When Naganadel was inits home world as a Poipole, it lived in a nest with multiple otherPoipole and an elderNaganadel. ANecrozma, in itsUltra form, also lived in the same world, whose light would make the world a lush and green planet. Although it would often protect the Poipole and Naganadel, one day a meteorite came crashing down and in order to protect the world from its impact, Necrozma collided with it. But in destroying the meteorite, it turned into a different form with a black appearance and fell into a crevasse. After falling, the change in Necrozma's form caused it to be encased in a spiky and crystallized cocoon and turned the lush and bright world into a desolate and dark place. The Poipole and Naganadel would huddle together and take in the remnants of light left. Poipole later left the world with the intent of finding a better place to live.
InLove at First Twirl!, Poipole recalled Pikachu'sThunderbolt after encountering awildChinchou, and went looking for him, eventually finding him at thePokémon School. While Ash and his classmates were focusing on their lesson, Poipole attracted Pikachu's attention and lured him away, wanting to see Pikachu'sElectric-type moves again. After Pikachu had shared an apple with it, Poipole started showing its affection towards him with constant nuzzling.Ash's Rowlet, who was looking for Pikachu, mistook this as Pikachu being in trouble and tried to attack Poipole, only for Poipole to panic and useToxic on Rowlet,poisoning it. After Pikachu scolded Poipole, it understood its mistake and offered to help carry Rowlet. While going throughHau'oli City, the two were attacked byTeam Rocket, who tried to capture them, but were saved when Ash showed up.
Later, Poipole was brought to the Ultra Guardians base, whereLusamine contacted the group and, sinceRotom had been unable to recognize it, told them thespecies name they had chosen to give for Poipole. Lusamine also suggested that Ash shouldcatch Poipole and take care of it until they could figure out the location of the wormhole it had appeared from, which he agreed to. However, Poipole happily evaded all theBeast Balls that Ash tried to throw at it, thinking that Ash was playing with it.Lillie suggested that they'd demonstrate to Poipole what going into and being let out of aPoké Ball would be like, which Ash did by repeatedlyrecalling and sending out Rowlet. With the demonstration done and Poipole now understanding his intentions, Ash prepared to throw another Beast Ball, only for Poipole to touch the ball and be caught voluntarily, much to everyone's surprise. Later, Poipole was seen playing with Ash andhis other Pokémon atProfessor Kukui's house, even painting a picture of Pikachu on the wall.
With Ash
Poipole watching Minior fade away
InShowering the World with Love!, Ash and his classmates visited theHokulani Observatory to witnessMinior showers falling from the sky and then floating back into space. When the first Minior fell, Poipole immediately became fascinated by the shining light they emitted. One Minior, however, hadn't managed to break out of its shell like the rest, so Ash andKiawe carried it to the observatory. At the observatory, Poipole kept examining the Minior until next morning, its shell finally broke, revealing anOrange Core. Poipole wanted to be friends with the Minior, but initially upset it by spraying some of its paint-like ooze on it. Poipole, however, understood that it had made Minior angry, and cheered it up by painting a picture of it on the wall. Over the course of the day, the two played a lot together, becoming good friends. The next night, another Minior shower came, reuniting Minior with its friends. However, as they started floating back up again, they began to fade away, as they couldn't survive too long without their shell. The same also happened to the Orange Core Minior that Poipole had become friends with, making Poipole sad, but it was calmed down by a gentle hug from Ash.
Poipole waving goodbye
InThe Shape of Love to Come!, Ash encounteredMina, an artist whoseRibombee is capable of detecting the emotions of others. With Ribombee's help, Mina deciphered that Poipole expressed its emotions through its paintings and that it loves Ash and considered him and everyone who lives at Professor Kukui's house to be its family. During the following night, Poipole had a dream about a dark place filled with multiple sad Poipole and a tired Naganadel, causing it to wake up and go look at the moon while crying. The next day, Ash noticed that Poipole was sad and met with Mina again to help find out what Poipole was feeling. Mina accepted and discovered that Poipole was on a mission of some kind. Later that day, Ash noticed Poipole painting a picture of "The Blinding One", which it had taken notice of in a bookAcerola read to thempreviously.
InThe Prism Between Light and Darkness!, Poipole returned to its home world when the Ultra Guardians followedLunala through an Ultra Wormhole. Poipole reunited with the other Poipole and Naganadel, who told the group about Poipole's motive for coming to Alola. Poipolelater joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to itsnormal form. After the Ultra Guardians helped return the light to its homeland, Naganadel informed the Ultra Guardians that Poipole wanted to stay behind. Thus, Poipole left Ash and returned to its hive, but not before drawing Ash and Pikachu's faces on the ground to express its goodbye to them.
Naganadel battling Tapu Koko
InZ-Move Showdown!, Poipole returned through an Ultra Wormhole, having evolved into a Naganadel and learned Thunderbolt since Ash last saw it. Temporarily teaming up with Professor Kukui, it helped Ash and Pikachu to attack aShinyGuzzlord that was threateningManalo Stadium. Together, they sent it away through the Ultra Wormhole Naganadel had just come out of, using the force of two simultaneousGigavolt Havocs. At the beginning ofthe next episode, Naganadel officially rejoined Ash'steam in preparation for his upcomingFull Battle against Professor Kukui.
InA Full Battle Bounty!, Ash sent Naganadel out to face Professor Kukui'sLucario during their Full Battle. The battle between the two properly commenced inthe next episode, where Naganadel eventually managed to defeat its powerful opponent before being recalled. Ash later sent it back out to battleTapu Koko, who had decided to join the battle as Kukui's final Pokémon. The battle between the two Pokémon took place inthe following episode, where Naganadel, despite successfully dealing somedamage on theguardian deity, was eventually defeated.
Naganadel encouraging Pikachu in a vision
InDreams of the Sun and Moon!, an Ultra Wormhole opened above Professor Kukui's house, and Ash, understanding that Naganadel had friends who needed it in its own world, decided to let it go. As a sign of their friendship, Ash had Pikachu use Thunderbolt for Naganadel to enjoy for one more time before it disappeared into the wormhole.
InHeroes Unite!, Naganadel appeared in a fantasy while Ash reminisced about the Pokémon he'd caught on his journey.
Personality and characteristics
Poipole expressing itself with its drawings
As a Poipole, Naganadel is quite playful with other Pokémon. In one instance of this inA Mission of Ultra Urgency!, whilst Ash and his classmates were waiting to see if Buzzwole had been captured, Naganadel, as Poipole, attempted to play withPikachu before flying off. It has also been shown to have a fascination with light, as shown how it tends to stop to admire Pikachu'sElectric-type moves, much like howAsh's Goodra admired Pikachu's strength. In addition, it is known to laugh even when attacked. Naganadel took an instant liking to Ash after he helped saved it fromTeam Rocket. This was also seen when Ash showed it howPoké Balls work. Equally, it also became quick friends with its teammates. Despite being a playful trickster, Naganadel never seems to intend any serious harm, as it clearly felt sorry when Pikachu scolded it for poisoningRowlet, and offered to help carry the Grass Quill Pokémon.
Naganadel and Ash
Naganadel had a habit of spinning the tip of its stinger when when feeling happy. As a Poipole, it span on is head instead. It also likes to express its affection for Pikachu by nuzzling him. Despite Naganadel's playfulness, it has been shown to be there for its friends, like inSome Kind of Laziness!, when it rescued and brought back Rowlet after it was almost blown away by the harsh winds blowing through theHaina Desert. Naganadel has also been shown to love making paintings with its ooze, especially of those whom it wishes to be good friends with, like Pikachu andMinior. As revealed inThe Shape of Love to Come!, Naganadel uses its drawings to express its feelings to others. It draws lighting bolt-shaped marks on or next to things that it likes or loves, and has been seen drawing teardrop shapes when feeling sad.
Being an Ultra Beast, Naganadel is quite unfamiliar with the world of Ash andhis classmates, and is driven by a great sense of curiosity, as seen inReal Life...Inquire Within!, when it began to play with anAlolanExeggutor's tail head, unintentionally causing the Exeggutor to send Ash rolling out of thePokémon Center he was in. This same curiosity almost got it in trouble with aTauros onKiawe's family's farm. It appears to have retained some of its playful naïveté even after evolving, such as inExhibition Unmasked!, where it was seen watchingAsh's Melmetal spin around so intently that it became dizzy, as well as enjoying being the center of attention when sent out in the middle ofManalo Stadium inA Full Battle Bounty!. As a Poipole, Naganadel appeared to lack the ability to smell, as it was unaffected by the stench produced by Garbodor inReal Life...Inquire Within! and reacted with indifference to the aroma produced by the flowers grown byTapu Bulu inSome Kind of Laziness!.
