Palermo
| Palermo ヤシオ Yashio | |
 Palermo | |
| Gender | Female |
|---|---|
| Eye color | Blue |
| Hair color | Gray |
| Hometown | Unknown |
| Region | Kalos |
| Trainer class | Performer |
| Anime debut | A Showcase Debut! |
| English voice actor | Eileen Stevens |
| Japanese voice actor | Rei Sakuma |
Palermo (Japanese: ヤシオ Yashio) is a recurring character in the Pokémon anime who first appeared in A Showcase Debut!. She is a famous producer and a former Kalos Queen.
History
Palermo made her debut appearance in A Showcase Debut!. She was first shown in her limousine, talking with her assistant who informed her that she would pick her up the day after. The limousine arrived at the Coumarine Showcase theater and Palermo was welcomed by a group of reporters who wanted to ask her about her return to Pokémon Showcases. She refused to say anything to the press however and went straight to a private box high up in the theater to watch the tournament get underway and see if there were any talented Performers around. She silently watched the first round and ultimately witnessed how Serena and her Fennekin botched their performance.
After watching Shauna win the Coumarine Princess Key, she quickly left. That night, she was shown in a hotel room, talking on the phone with an unknown person. She informed the person on the phone that there were no Pokémon Performers that left an impression on her. The next morning, when her limousine stopped in front of a red light, she noticed Serena on the beach, embraced by her Fennekin and Pancham. She immediately recognized her as the girl who had failed her performance. When later her assistant asked her if she had spotted any talent, Palermo smiled and replied, "It's a secret."
She appeared again in A Dancing Debut! to watch the Couriway Showcase Rookie Class. She also made a brief appearance in Party Dancecapades!, where she talked to Aria over a video call.
Upon her arrival in the Fleurrh City Showcase theater in Master Class Choices!, Palermo was approached by a man who asked her if she was interested in becoming Amelia's producer, to which Palermo replied that she only works with people she has seen performing. Later, having watched the entire competition, she had a conversation with Amelia as she was leaving the theater. Amelia told Palermo that her performance was better than the one Serena had delivered, but Palermo reminded her that the audience had a different opinion and said that it's up to Amelia to accomplish what she wants. When Palermo noticed that Serena was eavesdropping, she asked Serena if she was satisfied with her performance, and Serena said that she had fun while performing with her Pokémon. Palermo then warned Serena that she lacks something crucial to become Kalos Queen, saying that Serena will not be able to surpass Aria until she figures it out.
Palermo's next appearance was in Master Class is in Session!, where Monsieur Pierre announced she would be watching the Gloire Showcase Master Class. In the following episode, she noticed Serena had bruised her wrist while performing in the semifinals and went looking for her. She told Serena she would not be able to deliver a decent performance and defeat Aria due to her injury, but Serena told her she would not give up her dream, making Palermo remember the time she was mentoring Aria.
When Serena lost the final round to Aria, Palermo approached her backstage and Serena confessed that Palermo was right about Serena lacking something crucial to become Kalos Queen. She told Palermo that upon watching Aria's performance she realized what makes Aria a good Performer, and that she will work hard to one day become the Kalos Queen. After hearing this, Palermo offered to tutor Serena. However, Serena declined the offer saying she would rather continue traveling with her friends. Palermo decided to keep the offer open, telling Serena to give her a call after her journey is over.
She reappeared in a flashback in Battling With a Clean Slate!. She appeared again in The First Day of the Rest of Your Life!, Serena called her to officially reject her offer. Palermo then suggested Serena should travel to the Hoenn region to compete in Pokémon Contests.
Character
Palermo is a former Kalos Queen and a well-known producer. According to Monsieur Pierre, she has launched the career of countless Pokémon Performers.
Due to her reputation as a producer, Palermo receives a lot of unwanted attention from the press. She is also sought to scout young Performers and help them achieve a successful career in the Showcase world. However, Palermo seems to prefer scouting girls that have the potential to become a kindhearted Kalos Queen, and she only arrives to the conclusion that a Performer is worthy of the title after she herself has watched them perform, rather than accepting tips from others.
In her debut episode, it was revealed that Palermo had been keeping her distance from Showcase tournaments, and she was hesitant to make a comeback. Despite that, she went to the Coumarine City theater and watched the Rookie Class competition taking place there. Palermo has been shown watching several other Pokémon Showcases since then, and she occasionally comments them with her assistant.
It was revealed in Party Dancecapades! that Palermo was involved in Aria's rise to stardom. The two have a close relationship and Palermo has stated that there will be no Kalos Queen like Aria. The two keep in touch and Aria holds Palermo in high regards as she was mentored by her while striving to become Kalos Queen.
Voice actors
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Trivia
- In the Brazilian dub, her name was changed to Paloma to avoid confusion with palerma, which means fool.
- This wasn't maintained when the dub company changed in XYZ.
- Palermo's hair and clothing bear a striking resemblance to Miranda Priestly, a character played by Meryl Streep in the comedy film The Devil Wears Prada.
Names
| Language | Name | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ヤシオ Yashio | From 八汐躑躅 yashio-tsutsuji, a group of azaleas consisting of three species |
| English, French, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese (S19) | Palermo | Possibly from Palermo |
| German | Paula | Similar to her English name |
| Italian, Brazilian Portuguese (S17-S18) | Paloma | Similar to her English name |
| Korean | 아젤리아 Azalea | From azalea |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 八汐 Bāxī | From the Japanese name 八汐 Yashio |
| Chinese (Cantonese) | 八汐 Baatjihk | From the Japanese name 八汐 Yashio |
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This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation. |
