities performed a ritual that allowed Nebby to evolve into. When Ash received a Solganium Z from Nebby, he found that it was unable to fit in his regular Z-Ring. Tapu Koko then took the Z-Ring, and through a dance, it and the other guardian deities upgraded the Z-Ring into a Z-Power Ring so Ash could properly use Solgaleo's Z-Move,. The four then dispersed after seeing Nebby carry Ash and his friends through the Ultra Wormhole.

In Rise and Shine, Starship!, Tapu Koko witnessed 's discovery by. Later, it watched it fly off towards the moon.

In Twirling with a Bang!, Tapu Koko watched as the Ultra Guardians helped send and  home.

In Full Moon and Many Arms!, Tapu Koko helped defend against. It later watched as Hala saw the sunrise during the Manalo Festival.

In Securing the Future!, Tapu Koko attacked the Matori Matrix's aircraft in order to prevent them from going through an Ultra Wormhole to chase after Necrozma. Later, it, its fellow guardian deities, and the rest of Alola helped Necrozma regain its by giving it some of their Z-Power.

In Battling the Beast Within!, Tapu Koko engaged Ash and Pikachu in a battle, only to transport them to another world with the assistance of a Tapu Koko.

Personality and characteristics
Tapu Koko appears to be a serious Pokémon, but despite this character trait, it didn't seem to mind Pikachu playing with its arm in Revealing the Stuff of Legend!. Tapu Koko is very interested in Ash and is often seen observing him. It has a strong desire to challenge Ash and test his skills, even stealing Ash's hat in order for him to follow and battle it. Tapu Koko also appears to have great faith in Ash, entrusting him a Z-Ring and an Electrium Z as well as leaving Nebby in his care. Tapu Koko also does not tolerate impulsive behavior from other people. For example, when arrogantly yelled at the guardian deities out of impatience, it gave him an angry stare, telling him to wait. It took an interest in the Ultra Guardian's work at helping Ultra Beasts, as seen in Rise and Shine, Starship! and Twirling with a Bang!.

In the TCG
Tapu Koko is featured in the TCG. The following is a list of cards featuring Tapu Koko.

Tapu Lele
Tapu Lele (Japanese: カプ・テテフ Kapu-Tetefu) is the guardian of Akala Island, and the second deity to appear before Ash.

History
debuted in Partner Promises!, where and  on Treasure Island. It was seen floating over the ocean, and scattered its glowing scales all over Ash to heal the wounds inflicted on him while he was rescuing a trapped. Afterwards, it took off into the sky. After Ash returned to 's house, identified it as a Tapu Lele.

Tapu Lele reappeared in The Island Whisperer!, during a flashback and a fantasy. In Trials and Determinations!, Tapu Lele was physically seen flying over Ash,, Olivia, and Professor Kukui, after Ash's grand trial against Olivia.

In Rising from the Ruins!, Tapu Lele battled Ash's and won easily. When Olivia and 's brought it to be healed by the guardian deity. When Tapu Lele seemed to be incapable of completely healing Rockruff, it attacked the two Lycanroc until Ash arrived and stepped in to protect them. It then used to drain energy from Ash and the two Lycanroc, allowing it to heal Rockruff. Tapu Lele also stayed to watch as Rockruff subsequently evolved into a  in the light of the setting sun, smiling happily as it the floated away afterwards.

In A Dream Encounter!, Tapu Lele and the other Guardian deities sensed the birth of a nicknamed Nebby. In Family Determination!, it appeared at Poni Island together with the other guardian deities.

In Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Tapu Lele and the other guardian deities revealed that they were the ones who took Nebby to Melemele Island, where Ash would eventually find and take care of it. At the Altar of the Sunne, the four guardian deities performed a ritual that allowed Nebby to evolve into. When Ash received a Solganium Z from Nebby, he found that it was unable to fit in his regular Z-Ring. Tapu Koko then took the Z-Ring, and through a dance, it and the other guardian deities upgraded the Z-Ring into a Z-Power Ring so Ash could properly use Solgaleo's Z-Move,. The four then dispersed after seeing Nebby carry Ash and his friends through the Ultra Wormhole.

In Full Moon and Many Arms!, Tapu Lele watched Olivia as she observed the sunrise during the Manalo Festival.

In Securing the Future!, Tapu Lele, its fellow guardian deities, and the rest of Alola helped regain its  by giving it some of their Z-Power.

In SM107, Kiawe was given the task of bringing back some of Tapu Lele's scales in order to rescue Ash, who had been held captive. After hearing of Kiawe's plight, Tapu Lele challenged him to a battle. Despite Tapu Lele's strength, Kiawe managed to land a hit on it with his 's, impressing Tapu Lele enough to give him some of its scales.

Personality and characteristics
As a guardian deity, Tapu Lele seems to be a kind and caring Pokémon, willingly using its scales to heal humans and Pokémon, such as Ash and a wild, even if it doesn't know them. It also greatly enjoys battling other Pokémon that catch its interest, but its cruel sense of innocence is shown when it seemingly fails to realize that its attacks seriously hurt opponents much weaker than itself. This was demonstrated in Rising from the Ruins!, where it challenged Ash's Rockruff and defeated it easily, acting gleefully happy the whole time.

Tapu Bulu
Tapu Bulu (Japanese: カプ・ブルル Kapu-Bulul) is the guardian of Ula'ula Island, and the third deity to appear in the anime.

History
debuted in A Dream Encounter!, where it reacted to Nebby's creation. In Family Determination!, it appeared at Poni Island together with the other guardian deities.

In Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Tapu Bulu and the other guardian deities revealed that they were the ones who took Nebby to Melemele Island, where Ash would eventually find and take care of it. At the Altar of the Sunne, the four guardian deities performed a ritual to allow Nebby, now a, to evolve into. When Ash received a Solganium Z from Nebby, he found that it was unable to fit in his regular Z-Ring. Tapu Koko then took the Z-Ring, and through a dance, it and the other guardian deities upgraded the Z-Ring into a Z-Power Ring so Ash could properly use Solgaleo's Z-Move,. The four then dispersed after seeing Nebby carry Ash and friends through the Ultra Wormhole.

It made its first solo appearance in Some Kind of Laziness!, where Ash and Acerola visited it at the Ruins of Abundance. Ash requested that Tapu Bulu help train his team so that he may face the Island Kahuna Nanu in a rematch. While it initially ignored Ash so it could continue sleeping, Tapu Bulu eventually agreed to help. By planting seeds and growing them into trees, Tapu Bulu helped Ash's Rowlet learn. Later, it deliberately dirtied Ash's 's fur by pushing it into the water, angering Lycanroc into its berserk state until Ash calmed it down. After seeing the bond Ash and Lycanroc shared, Tapu Bulu agreed to battle with them. Though the battle ended without a victor, Tapu Bulu was impressed when Lycanroc proved to be a powerful opponent with its newly-learned.

In Guiding an Awakening!, Tapu Bulu watched Ash's battle against Nanu. It assisted Ash by giving Lycanroc a Sitrus Berry after it managed to defeat two of Nanu's Pokémon. After Ash won the battle, Tapu Bulu gave Lycanroc another Sitrus Berry to eat.

In Full Moon and Many Arms!, Tapu Bulu watched Nanu and Acerola as they observed the sunrise during the Manalo Festival.

In Securing the Future!, Tapu Bulu, its fellow guardian deities, and the rest of Alola helped regain its  by giving it some of their Z-Power.

Personality and characteristics
Tapu Bulu appears to be more serious and subdued, compared to the more expressive Tapu Lele and Tapu Fini. In Some Kind of Laziness!, it was shown to be a fairly lazy Pokémon due to the fact that it constantly like to sleep on a rock in the Ruins of Abundance. Despite this, once it saw how determined Ash was to help his, Tapu Bulu battled the Wolf Pokémon with everything it had. Tapu Bulu was also shown to be very happy for Lycanroc when it got over its aversion to having its fur become wet or dirty.

Tapu Bulu has been shown as being kind to Pokémon, as evident in Guiding an Awakening!, when it dropped some Sitrus Berries for Lycanroc to consume during its battle against Nanu following Lycanroc's defeat of.

Tapu Fini
Tapu Fini (Japanese: カプ・レヒレ Kapu-Rehire) is the guardian of Poni Island, and the fourth and final deity to appear in the anime.

History
debuted in A Dream Encounter!, where it reacted to Nebby's creation. In Family Determination!, it appeared at Poni Island together with the other guardian deities.

In Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Tapu Fini and the other guardian deities revealed that they were the ones who took Nebby to Melemele Island, where would eventually find and take care of it. At the Altar of the Sunne, the four guardian deities performed a ritual to allow Nebby, now a, to evolve into. When Ash received a Solganium Z from Nebby, he found that it was unable to fit in his regular Z-Ring. Tapu Koko then took the Z-Ring, and through a dance, it and the other guardian deities upgraded the Z-Ring into a Z-Power Ring so Ash could properly use Solgaleo's Z-Move,. The four then dispersed after seeing Nebby carry Ash and friends through the Ultra Wormhole.

In Securing the Future!, Tapu Fini, its fellow guardian deities, and the rest of Alola helped regain its  by giving it some of their Z-Power.

Tapu Fini made its first solo appearance in Showdown on Poni Island!, where it flew over, , , and Hapu following Ash's against Gladion.

In SM107, it became angered when Kiawe and Ash were battling at the Ruins of Hope and trapped Ash,, , , and  in a veil of water as punishment for their recklessness. In order for them to atone for their sinful actions, Tapu Fini gave Kiawe a task to retrieve scales from Tapu Lele within a certain time. When Kiawe returned with the scales, Tapu Fini used them to heal his, who had been injured during the journey back. Afterwards, Tapu Fini forgave Ash and Kiawe for their reckless battling. But in return, it rewarded Kiawe with a Flyinium Z and watched as he and Charizard performed.

In SM108, Tapu Fini overheard talking about her deceased mother. Later, it filled the area around Hapu's house with mist. The mist allowed Mallow and Torracat to reunite with her mother and its deceased mentor,, respectively. Worried that her friends would be trapped in the mist forever, Hapu traveled to the Ruins of Hope to convince Tapu Fini to stop. The spirit of Sofū, Hapu's deceased grandfather, appeared, revealing that Tapu Fini had accepted Hapu as the next Island Kahuna of Poni Island.

In SM109, Hapu performed a ritual at the Ruins of Hope with Tapu Fini, properly receiving the title of Island Kahuna. Later, Tapu Fini watched Ash and Hapu's grand trial battle.

Personality and characteristics
While little is known about Tapu Fini's personality, it appears to be a caring Pokémon, as it was shown holding a sleeping Nebby before leaving it for Ash to find.

More of Tapu Fini's personality was seen in SM107, when it became angered by Kiawe and Ash battling at the Ruins of Hope and trapped Ash, Pikachu, Rotom, Torracat, Turtonator and Marowak in a veil of water as punishment. It then set Kiawe a task that he must complete in a certain time. Despite that, Tapu Fini is also shown to be a forgiving Pokémon as it awarded Kiawe with the Flyinium Z and blessed Ash's victory in the grand trial.

Shiny Tapu Koko
This Tapu Koko (Japanese: カプ・コケコ Kapu-Kokeko) is the guardian of the alternate world Melemele Island of the Ultra Ruin.

History
The Shiny first appeared in Battling the Beast Within!, where it assisted its regularly-colored counterpart in transporting Ash and Pikachu to the Ultra Ruin during Ash's battle with the latter. later revealed that, due to the damage caused by, Tapu Koko fled Alola, preventing the use of Z-Moves.

In Parallel Friendships!, it assisted Ash and Dia in their battle against Guzzlord by trapping the the Junkivore Pokémon in a field of electricity. It then restored the ability to use Z-Moves, allowing Ash and Dia to use a double that forced Guzzlord into a nearby Ultra Wormhole. Later, it watched Ash and Dia battle each other to recreate the event that transported Ash to Dia's world.

Related articles
For more information on these Pokémon's species, see, , , and.
 * Guardian deities

Pokémon protettori (anime) 守护神（动画）