Badge
A Badge (Japanese: バッジ Badge) is an item which denotes a Pokémon trainer having defeated a Gym Leader. Trainers need to collect a certain number of Gym Badges in order to qualify for a region's Pokémon League. Young trainers usually begin their initial Pokémon journey by travelling from city to city in order to collect them. Badges are small enough to fit easily between one's thumb and index finger, and can be pinned to a shirt.
Badges affect a Pokémon's behavior. A symbol of competence on the trainer's part, Badges force Pokémon under a certain level to obey. Additionally, Trainers cannot teach a Pokémon an HM without the appropriate Badge.
List of Badges
Indigo League
Trainers must collect eight Gym Badges from around the Kanto region in order to participate in the Indigo League. It is said that there was a translation mistake on Nintendo of America's part, and the Marsh Badge should have been the Fuschia Gym's Badge and the Soul Badge should have been Saffron Gym's Badge instead of the other way around.
Boulderbadge
The Boulderbadge (Japanese: グレーバッジ Gray Badge) from Pewter Gym is the first Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Indigo League.
In the games, it enables the use of Flash outside of battle and increases the trainer's Pokémon's Attack stat.
Brock, Flint, Mizuho, and Jiro have all had the authority to hand out the Boulderbadge.
It is a simple gray octagon.
Cascadebadge
The Cascadebadge (Japanese: ブルーバッジ Blue Badge) from Cerulean Gym is the second Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Indigo League..
In the games, it enables the use of Cut outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 30 to obey the trainer.
Misty, and, for a time, Lilly, Daisy, and Violet, has the authority to hand out the Cascadebadge.
It is in the shape of a light blue raindrop.
Thunderbadge
The Thunderbadge (Japanese: オレンジバッジ Orange Badge) from Vermilion Gym is the third Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Indigo League.
In the games, it enables the use of Fly outside of battle and increases the Trainer's Pokémon's Speed stat.
Lt. Surge has the sole authority to hand out the Thunderbadge.
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Rainbowbadge
The Rainbowbadge (Japanese: レインボーバッジ Rainbow Badge) from Celadon Gym is the fourth Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Indigo League.
In the games, it enables the use of Strength outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 30 to obey the trainer.
Erika has the sole authority to hand out the Rainbowbadge.
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Marshbadge
The Marshbadge (Japanese: ゴールドバッジ Gold Badge) from Saffron Gym
In the games, it forces all Pokémon up to Level 70 to obey the trainer.
Sabrina has the sole authority to hand out the Marshbadge.
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Soulbadge
The Soulbadge (Japanese: ピンクバッジ Pink Badge) from Fuchsia Gym is the sixth Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Indigo League.
In the games, it enables the use of Surf outside of battle and increases the trainer's Pokémon's Defense stat.
Janine, and formerly her father, Koga, has the sole authority to hand out the Soulbadge.
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Volcanobadge
The Volcanobadge (Japanese: クリムゾンバッジ Crimson Badge) from Cinnabar Gym is the seventh Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Indigo League.
It increases the trainer's Pokémon's Special stats.
Blaine has the sole authority to hand out the Volcanobadge.
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Earthbadge
The Earthbadge (Japanese: グリーンバッジ Green Badge) from Viridian Gym is the final Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Indigo League.
It forces all Pokémon to obey the trainer.
Blue, and formerly Giovanni, has the sole authority to hand out the Earthbadge, but in the Advanced Generation anime, Agathais shown to be the new leader, thus making her the sole authority on handing out the Earthbadge.
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Orange League
Trainers must collect only four Badges from the Orange Crew in order to participate in the Orange League.
Coral Eye Badge
The Coral Eye Badge (Japanese: サクラバッジ Sakura Badge) from Mikan Gym is the first Badge on a trainer's journey toward the Orange League.
Cissy has the sole authority to hand out the Coral Eye Badge.
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Sea Ruby Badge
The Sea Ruby Badge (Japanese: シラナミバッジ Shiranami Badge) from Navel Gym is the second Badge on a trainer's journey toward the Orange League.
Danny has the sole authority to hand out the Sea Ruby Badge.
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Spike Shell Badge
The Spike Shell Badge (Japanese: リンボウバッジ Rinbou Badge) from Trovita Gym is the third Badge on a trainer's journey toward the Orange League.
Rudy has the sole authority to hand out the Spike Shell Badge.
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The Badge is said to reflect the spike-like rocks that surround Trovita Island.
Jade Star Badge
The Jade Star Badge (Japanese: ルリバッジ Ruri Badge) from Kumquat Gym is the fourth and final Badge on a trainer's journey toward the Orange League.
Luana has the sole authority to hand out the Jade Star Badge.
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Johto League
Trainers must collect eight Gym Badges from around the Johto region in order to participate in the Johto League.
Zephyrbadge
The Zephyrbadge (Japanese: ウイングバッジ Wing Badge) from Violet Gym is the first Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it enables the use of Flash outside of battle and increases the trainer's Pokémon's Attack stat.
Falkner, and formerly his father, has the sole authority to hand out the Zephyrbadge.
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Hivebadge
The Hivebadge (Japanese: インセクトバッジ Insect Badge) from Azalea Gym is the second Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it enables the use of Cut outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 30 to obey the trainer.
Bugsy has the sole authority to hand out the Hivebadge.
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Plainbadge
The Plainbadge (Japanese: レギュラーバッジ Regular Badge) from Goldenrod Gym is the third Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it enables the use of Strength outside of battle and increases a trainer's Pokémon's Speed stat.
Whitney has the sole authority to hand out the Plainbadge.
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Fogbadge
The Fogbadge (Japanese: ファントムバッジ Phantom Badge) from Ecruteak Gym is the fourth Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it enables the use of Surf outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 50 to obey the trainer.
Morty has the sole authority to hand out the Fogbadge.
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Stormbadge
The Stormbadge (Japanese: ショックバッジ Shock Badge) from Cianwood Gym is the fifth Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it enables the use of Fly outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 70 to obey the trainer.
Chuck has the sole authority to hand out the Stormbadge.
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Mineralbadge
The Mineralbadge (Japanese: スチールバッジ Steel Badge) from Olivine Gym is the sixth Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it increases a trainer's Pokémon's Defense stat.
Jasmine has the sole authority to hand out the Mineralbadge.
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Glacierbadge
The Glacierbadge (Japanese: アイスバッジ Ice Badge) from Mahogany Gym is the seventh Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it enables the use of Whirlpool outside of battle and increases a trainer's Pokémon's Special stats.
Pryce has the sole authority to hand out the Glacierbadge.
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Risingbadge
The Rising Badge (Japanese: ライジングバッジ Rising Badge) from Blackthorn Gym is the final Badge on a trainer's quest toward the Johto League.
In the games, it enables the use of Waterfall outside of battle and forces all Pokémon to obey the trainer.
Clair has the sole authority to hand out the Risingbadge.
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Hoenn League
Trainers must collect eight Gym Badges from around the Hoenn region in order to participate in the Hoenn League.
Stonebadge
The Stonebadge (Japanese: ストーンバッジ Stone Badge) from Rustboro Gym enables the use of Cut outside of battle and increases the Trainer's Pokémon's Attack stat.
Knucklebadge
The Knucklebadge (Japanese: ナックルバッジ Knuckle Badge) from Dewford Gym enables the use of Flash outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 30 to obey the Trainer.
Dynamobadge
The Dynamobadge (Japanese: ダイナモバッジ Dynamo Badge) from Mauville Gym enables the use of Rock Smash outside of battle and increases the Trainer's Pokémon's Speed stat.
Heatbadge
The Heatbadge (Japanese: ヒートバッジ Heat Badge) from Lavaridge Gym enables the use of Strength outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 50 to obey the Trainer.
Balancebadge
The Balancebadge (Japanese: バランスバッジ Balance Badge) from Petalburg Gym enables the use of Surf outside of battle and increases the Trainer's Pokémon's Defense stat.
Featherbadge
The Featherbadge (Japanese: フェザーバッジ Feather Badge) from Fortree Gym enables the use of Fly outside of battle and forces all Pokémon up to Level 70 to obey the Trainer.
Mindbadge
The Mindbadge (Japanese: マインドバッジ Mind Badge) from Mossdeep Gym enables the use of Dive outside of battle and increases the Trainer's Pokémon's Special stats.
Rainbadge
The Rainbadge (Japanese: レインバッジ Rain Badge) from Sootopolis Gym enables the use of Waterfall outside of battle and forces all Pokémon to obey the Trainer.
In the Anime
The Anime has a few different rules for Badges than in the games. Primarily, Badges seem to do nothing beside signify the defeat of a given Gym Leader. A Pokémon may choose not to obey its Trainer even if he or she has gained all eight Badges, such as Ash's Charizard.
Gym Leaders are quite lenient about giving out Badges in the Anime. Additionally, Trainers do not necessarily have to win a battle with the Gym Leader in order to earn a Badge. The Orange Crew, for example, all have entire Gym matches devoted to unconventional battling styles and Ash Ketchum was awarded several Badges because of his kind heart and determination.
Gary Oak acquired more than the standard eight Kanto League Badges, thus leading to confusion as to whether or not there is a finite number of Badges that can be given out in a given region.
Moving up a grade in Pokémon Tech is the equivalent of winning two Gym Badges. Upon graduation, students may immediately apply for entry in the Pokémon League.
Trainers can take a three-part test that awards a single Badge which allows entry into the Pokémon League.
In the Pokémon Special manga
In Pokémon Special, Badges have mystical and mysterious qualities that can somehow increase the power of the Pokémon owned by the Trainer who wields the Badges.
It is not known what sort of material Badges are made of, but they have been used for other purposes. The Mask of Ice, for instance - made an armored mask out of crushed Badges.
Team Rocket also used the eight Kanto Gym Badges to power a machine that combined three different Legendary Pokémon into a single beast.
Badges are not required to enter the Pokémon League tournament, however without eight Badges, a trainer must battle their way in to qualify for the finals.
In the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
In the Electric Tale of Pikachu, Badges work in a way similar to the anime, however, there are some minor differences. All Badges have the Pokémon League logo printed on them.
In addition, Pokémon Trainers are organized by class, much like Pokémon Tech "Class D", "Class C" and so forth. Badges increase the the rank of the trainer who owns them. Ash once believed that he could increase his rank by capturing rare wild Pokémon, however this was not the case.
