Byron
Byron トウガン Tougan | |
"The Man with the Steel Body!" | |
Artwork from Diamond and Pearl | |
Gender | Male |
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Eye color | Black |
Hair color | Purple*, Brown* |
Hometown | Canalave City*, Oreburgh City* |
Region | Sinnoh |
Relatives | Roark (son), Underground Man (father), Unnamed wife (anime) |
Trainer class | Gym LeaderDPPt Pokémon TrainerB2W2 |
Generation | IV, V |
Games | Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum Black 2 and White 2 |
Leader of | Canalave Gym |
Badge | Mine Badge |
Specializes in | Steel types |
Anime debut | Ancient Family Matters! |
English voice actor | Dan Green |
Japanese voice actor | Kazuki Yao |
Byron (Japanese: トウガン Tougan) is the Gym Leader of Canalave City's Gym, known officially as the Canalave Gym. He hands out the Mine Badge to Trainers who defeat him. He specializes in Steel-type Pokémon. He is Roark's father.
In the games
Byron uses Steel-type Pokémon in his battles. Trainers who defeat him will receive the Mine Badge, TM91 (Flash Cannon), and will be able to use Strength outside of battle. Byron asked Riley to become a Gym Leader, but Riley declined because he thought Byron's son Roark should be considered first. Byron isn't surprised to find that his inexperienced son lost to the protagonist, but is enthusiastic about the next generation of Pokémon Trainers. Byron resolves to train harder at Iron Island to compete with younger Trainers.
He apparently owns the normally deserted cabin on Iron Island. After the Elite Four, he can be found there. Speaking to him results in him chiding himself for still treating Roark like a child; he will then give the player a Metal Coat and leave. In Platinum, he mentions that he lived on Iron Island for a long time and so feels out of place when visiting the Villa. Along with those visits, he can also be battled again at the Battleground in Platinum.
Pokémon
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
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Pokémon Platinum
Gym match
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Rematch
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Pokémon Black 2 and White 2
Pokémon World Tournament
Byron uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles and all six in Triple Battles.
Sinnoh Leaders Tournament
Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament
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Quotes
- Before battle
- "Ah! That's Oreburgh's Gym Badge! I see, I see! You've defeated my son. But that's no surprise. He still has much to learn. In place of my son Roark, I, Byron, will take your challenge!"
- After sending out last Pokémon
- "Oh, what's this? My last one! This is where we make our stand!"
- During battle
- "We're not done yet! There's no giving up!"
- When defeated
- "Hmm! My sturdy Pokémon, defeated!"
- After being defeated
- "You were strong enough to take down my prized team of Pokémon. In recognition of that power, I give you this: the Mine Badge!"
- "Gwahahahaha! The Sinnoh region is vast! Tough Trainers like you and <rival> crop up constantly to challenge the old guard! With more young Trainers like my son and you two taking charge, the future of Pokémon is bright! But I'm not stepping aside just yet! I merely need to rededicate myself to training on Iron Island."
- "Guhahahaha! How's your Villa? Can you give me a tour?"
- "Gwahahahaha! I spent a long time living on Iron Island. A place this fancy, I feel a little out of place. Don't get me wrong, it's a great place. It's nothing like my son's!"
- "You're acquainted with a fellow named Riley, aren't you? He's a mystifying sort, that one. I have no idea how old he is, to tell you the truth."
- Before battle
- "I've faced many a challenger at my Gym. I've trained on Iron Island while contemplating my worth for days... I have the confidence now to batter down your defenses. Could I ask you for a rematch?"
- "I have the confidence now to batter down your defenses. Could I ask you for a rematch?" (If No is the first answer)
- No: "When you came to my Gym, you had a glint that's dulled now."
- Yes: "We are tempered and honed by battling the strong. Here's to our showdown!"
- During battle
- "We're not done yet! There's no giving up!"
- When defeated
- "Hmm! My sturdy Pokémon--defeated!"
- After being defeated
- "I trained by pummeling steel continuously on Iron Island alongside Pokémon... Gwahahahaha! I could still use more toughening up!"
Battleground (alternate)
- Before battle
- "Since we last lost to you, we've been in training. I think we've addressed our shortcomings. Could I ask you for another rematch?"
- "Could I ask you for another rematch?" (If No is the first answer)
- No: "Gwahahaha! That's disappointing, but all right! There's a lot to be learned by battling you. We had our hopes up."
- Yes: "Thank you! Like me, my Pokémon were longing for another chance to battle with you!"
- During battle
- "We're not done yet! There's no giving up!"
- When defeated
- "Hmm! My sturdy Pokémon--defeated!"
- After being defeated
- "Argh... Came up short again... Do I talk to my son Roark to train together...? No, that's too embarrassing... Hmm... This is a dilemma..."
Sprites
Byron's sprite from Diamond and Pearl | Byron's sprite from Platinum | Byron's sprite from Black 2 and White 2 |
Byron's overworld sprite from Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum |
Byron's overworld sprite from Black 2 and White 2 |
Byron's VS sprite from Platinum |
In the anime
Byron made his debut appearance in Ancient Family Matters! together with his son, Roark. It was revealed Byron had once been the Gym Leader of Oreburgh and had left his family to become the Gym Leader of Canalave as he was more interested in Fossils, leaving his former position to Roark. Byron battles his son for a short time before the match got interrupted by Team Rocket. It was later revealed that Byron still cared for his son as he kept the Fossil Roark had found as a child with him ever since.
Byron is obsessed with digging and Fossils. When his Fossils were stolen by Team Rocket in Ancient Family Matters!, Byron was too busy admiring the hole they dug into the building to notice.
In Dealing With Defensive Types!, Ash had his Gym battle against Byron, defeating him and earning a Mine Badge.
In Double-Time Battle Training!, Byron was presumably defeated by Paul, earning him his eighth Badge, and thereby making him eligible for the Sinnoh League.
Pokémon
This listing is of Byron's known Pokémon in the anime:
Debut | Ancient Family Matters! |
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Voice actors | |
Japanese | Unshō Ishizuka |
English | Dan Green |
Byron's main Pokémon, Bastiodon, first appeared in Ancient Family Matters! where Byron used it to battle against his son Roark and his Rampardos. However, the match was interrupted due to Team Rocket stealing all of Byron's Fossil collection. It then teamed up with Rampardos to send them blasting off and recover the Fossils.
It appeared again in Dealing With Defensive Types! where it was used in a Gym battle against Ash. It managed to defeat Chimchar easily but it finally went down to Gliscor after a hard fought battle, earning Ash the Mine Badge.
Bastiodon also appeared alongside Byron during the credits of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
Bastiodon's known moves are Iron Defense, Flamethrower, Iron Head, Flash Cannon, and Metal Burst.
Debut | Dealing With Defensive Types! |
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Voice actors | |
Japanese | |
English | Tom Wayland |
Bronzor was the first Pokémon used by Byron during his Gym Battle against Ash. It went up against Ash's Chimchar, and was able to stand up to Chimchar's Flamethrower thanks to Byron's intensive training. It was able to cause significant damage to Chimchar before being knocked out by Flame Wheel.
Bronzor's known moves are Rain Dance and Gyro Ball, and its Ability is Heatproof.
Debut | Dealing With Defensive Types! |
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Voice actors | |
Japanese | Unshō Ishizuka |
English | Unshō Ishizuka |
Byron's Steelix was seen for the first time in Dealing With Defensive Types!. Steelix was the second Pokémon used by Byron when battling Ash, and proved to be a very tough opponent. It knocked out Buizel easily, and was able to cause massive damage to Chimchar. However it was eventually defeated by Chimchar after the Chimp Pokémon weakened the ground with Dig restricting its movement.
In Canalave Gym
Byron's Omastar, Kabuto and Omanyte are Pokémon Byron keeps at the Canalave Gym; it is unknown if he uses them in Gym battles. They caught Team Rocket trying to steal food from the Gym kitchen whilst Ash was having his Gym battle, they used powerful attacks sending Team Rocket blasting off.
Omastar and Omanyte's only known move is Water Gun, and Kabuto's only known move is Aqua Jet.
Byron's Kabutops is a Pokémon Byron keeps at the Canalave Gym; it is unknown if he uses it in Gym battles. When Team Rocket tried its second attempt to steal Fossils, Kabutops heard them and chased after them.
None of Kabutops's moves are known.
Byron's Armaldo and Cradily are Pokémon Byron keeps at the Canalave Gym; it is unknown if he uses them in Gym battles. When Team Rocket tried their second attempt of stealing Fossils, they had found the room where all of the Fossils were kept. They dismissed Armaldo and Cradily thinking they were Fossils, but they were actually sleeping. They woke up and sent Team Rocket blasting off for the second time.
Armaldo's only known move is Hyper Beam and Cradily's only known move is Energy Ball.
Voice actors
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In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Byron first appears at Canalave City talking to Roark over the Pokégear about his recent loss in a Gym battle. He then changes the subject to something that is later revealed to be about Team Galactic. Later, at the Canalave Gym, Byron wakes up to find Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum sneaking into his Gym. Acting on his impulsive nature, Byron attacks the intruders under the impression that they are villains. Believing Byron to be the person that caused her father and Professor Rowan to go missing, Platinum faces the Gym Leader in battle.
While they battle, a stray attack causes a curtain to be destroyed and reveals Professor Berlitz and Professor Rowan trapped in a cage. After being accused of kidnapping them, Byron reveals that he has been investigating Team Galactic for months and found a Galactic Grunt attacking and trapping the two scientists in a cage.
The next day, Byron hands Platinum the Mine Badge for his previous defeat and is tasked with protecting Professor Rowan and Professor Berlitz while they recuperate after escaping the cage. When Platinum and Pearl go to protect the three lakes from Team Galactic, Byron sends Diamond to go train on Iron Island with his friend, Riley, to increase his battling skills.
Later, after a defeat at the hands of Jupiter, Candice calls Byron and demands that he send her, Maylene, and Platinum someone to train them. After briefly considering Roark, Byron reluctantly calls up Volkner to help them.
Byron later joins the other Gym Leaders at the Spear Pillar with the Underground Man, Professor Berlitz, and Professor Rowan to help them fight Team Galactic. By using their digging skills, the Underground man and Byron heal any injured Pokémon by taking them from the battle and putting them back after using a Potion.
After Cyrus's defeat, Byron steals a machine from Team Galactic scientist Charon. Unfortunately, Charon's machine causes a disturbance in the hole in the sky that was created by Dialga and Palkia's fighting and mysterious tentacles shoot from the hole and pulls Cyrus, Palkia, and Dialga inside of it.
Pokémon
On hand
This listing is of Byron's Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
Debut | Brash Bronzong I |
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Byron's two Bronzong are his main battlers. He first used them against Platinum when she attempted to rescue her father after mistaking Byron for being his kidnapper but they were easily defeated by her Ponyta.
Bronzong's known moves are Payback and Extrasensory.
Given away
Debut | A Big Stink Over Stunky |
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In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga
Byron finds Hareta washed up on the shore after having been defeated by Cyrus. Byron takes Hareta in and allows him to regain his strength before putting him through a rigorous training session similar to what he put Roark through years ago. Hareta charges forward never considering his remaining strength, causing him to fail the challenge at the final stage. Byron then sends him to Iron Island to restart his training from scratch and improve his skills. He returns at the completion of Hareta's training to allow him to take his challenge again, however something terrible is happening in the distance. Byron seemed to have a fondness for Hareta, possibly like a second son to him.
Pokémon
Bastiodon was sent out to finish off Hareta's Piplup. Later, it took on Saturn's Bronzong where its Take Down was blocked by Reflect and was finished by Bronzong's Earthquake.
Bastiodon's only known move is Take Down.
Onix was used as an obstacle for the first part of the challenge.
Onix's known moves are Earthquake and Rock Slide.
In the TCG
This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Byron or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Byron's Pokémon Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format. Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats. | |||||||
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Card | Type | English Expansion |
Rarity | # | Japanese Expansion |
Rarity | # |
Bastiodon | Rising Rivals | 2/111 | Bonds to the End of Time | 067/090 | |||
Steelix | Rising Rivals | 51/111 | Bonds to the End of Time | 062/090 | |||
Trivia
- Both Byron and his son, Roark, use Fossil Pokémon and a member of the Onix evolution family in Gym battles.
- Both of their Pokémon in the Onix evolutionary line know the move Screech in the Pokémon anime.
- Byron and his son's Badges are references to coal mines. They both have mines in or near their respective towns (Oreburgh Mine and Iron Island, which was once a mine).
- Byron and Winona are the only Gym Leaders in the anime to own a giant Pokémon; however, Byron's was only a Fossil.
- Similar to Jasmine, Byron is the sixth Gym Leader in his region and specializes in Steel-type Pokémon.
- He is the only Gym Leader to have an offspring who is a Gym Leader in the same region at the same time.
- Byron's Aggron has an illegal move combination in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, where it knows Head Smash and Dragon Rush. While Aggron can learn these moves by breeding, it cannot learn both simultaneously, as it can receive Head Smash only from the Cranidos family and Dragon Rush only from the Gible family.
Names
Language | Name | Origin | |
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Japanese | トウガン Tougan | From 冬瓜 tougan, winter melon. (His son, Hyouta, is also named after a gourd). Possibly a reference to 鋼 hagane, steel. | |
English | Byron | Sounds similar to iron. | |
French | Charles | From charbon, coal. | |
German | Adam | From latin adamas, very hard iron, steel. | |
Italian | Ferruccio | From ferro, iron. | |
Spanish | Acerón | From acero, steel. | |
Korean | 동관 Dongwan | Similar to Japanese name. Also, wax gourd is called 동과 (冬瓜) Dongwa in Korea. | |
Chinese (Taiwan) | 東鋼 Dōnggāng* | From the Japanese 東 tou and 鋼 hagane. Literally eastern steel. | |
東瓜 Dōngguā* | A pun of 冬瓜 dōngguā (winter melon, wax gourd). | ||
Chinese (Mainland China) | 东瓜 Dōngguā | From 冬瓜 dōngguā . |
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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. |