Gym Leader

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A Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader) is the highest-ranking member of a Pokémon Gym. The main job of a Gym Leader is to test Trainers and their Pokémon so that they are strong and resourceful enough to compete against the Elite Four in the games or the Pokémon League in the anime. If a Trainer defeats a Gym Leader in battle, then the Trainer earns that Gym's Badge.

A Gym Leader's job is not just to test upcoming Trainers. They must oversee how their respective Gym is run and to maintain it. Great care must be taken to make sure that their Gym reflects the best environment for the Pokémon type and playing style of choice, usually an environment that suits that type of Pokémon used there (like pools in a Water-type Gym or flowers and plants in a Grass-type Gym). According to Morty, teaching young people how to battle with Pokémon can also be the job of a Gym Leader.

It has not exactly been made clear how Gym Leaders attain their position, but it appears that it varies for each Gym. Some of them founded their Gym and are self-appointed; others, such as Whitney, are chosen by the other members of the region's Pokémon League. A few appear to be passed on through families: Janine, Falkner, and Flannery all take over their respective Gyms from a close family member. However, Gyms do not necessarily belong to a particular family; Roark and his dad Byron are both Gym Leaders at the same time, in different Gyms. Leaders can also choose to vacate their position; examples include Koga, Giovanni, and Wallace.

Although similar in nature, Frontier Brains, Colosseum Leaders, and Club Masters are not considered Gym Leaders.

Pokémon used

Nearly all Leaders rely on a single type of Pokémon. For example, Erika uses only Grass-type Pokémon in official Gym battles. Some Leaders, however, stray from this mold, albeit rarely. This is evidenced by the different types used by Blue during his reign as the Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym in Generations II and IV, although he is the only Gym Leader to do so. However, many Gym Leaders have one or two Pokémon that stray from their type theme.

Geography and climate can often be connected to the type of Pokémon the Gym Leader of that area uses. Pastoria Gym Leader, Crasher Wake, uses Water-type Pokémon, a direct allusion to the flooded marsh that surrounds the area and the constant downpour that plagues Pastoria City. Another example of this is the Cinnabar Gym Leader, Blaine, who uses Fire-type Pokémon and lives in a volcanic area.

The character archetype can also reflect the type of Pokémon a Leader uses. For example, Roark and Byron, who are both miners, use the related Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon. Tate and Liza could be based on the archetype of twins who can communicate telepathically, and thus train Psychic-type Pokémon and being twins, they also battle opposing Trainers in Double Battles, being the only Leaders to do so.

In the games

Leader Roxanne challenges the player

A Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader) is the Trainer class name given to the Gym Leaders when they are battled in the Pokémon games. Despite Gym Leaders themselves being introduced in Generation I, the name did not appear onscreen until Generation II, and has been incorporated into every game since. Gym Leaders are integral within the Pokémon universe. In order for one to advance in the game, the player must occasionally challenge and defeat the leader of a Gym. Each game is designed in such a way that the player will not be able to move forward until they receive a Gym Badge which will, in turn, either allow them to use an HM to overcome natural obstacles, or trigger a necessary event to continue with the game. It is one of the player's main objectives to collect eight Gym Badges, allowing him or her to challenge the Elite Four.

Leaders do not seem to be required to be in their Gyms at all times. Giovanni, for example, could keep his title as a Gym Leader despite not being at the Viridian Gym during the majority of the events of Generation I, and his successor, Blue, was also absent from the Gym several times. Beginning in Generation IV, Leaders are increasingly encountered outside of their Gyms, evident in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, where the Leaders have to be found in different locations at specific times before they can exchange phone numbers with the player for a rematch at the Fighting Dojo. Some Leaders even appear across regions, such as Jasmine appearing in Sunyshore City, Crasher Wake on Route 47, and Maylene in Celadon City. Leaders can even challenge other Gyms and the Elite Four (like Volkner wanted to do). In later games, it is made apparent that Gym Leaders know each other and are acquainted with Gym Leaders from other regions, as well as with members of the Elite Four and Champions. Examples of this are Jasmine being friends with Erika, Volkner being friends with Flint, Brawly training with Bruno, and most Unova Gym Leaders coming together to fight Team Plasma's Seven Sages.

In addition, some Gym Leaders may be required to use Pokémon different then their usual team, such as Cheren in Black 2 and White 2. Due to their higher AI compared to regular trainers, Gym Leaders are also one of the few Trainers to employ the use of Potions when battling.

Gym Trainers

In addition to Gym Leaders, there are also Gym Trainers. While not an official Trainer class, they are Trainers that are either a devotee or apprentice to the Gym Leader, who follow the same type theme as the Leader does. It is usually necessary to defeat multiple Gym Trainers before challenging the Gym Leader. Some Gyms in the game require the player to solve a puzzle, and one must often use Gym Trainers as obstacles to reach the solution. They have no direct impact on the overall plot, other than rarely offering the player helpful advice. It is also worth noting that the type of Trainer appearing in a Gym will depend on the Gym itself. For instance, Gardenia employs Aroma Ladies and Beauties, exclusively, while Misty recruits Sailors and Swimmers; these Gym Leaders represent the types Grass and Water, respectively.

In the anime

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

In the anime, there are many Badges that do not belong to Gyms shown in other media, suggesting that there are many more Gym Leaders in the anime than in other media. This is also suggested by the existence of 11 Gyms in Unova. Although all 11 were the same as those in the games, this is more than the conventional 8 Gyms for one region.

In the anime, rules are different for each Gym. Generally, Gym Leaders are forbidden from switching their Pokémon and only challengers may make substitutions during Gym matches. Although those that Ash encountered before Blaine did switch, since Ash's match against Blaine in Riddle Me This, only Lenora has switched out a Pokémon. Also, unlike the games, Trainers are only allowed to use the same number of Pokémon as the Gym Leader. There are, however, exceptions to this rule such as in the case of Roxie and Grant.

A notable occurrence in the anime is that one does not necessarily have to defeat the Gym Leader to obtain a Badge. Badges are given out on a case-by-case basis based on whether or not the Gym Leader feels as though the Trainer has earned it. Misty has often berated Ash on several occasions noting that he didn't properly earn all of his Gym Badges.

According to Misty, Ash really only earned 3 Badges and the other 5 Badges were given to him on a technicality:

  • In Showdown in Pewter City, Brock gives Ash the Boulder Badge after Pikachu's Electric attack caused a fire, ultimately setting off the Gym's sprinklers and weakening Onix enough to allow Pikachu to fight back with another Electric attack.
  • Electric Shock Showdown is the first episode in which Ash can actually be considered as having earned a badge. His Pikachu struck Lt. Surge's Raichu in the stomach, hammering it with what can be described as an electric Slam attack, thus earning Ash the Thunder Badge.
  • Sabrina's Kadabra was defeated in Haunter versus Kadabra only as a result of Haunter making Sabrina and Kadabra laugh so much as to render the latter unable to battle. Thanks to the Haunter Ash met in the Pokémon Tower, the Marsh Badge was given to him by Sabrina's father.
  • In Volcanic Panic Ash's Charizard delivered a devastating defeat to Blaine's Magmar by using an aerial Submission followed by a Seismic Toss. Thus Ash leaves Cinnabar Island having earned the Volcano Badge.
  • Ash's eighth and final Gym Badge was given to him after Jessie, James and Meowth accidentally rigged their own platform to explode, blasting themselves off in The Battle of the Badge. The Earth Badge is then seen falling into Ash's hands as the Viridian City Gym collapses.

There is also an entire league exclusive to the anime where the four Gym Leaders all have special requirements in order to gain their Gym Badges, the Orange League, located on the Orange Islands.

  • Ash finds the first Orange Islands Gym in Fit to be Tide. There he challenges Cissy for the Coral Eye Badge. However, they do not participate in a typical Pokémon Battle; instead he and Cissy go head to head in three water-based physical challenges using their Water Pokémon.
  • In Navel Maneuvers Ash travels to Navel Island where he runs into Danny, a man who he presumes to be another challenger against the Navel Gym. Danny turns out to be the Gym Leader and offers Ash three challenges, winning a Sea Ruby Badge only if he won two out of three. Ash loses the first one, but manages to accidentally win the second with some help from Charizard, and win the third.
  • Ash challenges pompous Rudy in Misty Meets Her Match. Rudy first assigns him an attack challenge in which Ash has to use his Pokémon to knock down all the targets on a tricky water course. Ash technically misses one, but it's not acknowledged in the show and Ash passes this pre-test. Secondly, Ash faces an three-on-three battle with Rudy with Pokémon of the same type battling each other. Ash wins and earns the Spike Shell Badge.
  • Double Battles were introduced officially for the first time in Pokémon Double Trouble in Ash's fourth and final Orange Crew Gym battle against Luana, who specializes in them. Here Ash used Pikachu and a newly-obedient Charizard to defeat Luana and earn the Jade Star Badge.

In the Johto region, one needs to earn eight badges in order to participate in the Silver League.

In the manga

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Needs other manga, more info for Adventures after DP chapter

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Gym Leaders have the same jobs as in the games and anime, but are also shown to throw away their role as Leader and pursue other goals. Some Gym Leaders even become evil, such as Koga, Lt. Surge, Sabrina, and Pryce. In order to become a Gym Leader in Adventures, one needs to fight a Trainer chosen by the Pokémon Association and win in front of them without letting one of their own Pokémon faint. The one exception to this rule seen so far has been by Blue when he defended the building where Red took his exam, since Red had to decline becoming a Gym Leader due to an injury, despite having passed the exam. Some Gym Leaders have jobs outside of their Gyms, but some of them focus solely on training their skills.

Gym Leaders are highly respected in their respective home regions and usually in other regions as well. When crises emerge, it is highly probable for Gym Leaders to gather to discuss about the situation that has befallen the region and what to do with it, with the most well-known example being the Hoenn Gym Leaders gathering at Fortree City during the Ruby & Sapphire arc to decide which team—Team Magma or Team Aqua—they should support. They also tend to help Pokédex holders to fight the villains who are usually behind different crises, a great example being the Sinnoh Gym Leaders fighting Team Galactic at Spear Pillar near the end of the Diamond & Pearl arc. All of the Kanto and Johto Gym Leaders were called up for a tournament held at Indigo Plateau (which was interrupted by the Masked Man) to fight as teams to see which region had stronger Gym Leaders. The Kanto team won with four wins, three losses and one draw.

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

The Kanto Gym Leaders in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

In Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, Gold meets many Gym Leaders in his travels, as it is his goal to collect all eight Gym Badges. The first Gym Leader challenged by Gold was Falkner, who he defeated in Falkner The Bird Keeper's Challenge!!. He defeats Bugsy in Get up Again, Bayleef. He meets Whitney in For Pikachu's Sake!! The Search For The Missing Farfetch'd and loses to her in battle, so she takes away his Pikachu temporarily. Whitney travels with Gold for a while, arriving at the Pokémon Summit, a conference for Gym Leaders and Pokémon researchers, in Gold and Black VS Team Rocket. Gold finally defeats Whitney in A Promise Given to Miltank, earning his Pikachu back as well as the Plain Badge.

In Let's Fight! The Mini Pokémon Tournament, Morty offers Gold the Fog Badge for free, as he is unable to battle him at the time due to other commitments and he believes that Gold has already demonstrated his fighting skills by defending the Pokémon Summit against Team Rocket. However, Gold refuses, insisting that he must battle Morty another time and earn the Badge properly. He meets Jasmine in A Spectacular Battle To Save Ampharos and Chuck in The Secret Of The Fighting Type Pokémon. As the manga ended abruptly, Pryce and Clair never appeared, nor did the Pokémon League.

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga

Throughout the journey, faced many Gym Leaders of Kanto and Johto. All of them except for Falkner appeared as silhouettes.

List of Gym Leaders

Indigo League

Indigo League
Generations I, II, III, and IV Region: Kanto
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
{{{size}}}
Brock
タケシ Takeshi
Pewter City
ニビシティ
Nibi City
Rock Boulder Badge.png
Boulder Badge
{{{size}}}
Misty
カスミ Kasumi
Cerulean City
ハナダシティ
Hanada City
Water Cascade Badge.png
Cascade Badge
{{{size}}}
Lt. Surge
マチス Matis
Vermilion City
クチバシティ
Kuchiba City
Electric Thunder Badge.png
Thunder Badge
{{{size}}}
Erika
エリカ Erika
Celadon City
タマムシシティ
Tamamushi City
Grass Rainbow Badge.png
Rainbow Badge
VSKoga.png
Koga
キョウ Kyō I III
VSJanine.png
Janine
アンズ Anzu II IV
Fuchsia City
セキチクシティ
Sekichiku City
Poison Soul Badge.png
Soul Badge
{{{size}}}
Sabrina
ナツメ Natsume
Saffron City
ヤマブキシティ
Yamabuki City
Psychic Marsh Badge.png
Marsh Badge
{{{size}}}
Blaine
カツラ Katsura
Cinnabar Island
グレンじま
Guren Island I III
Fire Volcano Badge.png
Volcano Badge
Seafoam Islands
ふたごじま
Twin Islands II IV
VSGiovanni.png
Giovanni
サカキ Sakaki I III
VSBlue.png
Blue
グリーン Green II IV
Viridian City
トキワシティ
Tokiwa City
Ground Various Earth Badge.png

Earth Badge


Johto League

Johto League
Generations II and IV Region: Johto
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSFalkner.png
Falkner
ハヤト Hayato
Violet City
キキョウシティ
Kikyō City
Flying Zephyr Badge.png
Zephyr Badge
VSBugsy.png
Bugsy
ツクシ Tsukushi
Azalea Town
ヒワダタウン
Hiwada Town
Bug Hive Badge.png
Hive Badge
VSWhitney.png
Whitney
アカネ Akane
Goldenrod City
コガネシティ
Kogane City
Normal Plain Badge.png
Plain Badge
VSMorty.png
Morty
マツバ Matsuba
Ecruteak City
エンジュシティ
Enju City
Ghost Fog Badge.png
Fog Badge
VSChuck.png
Chuck
シジマ Shijima
Cianwood City
タンバシティ
Tanba City
Fighting Storm Badge.png
Storm Badge
VSJasmine.png
Jasmine
ミカン Mikan
Olivine City
アサギシティ
Asagi City
Steel Mineral Badge.png
Mineral Badge
VSPryce.png
Pryce
ヤナギ Yanagi
Mahogany Town
チョウジタウン
Chōji Town
Ice Glacier Badge.png
Glacier Badge
VSClair.png
Clair
イブキ Ibuki
Blackthorn City
フスベシティ
Fusube City
Dragon Rising Badge.png
Rising Badge


Hoenn League

Hoenn League
Generations III and VI Region: Hoenn
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSRoxanne.png
Roxanne
ツツジ Tsutsuji
Rustboro City
カナズミシティ
Kanazumi City
Rock Stone Badge.png
Stone Badge
VSBrawly.png
Brawly
トウキ Tōki
Dewford Town
ムロタウン
Muro Town
Fighting Knuckle Badge.png
Knuckle Badge
VSWattson.png
Wattson
テッセン Tessen
Mauville City
キンセツシティ
Kinsetsu City
Electric Dynamo Badge.png
Dynamo Badge
VSFlannery.png
Flannery
アスナ Asuna
Lavaridge Town
フエンタウン
Fuen Town
Fire Heat Badge.png
Heat Badge
VSNorman.png
Norman
センリ Senri
Petalburg City
トウカシティ
Tōka City
Normal Balance Badge.png
Balance Badge
VSWinona.png
Winona
ナギ Nagi
Fortree City
ヒワマキシティ
Hiwamaki City
Flying Feather Badge.png
Feather Badge
VSLiza & Tate.png
Tate and Liza
フウとラン Fū and Lan
Mossdeep City
トクサネシティ
Tokusane City
Psychic Mind Badge.png
Mind Badge
VSWallace.png
Wallace
ミクリ MikuriRSORAS
VSJuan.png
Juan
アダン AdanE
Sootopolis City
ルネシティ
Rune City
Water Rain Badge.png

Rain Badge


Sinnoh League

Sinnoh League
Generation IV Region: Sinnoh
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSRoark.png
Roark
ヒョウタ Hyouta
Oreburgh City
クロガネシティ
Kurogane City
Rock Coal Badge.png
Coal Badge
VSGardenia.png
Gardenia
ナタネ Natane
Eterna City
ハクタイシティ
Hakutai City
Grass Forest Badge.png
Forest Badge
VSMaylene.png
Maylene
スモモ Sumomo
Veilstone City
トバリシティ
Tobari City
Fighting Cobble Badge.png
Cobble Badge
VSCrasher Wake.png
Crasher Wake
マキシマム仮面 Maximum Mask
Pastoria City
ノモセシティ
Nomose City
Water Fen Badge.png
Fen Badge
VSFantina.png
Fantina
メリッサ Melissa
Hearthome City
ヨスガシティ
Yosuga City
Ghost Relic Badge.png
Relic Badge
VSByron.png
Byron
トウガン Tougan
Canalave City
ミオシティ
Mio City
Steel Mine Badge.png
Mine Badge
VSCandice.png
Candice
スズナ Suzuna
Snowpoint City
キッサキシティ
Kissaki City
Ice Icicle Badge.png
Icicle Badge
VSVolkner.png
Volkner
デンジ Denzi
Sunnyshore City
ナギサシティ
Nagisa City
Electric Beacon Badge.png
Beacon Badge


Unova League

Black and White

Unova League
Generation V Region: Unova
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSCilan.png
Cilan
デント Dent
VSChili.png
Chili
ポッド Pod
VSCress.png
Cress
コーン Corn
Striaton City
サンヨウシティ
Sanyou City
Grass Fire Water Trio Badge.png
Trio Badge
{{{size}}}
Lenora
アロエ Aloe
Nacrene City
シッポウシティ
Shippou City
Normal Basic Badge.png
Basic Badge
{{{size}}}
Burgh
アーティ Arty
Castelia City
ヒウンシティ
Hiun City
Bug Insect Badge.png
Insect Badge
{{{size}}}
Elesa
カミツレ Kamitsure
Nimbasa City
ライモンシティ
Raimon City
Electric Bolt Badge.png
Bolt Badge
{{{size}}}
Clay
ヤーコン Yakon
Driftveil City
ホドモエシティ
Hodomoe City
Ground Quake Badge.png
Quake Badge
{{{size}}}
Skyla
フウロ Huuro
Mistralton City
フキヨセシティ
Fukiyose City
Flying Jet Badge.png
Jet Badge
{{{size}}}
Brycen
ハチク Hachiku
Icirrus City
セッカシティ
Sekka City
Ice Freeze Badge.png
Freeze Badge
VSDrayden.png
Drayden
シャガ ShagaB
VSIris.png
Iris
アイリス IrisW
Opelucid City
ソウリュウシティ
Souryuu City
Dragon Legend Badge.png

Legend Badge

Black 2 and White 2

Unova League
Generation V Region: Unova
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSCheren 2.png
Cheren
チェレン Cheren
Aspertia City
ヒオウギシティ
Hiougi City
Normal Basic Badge.png
Basic Badge
VSRoxie.png
Roxie
ホミカ Homika
Virbank City
タチワキシティ
Tachiwaki City
Poison Toxic Badge.png
Toxic Badge
VSBurgh.png
Burgh
アーティ Arty
Castelia City
ヒウンシティ
Hiun City
Bug Insect Badge.png
Insect Badge
VSElesa 2.png
Elesa
カミツレ Kamitsure
Nimbasa City
ライモンシティ
Raimon City
Electric Bolt Badge.png
Bolt Badge
VSClay.png
Clay
ヤーコン Yakon
Driftveil City
ホドモエシティ
Hodomoe City
Ground Quake Badge.png
Quake Badge
VSSkyla.png
Skyla
フウロ Huuro
Mistralton City
フキヨセシティ
Fukiyose City
Flying Jet Badge.png
Jet Badge
VSDrayden.png
Drayden
シャガ Shaga
Opelucid City
ソウリュウシティ
Souryuu City
Dragon Legend Badge.png
Legend Badge
VSMarlon.png
Marlon
シズイ Shizui
Humilau City
セイガイハシティ
Seigaiha City
Water Wave Badge.png
Wave Badge


Kalos League

Kalos League
Generation VI Region: Kalos
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSViola.png
Viola
ビオラ Viola
Santalune City
ハクダンシティ
Hakudan City
Bug Bug Badge.png
Bug Badge
VSGrant.png
Grant
ザクロ Zakuro
Cyllage City
ショウヨウシティ
Shōyō City
Rock Cliff Badge.png
Cliff Badge
VSKorrina.png
Korrina
コルニ Corni
Shalour City
シャラシティ
Shara City
Fighting Rumble Badge.png
Rumble Badge
VSRamos.png
Ramos
フクジ Fukuji
Coumarine City
ヒヨクシティ
Hiyoku City
Grass Plant Badge.png
Plant Badge
VSClemont.png
Clemont
シトロン Citron
Lumiose City
ミアレシティ
Miare City
Electric Voltage Badge.png
Voltage Badge
VSValerie.png
Valerie
マーシュ Mache
Laverre City
クノエシティ
Kunoe City
Fairy Fairy Badge.png
Fairy Badge
VSOlympia.png
Olympia
ゴジカ Gojika
Anistar City
ヒャッコクシティ
Hyakkoku City
Psychic Psychic Badge.png
Psychic Badge
VSWulfric.png
Wulfric
ウルップ Urup
Snowbelle City
エイセツシティ
Eisetsu City
Ice Iceberg Badge.png
Iceberg Badge

Orange League

Orange League
Anime-exclusive Region: Orange Archipelago
Crew Member
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Challenge Prize
CissySmall.png
Cissy
アツミ Atsumi
Mikan Island
ナツカン島
Natsukan Island
Water Gun target test
Surfing race
Coral-Eye Badge.png
Coral-Eye Badge
DannySmall.png
Danny
ダン Dan
Navel Island
ネーブル島
Navel Island
Climb mountain (to qualify)
Freeze a geyser race
Build a Toboggan
Toboggan race
Sea Ruby Badge.png
Sea Ruby Badge
RudySmall.png
Rudy
ジギー Ziggy
Trovita Island
ユズ島
Yuzu Island
Target test
Same-type Pokémon battle
Spike Shell Badge.png
Spike Shell Badge
LuanaSmall.png
Luana
ルリコ Ruriko
Kumquat Island
リュウチン島
Ryūchin Island
Double Battle Jade Star Badge.png
Jade Star Badge
DrakeSmall.png
Drake
ユウジ Yūji
Pummelo Island
カンキツ島
Kankitsu Island
Full Battle WinnerTrophy.png
Winner's Trophy
Honor at the
Palace of Victory


Trivia

  • Every Gym Leader that specializes in Ghost- and Steel-type Pokémon uses Gengar and Steelix respectively in battle.
  • Even though there are 51 known Gyms in the games, with 58 Gym Leaders among them, there has not yet been a Gym specializing in Dark-type Pokémon, although there have been three Elite Four members; Karen, Sidney, and Grimsley. All the other seventeen types have at least one Gym associated with them. Electric-type specialist Gyms appear in five of the six regions.
  • The only Gym Leaders so far whose parents have been seen in the anime are Brock, Sabrina, Tate and Liza, Roark, and Clemont.
    • Janine, Roark, Maylene, Cheren and Roxie are the only ones who have a parent the player can encounter in the games. Koga, Giovanni, Norman, and Byron are the only Gym Leaders whose children can be encountered, or in Norman's case, played as, in the games.
    • Other in-game relatives of Gym Leaders include Clair's cousin, Blue's grandfather and sister, Viola's sister, Korrina's grandfather and Clemont's sister. Additionally, Tate and Liza are brother and sister, while Cilan, Chili, and Cress are brothers.
  • For Setting the World on Its Buneary, Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia is about Gym Leaders. He writes this senryū about them: 「ジムリーダー いのちをかけて かかってこい」 "Gym Leader, put your life on the line and challenge me."
  • In the Johto saga of the anime, none of the Gym Leaders had exactly the same lineups as they do in the games.
  • In the games, every Gym Leader has at least one Pokémon in his or her party that knows the TM move he or she gives out upon defeat. Former Gym Leaders do not count in this, as Wallace when he is faced as Champion and Giovanni when he is faced in Generation IV do not have Pokémon that know the move they gave out as TMs when they were faced as Gym Leaders in previous games. Koga, despite not being a Gym Leader in Generation IV, has several Pokémon that know Toxic, the move he last gave out as a TM.
  • From Generations I-V (not counting remakes), every move that was in a TM given out by a Gym Leader was a new move for that generation, and many of them were rarely (if ever) seen on any other Pokemon in the generation they were introduced. This trend has been broken in Generation VI, where only three Gym Leaders—Viola, Korrina, and Valerie—hand out TMs with moves new to the generation.
  • In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the player can continue the game without defeating Winona of Fortree City until attempting to battle the Elite Four.
  • The Orange League is the only one so far in which Ash has successfully defeated all the Gym Leaders without a rematch.
  • In Pocket Monsters: The Animation, it was mentioned that the position of Gym Leaders was very unforgiving, as it had a three-strike rule stating that if a Gym Leader lost three times in a row, the Gym will be disqualified. It also revealed that being a Gym Leader was costly, leaving little pay, and the government can't provide for them. It also revealed that the rather brutal nature of Gym leading was one of the reasons why Misty's and Brock's parents ended up abandoning them to Gym duties.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 道館掌門人 Dougún Jéungmùhnyàhn
Mandarin 道館訓練家 / 道馆训练家 Dàoguǎn Xùnliànjiā (anime, Adventures)
練功場首領 Liàngōngcháng Shǒulǐng (Adventures)
訓練館首領 / 训练馆首领 Xùn​liàn​guǎn​ Shǒu​lǐng​ (Adventures, Zensho)
道馆首领 Dàoguǎn​ Shǒu​lǐng​ (Adventures)
Denmark Flag.png Danish Styrkecenterleder / Salleder
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Gym Leider
Finland Flag.png Finnish Salipäällikkö / Salijohtaja / Salivalmentaja (anime)
Salinjohtaja (Pokémon Adventures)
France Flag.png French Champion
Germany Flag.png German Arenaleiter ()
Arenaleiterin ()
Greece Flag.png Greek Αρχηγός Σταδίου
Israel Flag.png Hebrew מנהיג מכון Manhig MaHon
India Flag.png Hindi Gym Leader
Hungary Flag.png Hungarian Teremvezető
Italy Flag.png Italian Capopalestra
South Korea Flag.png Korean 체육관 관장 Cheyukgwan Gwanjang
Poland Flag.png Polish Lider Sali
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Líder de Ginásio
Romania Flag.png Romanian Șef de Arenă
Russia Flag.png Russian Гим-лидер Gim-lider
Лидер Спортзала Lider Sportzala
Spain Flag.png Spanish Líder de gimnasio
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Gymledare
Thailand Flag.png Thai ยิมลีดเดอร์
Pokémon League logo.png The Pokémon League Paldea Gym Logo.png
Participation
TrainerBattleGym Leaders
GymsBadgesReferee
Championship matches
Elite FourOrange League
Champion League
Pokémon League Conferences
IndigoSilverEver GrandeLily of the Valley
VertressLumioseManalo
Regional Pokémon Leagues
IndigoOrange*JohtoHoennSinnoh
Unova (BB) • KalosAlolaGalarPaldea
Areas of jurisdiction
Pokémon League Reception GateHall of Fame
Palace of VictoryCerulean CaveArea Zero
Others
Admissions ExamPokémon Association
PIAWorld Coronation Series
(Masters Eight Tournament)


Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*Bug CatcherBurglarCamper*ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
ChannelerElite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPEEngineerFishermanGamer*GentlemanGym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
HikerJugglerLassPicnicker*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Trainer*GSCPEPsychicRivalFRLGRockerRoughneck*
SailorScientistSuper NerdSwimmerTamerTeam Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPETeam Rocket Grunt*Youngster
BoarderHGSSDouble TeamHGSSFirebreatherGSCHGSSGuitaristGSCHGSSMediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSSSchool Kid*GSCHGSSSkierHGSSTeacherGSCHGSSTwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLGCrush KinFRLGSis and BroFRLGYoung CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPEKarate MasterPEPunk GuyPETeam RocketPETeam Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Johto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*BoarderBug CatcherBurglarCamper
ChampionExecutive*FirebreatherFisherman*GentlemanGuitaristHikerJugglerKimono GirlLass
LeaderMediumPicnickerPokéfanPoké Maniac*PKMN TrainerPoliceman*PsychicRivalHGSSSage
SailorSchool Kid*ScientistSkierSuper NerdSwimmerTeacherTeam Rocket Grunt*TwinsYoungster
Mystery Man*CHGSSDouble TeamHGSSElderHGSSPasserbyHGSSYoung CoupleHGSS
Battle Frontier only:HGSS

Aroma LadyArtistBattle GirlCameramanClownCollectorCowgirlCyclistDragon TamerIdol
JoggerLadyNinja BoyParasol LadyPIPoké KidPKMN BreederPKMN RangerRancherReporter
Rich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSocialiteTuberVeteranWaiterWaitressWorker
Arcade StarCastle ValetFactory HeadHall MatronTower Tycoon

Hoenn Ace Trainer*Aqua AdminSEASAqua LeaderSEASAroma LadyBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack Belt
Bug CatcherBug ManiacCamperChampionCollectorDragon TamerElite FourExpertFisherman
GentlemanGuitaristHex ManiacHikerInterviewers*KindlerLadyLassLeaderMagma AdminREOR
Magma LeaderREORNinja BoyOld CoupleParasol LadyPicnickerPoké Fan*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Breeder*
Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*PsychicRich BoyRuin ManiacSailorSchoolkid*Sis & Bro*Swimmer
Team Aqua GruntSEASTeam Magma GruntREORTeammates*TriathleteTuberTwinsWinstrateYoung CoupleYoungster
Ace DuoORASBrains & BrawnORASBackpackerORASDelinquentORASFairy Tale GirlORASFare PrinceORAS
Free DiverORASLeadersORASLorekeeperORASMysterious SistersORASProprietorORASRotation GirlORAS
Scuba DiverORASSecret Base ExpertORASSecret Base TrainerORASSootopolitanORASStreet ThugORAS
Battle Frontier only:E
Arena TycoonDome AceFactory HeadPalace MavenPike QueenPyramid KingSalon Maiden
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS
ArtistBattle ChatelaineButlerChefFurisode GirlGarçonGardenerMadameMaidMonsieurOwnerPreschooler
Punk GirlPunk GuyRising StarRoller SkaterSchoolboySchoolgirlScientistTouristVeteranWaitressWorker
Sinnoh Ace TrainerAroma LadyArtistBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack BeltBug CatcherCameramanCamperChampion
ClownCollectorCommanderCowgirlCyclistDouble TeamDragon TamerElite FourFisher*GentlemanGuitarist
Gym Leader*HikerIdolInterviewersJoggerLadyLassMadame*Ninja BoyParasol LadyPicnickerPIPoké Fan*
Poké KidPokémon Breeder*Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*Police Officer*PsychicRancherRanchers*
ReporterRich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSailorSchool KidScientistSkierSwimmerTeam Galactic Boss*
Team Galactic Grunt*Tower TycoonTuberTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoung CoupleYoungster
Arcade StarPtCastle ValetPtFactory HeadPtHall MatronPtMaidPtGAME FREAK'sBDSP
Unova Ace TrainerArtistBackersBackpackerBakerBattle GirlBikerBlack BeltChampionClerk
CyclistDancerDepot AgentDoctorElite FourFishermanGAME FREAKGentlemanGym Leader*
HarlequinHikerHooligansHoopsterInfielderJanitorLadyLassLinebackerMaidMotorcyclistMusician
NurseNursery AideParasol LadyPilotPokéfanPKMN BreederPKMN RangerPokémon Trainer*Policeman
PreschoolerPsychicRich BoyRoughneckSchool KidScientistSmasherSocialiteStrikerSubway Boss
SwimmerTeam PlasmaTeam Plasma GruntThe RichesBWTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoungster
BeautyB2W2Boss TrainerB2W2GuitaristB2W2
Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2
A-list ActorActorActressBig StarCelebrityChic ActressChild StarComedian
Fine ActorMovie StarNew ActressStar ActorSuit ActorUnique StarVeteran Star
Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2
Junior RepresentativeMaster RepresentativeSenior Representative
World ChampionWorld FinalistWorld Runner-up
Blueberry Academy only:SV
BB League ChampionBB League Elite FourBlueberry Academy Director
DirectorInstructorLeague ClubStudentTop Champion
Kalos Ace DuoAce TrainerArtistArtist FamilyBackpackerBattle GirlBeautyBlack BeltBrains & Brawn
ButlerChampionChefDriverElite FourFairy Tale GirlFishermanFurisode GirlGarçonGardener
Hex ManiacHikerHoneymoonersLassLeaderLumiose Gang MemberMysterious SistersOwner
Poké FanPoké Fan FamilyPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon RangerPokémon Trainer
PreschoolerPsychicPunk CouplePunk GirlPunk GuyRangersRising StarRoller Skater
SchoolboySchoolgirlScientistSky TrainerSuccessorSuspicious ChildSuspicious Lady
Suspicious WomanSwimmerTeam FlareTeam Flare AdminTeam Flare BossTeam Flare Grunt
TouristTwinsVeteranWaitressWorkerYoungster
Battle Chateau ranks:
By male: BaronViscountEarlMarquisDukeGrand Duke
By female: BaronessViscountessCountessMarchionessDuchessGrand Duchess
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:
Battle ChatelaineLadyMadameMaidMonsieurRich Boy
Unused Trainer classes:
Ace SurferSwimmers


Project CharacterDex logo.png This Trainer Class article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.