Disclaimer:
This is a general FAQ about the Lugia character. If you are looking
for specific Pokemon Gold and Silver Gameboy game information, may I suggest
www.pokemasters.com? This is not really a Pokemon Game site anyway;
it's just a fun little tribute to a neat character that I like.
Who or what is Lugia? Lugia is a Pokemon. In a nutshell, Pokemon is short for Pocket Monsters, the Japanese imported card game/video game/TV show pop culture phenomenon. On October 18th, 2000, 100 additional, new Pokemon were added to the pre-existing 151. These new Pokemon are in the Gold and Silver set of games, joining the original Red, Blue, Yellow (and only in Japan, Green) versions. Lugia's animated premiere was in the movie, Pokemon 2000, released in American theatres in the Summer of 2000.
Where can I get more information about Pokemon? Pokemon sites have a high turnover rate, but there are some good, stable ones out there. www.pokemon.com is the official site, and is a good starting point. For information about all of the games, I highly recommend www.pokemasters.com. Don't forget, Pokemon is a multi-media phenomenon consisting of the television show, collectible card game, Gameboy game, animated movies and more. There's a lot of info out there, so have fun searching and learning.
What type of Pokemon is Lugia? Officially in the video game he is a psychic/flying type. Personally I think that's only half right. He's gotta have some dragon in there too, to be flying around with huge wings like that. And he's got to be a water type of course, because that's where he lives.
What sort of powers does Lugia have? Lugia has two different sets of powers; one set when he appears in the game, and another set in the film, Revelation Lugia (titled Pokemon 2000 here in the U.S.). In the game, he has a powerful water weapon, Hydro Pump. He also has recover, which enables him to take a turn to heal completely. He has Rain Dance, which powers up any water-type weapons he has. And he has Swift, a physical attack that never misses. In the film, Lugia has what appears to be the following powers: Hyper Beam: Probably the single most powerful weapon any Pokemon can have, period. A psionic blast of energy. Force Bubble: A protective psionic bubble that expands around the character to ward off immediate threats. Waterspout: When Lugia is moving through the water, he has a unique attack weapon called the Waterspout. His back fins lower to his body and his body moves into a vortex spin faster than the human eye can see. This forms a waterspout that can go both above and below the surface of the water. A waterspout is a real life weather phenomenon that is essentially a tornado that occurs over a body of water. This may be similar to the 'Whirlpool' weapon that can be taught to most any water pokemon in the game.
Where can I capture a Lugia in the game? Lugia can be found in the Whirl Islands, south of Olivine City. BUT he will not appear until you have obtained the Silver Wing. When will you get the Silver Wing? If you are playing Silver edition, you will receive the Silver Wing from the rescued Radio Tower Director. But if you are playing Gold edition, you have to beat all of the trainers in Johto and Kanto before you will receive the Silver Wing...quite a long time! More detailed information about catching Lugia can be found at www.pokemasters.com. He is unique and extremely difficult to catch, but it can be done, with luck and patience.
What are those sounds he makes? Lugia makes different sounds in the Japanese and English versions of the animated film. In the original Japanese version it is a blend of at least two different elements that I can discern...whale songs, and what could be either synthesizer or highly edited singing human voices. Dolphin squeals may be in the mix as well. In the English version of the film, it is pure humpback whale songs, blended together to form a loose tune. The tune plays a role in the story; apparently when the tune is played on a ritual flute it gives Lugia strength.
Is Lugia based on any animals in the real world? Mostly he is a fantasy creature; but his name gives a clue as to a possible origin. The 'Beluga' is a white whale that lives in the arctic. They supposedly squeal sadly when they are injured. The purple 'fins' he has on his back and tail make him look very primitive; perhaps showing his 'dragonish' or 'dinosaur' like traits. These tailfins remind me of the Stegosaurus, and his overall body shape looks to be inspired by the Pleosaurids.
What sort of Lugia toys are available both here and abroad? Poster. Coin and Marker. The Original Game Card. Burger King light up 'Power Card'. Small Action Figure. Medium Poseable Plush. GIANT Plush with Pikachu riding on the back. Please visit the "Lugia Merchandise" page in the Media section of this site for photos and shopping links.
Why do you like Lugia so much? Aren't you a little old for this? Yadda yadda... I've always been crazy about animals; I'm one of those 'animal nuts'. :) I'm also an animator. So when you combine the two, you can bet that if it's well animated, pretty much any animated animal I'm going to appreciate. The Lugia character sums up what I find appealing about the Pokemon in general; fantasy companion animals are fun! What child wouldn't dream of having one of these for a companion, flying around in the sky? And I'll admit, I have a BIG inner child that needs a lot of attention. :) I'm one of those children that swore to never grow up, to never put on a suit, not be any fun, and put the toys away. This website lets me 'share my toys' with you, through my artwork.
What are your other favorite Pokemon? Arcanine! And Ninetails, to a limited extent. I also like Garurumon, even though he's not a Pokemon, he's a Digimon. I favor the ones that are based a bit more on real animals. For instance, my least favorite Pokemon are Magnemite and Voltorb. I like appealing characters.
Please email me with any corrections or other questions that you'd like to see here.