Ho-Oh

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Ho-Oh (凤王)
Alias(es)	Lord Ho-Oh
Species/Race	Legendary Pokémon
Gender	Masculine
Affiliation	Ho-Oh Guard; Heavenly Green Mountain
Occupation/Role	Guardian of the weak; selector and mentor of Rainbow Heroes
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 37

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Level 82 (approx.)	39	Dongshu determines Ho-Oh's approximate strength through the System Store's Ho-Oh-exclusive Rare Candy price.
Strength increased	44	Dongshu gives Ho-Oh a Ho-Oh-exclusive Rare Candy; Ho-Oh feels its power increase, though no new level is stated.

Background / History

Heavenly Green Mountain is Ho-Oh's old home and the territory of the Ho-Oh Guard, though Ho-Oh usually travels abroad rather than remaining there. Fire Emperor, Raikou, and Suicune share a subtle connection to Ho-Oh because Ho-Oh revived them after they died in the Burned Tower fire. 7 31 37

Centuries earlier, Ho-Oh lived at Ecruteak City's Bell Tower and formed a friendship with humans. After humans used its power for evil and war, resulting in the tower's destruction, Ho-Oh and Lugia left the city and cut their ties with humanity. 40 41

Ho-Oh travels the world seeking humans worthy of becoming Rainbow Heroes. It grants Rainbow Feathers to people with pure hearts and love for Pokémon, while Fire Emperor, Raikou, Suicune, and Marshadow guide and test prospective heroes. A successful Rainbow Hero protects the weak and preserves peace. 37 38 40

After repeated failures among its chosen candidates, Ho-Oh becomes interested in Dongshu: a human child adopted and raised by the Ho-Oh Guard. Recognizing Dongshu's purity and affection for Pokémon, Ho-Oh decides to personally cultivate him into a Rainbow Hero. 38 47

Appearance

Ho-Oh is a large, noble bird Pokémon nearly four meters tall. Its presence is accompanied by rainbow light, and rainbows form across the sky wherever it flies. 37 39

• Golden-red plumage with rainbow-like brilliance. 37 41
• Yellow tail and a golden crest. 37
• Fiery red eyes. 37
• Large enough to carry Dongshu on its back in flight. 39

Personality

Ho-Oh is observant, gentle, and deeply concerned with the relationship between humans and Pokémon. Although it was disappointed by humanity's past greed, it does not reject humans outright; it judges them individually by their hearts and actions. 38 40

It is patient with Dongshu, reassuring him through telepathy, taking him on flights, sharing meals with him, and sheltering him beneath its feathers while he sleeps. 39 40 45

Ho-Oh is also pragmatic. After seeing numerous chosen humans fail its trials over roughly a century, it decides that raising Dongshu directly is more reliable than continuing to depend on outside candidates. 38 47

Abilities & Skills

Telepathy

Ho-Oh communicates directly with others through telepathy and can sense Dongshu's emotions.

• Speaks to Dongshu without verbal speech. 39 40
• Notices Dongshu's fear while flying and redirects his attention toward the rainbow. 39
• Senses Dongshu's pure aura and love for Pokémon. 38

Flight and Rainbow Manifestation

Ho-Oh travels freely across regions and creates brilliant rainbows in its wake.

• Carries Dongshu from Heavenly Green Mountain to Ecruteak City. 40 41
• Its approach is recognized by the rainbow appearing over Ecruteak City. 40
• Uses psychic power to place Dongshu safely on its back before flight. 39 40

Healing and Restoration

Ho-Oh possesses powerful restorative abilities associated with its rainbow radiance and feathers.

• Scatters light over Ecruteak City, healing injuries suffered by humans and Pokémon. 42
• Is credited in legend with reviving Fire Emperor, Raikou, and Suicune after the Burned Tower fire. 31 41
• Rainbow Feathers can restore a dying Pokémon or human to full health and awaken potential. 40
• A Rainbow Hero who loses their original heart causes their Rainbow Feather to lose its glow and restorative effects. 40

Rainbow Feathers and Sacred Ash

Ho-Oh creates Rainbow Feathers containing immense life force and entrusts them to Dongshu for protection.

• Gives Dongshu a Rainbow Feather to guard him in Ho-Oh's absence. 45
• Produces a large supply of feathers for Dongshu's journey. 65
• The feathers may be burned with Fire Emperor's inherited Sacred Fire to create Sacred Ash for treating injuries. 65 72
• Dongshu can use a Rainbow Feather to call Ho-Oh for more feathers if needed. 65

Rainbow Hero Selection

Ho-Oh chooses, tests, and rewards potential Rainbow Heroes.

• Bestows Rainbow Feathers upon humans it considers worthy. 37 38
• Sends the Ho-Oh Guard to guide and test chosen candidates. 37 38
• Rewards successful heroes with friendship, stronger bodies, and roughly fifty additional years of lifespan. 40
• Recognizes Dongshu as having already proven himself an exceptional Rainbow Hero. 63

Relationships

• Dongshu — Ho-Oh's intended Rainbow Hero and adoptive child. Ho-Oh allows him to remain on Heavenly Green Mountain, personally cares for him, takes him into the human world, and supplies him with Rainbow Feathers for his journey. 37 38 39 45 65
• Fire Emperor — A member of the Ho-Oh Guard revived by Ho-Oh. Fire Emperor reports Dongshu's adoption to Ho-Oh and receives approval to raise him. 31 37 38
• Raikou — A member of the Ho-Oh Guard revived by Ho-Oh; one of the Pokémon assigned to protect and guide Rainbow Hero candidates. 31 37 38
• Suicune — A member of the Ho-Oh Guard revived by Ho-Oh; tasked with purifying water sources and aiding Rainbow Hero trials. 17 31 38
• Marshadow — A Ho-Oh Guard member who usually remains on Heavenly Green Mountain unless needed to test a Rainbow Hero candidate. 38 48
• Ash — Ho-Oh observes Ash protecting Pikachu and gives him a Rainbow Feather, considering him a potential Rainbow Hero. 66
• Shrine Maiden Grandmother and Ecruteak City's worshippers — Devotees who welcome Ho-Oh's return to Bell Tower after centuries of absence. 41 42

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to Heavenly Green Mountain

Ho-Oh returns to Heavenly Green Mountain when Dongshu is two years old. After hearing Fire Emperor's account of Dongshu's parents dying while protecting Pokémon, Ho-Oh permits Dongshu to remain and be raised by the Ho-Oh Guard. 37 38

Raising Dongshu

When the Ho-Oh Guard leaves to test another chosen human, Ho-Oh stays behind to care for Dongshu. It takes him on a rainbow flight, accepts his Poffin gift, and begins treating the mountain home as its own family home. 38 39 45

Ecruteak City Visit

Ho-Oh brings Dongshu to Ecruteak City atop its back, returning to Bell Tower after centuries away. Its arrival causes a citywide sensation, and its radiance heals injured people and Pokémon. The public mistakenly spreads the rumor that Dongshu captured Ho-Oh. 40 41 42 43

Ho-Oh's Upgrade

Dongshu uses the Shock Points generated by the capture rumor to acquire a Ho-Oh-exclusive Rare Candy. Ho-Oh accepts the gift and grows stronger, becoming more interested in taking Dongshu to human settlements for further opportunities to gather energy. 44

Guardian of Dongshu's Journey

As Dongshu prepares to travel at age ten, Ho-Oh initially wants to accompany him personally, believing Dongshu's power functions best when Ho-Oh brings him before humans. It ultimately allows Fire Emperor to travel with Dongshu first, then provides a mountain of Rainbow Feathers for protection and healing. 63 64 65

Notable Quotes

“Since you've decided to adopt him, then raise him well.” 37

“This is the Rainbow Feather, the embodiment of my power. When I am not here, it will guard you in my stead.” 45

“Like us, the Rainbow Hero bears the mission of protecting the weak and maintaining peace in the world.” 40