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 he had caught for his sister. He battles with and against the player many times throughout the game.
"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 you) "Good work! I knew you had good instincts! Well then..." (he heals your 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!"
"What's up? Have you seen Team Plasma anywhere around here? I heard a rumor to that effect?"
"Shut your mouth. All I want is to get back a stolen Pokémon! <player>! Give me a hand! You ready?"
If answered yes
"Just so you know... You're about to feel my rage!"
After the grunt and sage are defeated and flee
"Get back here!"
In the manga
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
Hugh as a child in Pokémon Adventures
Hugh first appears as a child getting a birthday present for his younger sister. From a choice between a Pidove, Tynamo, and Purrloin, Hugh chooses the Purrloin and is given it from a Painter. Because it refuses to listen to him, Hugh is forced to wrap the Purrloin itself rather than wrap its Poké Ball.
Later, he gives the Purrloin to his sister, which listens to her. When he tries to train his Trapinch with her Purrloin, they are attacked by two Team Plasma Grunts. Though he tries to defend, Hugh is easily defeated and his sister's Purrloin is stolen by the escaping Grunts. Angered, Hugh swears revenge on Team Plasma.
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.
None of Purrloin's moves are known.
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.