The Ruby and Sapphire arc of the Pokémon Adventures manga is action-packed and often dark, thanks to intense battles and thrilling plot twists. Before Black and White took the main stage for the manga, two trainers with equally contrasting worldviews served as the focal point. At the center of everything is contest-loving Ruby and battle-loving Sapphire, two polar opposites who become fast rivals and even friends later on. Despite having very different dreams and goals, the Trainers find themselves brought together in a great ecological disaster when Team Magma and Team Aqua threaten to destroy Hoenn.
Throughout the manga, Ruby and Sapphire are accompanied by loyal Pokémon friends, creatures who learn and grow alongside their human companions. While some relationships might be rocky in the beginning, Ruby and Sapphire learn to trust in their Pokémon and in themselves. Whether used for contests, battling or even transportation, these Pokémon all showcase their importance, especially in times of great need for the region.
10 Rono Is One of Sapphire's Oldest Companions
The Steel/Rock-Type Grows up Over the Course of the Manga
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At the start of the Ruby and Sapphire arc, Sapphire is seen with her partner Pokémon Chic and longtime companion Rono. Much like his Trainer, the Aron loves to battle and has a mischievous, adventurous temperament. Being a Steel/Rock-type Pokémon, Rono is known for his defense, though as an Aron he would meet his match during Roxanne and Brawly's Gym battles. Regardless, the little Pokémon would persevere and later evolve into his first evolution, Lairon.
Like Sapphire, Rono's battling journey is wrought with trial and error. Though he is defeated in Brawly's battle against Makuhita (since Fighting-type moves are doubly super-effective against Rono), the Iron Armor Pokémon works on further enhacning his skills in order to protect his allies and defeat his foes, especially as Team Magma and Team Aqua rise up and summon Groudon and Kyogre. Near the end of the arc, Rono evolves into Aggron, his final evolution. With his new power, Rono and longtime friend Sapphire work together to protect the Hoenn region.
9 Kiki and Nana Remain Loyal to Ruby and Company
Two Pokémon Who Always Stay by Their Trainer's Side
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Ruby was given Nana the Poochyena and Kiki the Skitty when he was very young, and the two Pokémon followed him when the family moved. Though Kiki and Nana grew up in the Johto region, their species originates from the Hoenn region, well-known for its oceanic landscape. There, the Dark-type and the Normal-type find their pampered lives changed forever as their new home is turned upside down.
Thanks to an encounter with Steven Stone in Granite Cave, Kiki evolves into Delcatty with the accidental use of a Moon Stone; meanwhile, a fight with a horde of wild Mawile allows Nana to evolve into Mightyena. Ruby is ecstatic when the two evolve, commenting on how much cuter and cooler they appear now. Much like their Trainer, Kiki and Nana care a lot about their appearance yet are adept battlers. Though they both dislike getting dirty, the two remain alongside Ruby and strengthen their fighting skills in order to defeat Team Magma and Team Aqua.
8 Troppy Is a Trusted Traveling Partner
A Tropius Is the Perfect Flying Companion
Though Sapphire uses many of her Pokémon friends to assist with battles, the spirtiied Trainer's Tropius was much calmer compared to her and was often seen outside of battle. Nicknamed "Troppy", the Grass/Flying-type Pokémon lives outside his Poké ball and is called upon by Sapphire whenever she needs air transport. The audience first meets Troppy as Sapphire shouts his name, as the Trainer wishes to catch up to the villainous Team Aqua.
While he is not meant for battling, Troppy does partake in a few battles, especially when Sapphire and company encounter Archie and his followers. Being part Grass-type, the Tropius proved especially helpful against Team Aqua's ensemble of Water-type Pokémon. During the climax of the Ruby and Sapphire manga journey, Troppy was used by Sapphire and Ruby to navigate the increasingly chaotic region. The Pokémon retained his collected nature throughout the journey, even when with Ruby alone.
7 Fofo Rescues Norman and Ruby
Joseph Stone's Pokémon Proves a Worthwhile Ally
Fofo was originally owned by Mr. Joseph Stone, the Devon Corporation president and father of Champion Steven Stone. After being caught in a fountain thanks to Team Aqua's meddling, the Weather Pokémon is rescued by Sapphire and her Pokémon. Though she was happily reunited with Mr. Stone, Fofo's fate was changed when Team Aqua attacked her Trainer; because of the stress, Mr. Stone fell into a coma.
Because of this shocking event, Fofo joins Gabby and Ty, an interviewer and camera operator, until she crosses paths with Ruby. The Pokémon Coordinator was locked in a terrible feud with his father, Gym Leader Norman, when the two nearly fell to their demise. Fofo, in her Fire-type Sunny form, was able to assist the two so that they would not fall onto the sharp rocks at the bottom of the terrain. After this event, Fofo decides to travel with Ruby to further look after him.
6 Mumu Gains Ruby's Trust Over Time
The Mud Fish Pokémon Earns His Trainer's Respect
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After accidentally angering Sapphire into a Pokémon battle against her Torchic, a panicked Ruby is told by Professor Birch to send out Mudkip, a Water-type Pokémon. Though Mudkip aids Ruby, the Pokémon Coordinator is less than thrilled about the Mud Fish Pokémon's appearance. Ruby's attitude towards Mumu changes as he realizes the little Pokémon is extremely resourceful and an adept battler. Because of his skills, Mumu is later used by Ruby for the Toughness category of Pokémon contests, a role the Pokémon proves to excel in.
As Ruby initially did not want Kiki nor Nana to take part in battling, Mumu was called upon for instances when there was no other option; thus, Mumu's battle skills greatly improved over the course of the arc to the point where Ruby would call on the Pokémon for intense fights. Upon evolving into Swampert, Mumu lacked the clumsier traits from his previous evolutions and became an even greater contestant for Toughness contests.
5 Plusle and Minun Make Unlikely Allies
A Pair of Forgotten Electric-Types Find New Friends
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Ruby and Sapphire first come across the two Electric-type Pokémon, when the pair end up on the footsteps of Hoenn's Abandoned Ship. Initially putting up a cute act to trick Ruby, the Pokémon Coordinator is shocked when the berries given to his Pokémon by Plusle and Minun end up confusing the team. With further deduction, Ruby and Sapphire find out the Plusle and Minun are not creating problems out of ill will, but out of loyalty to their home. After the death of their Trainer, the little Electric-type Pokémon made a new home in the Abandoned Ship.
When Team Magma admins Tabitha and Courtney appear in the ship's ruins, Plusle and Minun launch an attack, but to no avail. With a change of heart, Ruby and Sapphire team up with the Cheering Pokémon to successfully send Team Magma away. In the near climax of the arc, the pair also join the heroes in preparing for their showdown with both enemy teams, and even aiding in the defeat of both Archie and Maxie.
4 Lorry and Relly Are Oceanic Heroes
Aquatic Pokémon Come to Hoenn's Aid
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Much like Troppy, Sapphire prefers to keep her Wailord "Lorry" outside of his Poké ball due to his great size. The Float Whale Pokémon is not used in battle but rather as a form of sea transportation for Sapphire and her allies, including Ruby. Lorry has a Brave temperament much like his Trainer, as shown when he saved the lives of Wattson and his Pokémon from drowning. Companion Relicanth "Relly" was rescued by Sapphire when the effects of Groudon's Drought left the Longevity Pokémon badly injured; the fish-like creature later assisted his rescuer with his Dive move to navigate towards the enemy teams.
To the surprise of Sapphire, Lorry and Relly are capable of summoning the Legendary giants of Hoenn: Regirock, Registeel and Regice. Alongside Steven, the two Pokémon awaken the great creatures in order to lessen the damage caused by Groudon and Kyogre's terrible feud. In the meantime, their Trainer Sapphire worked alongside Ruby to fight Team Magma's Maxie and Team Aqua's Archie, who had fallen under the control of Kyogre and Groudon.
3 Chic Is Sapphire's Friend Until the End
Spirited Blaziken Remains a Formidable Fighter
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Upon first encountering Sapphire in the wild, Ruby finds himself in a battle against the Trainer and her partner Pokémon, a Torchic known by the name of "Chic". During her first stage, Chic was reckless and high-energy, much like Sapphire. Upon becoming a Blaziken, however, the Blaze Pokémon adopted a much calmer demeanor in comparison to her Trainer's never-ending spunk. According to the manga, Chic has a relatively Quiet personality but can also be crafty, especially in combat.
Chic is a loyal friend to Sapphire and company, especially during the apocalyptic events caused by Archie and Maxie. The bird-like Pokémon is Sapphire's right-hand companion in times of battle, whether in the time of a Gym fight or during a more serious showdown with criminals. Before encountering Team Magma and Team Aqua for the last time in the arc, Sapphire trained alongside Chic in learning the powerful Fighting-type move Sky Uppercut, a testament to the great bond the pair have.
2 Rara Keeps Wally Safe
Gentle Kirlia Protects New Trainer at Ruby's Request
Much like Nana and Kiki, Rara was a Pokémon gifted to Ruby by Norman, and grew up with her Trainer in the Johto region. Upon returning to her region of origin, Rara found herself separated from Ruby when the latter was swept out to sea while helping new Trainer Wally catch his first Pokémon. Under her Trainer's command, Rara stays to protect Wally for the majority of the arc and even takes it upon herself to bring the boy safely home after he faints.
Rara continued to travel alongside Wally even as the new Trainer had ventured to Pacifidlog Town to better recover from his illness. The pair, along with Norman and Wally's new Treecko, make their way to the Sky Pillar in order to summon Rayquaza in hopes of quelling the rage of Groudon and Kyogre. Rara's collected nature and intelligence proves worthwhile for both Wally and the rest of Hoenn as she works with Grovyle to break through the atmosphere of the pillar and find Rayquaza, securing a new hope for the region.
1 Feefee Never Gives up on Ruby
Loyal Pokémon Proves That True Beauty Comes From Within
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In the Pokédex, the Fish Pokémon Feebas is described as "shabby" and "ugly", though it also has a hardy nature. Much to his repulsion, Ruby accidentally fishes up one such Pokémon, who he begrudgingly accepts for his team and nicknames "Feefee". Though initially planning to release her, Ruby decides to keep the Fish Pokémon in hopes of entering her in Beauty contests and showing Norman how talented of a Pokémon Coordinator he is.
For a long time, Ruby continued to look down upon Feefee for her appearance, even as she advanced through several contests. After losing the Hyper Rank Beauty contest, Ruby made his disdain for Feefee loudly known and even kicked her out of his party, shouting that Feefee did not deserve to be on the team. Only after Wallace scolds him does Ruby realize his mistake, yet Feefee has already swum away. The two reunite when Feefee bravely stands her ground against Archie and Maxie in hopes of protecting Ruby, even as the villains ridicule and kick her. At this moment, Ruby defends Feefee and exclaims how kind she is and how the Pokémon's inner appearance is true beauty; Her inner beauty and loyalty being finally recognized, Feefee evolves into the rare and beautiful Milotic to the surprise and awe of Ruby.
Pokemon
Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.
Created by Satoshi Tajiri
First Film Pokemon: The First Movie
Latest Film Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle
First TV Show Pokémon
Latest TV Show Pokémon Horizons
First Episode Air Date April 1, 1997
Video Game(s) Pokémon GO , Pokemon X and Y , Pokémon Legends: Arceus , Pokémon Scarlet and Violet , Pokémon Sword and Shield , Pokémon Diamond & Pearl , Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl , Pokemon Red and Blue , Detective Pikachu , Detective Pikachu Returns , Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! , Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!
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