Baoba

Baoba バオバ Baoba
Baoba in Pokémon Adventures
Gender	Male
Hometown	Unknown, possibly Fuchsia City
Region	Kanto, Johto
Relatives	Son, Granddaughter
Generation	I, III, and IV
Games	Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold and SoulSilver

Baoba (Japanese: バオバ Baoba) is a non-player character that first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue. At that time, he was the owner and warden of the Kanto Safari Zone in Fuchsia City and was known simply as Safari Zone Warden. (Japanese: 園長 Park Head). He also used to be nicknamed Warden Slowpoke, due to his vacant look. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver it was revealed that the warden had built a new Safari Zone west of Cianwood City.

The warden has also appeared in the anime, where he was named Kaiser.

In the games

Baoba and Lyra

The warden plays the same role in each of Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. He is first encountered in his house east of Fuchsia City's Pokémon Center. When spoken with, he can only mumble: the false teeth he wears have been lost deep in the Safari Zone. If they are returned to him, he will reward the finder with HM04 (Strength).

To encourage interest in the Safari Zone, the Warden runs a special promotion. Pokémon Trainers who are able to locate the Secret House at the far end of the Zone within the allotted step limit were given HM03 (Surf). This Hidden Machine is required to progress to Cinnabar Island.

The Warden cannot speak clearly without his false teeth.

The locals of Fuchsia City nicknamed him "Warden Slowpoke" because of his vacant look similar to that of a Slowpoke. Despite this, he's actually very knowledgeable about Pokémon. He takes care of all the Pokémon in the Safari Zone and Zoo, and has a large collection of Pokémon Fossils as well. The warden is good friends with Koga, the Gym Leader of Fuchsia City. Koga will sometimes patrol the Safari Zone as security.

Three years after the initial defeat of Team Rocket, Baoba closes the Safari Zone and goes traveling. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal the Safari Zone simply cannot be accessed; however, in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver a Pal Park is in its place. It is stated by Baoba's grandchild that Baoba's son runs the Pal Park. On his travels, Baoba decides to open a new Safari Zone in Johto; the site he chooses is at the northern end of Route 48. As part of the games' plot, the player will meet with Baoba on Route 39, who promises to inform the player as soon as the Safari Zone is open for business. He will call, announcing the opening of the Safari Zone, once Amphy the Ampharos of the Glitter Lighthouse has been healed.

Throughout the remainder of the game, Baoba will issue two challenges to the player: catch a Geodude in the Safari Zone and catch a Sandshrew in the Safari Zone. By completing these challenges, the Safari Zone will gradually become customizable, and the player will be able to arrange the six areas in any way he or she chooses. The amount and variety of Pokémon available will also change. Baoba will always call the player via the Pokégear to announce that these changes have been activated.

The signs outside his house remained the same throughout the first three generations, only changing significantly in Generation IV due to the replacement of the Safari Zone with Pal Park.

Generation I

SAFARI ZONE
WARDEN's HOME

Generation II

SAFARI ZONE
WARDEN'S HOME

Generation III

SAFARI ZONE
WARDEN'S HOME

Generation IV

Home of the Pal Park Warden

Quotes

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow

• If talked to before finding the Gold Teeth

"Hif fuff hefifoo! Ha lof ha feef ee hafahi ho. Heff hee fwee!"

No: "Ha? He ohay heh ha hoo ee haheh!"

Yes: "Ah howhee ho hoo! Eef ee hafahi ho!

• After finding the Gold Teeth

"Thanks, kid! No one could understand a word that I said. I couldn't work that way. Let me give you something for your trouble."

"HM04 teaches Strength. It lets Pokémon move boulders when you're outside of battle. Oh yes, did you find Secret House in Safari Zone? If you do, you win an HM! I hear it's the rare Surf HM."

• If talked to again

"HM04 teaches Strength. It lets Pokémon move boulders when you're outside of battle. Oh yes, did you find Secret House in Safari Zone? If you do, you win an HM! I hear it's the rare Surf HM."

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

• If talked to before finding the Gold Teeth

"Hif fuff hefifoo! Ha lof ha feef ee hafahi ho. Heff hee fwee!"

Yes: "Ah howhee ho hoo! Eef ee hafahi ho!"

No: "Ha? He ohay heh ha hoo ee haheh!"

• After finding the Gold Teeth

"Thanks, son!/Thank you, lassie! You’re a real lifesaver! No one could understand a word that I said, not a one! I was too ashamed to show my face around the Office, even. Let me give you something for your trouble."

• If talked to again

"Inside HM04 you’ll find Strength. It lets Pokémon move boulders when you’re outside of battle. Oh yes, did you find the Secret House in the Safari Zone?"

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Possible quotes from HGSS after Object Arrangement is explained

Route 39

“…Ohh! What you are holding is… what they call… a Pokédex! Haven’t seen one of those in ages. My name is Baoba! I used to run a Safari Zone in Fushsia City, but it was becoming out of date with new entertainment options coming out. I decided to go overseas to learn the newest technology and open a state-of-the-art Safari Zone in Cianwood. It may be more that a coincidence that we are chatting. Why don’t we register each other’s numbers in the Pokégear? I can give you a call once the Safari Zone is open before I call anyone else!"

No: "Huh, I didn't expect you to say no. You can get hard-to-find Pokémon, too. You’ll be able to make good progress with your Pokedex, too…"

Yes: "That’s the way! I’ll let you know over the Pokégear once it’s ready!"

Safari Zone Gate

• First time the player enters the Safari Zone

“Hi, I have been waiting for you! What do you think? This is a brand-new Safari Zone. By the way… I just had an idea. Would you like to take the Owner Aptitude Test?"

No: "Wow, I never thought anyone would decline! You can become the Safari Zone Owner, don’t you see? Owner… It’s got a nice ring to it, doesn't it? You should try the test!"

Yes: "Right on! Let me explain how the test works. It’s very easy. All you have to do is to catch one Geodude at the Safari and show it to me. They are in the grass closest to the entrance. It shouldn't take long before you catch one. Good luck!"

• If talked to again (Prior to completing the first challenge)

“Show me the Geodude once you've caught one. They are in the grass closest to the entrance. It shouldn't take long. Good luck!”

• With Safari Zone Geodude

"Oh, wonderful! You've caught a Geodude! You've passed the first test. ……………… Huh? Didn't I tell you that there are two tests? That’s right! Becoming an owner is not that easy. The second test is… Well, I am still preparing for it. I will let you know once it’s ready. You just need to wait just a little. I will call you with the Pokégear."

• If talked to prior to the second challenge's Pokégear call

"Slow down. Once the next test is ready, I will call you using the Pokégear. Give me some time, OK?"

• Second challenge

"I've been waiting for you! The test is ready. This time can you catch a Sandshrew and show it to me? Sounds easy, right? Not really! Sandshrew will not appear with the current Safari Zone setting. And that’s where this comes in handy! This sophisticated, high-tech machine lets you customize Safari Zone Areas. I call it the Area Customizer! You want to know how it works, don’t you? It’s a… secret! Well, you shouldn't have trouble operating it. Just talk to the staff next to me! I almost forgot! I was in the middle of explaining the second test, wasn't I? You will not see Sandshrew with the current Safari Zone Areas, so you have to use the Area Customizer to change them. Sandshrew live in the desert! Good luck!"

• Talk to again (Prior to completing the second challenge)

"Show me the Sandshrew once you've caught one. Sandshrew live in the desert! Good luck!"

• With Safari Zone Sandshrew

"You did it! You caught a Sandshrew! I knew you could do it. You've passed the test! You are now the Safari Zone Owner! I've always wanted to see young people playing at the safari! I thought I might get some new ideas. That should help you complete your Pokédex. That’s what I have been thinking. By the way, though you are now the Safari Zone Owner, would you kindly continue to pay admission? We have our reasons. Don’t be upset. I’ll keep thinking about how I can create new fun ways to help you complete your Pokédex. Go have fun at the Safari Zone!"

• Prior to the Object Arrangement Pokégear call

"I will let you know as soon as I come up with something new, using the Pokégear!"

• After Object Arrangement Pokégear call

"Hi, I have been waiting for you! I had an epiphany! A new attraction! I've decided to call it… Object Arrangement! This is going to be fun! You can place objects on the field as you play at the Safari Zone! Not only that, but the types of Pokemon you see will change depending on the types of objects you place. Isn't it amazing? I will call you using the Pokégear if something else comes up!"

• Explanation of Object Arrangement

"I will explain Object Arrangement. Would you like to know anything?"

No: "I hope you enjoy it! Go, and have fun!"

Yes: "Would you like to know anything else?"

Objects: "There are many objects you can place anywhere as you walk around the Safari Zone, except on stairs and grass where Pokemon appear! You also want to remember that you can place up to 30 objects in an Area."

Arranging Objects: "It is easy to place objects. All you have to do is make sure that the spot in front of you is clear. If it’s empty, you can select an object. Some objects are large and may need a large space."

Removing Objects: "If you want to remove an object, just walk up to it and check it. The objects you have placed will glow in the dark. It should help you at night."

Object Types: "There are many different objects. Ones that look like grass, like trees, like boulders, like water, and other types of objects… Try placing different objects. The number of objects placed in an Area is shown on the Area Customizer on the top screen. There will be more objects to come, as I’ll keep adding more."

Appearing Pokémon: "The types of Pokémon you see will change depending on the types of objects you place. The Safari Zone is also changed at that point. Try placing different types of objects."

Clearing Objects: "Beware! Once you've swapped Areas, the objects you placed will all be removed."

Pokégear Call

• After giving Amphy the SecretPotion

"Oh hi, <player>! This is Warden Baoba. Sorry to have kept you waiting! We've finally opened the Safari Zone! Do you know where it is? You know the Gate inside the cavern in Cianwood City? If you go through there and walk for a short while, you should soon see the Safari Zone! We're a little out of the way, but please come visit!"

• If called by the player

"Hello? Oh hi, <player>! The Safari Zone is now open! Come visit anytime! Do you know where it is? You know the Gate inside the cavern in Cianwood City? If you go through there and walk for a little ways, you should soon see the Safari Zone! Well, see you then!"

• If called by the player after the first challenge has been completed but prior to Baoba calling the player

"Hello? Oh hi, <player>! I'm trying to come up with a new way to play in the Safari Zone. If I come up with something, I'll be sure to give you a call!"

• Call about second challenge

"Oh hi, <player>! This is Warden Baoba. Sorry to have kept you waiting! I've finally come up with the next test. I'll give you more details at the Safari Zone. See you there!"

• Sometime after completing the second challenge

"Oh hi, <player>! This is Warden Baoba. Sorry to have kept you waiting! I thought of a new way to play! It's called Object Arrangement! I'll give you more details at the Safari Zone. See you there!"

• If called by the player after learning about Object Arrangement

"Hello? Oh hi, <player>! How are you doing? Enjoying the Safari Zone, are you? Later, I will talk to you…"

Sprites

		File:Baoba OD.png
Overworld sprite from Generation I	Overworld sprite from FireRed and LeafGreen	Overworld sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver

In the anime

Main article: Kaiser

The Safari Warden in the anime

The Safari Zone warden is known as Kaiser in the anime, because he had no official first name when his episode was made. He appeared in the thirty-fifth episode. He found a Dratini in the Safari Zone as a boy, but as a result of media hype surrounding the event the Dratini retreated into a lake and Kaiser resolved to protecting the Safari Zone and the Pokémon that live within it. Professor Oak states that he knows the warden well.

When Ash and his friends visit the Safari Zone, Kaiser acts violently because he fears they may harm the Pokémon within. He aims a gun at Ash, which led the episode to be banned worldwide. It has not been aired in any country other than Japan (leading to confusion in other parts of the world in how Ash obtained all of his 30 Tauros, which he caught in this episode, because every time he threw a Safari Ball, a group of Tauros would run in front of him).

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Baoba is the warden of the Kanto and Johto Safari Zones. In the original arc, he is unnamed and referred to simply as the Safari Warden. He owns a robotic Pidgey called Pidgebot which accompanies Red when he decides to play the Safari Game. After Red breaks the rules by catching a Safari Zone Pokémon with a normal Poké Ball, Baoba has to look for Red. He only does so in the next morning, and collapses in shock when Red shows Baoba his Safari Balls, all with Pokémon in them.

Baoba, still unnamed, makes a cameo in the FireRed & LeafGreen arc, seeing the stalling Team Rocket airship fly past Fuchsia towards Vermilion.

Baoba is finally named when he appears in the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, opening Johto's new Safari Zone near Cianwood. Team Rocket General Petrel was able to disguise as Baoba to break free of Silver who had battled him there and was about to silence him.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

The Safari Zone warden appears in the sixth chapter of Pokémon Zensho. His role in the manga follows the plot of Red and Blue: the warden loses his teeth in the Safari Zone and the protagonist, Satoshi, retrieves them. While he is searching for the teeth, Satoshi sees a Slowpoke, and is reminded of the warden.

Trivia

• The missing dentures the player must find is similar to the Ape Inc. RPG Mother, where the player must find the Healer's Dentures so people can understand him.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	バオバ Baoba	From baobab
English, French, German, Spanish, Italian	Baoba	Same as Japanese name
Korean	바오바 Baoba	Same as Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin)	巴奧巴 Bā'àobā​	Transliteration of his Japanese name

Non-player characters in the core series games

Kanto Professor Oak • Mom (Kanto) • Mom (LGPE) • Red • Blue • Green • Trace • Daisy • Old man • Bill • Celio • Mr. Fuji • Safari Zone Warden • Copycat • Primo • Koichi Pokémon Fan Club Chairman • Erik and Sara • Teala • Mina • Cal • Steven Stone • Maylene • Cameron • Mr. Game • Morimoto Team Rocket • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Professor's aides • Magikarp salesman • Name Rater • Day-Care Person • Mr. Hyper Johto Professor Elm • Professor Oak • Mom • Ethan • Lyra • Silver • Mr. Pokémon • Eusine • Lance • Red • Kiyo • Baoba • Magnus • Earl • Kurt • Carrie • Dude Mary • Buena • Radio Director • Haircut brothers • Webster • Master • Li • Wilma • Primo • Maximo • Jet • Caitlin • Cynthia • Cameron • Mr. Game • Felicity • Teala Team Rocket • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Frontier Brains • Kimono Girls • Week Siblings • Name Rater • Poké Seer • Day-Care Couple • Professor's aides See also: Hoenn Professor Birch • Mom • May • Brendan • Wally • Wanda • Steven Stone • Wallace • Scott • Mr. Briney • Mr. Stone • Gabby and Ty • Lanette Brigette • Professor Cozmo • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman • Rydel • Winstrate family • Captain Stern • Trick Master • Treasure Hunter • Dock Apprentice • Pokémon Center Ladies • Old guys • Mr. Bonding • Teala • Aarune • Lisia • Zinnia • Looker • Inver • Chaz • Fossil Maniac • Kiri • Memory Girl Team Aqua • Team Magma • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Frontier Brains • Battle Chatelaines • Gym guide • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Stats judge Sevii Celio • Bill • Lostelle • Lorelei • Selphy • Teala Team Rocket • Day-Care Couple Sinnoh Professor Rowan • Professor Oak • Johanna • Barry • Lucas • Dawn • Cynthia • Looker • Stat Trainers (Cheryl • Riley • Mira • Buck • Marley) Bebe • Teala • Felicity • Roseanne • Rad Rickshaw • Eldritch • Wilma • Jasmine • Caitlin • Julia • Jordan • Dexter • Keira • Mr. Backlot • Morimoto Underground Man • Mr. Goods • Mr. Fuego • Pokétch Co. President • Dr. Footstep • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman • Helena • Ketch Appy Team Galactic • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Frontier Brains • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Professor's assistants • Stats judge Unova Professor Juniper • Mom (BW) • Mom (B2W2) • Cheren • Bianca • Bianca's father • Hugh • Hugh's sister • Cedric Juniper • Fennel • Amanita Cilan • Chili • Cress • Lenora • Hawes • Loblolly • Charles • Iris • Drayden • Alder • Benga • Curtis • Yancy • Brycen • Sabrina • Pop Roxie Hilbert • Hilda • Nate • Rosa • Ingo • Emmet • Cynthia • Looker • N • Colress • Morimoto • Nishino • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman Team Plasma • Clyde • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • PWT participants • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Judge • Magikarp salesman Kalos Professor Sycamore • Grace • Calem • Serena • Shauna • Tierno • Trevor • Alexa • Cassius • Inver • Sina • Dexio • Gurkinn Bonnie • Diantha • AZ • Looker • Emma • Mr. Bonding • Phil the Photo Guy • Memory Girl • Pokémon Fan Club Chairman Team Flare • Gym guide • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Battle Chatelaines • Name Rater • Day-Care Couple • Judge Alola Professor Kukui • Mom • Lillie • Nebby • Hau • Rotom • Professor Burnet • Molayne • Samson Oak • Ryuki • Mohn Red • Blue • Wally • Cynthia • Grimsley • Colress • Sina • Dexio • Looker • Anabel • Necrozma • Morimoto • Iwao Team Skull • Aether Foundation • Ultra Recon Squad • Team Rainbow Rocket Trial Captains • Island kahunas • Elite Four • Name Rater • Judge • Mr. Hyper • Gester Galar Professor Magnolia • Mum • Hop • Bede • Marnie • Sonia • Leon Sordward • Shielbert • Mustard • Klara • Avery • Honey • Hyde • Peony • Peonia • Calyrex • Ball Guy Watt Traders • Ingredients Sellers • Digging Duo • Camping King Team Yell • Macro Cosmos • Dan • Gym Leaders • Morimoto • Cara Liss • Jack Hisui Cogita • Arceus • Choy • Anthe • Miss Fortunes (Charm • Clover • Coin) • Vessa Galaxy Team • Diamond Clan • Pearl Clan • Ginkgo Guild Paldea Professor Sada • Professor Turo • Mom • Nemona • Koraidon • Miraidon • Geeta • Arven • Penny • Heath Clavell • Jacq • Dendra • Miriam • Raifort • Saguaro • Salvatore • Tyme • Harrington Carmine • Kieran • Briar • Cyrano • Terapagos • Billy and O'Nare Team Star • Gym Leaders • Elite Four • Pokémon League representatives Kitakami Carmine • Kieran • Briar • Caretaker • Yukito and Hideko • Ogerpon • Pecharunt • Perrin • Billy and O'Nare Koraidon • Miraidon • Jacq • Nemona • Arven • Penny • Terapagos • Professor Sada • Professor Turo Blueberry Cyrano • Briar • Carmine • Kieran • Koraidon • Miraidon • Geeta • Rika • Clavell • Perrin • Snacksworth • Synclaire BB Elite Four • Special Coaches • Guidance counselors

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