A.J (Japanese: ? Akira) is a boy in his mid-teens who lives between Cerulean City and Vermilion City.

The locals refer to him as a "Wild Pokémon Trainer", although what this is meant to imply is never made clear.

A.J. has Gym, but it was not an unofficial Gym not sponsored by the Pokémon League and does not have a related Badge.

In the Anime

Ash, Misty, and Brock were on the way to Vermillion City, when they heard about a local trainer who was undefeated.

Ash, eager to challenge this trainer, went to A.J.'s gym and saw a sign above it announcing that A.J. had been undefeated through 98 matches.

A.J. returned to the Gym after catching some wild Pokémon. Ash challenged A.J. to battle number 99.

A.J. had no badges. He wasn't planning on challenging a Gym Leader till he had 100 wins in a row.

Ash bragged about the two badges he had at the time, and A.J. insulted him and said he must've gotten them from weak Gym Leaders - angering Brock and Misty.

A.J. defeated Ash with his Sandshrew without much effort, causing Ash to complain and accuse A.J. of cheating.

As the group was about to leave, they saw A.J. using a whip to send his Sandshrew diving into a pool. Ash attacked A.J., thinking that he was torturing his Pokémon. A.J. then explained that he was strengthening his Sandshrew's resistance against water.

Sandshrew and all of A.J.'s other Pokémon were wearing Macho Braces to intensify their strength. He also had all of his Pokémon exercise is rigorous routines.

Ash complains about A.J. treating his Pokémon too harshly, and asks Brock and Misty to back him up. But Brock compliments A.J. on the specialized food he prepares for his Pokémon.

Jessie, James, and Meowth then tried to steal Pikachu, but ended up accidentally taking Sandshrew instead.

Not knowing what had happened, Ash guessed that Sandshrew had ran away, and offered A.J.'s other Pokémon spots on his team. They ignored him.

Sandshrew escaped from Team Rocket by using Dig, accidentally bringing Meowth along with him.

Sandshrew defeated Team Rocket, winning A.J. the final victory needed to set off and collect Gym Badges.

Pokémon

This listing is of A.J.'s Pokémon in the Pokémon anime.

• Sandshrew
• Rattata
• Ratatta
• Ratatta
• Beedrill
• Butterfree

In the Electric Tale of Pikachu Manga

A.J. also makes an appearance in the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. A.J, along with Samurai and Ash, wanted to find the Hidden Village run by Melanie.

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