Hugh is the player's childhood friend. He is described as feeling passionately for Pokémon battles and Pokémon strength. He is also a doting older brother to his sister; he hates Team Plasma because they stole a Purrloin his late grandfather had caught for his sister. For that reason, Hugh travels across Unova and challenges its Gyms so he and his Pokémon can become strong enough to topple the new Team Plasma. He considers both his Pokémon and the player to be his partners, and battles with and against them at several points during their journey.
Hugh is extremely quick to anger, and has difficulty forgiving the deserters of Team Plasma in Driftveil City. However, as he continues battling against the villainous team, Hugh realizes he isn't the only one has been affected by Team Plasma's deeds, and accepts the help of Rood and the other deserters.
"Hi, <player>! Hey! You get a Pokémon yet? There aren't any Pokémon Trainers around here, and I'm getting bored! What's that? ... A person named Bianca is giving you a Pokémon? Really?!"
"Yeah... OK! Let's go get your Pokémon! There's something I have to do! And to do that, I need someone I can trust besides my partner Pokémon. A person I can trust! That's right! I'm talking about you! You seem like you've got good instincts!"
"You head on home."
"All riiight! Let's go find that person named Bianca! Let's go!"
While the player is searching for Bianca with Hugh
"Still... You're really lucky to get a Pokémon!"
"Once you get a Pokémon, you leave on a journey right away. When you do that, I'm gonna have you help me out!"
"Hurry up already! Let's look for that Bianca person!"
When the player goes near the Trainers' School
"The Trainers' School was just finished! No one is allowed inside until a Teacher, or better said, a Gym Leader, starts working there!"
When the player goes near the Pokémon Center
"Wait! I was just in the Pokémon Center, and there wasn't anyone like that there."
When the player goes near the Aspertia Gate
"That goes to Route 19. If we don't find Bianca here in town, I'll go check it for you! 'Cause I already have a Pokémon!"
When the player goes to the outlook
"Oh, I get it! The outlook is Aspertia's most famous spot! I'll bet Bianca is up there looking at the scenery! C'mon! Go get your Pokémon already!"
If the player attempts to leave the outlook before talking to Bianca
"Listen, there's no way I got this wrong!"
If the player attempts to leave the outlook before receiving their starter
"See! Bianca was here, right? Now, c'mon! Go and get your Pokémon!"
After the player has received their starter
"Heeey! How long are you planning on keeping me waiting, anyway? Hey! What's that? So that's your partner, huh? That's great! My sister already said so, but take really, really good care of your Pokémon! Got it? What's that you're holding there?"
"Please give me a Pokédex, too! I want to get stronger! If I have a Pokédex, I can learn more about Pokémon... That'll make me tougher, right?"
"I'm Hugh! I'm going to travel the Unova region with my Pokémon partner in order to search for something very important!"
Before battle
"Let's see how good a Trainer you are! I'll use my <Pokémon> that I raised from an Egg!"
After the first non-KO hit
"I won't forget the pain you just put my partner through!"
Being defeated
"I couldn't achieve victory for my partner... I won't let myself forget this frustration!"
After being defeated
"I lost... This is different than battling with wild Pokémon! Well, whatever. I'm just happy to know you're a Trainer I can count on! Cool. I'm heading off first! Get stronger!"
If talked to again
"That was good enough for your first battle! Cool. I'm heading off first! Get stronger!"
"Oh! Nice! You've come here to toughen up! All right! Let's see how much stronger you've become! Come at me!"
After the first non-KO hit
"Come on, partner! Shrug it off! You're stronger than that!"
Being defeated
"It can't be! How could I have lost? I need to apologize to my partner..."
After being defeated
"Not bad... You're thinking about how to bring out your Pokémon's strength. I should be able to count on you for backup! What are you doing here anyway? Huh? A Town Map?"
"Tch... She didn't have to do that... Thanks to you, too. We just left, and you've already helped me out."
When the owner and his wife turn up
"Who are you?"
"You're a little worried? Are you KIDDING me?! Your Pokémon might be lost forever! Whatever! I'll look! <Player>! Help out!"
"Cheren sure knows a lot. And he fought those Team Plasma thugs, too..."
"I've decided! I'm going to get stronger than him! You should... Do your best! Fill up the Pokédex and have my back. Got it?"
In the dark grass
"I have to get stronger than Team Plasma!"
Searching for Team Plasma
"Help me check Route 20!"
After the player defeats Team Plasma
"Well, they're really good at running, anyway... Still, she just said something useful! They must be moving around by boat! Castelia City has a big port... I wonder if they headed there. OK! Let's go back to Virbank and look for someone who looks like they know a lot about ships. If I remember right, there was a place to board boats on the docks."
"Shut it! You guys are the worst! You talk about saving Pokémon, but you're just Pokémon thieves! Don't think I'll ever forgive you!"
"I'll crush you and your new plans! I can never forgive Team Plasma!"
After defeating Team Plasma
"Tsk! What a bunch of creeps!"
"That's... a Hidden Machine, right? It's Cut! Pokémon that know Cut can use it even when they're not in battle to cut down small trees! Oh, but more importantly, let's go after Team Plasma! C'mon! We're splitting up and searching Route 20!"
Getting ready to leave for Castelia City
"You're going to Castelia City, right?"
No: "Really? Something you still need to take care of? Go deal with it, then. You know that even after we go to Castelia City, you can come back to Virbank City anytime, right?"
Yes: "I'm going to look for Team Plasma! I can't forgive those guys!"
"Hey, captain! Show us that ship you're so proud of!"
"You didn't do anything. Not to me, at least... But I can never forgive Pokémon thieves like you! Just to let you know... You're about to feel my rage!"
"<Player>! Cover me!"
After the grunts are defeated and leave:
"Five years ago... Team Plasma stole my little sister's Purrloin. It had been given to her as a present. I was only a little kid... I couldn't do anything... So... So that's why I have to get stronger!" (walks up to the player) "Good work! I knew you had good instincts! Well then..." (he heals the player's party) "Listen up! You fill up that Pokédex. Keep getting stronger and stronger, and back me up! I'll be counting on you from here on out, too!"
"You guys are all Team Plasma too, right? Tell me, what makes you different from the Team Plasma back there?!"
"I'm Hugh. From Aspertia City... Five years ago, Team Plasma--I mean you--stole my little sister's Pokémon. I'm the pathetic trainer who wasn't able to stop you. "Separated"? What a joke! YOU were the thieves who STOLE them!"
"Just an apology? That's it?! Where's my sister's Pokémon?! Purrloin! WHERE'S PURRLOIN?"
"Enough already! Apologizing isn't going to get my sister's Pokémon back! <player>! I'm going to the Pokémon Gym! I'll get stronger and crush every single member of Team Plasma!"
"Not with me around, you won't! Thanks for removing the barrier! That was a big help!"
After they are defeated
"I'm not going to lose to Team Plasma! By the way, what is this place? That Pokémon... It's so icy... Could that be the source of the attack on Opelucid City?"
"That should be obvious! I'll do whatever it takes to get my sister's Pokémon back! Are YOU the one who stole a Purrloin in Aspertia five years ago?"
"That's the ONLY Purrloin in the world that my late grandpa caught for my little sister!"
"You're already here, huh? Anyone who tries to block us will go running away with their tail between their legs!"
"You're all alone now... So, which one of us are you gonna tackle?"
"Oh, yeah... I remember you. Being ex-Team Plasma is really rough, eh?"
"Well, I suppose... If we don't crush Team Plasma, then guys like you and that N guy will always be treated like villains. OK! I'm outta here, <player>!"
In the Crater Forest
"Come here. Wait a sec. He said he wants to talk to them so his old allies won't get hurt."
"Well, that didn't work. Hey!" (all the Team Plasma members turn to him) "Let me through!"
"I'm going to get a stolen Pokémon back! I'm not gonna listen to villains like you! Rood! Ex-Team Plasma! Why do you have Pokémon by your sides? To protect what's important to you, right? Even if your precious Pokémon are hurt, even if your ideals are damaged, the time to fight is NOW!"
"<Player>! As usual, take the other one!"
After defeating the Grunts
(to Rood) "Thanks..." (to the player) "I'm passing through! Oh, it looks like their backup has arrived."
"Got it! If I rescue it, that helps you absolve your guilt, doesn't it? Guess I'll help you out!"
Upon entering the Ghetsis's room
"Wait... You're one of the Shadow Triad, right? Tell me about the Purrloin that was stolen in Aspertia."
"Wh-what? Don't mess with me... That's someone else's Pokémon!"
After the Shadow Triad are defeated
"... ... Hey... <player>... If we let Team Plasma do whatever we want... There'll be more sad Pokémon like Purrloin and Kyurem..."
After Ghetsis is defeated
"Team Plasma's ship flew away... Is it over?"'
No: "I suppose... You have to be the one who decides when it's over."
Yes: "I see... So it's finally over."
"More importantly, you rescued Kyurem from Team Plasma, right? You're really something! I'm...gonna make sure Purrloin gets back to my little sister! Still can't take it out of the Poké Ball yet, though..."
"What are you gonna do? ... ... He said to go to the Pokémon League? That's a good idea! I mean, now you're the strongest in Unova, right? Go prove it! Do you remember where we first met up in the Giant Chasm? If you follow the path from there, it goes out onto Route 23 Victory Road and the Pokémon League are just past there!
"I'll battle with you before you take on the Pokémon League. The more Pokémon battles you have, the stronger you get, right?"
After the first non-KO hit
"I saw that move coming from miles away!"
Neing defeated
"...Phew! You're really something!
"<Player>! Thanks to you, I accomplished what I set out to do during my journey! I wish I could've shown you my little sister's huge smile! This is my thanks!"
"I think you're really amazing! So become the Champion! Get the proof that you're a Trainer your Pokémon can be proud of! See you!"
Hugh has appeared in the Animated Trailer, where he was shown running towards Bianca with Nate, and later battling against Team Plasma
Pokémon
[[TrainerPoké
|trainer=Hugh
|pkmn=Samurott
|type1=Water
|img=Hugh Samurott Animated Trailer.png
|epnum=Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer
|epname=Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer
|desc=Samurott was seen battling with Team PlasmaSeviper
Hugh first appears in the Black 2 & White 2 arc as a student at the Aspertia City Trainers' School. He attends the school with his classmates Lack-Two and Leo, who constantly annoy him with their antics instead of focusing on getting stronger. Later, their teacher, Cheren hosts a small group battle between the boys and girls of the class. Although Hugh beats Leo easily despite the latter making it to the top 8 of the previous Unova League, Hugh is eventually defeated by Lack-Two, who is awarded with a Pokédex alongside Whi-Two who won the battles on the girls side.
Later, the group travels to Pokéstar Studios. much to Hugh's annoyance as he questions how movies can help make him stronger. He is proven wrong when he finds out that despite the movie dialogue being scripted, the battles they have are actually real. He later watches as the Mecha Tyranitar from another set goes berserk and has to be stopped by Lack-Two. Afterward, he overhears a group of his girl classmates excitedly talk about what to do about their upcoming culture festival. He gets angry at the girls, which offends them into commenting that they feel sorry for Hugh's younger sister due to her brother being unable to understand girls. This infuriates Hugh even further, who retaliates by attacking them. After Leo stops him and the girls have left in disgust at his actions, Hugh notices one of them dropped a locket with a microchip inside. Hugh later checks out the microchip and finds out that it contains a list of Pokémon and their Trainers. When he finds his name inside the list, Hugh flashes back to five years ago.
Five years before the events of the Black 2 & White 2 chapter, a younger Hugh obtains a Pidove, a Tynamo and a Purrloin from his grandfather, an Artist. From the three Pokémon, Hugh decides to give the Purrloin as a birthday gift for his sister for her birthday. As it refuses to listen to him, Hugh is forced to wrap the Purrloin itself rather than wrap its Poké Ball. He later gives it to his sister, who the Purrloin instantly takes a liking to despite attacking Hugh earlier. Hugh attempts to force his sister into training the Purrloin against her wishes, which gets them the attention of two Team Plasma Grunts. The Grunts attack Hugh, and despite his attempts to defend, he is easily defeated and Purrloin is stolen. As he lies on the ground unconscious, Hugh wonders if he didn't force his sister to train Purrloin, then it would not have been stolen. He quickly changes his mind to say that if he was stronger, he wouldn't have been defeated. He wakes up and swears revenge against Team Plasma.
Back in the present, Hugh realizes that the microchip contains a list of Pokémon liberated by Team Plasma and that he was the very first one they attacked. He also guesses that since it belonged to a girl in his class, one of them must be a member of Team Plasma and swears to reveal her true identity.
Vibrava is Hugh's first known Pokémon. It was first seen as a Trapinch being used to battle Leo's Deino at the Aspertia City Trainers' School. It won, but was defeated by Lack-Two's Dewott afterward. Sometime before going to Pokéstar Studios, Trapinch had evolved into a Vibrava.
Purrloin is a Pokémon Hugh got for his sister's birthday. Although it wouldn't listen to him, the Purrloin listened to his sister perfectly. Later, it was stolen by Team Plasma, fueling Hugh's hatred for the group.
Hugh was introduced as a Supporter card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Black & White Series (the Japanese BW Era). First released in the Japanese Freeze Bolt expansion, it was later released as a BW-P Promotional card and debuted in English in the Boundaries Crossed expansion, with all three prints featuring an illustration based on the Yusuke Ohmura artwork of the character. Hugh causes both players to draw or discard cards until they each have five cards in their hands.
Trivia
During the Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 playthrough on the April 15, 2012 episode of Pokémon Smash!, they chose the name "Hihihiroshi" for Hugh. The name was initially a backstage in-joke originating from when the Smash! cast was passing time by practicing singing Can You Name All the Pokémon? BW.[1] Following the Japanese naming conventions of the Klink family, it was determined that Hihihiroshi was the final evolved form of Hiroshi Yamamoto.
In Challenge Mode, it is possible for his team to level down, with his starter, elemental monkey, and Unfezant being level 45, 43, and 43 respectively when battled in Undella Town, but both two levels lower when battling alongside the player in Lacunosa Town.