Kabu: Difference between revisions

Kabu カブ Kabu
"The ever-burning man of fire!"
Art from Pokémon Sword and Shield
Gender	Male
Eye color	Black
Hair color	Salt and pepper
Hometown	Motostoke
Region	Galar (originally Hoenn)
Trainer class	Gym Leader
Generation	VIII
Games	Sword and Shield
Leader of	Motostoke Stadium
Badge	Fire Badge
Specializes in	Fire types
Game animation debut	Assistant
English voice actor	N/A
Japanese voice actor	N/A

Kabu (Japanese: カブ Kabu) is the Gym Leader of Motostoke's Gym, known officially as Motostoke Stadium. He specializes in Fire-type Pokémon. He gives the Fire Badge to Trainers who defeat him.

In the games

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Kabu's biography

Kabu is designated the third Gym Leader Galar Trainers face in their Gym Challenge. However, Kabu is also known to be the first real challenge in the Gym Challenge. Often, Trainers give up due to being unable to defeat him. Kabu was originally a Trainer from Hoenn who was invited to the Galar League. He is the current Leader of the Motostoke Gym. He lost the Gym position at one point but regained back several years later in glorious fashion.^[1] He made several attempts to becoming Champion but could never reach it. He attempted a no-holds-barred approach to winning his fights but was not satisfied with the results. He even dropped to the minor division of Galar League. However, after facing off against Leon, he regained faith in his potential. He also develops a more unrelentingly positive outlook on life as a result, battling to win with every intention with his Fire-type Pokémon.

League Cards

This is a transcript of the back of Kabu's League Cards in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Normal League Card

"Kabu is a Pokémon Trainer who was invited from the Hoenn region. There were a few times where he was very close to becoming Champion, but victory always seemed to elude him at the last moment. Because of this, he adopted a no-holds-barred approach to battling for a time, but even that did not bring the results he wanted. He even dropped to the minor division at one point, but after a fantastic battle with Leon, he regained faith in his own potential. His motto is to keep learning and training as long as he is alive."

Rare League Card

"Interview with Challenger Kabu
Q: How do you see your own battle style?
Kabu: "Just, straightforward, direct. I'm still young, so I try to keep things simple. Just burn as hot as I can, you know? Still, I've hit a bit of a losing streak, so I've tried incorporating Will-O-Wisp into my Pokémon's move set. That's one thing I want to tell everyone—experiment with every possibility of your Pokémon. Moves, Abilities, items... Try everything, and there's sure to be a path forward!"

Pokémon

Kabu keeps his Pokémon in Ultra Balls.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Gym battle

Gym Leader Kabu Motostoke Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $3,200

Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Ninetales♀ Lv.25 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Fire Spin Fire Special   --       Quick Attack Normal Physical   --       Ember Fire Special   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Arcanine♂ Lv.25 Will-O-Wisp Fire Status   --       Flame Wheel Fire Physical   --       Bite Dark Physical   --       Agility Psychic Status   --       Types: Fire Bug Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Centiskorch♂ Lv.27 Flame Wheel Fire Physical   --       Coil Poison Status   --       Bug Bite Bug Physical   --       Smokescreen Normal Status   --

Max Raid Battle partner

Kabu teams up with the player, Hop, and Piers to face a Dynamax Torkoal in a Max Raid Battle.

Gym Leader Kabu Motostoke Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: N/A
Types: Fire Bug Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Centiskorch♂ Lv.62 Fire Spin Fire Special   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       X-Scissor Bug Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

Champion tournament

Gym Leader Kabu Wyndon Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $9,920/11,840

Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Drought Held item: None Torkoal♂ Lv.60/72 Heat Crash Fire Physical   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Body Press Fighting Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Ninetales♀ Lv.60/72 Extrasensory Psychic Special   --       Fire Blast Fire Special   --       Solar Beam Grass Special   --       Quick Attack Normal Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Arcanine♂ Lv.61/73 Extreme Speed Normal Physical   --       Flare Blitz Fire Physical   --       Play Rough Fairy Physical   --       Iron Head Steel Physical   --       Types: Poison Fire Ability: Corrosion Held item: None Salazzle♀ Lv.61/73 Flamethrower Fire Special   --       Dragon Pulse Dragon Special   --       Sludge Wave Poison Special   --       Foul Play Dark Physical   --       Types: Fire Bug Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Centiskorch♂ Lv.62/74 Fire Lash Fire Physical   --       Lunge Bug Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Power Whip Grass Physical   --

Galarian Star Tournament

Gym Leader Kabu Wyndon Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $11,840

Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Drought Held item: None Torkoal♂ Lv.72 Heat Crash Fire Physical   --       Stealth Rock Rock Status   --       Body Press Fighting Physical   --       Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Type: Fire Unknown Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Arcanine♂ Lv.73 Extreme Speed Normal Physical   --       Flare Blitz Fire Physical   --       Play Rough Fairy Physical   --       Iron Head Steel Physical   --       Types: Fire Bug Ability: Flash Fire Held item: None Centiskorch♂ Lv.74 Fire Lash Fire Physical   --       Lunge Bug Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Power Whip Grass Physical   --

Quotes

Galar Mine No. 2

"Thank you for helping out with my training, Team Yell! But I must say... it's unforgivable for you to get in the way of a Carkol hard at work!"

"Cheering is one thing, but one shouldn't get in the way of honest work! "

"Ah, you are the Trainers endorsed by Leon! Hop and <player>, am I right? I'm just training right up until the last moment so that I can guarantee the perfect match when I face you Gym Challengers! I specialize in Fire-type Pokémon, and the Water-type Pokémon in Galar Mine No. 2 are the perfect opponents to train against!"

"Regardless, it's getting late. Just go straight once you get out of this mine, and you'll reach Motostoke. Get a good rest at the hotel, and make sure you're both in your top condition! Come on, Carkol. Time for you to head on home, too. I'll make sure you get there safely"

"We're going to be on fire tomorrow!"

Motostoke Stadium

"Welcome! I am Kabu, the Fire-type Gym Leader. The fact that you are here means you've bested both Milo's Grass-type Pokémon and Nessa's Water-types, too. That's quite an accomplishment! Every Trainer and Pokémon trains hard in pursuit of victory. But that means your opponent is also working hard to win. In the end, the match is decided by which side is able to unleash their true potential."

• Upon sending out last Pokémon

"Light that fire and get your mind moving, Kabu! There still must be a path to victory!"

• Upon using Gigantamax

"Burn bright, Centiskorch. Let Gigantamax change your size and your form!"

• Upon using G-Max Centiferno

"Flame always burn upwards, and so we'll always aim to go higher. You understand, don't you?"

• Upon being defeated

"Great Pokémon and a great Trainer! It's no surprise that you won!"

• After being defeated

"I'm often regarded as the first real roadblock of the Gym Challenge, and yet you defeated me! Clearly, your talent surpassed my many years of experience. I still have much to learn!"

"I know now that you and your Pokémon will become a fantastic team. I'm glad I could battle you today! Let me give you a Fire Badge as proof that you've defeated me!"

"Thanks to the Dynamax phenomenon, our Pokémon battles have become part of the Galar region's culture. And it's the young Trainers who are responsible for keeping our culture alive. Of course, I hope that instead of just keeping it alive, you also help it become something better. We adults will be the pillars for you to build on."

Motostoke

"There are many Trainers who never manage to gather three Gym Badges, and they just give up on the Gym Challenge altogether... So I make a point to see of any Trainers who are able to defeat me."

"So, allow me to send you off with a proper, sporty chant!"

"Hustle, hustle, hustle, Hop! You can do it, you can do it, <player>!"

"The Gym Leaders you will face ahead are all tough opponents. But I believe that you will prevail! Believe in your Pokémon and keep pushing on!"

Wyndon Stadium (Champion Cup Locker Room)

"I'll always press on and challenge myself so that I can go on as a Pokémon Trainer for as long as possible. As long as you continue to push yourself, your brilliance will never fade."

Motostoke Stadium (Sordward and Shielbert)

"Champion <player>! And Piers and Hop, too!"

"Of course I do! You two were red-hot, after all! I'll never forget seeing you off after you'd completed your first leg of the Gym Challenge."

"Right! Actually...the situation's getting pretty bad over at the stadium."

"Ah, brilliant! The opponent's a bit much to take on single-handedly, so I was wondering what to do. But with you all at my side, my confidence in this battle is burning brighter by the minute! Let's begin!"

• After defeating Dynamax Torkoal

"Looks like we were able to extinguish things this time. I'll let this Pokémon rest here at Motostoke Stadium until it gets its energy back. And, <player>, should you have need of my help, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Don't worry--I know... You all have more work that needs to be done, yes? Go forward, youths! I wish you well!"

Wyndon Stadium (Champion Cup Rematch)

• Before battle

"A tournament that ends when you lose! Whoever can keep up the heat will win!"

• Upon being defeated

"Good Pokémon and a great Trainer! It's no surprise that you won!"'

• After being defeated

"I really enjoy battling you. It's a great way for me to feel my own growth! And I plan to keep growing and battling, until I become an old coot that nobody can beat!"

Isle of Armor Random Encounters

• When first spoken to

"Champion <player>! Your passion for training must burn red-hot if it's led you all the way to the Isle of Armor!"

"I've got to keep on running so I don't get left in your dust!"

• If found in Fields of Honor

"Centiskorch's burning body's been known to start fires in grassy fields! When that happens, I douse it with water from a bottle I bring along!"

• If found in Forest of Focus

"In forests, one tends to meet a lot of Grass and Bug types! Having a Fire type like Centiskorch along is a big help!"

• If found on Challenge Road

"What better for long training runs than a nice, long staircase? I've gone and gotten a tad carried away and done 100 laps, so I'm enjoying a nice break!"

• If found in Courageous Cavern

"This place is teeming with Water types—just like Galar Mine No. 2! What a great spot for training!"

• If found on Challenge Beach or Training Lowlands

"Training in the water is very tough for my team! So I just do enough swimming for Centiskorch and me both!"

• If found in Potbottom Desert

"I met my Torkoal in the Potbottom Desert! Since its Ability changes the weather, I suggested to Raihan that he think about catching one. Turns out he took me up on it, so now we're Tor-colleagues!"

• During harsh sunlight or clear skies

"This type of calm weather is ideal for training! Hup, two, three, four!"

• During overcast conditions

"Clouds may hide the sun, but they don't keep all its ultraviolet rays from getting through! That's why I like to wear a hat or some sun cream and stay well hydrated!"

• During rain or thunderstorms

"Rain puts a damper on the power of my blazing moves. Best to send those rain clouds packing with Sunny Day or Max Flare!"

• During a sandstorm

"If you can't overcome a sandstorm, you're in for a tough time against Raihan! This is fine weather for concocting a strategy to counter him!"

• During foggy conditions

"You can meet different Pokémon depending on the weather! I wonder what species I'd run into in this fog?"

Wyndon Stadium (Galarian Star Tournament)

Partnering with Kabu

• In the locker room before the first round

"<player>! You are both my partner and my rival in this contest! I will expend my strength as much as I am able to at your side--while learning from your example!"

• In the locker room before the second round

"That last battle raged hotter than even flame. But we can't be reduced to ash just yet. We need to burn even brighter before it's over!"

• In the locker room before the last round

"The flames of my strength... They have been fanned by your wind, Champion <player>! Having made it this far, there is nowhere left for us to go but the very top!"

• On the field before the first round battle

"This is the very first match, and I can already sense that sparks are going to fly! Watch out for burns!"

• On the field before the second round battle

"Hustle, hustle, hustle, <player>! You can do it, you can do it, Kabu! ...Sorry."

• On the field before the last round battle

"We can win this! We can reach the top! We've got this, OK?"

• Winning the Tournament

"A fine performance, <player>! We've claimed victory here together! I could almost combust with joy, and I'm already looking forward to our next match together!"

• Against Nessa

"I would certainly like to live up to your high expectations, Nessa. Let me turn up the heat!"

• Against Raihan

"I have a trick up my sleeves for taking on dragons. Don't get caught off guard, Raihan!"

Artwork

Sprites

Icon from the Galarian Star Tournament menu

League Cards

Kabu's League Card in Sword and Shield	Kabu's rare League Card in Sword and Shield

In the anime

Kabu in Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

In Assistant, Kabu was jogging at Wyndon Stadium.

In Sky, he gave his thoughts about Leon in an interview while working out in a gym.

In The Gathering of Stars, he was seen jogging with his Centiskorch at Motostoke after receiving an invitation letter for the Galarian Star Tournament. He was later seen at Wyndon Stadium, walking out onto the field for the tournament's opening ceremony.

Pokémon

		Centiskorch
		Centiskorch is Kabu's only known Pokémon. It was first seen being jogging with his Trainer None of Centiskorch's moves are known.
Debut	The Gathering of Stars

GOTCHA!

Kabu briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Kabu in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

Kabu debuted in PASS03. He, along with various other Gym Leaders, was first seen reacting to the news that Leon had endorsed two Trainers for the Gym Challenge.

Later, Kabu faced Marnie, Bede, Sōdo, Shirudomiria, and Hop in Gym battles, but was defeated by all of them. After Hop's victory, Kabu, Milo, and Nessa personally congratulated him and Shirudomiria for completing the first three Galar Gyms.

Pokémon

		Centiskorch ↔ Gigantamax Centiskorch
		Centiskorch is Kabu's only known Pokémon. It was first seen being defeated by Marnie's Morpeko in a Gym battle. It was later seen facing Shirudomiria's Kilo in its Gigantamaxed form, but was defeated as well. None of Centiskorch's moves are known.
Debut	PASS10

In the TCG

Full Art print of Kabu

Main article: Kabu (Darkness Ablaze 163)

Kabu was introduced as a Supporter card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Sword & Shield Series (the Japanese Sword & Shield Era). It was first released in the Japanese Explosive Walker subset and the English Darkness Ablaze expansion, with artwork by take. It also appeared as a Full Art card in the same Japanese and English sets, and a Secret card in the same Japanese set. It allows the player to shuffle their hand into their deck then draw four cards, or eight if they have only one Pokémon in play.

Trivia

• Kabu's uniform number is "187", which can be read in Japanese as goroawase for 火花 hibana, meaning "sparks".
• Kabu is the only Gym Leader in Galar to originally be from another region.
• Kabu is the only Gym Leader in Galar to have their English name the same as their Japanese name.

Names

References

Related articles

Gym Leaders of the Galar region
Turffield Stadium Milo	Hulbury Stadium Nessa	Motostoke Stadium Kabu	Stow-on-Side Stadium Bea Allister
Ballonlea Stadium Opal Bede	Circhester Stadium Gordie Melony	Spikemuth Gym Piers Marnie	Hammerlocke Stadium Raihan

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.