Pokémon Association

Pokémon Association's Johto headquarters

Pokémon Association's Hoenn headquarters

The Pokémon Association (Japanese: ポケモン協会 Pokémon Association) is a governing body that handles legislation regarding Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga. The Association is the group that selects and pays the salaries of Gym Leaders, and organizes Pokémon League competitions across the nation.

They are also apparently responsible for drawing up and often enforcing laws regarding Pokémon, and general competition between Pokémon Trainers. They are the creators of the different types of battling, such as the Triple Battle. Some of the laws created by the Association include the famous rule which states a Trainer can only carry six Pokémon with them at a time. In addition, they provide Great Balls for all Gym Leaders to use.

Chairmen

The Pokémon Association in each region is led by a Chairman, all of whom are short, middle-aged men who share visually similar features, such as their glasses and mustaches. They are identified by their differing hairstyles.

Kanto and Johto

The Chairman of Kanto and Johto's Pokémon Association leads the organization from their headquarters in Goldenrod City. He is distinguished by a tuft of curly hair on his balding head, and appears to have a somewhat timid personality.

This Chairman first appeared in Sunkern Treasure, rebutting Bill's claims about the involvement of several Gym Leaders with Team Rocket. He later appeared during Red's aptitude test to become a Gym Leader, and subsequently recommended Blue to assume the role after Red declined.

Much later, the Chairman assisted a plan to unveil the Masked Man's true identity, under the guise of an exhibition tournament between the Gym Leaders.

Hoenn

The Chairman of Hoenn's Pokémon Association leads his sector from the headquarters stationed in Lilycove City. He is recognized by a massive afro, and has a serious personality.

The Chairman first appeared in The Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon II, declaring a national state of emergency due to the revival of Kyogre and Groudon. He deployed the Hoenn Gym Leaders to hold the two Legendary Pokémon back, while overseeing evacuation of civilians to New Mauville. Just before Lilycove City fell to the effects of the extreme weather phenomena, he activated the headquarters' aerial mode, transforming the building into an airship from which he continued to coordinate efforts.

Nearing the end of the crisis, the Chairman received news that both Kyogre and Groudon had departed, having finished their fight, but was stunned to hear that Steven Stone had died from the strain of controlling the legendary giants. He later appeared in an altered time where Steven had not died, and thanked Ruby and Sapphire for their role in resolving the crisis.

Sinnoh

The Chairman of the Sinnoh Pokémon Association is identified by his swirly hairstyle that somewhat resembles soft-serve ice cream, and has a confident personality. It is not known where his headquarters are located.

While the Chairman isn't seen until the Platinum arc, he voices the statues that are always seen at Gyms and ensures that all challengers follow the Association's rules, admonishing Diamond and Pearl when they break them and even kicking them out on several occasions. He was only openly identified as the Chairman by Fantina in Mirages of Mismagius II.

The Chairman makes his proper appearance in Tackling Togekiss, properly introducing himself to Diamond and Pearl and thanking them for stopping Cyrus's plans. He explains that after the Sinnoh Elite Four decoded the notebook Diamond had retrieved from Charon, they learned that Team Galactic had been targeting Sinnoh's Legendary Pokémon. As a result, the Chairman seeks to form a task force with Diamond and Pearl so they can protect the remaining Legendary Pokémon.

After going separate ways, the Chairman later witnesses Diamond vanish into the Distortion World after being hit by Giratina's Shadow Force. Following Giratina and Charon's failed attempt to escape into the real world, Giratina returns to its domain; the Chairman observes that Giratina's resentment at Dialga and Palkia might have lessened as a result of their earlier clash in the Distortion World.

Gallery

• 

  The Chairman of Kanto and Johto

• 

  The Chairman of Hoenn

• 

  The Chairman of Sinnoh

Pokémon

Currently owned

Pineco (×2)

Debut	Forretress of Solitude

Pineco was the first Pokémon sent out during the battle against Red so he can qualify to become a Gym Leader. It was easily defeated by Red's Venusaur, Saur.

The association then sent out another Pineco after the first Forretress was defeated. Similar to the first Pineco, it ended up getting defeated.

None of the Pineco's moves are known, and their Ability is Sturdy.

Forretress (×2)

Debut	Forretress of Solitude

Forretress was sent out when the first Pineco was defeated. It was easily beaten by Saur's Vine Whip. The other Forretress was sent out after the second Pineco was defeated. Red switched his Saur to his Snorlax, Snor. Snor took damage when it was sent out due to the effects of Spikes. Snor used Belly Drum to maximize its attack power and took Forretress out with a Mega Punch.

The second Forretress's only known move is Spikes.

Azumarill

Debut	Forretress of Solitude

Azumarill was sent out after both of the Pineco and Forretress were defeated. It started things off with Whirlpool. The attack made Red's legs numb as the water aggravated the injuries that Red suffered from Lorelei's attack during the Yellow arc. While the arena was flooded, Snor used Rest to recover from the damage it had taken. After the water had disappeared, Azumarill was taken out by a Mega Kick from Snor.

Azumarill's only known move is Whirlpool.

Porygon2

Debut	Forretress of Solitude

Porygon2 was the last Pokémon sent out. It went up against Red's Espeon, Vee, and even though it put up a good fight against Vee, it was defeated by a Psychic attack from the Sun Pokémon.

Porygon2's known moves are Lock-On and Zap Cannon.

Jynx ♀

Debut	The Last Battle XIV

Jynx was briefly seen with the Chairman.

None of Jynx's moves are known.

Ampharos (multiple)

Debut	PS611

The Pokémon Association used multiple Ampharos in their Rayquaza capture operation at the Embedded Tower.

None of their moves are known.

Sneasel (multiple)

Debut	PS611

The Pokémon Association used multiple Sneasel in their Rayquaza capture operation at the Embedded Tower.

None of their moves are known.

Escaped

Rayquaza

Debut	Rayquaza Redemption I

Main article: Super-ancient Pokémon (Adventures) → Rayquaza

Rayquaza was temporarily under the Pokémon Association's possession in Goldenrod City after being captured at the Embedded Tower. As it, unlike Kyogre and Groudon, lacked an Orb which could be used to control it, the Association attempted to study the Sky High Pokémon in order to create an artificial Orb to control it, but they failed to complete it. Rayquaza soon escaped, and Norman, the Petalburg City Gym Leader candidate, was ordered to go after it, since he admitted that he accidentally let Rayquaza out. Despite Norman's best efforts, Rayquaza managed to get away, and wasn't found again until the crisis with the two other Legendary Pokémon had gotten underway five years later.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 神奇寶貝協會 Shénqí Bǎobèi Xiéhuì (Taiwan) Czech Pokémoní asociace Italian Associazione Pokémon Korean 포켓몬 협회 Pokémon Hyeopoe Brazilian Portuguese Associação Pokémon European Spanish Asociación Pokémon Vietnamese Hiệp hội Pokémon

Pokémon Association Chairman

Language Title Czech Předseda Pokémoní asociace Italian Direttore dell'Associazione Pokémon Korean 포켓몬 협회 이사님 Pokémon Hyeopoe Isanim Brazilian Portuguese Diretor da Associação Pokémon European Spanish Director de la Asociación Pokémon Vietnamese Chủ tịch Hiệp hội Pokémon

Related articles

This article is part of Project Manga, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each series of Pokémon manga.