Captain Stern

Captain Stern クスノキ館長 Captain Kusunoki
Captain Stern in the anime
Age	57
Gender	Male
Hometown	Slateport City
Region	Hoenn
Generation	III, VI
Games	Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire
Animated debut	The Spheal of Approval
English voice actor	David Wills
Japanese voice actor	Mitsuaki Hoshino

Captain Stern (Japanese: クスノキ館長 Captain Kusunoki) is an oceanographer who lives in Slateport City in Hoenn.

In the games

Captain Stern is very popular in Slateport City. Due to his occupation, he is responsible for a lot of the town's livelihood. He constructed the S.S. Tidal, a ship transporting people to and from Lilycove City and Slateport City. He also built the Oceanic Museum, and runs Stern's Shipyard.

He ordered the Devon Goods from Rustboro City. Team Magma or Team Aqua will threaten him in the Oceanic Museum to try to recover the Devon Goods, which are plans for a new submarine engine for Stern's next project— Submarine Explorer 1.

After gaining access to the HMs Dive and Surf, the player can go to the Sea Mauville (Abandoned Ship in Generation III) in hopes of finding a Scanner. For Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, in exchange for that item, Captain Stern will offer either the DeepSeaScale or DeepSeaTooth in return, both of which are required for Clamperl to evolve into Gorebyss and Huntail, respectively. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Captain Stern instead gives the player the Clear Bell^OR or Tidal Bell^AS, which is required to encounter Ho-Oh^OR or Lugia^AS.

Quotes

Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald

Oceanic Museum

"Yes? If you're looking for Stern, that would be me. Ah! Those must be the parts I ordered from Mr. Stone of Devon. Thank you! That's great! We can prepare for our expedition now."

"Wh-what? Who are you people?"

"You're… Ah, okay, you're <player>… Anyway, that was a tense situation! Thank you for saving us! Oh, yes, I almost forgot that you even brought the parts from Devon!"

"Whoops! There's no time to lose! We have to set out on our ocean-floor expedition really soon. Thanks again, but now I've got to go! Feel free to wander around and check out our facilities, though."

Slateport City

"Yes, indeed. We intend to move ahead with our exploration."

"Whew... That was my first time to be filmed for TV. That was nerve-wracking. Oh! <Player>! You're looking great! We made a huge discovery on our last seafloor exploration. We found an underwater cavern on Route 128. We think it's the habitat of a Pokémon that's said to have been long extinct."

"What was that all about? It sounded like someone using a megaphone... Where did it come from?"

"It's from the Harbor! The submarine! They're trying to take it!" <Player>! Please come with me!

Slateport Harbor

"Those thugs... They're the same lot who tried to rob the Devon Goods at the Museum."

"Why... Why would Team Magma^R/Team Aqua^SE steal my Submarine Explorer 1? They can't be after the slumbering Pokémon at the bottom of the sea... But even if I were to chase them, I don't stand a chance against them..."

"Oh, yes. Mr. Briney came to our Shipyard. It won't be long before we finish making the ferry!"

• After obtaining the Scanner

"Oh? <Player>, that item you have... That's a Scanner! That would sure help us on our explorations. <Player>, would you trade your Scanner for something? Like, say, a DeepSeaTooth or a DeepSeaScale that I have?"

DeepSeaTooth: "So you'll trade it for my DeepSeaTooth?"

Yes: "Thanks, <player>! This will help our research a lot!"

No*: "Which one do you want?"

DeepSeaScale: "So you'll trade it for my DeepSeaScale?"

Yes: "Thanks, <player>! This will help our research a lot!"

No*: "Which one do you want?"

Exit: "Are you certain? It's useless to you, <player>... Well, okay, then. If you want to trade your Scanner, let me know."

• If talked to again

"Thanks, <player>! This will help our research a lot!"

• After becoming the champion

"<Player>! We finally finished making the ferry S.S. Tidal! We couldn't have done it without your friend Mr. Briney. Please go for a short cruise on it!"

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo Version

Mossdeep City

"Yes? If you're looking for Stern, that would be me. I'm sorry, but I'm working with my partner Dock here to hammer out the plans for our new ship. Let's talk the next time we meet, all right?"

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

Oceanic Museum

"Yes? If you're looking for Stern, that would be me. Ah! Those must be the parts I ordered from Mr. Stone at Devon. Thank you for brining the case all this way. Now we can prepare for our expedition at last!"

"Wh-what was that?! Who are you people?!"

• After Team Magma/Aqua leaves

"Young man/lady... Ah, <player>, is it? That was quite a tense situation! Thank you for helping me out! Oh, yes, I almost forgot that you brought the parts from Devon!"

"This is it! I can't be standing around here! It's finally time for us to set out on our ocean-floor expedition! Thanks for this, and excuse me!"

Slateport City

"Yes, indeed. And that is why we intend to move ahead with our expedition."

"Whew... That was my first time being filmed for TV. What a nerve-racking experience!"

"Oh! It's you again! You're looking well. Glad to see it. We made a huge discovery on our latest expedition to the seafloor. We found an underwater cavern on Route 128—and we think it may be the den of a super-ancient Pokémon long thought to have been extinct."

"Do you hear that voice? It's like someone is using a megaphone... But where is it coming from?"

"It came from the Harbor! Our submarine! They took it! Young man/lady! I'm sorry, but... Please come with me!"

Slateport Harbor

"Those thugs... They're the same lot who tried to take the Devon Parts at the museum..."

"M-modding? Those criminals... What are they planning to do with my Submarine Explorer 1?"

"They can't be! They can't be after the super-ancient Pokémon that slumbers at the bottom of the sea..."

"<player>... I'm sorry, but... My stolen submarine... It could bring an unimaginable disaster upon the world... Someone has to get to their hideout in Lilycove and stop them! But I've got no chance alone! <player>, please... May I ask for your help? I can at least get you as far as Lilycove, where their hideout is... Do you think you and your Pokémon could put a stop to them and save my sub from being used for evil? Please!"

No: "O-oh... Tell me if you change your mind. There's no one else I can ask..."

Yes: "Thank you! We'll launch at once!"

Lilycove City

"We have arrived in Lilycove City. Those thieves who stole my submarine must be hiding out somewhere in this city... <player>, please... Find my sub for me... I'll be heading back to the shipyard in Slateport to start dealing with the aftermath of all this..."

Slateport Harbor

"There's no way a normal human would be able to catch that sub. Although it would be a different story if you could teach a Pokémon to swim underwater using Dive..."

Sprites

Overworld sprite from Generation III

In the anime

Captain Stern's only anime appearance came in The Spheal of Approval.

Captain Stern is the curator of the Oceanic Museum. He was introduced to Ash and Max when Marius battled them and lost; Captain Stern stepped in and mentioned he had been looking for Marius. As the curator of the Oceanic Museum, which Ash and Max attempted to enter, he offered to give Ash and Max a tour. The museum had many sculptures of Water-type Pokémon and models of submarines.

Captain Stern used underwater exploration vessels to explore the ocean, gather rare artifacts, and study sea Pokémon in their natural habitats. Captain Stern then showed off his latest find, a volcanic rock formed by underwater volcanoes, supposedly created by the legendary Pokémon, Groudon.

While the kids went to go get ice cream, members of Team Magma broke in and stole the stone.

Ash had confronted the member of Team Magma when Captain Stern caught up to them, and he sent out his Sealeo, which used an Aurora Beam. The blast caused the thief to drop the case and Marius caught it. Captain Stern told Max and Marius to run for it, and they escaped via the sea using Spheal. Ash, however, refused to run and continued to fight. After another flurry of attacks, the case opened and the stone broke. Team Magma got half of the stone; Pikachu got the other.

Later, Ash apologized to Captain Stern for letting Team Magma escape, but Stern was grateful to just keep half of the stone so he could study it.

Pokémon

On hand

Sealeo

Debut	The Spheal of Approval

Captain Stern sent out Sealeo to take care of Team Magma. It battled with their three Mightyena by teaming up with Ash's Pikachu and Corphish. When Captain Stern told Ash to take the briefcase with him, Sealeo continued the battle on its own by distracting all but one of the members.

Sealeo's known moves are Aurora Beam and Blizzard.

Given away

Spheal

Debut	The Spheal of Approval
Voice actors
Japanese	Chie Satō
English	Kayzie Rogers

Captain Stern gave this Spheal to Marius. It was sent out to deal with Ash and Max when he assumed that they were thieves. Ash used his Pikachu to battle Marius's Spheal. However, what ever command Marius gave to it, it would attack its own Trainer instead of the target. It began to respect Marius after trying to escape Team Magma.

Spheal's known moves are Body Slam, Water Gun and Blizzard.

Voice actors

Language Voice actor Japanese 星野充昭 Mitsuaki Hoshino English David Wills Polish Dariusz Błażejewski Brazilian Portuguese Fadu Costa European Spanish Miguel Ángel Montero

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Captain Stern in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Captain Stern appears in a supporting role. Ruby came to Slateport to enter a Pokémon Contest when Team Magma attacked, looking for Captain Stern. They kidnapped Stern, Ruby, the Pokémon Fan Club President, and Dock.

Team Magma wanted to use Submarine Explorer 1 to reach the Seafloor Cavern, the deepest part of Hoenn's ocean. However, a special starter developed by the Devon Corporation and transported in the Devon Goods was needed. Ruby saved Captain Stern but ended up drifting away in the submarine. During the conflict, Stern ended up being poisoned by a Torkoal.

Later, Captain Stern was able to inform Norman, and Gabby and Ty of Ruby's location.

When Kyogre flooded half of Hoenn, Stern helped evacuate the people of Slateport into ships.

Captain Stern is apparently friends with both Steven Stone and Wallace.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	クスノキ館長 Kusunoki-kanchō	From クスノキ kusunoki, Cinnamomum camphora
English	Stern	From stern
French	Poupe	Means stern
German	Brigg	Means brig
Italian	Remo	Means oar
Spanish	Babor	Means port
Korean	해양 관장 Director Haeyang	해양 (海洋) means ocean
Chinese	庫斯諾吉館長/库斯诺吉馆长 Director Kùsīnuòjí	Phonetic Transliteration of クスノキ Kusunoki.

Non-player characters in the core series games

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 See also: 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 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.