Gym Leader

A Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader) 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 compete against the Elite Four in the games or the Pokémon League in the anime. If a Trainer defeats a Gym Leader in battle, then the Trainer earns that Gym's Badge. Once a trainer has earned 8 badges from a region, he or she is able to compete against that region's Elite Four or Pokémon League.

A Gym Leader's job is not just to test upcoming Trainers. They must oversee how their respective gym is run and to maintain it. Great care must be taken to make sure that their gym reflects the best environment for the Pokémon type and playing style of choice. In the games, Trainers must overcome various obstacles and challenges from other Trainers before they can challenge the Leader. Gym Leaders may also be involved in other activities when they are not battling other Trainers, usually something to do with their town's particular attraction or landmark.

It has not exactly been made clear how Gym Leaders attain this position, but it appears that it varies for each gym. Some of them founded their gym and are self-appointed, others appear to be passed on through families, while a few are chosen by the other members of the gym.

Although similar in nature, Frontier Brains are not considered Gym Leaders and are thus not included in this list.

Indigo League

Generation I and III

|- style="text-align:center; background:#CBC7AD" | colspan="1" | {{{size}}}
Brock
タケシ Takeshi | colspan="" | Pewter City
ニビシティ
Nibi City | colspan="" | Rock | colspan="" |
Boulder Badge |- style="text-align:center; background:#AFA981"

|- style="text-align:center; background:#74ACF5" | colspan="1" | {{{size}}}
Misty
カスミ Kasumi | colspan="" | Cerulean City
ハナダシティ
Hanada City | colspan="" | Water | colspan="" |
Cascade Badge |- style="text-align:center; background:#2980EF"

|- style="text-align:center; background:#FCD659" | colspan="1" | {{{size}}}
Lt. Surge
マチス Matis | colspan="" | Vermillion City
クチバシティ
Kuchiba City | colspan="" | Electric | colspan="" |
Thunder Badge |- style="text-align:center; background:#FAC000"

|- style="text-align:center; background:#82C274" | colspan="1" | {{{size}}}
Erika
エリカ Erika | colspan="" | Celadon City
タマムシシティ
Tamamushi City | colspan="" | Grass | colspan="" |
Rainbow Badge |- style="text-align:center; background:#3FA129"

|- style="text-align:center; background:#B884DD" | colspan="1" | {{{size}}}
Koga
キョウ Kyō | colspan="" | Fuchsia City
セキチクシティ
Sekichiku City | colspan="" | Poison | colspan="" |
Soul Badge |- style="text-align:center; background:#9141CB"

|- style="text-align:center; background:#F584A8" | colspan="1" | {{{size}}}
Sabrina
ナツメ Natsume | colspan="" | Saffron City
ヤマブキシティ
Yamabuki City | colspan="" | Psychic | colspan="" |
Marsh Badge |- style="text-align:center; background:#EF4179"

|- style="text-align:center; background:#EF7374" | colspan="1" | {{{size}}}
Blaine
カツラ Katsura | colspan="" | Cinnabar Island
グレンじま
Guren Island | colspan="" | Fire | colspan="" |
Volcano Badge |- style="text-align:center; background:#E62829"

|- style="text-align:center;" | colspan="1" style="background:#B88E6F; border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 5px; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; -khtml-border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; -icab-border-bottom-left-radius: 5px; -o-border-bottom-left-radius: 5px;" | {{{size}}}
Giovanni
サカキ Sakaki | style="background:#B88E6F;" | Viridian City
トキワシティ
Tokiwa City | colspan="1" style="background:#B88E6F;" | Ground | colspan="1" style="background:#B88E6F; border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; -moz-border-radius-bottomright: 5px; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; -khtml-border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; -icab-border-bottom-right-radius: 5px; -o-border-bottom-right-radius: 5px;" |
Earth Badge |}

Generation II

Gym Leader (Japanese)	City (Japanese)	Type	Badge
File:Brock 02.png Brock (タケシ Takeshi)	Pewter City (ニビシティ Nibi City)	Rock	File:Boulderbadge.png Boulder Badge
File:Misty 02.png Misty (カスミ Kasumi)	Cerulean City (ハナダシティ Hanada City)	Water	File:Cascadebadge.png Cascade Badge
File:LtSurge 02.png Lt. Surge (マチス Matis)	Vermilion City (クチバシティ Kuchiba City)	Electric	File:Thunderbadge.png Thunder Badge
File:Erika 02.png Erika (エリカ Erika)	Celadon City (タマムシシティ Tamamushi City)	Grass	File:Rainbowbadge.png Rainbow Badge
File:SpriteJanine.gif Janine (アンズ Anzu)	Fuchsia City (セキチクシティ Sekichiku City)	Poison	File:Soulbadge.png Soul Badge
File:Sabrina 02.png Sabrina (ナツメ Natsume)	Saffron City (ヤマブキシティ Yamabuki City)	Psychic	File:Marshbadge.png Marsh Badge
File:Blaine 02.png Blaine (カツラ Katsura)	Cinnabar Island (グレンじま Guren Island)	Fire	File:Volcanobadge.png Volcano Badge
File:Blue 02.png Blue (グリーン Green)	Viridian City (トキワシティ Tokiwa City)	Various	File:Earthbadge.png Earth Badge

Orange League

Gym Leader (Japanese)	Island (Japanese)	Challenge	Badge
File:Cissybattle.jpg Cissy (アツミ Atsumi)	Mikan Island (ナツカン島 Natsukan Island)	Water Gun target test Surfing race	File:Coraleyebadge.png Coral-Eye Badge
File:Danny.jpg Danny (ダン Dan)	Navel Island (ネーブル島 Navel Island)	Climb mountain (to qualify) Freeze a geyser race Build a Toboggan race Toboggan race	File:Searubybadge.png Sea Ruby Badge
File:Rudy-pose.jpg Rudy (ジギー Jigī)	Trovita Island (ユズ島 Yuzu Island)	Target test Same-type Pokémon battle	File:Spikeshellbadge.png Spike Shell Badge
File:Luana.jpg Luana (ルリコ Ruriko)	Kumquat Island (リュウチン島 Ryūchin Island)	Double battle	File:Jadestarbadge.png Jade Star Badge

Johto League

Gym Leader (Japanese)	City (Japanese)	Type	Badge
File:SpriteFalkner.gif Falkner (ハヤト Hayato)	Violet City (キキョウシティ Kikyō City)	Flying	File:Zephyrbadge.png Zephyr Badge
File:SpriteBugsy.gif Bugsy (ツクシ Tsukushi)	Azalea Town (ヒワダタウン Hiwada Town)	Bug	File:Hivebadge.png Hive Badge
File:SpriteWhitney.gif Whitney (アカネ Akane)	Goldenrod City (コガネシティ Kogane City)	Normal	File:Plainbadge.png Plain Badge
File:SpriteMorty.gif Morty (マツバ Matsuba)	Ecruteak City (エンジュシティ Enju City)	Ghost	File:Fogbadge.png Fog Badge
File:SpriteChuck.gif Chuck (シジマ Shijima)	Cianwood City (タンバシティ Tanba City)	Fighting	File:Stormbadge.png Storm Badge
File:SpriteJasmine.gif Jasmine (ミカン Mikan)	Olivine City (アサギシティ Asagi City)	Steel	File:Mineralbadge.png Mineral Badge
File:SpritePryce.gif Pryce (ヤナギ Yanagi)	Mahogany Town (チョウジタウン Chōji Town)	Ice	File:Glacierbadge.png Glacier Badge
File:SpriteClair.gif Clair (イブキ Ibuki)	Blackthorn City (フスベシティ Fusube City)	Dragon	File:Risingbadge.png Rising Badge

Hoenn League

Ruby and Sapphire

Gym Leader (Japanese)	City (Japanese)	Type	Badge
File:SpriteRoxanne.png Roxanne (ツツジ Tsutsuji)	Rustboro City (カナズミシティ Kanazumi City)	Rock	File:Stonebadge.png Stone Badge
File:SpriteBrawly.png Brawly (トウキ Tōki)	Dewford Town (ムロタウン Muro Town)	Fighting	File:Knucklebadge.png Knuckle Badge
File:SpriteWattson.png Wattson (テッセン Tessen)	Mauville City (キンセツシティ Kinsetsu City)	Electric	File:Dynamobadge.png Dynamo Badge
File:SpriteFlannery.png Flannery (アスナ Asuna)	Lavaridge Town (フエンタウン Fuen Town)	Fire	File:Heatbadge.png Heat Badge
File:SpriteNorman.png Norman (センリ Senri)	Petalburg City (トウカシティ Tōka City)	Normal	File:Balancebadge.png Balance Badge
File:SpriteWinona.png Winona (ナギ Nagi)	Fortree City (ヒワマキシティ Hiwamaki City)	Flying	File:Featherbadge.png Feather Badge
File:SpriteTateandLiza.png Tate and Liza (フウとラン Fū and Ran)	Mossdeep City (トクサネシティ Tokusane City)	Psychic	File:Mindbadge.png Mind Badge
File:SpriteWallace.png Wallace (ミクリ Mikuri)	Sootopolis City (ルネシティ Rune City)	Water	File:Rainbadge.png Rain Badge

Emerald

Gym Leader (Japanese)	City (Japanese)	Type	Badge
File:SpriteRoxanne.png Roxanne (ツツジ Tsutsuji)	Rustboro City (カナズミシティ Kanazumi City)	Rock	File:Stonebadge.png Stone Badge
File:SpriteBrawly.png Brawly (トウキ Tōki)	Dewford Town (ムロタウン Muro Town)	Fighting	File:Knucklebadge.png Knuckle Badge
File:SpriteWattson.png Wattson (テッセン Tessen)	Mauville City (キンセツシティ Kinsetsu City)	Electric	File:Dynamobadge.png Dynamo Badge
File:SpriteFlannery.png Flannery (アスナ Asuna)	Lavaridge Town (フエンタウン Fuen Town)	Fire	File:Heatbadge.png Heat Badge
File:SpriteNorman.png Norman (センリ Senri)	Petalburg City (トウカシティ Tōka City)	Normal	File:Balancebadge.png Balance Badge
File:SpriteWinona.png Winona (ナギ Nagi)	Fortree City (ヒワマキシティ Hiwamaki City)	Flying	File:Featherbadge.png Feather Badge
File:SpriteTateandLiza.png Tate and Liza (フウとラン Fū and Ran)	Mossdeep City (トクサネシティ Tokusane City)	Psychic	File:Mindbadge.png Mind Badge
File:SpriteJuan.png Juan (アダン Adan)	Sootopolis City (ルネシティ Rune City)	Water	File:Rainbadge.png Rain Badge

Sinnoh League

Gym Leader (Japanese)	City (Japanese)	Type	Badge
Roark (ヒョウタ Hyouta)	Oreburgh City (クロガネシティ Kurogane City)	Rock	Coal Badge Coal Badge
Gardenia (ナタネ Natane)	Eterna City (ハクタイシティ Hakutai City)	Grass	Forest Badge Forest Badge
Maylene (スモモ Sumomo)	Veilstone City (トバリシティ Tobari City)	Fighting	Cobble Badge 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 Fen Badge
Fantina (メリッサ Melissa)	Hearthome City (ヨスガシティ Yosuga City)	Ghost	Relic Badge Relic Badge
Byron (トウガン Tougan)	Canalave City (ミオシティ Mio City)	Steel	Mine Badge Mine Badge
Candice (スズナ Suzuna)	Snowpoint City (キッサキシティ Kissaki City)	Ice	Icicle Badge Icicle Badge
Volkner (デンジ Denzi)	Sunyshore City (ナギサシティ Nagisa City)	Electric	Beacon Badge Beacon Badge

Trivia

• Every Gym Leader that specializes in Template:Type2, Template:Type2, and Template:Type2 Pokémon uses Geodude, Gengar, and Steelix respectively in battle (in Platinum; Fantina uses Haunter in her gym, but uses Gengar at the Battleground).
• Each in-game region except Johto begins with a Gym Leader that specializes in Template:Type2 Pokémon (Johto begins with a Template:Type2 Gym, strangely weak against the Rock-type). Yet, all the Gyms that appear first are located in a city.
  • The second gym of every region except Johto has a Gym Leader who specializes in a type that is super-effective against Rock-types.
• Johto is the only region that did not repeat types from gyms released in previous generations. This is likely due to the fact that there had been only eight gyms before, while there were 17 different types.
• Even though there are 32 known gyms in the games, there has not yet been a gym specializing in Template:Type2 Pokémon, although there have been two Elite Four members, Karen and Sidney. Only Poison-, Ground-, Bug-, and Template:Type2 gyms are not located in multiple regions. Each of the twelve other types has been repeated at least once, and Rock-, Water-, Electric-, and Template:Type2 gyms appear in three of the four regions.
• If the Fighting Dojo in Kanto is counted, there has been a Template:Type2 gym in each region at some point in time.
• There have been more male Gym Leaders than female ones in every region except for Sinnoh, where there are four of each. Kanto also has four of each in Generation II.
  • As far as type distribution goes, there have been Gym Leaders of both genders for Rock-, Water-, Poison-, Psychic-, Fire-, Flying-, Normal-, Ghost-, Fighting-, Steel-, and Ice-type gyms, only male Gym Leaders for Electric-, Ground-, and Bug-type gyms, and only female Gym Leaders for Grass- and Dragon-type gyms. To be fair, of those that have only been led by a specific gender, only Grass-type and Electric-type gyms have appeared in more than one region.
• Even though they were called Leaders in Generation I, this title did not appear in battle until Generation II.
• The only Gym Leaders so far whose parents have been seen in the anime are Brock, Sabrina, Tate, Liza, and Roark. They all train either Template:Type2 or Template:Type2 Pokémon.
  • Of the five, Roark is the only one who has a known parent in the games.
• In the anime, Gym Leaders seem to be forbidden from switching their Pokémon. Those that Ash encountered before Blaine did switch; however, since Ash's match against Blaine in Riddle Me This, Gym Leaders have not switched out their Pokémon. In the games, they may switch their Pokémon as often as any other Trainer.
• For DP009, Professor Oak's lecture is about Gym Leaders. He writes this Pokémon senryū about them: ジムリーダー　いのちをかけて　かかってこい Jimu Rīdā / Inochi o kakete / Kakatte koi "Gym Leader, put your life on the line and challenge me"