Opal: Difference between revisions

Opal ポプラ Poplar
"The master of a fantastic theater!"
Artwork from Sword and Shield
Age	88
Gender	Female
Eye color	Blue
Hair color	White
Hometown	Ballonlea
Region	Galar
Relatives	Unnamed mother
Trainer class	Gym Leader Pokémon Trainer
Generation	VIII
Games	Sword and Shield
Leader of	Ballonlea Stadium
Badge	Fairy Badge
Specializes in	Fairy types
Game animation debut	Sky
English voice actor	Laura Post
Japanese voice actor	Ayumi Nagao
Anime debut	JN055
English voice actor
Japanese voice actor	Yoshino Ohtori

Opal (Japanese: ポプラ Poplar) is the Gym Leader of Ballonlea's Gym, known officially as Ballonlea Stadium. She specializes in Fairy-type Pokémon. She gives the Fairy Badge to Trainers who defeat her. During the events of Pokémon Sword and Shield, she chooses Bede as her successor and passes her Gym Leader title on to him.

In the games

Opal is designated the fifth Gym Leader Galarian Trainers face in their Gym Challenge. Opal became the Ballonlea Gym Leader at the age of 18, inheriting the position from her mother, and she has held it for 70 years. As revealed in The Isle of Armor, 50 years prior to the events of Pokémon Sword and Shield, she battled against Mustard for the title of Galar League Champion, but was defeated, despite her Fairy-type Pokémon having a type advantage over Mustard's Fighting types. Opal is also known by her nickname, "wizard", due to her supposed ability to predict her opponents' moves in battle.^[1] Due to her old age by the time of Sword and Shield, her Gym mission doubles as an audition to seek a successor for herself.

Opal is first seen at Motostoke Stadium for the Gym Challenge's opening ceremony. She later appears on Route 6, watching as the player and Hop battle a pair of Team Yell Grunts, and at Stow-on-Side to observe the player's battle with Hop. After being defeated in a Gym battle, she offers to escort the player to Hammerlocke so that they can get to their next Gym sooner. In Hammerlocke, she notices Bede and instantly sees him as a worthy successor, taking him with her back to Ballonlea. By the time of the Champion Cup in Wyndon, Opal has officially passed her mantle as a Fairy-type Gym Leader to Bede, although she still occasionally shows up at the Gym to give him advice. Due to her retirement, Opal does not participate in the post-game Champion tournaments. She does, however, participate in the Galarian Star Tournament.

League Cards

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

Normal League Card

"Opal is the oldest Gym Leader in the Galar region. She took over for her mother 70 years ago and has kept the position since. However, she feels that her own values have reached their limits, and thus she is currently looking for a worthy successor. She claims that she gives deliberately tricky quizzes because people reveal their true colors when in a pinch, but many speculate that in reality, she does it out of pure spite."

Rare League Card

"Opal has thrust the duties of Gym Leader onto Bede, who had his Gym Challenger status revoked. That being said, she still shows up at the Gym Stadium every day, giving unsolicited advice, coming up with new quiz questions, and practicing various performances. What is this "pink" she insisted others show her? Maybe a clue lies in a comment she made during an old interview. "Keep thinking about the right answer, and eventually you'll create the right answer.""

Pokémon

Opal keeps her Pokémon in Ultra Balls.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Opal will Gigantamax her Alcremie at the first opportunity.

Gym battle

Gym Leader Opal Ballonlea Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $6,080

Types: Poison Fairy Ability: Levitate Held item: None Weezing♀ Lv.36 Sludge Poison Special   --       Fairy Wind Fairy Special   --       Tackle Normal Physical   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Types: Steel Fairy Ability: Intimidate Held item: None Mawile♀ Lv.36 Draining Kiss Fairy Special   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --       Iron Defense Steel Status   --       Astonish Ghost Physical   --       Types: Fairy Flying Ability: Hustle Held item: None Togekiss♀ Lv.37 Air Slash Flying Special   --       Draining Kiss Fairy Special   --       Ancient Power Rock Special   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Type: Fairy Unknown Ability: Sweet Veil Held item: None Alcremie♀ Lv.38 Draining Kiss Fairy Special   --       Acid Armor Poison Status   --       Sweet Kiss Fairy Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

Galarian Star Tournament

Pokémon Trainer Opal Wyndon Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $11,200

Types: Poison Fairy Ability: Levitate Held item: None Weezing♀ Lv.68 Venoshock Poison Special   --       Protect Normal Status   --       Strange Steam Fairy Special   --       Toxic Poison Status   --       Types: Fairy Flying Ability: Hustle Held item: None Togekiss♀ Lv.69 Air Slash Flying Special   --       Dazzling Gleam Fairy Special   --       Reflect Psychic Status   --       Mystical Fire Fire Special   --       Type: Fairy Unknown Ability: Sweet Veil Held item: None Alcremie♀ Lv.70 Draining Kiss Fairy Special   --       Acid Armor Poison Status   --       Psychic Psychic Special   --       Decorate Fairy Status   --

Quotes

Route 6

"You're one of the Gym Challengers endorsed by Leon, aren't you?"

"My name's Opal. If you want to know more, have a look at my League Card."

"I'll keep an eye on you, child. I want to see what you can do when you go all out."

Stow-on-Side

"That child... Gym Challengers should battle for the sake of their own Pokémon. Why worry about saving the Champion's name? We all know he's unbeatable."

"Anyway, here’s something for letting me watch your battle."

"Now, on you go, child. You're headed to the Stow-on-Side Gym next, no? The Gym Challenge is about having fun."

Ballonlea Stadium

• Before Gym mission

"Ah, there you are, my dear Gym Challenger. Though you are really lacking in the color pink. See, I'm looking for a successor to take on the role of Gym Leader here. So my Gym mission serves as an audition of sorts, too. Oh, don't worry. It's simple enough. All you need to do is battle my Trainers and answer the questions they ask along the way. Think carefully before answering, though, child. If you get the wrong answer, the stats of your Pokémon will get lowered. Oh, but if you answer correctly, your Pokémon will get a stat boost. Just think of it as a little Fairy-type Pokémon magic to make things interesting. Now, I want you to go all out. Show me what you can do!"

• Before battle

"I suppose it's a bit late to introduce myself, but... I'm Opal, the Gym Leader. I've gotten a good look at how you handled those quizzes. The last part of the mission is me... Let me have a look at how you and your partner Pokémon behave!"

• First question

"Question! You... Do you know my nickname?"

The magic-user: "Bzzzt! Too bad."

The wizard: "Ding ding ding! Congratulations, you're correct."

• Second question

"Question! What is my favorite color?"

Pink: "That's what I like to see in other people, but it's not what I like for myself."

Purple: "Yes, a nice, deep purple... Truly grand, don't you think?"

• Third question

"Question! All righty then... How old am I?"

16 years old: "Hah! I like your answer!"

88 years old: "Well, you're not wrong. But you could've been a little more sensitive."

• Upon sending out last Pokémon

"My morning tea is finally kicking in, and not a moment too soon!"

• Upon activating Gigantamax

"Are you prepared? I'm going to have some fun with this."

• Upon using G-Max Finale

"You lack pink! Here, let us give you some."

• Upon being defeated

"Your pink is still lacking, but you're an excellent Trainer with an/some excellent Pokémon."

• After being defeated

"Well, good try. Not bad, not bad at all. Still, not what I'm looking for... Oh, don’t worry yourself about it, child. It's just a matter of my preference. I'll find the next Gym Leader elsewhere. In fact, I've already got an idea about where to look. Too bad about the audition, but here's a Fairy Badge for your efforts."

"Take this TM with you, too. A little bonus from this old lady."

"Lastly, here's a little something for humoring me. This might help add a little more pink to you!"

"Of course it's not good to neglect your elders, but old folk like me should also know when it's time to step out of the spotlight."

Ballonlea

"Hold on now."

"I’ve got a few errands to run in Hammerlocke. Care to join me for the journey? If you're headed for the next Gym Stadium, you'll need to get to Hammerlocke, too, after all."

With pleasure!: "They say two's company, after all."

I'll find my own way: "I like that attitude, child. Still, you're in the middle of the Gym Challenge, are you not? You'll need to head back to Hammerlocke either way if you want to get to Circhester."

Hammerlocke

• Upon arriving, if traveled with Opal

"Hammerlocke—always such a dusty town. Though I suppose some Pokémon prefer it that way."

• Upon encountering Bede

"Hm? That boy..."

"Now that's what I would call pink! So sincere and straightforward and yet so twisted and misguided... I like it! That's the kind of thing that gives people some depth!"

"Time for my Gym mission, child!"

"Pink!"

"Pink!"

"And pink!"

"Congratulations, child!"

"You were used by Oleana—am I right? You worked hard to gather Wishing Stars for her, only to have her throw you away like rubbish once she was done with you..."

"Come with me, child. I might be able to help you out. Of course, it all depends on how much hard work you're willing to put in, too."

"Farewell for now, child. You should head to Circhester. I take it you know how to get to Route 7."

Ballonlea Stadium (Sordward and Shielbert)

• Upon arriving

"Don't always be in such a hurry, boy. You aced my quiz, so show a little composure."

"Bede has already quieted three Dynamax Pokémon. He's given you the luxury of some extra time."

"Bede's life won't be bound by what other people say any longer. Although I certainly influenced a few of his decisions not too long ago."

• After defeating Bede

"Now, that's what I would call a perfectly pink Pokémon battle!"

Wyndon Stadium (Galarian Star Tournament)

Partnering with Opal

• In the locker room before the first round

"I don't have any intention of outstaying my welcome, you understand. But if you young ones insist that you need my help, then I can hardly ignore your pleas."

• In the locker room before the second round

"Yes, yes, well done. You seem to be coming along quite well. You're precisely what I've come to expect in a Champion--even if you are sadly lacking in pink. Let's keep it up, and we'll reach the top."

• In the locker room before the last round

"It's obviously no fluke that you managed to defeat that young Leon. Even partnering up with a retired old woman like myself isn't slowing you down, is it? Win this whole thing, and I'll even offer you my heartfelt congratulations."

• On the field before the first round battle

"I'd love to toss in a quiz or two, but... I guess this isn't the time."

• On the field before the second round battle

"Try to keep up, dear pink-lacking Champion."

• On the field before the last round battle

"If we win this, I might just have to make a comeback..."

• Winning the Tournament

"Congratulations, young lady. Though teaming up with you always make me put on a grander show than I'd planned. Still...I have to admit I had fun. You'd think I'd have outgrown this kind of thing by now! It seems I'm quite beyond help in that regard."

• Against Hop

"You answered all my questions correctly, child... And I see you've got the correct attitude, too!"

Artwork

Concept art of a young Opal

Sprites

Icon from the Galarian Star Tournament menu

League Cards

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

In the anime

In the main series

Opal will debut in JN055.

Voice actors

In Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Opal in Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Opal appeared in Sky, where she gave her thoughts about Leon in an interview.

Opal reappeared in The Gathering of Stars, where she was observing Bede's performance while reminiscing about her younger days after having received an invitation letter for the Galarian Star Tournament. She was later seen at Wyndon Stadium, walking out onto the field for the tournament's opening ceremony.

In the GOTCHA! music video

Opal briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Opal in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Opal debuted in PASS03. She, along with various other Gym Leaders, was first seen reacting to the news that Leon had endorsed two Trainers for the Gym Challenge. Later, Opal arrived in Hammerlocke, where she met Sōdo Tsurugi and Shirudomiria Tate, the Trainers Leon endorsed. After introducing herself, Opal briefly traveled with them to Stow-on-Side before returning to Ballonlea.

When Sōdo Tsurugi arrived in Ballonlea Stadium to challenge the Gym, she came out and stopped him from entering the field unless he passed her quiz.

In the TCG

Full Art print of Opal

Main article: Opal (Vivid Voltage 158)

Opal 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 Legendary Heartbeat subset and the English Vivid Voltage expansion, with artwork by take. It was also released as a Full Art card and Secret card in the same Japanese and English expansions, with artwork by Naoki Saito. It allows the player to flip two coins then search their deck for as many heads as they flipped and put them in their hand, before shuffling their deck.

Trivia

Icon of HIJIKI OKA, Opal's sponsor

• Opal's uniform number is "910", which can be read in Japanese as goroawase for キュート kyūto, meaning "cute".
• Opal is the only Galar Gym Leader to:
  • not appear on the Isle of Armor.
  • not be able to be rematched in single battles.
• The in-game model of Opal has the logo of HIJIKI OKA printed on her uniform, similar to those of Ballonlea Stadium Gym Trainers and Gym Leader Bede. However, it is rarely visible during actual gameplay.
• Opal has failed both Leon and Sonia for the audition of Gym Leader. Leon only got one answer correct, while Sonia answered all three questions correctly. Opal noted that while both were talented Trainers, Leon was hard to read, and Sonia gave up a little too quickly.

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.