Dawn's Piplup (known as Hikari's Pocchama originally and Dawn's Piplup in English) is a Water-type starter Pokémon provided by Professor Rowan at the start of her Sinnoh journey. Their partnership formed when Dawn rescued Piplup from a wild Ariados' web during its escape from Rowan's lab with Chimchar; Piplup reciprocated by protecting Dawn from the Ariados, forging an immediate mutual bond. Piplup possesses a proud, serious, and sometimes bratty personality. This manifests in refusing food due to species pride despite a large appetite for Pokémon food. Short-tempered and competitive, Piplup often clashes with other Pokémon and trainers yet demonstrates fierce loyalty to Dawn. Eager to impress Dawn, it frequently seeks to initiate events for her and generally prefers resolving conflicts peacefully over aggression. As Dawn's primary contest and capture partner, Piplup initially showed weakness, losing to opponents like Nando's Budew. Its skills developed significantly, enabling Dawn to capture Buneary and Buizel and secure her first two Contest Ribbons. Known moves include Bubble Beam, Peck, Whirlpool, Bide, and Hydro Pump, totaling eight confirmed moves. Piplup perfected contest techniques like spinning during Bubble Beam and adapted Whirlpool into a defensive Counter Shield variant. Its contest achievements include victories at the Jubilife City Contest and the Wallace Cup. Piplup actively resisted evolution. Exhaustion once triggered an evolution into Prinplup, but Piplup used Bide twice to halt the process. This refusal stemmed from a desire to remain unchanged for Dawn, inspired by Pikachu's choice, and fear of potential disobedience seen in Dawn's evolved Swinub. Dawn accepted this decision, obtaining an Everstone to prevent future evolution. Key relationships define Piplup's character. Its deep bond with Dawn involves mutual protection, though they experience periodic conflicts. Piplup considers Ash's Pikachu a best friend, sharing emotional farewells and reunions. Notable rivalries include conflicts with Ash's Oshawott over Meloetta's affections (later resolved into friendship) and recurring comedic targeting by Ash's Gible's misfired Draco Meteor. Piplup also briefly competed with a wild Elekid for Marill's affection. Piplup appeared minimally in 17 of 191 Diamond and Pearl episodes and participated in cross-regional events like the Unova World Tournament Junior Cup. Later encounters include assisting Chloe Cerise and protecting Cresselia in Sinnoh.