Tapu Lele (Pokémon)


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Tapu Lele (Japanese: カプ・テテフ Kapu-Tetefu) is a dual-type Legendary Pokémon introduced in Generation VII.

It is not known to evolve into or from any other Pokémon.

It is the guardian deity of Akala Island, with, , and being the deities of the other islands.

Biology
Tapu Lele has a black torso and pink curly hair. Its eyes are blue with pink lines at the middle of the iris. Its arms are thin, and its digitless hands are separated by thick pink "bracelets". Its shell has markings similar to a face and have small, butterfly-like wings at the back. The top is cone-shaped and resembles a hat of some sort. When closed, the shell resembles a bug with a curled mouth at the bottom.

The guardian of Akala Island is known to scatter glowing scales, which affect others by stimulating and healing their bodies; however, these scales are also dangerous if too many are touched at once. For this, some consider it to be cruel for the way it destroys others as it scatters its scales for its own amusement. An old legend says that Tapu Lele ended a war between Alola's islands by healing the tired warriors with its scales, but rumors point to a more disturbing truth behind this story. Its strength comes from the energy stored within its shell. If Tapu Lele finds itself at a disadvantage in battle, it will prioritize not outright losing as opposed to trying for a decisive victory.

Tapu Lele debuted in Partner Promises!, where encountered it along with. It was seen floating over the ocean, and scattered its glowing scales on Ash to heal the wounds he got while rescuing a trapped, after which it took off into the sky. After Ash returned to 's house, identified it as Tapu Lele. It has since made further reappearances throughout the.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Tapu Lele first appeared in a fantasy in The Delivery of Rotom and the Girl. Olivia and her fellow Kahunas noted that the guardian deities had been angered by something, as they were spotted by people at their respective islands despite usually being reclusive. Later, Tapu Lele was seen in person flying above Lush Jungle, where it was attacked by a emerging from an Ultra Wormhole.

Pokédex entries

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Game locations

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In side games

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In events

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Side game data

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Trivia

 * Tapu Lele shares its with,  and . They are all known as the Land Spirit Pokémon.

Origin
Tapu Lele appears to be based on a emerging from its chrysalis. It may also be inspired by, one of the four major Hawaiian gods. Kāne is a creator god, bestowing life into the first human in Hawaiian mythology.

Name origin
Tapu Lele may be a combination of tapu (Hawaiian for sacred or holy) and pulelehua (Hawaiian for butterfly).

Kapu-Tetefu may be a combination of kapu (Hawaiian for sacred or holy) and てふてふ tefutefu (an butterfly).

Related articles

 * Guardian deities