Movie
Description
Dada-Zarude wears a distinctive torn piece of pink cloth resembling a cape or scarf, originally from a blanket belonging to a human infant he discovered near a riverbank in the Forest of Okoya roughly ten years prior to the main events. Finding no survivors, he chose to raise the child alone, naming him Koko. This decision caused his voluntary exile from the Zarude troop, which strictly forbade outsiders near their Great Tree-protected territory. The troop's elder and other members opposed his choice.
The pink cloth, bearing Celebi's Pokédex number (251), retained a comforting scent for the infant Koko. Dada-Zarude raised Koko in isolation within the jungle, letting the boy believe he was also a Zarude. This caused Koko frustration as he failed to master typical Pokémon moves. When Koko met Ash Ketchum and questioned his identity, Dada-Zarude revealed Koko's human origins. He guided Koko and Ash to an abandoned laboratory containing evidence of Koko's deceased birth parents, Chrom and Phossa Molybdenum.
During scientist Dr. Zed's attack on the Great Tree to plunder its healing springs, Dada-Zarude initially fought alone. After sustaining injuries, he sought aid from his former troop and the jungle's other Pokémon. These Pokémon initially resisted due to the Zarude tribe's history of aggression but agreed to help after witnessing Dada-Zarude's desperation to protect Koko and the forest. In the battle against Dr. Zed's mechanized assault, Dada-Zarude shielded Koko from a lethal attack, suffering critical wounds. Transported to the weakened healing springs, he neared death until Koko successfully activated the move Jungle Healing, saving his life and restoring the springs' vitality.
Following Dr. Zed's defeat and arrest, Dada-Zarude helped restore the jungle alongside the troop and other Pokémon. When Koko decided to leave the forest to explore the human world, Dada-Zarude expressed feigned anger but ultimately accepted his son's choice. He orchestrated a farewell gesture by channeling the healing springs into a geyser. Later, he tended to jungle Pokémon using berries from his and Koko's garden. Peace was symbolically confirmed when he observed a Shiny Celebi, the forest's guardian, near the Great Tree.
Dada-Zarude exhibits protective and paternal traits uncommon among his species, prioritizing Koko over tribal rules. His relationship with Koko forms his core development, transforming him from an outcast to a bridge between Zarude, other Pokémon, and humans. Though classified as a genderless species, this Zarude is referred to with masculine pronouns and embodies a fatherly role. His compassion contrasts with typical Zarude pack-based aggression and territorial dominance.
In other media, Dada-Zarude is recognized as a distinct form in video games, distributed as a special event Pokémon. At level 70, it holds a Choice Scarf and knows the moves Jungle Healing, Hammer Arm, Power Whip, and Energy Ball. Jungle Healing, its signature move, involves absorbing and radiating energy through vines to heal itself and allies, reflecting its deep connection to forest ecosystems.
The pink cloth, bearing Celebi's Pokédex number (251), retained a comforting scent for the infant Koko. Dada-Zarude raised Koko in isolation within the jungle, letting the boy believe he was also a Zarude. This caused Koko frustration as he failed to master typical Pokémon moves. When Koko met Ash Ketchum and questioned his identity, Dada-Zarude revealed Koko's human origins. He guided Koko and Ash to an abandoned laboratory containing evidence of Koko's deceased birth parents, Chrom and Phossa Molybdenum.
During scientist Dr. Zed's attack on the Great Tree to plunder its healing springs, Dada-Zarude initially fought alone. After sustaining injuries, he sought aid from his former troop and the jungle's other Pokémon. These Pokémon initially resisted due to the Zarude tribe's history of aggression but agreed to help after witnessing Dada-Zarude's desperation to protect Koko and the forest. In the battle against Dr. Zed's mechanized assault, Dada-Zarude shielded Koko from a lethal attack, suffering critical wounds. Transported to the weakened healing springs, he neared death until Koko successfully activated the move Jungle Healing, saving his life and restoring the springs' vitality.
Following Dr. Zed's defeat and arrest, Dada-Zarude helped restore the jungle alongside the troop and other Pokémon. When Koko decided to leave the forest to explore the human world, Dada-Zarude expressed feigned anger but ultimately accepted his son's choice. He orchestrated a farewell gesture by channeling the healing springs into a geyser. Later, he tended to jungle Pokémon using berries from his and Koko's garden. Peace was symbolically confirmed when he observed a Shiny Celebi, the forest's guardian, near the Great Tree.
Dada-Zarude exhibits protective and paternal traits uncommon among his species, prioritizing Koko over tribal rules. His relationship with Koko forms his core development, transforming him from an outcast to a bridge between Zarude, other Pokémon, and humans. Though classified as a genderless species, this Zarude is referred to with masculine pronouns and embodies a fatherly role. His compassion contrasts with typical Zarude pack-based aggression and territorial dominance.
In other media, Dada-Zarude is recognized as a distinct form in video games, distributed as a special event Pokémon. At level 70, it holds a Choice Scarf and knows the moves Jungle Healing, Hammer Arm, Power Whip, and Energy Ball. Jungle Healing, its signature move, involves absorbing and radiating energy through vines to heal itself and allies, reflecting its deep connection to forest ecosystems.