Falkner

Falkner
ハヤト Hayato
"The Elegant Master of Flying Pokémon"
HeartGold SoulSilver Falkner.png
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gender Male
Eye color Black*, Blue*
Hair color Blue
Hometown Violet City
Region Johto
Relatives Father (predecessor as Gym Leader), Walker (father)*
Trainer class Gym LeaderGSCHGSS
Pokémon TrainerB2W2
Generation II, IV, V
Games Gold, Silver, Crystal, Pokémon Stadium 2, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Masters EX
Leader of Violet Gym
Badge Zephyr Badge
Specializes in Flying types
Game animation debut GOTCHA!
English voice actor Howard Wang[1] (Masters EX)
Japanese voice actor Kohsuke Tanabe[2] (Masters EX)
Anime debut Fighting Flyer with Fire
English voice actor Matthew Mitler
Japanese voice actor Akira Ishida

Falkner (Japanese: ハヤト Hayato) is the Gym Leader of Violet City's Gym, known officially as the Violet Gym. He hands out the Zephyr Badge to Trainers who defeat him. He specializes in Flying-type Pokémon.

In the core series games

Falkner appears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver, where he is the first Gym Leader players will encounter. A master of Flying-type Pokémon, Falkner runs the Violet Gym, which he inherited from his father; the Pokémon he uses in battle also formerly belonged to him. Falkner's father is reported to be traveling, but is never seen in the game.

Known as "The Elegant Master of Flying Pokémon", Falkner is adored as a cool and handsome Trainer. Falkner reveres his father, and aspires to follow in his footsteps to become the greatest bird Pokémon master. Falkner uses, notably, the lowest leveled Pokémon found in any Gym in any region. In fact, his Pidgeotto is underleveled. Once defeated in battle, he awards winners with the Zephyr Badge and a Technical Machine: TM31 (Mud-Slap) in Generation II; TM51 (Roost) in Generation IV. In each generation, his Pokémon know the respective TM; Falkner uses this move as part of his battle strategy.

Like all Gym Leaders in HeartGold and SoulSilver, Falkner ventures out of his Gym occasionally. Once the player has obtained the Soul Badge, Falkner will journey every Monday to Celadon City so he can visit the Department Store. He can be found talking with Janine of Fuchsia City on the fourth floor, and will exchange Pokégear phone numbers with the player. Once this has been completed, Falkner can be invited to the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City every Saturday morning to be faced in a rematch with a stronger team of Pokémon. He may also participate in the Pokéathlon's Supreme Cup in the Jump Course with his Pidgeot, Swellow, and Staraptor.

Pokémon

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Gym battle



Rematch



Pokéathlon
   Jump  Course
Supreme Cup
  Swellow
 Jump 
  Pidgeot
 Jump 
  Staraptor
 Jump 


Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Pokémon World Tournament

Falkner uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles. Falkner will always lead with his signature Pokémon, Pidgeot.

Johto Leaders Tournament



Type Expert/World Leaders Tournament



The Battle Between Legendary Pokémon



In the side series games

Pokémon Stadium 2

Falkner appears in Pokémon Stadium 2's Johto Gym Leader Castle. Unlike other Gym Leaders in this game, all of his Pokémon are of his specialist type. Notably, he even uses a Legendary Pokémon; Zapdos.

During the game's end credits, he is seen having a battle with Erika.

Pokémon

Round 1



Round 2



In the spin-off games

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

Falkner appears as an opponent in Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. He uses a Pidgey to battle.

Pokémon Masters EX

Main article: Falkner (Masters)

Falkner forms a sync pair with Swellow, Pidgeot, and Noctowl in Pokémon Masters EX. Falkner became a playable sync pair on August 5, 2021.

Sync Dex Trainer NDex Pokémon Type Weakness Role Base Potential Availability
#139   Falkner #0277   Swellow
Flying
 
Ice
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Sync Pair Scout
#139   Falkner #0018   Pidgeot
Flying
 
Electric
 
  ★★★★☆☆EX Battle Points
#139   Falkner #0164   Noctowl  
Flying
 
Electric
 
  ★★★★★☆EX Variety Sync Pair Scout

Gallery

Artwork

   
Headshot from
Generation II
Official artwork from
Crystal

Sprites

In the core series

       
Sprite from
Generation II
Sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
VS sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Sprite from
Black 2 and White 2
     
Overworld sprite from
Generation II
Overworld sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Overworld sprite from
Black 2 and White 2

In other games

     
Portrait from
Puzzle Challenge
Portraits from
Stadium 2

Quotes

Main article: Falkner/Quotes

In the anime

Main series

 
Falkner in the anime

Falkner appeared in Fighting Flyer with Fire. When Ash's Pikachu was stolen by Team Rocket, Falkner arrived and rescued it with the help of his Pidgeot. He flies around on a hang-glider in order to be as close to Flying Pokémon as he possibly could be. He is usually seen with his Hoothoot on his shoulder. Falkner conducts his matches on the roof of the Gym, accompanied by his many students who chant in unison during his battles.

Falkner escorted Ash and his friends to the Violet Gym after agreeing to have a match against Ash. He selected his Hoothoot, and its incredible speed helped it defeat Chikorita. Then, Pikachu was able to knock Hoothoot out of the sky and used Quick Attack to win the round. Next, Falkner selected his Dodrio, and while its speed and high jumps made for a difficult match, Pikachu's Thunderbolt overwhelmed it. Pikachu, however, was defeated by Pidgeot. Ash called on Charizard's assistance against Pidgeot. Falkner appeared to have the upper hand, but Ash soon saw a pattern in Pidgeot's strategy and had Charizard use Fire Spin, followed by a Seismic Toss. Ash was able to win the Zephyr Badge, despite Charizard's wing being severely injured during the match.

He reappeared in a flashback in Why? Wynaut!.

Character

Falkner has a self-righteous attitude when it comes to Pokémon training, which angered Ash. Falkner also expressed an intense dislike for the assumption many Trainers make that Flying-type Pokémon will always lose to Electric-types, but proved to be slightly hypocritical as he criticized Ash's poor choice of using Chikorita, a Grass-type that is weak to Flying-types, in their match.

He is intense in battle and rigorously commands his Pokémon's every move, including their flight paths. He uses his Flying Pokémon's abilities to whip up strong winds, and their wings, or in Dodrio's case its long legs, to evade attacks and swoop down to attack. While he pushes his Pokémon to perform their best, Falkner also thanks them for their efforts.

Pokémon


This article is missing information on this character's English voice actor and Japanese voice actor.
You can help by adding this information.


 
Hoothoot
Hoothoot was the first Pokémon sent out in the Gym battle between Falkner and Ash. Hoothoot managed to defeat Ash's Chikorita with ease, but was quickly defeated once Ash brought out his Pikachu. Hoothoot was also sometimes seen outside of its Poké Ball with Falkner when not in battle.

It reappeared in a flashback in Why? Wynaut!.

Hoothoot's known moves are Tackle and Peck.

Debut Fighting Flyer with Fire
Voice actors
Japanese Yūji Ueda
English Yūji Ueda
 
Dodrio
Dodrio was the second Pokémon Falkner sent out to battle Ash's Pikachu. At first Dodrio seemed to have the upper hand. When Pikachu tried to attack, Falkner ordered Dodrio to fly - much to Ash's surprise - and Dodrio jumped high in the air. Ash decided to use that method himself, and ordered Pikachu to dodge Dodrio's Tri Attack by jumping to the air. From above, Pikachu used Thunder, knocking out Dodrio and winning the round.

Dodrio's known moves are Agility, Fury Attack, Drill Peck, and Tri Attack.

Debut Fighting Flyer with Fire
 
Pidgeot
Pidgeot appeared in Fighting Flyer with Fire. When Team Rocket tried to steal Ash's Pikachu, Falkner used Pidgeot to get Pikachu back and send them blasting off again. Falkner later used it in a Gym battle against Ash. It was able to defeat a weakened Pikachu with a single Whirlwind attack.

It was put up against Ash's Charizard in the final round of the battle. With its impressive speed and power, Pidgeot was able to gain the upper hand and injure Charizard making it unable to fly. But with Ash's support and inspiration, Charizard was able to fly again.

Unfortunately, things still looked bad as Pidgeot used Agility to keep dodging Charizard's attacks and attack from behind. Ash luckily had Charizard turn back and use Fire Spin trapping Pidgeot and finished it off with Seismic Toss making Ash the victor.

It reappeared in a flashback in All That Glitters!.

Pidgeot's known moves are Whirlwind, Agility, Wing Attack, and Quick Attack.

Debut Fighting Flyer with Fire
Voice actors
Japanese Megumi Hayashibara
English Megumi Hayashibara

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 石田彰 Akira Ishida
English Matthew Mitler
Arabic وسام صباغ Wissam Sabbagh
Czech Daniel Tůma
Finnish Antti Jaakola
European French Erico Salamone
Italian Luca Sandri (Mediaset dub)
Massimo di Benedetto (K2 dub)
Polish Artur Krajewski
Brazilian Portuguese Alex Wendel
Spanish Latin America Eduardo Garza
Spain Pablo Sevilla


GOTCHA!

Falkner briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

 
Falkner in Pokémon Adventures

History

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

Falkner debuts in Elekid Incorporated, where he is seen working as a part-time Police Officer. He finds Gold unconscious at Professor Elm's laboratory and blames him for the fire started on the lawn. Under the threat of arrest, Gold comes with Falkner and explains to him that the true thief was named Silver. When asked to provide a picture of Silver, Gold deliberately gives wrong information so that he can find Silver himself. Falkner offers Gold and Joey a place to stay for the night at the police station in Cherrygrove City, but Gold turns it down and runs off with Joey in tow.

Falkner reappears in Sunkern Treasure, where he is seen training while off-duty. He runs into Gold and properly introduces himself. Falkner reveals that he plans on taking the Gym Leader qualifying exam so that he can take over the Violet Gym that his father used to lead before being run into hiding. They are attacked by a wild Skarmory that Falkner had faced before, but failed to defeat. With Gold's help, Falkner manages to defeat and capture Skarmory. In Smeargle Smudge, it is revealed Falkner passed the Gym Leader exam.

In Delibird Delivery - 1, Falkner appeared in Professor Elm's fantasy when he informed Gold that the Masked Man may be a Gym Leader.

 
Falkner as a Police Officer

In Really Raikou & Entirely Entei (Part 1) and Really Raikou & Entirely Entei (Part 2), Falkner trains his Pokémon on the outskirts of Violet City, where he encounters a poacher. They are attacked by Raikou and Entei, who Falkner assumes are challenging Gym Leaders like Suicune had been doing. Falkner initially struggles to keep up with Entei and Raikou's speed, but he manages to divert their attacks, leaving an opening for him to catch them. The thrown Poké Balls are stopped by Suicune, who had arrived to assist its comrades. The poacher suggests that Falkner give up and live to fight another day, but Falkner refuses the challenge to succeed where the other Gym Leaders failed. In a last-ditch effort, Falkner throws a multitude of Poké Balls into the air, which surround Suicune due to them being outfitted with Skarmory's shed clear feathers, turning them into boomerangs. Falkner almost hits Suicune, but Entei and Raikou return the favor by destroying the Poké Balls. Skarmory begins crashing to the ground due to its now-missing wing, but Suicune saves Falkner with a bubble and then leaves with Entei and Raikou. Falkner admits defeat and claims that he would have lost even if Suicune did not come to help Raikou and Entei. He reveals to the poacher his job as a police officer and proceeds to arrest him for capturing Pokémon in a protected environment.

 
Falkner in the ninth chapter

At the Indigo Plateau, Falkner arrives with his fellow Johto Gym Leaders to participate in an exhibition tournament for the Pokémon League against the Kanto Gym Leaders. In the third round, he faces off against Janine of Fuchsia City. The Poison-type Gym Leader proves too powerful for Falkner and he is nearly defeated by her Ariados. When Janine sees what appears to be her missing father, Koga, in the audience, she forfeits the battle to search for him. When the Masked Man attacks the Pokémon League, Falkner and the other Gym Leaders combat his army of mind-controlled Team Rocket Grunts. The fight takes them to the Magnet Train, which is used as a diversion to get the Gym Leaders away from the stadium. After the Masked Man is defeated, Falkner returned to his usual duties of being a Gym Leader.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

Falkner, along with Chuck and Bugsy, is asked by Morty to guard the Ecruteak Gym from suspicious people asking to use Morty's clairvoyance. When Silver arrives to see Morty under Eusine's recommendation, the Gym Leaders mistake him for another suspicious person and stop his attempts to advance. Having no time to talk, Silver opts to battle the Gym Leaders and force his way inside. Silver's clash ends when he is revealed to be a friend of Chuck's former student, Blue. They decide to trust Silver and let him inside to meet with Morty, who had been helping Gold due to mistaking him for Silver. The meeting is cut short by the sudden appearance of Arceus, who lands in front of the Ecruteak Gym and destroys it with a single blast. Falkner, Bugsy, and Chuck are caught in the blast and knocked unconscious.

Falkner's father is Walker, who also uses boomerang Poké Balls made from Skarmory's shed feathers.

Pokémon

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

 
Pidgeotto
Pidgeotto is Falkner's first known Pokémon. He was first seen training with Noctowl in a field with Falkner. When a wild Skarmory kept terrorizing a group of Sunkern, Pidgeotto was used to battle against it. He was unable to beat Skarmory, as its metal body prevented Pidgeotto from finishing it off.

None of Pidgeotto's moves are known.

Debut Sunkern Treasure
 
Noctowl
Noctowl is Falkner's second known Pokémon. He was first seen training with Pidgeotto in a field with Falkner. When a wild Skarmory kept terrorizing a group of Sunkern, Noctowl was used to battle against it. He was unable to beat Skarmory, as its metal body prevented Noctowl from finishing it off. At the Pokémon League, Noctowl was used to battle against Janine. He first went up against her Grimer who attempted sneak attacks with Minimize, but Noctowl exposed it with Foresight. Next, it battled against Janine's Ariados, but was heavily injured before being switched to Skarmory.

Noctowl's only known move is Foresight.

Debut Sunkern Treasure
 
Skarmory
Skarmory is Falkner's third known Pokémon. It debuted as a wild Pokémon chasing after a bunch of Sunkern. Falkner battles it and with the help of Gold's Cyndaquil, Exbo, he was able to capture it. Skarmory was used in Falkner's battle against Raikou and Entei. Together, they nearly succeeded in capturing one of the Legendary Pokémon before Suicune interrupted. Skarmory fought against Suicune, only to have one of its wings shatter, causing Skarmory to plummet to the ground before being saved by Suicune's bubbles. At the Pokémon League, Skarmory was used to battle against Janine. It was used against her Ariados, but was easily captured by its web and would have lost had Janine not forfeited. Its shed feathers are used to improve Falkner's Poké Balls by combining with them to make boomerangs.

Skarmory's known moves are Swift, Agility, and Steel Wing, and its Ability is Keen Eye.

Debut Sunkern Treasure

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

 
Falkner in Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Falkner first appeared in Falkner The Bird Keeper's Challenge!! where Gold heard that he lived in Violet City. Gold went to Violet City to challenge Falkner. During the Gym battle, Falkner revealed that he challenged someone previously using his Pidgey and Pidgeotto. They were worn out after being defeated by his Mareep. As a result, Falkner sent out his Pidgeot to battle Gold. Gold defeated Pidgeot with Totodile's combination of Water Gun and Bite.

The Gym battle continued in The Legendary Pokémon Appears! where Gold had to deal with Falkner's Articuno who appeared once every four years. Gold had a long fight with it using Totodile, Pidgey, and Pikachu and was about to lose until Articuno flew away. Falkner stated that it fights when it wants to and leaves at will. As Articuno chose not to fight anymore, Gold was able to defeat Falkner and was rewarded the Zephyr Badge.

Pokémon

On hand
 
Pidgeot
Falkner sent out Pidgeot as his other Pokémon were weakened from his previous challenger. It went up against Gold's Totodile and lost.

Pidgeot's only known move is Wing Attack.

Debut Falkner The Bird Keeper's Challenge!!
 
Articuno
Articuno is a legendary Pokémon that appears every four years. It went up against Gold's Pikachu after it came from another time. Pikachu could not defeat Articuno alone so it got help from Totodile and Pidgey.

Articuno's known moves are Ice Beam and Blizzard.

Debut The Legendary Pokémon Appears!
Other
 
Pidgey and Pidgeotto
Prior to Gold's Gym battle challenge with Falkner, Falkner mentioned that he used a Pidgey and Pidgeotto against Black's team, with Pidgey fighting his Mareep. It officially appeared shadowed in Gold's flashback.

None of their moves are known.

Debut Falkner The Bird Keeper's Challenge!!

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

 
Falkner in Pocket Monsters HGSS
 
Falkner in Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Falkner first appeared in The Gym Challenges Begin!! as the first Gym Leader in Johto Red encountered. Red met him in Sprout Tower while talking to one of the Elders. He reappeared in PMHGSS05, where he had a rematch with Red during the latter's return to Johto.


Pokémon

 
Natu
Natu is Falkner's first known Pokémon. It is usually seen on Falkner's shoulder when it is not battling. During his battle with Red at Sprout Tower, Falkner sends it out to have a battle with his Clefairy.

Natu's known moves are Leer, Teleport, Confuse Ray, and Peck.

Debut The Gym Challenges Begin!!
 
Pidgeotto
Falkner's Pidgeotto appeared when Red and his Pokémon returned to Johto. It was used in Falkner's rematch against Red.

Pidgeotto's known moves are Wing Attack, Tackle, and Gust.

Debut PMHGSS05

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

 
Falkner in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Falkner appeared in JBA1, where he challenged to a Gym battle in the Violet Gym. Jō managed to defeat Falkner, earning himself the Zephyr Badge. He reappeared in a flashback in JBA5.

Pokémon

 
Pidgey
Falkner sent out Pidgey to battle Jō's Totodile. It wasn't long before Totodile managed to defeat Pidgey.

Pidgey's only known move is Sand-Attack.

Debut Aim to be the Strongest! The Hot-Blooded Brotherly Combination!!

In the TCG

 
Ultra rare Falkner
Main article: Falkner (Paldea Evolved 180)

Falkner was introduced as a Supporter card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Scarlet & Violet Series (the Japanese Scarlet & Violet Era). It was first released in the Japanese Triplet Beat subset and the English Paldea Evolved expansion, with artwork by Ryuta Fuse. An ultra rare version of the card with artwork by the same artist was released in the same sets. It lets players draw two cards. If the player has a Stadium card in play, they draw four cards instead.

Pokémon VS

The Japanese exclusive Pokémon VS expansion featured several of Falkner's Pokémon and two Technical Machine cards. Falkner's Fearow was later released in English in the Tyranitar Half Deck.

Falkner cards in Pokémon VS
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Falkner's Pidgeot         Pokémon VS   001/141
Falkner's Fearow   Tyranitar Half Deck     Pokémon VS   002/141
Falkner's Farfetch'd         Pokémon VS   003/141
Falkner's Dodrio         Pokémon VS   004/141
Falkner's Togetic         Pokémon VS   005/141
Falkner's Delibird         Pokémon VS   006/141
Falkner's Skarmory         Pokémon VS   007/141
Falkner's TM 01 T [TM]       Pokémon VS   103/141
Falkner's TM 02 T [TM]       Pokémon VS   104/141
 


Trivia

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese ハヤト Hayato From 隼人瓜 Hayato-uri (chayote) and 隼 hayabusa (peregrine falcon)
English, Indonesian,
Brazilian Portuguese
Falkner From falconer, one who trains falcons to hunt
German Falk From Falke (falcon)
Spanish Pegaso From Pegaso (Pegasus)
French Albert From albatros (albatross)
Italian Valerio From volare (to fly)
Korean 비상 Bisang From 비상 (飛上) bisang (flight)
Chinese (Mandarin) 阿速 Ā Sù* From the Japanese name 速人 Hayato and 速 (quick)
隼人 Sǔnrén* From the Japanese name 集人 Hayato
Chinese (Cantonese) 阿速 A Chūk From the Japanese name 速人 Hayato and 速 chūk (quick)
Thai ฮายาโตะ Hayato Transcription of his Japanese name
Vietnamese Hayato Transcription of his Japanese name

References


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


Golden Boys characters
GoldBlackChrisGreyProfessor Oak

Professor ElmMr. PokémonDJ MaryTakeoKurt
Day-Care CoupleFalknerBugsyWhitneyMorty
ChuckJasmineEusineBlack TyranitarJoey


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


  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.