If you were looking for the character of the day from Going for a Spinda, see Claire.

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: voice actors (both Japanese and English) for Clair's Kingdra in the anime

Clair
イブキ Ibuki
"The Blessed User of Dragon Pokémon"
HeartGold SoulSilver Clair.png
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gender Female
Eye color Blue
Hair color Light blue
Hometown Blackthorn City
Region Johto
Relatives Lance, Dragon Clan Elder
Trainer class Gym LeaderGSCHGSS
Pokémon TrainerB2W2
Generation II, IV, V
Games Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Pokémon Stadium 2
Leader of Blackthorn Gym
Badge Rising Badge
Specializes in Dragon types
Anime debut Beauty is Skin Deep
English voice actor Megan Hollingshead
Japanese voice actor Yūko Mita

Clair (Japanese: イブキ Ibuki) is the Gym Leader of Blackthorn City's Gym, known officially as the Blackthorn Gym. Her specialty is Dragon-type Pokémon, and she gives the Rising Badge to Trainers who defeat her. Her cousin is Lance.

In the games

Clair appears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver as the Leader of the Blackthorn Gym. She is the eighth and final Gym Leader to be met in the Johto region, and defeating her will allow Trainers to advance to Indigo Plateau. Known as "The Blessed User of Dragon Pokémon", Clair is descended from a long line of Dragon-type Trainers including her cousin, Elite Four member Lance, and the elder of Blackthorn's Dragon Clan.

Clair is confident of her abilities as a Trainer, and speaks of herself as "the world's best dragon master". She can hold her own against the Elite Four: her only known loss is against Lance, now the Champion. Even if the player defeats her in battle, she refuses to accept his or her talents unless they pass the "Dragon User's Challenge". The Rising Badge that victors of the Blackthorn Gym are entitled to remains in Clair's possession until Trainers have navigated the Dragon's Den and located a shrine at its center. Only then will Clair acknowledge her loss. She will also encourage the player to excel at the Pokémon League; this is mainly personal, so she will feel less upset about her defeat at the hands of a child. As well as the Rising Badge, she will also issue a Dragon Technical Machine: TM24 (DragonBreath) in Generation II; TM59 (Dragon Pulse) in Generation IV. Many of her own Pokémon know these moves in the respective generations.

The player's rival, Silver, takes to training in the Dragon's Den once the Elite Four have been defeated by the player. In this way, he is said to act as Clair did when she was young herself. She returns here from time to time, and will battle alongside her cousin against Silver and the player. She tries to partner up with Silver after he challenges Lance (who asks the player to be his partner), but Silver insults her outfit and asks the player to partner with him instead. She comes to the Dragon's Den every morning between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM after the player and rival defeat her and Lance, and will give her Pokégear phone number to the player. If called on Friday evening, she will journey to the Fighting Dojo and have a rematch with the player.

Clair makes an additional appearance in Pokémon Stadium 2's Johto Gym Leader Castle. This is the only appearance she makes where she uses Pokémon that are not draconian in origin.

Pokémon

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Gym match



Second battle (rematch)



Tag Battle with Lance
 
Clair and Lance approaching for battle



Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Pokémon World Tournament

Clair uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles and all six in Triple Battles.

Johto Leaders Tournament



Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament



Pokémon Stadium 2

Round 1



Round 2



Quotes

Pokémon Gold and Silver

Blackthorn Gym

  • Before battle
"I am Clair. The world's best dragon master. I can hold my own against even the Pokémon League's Elite Four. Do you still want to take me on? ...Fine. Let's do it! As a Gym Leader, I will use my full power against any opponent!"
  • When defeated
"I lost? I don't believe it. There must be some mistake..."
  • After being defeated
"I won't admit this. I may have lost, but you're still not ready for the Pokémon League. I know. You should take the dragon user challenge. Behind this Gym is a place called Dragon's Den. Go and bring me the Dragon Fang from deep inside the den. That is the test to be accepted as a true dragon user. If you can do that, I will accept you as a worthy trainer. Until then, I won't give you a Badge."

Dragon's Den

"All right. I recognize your true power. This Badge is yours."
"Rising Badge will enable your Pokémon to use the move for climbing waterfalls. Also, all Pokémon will recognize you as a trainer and obey your every command without question. I also want you to have this TM."
"That contains DragonBreath. No, it doesn't have anything to do with my breath. If you don't want it, you don't have to take it. So, you've collected all the Badges. Your destination is the Pokémon League in Indigo Plateau. Do you know how to get there? From here, go to New Bark Town. Then surf east. The route there is very tough. Don't you dare lose at the Pokémon League! If you do, I'll feel even worse about having lost to you!

Pokémon Crystal

Blackthorn Gym

  • Before battle
"I am Clair. The world's best dragon master. I can hold my own against even the Pokémon League's Elite Four. Do you still want to take me on? ...Fine. Let's do it! As a Gym Leader, I will use my full power against any opponent!"
  • When defeated
"I lost? I don't believe it. There must be some mistake..."
  • After being defeated
"I won't admit this. I may have lost, but you're still not ready for the Pokémon League. I know. You should take the dragon user challenge. Behind this Gym is a place called Dragon's Den. There is a small shrine at its center. Go there. If you can prove that you've lost your lazy ideals, I will recognize you as a trainer worthy of a Gym Badge!"

Dragon's Den

"So how did it go? I guess there's no point in asking. You did fail? .................. ...What? You passed?"
"That can't be!"
"You're lying! Even I haven't been approved!"
"I-I understand..."
"Here, this is the Rising Badge... Hurry up! Take it!"
"Rising Badge will enable your Pokémon to use the move for climbing waterfalls. Also, all Pokémon will recognize you as a trainer and obey your every command without question. I also want you to have this TM."
"Wait!"
"I'm sorry about this. Here, take this as my apology."
"That contains DragonBreath. No, it doesn't have anything to do with my breath. If you don't want it, you don't have to take it. What's the matter? Aren't you going on to the Pokémon League? Do you know how to get there? From here, go to New Bark Town. Then surf east to the Pokémon League. The route there is very tough. Don't you dare lose at the Pokémon League! If you do, I'll feel even worse about having lost to you! Give it everything you got."

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Blackthorn Gym

  • Before battle
"I am Clair. The world's best Dragon-type master. I can hold my own against even the Pokémon League's Elite Four. Do you still want to take me on? ...Fine. Let's do this! As a Gym Leader, I will use my full power against any opponent!"
  • After sending out last Pokémon
"One last Pokémon? This is where the real battle begins!"
  • During battle
"You're kidding, right? I'm supposed to win! I already decided!"
  • After battle
"I lost... I don't believe it. There must be some mistake..."
  • After being defeated
"I won't concede this. I might have lost, but you're still not ready for the Pokémon League. I know. You should take the Dragon-master challenge. Behind this Gym is a place called Dragon's Den. There is a small shrine at its heart. Go there. If you can prove that you've lost your lazy ideals, I will admit you are a Trainer worthy of a Gym Badge!"

Dragon's Den

  • After the player has passed the test
"So how did it go? I guess there's no point in asking. You did fail? ... ...What? You passed? That can't be! You're lying! Even I haven't been approved! "
"I... I understand... Here, this is the Rising Badge... Hurry up! Take it!"
"The Rising Badge will enable your Pokémon to use the move for climbing waterfalls. Also, all Pokémon will know you as a Trainer and obey your every command without question."
"Wait! I'm sorry about this. Here, take this as my apology."
"That contains Dragon Pulse. Well, Dragon Pulse is kind of er... never mind! It's huge energy of some kind. If you don't want it, you don't have to take it. What's the matter? If you are headed to the Pokémon League, go back to New Bark Town and Surf along Route 27. Your face...is telling me you have some unfinished business... Come on! Whatever you have to face from now, don't you dare give up! If you do, I'll feel even worse about having lost to you! Give it your all."
"Well then, you over there! Will you team up with me?"
  • After battle
"Oh, I see..."
  • After being defeated
"I must excuse myself. ...<player>, it was a fun battle. That goes for you, too, wise guy."

Fighting Dojo

  • Before battle
"...You are here. Now let's battle!"
  • After sending out last Pokémon
"One last Pokémon? This is where the real battle begins!"
  • During battle
"You're kidding, right? I'm supposed to win! I already decided!"
  • After battle
"I lost... I don't believe it. There must be some mistake..."
  • After being defeated
"Way to go. ... Now give it your all!"

Pokégear Registering (Dragon's Den)

"It's still early, and you've got nothing to do already? I may have time to listen to you. If you insist, I can exchange numbers, too!"
"I can battle you on Friday nights if you insist!"

Pokégear Phone

  • Clair calling the player:
"Yes, it's Clair here... Oh, hi. How are you doing? Lately there seems to be some gossip running through town that I am the latest name in fashion. Well, if I'm that cool that people can't stop talking about me, I can totally understand that sentiment."
"Yes, it's Clair here... Oh, hi. How are you doing? Lately some people from the Radio Station came around, wanting to do a piece on me, or something. My fans definitely won't want to miss watching that! Oh, no! I was confused! It's radio! All those people turning in, and they won't be able to see my glorious face! What about TV? Why hasn't a TV crew come to do a piece on me?!"
  • Calling her:
"Nice to hear from you. How is everything with you? I'm good. What's your point? If you want to battle me again, fine. Friday nights, take it or leave it. Call me then... Maybe I'll answer..."
  • On Friday nights:
"Nice to hear from you. How is everything with you? I'm good. Well, well, you called at the right time! You want to battle again? I'm up for it."
No: "What in the world? Are you trying to make fun of me?!"
Yes: "Ha ha ha. It's great that you're stepping up. I'll be waiting for you at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City!"
"Yes, it’s Clair here... Oh, hi. How are you doing? Keep in mind we’re meeting at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City. It’s a promise I’m waiting to keep..."
"Nice to hear from you. How is everything with you? I'm good. I’m waiting for you at the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City... Don’t wuss out."

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: The first round quote
Pokémon World Tournament
  • Before battle (second round)
"I am Clair. The world's best Dragon-type master. I can hold my own even against the Pokémon League's Elite Four."
  • Before battle (last round)
"I am Clair. The world's best Dragon-type master. I will use my full power against any opponent!"
  • When defeated
"It's over..."
  • If the player is defeated
"Come on! You've got to get tougher than this!"
  • After being defeated
"I lost? I don't believe it. There must be some mistake... ...You can brag about it. Because you beat me!"
  • After winning
"What I was missing until now... Battling with you made me realize what it is. That's how I feel. You're a mysterious Trainer."
  • In the lobby, after the tournament
"What?! Come to brag about your victory? Fine. I'll say it to you. Congratulations! You were really tough! There! Are you happy now?"

Artwork

 
Headshot from
Generation II

Sprites

               
Clair's sprite from
Generation II
Clair's sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Clair's sprite from
Black 2 and White 2
Clair's VS sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Clair's overworld sprite from Generation II Clair's overworld sprite from HeartGold and SoulSilver Clair's overworld sprite from Black 2 and White 2 Clair's portrait from
Pokémon Stadium 2

In the anime

 
Clair in the anime

Clair appeared in five episodes of the Pokémon anime, toward the end of the Master Quest saga: Beauty is Skin Deep, Fangs for Nothin', Great Bowls of Fire, Better Eight Than Never and Why? Wynaut!.

As Ash and his friends were near Blackthorn City, they discovered a Dratini and a Gyarados in a river. They discovered that both Pokémon belong to Clair, who was following the Dratini down the river as it prepared to shed its skin. Team Rocket snatched the Dratini, however, and Clair gave chase, demonstrating her highly acrobatic abilities. Dratini escaped, and Ash fought to protect it. During the ensuing battle, however, an electric shock was headed straight for Dratini, but Clair jumped in front of it to absorb the shock. Dratini witnessed its Trainer's devotion, and evolved into a Dragonair in order to put a stop to Team Rocket. Later, Clair was finally able to perform an important ritual to purify the legendary Dragon Fang. Clair then went on to accept Ash's challenge for a Rising Badge.

 
Clair in Lyra's presentation in An Egg Scramble!

During the battle, Ash had the first strike, but the battle was cut short when Team Rocket stole the Dragon Fang. Ash, Clair and Team Rocket all ended up in the Dragon Holy Land, where Team Rocket tricked a Dragonite into helping them. Luckily, Liza and Ash's Charizard arrived to help save the day. Ash's Charizard then helped him earn him his final Johto League Badge by defeating Clair's Dragonair.

Although Clair did mention Lance in the anime, he is not her cousin like in the games; instead, she recalled that he trained under her at the Blackthorn Gym before he joined the Elite Four.

Clair is set to make an appearance in the Best Wishes series during Ash, Iris, and Cilan's trip to the Decolora Archipelago.

Pokémon

This listing is of Clair's Pokémon in the anime:

 
Dratini → Dragonair
Main article: Clair's Dragonair

Dragonair is Clair's main Pokémon. It first appeared as a Dratini, when it was shedding its skin and Clair was protecting it at that time. When Team Rocket tried to steal Dratini, Clair protected it which led it to evolve into a Dragonair. With its new powers, Dragonair easily defeated Team Rocket.

Clair also used her Dragonair in the rematch against Ash in Better Eight Than Never. With its speed and power, it defeated Pikachu easily. With a wide range of moves such as Dragon Rage, it proved to be a tough challenge for Charizard as well. Eventually it was however defeated by Charizard's Seismic Toss, earning Ash the Rising Badge.

Debut Beauty is Skin Deep
Voice actors
Japanese Megumi Hayashibara
English Megumi Hayashibara
 
Gyarados
Gyarados is Clair's hidden powerhouse. It was seen guarding her Dratini. Later, during Ash's rematch with Clair, it managed to defeat Ash's Snorlax and put up a good fight against his Pikachu, but eventually lost to Pikachu's Thunderbolt.

Gyarados's known moves are Hydro Pump, Hyper Beam, DragonBreath, and Bite.

Debut Beauty is Skin Deep
Voice actors
Japanese Unshō Ishizuka
English Unshō Ishizuka
 
Kingdra
Kingdra is one of Clair's strongest Pokémon. Clair used it in both battles with Ash. In the first battle, Ash first decided to use Pikachu, but as Pikachu's attacks didn't have that much effect on Kingdra, Ash switched to Noctowl, which was easily defeated. Right after this the match was interrupted, as Team Rocket was trying to steal the Dragon Fang.

During the rematch, Kingdra put up a good fight against Ash's Snorlax, but was finally defeated by Snorlax's Ice Punch.

Kingdra's known moves are Twister, Hydro Pump, Agility, Swift, and Hyper Beam.

Debut Fangs for Nothin'

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 三田ゆう子 Yūko Mita
English Megan Hollingshead
Polish Joanna Domańska
Brazilian Portuguese Rosely Gonçalves
Spanish Latin America Liliana Barba
Spain María Antonia Rodríguez


In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

File:Clair and Morty.png
Clair and her Kingdra (left) with Morty and his Misdreavus (right)

Clair was initially unhappy with the lack of capable Trainers wishing to battle her. Clair then traveled to the Dragon's Den where she met Suicune and battled it. Despite her efforts, she was outclassed by its tactics, and lost rather quickly, due to Suicune's use of Mist to create a reflection or illusion of itself. She then learned from the Dragon Clan Elder that the legendary beasts appear to Trainers they deem worthy which is why Suicune came to Clair. She then deduced that Suicune was looking for a worthy enough Trainer to be its master.

 
Clair in the HGSS chapter

Later, at the Gym Leaders Challenge, she was to face off against Blaine. This was an important matter for her, because as Lance's cousin, she thought that Blaine would know what became of Lance after Blaine and Lance's battle at Cerise Island the year before.

During the attack by Team Rocket, which ended up with all the Gym Leaders trapped on the recently completed bullet train, she forced Blaine into fighting their duel. Blaine quickly won due to Entei's powerful attacks. Thus, the Kanto Gym Leaders claimed victory, with four wins, three losses and one draw.

She appears years later in the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc. In VS Koffing, she appears in Lance's chamber at Whirl Islands, searching for him and meets Silver. After they fight many Koffing sent by Petrel, Silver returns her the Gym Badge he stole from her Gym. She tells him that Lance called her, mentioning the Safari Zone, Arceus and Plates.

Pokémon

This listing is of Clair's Pokémon in the Pokémon Adventures manga.

 
Kingdra
Nothing is known about Clair's Kingdra as it was just following her around in the Dragon's Den.
Debut Debonaire Dragonair
 
Dratini → Dragonair
Main article: Clair's Dragonair

Dragonair evolved from a Dratini prior to Debonaire Dragonair. It is considered to be Clair's strongest Pokémon as it was able to take out a Trainer's Seadra.

Debut Debonaire Dragonair

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

 
Clair in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Clair appears in The Ultimate Battle...?! as the final Gym leader of Johto who Red faces. As the final Gym Leader, she was considered a tough opponent for him to handle.

Pokémon

 
Dragonair
Main article: Clair's Dragonair

Dragonair is Clair's strongest and main Pokémon. Tyrogue had to work with Clefairy in order to defeat the Dragon-type.

Debut The Ultimate Battle...?!

In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Clair or her Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Clair's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Clair's Blastoise         Pokémon VS   046/141
Clair's Jynx         Pokémon VS   047/141
Clair's Gyarados         Pokémon VS   048/141
Clair's Dragonite         Pokémon VS   049/141
Clair's Politoed         Pokémon VS   050/141
Clair's Mantine   Tyranitar Half Deck     Pokémon VS   051/141
Clair's Kingdra         Pokémon VS   052/141
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Clair's TM 01 T [TM]       Pokémon VS   117/141
Clair's TM 02 T [TM]       Pokémon VS   118/141
 


Trivia

  • Her Japanese Leader title is 聖なるドラゴンポケモン使い!.
  • When Clair gives the player TM24 (DragonBreath) in Generation II, she says "No, it has nothing to do with my breath." This was a pun lost in translation, as Clair's Japanese name, Ibuki, can be taken to mean "breath". Despite this, a joke remains, as "dragon breath" is a term sometimes used for someone who has halitosis. Because she gives out TM59 (Dragon Pulse) in Generation IV instead, this joke was removed, though Clair does start to make a reference before becoming embarrassed.
  • Clair is the only Gym Leader to be seen in the anime in the U.S. before she was seen in Japan. The U.S. opening Born to Be a Winner featured exclusive clips, one of them of Clair, not shown in Japan. The opening made its debut in A Goldenrod Opportunity which aired August 18th, 2001 and Clair's Japanese debut wouldn't come until Beauty Is Skin Deep which aired on June 6th, 2002. The only other character to debut in the U.S. first was Dr. Yung.
  • Clair is the only Johto Gym Leader whose team's Pokémon changed between Pokémon Gold and Silver and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
  • Clair appears as an opponent in Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. She uses a Dragonair in battle.
  • In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, many characters in-game make fun of Clair's outfit, including Silver.
  • In the anime, all her Pokémon share the same move, Hyper Beam.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese イブキ Ibuki From 伊吹 Ibuki, Juniperus chinensis, and 伊吹山 Mount Ibuki. May also be from 息吹 ibuki, breath.
English Clair Rhymes with lair, as in lair of a dragon.
French, German, Italian Sandra From the word dragon.
Spanish Débora Possible relation to the Spanish word dragón or víbora (viper).
Korean 이향 Ihyang Means strange land.
Chinese (Taiwan) 小樁 Xiǎo Zhuāng*
小椿 Xiǎo Chūn*
樁 means stake, pile.
椿 refers to the Chinese mahogany.
Chinese (Mainland China) 小椿 Xiǎo Chūn Same as Taiwanese name.



RedClefairyPikachuTogepiTyrogueConkeldurrDedenneChespinFroakie
PM GreenBlueYellowGoldSilver
Professor OakBillBill's wife
BrockMistyLt. SurgeErikaSabrinaKogaBlaineGiovanniLoreleiBrunoAgathaLance
Professor ElmEarlClefairy RangersKurtDJ MaryChairmanKiyo
FalknerBugsyWhitneyMortyJasmineChuckPryceClairWillKaren
PMRS RubySapphireRedBlue
Professor BirchMr. StoneMr. BrineyMaxieTetsuyaRydelRydel's rival
Dr. TakedaScott
NormanRoxanneBrawlyWattson
PMDP DiaKazuki
Professor RowanMarsLookerCharon
Dai FugōOkane Daisukī
RoarkAaron
PMBW BlackBiancaCheren
Professor JuniperNCedric JuniperGhetsis
CilanChiliCressLenoraBurghElesaClaySkylaShauntalMarshalGrimsleyCaitlinAlder
PMXY ShaunaProfessor SycamoreSerena
PMSM HalaLillie


Gym Leaders of the Johto region
Violet Gym  
 
Falkner
Azalea Gym  
 
Bugsy
Goldenrod Gym  
 
Whitney
Ecruteak Gym  
 
Morty
Cianwood Gym  
 
Chuck
Olivine Gym  
 
Jasmine
Mahogany Gym  
 
Pryce
Blackthorn Gym  
 
Clair


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