Z-Power
Z-Power (Japanese: Ｚパワー Z-Power), sometimes referred to as aura (Japanese: オーラ aura), is a form of energy found in the Alola region. This energy can be used to produce a Z-Move, though it can work independently from Z-Moves, and is otherwise uncontrollable without the use of a Z-Ring or Z-Power Ring. Z-Power is often associated with a specific symbol, a stylized Z with an "arrow." This symbol is found throughout the Alola region, including on Z-Rings, on Z-Crystal pedestals found in trial sites, and while using a Z-Move.
Terminology
The process of being fueled with or have been previously fueled with Z-Power can be described as Z-Powered. Having access to multiple or using multiple at once can be referred to as Z-Powers.[1] The Z is short for Zenith (Japanese: 全力, using all one's power). "Zenith" is also used as part of the title of the Alola Photo Club's Zenith Stage location, which displays multiple Z-Crystals. When referring to Z-Power, pieces of media may use the terms "full force" or "full power," with many characters often using these phrases in relation to the mechanic. The Ultra Recon Squad refers to Z-Power as "auras."
- In speech
In the Alola region, references to Z-Power in speech are common. Often, saying "full-power" or "full-force" is shown as a form of encouragement and excitement, or even as a show of strength.
- The festival in Iki Town at the beginning of the games is described as a "full-powered festival" by Professor Kukui and the Ultra Recon Squad.
- Lillie refers to her second outfit as her Z-Powered form (Japanese: 全力の姿 full-powered form). She also often describes her improvement of confidence as showing her "full power" or "full force." This parallels internal data referring to Z-Moves as
ZenryokuWaza, meaning "full-powered move." She often follows these comments by performing the Z-Move pose for Normalium Z.- Merchandise and the Pokémon Sun & Pokémon Moon: Super Music Collection refer to this outfit as Lively Lillie, making no reference to Z-Power or Z-Moves.
- In Sun and Moon only, Mina has a catchphrase, saying "get your Z on" or "get our Z on" as a way of expressing good sportsmanship.
- Lana and Mina both claim to use their "full power" when they battle the player.
In the core series games
History and effects
According to speculation from Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet in Pokémon Sun and Moon, Z-Power may come from energy that pours from Ultra Wormholes.[2] Wicke of the Aether Foundation has further claimed that the size of Totem Pokémon comes from the energy that pours from Ultra Wormholes.[3] Because of this, Totem Pokémon are often bathed in Z-Power, growing to unnatural sizes. As expressed by the colored aura surrounding the Pokémon when fought, the Z-Power causes the Pokémon to become more powerful than usual, often giving them a boost in their stats. This aura is also seen on Ultra Beasts. Ultra Beasts consume this energy and store it within their bodies,[4] which grants them the stat boosts similar to those of Totem Pokémon when encountered.
DulseUS and PhycoUM of the Ultra Recon Squad in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon explain the auras surrounding Trainers' Pokémon and Totem Pokémon are actually a form of light from Necrozma that once shined down on the Alola region.[5] The light produced during a Z-Move was once the light and power used within Ultra Megalopolis a long time ago.
In Alola legend found in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Necrozma had once succeeded in battle against SolgaleoUS/LunalaUM, turning it into Dusk ManeUS/Dawn WingsUM Necrozma. A youth and the four guardian deities of Alola had fought the pillager of light with usage of Z-Power taken from Sparkling Stones. This had created the tradition of the island challenge. Alolan legends found in the Malie Library indicate that SolgaleoSUS/LunalaMUM gifted the Tapunium Z to the guardian deities after fighting against them. Necrozma once had the ability to produce light, but became injured after the people in Ultra Megalopolis had attempted to steal the Pokémon's light to use as power. According to Professor Kukui and Lillie in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, this injury had caused chips of Necrozma's body to fall through Ultra Wormholes, creating Sparkling Stones, Z-Crystals, and Z-Moves. The letter Z used as a prefix in the terms for Z-Power, Z-Move, Z-Ring, and Z-Power Ring comes from the word Zenith, as the action of performing a Z-Move is done through a Trainer and their Pokémon combining their strength and vigor with one another. Colress, a scientist from Unova who works to seek out the potential of Pokémon, suggests that Z-Power may be stronger than the power of a Mega Ring.
Most descriptions of Z-Crystals characterize them as crystallized forms of Z-Power.
A Trainer's Pokémon can be exposed to Z-Power when using a Z-Move, during which the Z-Power is controlled by the Trainer's Z-Ring or Z-Power Ring. Status moves used in this manner are often accompanied by a bonus effect on top of their standard effect, called a Z-Power effect (Japanese: Ｚパワー効果 Z-Power effect). Although Lusamine does not possess Z-Crystals, all of her Pokémon in Ultra Space have the same colored auras and stat boosts that appear on Totem Pokémon. According to Lillie and Wicke, one of the potential reasons that Lusamine fell unconscious after her fusion with a Nihilego is due to the overwhelming amounts of Z-Power surrounding her.[6] As a Pokémon, the Rotom Pokédex can also channel Z-Power through its body, allowing the player use a second Z-Move during battle through the use of Z-Rotom Power.
The auras surrounding Pokémon using Z-Power have been seen in three different colors. When a Z-Move is used or when Ultra Necrozma is fought, this aura is yellow; when a Totem Pokémon or one of Lusamine's Pokémon are being fought, the aura is orange; and when an Ultra Beast is fought, this aura is red. The significance of these colors is unknown. Despite coming from Ultra Space and their relation to Ultra Beasts, Solgaleo, Lunala, and Necrozma in its base, Dawn Wings and Dusk Mane forms lack any sort of Z-Power aura when fought. All non-Trainer owned Pokémon with aura use the same flavor text of "<Pokémon>’s aura flared to life!" at the start of a battle, engulfing themselves with Z-Power and providing them with the stat boosts.
The pose for Electrium Z appears in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet as form of interaction for photography.
Exposure
- Main article: Ultra Wormhole
In Sun and Moon, Looker, a member of the International Police, explains that the aura and energy produced from Ultra Wormholes reminds Ultra Beasts of home, which attracts them to any person or Pokémon that may have been bathed in Z-Power. People who have been exposed to this energy, such as Anabel, are considered Fallers. The International Police will often prepare Fallers as bait without their knowledge as a means to contain Ultra Beasts. This caused an unnamed female Faller to lose her life to a Guzzlord 10 years prior to the events of Sun and Moon. The player character in Sun and Moon is stated to be a Faller themselves due to their passing through Ultra Wormholes.
While multiple Fallers are found in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, including Anabel, the topic of Fallers is never expanded on. However, various information on exposure to Z-Power is explained. In Ultra Moon, Phyco of the Ultra Recon Squad states that "Trial-goers clear many trials. It is only natural, perhaps, that such a Trainer would exude aura after coming in contact with so many Totem Pokémon awash in aura." This implies that Trainers who participate in the island challenge, such as the player, are exposed to high levels of Z-Power. Whether or not they are considered Fallers due to this exposure is unknown.
Mechanics
Z-Power has been used mechanically in a variety of ways in the core series. If a Pokémon holds a Z-Crystal, it may use its Z-Power to perform a Z-Move. Once during a battle (unless fueled with Z-Rotom Power), a Trainer may use a Z-Move, as long as their Pokémon in battle is holding the corresponding Z-Crystal and the Trainer has a Z-Ring or Z-Power Ring. The player can initiate this by selecting the graphic labeled "Z-Power" within the Fight menu provided the aforementioned requirements are met. Many, but not all, NPC Trainers will also use Z-Moves. A Z-Power Ring has access to more Z-Moves and Z-Crystals than a standard Z-Ring. Each Z-Move has its own name dependent on the type of its respective attack. Z-Moves that use a status move as their base will often have "Z-" in front of the move's name, e.g. Z-Splash. A Z-Power effect is applied to all Z-powered status moves.
During certain boss fights, namely those fought against the Totem Pokémon, Ultra Beasts, Ultra Necrozma, and Lusamine, each opposing Pokémon will have its stats boosted. For Totem Pokémon, Lusamine, and Necrozma, one or all of the Pokémon's stats will be boosted, but never by more than two stages. The Ultra Beasts will always have one stat boosted by two stages when encountered. Totem-sized Pokémon, Ultra Beasts, and Ultra Necrozma will not gain these stat boosts when obtained by the player, though they can use Z-Moves as other Pokémon can. Lusamine's Pokémon in Ultra Space do not use Z-Moves.
In the spin-off games
Pokémon Masters EX
- See also: Z-Move → Pokémon Masters EX
In Pokémon Masters EX, most sync pairs from the Alola region, as well as a few others, have sync moves based on Z-Moves. Like all sync moves, these Z-Move-based sync moves require a sync stone and a strong bond between the Pokémon and Trainer; it is unknown whether or not these Z-Moves actually use Z-Power. Scottie/Bettie and Leaf have been seen using Z-Moves despite not having previously appeared in Alola; furthermore, Lusamine is seen using Z-Moves despite never having access to Z-Crystals in the core series or any other media. Selene and Elio are currently the only characters shown to have Z-Rings and use Z-Moves as their sync moves, but they do not perform any sort of pose matching any Z-Moves used.
Lillie & Clefairy's sync move, despite not being a Z-Move, is named Full-Force Challenger Moonblast. Elio commonly uses the phrase "full power."
Super Smash Bros. series
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Incineroar's Final Smash, Max Malicious Moonsault, uses a stronger version of the Z-Move Malicious Moonsault. An Incinium Z appears during the activation of the move.
Mimikyu will use its signature Z-Move Let's Snuggle Forever when summoned.
Pokémon Duel
As Z-Moves, Z-Power appears in Pokémon Duel. The Z-Power symbol appears indicating that an attack is a Z-Move.
In arcade games
Pokémon Ga-Olé and Mezastar
As Z-Moves, Z-Power appears in Pokémon Ga-Olé and Pokémon Mezastar. The Z-Power symbol appears indicating that an attack is a Z-Move.
Z-Crystals appear on disks for Ga-Olé.
In animation
Pokémon the Series
Z-Power and Z-Moves are controlled by the presence of Alola's guardian deities. Ash has been seen using Z-Moves outside Alola, including in the Kanto region during his class trip, in Sinnoh during a battle against Volkner, and in the Galar region during the Masters Eight Tournament. Depending on the user, Z-Moves may appear with different colors. Multiple episodes use the term "full power" in their titles.
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Ash's Pikachu's exclusive Z-Crystal, the Pikashunium Z, is implied to be a special form of the Electrium Z. Prior to From Z to Shining Z!, the Pikashunium Z was only seen momentarily, being the result of a sudden and temporary transformation of the base Electrium Z. A temporary Electrium Z was also given to Ash by Tapu Koko in Alola to New Adventure!. This Z-Crystal shattered in the aftermath of performing Gigavolt Havoc, showing that it was too early for Ash to use a Z-Move. After clearing his first trial in To Top a Totem!, however, Ash did not have any similar issues with Z-Moves.
In Big Sky, Small Fry!, the Totem Wishiwashi of Brooklet Hill was shown with the orange aura surrounding it. This is the only time a Totem Pokémon was seen surrounded by aura. All of Lusamine's Pokémon contain the same aura as they do in the games during the events of Rescuing the Unwilling!
In A Dream Encounter!, the concept of Ultra Aura (Japanese: ウルトラオーラ Ultra Aura) was introduced as a power related to Ultra Beasts that was being monitored by the Aether Foundation. In Faba's Revenge!, Faba used Nebby's power to radiate Ultra Aura and open an Ultra Wormhole. In Rise and Shine, Starship!, the Aether Foundation measured Celesteela's Ultra Aura to determine that it was, indeed, an Ultra Beast. In Twirling with a Bang!, The Long Vault Home!, and Living on the Cutting Edge!, an increase in Ultra Aura was used to detect Blacephalon, Stakataka, and Kartana, respectively.
In Filling the Light with Darkness!, it was shown that Necrozma caused the Ultra Aura power of the Alola region to decrease, which had a side effect of causing all of the adults in the region to feel tired. Professor Burnet stated that there is a hidden connection between Z-Power and the power of an Ultra Aura, which allowed the Ultra Guardians to combine their Z-Power using their Z-Rings and Z-Power Rings to disperse clouds to determine the location of an Ultra Wormhole. By Securing the Future!, the Ultra Guardians and the people of Alola fueled UB Black with Z-Power, allowing it to return to its true form, Ultra Necrozma.
The Ultra Ruin lacks any form of Z-Power, as the guardian deities have left the region due to the destruction of nature, and thus, Z-Moves cannot be used there. The Shiny Tapu Koko in the Ultra Ruin temporarily assisted Ash and Dia in a fight against a Guzzlord. Tapu Koko restored the ability to use Z-Moves during this time, allowing both Ash and Dia to use Gigavolt Havoc and send Guzzlord back to the Ultra Wormhole.
As seen in A Battle Hand-Off! and Heart of Fire! Heart of Stone!, multiple people can offer Z-Power to allow a Pokémon to perform a Z-Move. Only one person needs to have a Z-Ring and Z-Crystal.
I Choose You!
In I Choose You!, Marshadow was able to perform Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike without the use of a Trainer, Marshadium Z, or Z-Ring.
GOTCHA!
Elio, Hau, and Gladion's Z-Rings can be seen in GOTCHA!, while Selene and Lillie can be seen acting out the Z-Move pose for Normalium Z.
In the manga
Pokémon Adventures
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon arc
In The Final Match and a Surprising Finale!, during his battle against Gladion in the Iki Town festival tournament, Sun inadvertently used a Z-Move with his Litten, Dollar, allowing it to defeat Gladion's Type: Null with an incomplete version of Inferno Overdrive. Due to not knowing how to use Z-Moves at the time, Sun's Sparkling Stone received Z-Power from a nearby Ultra Wormhole instead of building it up with a pose.
In The Wild Full-Power Pose of Fire, Kiawe taught Sun how to properly perform Z-Moves in order to battle Gladion a second time. With his newly obtained Z-Ring, Sun and Dollar successfully used Inferno Overdrive properly.
In Summon the Emissaries of the Moon and the Sun, both Nebby and another Cosmoem evolved at the same time into Lunala and Solgaleo respectively, thanks to the Sun and Moon Flutes. Both then released their Auras and connected themselves to Moon and Sun respectively, powering up even more and allowing the children to feel their emotions, but Sun rejected Solgaleo's Aura so he could go after Faba, rendering Solgaleo unable to fight the incoming Ultra Beasts.
Later on in Regeneration!! The Power of the Sun and the Moon!, Solgaleo reappeared to help and defeat Ultra Necrozma, releasing its Aura once again. This time, Sun accepted it, and they both battled Ultra Necrozma together, later aided by Zygarde. Afterwards in Finale!! The Battle Against the Other Dimension!, Nebby and Moon returned to help. Moon healed Solgaleo, allowing it, Nebby, and Zygarde to attack Necrozma with their respective signature moves, Sunsteel Strike, Moongeist Beam, and Core Enforcer, finally taking Necrozma down once and for all.
In the TCG
- Main article: Pokémon-GX
The Z-Move mechanic, and by extension, Z-Power, is not seen in the TCG, being replaced by Pokémon-GX and 
Attacks. However, several references to Z-Power, Z-Moves, and Z-Crystals appear in the TCG. Pokémon Tool cards based on the Flyinium Z and Normalium Z were printed in the Unified Minds expansion and a card based on Dragonium Z was printed in the Cosmic Eclipse expansion. Lillie's Full Force makes reference to her "Z-Powered Form" as Lively Lillie, both in name and artwork.
Gallery
Artwork
Game art
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| Artwork of Gigavolt Havoc for Pokémon Sun and Moon |
Artwork of Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike for Pokémon Sun and Moon |
Concept art
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| Concept art for a pedestal containing a Z-Crystal for Pokémon Sun and Moon (The symbol shown at the bottom) |
Concept art of the Z-Ring for Pokémon Sun and Moon (Note the activation on the bottom left) |
Concept art of the Z-Move and Z-Power for Pokémon Sun and Moon illustrated by Ken Sugimori |
Game assets
Other media
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| Z-Power symbol used in Pokémon Ga-Olé | Z-Power symbol used in Pokémon Duel |
Trivia
- Roster -Behind the Scene- #2 GAME FREAK, a video focusing on the sound and music design of Sun and Moon, show cases an early build from 2015. In this build, another symbol is used rather than the usual Z-Power symbol used in the final version.
- Zenith Marshadow shares its name with Z(enith)-Power. This Pokémon also has an exclusive Z-Move, Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike. This Z-Move has seven stars that form the shape of the Z-Power symbol. This implies a connection between Marshadow and this energy.
- In I Choose You!, Marshadow was capable of using its Z-Move without neither a Trainer nor a Marshadium Z, strenghtening its relation with the Z-Power.
- The way Z-Power originates from the light trio, a group of Legendary Pokémon, is similar to how Galar particles originate from Eternatus and Terastal energy originates from Terapagos.
In other languages
Z-Power
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Aura
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Related articles
References
- ↑ Professor Kukui, Pokémon Sun and Moon:"Phew! Z-Powers heap all of a Trainer's feelings onto a Pokémon, yeah, which totally wears you out!"
- ↑ Professor Kukui, Pokémon Sun and Moon:"Burnet and I are looking into them and we think they might have some connection to the energy that pours outta those Ultra Wormholes."
- ↑ Wicke, Pokémon Sun and Moon:There are also Pokémon on our planet that possess this same kind of energy. I think you know what I mean. The so-called Totem Pokémon that you faced in your trials. This is because the energy pours down upon our planet when the holes open.
- ↑ Wicke, Pokémon Sun and Moon:"When the UBs pass through the Ultra Wormhole, they are bathed in a great deal of this energy and likely store it within their bodies."
- ↑ Dulse, Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon: "These...auras...must have been particularly strong at the trial locations. And the Z-Power for the Z-Moves... It is also similar to the auras of the Totem Pokémon. Both came to Alola as Necrozma's light!"
- ↑ Wicke, Pokémon Sun and Moon:"You see... while we do not know if it was because of Nihilego's neurotoxins, her fusion with that beast, or the strain of the Z-Power..."
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This game-related article is part of Project Games, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon games. |
