Nessa

Nessa ルリナ Rurina
"The raging wave!"
Artwork from Sword and Shield
Gender	Female
Eye color	Blue
Hair color	Blue
Hometown	Hulbury
Region	Galar
Relatives	Unnamed mother and father
Trainer class	Gym Leader
Generation	VIII
Games	Sword and Shield
Leader of	Hulbury Stadium
Badge	Water Badge
Specializes in	Water types
Game animation debut	Letter
English voice actor	Anairis Quinones
Japanese voice actor	Sora Amamiya

Nessa (Japanese: ルリナ Rurina) is the Gym Leader of Hulbury's Gym, known officially as Hulbury Stadium. She specializes in Water-type Pokémon. She gives the Water Badge to Trainers who defeat her.

In the games

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

Nessa is the second Gym Leader Galarian Trainers face in their Gym Challenge. Nessa's interest in Water-type Pokémon may have been influenced by her parents: her father is a fisher and her mother works in the marketplace. Eventually, she became the Gym Leader of Hulbury Gym and a successful model. She also became close friends with Sonia during the Gym Challenge, and often gives her fresh seafood from Hulbury whenever the two meet up. She claims to be the rival of Milo, the Turffield Gym Leader, but the latter only sees himself as his own rival. Nessa is known to be a very popular Gym Leader and model. Many people believe she acts differently depending on her role. She is known to be calm and collected, but her competitive spirit and indomitable will lurk just beneath the surface. Given her personality and modeling career, fans were concerned with how Nessa would react to her loss against the player in the first round of the Champion Cup. Though she still gave the fans a perfect smile, things were not as peaceful within the Gym.

League Cards

This is a transcript of the back of Nessa's League Cards in Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Normal League Card

"Her father is a fisher, and her mother works in the marketplace. Perhaps because of her parents, she grew up playing with Water-type Pokémon and eventually made it all the way to being a Gym Leader. She met Sonia during their Gym Challenge, and they continue to be close friends. Nessa often gives Sonia fresh seafood from Hulbury. She has declared that Milo of Turffield is her rival, but Milo responded by saying that his rival is himself."

Rare League Card

"Nessa is incredibly popular, both as a Gym Leader and as a model. Many people even think the Gym Leader Nessa and the model Nessa are two different people, since she shows a completely different attitude in each role. She had the misfortune of being defeated in the first match of the Finals, and those who knew of her indomitable nature worried that this would impact her work as a model. Despite her loss, she was still able to give her fans a perfect smile. Things were not nearly as peaceful with her Gym, however... "

Pokémon

Nessa keeps her Pokémon in Dive Balls.

Pokémon Sword and Shield

Gym battle

Nessa will Dynamax her Drednaw at the first opportunity.

Gym Leader Nessa Hulbury Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $3,840

Type: Water Unknown Ability: Swift Swim Held item: None Goldeen♀ Lv.22 Water Pulse Water Special   --       Whirlpool Water Special   --       Horn Attack Normal Physical   --       Agility Psychic Status   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Swift Swim Held item: None Arrokuda♀ Lv.23 Aqua Jet Water Physical   --       Bite Dark Physical   --       Whirlpool Water Special   --       Fury Attack Normal Physical   --       Types: Water Rock Ability: Swift Swim Held item: None Drednaw♂ Lv.24 Dynamax Razor Shell Water Physical   --       Water Gun Water Special   --       Bite Dark Physical   --       Headbutt Normal Physical   --

Second battle

Nessa will Gigantamax her Drednaw at the first opportunity.

Gym Leader Nessa Wyndon Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $8,480

Types: Bug Water Ability: Emergency Exit Held item: None Golisopod♂ Lv.51 First Impression Bug Physical   --       Liquidation Water Physical   --       Swords Dance Normal Status   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Types: Water Flying Ability: Drizzle Held item: None Pelipper♂ Lv.51 Roost Flying Status   --       Air Slash Flying Special   --       Water Pulse Water Special   --       Tailwind Flying Status   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Swift Swim Held item: None Barraskewda♀ Lv.52 Liquidation Water Physical   --       Throat Chop Dark Physical   --       Ice Fang Ice Physical   --       Drill Run Ground Physical   --       Type: Water Unknown Ability: Swift Swim Held item: None Seaking♀ Lv.52 Smart Strike Steel Physical   --       Megahorn Bug Physical   --       Aqua Ring Water Status   --       Waterfall Water Physical   --       Types: Water Rock Ability: Shell Armor Held item: None Drednaw♀ Lv.53 Liquidation Water Physical   --       Jaw Lock Dark Physical   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --

Max Raid Battle partner

Nessa teams up with the player, Hop, and Piers to face a Dynamax Gyarados in a Max Raid Battle.

Gym Leader Nessa Hulbury Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: N/A
Types: Water Rock Ability: Shell Armor Held item: None Drednaw♂ Lv.62 Liquidation Water Physical   --       Jaw Lock Dark Physical   --       Body Slam Normal Physical   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical   --

Champion tournament

Nessa will Gigantamax her Drednaw at the first opportunity.

Gym Leader Nessa Wyndon Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $9,920/11,840

Types: Bug Water Ability: Emergency Exit Held item: None Golisopod♂ Lv.60/72 First Impression Bug Physical   --       Liquidation Water Physical   --       Swords Dance Normal Status   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Types: Water Flying Ability: Drizzle Held item: None Pelipper♂ Lv.60/72 Roost Flying Status   --       Hurricane Flying Special   --       Water Pulse Water Special   --       Tailwind Flying Status   --       Types: Water Ground Ability: Damp Held item: None Quagsire♂ Lv.61/73 Earthquake Ground Physical   --       Scald Water Special   --       Ice Punch Ice Physical   --       Toxic Poison Status   --       Types: Poison Water Ability: Merciless Held item: None Toxapex♂ Lv.61/73 Baneful Bunker Poison Status   --       Recover Normal Status   --       Venoshock Poison Special   --       Liquidation Water Physical   --       Types: Water Rock Ability: Shell Armor Held item: None Drednaw♀ Lv.62/74 Liquidation Water Physical   --       Jaw Lock Dark Physical   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --

Galarian Star Tournament

Gym Leader Nessa Wyndon Stadium Sword and Shield Reward: $11,840

Types: Bug Water Ability: Emergency Exit Held item: None Golisopod♂ Lv.72 First Impression Bug Physical   --       Liquidation Water Physical   --       Swords Dance Normal Status   --       Shadow Claw Ghost Physical   --       Types: Poison Water Ability: Merciless Held item: None Toxapex♂ Lv.73 Baneful Bunker Poison Status   --       Recover Normal Status   --       Venoshock Poison Special   --       Liquidation Water Physical   --       Types: Water Rock Ability: Shell Armor Held item: None Drednaw♀ Lv.74 Liquidation Water Physical   --       Jaw Lock Dark Physical   --       Rock Tomb Rock Physical   --       Crunch Dark Physical   --

Quotes

This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.

---

Hulbury

"You must be a Gym Challenger, right?"

(Regardless of player's choice): "You're one of the ones endorsed by Leon, right?"

"You've become something of a hot topic among the Gym Leaders."

"Here you go, Mr./Ms. Famous. I already heard about you, so you should learn about me, too."

"Let's head to the stadium. I love fishing, but I love Pokémon battles even more and I'm itching for a battle with you!"

Hulbury Stadium

"Welcome, honored Gym Challenger!"

"I think you already realize, but I'm Nessa. Sorry to have made you look for me."

"I don't doubt my humble mission's difficulty... Yet you cleared it. Your mind as a Pokémon Trainer must be quite refined."

"No matter what kind of plan your refined mind may be plotting, my partner and I will be sure to sink it."

• Upon sending out last Pokémon

"Looks like I'm down to one last Pokémon. I've been saving the best for last!"

• Upon using Dynamax

"Flood the stadium and make it our ocean! Drednaw, time to Dynamax!"

• Upon using Max Geyser

"This is a little gift from us... I hope you can take it!"

• Upon being defeated

"I may proudly be the strongest member of this Gym, but I was totally washed away!"

• After being defeated

"How...? How can this be?!"

"*sigh* Now that I've battled you, I think I understand."

"Continue to seize victories in the Gym Challenge with your Pokémon."

"You have an incredible spirit that may even be strong enough to challenge the Champion."

"You'll want to challenge the Fire Gym Leader next. As you and your Pokémon are now, he'll definitely want to battle you."

Wyndon Stadium (Champion Cup Locker Room)

"Long time no see! This'll be a different sort of battle than you faced in the Gym Challenge. Those were basically test matches, but this... This is serious battle."

Wyndon Stadium (Champion Cup Finals)

"I can tell you've grown far stronger since you faced me in Hulbury Stadium."

"I've got to hand it to our undefeated Champion. He's got a proper eye for talent, too."

"But you're not the Champion, and you'll never become the Champion, either."

"Do you know why? Because I, Nessa, am going to defeat both you and Leon!"

"I'm not going to underestimate you again."

"I'll use Dynamax to wash you out to sea and beyond the horizon!"

• Upon sending out first Pokémon

"Sonia might be disappointed, but I'm going to wash your team away!"

• Upon sending out last Pokémon

"Looks like I'm down to one last Pokémon. I've been saving the best for last!"

• Upon using Gigantamax

"Flood the stadium and make it our ocean! Drednaw, time to Gigantamax!"

• Upon using G-Max Stonesurge

"This is a little gift from us... I hope you can take it!"

• Upon being defeated

"You had no problem handling our surging might. It's no wonder that you won."

• After being defeated

"You and your Pokémon are just too much..."

"Even with my Dynamaxed partner, you weathered our waves and stood firm."

"Now that I think about it, Sonia was saying something about how amazing you were."

"I wish I'd paid more attention to what she was talking about."

"I bet everyone in Galar's got their eyes on you now."

"You defeated my team, so now you've got to ride that current all the way to the end!"

Hulbury Stadium (Sordward and Shielbert)

"Don't get too close, you lot! Things are pretty dangerous here!"

"Yes. They took shelter just a short while ago... Y'know, the more I look at you three, the more I see how odd a little group you are."

"And I'm grateful for it. That Dynamax Pokémon's power is so intense I'm sure it'd give me trouble. I'd feel a lot more confident about it if you all joined the battle. Let's do it!"

• After defeating Dynamax Gyarados

"Because of everyone's help, no one was hurt and we were able to turn the tide of the situation. I'll keep that Pokémon at Hulbury Stadium until it can fully recover. <player>... If you ever need my help, just let me know. "

"I suppose I'll see you later, then? Thank you so much for your help, truly."

Wyndon Stadium (Champion Cup Rematch)

• Before battle

"I'm sure you remember, but I'm Nessa."

"And I'm not here to chat. I'm here to win!"

• Upon being defeated

"I don't get it. What do I gotta do to beat you, huh?"

• After being defeated

"I have my best team, and we train and we train... But then you're always just one step ahead."

"Maybe that's why I can't stop thinking about you."

Isle of Armor Random Encounters

• When first spoken to

"Well, hello there, Champion! Have you come to see me?"

"No, no, just winding you up a bit. I've got some time off from my modeling and Gym Leader work, so I'm honing my moves."

• If found in Fields of Honor

"Look at this — nature as far as the eye can see. Just the sort of spot Milo'd love, right?"

• If found in Forest of Focus

"When it rains here in the forest, the sound's so calming. It makes for a nice mental refresh if I've lost a battle or something."

• If found on Challenge Road

"Doesn't the breeze up here feel nice? It's the type of day that makes you think a Wingull might swoop by and bring you a letter!"

• If found in Courageous Cavern

"You can get to the sea through here. There are some small islands around there — my favorite spots!"

• If found on Challenge Beach or Training Lowlands

"The water looks so inviting... Wonder how many seconds it'd take me to swim to that island out there?"

• If found in Potbottom Desert

"Drednaw and I are doing some intensive training. We're working on moves that can drench even this bone-dry desert!"

• During harsh sunlight or clear skies

"Look at this brilliant swimming weather! Good thing the Hulbury Gym uniform doubles as a swimsuit, so I can dive right in!"

• During overcast conditions

"Clouds have got to cover a certain proportion of the sky for a day to officially be called cloudy. The sky's at least nine-tenths covered today, so that definitely qualifies!"

• During rain or thunderstorms

"Rain's got its share of haters, but I guarantee you none of them are Water-type Pokémon! It just goes to show how people and Pokémon don't always agree on what's nice weather!"

• During a sandstorm

"Since Drednaw's also a Rock type, it grows more resistant to special moves during sandstorms."

• During foggy conditions

"In thick fogs like this, it's easy for ships to lose their way at sea. That's why we have lighthouses, like the one in Hulbury!"

Wyndon Stadium (Galarian Star Tournament)

Partnering with Nessa

• In the locker room before the first round

"I've got to admit, it feels a bit strange teaming up together with you like this. I mean...I'm happy to get to battle alongside you, but you're just too good. You know?"

• In the locker room before the second round

"What did you think of our graceful Water-type moves? I've worked to refine them to their purest form. I'll be firing them off from beside you in the next match, too."

• In the locker room before the last round

"When you and I team up together, there's no way we can do anything but win. So once you're ready, let's go and do just that."

• On the field before the first round battle

"Don't worry. I won't let anyone sink our team!"

• On the field before the second round battle

"I'm at my best when I team up with you! It's like I'm a mermaid who's found water!"

• On the field before the last round battle

"Even If I have to flood this stadium and turn it into an ocean, I'll swim my way through!"

• Winning the Tournament

"The waves have receded, and only you and I are left standing... Congratulations on this victory, <player>. And thank you for it."

• Against Milo

"Just my luck I'd get pitted against a Grass-type user like you, Milo... But I don't plan on losing!"

Artwork

Artwork of Nessa from Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Sprites

Icon from the Galarian Star Tournament menu

League Cards

Nessa's League Card in Sword and Shield	Nessa's rare League Card in Sword and Shield

In the anime

Nessa in Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Young Nessa in Pokémon: Twilight Wings

In Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Nessa made a cameo appearance in Letter. She reappeared in another cameo in Buddy, where she was seen in the water alongside a Qwilfish.

Nessa appeared more prominently in Early-Evening Waves, where she suffered a defeat in the Champion Cup at the hands of Milo. Afterwards, she was approached by Rose, who implied the loss happened because she was distracted by her simultaneous modeling career. This agitated her, and she vented her frustrations to Sonia. Later, during a photo shoot, Nessa was reunited with a Feebas she had met as a child, which was now a Milotic. Afterwards, she decided to disregard Rose's words and continue being both a Gym Leader and a model.

In Sky, she gave her thoughts about Leon in an interview.

In The Gathering of Stars, she was seen resting at a modeling photoshoot studio when she received an invitation letter for the Galarian Star Tournament. She was later seen at Wyndon Stadium, walking out onto the field for the tournament's opening ceremony.

Character

During the time she was defeated in battle, Nessa felt very concerned about juggling between her dual careers as a Gym Leader and a model. This conflict was amplified by Rose's implication that her modeling career was distracting her from her Gym Leader duties. She also has a great friendship with Sonia.

Pokémon

This listing is of Nessa's known Pokémon in Pokémon: Twilight Wings:

On hand

		Drednaw
		Drednaw was seen being defeated by Milo's Dynamax Eldegoss during Nessa's Champion Cup battle against him. Drednaw's only known move is Crunch*.
Debut	Early-Evening Waves

Nessa's Inteleon		Inteleon
		Inteleon was seen along with Nessa during a photoshoot. None of Inteleon's moves are known.
Debut	The Gathering of Stars

Befriended

Milotic		Feebas → Milotic
		As a child, Nessa encountered a Feebas, and encouraged it to grow bigger. She also requested if she could ride on it once it evolved. Years later, Feebas returned as a Milotic, who fulfilled the request from earlier and let Nessa ride on it. This encounter prompted her to move forward with her goal to be both a Gym Leader and a model at the same time. None of Milotic's moves are known.
Debut	Early-Evening Waves

In the GOTCHA! music video

Nessa briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.

In the manga

Nessa in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Nessa debuted in PASS03. She, along with various other Gym Leaders, was first seen reacting to the news that Leon had endorsed two Trainers for the Gym Challenge.

Later, Nessa faced Sōdo in a Gym battle at Hulbury Stadium and lost. She later battled Shirudomiria as well, but the injuries her Pokémon sustained in the battle with Sōdo led to Nessa losing a second time, much to her frustration. After Shirudomiria and Hop completed the first three Galar Gyms, Nessa, Milo, and Kabu personally congratulated the two for their accomplishment.

Pokémon

		Toxapex
		Toxapex is Nessa's first known Pokémon. It was first seen participating in a photo shoot with Nessa. Later, it was used in a battle against Sōdo's Sutikkun. Though it poisoned its opponent with Baneful Bunker, Toxapex was defeated when its body was heated up by Sutikkun's Sunny Day, leaving it wide open for Sutikkun's next attack. Toxapex's only known move is Baneful Bunker.
Debut	Sword & Shield chapter

		Drednaw ↔ Gigantamax Drednaw
		Drednaw is Nessa's second known Pokémon. It was first used in Nessa's Gym battle against Sōdo, but it was defeated by Sōdo's Sutikkun. It is housed in a Dive Ball. None of Drednaw's moves are known*. As a Gigantamax Drednaw, it can use Max Strike and G-Max Stonesurge.
Debut	Sword & Shield chapter

In the TCG

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

Nessa'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	#
Drednaw		Vivid Voltage		039/185	Amazing Volt Tackle		026/100
Other related cards
Card	Type	English Expansion	Rarity	#	Japanese Expansion	Rarity	#
Nessa	Su	Vivid Voltage		157/185	Amazing Volt Tackle		096/100
		Vivid Voltage		183/185	Amazing Volt Tackle		111/100
		Vivid Voltage		196/185	Amazing Volt Tackle		118/100

Trivia

• Nessa's uniform number is "049", which can be read in Japanese as goroawase for 泳ぐ oyogu, meaning "to swim".
• In Nessa's Gym battle and as a partner in a Max Raid Battle, she uses a male Drednaw. However, in her tournament battle and all future rematches, she uses a female Drednaw.
• Nessa's rivalry with Milo, especially with Hulbury and Turffield's real world inspirations, could be based on the rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire since the Wars of the Roses.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	ルリナ Rurina	From 瑠璃苦菜 ruri-nigana (cupid's dart)
English	Nessa	From ness, an Old English word for a headland the piece of land that projects from a coastline into the sea. Also from Loch Ness.
German	Kate	From Catananche caerulea (cupid's dart)
French	Donna	From cupidone bleue (cupid's dart)
Italian	Azzurra	From cupidone azzurro (cupid's dart)
Spanish	Cathy	From Catananche caerulea (cupid's dart)
Korean	야청 Yacheong	From 야청 yacheong (dark blue)
Chinese (Mandarin)	露璃娜 Lùlínà	Transliteration of her Japanese name. Contains 露 lù (dew) and 璃 lí from 玻璃菊 bōlijú (cupid's dart).
Chinese (Cantonese)	露璃娜 Louhlèihnàh	Transliteration of her Japanese name. Contains 露 louh (dew) and 璃 lèih from 玻璃菊 bōlēigūk (cupid's dart).
Brazilian Portuguese	Vanessa	From her English name
Russian	Несса Nessa	Transcription of her English name
Thai	รูรินะ Rurina	Transcription of her Japanese name

Related articles

Gym Leaders of the Galar region
Turffield Stadium Milo	Hulbury Stadium Nessa	Motostoke Stadium Kabu	Stow-on-Side Stadium Bea Allister
Ballonlea Stadium Opal Bede	Circhester Stadium Gordie Melony	Spikemuth Gym Piers Marnie	Hammerlocke Stadium Raihan

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.