One of the most positive figures in the Pokémon history books, Ho-Oh and its counterpart Lugia really upped the bar for what to expect in the Pokémon world. It defends the skies as it circles the world, looking for a trainer with their head on straight onto whom it will bestow its luck.

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Even when it goes through hard times, Ho-Oh doesn't retaliate in anger but simply leaves and allows tensions to settle. This is especially impressive when the sheer power of either Pokémon is realized and just how easy it would be for them to take out whatever problem they had coming their way.

10 The First Clue

Ho-Oh was one of the few Pokémon that debuted on the anime before they made the games. This becomes increasingly rare as it is one of the main legendary Pokémon in the series, yet it still managed to find its way onto the very first episode.

This was one of the first clues that they had a lot more in their back pocket, but no one could have guessed just how much. Being around as far back as the premiere means Ho-Oh was more than likely one of the first Pokémon to be created, with some design tweaks along the way of course.

9 Its History

Not only was it the first legendary Pokémon to be shown in the television show (not counting the introduction) but in the lore, Ho-Oh is shown to be one of the oldest Pokémon roaming the area. Going back far enough to have created its own legendary Pokémon, its legacy stretches far before the average Charmander.

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It's also shown that it was probably one of the first legendary Pokémon to be thought of, from its early appearances in the show to the creation tales of the birds that did end up in Generation 1. Fans will be hard stretched to find a richer or more important history.

8 Villainous Takeover

Pokémon Adventures does take a slightly darker turn when compared to the anime's or main games' direction. With the Masked Man roaming the world and creating catastrophic damage along the way, he gains enough power to gain control over the 2 benchmark legendaries of generation 2: Ho-Oh and Lugia.

The two were under a form of hypnosis, being taken out of their own protective natures and forced to destroy what stood in the organization's way. It's only with the intentions of both Pokémon and trainer that the two Pokémon were able to be freed. Before that, even when they were outnumbered by other legendary Pokémon, their forces were too powerful.

7 Creation of The Legends

While Lugia was shown to be the leader of generation 1's bird trio, Ho-Oh is said to have created the 3 legendary dogs after Tin Tower was burned to the ground. It was then when the group went missing for a very long time, eventually only showing themselves in times of great need.

It's in the 6th episode of Pokémon: Generations that we see the reason that they fled. After seeing the power Ho-Oh has over life and death the townspeople feared the beasts and began to revolt, causing all 4 of the legendaries to depart swiftly.

6 Eternal Happiness

It's safe to say that the legend of Ho-Oh far precedes the Pokémon in the anime world, so far so that nobody even believes Ash saw it. It is said that Ho-oh only shows itself to trainers who it believes to be true of heart, and if there were ever someone to show itself to, it's definitely  Ash.

When it does reveal itself the lucky gaze alone is said to grant you a life of eternal happiness. The significance of him seeing it right at the beginning of the series? Who knows. If you go deep enough on the Pokémon theories, there's a lot circling this event.

5 Resurrection Ability

While the three legendary dogs were created by Ho-Oh, it supposedly created them from 3 unfortunate Pokémon that found themselves in the Tin Tower at the time of the fire, transforming them from their run-of-the-mill forms into the great beasts we see today.

This puts Ho-Oh's abilities under heavy interest, being capable of so many important things makes people wonder where it's limit lies. It seems to be restricted to the realm of its fellow Pokémon though, allowing it to fly freely for now.

4 Inspiration In A Myth

While Ho-Oh is so clearly a bird of some sort, its exact inspiration was never pinpointed. With characteristics from the Peacock and its eagle-like wingspan, most concluded it was a mix of many different bird species.

However, the mythological Fenghuang from Chinese culture has shown the closest resemblance. With the Japanese name being as obvious as it gets, Hō-ō, the king of all birds birthed the mystical Pokémon players have loved for so many years.

3 A Cancelled Return

Once calling the original Tin Tower its home, something has clearly changed the great bird's mind about where it chooses to roost. The lightning strike that caused the first fire was enough motivation to spawn 3 new legendary Pokémon and bring forth a violent era.

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Maybe it's the people of the town that disappointed it, becoming aggressive towards its new creations instead of welcoming them as they had before. It's now said that Ho-Oh continuously flies the skies in search of the next great trainer to grace with its presence, but every Pokémon needs to rest their wings from time to time.

2 Rainbow Genesis

There have been some Pokémon with some spectacular abilities in the past, from Alakazam's telekinesis to the legendary birds' power to change the weather. All are usually explained on a basis of power, and Ho-Oh's rainbow producing wings are straight magic.

With seven colors being reported in its wings at one time, the bird can cast a rainbow behind it as it flies through the skies. This is evident in the first anime appearance when Ash first lays eyes on it with the rainbow following closely behind.

1 The Sacred Fire Persists

Sacred Fire has been most commonly known to be Ho-Oh's exclusive and most powerful move. However, it seems that just about any flame the legend produces is considered sacred. After its shrine was destroyed in the anime, Ho-Oh then burns the ground surrounding so that new life can grow.

Always the considerate and seemingly unlucky with real estate, Ho-Oh then leaves once again. A single flame was left burning form the ordeal and it is now a preserved artifact that they use to announce the Johto Silver League Conference.

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