Gym Leader

Leader redirects here. For the recurring character that first appeared in Raid Battle in The Ruins!, see Leader (JN014).

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Gym Leader ジムリーダー Gym Leader
Artwork from Pokémon Sword and Shield of Victor facing Gym Leader Milo
Other names	Pokémon Leader (Generation I) ジムのムリーダー (Gym's Leader) (Generation I) Leader (Generations I-VI)
Introduced in	Generation I
Appears in	Red, Blue, and Yellow Gold, Silver, and Crystal Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl Scarlet and Violet Stadium, Stadium 2 Puzzle League, Puzzle Challenge Masters EX
Gender	Both
Counterpart	{{{counterpart}}}
Notable members	See list
Animated debut	Pokémon - I Choose You! (Series) File 1: Red (Origins) The Chase (Generations) Letter (Twilight Wings) The Champion (Evolutions) Breathe Out (Paldean Winds)
TCG debut	[[(TCG)|]]
TCG card	{{{card}}}
Manga debut	Onix Is On! (Adventures) Pikachu, I See You! (The Electric Tale of Pikachu) PZ02 (Zensho) Falkner, the Bird Keeper's Challenge!! (The Golden Boys) JBA1 (HGSS Jō's Big Adventure)

The Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader), also called Pokémon Leader or Leader in some early manuals, is the highest-ranking member of a Pokémon Gym. The main job of a Gym Leader is to test Trainers and their Pokémon so that they are strong and resourceful enough to take the Pokémon League challenge. If a Trainer defeats a Gym Leader in battle, then the Trainer earns that Gym's Badge.

Gym Leaders are also responsible for overseeing how their respective Gyms are run and maintained. Great care must be taken to make sure that their Gym reflects the best environment for the type in which they specialize, such as swimming pools in a Water-type Gym, trees and flowering plants in a Grass-type or a Bug-type Gym, or ice and snow in an Ice-type Gym. According to Morty, teaching young people how to battle with Pokémon of that particular type can also be the job of a Gym Leader. Unlike regular Pokémon Trainers, a Gym Leader has the right to directly challenge the Pokémon League Champion, as revealed by Brock in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

It has not exactly been made clear how Gym Leaders attain their position, but it appears that it varies for each Gym. Some of them founded their Gyms and are self-appointed. Others, such as Whitney, are chosen by the other members of the region's Pokémon League. A few appear to be passed on through families: Janine, Falkner, and Flannery all took over their respective Gyms from a close family member. However, Gyms do not necessarily belong to a particular family. Roark and his father, Byron, are both Gym Leaders at the same time, in different Gyms. Leaders can also choose to vacate their position. Examples include Koga, Giovanni, and Wallace. Some Gym Leaders also have secondary professions, such as Elesa being a fashion model, Valerie being a fashion designer, and Katy owning a bakery.

Terminology

English

In the English game manuals from Generation I, this is called "Pokémon Leader" in the section explaining and listing Gym Leaders. In later sections about the cities and towns, this was also shortened to "Leader". In the English game manuals from Generation II, both "Gym Leader" and "Leader" are used.

In Pokémon: Official Nintendo Player's Guide, this is written as "gym leader" in lowercase. For instance:

• "Here in Pewter City, you'll face a Jr. Trainer before you do battle with the gym leader, Brock." (page 21)

Japanese

In the Japanese game manuals from Generation I, this is called ジムのリーダー (Gym's Leader) rather than the definitive name ジムリーダー (Gym Leader).

Pokémon used

Nearly all Leaders rely on a single type of Pokémon. For example, Erika uses only Grass-type Pokémon in official Gym battles. Some Leaders, however, stray from this mold, albeit rarely. This is evidenced by the different types used by Blue during his reign as the Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym in Generations II, IV, and VII, although he is the only Gym Leader to do so. However, many Gym Leaders have one or two Pokémon that stray from their type theme. This is usually because of a lack of availability for Pokémon of a certain type, such as Sunyshore Gym Leader Volkner's Ambipom and Octillery in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. In Paldea, all of the Gym Leaders, excluding Larry, will use a Pokémon whose type does not match their type theme. Instead, that Pokémon's Tera Type will match the type theme and the Gym Leader will Terastallize that Pokémon after sending it out.

Geography and climate can often be connected to the type of Pokémon the Gym Leader of that area uses. Pastoria Gym Leader Crasher Wake uses Water-type Pokémon, a direct allusion to the flooded marsh that surrounds the area and the constant downpour that plagues Pastoria City. Another example of this is the Cinnabar Gym Leader, Blaine, who uses Fire-type Pokémon and lives in a volcanic area. Pryce, Candice, Wulfric, and Grusha, the Mahogany, Snowpoint, Snowbelle, and Glaseado Gym Leaders, respectively, use Ice-type Pokémon and live either in or near icy or wintry areas.

The character archetype can also reflect the type of Pokémon a Leader uses. For example, Roark and Byron, who are both miners, use the related Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon. Tate and Liza could be based on the archetype of twins who can communicate telepathically, and thus train Psychic-type Pokémon, and being twins, they also battle opposing Trainers in Double Battles.

In the core series

Gym Leader Milo challenging the player

A Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader), or Leader prior to Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, is the Trainer class name given to the Gym Leaders when they are battled in the Pokémon games. Despite Gym Leaders themselves being introduced in Generation I, the Trainer class did not appear onscreen until Generation II, and it has been incorporated into every game since. Gym Leaders are integral within the Pokémon universe. Occasionally, in order for one to advance in the game, the player must challenge and defeat the leader of a Gym. Each game is designed in such a way that the player will not be able to move forward until they receive a Gym Badge which will, in turn, either allow them to use an HM to overcome natural obstacles or trigger a necessary event to continue with the game. It is one of the player's main objectives to collect eight Gym Badges, allowing them to challenge the Elite Four.

Leaders do not seem to be required to be in their Gyms at all times, as they may have other duties. Giovanni, for example, could keep his title as a Gym Leader despite not being at the Viridian Gym during the majority of the events of Generation I, and his successor, Blue, was also absent from the Gym several times. Beginning in Generation IV, Leaders are increasingly encountered outside of their Gyms, evident in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, where the Leaders have to be found in different locations at specific times before they can exchange phone numbers with the player for a rematch at the Fighting Dojo. Some Leaders even appear across regions, such as Jasmine appearing in Sunyshore City, Crasher Wake on Route 47, and Maylene in Celadon City. Leaders can even challenge other Gyms and the Elite Four (like Volkner wanted to do). In later games, it is made apparent that Gym Leaders know each other and are acquainted with Gym Leaders from other regions, as well as with members of the Elite Four and Champions. Examples of this are Jasmine being friends with Erika, Volkner being friends with Flint, Brawly training with Bruno, and most Unova Gym Leaders coming together to fight Team Plasma's Seven Sages.

In addition, some Gym Leaders may be required to use Pokémon different than their usual team, such as Cheren in Black 2 and White 2. Due to their higher AI compared to regular Trainers, Gym Leaders are also one of the few Trainers to employ the use of Potions when battling.

Gym Leaders in Galar have two divisions: major and minor. Upon completion of the main story, during the Galarian Star Tournament, Klara^Sw/Avery^Sh reveals that they have become a minor division Poison^Sw/Psychic^Sh Gym Leader.

Gym Trainers

In addition to Gym Leaders, there are also Gym Trainers. They are Trainers that are either a devotee or apprentice to the Gym Leader, who follow the same type theme as the Leader does. It is usually necessary to defeat multiple Gym Trainers before challenging the Gym Leader. Some Gyms in the game require the player to solve a puzzle, and one must often use Gym Trainers as obstacles to reach the solution. They have no direct impact on the overall plot, other than rarely offering the player helpful advice. It is also worth noting that the type of Trainer appearing in a Gym will depend on the Gym itself. For instance, Gardenia employs Aroma Ladies and Beauties, exclusively, while Misty recruits Sailors and Swimmers; these Gym Leaders represent the types Grass and Water, respectively. However, starting in Generation VIII, they only have the Trainer class "Gym Trainer", as well as a special introduction featuring their Badge.

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Masters EX

Gym Leaders from various core series regions appear in Pokémon Masters EX. Some of them serve as PML Leaders for the Pokémon Masters League, though this position is not exclusive to Gym Leaders, as seen with Hapu.

Pokémon Puzzle series

In the "1P Stadium" mode of Pokémon Puzzle League, Ash Ketchum battles the eight Kanto Gym Leaders.

In the "2P Stadium" mode of Pokémon Puzzle League, each player chooses a player character. The eight Kanto Gym Leaders are part of the list of available characters.

In the "Challenge" mode of Pokémon Puzzle Challenge, Ethan battles the eight Johto Gym Leaders.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

In Pokémon Trading Card Game, the Club Masters have a role similar to Gym Leaders, giving out Medals to duelists who defeat them.

Pokémon Mezastar

In Pokémon Mezastar, the Star Trainers have a role similar to Gym Leaders.

In animation

Pokémon animated series

Cilan and Skyla, two Gym Leaders from the Unova region

In the Pokémon animated series, Trainers challenge Gym Leaders at their respective Gyms in order to earn Badges. If a Trainer earns eight Badges from one region, they become eligible to enter that region's Pokémon League Conference.

There are more than eight Gyms, and thus Gym Leaders, in each region. Many Trainers in the anime been shown to have Badges that do not exist in the games, such as Gary earning ten Badges in Kanto. Other Badges observed in the anime which do not correspond to known Badges suggest that there are at least nine Gyms in Hoenn, 11 in Sinnoh, 14 in Unova, and 11 in Kalos. 11 Gyms have been shown on-screen in Unova.

In The Great Eight Fate!, May mentioned that the Sootopolis Gym is the last Gym of the Hoenn League, implying that there is a fixed order of Gyms. However, in the next episode, Eight Ain't Enough!, Juan is surprised to hear that the Rain Badge was Ash's eighth Badge.

All Gym Leaders since Flannery have appeared in at least one episode before Ash earned a Badge from them. Several other characters have become or were Gym Leaders in that canon at some point, such as Brock's brother Forrest, Misty's sisters, Flannery's grandfather, and Kanto Elite Four member Agatha.

In Cilan Takes Flight, it's shown that, although Gym Leaders generally get along, they tend to disagree on things, in particular if their ways of running a gym clash.

In Pokémon the Series: XY, all of Kalos's known Gym Leaders teamed up to help in the final battle against Team Flare and the Giant Rock in Rocking Kalos Defenses! and Forming a More Perfect Union!.

In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, some Gym Leaders from different regions were seen participating in the World Coronation Series, such as Visquez, Korrina, Raihan, Bea, and Volkner. It's also revealed that Bea travels across different regions of the Pokémon world to battle other Gym Leaders, such as Korrina and Chuck to be able to train for the championship. In Friends, Rivals, Lend Me Your Spirit!, Paul was revealed to have been offered a Gym Leader position at an undisclosed Gym.

In Pokémon Horizons: The Series, the Rising Volt Tacklers have encountered several Gym Leaders, such as Brassius and Kabu, in their search for the Black Rayquaza that once belonged to the Ancient Adventurer Lucius. In addition, Iono once helped Dot search for a missing Liko in her hometown of Levincia. In HZ046, it was revealed that Paldea's Gym Leaders help Naranja Academy to train qualified Trainers for Terastal Training, a special curriculum that consists of teaching them and perfecting the use of the Terastal phenomenon.

Gallery

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  The Gym Leaders of Kanto in the anime

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  The Gym Leaders of Johto in the anime

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  The Gym Leaders of Kalos in the anime

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  The Gym Leaders of Paldea in the anime

Pokémon Origins

Some of the Kanto Gym Leaders in Pokémon Origins

All of the Generation I Gym Leaders appeared in Pokémon Origins, but only Brock and Giovanni had spoken lines and key roles in the miniseries' plot. In this canon, it is revealed that Leaders have different teams to take on challengers, depending on how many Badges they have.

Pokémon Generations

Most of the Unova Gym Leaders in Pokémon Generations

Giovanni is the only Kanto Gym Leader to appear in the miniseries, specifically in The Chase and The Legacy.

In The Uprising, most of the Unova Gym Leaders battled Team Plasma at the Pokémon League. In The Frozen World, Drayden tried and failed to stop Team Plasma from stealing the DNA Splicers.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Bea in Pokémon: Twilight Wings

All of Galar Gym Leaders appeared in Pokémon: Twilight Wings. The first one to appear was Bea, who battled Leon in Letter and lost. Milo, Nessa, and Allister also made cameo appearances at the end of the same episode. Training focused mainly on Bea.

In Early-Evening Waves, Nessa's story was told after a defeat in the Champions Cup. Raihan was also seen on a magazine cover during the episode, and Marnie was seen eating at a Battle Café.

Kabu, Gordie, Melony, and Piers all appeared in Assistant.

Opal and Bede appeared in Sky.

In The Gathering of Stars, every Galar Gym Leader attended the Galarian Star Tournament.

Pokémon Evolutions

Roark appeared in The Rival, where Barry was seen challenging and defeating him in a flashback.

Morty appeared in The Show, watching the Kimono Girls' performance with his Gengar.

Pokémon: Paldean Winds

All of Paldea Gym Leaders appeared in Pokémon: Paldean Winds. Iono was the first Gym Leader to appear, debuting in a cameo in Breathe Out.

Ryme appeared in Breathe Together while rapping about Naranja Academy during Ohara, Aliquis, and Hohma's video project. Next, Iono starred in a segment of the video, introducing all of the region's Gym Leaders to the audience. It was revealed by Iono that Larry is one of the oldest active members of the Paldea Pokémon League, having been Gym Leader for around 25 years.

Tyme, the former Gym Leader of Montenevera, also made brief appearances in Breathe In and Breathe Together.

In the manga

The Gym Leaders of Kanto and Johto in Pokémon Adventures

The Gym Leaders of Galar (plus Leon) in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Gym Leaders have the same jobs as in the games and anime, but are also shown to throw away their role as Leader and pursue other goals. Some Gym Leaders even become evil, such as Koga, Lt. Surge, Sabrina, and Pryce. In order to become a Gym Leader in Adventures, one needs to fight a Trainer chosen by the Pokémon Association and win in front of them without letting one of their own Pokémon faint. The one exception to this rule seen so far has been by Blue when he defended the building where Red took his exam, since Red had to decline becoming a Gym Leader due to an injury, despite having passed the exam. Some Gym Leaders have jobs outside of their Gyms, but some of them focus solely on training their skills. In some regions, a single Gym Leader is chosen to lead and/or supervise the others. Known Gym Leaders with this status include Erika, Pryce, and Winona.

Gym Leaders are highly respected in their respective home regions and usually in other regions as well. When crises emerge, it is highly probable for Gym Leaders to gather to discuss about the situation that has befallen the region and what to do with it:

• All of the Kanto and Johto's Gym Leaders were called up for a tournament held at Indigo Plateau in the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc to fight as teams to see which region had stronger Gym Leaders. The secret secondary purpose of the tournament was to figure out the identity of the Masked Man, who had been identified as a Gym Leader. The Kanto team won with four wins, three losses, and one draw.
• Seven of Hoenn's Gym Leaders gathered at Fortree City during the Ruby & Sapphire arc to decide which team — Team Magma or Team Aqua — they should support. When the crisis escalated, the Gym Leaders turned their attention towards the super-ancient Pokémon instead, although they were also forced to battle the Admins of both aforementioned teams in the process.
• Six of Sinnoh's Gym Leaders gathered to fight Team Galactic at Spear Pillar near the end of the Diamond & Pearl arc.
• Six of Unova's Gym Leaders gathered to protect the Nacrene Museum from Team Plasma's advance during the Black & White arc. Their plan ultimately failed, and Team Plasma took them hostage. Once freed, they battled against the Seven Sages at N's Castle.
• Five of Kalos's Gym Leaders gathered to stop Team Flare from activating the ultimate weapon in the X & Y arc. All eight of them later helped to stop the team's second attempt to use the weapon.
• All of Galar's Gym Leaders gathered to combat the Darkest Day unleashed by Chairman Rose in the Sword & Shield arc. Most of them also took part in the battle against Eternatus.

Kanto Gym Leaders in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Several of the Kanto and Orange Islands Gym Leaders appeared in The Electric Tale of Pikachu, though there were notable differences in some of their depictions compared to the anime. For example, Sabrina was portrayed as a kind and caring person, and Brock and Misty were not constantly traveling with Ash.

Pokémon Zensho

The Generation I Gym Leaders of Kanto appeared in Pokémon Zensho. Satoshi earned a Badge from each of them, although he got the Cascade Badge from Misty by defending her Gym from a Team Rocket Grunt and the Marsh Badge from Sabrina by helping to save Silph Co. from Team Rocket, instead of defeating them.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Gold met many of the Johto Gym Leaders over the course of the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga, on his quest to earn eight Badges. However, due to the manga ending in Cianwood City, Pryce and Clair never appeared in it. Gold also temporarily led the Cianwood Gym while Chuck was recovering from an accident.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Throughout his journey, Jō faced the Gym Leaders of Kanto and Johto. All of them except for Falkner appeared only as silhouettes.

List of Gym Leaders

Indigo League

In the Generation I games and their respective remakes, a number of Indigo League Gym Leaders can be fought out of order. Koga must be fought before Blaine, as defeating Koga grants access to Surf and by extension, Cinnabar Island, but otherwise, Lt. Surge, Erika, Koga, Sabrina, and Blaine can be fought in any order. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Blaine can also be fought before Koga, due to Surf having been replaced by the Secret Technique Sea Skim. Regardless, all seven other badges must be collected in order to gain access to Viridian Gym to challenge Giovanni.

• The leader of the Fighting Dojo was previously the Fighting-type Gym Leader of Saffron City.

Indigo League
I, II, III, IV, and VII				Region: Kanto
Gym Leader Japanese		Location Japanese	Type		Badge
Brock タケシ Takeshi		Pewter City ニビシティ Nibi City	Rock		Boulder Badge
Misty カスミ Kasumi		Cerulean City ハナダシティ Hanada City	Water		Cascade Badge
Lt. Surge マチス Matisse		Vermilion City クチバシティ Kuchiba City	Electric		Thunder Badge
Erika エリカ Erika		Celadon City タマムシシティ Tamamushi City	Grass		Rainbow Badge
Koga キョウ Kyou Generations I, III, and VII	Janine アンズ Anzu Generations II and IV	Fuchsia City セキチクシティ Sekichiku City	Poison		Soul Badge
Sabrina ナツメ Natsume		Saffron City ヤマブキシティ Yamabuki City	Psychic		Marsh Badge
Blaine カツラ Katsura		Cinnabar Island グレンじま Guren Island Generations I, III, and VII	Fire		Volcano Badge
		Seafoam Islands ふたごじま Twin Islands Generations II and IV
Giovanni サカキ Sakaki Generations I, III, and VII	Blue グリーン Green Generations II, IV, and VII	Viridian City トキワシティ Tokiwa City	Ground	Various	Earth Badge

Johto League

Chuck, Jasmine, and Pryce can be challenged in any order.

Johto League
Generations II and IV		Region: Johto
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Falkner ハヤト Hayato	Violet City キキョウシティ Kikyō City	Flying	Zephyr Badge
Bugsy ツクシ Tsukushi	Azalea Town ヒワダタウン Hiwada Town	Bug	Hive Badge
Whitney アカネ Akane	Goldenrod City コガネシティ Kogane City	Normal	Plain Badge
Morty マツバ Matsuba	Ecruteak City エンジュシティ Enju City	Ghost	Fog Badge
Chuck シジマ Shijima	Cianwood City タンバシティ Tanba City	Fighting	Storm Badge
Jasmine ミカン Mikan	Olivine City アサギシティ Asagi City	Steel	Mineral Badge
Pryce ヤナギ Yanagi	Mahogany Town チョウジタウン Chōji Town	Ice	Glacier Badge
Clair イブキ Ibuki	Blackthorn City フスベシティ Fusube City	Dragon	Rising Badge

Hoenn League

In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, it is possible to break the order and skip fighting Brawly until after defeating Wattson or Flannery. Regardless, the player must still defeat Brawly before fighting Norman since the latter requires you to have the first four Badges before challenging him and defeating Norman grants access to Surf outside of battle.

Similarly, Winona can be skipped until after defeating Tate and Liza or Wallace^RS/Juan^E, but the player must still defeat Winona to gain access to the Pokémon League.

Both of these are no longer possible in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, where a group of Ruin Maniacs in Granite Cave prevent the player from advancing until Brawly has been defeated, and a Bird Keeper on Route 120 prevents the player from advancing until Winona has been defeated.

Hoenn League
Generations III and VI			Region: Hoenn
Gym Leader Japanese		Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Roxanne ツツジ Tsutsuji		Rustboro City カナズミシティ Kanazumi City	Rock	Stone Badge
Brawly トウキ Tōki		Dewford Town ムロタウン Muro Town	Fighting	Knuckle Badge
Wattson テッセン Tessen		Mauville City キンセツシティ Kinsetsu City	Electric	Dynamo Badge
Flannery アスナ Asuna		Lavaridge Town フエンタウン Huen Town	Fire	Heat Badge
Norman センリ Senri		Petalburg City トウカシティ Touka City	Normal	Balance Badge
Winona ナギ Nagi		Fortree City ヒワマキシティ Hiwamaki City	Flying	Feather Badge
Tate and Liza フウとラン Fū and Lan		Mossdeep City トクサネシティ Tokusane City	Psychic	Mind Badge
Wallace ミクリ MikuriRSORAS	Juan アダン AdanE	Sootopolis City ルネシティ Rune City	Water	Rain Badge

Sinnoh League

In Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, Maylene and Crasher Wake can be challenged in either order.

In Platinum, Fantina is now required to be battled as the third Gym Leader, as the player cannot progress past Hearthome City until she is defeated. Additionally, Maylene must be challenged fourth and Crasher Wake must be challenged fifth.

Sinnoh League
Generations IV and VIII		Region: Sinnoh
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Roark ヒョウタ Hyouta	Oreburgh City クロガネシティ Kurogane City	Rock	Coal Badge
Gardenia ナタネ Natane	Eterna City ハクタイシティ Hakutai City	Grass	Forest Badge
Maylene スモモ Sumomo	Veilstone City トバリシティ Tobari City	Fighting	Cobble Badge
Crasher Wake マキシマム仮面 Maximum Mask	Pastoria City ノモセシティ Nomose City	Water	Fen Badge
Fantina メリッサ Melissa	Hearthome City ヨスガシティ Yosuga City	Ghost	Relic Badge
Byron トウガン Tougan	Canalave City ミオシティ Mio City	Steel	Mine Badge
Candice スズナ Suzuna	Snowpoint City キッサキシティ Kissaki City	Ice	Icicle Badge
Volkner デンジ Denzi	Sunyshore City ナギサシティ Nagisa City	Electric	Beacon Badge

Unova League

Black and White

Unova League
Generation V						Region: Unova
Gym Leader Japanese						Location Japanese	Type			Badge
Cilan デント Dent		Chili ポッド Pod		Cress コーン Corn		Striaton City サンヨウシティ Sanyou City	Grass	Fire	Water	Trio Badge
Lenora アロエ Aloe						Nacrene City シッポウシティ Shippou City	Normal			Basic Badge
Burgh アーティ Arty						Castelia City ヒウンシティ Hiun City	Bug			Insect Badge
Elesa カミツレ Kamitsure						Nimbasa City ライモンシティ Raimon City	Electric			Bolt Badge
Clay ヤーコン Yakon						Driftveil City ホドモエシティ Hodomoe City	Ground			Quake Badge
Skyla フウロ Huuro						Mistralton City フキヨセシティ Fukiyose City	Flying			Jet Badge
Brycen ハチク Hachiku						Icirrus City セッカシティ Sekka City	Ice			Freeze Badge
Drayden シャガ ShagaB			Iris アイリス IrisW			Opelucid City ソウリュウシティ Souryuu City	Dragon			Legend Badge

Black 2 and White 2

Unova League
Generation V		Region: Unova
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Cheren チェレン Cheren	Aspertia City ヒオウギシティ Hiougi City	Normal	Basic Badge
Roxie ホミカ Homika	Virbank City タチワキシティ Tachiwaki City	Poison	Toxic Badge
Burgh アーティ Arty	Castelia City ヒウンシティ Hiun City	Bug	Insect Badge
Elesa カミツレ Kamitsure	Nimbasa City ライモンシティ Raimon City	Electric	Bolt Badge
Clay ヤーコン Yakon	Driftveil City ホドモエシティ Hodomoe City	Ground	Quake Badge
Skyla フウロ Huuro	Mistralton City フキヨセシティ Fukiyose City	Flying	Jet Badge
Drayden シャガ Shaga	Opelucid City ソウリュウシティ Souryuu City	Dragon	Legend Badge
Marlon シズイ Shizui	Humilau City セイガイハシティ Seigaiha City	Water	Wave Badge

Kalos League

Kalos League
Generation VI		Region: Kalos
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Viola ビオラ Viola	Santalune City ハクダンシティ Hakudan City	Bug	Bug Badge
Grant ザクロ Zakuro	Cyllage City ショウヨウシティ Shōyō City	Rock	Cliff Badge
Korrina コルニ Corni	Shalour City シャラシティ Shara City	Fighting	Rumble Badge
Ramos フクジ Fukuji	Coumarine City ヒヨクシティ Hiyoku City	Grass	Plant Badge
Clemont シトロン Citron	Lumiose City ミアレシティ Miare City	Electric	Voltage Badge
Valerie マーシュ Mache	Laverre City クノエシティ Kunoe City	Fairy	Fairy Badge
Olympia ゴジカ Gojika	Anistar City ヒャッコクシティ Hyakkoku City	Psychic	Psychic Badge
Wulfric ウルップ Urup	Snowbelle City エイセツシティ Eisetsu City	Ice	Iceberg Badge

Galar League

• Klara is a Poison-type Gym Leader of the minor division.^Sw
• Avery is a Psychic-type Gym Leader of the minor division.^Sh
• Mustard was previously a Fighting-type Gym Leader.
• Peony was previously a Steel-type Gym Leader.

Galar League
Generation VIII				Region: Galar
Gym Leader Japanese		Location Japanese	Type		Badge
Milo ヤロー Yarrow		Turffield ターフタウン Turf Town	Grass		Grass Badge
Nessa ルリナ Rurina		Hulbury バウタウン Bow Town	Water		Water Badge
Kabu カブ Kabu		Motostoke エンジンシティ Engine City	Fire		Fire Badge
Bea サイトウ SaitōSw	Allister オニオン OnionSh	Stow-on-Side ラテラルタウン Lateral Town	Fighting	Ghost	Fighting Badge	Ghost Badge
Opal ポプラ Poplar	Bede ビート Beet	Ballonlea アラベスクタウン Arabesque Town	Fairy		Fairy Badge
Gordie マクワ MakuwaSw	Melony メロン MelonSh	Circhester キルクスタウン Circus Town	Rock	Ice	Rock Badge	Ice Badge
Piers ネズ Nezu	Marnie マリィ Mary	Spikemuth スパイクタウン Spike Town	Dark		Dark Badge
Raihan キバナ Kibana		Hammerlocke ナックルシティ Knuckle City	Dragon		Dragon Badge

Paldea League

The Gym Leaders of the Paldea region are the first ones who can be challenged in any order rather than the usual fixed order. However, the levels of their Pokémon remain the same regardless of when they are challenged. The Gym Leaders are listed in order of lowest level to highest.

• The Normal-type Gym Leader Larry is also a member of the Elite Four as a Flying-type Trainer.
• Tyme was previously the Rock-type Gym Leader of Montenevera.

Paldea League
Generation IX		Region: Paldea
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Type	Badge
Katy カエデ Kaede	Cortondo セルクルタウン Cercle Town	Bug	Bug Badge
Brassius コルサ Colza	Artazon ボウルタウン Bowl Town	Grass	Grass Badge
Iono ナンジャモ Nanjyamo	Levincia ハッコウシティ Hakkō City	Electric	Electric Badge
Kofu ハイダイ Haidai	Cascarrafa カラフシティ Carafe City	Water	Water Badge
Larry アオキ Aoki	Medali チャンプルタウン Chanpuru Town	Normal	Normal Badge
Ryme ライム Lime	Montenevera フリッジタウン Fridge Town	Ghost	Ghost Badge
Tulip リップ Lip	Alfornada ベイクタウン Bake Town	Psychic	Psychic Badge
Grusha グルーシャ Grusha	Glaseado Mountain ナッペ山 Mount Napper	Ice	Ice Badge

Orange League

Orange League
Anime-exclusive		Region: Orange Islands
Gym Leader Japanese	Location Japanese	Challenge	Prize
Cissy アツミ Atsumi	Mikan Island ナツカン島 Natsukan Island	Water Gun target test Surfing race	Coral-Eye Badge
Danny ダン Dan	Navel Island ネーブル島 Navel Island	Climb mountain (to qualify) Freeze a geyser race Build a toboggan Toboggan race	Sea Ruby Badge
Rudy ジギー Ziggy	Trovita Island ユズ島 Yuzu Island	Target test Same-type Pokémon battle	Spike Shell Badge
Luana ルリコ Ruriko	Kumquat Island リュウチン島 Ryūchin Island	Double Battle	Jade Star Badge
Drake ユウジ Yūji	Pummelo Island カンキツ島 Kankitsu Island	Full Battle	Winner's Trophy Honor at the Palace of Victory

Trivia

• For DP009, Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia is about Gym Leaders. He writes this senryū about them: 「ジムリーダー　いのちをかけて　かかってこい」 "Gym Leader, put your life on the line and challenge me."
• The Dark type did not get a Gym until Generation VIII, twenty years after the type debuted in Pokémon Gold and Silver. Previously, there have been three Elite Four members (Karen, Sidney, and Grimsley), as well as an island kahuna (Nanu), who specialize in Dark types. The other seventeen types have at least one Gym associated with them, with the new types, Steel and Fairy, getting Gyms in their respective debut generations.
  • As of Generation VIII, every type has been specialized in by at least two Gym Leaders.
• Every Gym Leader that specializes in Steel-type Pokémon uses Steelix in battle.
• In the Johto saga of the anime, none of the Gym Leaders had exactly the same lineups as they do in the games.
• The Sinnoh saga marks the only time in the anime that all Gym Leaders in a region have used exactly the same teams as in the games.
  • However, Volkner only used three of his four Pokémon in his battle with Ash.
• In the games, every Gym Leader has at least one Pokémon in their party that knows the TM move they give out upon defeat. Former Gym Leaders do not count in this, as Wallace when he is faced as Champion and Giovanni when he is faced in Generation IV do not have Pokémon that know the move they gave out as TMs when they were faced as Gym Leaders in previous games. Koga, despite not being a Gym Leader in Generation IV, has several Pokémon that know Toxic, the move he last gave out as a TM.
• Since Generation IV, there has consistently been a Grass-type Gym Leader in each region.
• From Generations I to V (not counting remakes), every move that was in a TM given out by a Gym Leader was a new move for that generation, and many of them were rarely (if ever) seen on any other Pokémon in the generation they were introduced. This trend has been broken in Generation VI, where only three Gym Leaders—Viola, Korrina, and Valerie—hand out TMs with moves new to the generation.
• Most of the core series Gym Leaders have Japanese names consisting of three katakana. This includes all Kanto Gym Leaders in Generation I and III games, all Johto Gym Leaders, and at least half of the Gym Leaders in every game.
  • Blue (Japanese: グリーン Green) is the only core series Kanto Gym Leader with a Japanese name longer than three characters.
• In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the player can continue the game without defeating Winona of Fortree City until attempting to battle the Elite Four.
• The Orange League is the only one so far in which Ash has successfully defeated all the Gym Leaders without a rematch.
• In Pocket Monsters: The Animation, it was mentioned that the position of Gym Leaders was very unforgiving, as it had a three-strike rule stating that if a Gym Leader lost three times in a row, the Gym will be disqualified. It also revealed that being a Gym Leader was costly, leaving little pay, and the government can't provide for them. It also revealed that the rather brutal nature of Gym leading was one of the reasons why Misty's and Brock's parents ended up abandoning them to Gym duties.
• Prior to the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Gym Leaders were referred to as Gym Masters in a since-deleted tweet by the official Nintendo of America account. This term was also used by Blaine in the anime episode Riddle Me This.
• Gyarados and Pelipper are the most common Pokémon found amongst Gym Leaders, being used by seven each.
• Marnie is the only Gym Leader who doesn't use the Trainer class "Leader" or "Gym Leader" when battled at a Gym.
• Up to Generation VI, all the Gym Leader's English names are puns based on their respective specialized types. From Generation VIII onward, they all possess flora-based names similar to the Pokémon Professors, following the conventions of their Japanese names. The same applies to each Elite Four member of those generations.
• In Pokémon GO, "Gym Leader" is the name of an achievement medal awarded for defending Gyms for at least 10 hours.

In other languages

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 道館館主 Dougún Gúnjyú * 道館掌門人 Dougún Jéungmùhnyàhn * 練功場場主 Lihngūngchèuhng Chèuhngjyú * 競技場的掌門人 Gihnggeihchèuhng-dīk Jéungmùhnyàhn * Mandarin 道館館主 / 道馆馆主 Dàoguǎn Guǎnzhǔ * 道館訓練家 / 道馆训练家 Dàoguǎn Xùnliànjiā * 練功場首領 Liàngōngcháng Shǒulǐng * 訓練館首領 / 训练馆首领 Xùnliànguǎn Shǒulǐng * 道馆首领 Dàoguǎn Shǒulǐng * Czech Trenér stadionu (♂) Trenérka stadionu (♀) Danish Styrkecenterleder Salleder Dutch Gym Leider Finnish Salipäällikkö Salijohtaja Salivalmentaja (anime) Salinjohtaja (Pokémon Adventures) French Champion d'Arène (♂) Championne d'Arène (♀) German Arenaleiter (♂) Arenaleiterin (♀) Greek Αρχηγός Σταδίου Archegós Stadiou Hebrew מנהיג מכון Manhig Makhon (♂) מנהיגת מכון Manhigat Makhon (♀) Hindi Gym Leader Hungarian Teremvezető Icelandic Stjórnaði Pokémon-ræktinni Pokémon-ræktastjóri Ræktastjóri Pokémon-leiðbeinandi Italian Capopalestra Korean 체육관 관장 Cheyukgwan Gwanjang Malaysian Ketua Gim Norwegian Treningsleder* Gymleder Polish Lider Sali (♂) Liderka Sali (♀) Portuguese Brazil Líder de Ginásio Líder da Academia (The Official Pokémon Handbook) Portugal Líder de Ginásio Romanian Șef de Arenă Russian Лидер стадиона Lider stadiona Гим-лидер Gim-lider Лидер Спортзала Lider Sportzala Spanish Líder de gimnasio Swedish Gymledare Gymtränare* Gymmästare* Thai ยิมลีดเดอร์ Yim Leader Turkish Salon Lideri Vietnamese Thủ lĩnh nhà thi đấu

Related articles

• Justy, the "Leader" of an unofficial Gym in Orre
• Kantonian Gym Leader
• Frontier Brain
• Trial Captain
• Island kahuna

Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series

Kanto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper* • ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE Channeler • Elite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPE • Engineer • Fisherman • Gamer* • Gentleman • Gym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE Hiker • Juggler • Lass • Picnicker* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Trainer*GSCPE • Psychic • RivalFRLG • Rocker • Roughneck* Sailor • Scientist • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Tamer • Team Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPE • Team Rocket Grunt* • Youngster BoarderHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • FirebreatherGSCHGSS • GuitaristGSCHGSS • MediumGSCHGSS PokéfanGSCHGSS • School Kid*GSCHGSS • SkierHGSS • TeacherGSCHGSS • TwinsGSCFRLGHGSS Cool CoupleFRLG • Crush KinFRLG • Sis and BroFRLG • Young CoupleFRLGHGSS Coach TrainerPE • Karate MasterPE • Punk GuyPE • Team RocketPE • Team Rocket AdminPE Master TrainersPE Unused Trainer class: ChiefRGBY Johto Ace Trainer* • Beauty • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt* • Boarder • Bug Catcher • Burglar • Camper Champion • Executive* • Firebreather • Fisherman* • Gentleman • Guitarist • Hiker • Juggler • Kimono Girl • Lass Leader • Medium • Picnicker • Pokéfan • Poké Maniac* • PKMN Trainer • Policeman* • Psychic • RivalHGSS • Sage Sailor • School Kid* • Scientist • Skier • Super Nerd • Swimmer • Teacher • Team Rocket Grunt* • Twins • Youngster Mystery Man*CHGSS • Double TeamHGSS • ElderHGSS • PasserbyHGSS • Young CoupleHGSS Battle Frontier only:HGSS Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Cameraman • Clown • Collector • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Dragon Tamer • Idol Jogger • Lady • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • PI • Poké Kid • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Rancher • Reporter Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Socialite • Tuber • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker Arcade Star • Castle Valet • Factory Head • Hall Matron • Tower Tycoon Hoenn Ace Trainer* • Aqua AdminSEAS • Aqua LeaderSEAS • Aroma Lady • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt Bug Catcher • Bug Maniac • Camper • Champion • Collector • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Expert • Fisherman Gentleman • Guitarist • Hex Maniac • Hiker • Interviewers* • Kindler • Lady • Lass • Leader • Magma AdminREOR Magma LeaderREOR • Ninja Boy • Old Couple • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • Poké Fan* • Poké Maniac* • Pokémon Breeder* Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Psychic • Rich Boy • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • Schoolkid* • Sis & Bro* • Swimmer Team Aqua GruntSEAS • Team Magma GruntREOR • Teammates* • Triathlete • Tuber • Twins • Winstrate • Young Couple • Youngster Ace DuoORAS • Brains & BrawnORAS • BackpackerORAS • DelinquentORAS • Fairy Tale GirlORAS • Fare PrinceORAS Free DiverORAS • LeadersORAS • LorekeeperORAS • Mysterious SistersORAS • ProprietorORAS • Rotation GirlORAS Scuba DiverORAS • Secret Base ExpertORAS • Secret Base TrainerORAS • SootopolitanORAS • Street ThugORAS Battle Frontier only:E Arena Tycoon • Dome Ace • Factory Head • Palace Maven • Pike Queen • Pyramid King • Salon Maiden Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS Artist • Battle Chatelaine • Butler • Chef • Furisode Girl • Garçon • Gardener • Madame • Maid • Monsieur • Owner • Preschooler Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Rising Star • Roller Skater • Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Scientist • Tourist • Veteran • Waitress • Worker Sinnoh Ace Trainer • Aroma Lady • Artist • Battle Girl • Beauty • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Cameraman • Camper • Champion Clown • Collector • Commander • Cowgirl • Cyclist • Double Team • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Fisher* • Gentleman • Guitarist Gym Leader* • Hiker • Idol • Interviewers • Jogger • Lady • Lass • Madame* • Ninja Boy • Parasol Lady • Picnicker • PI • Poké Fan* Poké Kid • Pokémon Breeder* • Pokémon Ranger* • Pokémon Trainer* • Police Officer* • Psychic • Rancher • Ranchers* Reporter • Rich Boy • Roughneck • Ruin Maniac • Sailor • School Kid • Scientist • Skier • Swimmer • Team Galactic Boss* Team Galactic Grunt* • Tower Tycoon • Tuber • Twins • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Young Couple • Youngster Arcade StarPt • Castle ValetPt • Factory HeadPt • Hall MatronPt • MaidPt • GAME FREAK'sBDSP Unova Ace Trainer • Artist • Backers • Backpacker • Baker • Battle Girl • Biker • Black Belt • Champion • Clerk Cyclist • Dancer • Depot Agent • Doctor • Elite Four • Fisherman • GAME FREAK • Gentleman • Gym Leader* Harlequin • Hiker • Hooligans • Hoopster • Infielder • Janitor • Lady • Lass • Linebacker • Maid • Motorcyclist • Musician Nurse • Nursery Aide • Parasol Lady • Pilot • Pokéfan • PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Pokémon Trainer* • Policeman Preschooler • Psychic • Rich Boy • Roughneck • School Kid • Scientist • Smasher • Socialite • Striker • Subway Boss Swimmer • Team Plasma • Team Plasma Grunt • The RichesBW • Twins • Veteran • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Youngster BeautyB2W2 • Boss TrainerB2W2 • GuitaristB2W2 Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2 A-list Actor • Actor • Actress • Big Star • Celebrity • Chic Actress • Child Star • Comedian Fine Actor • Movie Star • New Actress • Star Actor • Suit Actor • Unique Star • Veteran Star Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2 Junior Representative • Master Representative • Senior Representative World Champion • World Finalist • World Runner-up Blueberry Academy only:SV BB League Champion • BB League Elite Four • Blueberry Academy Director Director • Instructor • League Club • Student • Top Champion Kalos Ace Duo • Ace Trainer • Artist • Artist Family • Backpacker • Battle Girl • Beauty • Black Belt • Brains & Brawn Butler • Champion • Chef • Driver • Elite Four • Fairy Tale Girl • Fisherman • Furisode Girl • Garçon • Gardener Hex Maniac • Hiker • Honeymooners • Lass • Leader • Lumiose Gang Member • Mysterious Sisters • Owner Poké Fan • Poké Fan Family • Pokémon Breeder • Pokémon Professor • Pokémon Ranger • Pokémon Trainer Preschooler • Psychic • Punk Couple • Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Rangers • Rising Star • Roller Skater Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Scientist • Sky Trainer • Successor • Suspicious Child • Suspicious Lady Suspicious Woman • Swimmer • Team Flare • Team Flare Admin • Team Flare Boss • Team Flare Grunt Tourist • Twins • Veteran • Waitress • Worker • Youngster Battle Chateau ranks: By male: Baron • Viscount • Earl • Marquis • Duke • Grand Duke By female: Baroness • Viscountess • Countess • Marchioness • Duchess • Grand Duchess Battle Institute and Battle Maison only: Battle Chatelaine • Lady • Madame • Maid • Monsieur • Rich Boy Unused Trainer classes: Ace Surfer • Swimmers Galar Artist • Backpacker • Beauty • Black Belt • Cabbie • Café Master • Cameraman • Champion • Colleagues • Cook • Dancer • Daring Couple Doctor • Fisher • GAME FREAK's • Gym Challenger • Gym Leader • Gym Trainer • Gentleman • Hiker • Interviewers • Lass • League Staff Macro Cosmos's • Madame • Medical Team • Model • Music Crew • Musician • Office Worker • Poké Kid • Pokémon Breeder Pokémon Trainer • Police Officer • Postman • Rail Staff • Reporter • Schoolboy • Schoolgirl • Swimmer • Team Yell Grunt • Worker • Youngster Expansion Pass only: Dojo Master • Dojo Matron • Master Dojo Student Paldea Artist • Backpacker • Black Belt • Cabbie • Champion • Cook • Courier • Director • Dragon Tamer • Elite Four • Gym Leader Gym Trainer • Hiker • Instructor • Janitor • Model • Musician • Office Worker • Poké Maniac • Pokémon Trainer Scientist • Student • Team Star • Team Star Grunt • Top Champion • Waiter • Waitress • Worker • Youngster The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero only: Glitterati See also: Sevii Islands Aroma Lady • Biker • Bird Keeper • Black Belt • Bug Catcher • Camper • Cool Couple • Cooltrainer • Crush Girl Crush Kin • Cue Ball • Fisherman • Gentleman • Hiker • Juggler • Lady • Lass • Painter • Picnicker • PokéManiac PKMN Breeder • PKMN Ranger • Psychic • Ruin Maniac • Scientist • Sis and Bro • Swimmer • Tamer Team Rocket Admin • Team Rocket Grunt • Twins • Tuber • Young Couple • Youngster Trainer Tower only: Beauty • Burglar • Engineer • Rocker • Sailor • Super Nerd Alola Ace Duo • Ace Trainer • Aether Branch Chief • Aether Foundation • Aether Foundation Employee Aether President • Athletic Siblings • Backpacker • Beauty • Bellhop • Black Belt • Captain • Collector • Cook • Dancer Eevee User • Elite Four • Espeon User • Firefighter • Fisherman • Flareon User • GAME FREAK • Gentleman • Glaceon User Golf Buddies • Golfer • Hiker • Honeymooners • Island Kahuna • Janitor • Jolteon User • Karate Family • Lass • Leafeon User Madame • Office Worker • Pokémon Breeder • Pokémon Professor • Pokémon Trainer • Police Officer • Preschooler Principal • Punk Girl • Punk Guy • Punk Pair • Rising Star • Rising Star Duo • Scientist • Sightseer • Swimmer • Swimmers Swimmer Girls • Sylveon User • Teacher • Team Skull • Team Skull Admin • Team Skull Boss • Team Skull Grunt Trial Guide • Twins • Umbreon User • Vaporeon User • Veteran • Veteran Duo • Worker • Youngster • Youth Athlete ActorUSUM • Capoeira CoupleUSUM • Dancing FamilyUSUM • Kantonian GymUSUM • Master & ApprenticeUSUM ReporterUSUM • Sparring PartnersUSUM • SurferUSUM • Team AquaUSUM • Team FlareUSUM • Team GalacticUSUM Team MagmaUSUM • Team PlasmaUSUM • Team Rainbow RocketUSUM • Team Rainbow Rocket GruntUSUM Tourist CoupleUSUM • Ultra Forest KartenvoyUS • Ultra Recon SquadUSUM Battle Tree, Battle Royal Dome, and Battle Agency only: Battle Legend • Pokémon Center Lady • Pro Wrestler Hisui Clan Leader • Ginkgo Guild Member • Pokémon Wielder • The Bandit The Galaxy Team's • The Survey Corps' • The Security Corps' • Warden Kitakami Backpacker • Black Belt • Courier • Delinquent • Dragon Tamer • Festival Boy • Festival Girl • Glitterati Hiker • Kitakami Ogre Clan • Office Worker • Photographer • Poké Maniac • Pokémon Trainer • Ruffian Mochi Mayhem only: Grandma • Grandpa

This Trainer Class article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.