Lance

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Lance (渡)
Alias(es)	Dragon Messenger; Dragon Master; “Doduo” and “Flying-type Elite Four member” as teasing nicknames 72 177 885
Gender	Male 323
Affiliation	Pokémon League; Kanto Elite Four; Johto League; Dragon Tamer Family 322 462 885
Occupation/Role	Pokémon League Chief Investigator, Johto Champion, Kanto Elite Four member, Dragon-type specialist 322 885
Origin	Blackthorn City, Johto 885 1537
Tournament achievements	Fourth place in the previous Pokémon World Championships; Master League runner-up after defeating Leon in the semifinals 162 884 887
First Appearance	Chapter 72, the earliest documented appearance in the supplied material 72

Power Progression

Lance’s documented progression concerns his Pokémon and available battle transformations, rather than a separate personal cultivation rank.

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Established high-level Dragonite roster	162	Of three Dragonite previously cared for by Li Wei, even the weakest is at Advanced Elite Four Level. Lance also fields a recently evolved Intermediate Gym-level Dragonite for their exhibition.
Dynamax Gyarados	875	Uses his Dynamax Band to transform Red Gyarados during the quarterfinal against Bruno.
Dynamax Dragonite	882	Adopts Dynamax despite previously disliking it, choosing his ace to confront Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard.
Ace Dragonite reaches Battle Legend level	886	A year of battles brings Dragonite to Battle Legend level. Its growth, preparation, care, and rest contribute to Lance’s victory over Leon.
Dragonium Z finisher	887	Uses Devastating Drake, powered by Draco Meteor, in the Master League final against Cynthia.
Mega Dragonite unlocked	956 957	Lance and Dragonite’s bond activates a previously unidentified Evolution Stone. Testing confirms greatly increased power, particularly Dragon-type energy, and the Ability Inner Focus.
Gigantamax Charizard demonstrated	1211	Uses G-Max Wildfire to defeat Raihan’s Gigantamax Duraludon before Dragonite finishes the match.

Background and History

Lance comes from Blackthorn City’s Dragon Tamer Family and is regarded as its most outstanding younger-generation member. He possesses the family’s inherited Dragon Power, unlike his younger cousin Clair. The family traces this power to its ancestors’ care for Rayquaza and maintains Dragon’s Den as its sacred home 458 462.

He acknowledges having once lost his way and become trapped in obsessive thinking. These experiences later inform his efforts to guide Giovanni and understand N, whose extreme beliefs he views as shaped by distorted examples of human–Pokémon relationships 133 968.

After Red relinquished his responsibilities, Lance took over the duties of Kanto Champion without accepting the title. Although the rules would have allowed him to inherit the position, he remained a Kanto Elite Four member and earned the Johto Championship through his own strength 542.

Alongside competition, Lance serves as the Pokémon League’s Chief Investigator. His work includes pursuing Pokémon Hunters and poachers, recruiting Special Investigators, coordinating police operations, and investigating corruption within the League 74 299 507 563.

Appearance

• Hair: Conspicuous, spiky red hair, also described as orange-red 76 177 976.
• Cape: His signature clothing includes black, black-and-red, and red capes 160 177 458.
• Formal clothing: Wears a blue suit and cape for his semifinal against Leon 880.
• Disguise: Abandons his cape when visiting Li Wei undercover, but leaves enough of his red hair exposed to be recognized immediately 76.

Personality

Lance combines confidence in battle with a strong sense of duty. He accepts close defeats without public bitterness, congratulates Cynthia on her improvement, and praises opponents after demanding matches. Nevertheless, his competitive pride makes the prospect of a recorded loss—and the teasing that might follow—particularly uncomfortable 74 182 183 876.

His concern for Pokémon extends beyond winning or research. He listens to Shaymin’s wishes about staying at the Breeding Center, befriends Ancient Dragonite rather than approaching it as a capture target, and makes the giant Pokémon’s consent central to research and protection plans 83 311 322 346 347.

He holds himself responsible for investigative setbacks. Hunter J’s escapes leave him frustrated and guilty, but he admits gaps in his knowledge, studies her methods, and regains confidence through his friends’ support 541 563.

Away from official duties, Lance is sociable, receptive to teasing, and enthusiastic about Li Wei’s food. He also enjoys encouraging younger Trainers, while insisting that he intends to remain an Investigator rather than become a full-time teacher 76 363 541 1539.

Abilities and Skills

Viridian Force

Lance’s Viridian Force gives him exceptional insight into Pokémon’s feelings and strength 83 164.

• Understands Shaymin’s wish to remain at Li Wei’s Breeding Center 83.
• Accurately assesses Pokémon strength during his exhibition with Li Wei 164.
• Works with Dragon Power to communicate with Ancient Dragonite 311.
• Recognizes a disturbing sound through Pidgeot’s memories 312.
• Can attempt to access Ancient Dragonite’s memories, but an overwhelming influx could destroy his mental faculties or leave him in a vegetative state 347.
• Helps make N receptive to speaking with him; N also perceives Dragonite’s deep affection for Lance 976.

Dragon Power

Lance inherited Dragon Power through the Dragon Tamer Family. The family’s ability allows communication with Dragon-type Pokémon and can enhance their capabilities 462.

• Creates exceptional rapport with Salamence, allowing a precisely timed counter to Dragapult’s Phantom Force with virtually no command delay 882.
• Connects his mind with Mega Dragonite’s and keeps its enhanced strength under precise control 957.
• Does not completely eliminate move drawbacks: Salamence still becomes confused after Outrage, allowing Leon’s Charizard to knock it out 882.

Battle Command

Lance favors sustained offensive pressure, creating openings through repeated attacks rather than waiting defensively. Dragon Dance is a central part of his strategy 182 1211.

• Setup and momentum: Uses Dragon Dance to raise Attack and Speed before committing to decisive attacks 163 182 1211.
• Status counterplay: Uses Thunder Wave against Dragapult and Taunt to prevent Leon’s Mr. Rime from using status moves 163 881.
• Speed manipulation: Uses Extreme Speed to close distance as well as attack; combines Kingdra’s Swift Swim with rain 163 875.
• Switching: Exploits Intimidate through Pokémon changes and turns Raihan’s rain strategy to his own advantage 1211.
• Timing: Counters Phantom Force at the instant Dragapult reappears 163 882.
• Limitations: Setup creates opportunities for opponents to inflict burns or poison. Ice-type matchups also make Lorelei particularly difficult for his Dragonite-heavy team 164 182 1077.

Investigation and Leadership

As Chief Investigator, Lance combines field investigation, interrogation, recruitment, and operational command 82 86 299 541.

• Investigates Gold Master’s family tragedy rather than dismissing his account, prompting him to confess 86.
• Exerts a dragon-like intimidating presence during interrogation, developed through years around Dragon-type Pokémon and Intimidate users 82.
• Repeatedly recruits capable Trainers as Special Investigators, including Li Wei and Akin 299.
• Revises his approach to Hunter J after poor interagency coordination undermines an operation 541.
• Uses information from Team Rainbow Rocket’s Unova presence to investigate N’s situation quickly 968.
• Has a history of directing Hyper Beam at people, although the narration notes that he has since matured 565.

Teaching and Evaluation

• Serves as Pokémon Summer Camp’s first special guest teacher and agrees to an exhibition at the children’s request 160 162.
• Offers Dawn special training after seeing her Dratini and learning her goals 622 623.
• Evaluates prospective Alolan Gym Leaders on adaptability, fundamentals, training, and their ability to guide challengers—not simply victory 1315.
• Encourages Iris to treat defeat as part of growth and maintain her fighting spirit 1539.

Pokémon

Pokémon	Documented role and traits
Ace Dragonite	Lance’s first and strongest partner. Reaches Battle Legend level, defeats Leon’s Charizard, and later gains Mega Evolution 882 884 886 956.
Other Dragonite	Lance has raised six by the Fog Island expedition. The Dragonite used against Ash in Alola ranks eleventh among his Dragonite by level and is explicitly not his ace 308 1318.
Red Gyarados	Measures 9.8 meters long, has Intimidate, and specializes in physical offense. Lance uses both Dynamax and Mega Evolution with Gyarados 182 875 1551.
Salamence	Uses Intimidate and Dragon Dance. Defeats Leon’s Dragapult through a precisely timed Outrage; has a comparatively good temperament 161 881 882.
Aerodactyl	Appears among the Pokémon entrusted to Li Wei and later trades knockouts with Iris’s Druddigon 160 1539.
Kingdra	Combines Rain Dance and Swift Swim for high-speed offense, including against Bruno and Raihan 875 1211.
Hydreigon	Uses powerful special attacks; battles Leon’s Cinderace, trades with Cynthia’s Lucario, and finishes Iris’s Haxorus 875 881 887 1539.
Flygon	Uses Earth Power against Leon’s Dragapult and participates in the Master League final against Cynthia 881 886.
Charizard	Trades knockouts with Cynthia’s Milotic and later demonstrates Gigantamax against Raihan 887 1211.
Ancient Dragonite / Giant Dragonite	A befriended ancient Pokémon measuring 75.7 meters tall. Lance shelters it at Dragon’s Den and later calls on it to help restrain Primal Kyogre 322 346 1059.

Ancient Dragonite is distinct from both Lance’s regular ace and Dragon’s Den’s guardian Dragonite. The guardian is so powerful that Lance’s three established Dragonite could not defeat it together 164 346.

Equipment and Items

• Key Stone: Enables Mega Evolution; Lance already possesses one before testing Dragonite’s Evolution Stone 956.
• Mega Stones: Possesses Evolution Stones for Gyarados and Salamence. Sycamore gives him Dragonite’s stone after successful testing 956 957.
• Dynamax Band: Used to Dynamax Red Gyarados in the match against Bruno 875.
• Dragonium Z: Powers Dragonite’s Draco Meteor-based Devastating Drake in the final against Cynthia 887.
• Oversized Heavy Ball: Originally intended as convenient transport for Ancient Dragonite rather than a means of capturing it against its wishes 322 1059.
• Guardian Dragonite’s Dragon Scale: Gives a large, energy-rich shed scale to Li Wei after their exhibition 164.
• Viridian City apartment: Offers it to Silver as a place to stay 375.

Relationships

• Li Wei — Friend, Pokémon caregiver, investigative collaborator, and prospective full-team rival. Their first face-to-face meeting concerns Shaymin’s rescue; Lance later entrusts his Pokémon to Li Wei before the Master League final 76 164 541 885.
• Dragonite — First and strongest partner. Their bond underpins Lance’s victory over Leon and the awakening of Mega Dragonite 882 884 957.
• Cynthia — Friendly rival and fellow Investigator. She accompanies him to investigate the Pokémon Hunter incident and defeats him in the Master League final 74 887.
• Clair — Younger cousin and Blackthorn Gym Leader. She aims to surpass him but lacks the inherited Dragon Power he possesses 458 462.
• Dragon Elder — Leader of Lance’s family. Lance supports the Elder’s decision to entrust Li Wei with the family’s Dragon-type move-training manual 458 462.
• Ancient Dragonite — Friend and protected ally. Lance provides a safe home, arranges research with its permission, and risks memory-reading to investigate its lost kin 311 322 346 347.
• Silver — Younger Trainer whom Lance mentors and supports. He brings cartoons, offers accommodation, and encourages Silver to judge Giovanni’s reforms by actions 374 375.
• Giovanni — A figure Lance hopes to guide away from misguided ideals. He later works with Giovanni against criminal activity while continuing to scrutinize Team Rocket’s direction 133 507 968.
• Leon — Major competitive rival. Lance ends his undefeated official-battle record; both acknowledge the effort and excitement of their contest 884 885.
• Steven Stone — Friend, exhibition opponent, research collaborator, and teammate against Primal Kyogre 182 183 346 1059.
• Lorelei — Fellow Kanto Elite Four member whose Ice-types historically frustrate Lance’s team. She supports his victory over Leon and fights beside him against Kyogre 885 1059 1077.
• Ash — Fellow protector of Pokémon and a younger Trainer whose progress Lance tests. Ash defeats a non-ace Dragonite in Alola 557 1059 1318.
• Dawn — Receives Lance’s special training as both recognition of her contributions and an indirect repayment of Li Wei’s help 622 623.
• Iris — Fellow Dragon specialist whom Lance treats as a promising junior, offering encouragement after defeating her 1537 1539.
• N — Lance approaches him without accusation, using his own past and his bond with Dragonite to open a constructive conversation 968 976.
• Professor Sycamore — Research partner who studies Mega Dragonite and entrusts its Evolution Stone to Lance 956 957.

Story Role and Major Arcs

Jubilife Investigations

• Travels to Jubilife after learning Pokémon Hunters are active there, with Cynthia joining the investigation 74.
• Interviews Li Wei about Shaymin’s rescue and later respects Shaymin’s decision to remain at the Breeding Center 76 83.
• Oversees resolution of the damage to Li Wei’s family Breeding Center and investigates the circumstances behind Gold Master’s descent into crime 86.

Fog Island and Ancient Dragonite

• Investigates sophisticated weapon wreckage and identifies the enormous Pokémon at Mirror Lake as Dragonite 307 308.
• Learns of its five-year search for vanished kin, offers friendship, and obtains its agreement to cooperate against its attackers 311.
• Arranges a staged withdrawal to lure the attackers back, then offers Ancient Dragonite a home at Dragon’s Den 314 322.
• Builds a vast artificial lake connected to the sea and hosts researchers with Dragonite’s permission. Later accepts the danger of reading its ancient memories to honor his promise to help 346 347.

Hunter J Pursuit

• Leads operations against hunters and poachers displaced from Kanto and Johto, but Hunter J escapes a poorly coordinated manhunt 507 541.
• Works with Li Wei, Cynthia, Ash, Dawn, and Brock around the Solaceon Ruins. After another escape, he takes responsibility for underestimating Hunter J and begins interrogating captured associates 557 562 563 564.
• Trusts Li Wei to safeguard the three Plate fragments, citing corruption and misappropriation within the League 563.
• Following Hunter J’s eventual arrest, prioritizes interrogation before her financiers can destroy evidence or flee 593.

Master League Breakthrough

• Defeats Bruno in the quarterfinal, then ends Leon’s unbeaten official-battle record in the semifinal 876 884 885.
• Advances to the final against Cynthia, where Dragonite loses the decisive Z-Move clash to Garchomp 886 887.
• Later gains Mega Dragonite through research with Li Wei and Sycamore, expanding his battle options 956 957.

Hoenn Crisis

• Helps organize the interception of Groudon and Kyogre, joining Steven and Lorelei’s Kyogre team and securing Ancient Dragonite’s assistance 1054.
• Commands coordinated attacks at Route 128. Rejects Mega Evolution for Ancient Dragonite because of the physical strain it could cause 1059.
• Keeps the team alert as Kyogre weakens, recognizing that the next decisive step depends on Li Wei 1060.

Notable Battles

Opponent	Event	Result	Decisive details
Cynthia	Early Master League match	Loss	Garchomp’s Dragon Rush overcomes Dragonite’s Outrage 74.
Lucian	Match at Eterna City	Win	Victory precedes Lance’s first Summer Camp teaching visit 160.
Li Wei	Summer Camp exhibition	Draw	Intermediate Gym-level Dragonite and Dragapult both faint after their final clash 162 163 164.
Steven	Filmed Summer Camp exhibition	Loss	Skarmory survives the final collision through Sturdy; poisoned Red Gyarados falls first 182 183.
Bruno	Master League quarterfinal	Win, 6–5	Dragonite defeats Hitmonlee with Extreme Speed 876.
Leon	Master League semifinal	Win	Dragonite rises after the final collision while Charizard cannot continue, ending Leon’s undefeated record 884 885.
Cynthia	Master League final	Loss; runner-up	Garchomp survives the collision between their Devastating Drake attacks 887.
Raihan	Later Master League match	Win, 6–3	Gigantamax Charizard defeats Duraludon; boosted Dragonite clears Raihan’s remaining Pokémon 1211.
Kahili	Mock Gym Leader assessment	Win	Lance wins through superior power while admiring her preparation and tactics 1315.
Ash	Informal Alola battle	Loss	Pikachu’s Gigavolt Havoc overwhelms a non-ace Dragonite’s Hyper Beam 1318.
Leon	Midseason Championship	Win	Mega Dragonite defeats Charizard on the Indigo Plateau 1393.
Iris	Match at Hammerlocke Stadium	Win	Mega Dragonite withstands a Dragon-type Z-Move; Hydreigon finishes the exhausted Haxorus 1539.
Cynthia	Later tournament match	Unresolved in the provided excerpt	Mega Gyarados injures Roserade but falls to Mega Garchomp; Lance then sends Dragonite 1551.

Notable Quotes

“No shame in losing that one.” 74

“Will you come with me? As a friend.”
— Inviting Ancient Dragonite to Dragon’s Den 322

“You've always been my first and strongest partner. Now, let's show them the full extent of our power!”
— To Dragonite before facing Leon’s Charizard 882

“There's nothing wrong with losing. Everyone has lost before, even Red. What matters is that you keep working hard.”
— Encouraging Iris 1539

Trivia

• His Dragonite-heavy roster prompts Li Wei to think “Dragonite Master” would be a more accurate title than “Dragon Master” 162.
• The “Flying Army” joke follows him into tournaments because so many of his Pokémon fly; Akin’s version is recorded by Silver for later leverage 1211.
• He becomes such a frequent visitor to the Jubilife Breeding Center that its staff stop treating his arrival as unusual 541.
• Li Wei’s restaurant inspires him to consider competing in Sinnoh more often so he can return as a paying customer; he also wonders about membership cards 363.
• He avoids seeking a girlfriend because he believes his current lifestyle would be unfair to her 323.