A Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー, Hepburn: Jimu Rīdā) is the highest-ranking member and owner of an official Pokémon Gym. With Blue from the games as the only known exception, gym leaders will only specialize in a specific type of Pokémon and will also have their gym designed to fit the environment of that specific type. Gym leaders use their gyms and their Pokémon to test the skills of trainers that challenge them, and if said trainers win a battle, the gym leader will gift them with a badge that's unique to that specific gym. If a trainer wins the minimum required amount of badges for a specific region's Pokémon league conference, that is eight, they're eligible to compete — they also have the chance to battle the region's Elite Four. There are a total of eight Gym Leaders in each region, usually all eight gym leaders in a region will specialize in a different type of Pokémon, the only type not appearing so far (Gen 1-6) being Dark, although certain types are used for multiple gyms but in different regions, the most recurring type for the first gym is Rock due to both Grass and Water being super effective against it.
As shown several times, a Gym Leader is usually well involved with their community. When not at the Gym, a Gym Leader is usually involved in some type of work or service that the surrounding community is known for (this is more prevalent in the anime and the manga than the videogames). When at the Gym, a leader will maintain the Gym itself, the Pokémon, the other members, and will battle any challenger.
Games
Kanto
File:FRLG Brock.png | Gym Leader: Brock (Japanese: タケシ, Hepburn: Takeshi) Gym Leader Location: Pewter City Gym (Japanese: ニビシティ, Hepburn: Nibi Shiti) |
Boulder Badge | |
File:FRLG Misty.png | Gym Leader: Misty (Japanese: カスミ, Hepburn: Kasumi) Gym Leader Location: Cerulean City Gym (Japanese: ハナダシティ, Hepburn: Hanada Shiti) |
Cascade Badge | |
File:FRLG Lt. Surge.png | Gym Leader: Lt. Surge (Japanese: マチス, Hepburn: Machisu) Gym Leader Location: Vermilion City (Japanese: クチバシティ, Hepburn: Kuchiba Shiti) |
Thunder Badge | |
File:FRLG Erika.png | Gym Leader: Erika (Japanese: エリカ, Hepburn: Erika) Gym Leader Location: Celadon City (Japanese: タマムシシテ, Hepburn: Tamamushi Shiti) |
Rainbow Badge | |
File:FRLG Koga.png | Gym Leader: Koga (Japanese: キョウ, Hepburn: Kyō) Gym Leader Location: Fuchsia City (Japanese: セキチクシティ, Hepburn: Sekichiku Shiti) |
Soul Badge | |
File:Sabrina 2.png | Gym Leader: Sabrina (Japanese: ナツメ, Hepburn: Natsume) Gym Leader Location: Saffron City (Japanese: ヤマブキシティ, Hepburn: Yamabuki Shiti) |
Marsh Badge | |
File:Blaine.png | Gym Leader: Blaine (Japanese: カツラ, Hepburn: Katsura) Gym Leader Location: Cinnabar Island (Japanese: グレンじま, Hepburn: Guren-jima) |
Volcano Badge | |
File:FRLG Giovanni.png | Gym Leader: Giovanni (Japanese: サカキ, Hepburn: Sakaki) Gym Leader Location: Viridian City (Japanese: ヤマブキシティ, Hepburn: Tokiwa Shiti) |
Earth Badge |
File:HGSS Brock.png | Gym Leader: Brock (Japanese: タケシ, Hepburn: Takeshi) Gym Leader Location: Pewter City Gym (Japanese: ニビシティ, Hepburn: Nibi Shiti) |
Boulder Badge | |
File:HGSS Misty.png | Gym Leader: Misty (Japanese: カスミ, Hepburn: Kasumi) Gym Leader Location: Cerulean City Gym (Japanese: ハナダシティ, Hepburn: Hanada Shiti) |
Cascade Badge | |
File:HGSS Lt. Surge.png | Gym Leader: Lt. Surge (Japanese: マチス, Hepburn: Machisu) Gym Leader Location: Vermilion City (Japanese: クチバシティ, Hepburn: Kuchiba Shiti) |
Thunder Badge | |
File:HGSS Erika.png | Gym Leader: Erika (Japanese: エリカ, Hepburn: Erika) Gym Leader Location: Celadon City (Japanese: タマムシシテ, Hepburn: Tamamushi Shiti) |
Rainbow Badge | |
File:HGSS Janine.png | Gym Leader: Janine (Japanese: アンズ, Hepburn: Anzu) Gym Leader Location: Fuchsia City (Japanese: セキチクシティ, Hepburn: Sekichiku Shiti) |
Soul Badge | |
File:HGSS Sabrina.png | Gym Leader: Sabrina (Japanese: ナツメ, Hepburn: Natsume) Gym Leader Location: Saffron City (Japanese: ヤマブキシティ, Hepburn: Yamabuki Shiti) |
Marsh Badge | |
File:HGSS Blaine.png | Gym Leader: Blaine (Japanese: カツラ, Hepburn: Katsura) Gym Leader Location: Cinnabar Island (Japanese: グレンじま, Hepburn: Guren-jima) |
Volcano Badge | |
File:HGSS Blue.png | Gym Leader: Blue (Japanese: グリーン, Hepburn: Green) Gym Leader Location: Viridian City (Japanese: ヤマブキシティ, Hepburn: Tokiwa Shiti) |
Earth Badge |
Johto
File:HGSS Falkner.png | Gym Leader: Falkner (Japanese: ハヤト, Hepburn: Hayato) Gym Leader Location: Violet City (Japanese: キキョウシティ, Hepburn: Kikyō Shiti) |
Zephyr Badge | |
File:HGSS Bugsy.png | Gym Leader: Bugsy (Japanese: ツクシ, Hepburn: Tsukushi) Gym Leader Location: Azalea Town (Japanese: ヒワダタウン, Hepburn: Hiwada Taun) |
Hive Badge | |
File:HGSS Whitney.png | Gym Leader: Whitney (Japanese: アカネ, Hepburn: Akane) Gym Leader Location: Goldenrod City (Japanese: コガネシティ, Hepburn: Kogane Shiti) |
Plain Badge | |
File:HGSS Morty.png | Gym Leader: Morty (Japanese: マツバ, Hepburn: Matsuba) Gym Leader Location: Ecruteak City (Japanese: エンジュシティ, Hepburn: Enju Shiti) |
Fog Badge | |
File:HGSS Chuck.png | Gym Leader: Chuck (Japanese: シジマ, Hepburn: Shijima) Gym Leader Location: Cianwood City (Japanese: タンバシティ, Hepburn: Tanba Shiti) |
Storm Badge | |
File:HGSS Jasmine.png | Gym Leader: Jasmine (Japanese: ミカン, Hepburn: Mikan) Gym Leader Location: Olivine City (Japanese: アサギシティ, Hepburn: Asagi Shiti) |
Mineral Badge | |
File:HGSS Pryce.png | Gym Leader: Pryce (Japanese: ヤナギ, Hepburn: Yanagi) Gym Leader Location: Mahogany Town (Japanese: チョウジタウン, Hepburn: Chōji Town) |
Glacier Badge | |
File:HGSS Clair.png | Gym Leader: Clair (Japanese: イブキ, Hepburn: Ibuki) Gym Leader Location: Blackthorn City (Japanese: アサギシティ, Hepburn: Fusube Shiti) |
Rising Badge |
Hoenn
File:ArtRoxanne.png | Gym Leader: Roxanne (Japanese: ツツジ, Hepburn: Tsutsuji) Gym Leader Location: Rustboro City (Japanese: カナズミシティ, Hepburn: Kanazumi Shiti) |
Stone Badge | |
File:Brawly.png | Gym Leader: Brawly (Japanese: トウキ, Hepburn: Touki) Gym Leader Location: Dewford Town (Japanese: ムロタウン, Hepburn: Muro Taun) |
Knuckle Badge | |
File:RSE Wattson.png | Gym Leader: Wattson (Japanese: テッセン, Hepburn: Tessen) Gym Leader Location: Mauville City (Japanese: キンセツシティ, Hepburn: Kinsetsu Shiti) |
Dynamo Badge | |
File:Flannery.png | Gym Leader: Flannery (Japanese: アスナ, Hepburn: Asuna) Gym Leader Location: Lavaridge Town (Japanese: フエンタウン, Hepburn: Fuen Taun) |
Heat Badge | |
File:Norman.png | Gym Leader: Norman (Japanese: センリ, Hepburn: Senri) Gym Leader Location: Petalburg City (Japanese: トウカシティ, Hepburn: Tōka Shiti) |
Balance Badge | |
File:WinonaR&S.png | Gym Leader: Winona (Japanese: ナギ, Hepburn: Nagi) Gym Leader Location: Fortree City (Japanese: ヒワマキシティ, Hepburn: Hiwamaki Shiti) |
Feather Badge | |
File:RSE Tate and Liza.png | Gym Leader: Tate and Liza (Japanese: フウとラン, Hepburn: Fu to Ran) Gym Leader Location: Mossdeep City (Japanese: トクサネシティ, Hepburn: Tokusane Town) |
Mind Badge | |
Gym Leader: Juan (Japanese: アダン, Hepburn: Adan) Gym Leader Location: Sootopolis City (Japanese: ヒワマキシティ, Hepburn: Rune Shiti) |
Rain Badge |
Sinnoh
File:Roark.png | Gym Leader: Roark (Japanese: ヒョウタ, Hepburn: Hyōta) Gym Leader Location: Oreburgh City (Japanese: クロガネシティ, Hepburn: Kurogane Shiti) |
Coal Badge | |
File:Gardenia.png | Gym Leader: Gardenia (Japanese: ナタネ, Hepburn: Natane) Gym Leader Location: Eterna City (Japanese: ハクタイシティ, Hepburn: Hakutai Shiti) |
Forest Badge | |
File:Maylene.png | Gym Leader: Maylene (Japanese: スモモ, Hepburn: Sumomo) Gym Leader Location: Veilstone City (Japanese: トバリシティ, Hepburn: Tobari Shiti) |
Cobble Badge | |
File:Crasher Wake.png | Gym Leader: Crasher Wake (Japanese: マキシマム仮面, Hepburn: Makushimamu Kamen) Gym Leader Location: Pastoria City (Japanese: ノモセシティ, Hepburn: Nomose Shiti) |
Fen Badge | |
File:Fantina.png | Gym Leader: Fantina (Japanese: メリッサ, Hepburn: Merissa) Gym Leader Location: Hearthome City (Japanese: ヨスガシティ, Hepburn: Yosuga Shiti) |
Relic Badge | |
File:Byron.png | Gym Leader: Byron (Japanese: トウガン, Hepburn: Tōgan) Gym Leader Location: Canalave City (Japanese: ミオシティ, Hepburn: Mio Shiti) |
Mine Badge | |
File:Candice.png | Gym Leader: Candice (Japanese: スズナ, Hepburn: Suzuna) Gym Leader Location: Snowpoint City (Japanese: キッサキシティ, Hepburn: Kissaki Shiti) |
Icicle Badge | |
File:Volkner.png | Gym Leader: Volkner (Japanese: デンジ, Hepburn: Denji) Gym Leader Location: Sunyshore City (Japanese: ミオシティ, Hepburn: Nagisa Shiti) |
Beacon Badge |
Unova
Gym Leader: Cilan/Chili/Cress (Japanese: デント/ポッド/コーン, Hepburn: Dento/Poddo/Kōn) Gym Leader Location: Striaton City (Japanese: サンヨウシティ, Hepburn: Sanyō Shiti) |
Trio Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Lenora (Japanese: アロエ, Hepburn: Aroe) Gym Leader Location: Nacrene City (Japanese: シッポウシティ, Hepburn: Shippō Shiti) |
Basic Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Burgh (Japanese: アーティ, Hepburn: Āti) Gym Leader Location: Castelia City (Japanese: ヒウンシティ, Hepburn: Hiun Shiti) |
Insect Badge | ||
File:Elesa.png | Gym Leader: Elesa (Japanese: カミツレ, Hepburn: Kamitsure) Gym Leader Location: Nimbasa City (Japanese: ライモンシティ, Hepburn: Raimon Shiti) |
Bolt Badge | |
Gym Leader: Clay (Japanese: ヤーコン, Hepburn: Yākon) Gym Leader Location: Driftveil City (Japanese: ホドモエシティ, Hepburn: Hodomoe Shiti) |
Quake Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Skyla (Japanese: フウロ, Hepburn: Fūro) Gym Leader Location: Mistralton City (Japanese: フキヨセシティ, Hepburn: Fukiyose Shiti) |
Jet Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Brycen (Japanese: ハチク, Hepburn: Hachiku) Gym Leader Location: Icirrus City (Japanese: セッカシティ, Hepburn: Sekka Shiti) |
Freeze Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Drayden (Japanese: シャガ/アイリス, Hepburn: Shaga/Airisu) Gym Leader Location: Opelucid City (Japanese: フキヨセシティ, Hepburn: Sōryū Shiti) |
Legend Badge |
Gym Leader: Cilan/Chili/Cress (Japanese: デント/ポッド/コーン, Hepburn: Dento/Poddo/Kōn) Gym Leader Location: Striaton City (Japanese: サンヨウシティ, Hepburn: Sanyō Shiti) |
Trio Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Lenora (Japanese: アロエ, Hepburn: Aroe) Gym Leader Location: Nacrene City (Japanese: シッポウシティ, Hepburn: Shippō Shiti) |
Basic Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Burgh (Japanese: アーティ, Hepburn: Āti) Gym Leader Location: Castelia City (Japanese: ヒウンシティ, Hepburn: Hiun Shiti) |
Insect Badge | ||
File:Elesa.png | Gym Leader: Elesa (Japanese: カミツレ, Hepburn: Kamitsure) Gym Leader Location: Nimbasa City (Japanese: ライモンシティ, Hepburn: Raimon Shiti) |
Bolt Badge | |
Gym Leader: Clay (Japanese: ヤーコン, Hepburn: Yākon) Gym Leader Location: Driftveil City (Japanese: ホドモエシティ, Hepburn: Hodomoe Shiti) |
Quake Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Skyla (Japanese: フウロ, Hepburn: Fūro) Gym Leader Location: Mistralton City (Japanese: フキヨセシティ, Hepburn: Fukiyose Shiti) |
Jet Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Brycen (Japanese: ハチク, Hepburn: Hachiku) Gym Leader Location: Icirrus City (Japanese: セッカシティ, Hepburn: Sekka Shiti) |
Freeze Badge | ||
File:Black White Iris.png | Gym Leader: Iris (Japanese: シャガ/アイリス, Hepburn: Shaga/Airisu) Gym Leader Location: Opelucid City (Japanese: フキヨセシティ, Hepburn: Sōryū Shiti) |
Legend Badge |
File:CherenB2W2.png | Gym Leader: Cheren (Japanese: チェレン, Hepburn: Cheren) Gym Leader Location: Aspertia City (Japanese: ヒオウギシティ, Hepburn: Hiougi Shiti) |
Basic Badge | |
Gym Leader: Roxie (Japanese: ホミカ, Hepburn: Homika) Gym Leader Location: Virbank City (Japanese: タチワキシティ, Hepburn: Tachiwaki Shiti) |
Toxic Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Burgh (Japanese: アーティ, Hepburn: Āti) Gym Leader Location: Castelia City (Japanese: ヒウンシティ, Hepburn: Hiun Shiti) |
Insect Badge | ||
File:B2W2 Elesa.png | Gym Leader: Elesa (Japanese: カミツレ, Hepburn: Kamitsure) Gym Leader Location: Nimbasa City (Japanese: ライモンシティ, Hepburn: Raimon Shiti) |
Bolt Badge | |
Gym Leader: Clay (Japanese: ヤーコン, Hepburn: Yākon) Gym Leader Location: Driftveil City (Japanese: ホドモエシティ, Hepburn: Hodomoe Shiti) |
Quake Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Skyla (Japanese: フウロ, Hepburn: Fūro) Gym Leader Location: Mistralton City (Japanese: フキヨセシティ, Hepburn: Fukiyose Shiti) |
Jet Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Drayden (Japanese: シャガ, Hepburn: Shaga) Gym Leader Location: Opelucid City (Japanese: ソウリュウシティ, Hepburn: Sōryū Shiti) |
Legend Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Marlon (Japanese: シズイ, Hepburn: Shizui) Gym Leader Location: Humilau City (Japanese: フキヨセシティ, Hepburn: Seigaiha Shiti) |
Wave Badge |
Kalos
Gym Leader: Viola (Japanese: ビオラ, Hepburn: Biora) Gym Leader Location: Santalune City (Japanese: ハクダンシティ, Hepburn: Hakudan Shiti) |
File:Bug Badge.png Bug Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Grant (Japanese: ザクロ, Hepburn: Zakuro) Gym Leader Location: Cyllage City (Japanese: ショウヨウシティ, Hepburn: Shōyō Shiti) |
Cliff Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Korrina (Japanese: コルニ, Hepburn: Koruni) Gym Leader Location: Shalour City (Japanese: シャラシティ, Hepburn: Shara Shiti) |
Rumble Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Ramos (Japanese: フクジ, Hepburn: Fukuji) Gym Leader Location: Coumarine City (Japanese: ヒヨクシティ, Hepburn: Hiyoku Shiti) |
File:Plant Badge.png Plant Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Clemont (Japanese: シトロン, Hepburn: Shitoron) Gym Leader Location: Lumiose City (Japanese: ミアレシティ, Hepburn: Miare Shiti) |
File:Voltage Badge.png Voltage Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Valerie (Japanese: マーシュ, Hepburn: Māju) Gym Leader Location: Laverre City (Japanese: クノエシティ, Hepburn: Kunoe Shiti) |
File:Fairy Badge.png Fairy Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Olympia (Japanese: ゴジカ, Hepburn: Gojika) Gym Leader Location: Anistar City (Japanese: ヒャッコクシティ, Hepburn: Hyakkoku Shiti) |
File:Psychic Badge.png Psychic Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Wulfric (Japanese: ウルップ, Hepburn: Uruppu) Gym Leader Location: Snowbelle City (Japanese: クノエシティ, Hepburn: Eisetsu Shiti) |
Iceberg Badge |
Alola
Alola has no Gym Leaders. Instead, the player character can battle the four Island Kahuna in a Grand Trial, after passing the Trial.
Anime
Kanto
Pewter City
While Brock begins as the Gym Leader, his father: Flint, is the former Gym Leader, his mother: Lola took over the gym and made it a Water-type Gym, and his younger brother Forrest is the current Gym Leader.
Route to Vermilion City
While Ash travels and meets the Gym Leaders from the games as normal, he also meets a trainer named A.J., who runs his own unofficial Gym which is on the route to Vermilion City, A.J.'s gym does not have a badge or a type.
A.J. also makes a brief appearance in the games as a Youngster on Route 9.
Cerulean City
While Misty is the current Gym Leader, her three sisters: Daisy, Violet, and Lily act as Gym Leaders until Misty takes the post.
Viridian City
While Giovanni starts as the Gym Leader like in the games, he has to go on a business journey - so he leaves Jessie, James, and Meowth as the Gym Leaders. Jessie is the one who actually does the battling.
Since Giovanni does not return from the business trip as he is busy running Team Rocket, the Elite Four member Agatha is put in charge of the Gym.
Orange Islands
The Gym Leaders from the Orange Islands have only appeared in the Pokémon Anime series and not in game series. In addition to this, these Gym Leaders work slightly differently than others, usually having trainers that face them take part in a number of challenges rather than Pokémon Battles. Also, the majority of these Gym Leaders do not specialize in a specific Pokémon type.
Gym Leaders: Orange Island | |||
---|---|---|---|
Gym Leader | Gym | Type | Badge |
Gym Leader: Cissy (Japanese: アツミ, Hepburn: Atsumi) Gym Leader Location: Mikan Island (Japanese: ナツカン島, Hepburn: Natsukan-shima) |
Coral-Eye Badge | ||
File:Danny.jpg | Gym Leader: Danny (Japanese: ダン, Hepburn: Dan) Gym Leader Location: Navel Island (Japanese: ネーブル島, Hepburn: Nēburu-shima) |
Sea Ruby Badge | |
Gym Leader: Rudy (Japanese: ジギー, Hepburn: Jigī) Gym Leader Location: Trovita Island (Japanese: ユズ島, Hepburn: Yuzu-shima) |
Spike Shell Badge | ||
Gym Leader: Luana (Japanese: ルリコ, Hepburn: Ruriko) Gym Leader Location: Kumquat Island (Japanese: リュウチン島, Hepburn: Ryūchin-shima) |
Jade Star Badge |
Trivia
- While there members of the Elite Four that specialize in Dark-type Pokémon, there has never been a gym leader specializing in that specific type.
- In Pokémon Black and White 2 World Tournament, all of the Starter type Gym Leaders (Grass, Fire, Water) have a fully evolved starter type.
- The only regions with Gym Leaders for all three of the starter types are Kanto and Unova.
- However, in the Generation V games, the player character is only able to have a gym battle with the Gym Leader for one of those types (starter's weakness in Black and White; Water in Black 2 and White 2).
- Johto is the only region with no Gym Leaders that specialize in any of the starter types - Fire, Water or Grass.
- Due to the Hoenn and Unova regions having two Water-type gym leaders each (Wallace and Juan; Cress and Marlon), there are a total of six Gym Leaders of this type, more than any other type.
- However, the type with Gym Leaders in the most regions is Electric, with a Gym Leader of that type in every region except for Johto.
- The Mossdeep City Gym and the Striaton City Gym are currently the only Pokémon Gyms to have more than one person acting as gym leader (Tate and Liza are the co-gym leaders for Mossdeep City while Cilan, Chili and Cress are the co-gym leaders for Striaton City).
- Also, while Tate and Liza both specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon, Cilan and his two brothers each specialize in different type of Pokémon: Cilan specializes in Grass-types, Chili specializes in Fire-types and Cress specializes in Water-types.
- While Cilan, Chili and Cress each fit the criteria of gym leaders specializing in only one specific type of Pokémon, the Striaton City Gym is the only gym to technically specialize in more than one type of Pokémon.
- Also, while Tate and Liza both specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon, Cilan and his two brothers each specialize in different type of Pokémon: Cilan specializes in Grass-types, Chili specializes in Fire-types and Cress specializes in Water-types.
Gallery
See also
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