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Brock
タケシ Takeshi
""The Rock-Solid Pokémon Trainer!""
[[File:File:FL Brock.png|{{{size}}}]]
Art from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen
Gender Male
Hometown Pewter City
Region Kanto
Relatives Flint (father), Lola (mother), Forrest (brother), 8 other siblings (all anime only)
Trainer class Gym Leader, Breeder (anime only)
Generation I, II, III
Games Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, Stadium, Stadium 2
Leader of Pewter Gym
Badge Boulderbadge
Anime debut Showdown in Pewter City
English voice actor Unknown
Japanese voice actor Unknown

Brock (Japanese: タケシ Takeshi) is the Gym Leader of Pewter City's Gym, known officially as the Pewter Gym. He hands out the Boulderbadge to trainers who defeat him. He specializes in Rock-type Pokémon.

In the anime

Character

File:Brock-anime1.jpg
Brock in the original series

In the anime, Brock is a Pokémon Breeder who is a close friend and traveling companion of Ash. His Japanese voice actor is うえだゆうじ Yūji Ueda, and his English voice actors are Eric Stuart (EP005-AG145) and Bill Rogers (AG146-present). Some notes on official sketches of his character set his age at 15 at the start of the series. He originally trained Rock-type Pokémon, but has, since the second episode he appeared in, diversified. He is an experienced cook and makes scrumptious food both for Pokémon and for humans. One of his best known character traits, however, is that he falls in love with every pretty woman he meets, particularly Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy - both of whom he sings about in the Pokémon Karaokémon song Two Perfect Girls. He also sings the ending theme タケシのパラダイス Takeshi's Paradise, which is about his love for women and his determination to find love despite often appearing foolish and getting heartbroken. He has always held a supporting role in the series, usually contributing more in terms of wisdom and comedic antics than the action and battles of the series.

Brock's most notable feature about his appearance is that his eyes naturally appear closed. The rare times we see them open are when they are forced open unnaturally: from a hit with Charmander's Flamethrower in The Ninja Poké-Showdown, when being hit in the back of the head by Arbok's tail in Who Gets to Keep Togepi?, and when he makes a face for Larvitar in A Crowning Achievement. He also has tan skin, notably darker than the skin of any other major character in the series. Because of these traits, there is a heated debate about what race Brock is, as many think he may be black, Latino, or Asian. Not counting temporary outfits, he has worn three different outfits over the span of the anime, all of which have had the colors orange, green, and brown in them.

File:TakeshiAG.png
Brock in the Advanced Generation series

Brock is considered the most mature, wise and level-headed of the main characters, and though he does not have all the text-book knowledge memorized that Max does, he is debatably the most intelligent character as well. He often acts as an older brother and caretaker to the other characters and a voice of reason in disputes. He will usually place others before him and will help and support his friends even if it goes against his better judgement. While he is not shown to battle often, he can understand the situations and strategies in any Pokémon battle, and often explains them to the other characters.

Brock always carries books and maps with him, and thus is usually the character who knows where the group is headed and what they can do when they get there, though in Advanced Generation this role was mostly taken over by the PokéNav. He also carries a lot of other supplies, such as potions and cookware, as well as practical tools like a brush and pocket knife; in The School of Hard Knocks, the extent of his preparedness unnaturally large capacity of his bag was demonstrated, as he pulled out a table and full tea set out of his backpack. He is a domestic, and grooms not only his Pokémon but also those of his friends with whom he travels. He handles all the cooking and the cleaning, due to both his experience and talent with it and the fact that other characters show little to no ability in those areas.

Despite this, all his maturity and rationality leaves him completely at the sight of a beautiful woman, as he falls in love with every pretty girl he meets. Brock has a desperate need for female companionship which grows worse as he continuously fails to gain it. He will do anything and everything he thinks will impress women, which inevitably ends with his heart being broken every time. A few women have shown interest in him as well, such as Erika, Wilhemina and Lucy, but most either do not notice or care about him or are scared away by his forwardness. No matter how many times he is disappointed, though, Brock remains determined to find a girl to start a relationship with, and has indicated several times he would stop traveling with Ash and stay with the girl if this happened.

His goals have played a passive role at best in his character's activity and development. Unlike other characters, who aspire to achieve and excel in competitive fields like Pokémon training and Pokémon contests, his aim to become a great Pokémon Breeder does not have many opportunities for action sequences and thus does not get showcased frequently. His other goal, to find a girlfriend, is comparable to Team Rocket's quest to capture Pikachu in that both are portrayed in a comedic light and neither shows any signs of actual progress. This lack of attention is not surprising in light of the fact that his role has always been purely one as support for other main characters, but some fans find this disappointing and want him to take a more active role in the series to make his character more interesting.

Early on, he showed that he carries around a Boulder Badge for identification. He also has a Contest Pass for the Kanto region, though he only used it once.

History

File:TakeshiDP.png
Brock in the Diamond and Pearl series

Not much is known about his early childhood, except that his first Pokémon was his Onix, which he received as a gift at the age of 10. Sometime after, his father, Flint, left home to become a great trainer. When he never returned, his mother, Lola, left them as well, leaving Brock to take care of his siblings, as well as their house and Pewter Gym, by himself (though the English version of Showdown in Pewter City has Flint claim she died, and some speculate he was lying). However, Flint eventually returned home considering himself a failure, and instead of returning to his family he donned a disguise and sold rocks as souvenirs at the edge of town. After Brock awarded Ash the Boulderbadge, Flint came forward and confessed who he was. Flint took on the responsibilities of the Pewter Gym and his family, leaving Brock free to journey with Ash and Misty.

Brock only became the Gym Leader because he felt it was his responsibility, and he admitted to Ash that he would rather care for Pokémon than battle them. It is his dream to become a great breeder, and when Flint took back control of the Gym, Brock was allowed to start following this dream. Most notably, he took care of a Vulpix that belonged to a breeder named Susie. Shortly before Vulpix was returned, Brock used it in a Pokémon Beauty Contest.

Brock was also able to meet and make advances towards the many beautiful women he met. At first, he was more casual about approaching women, such as the Officer Jenny in Cerulean City, and more modest as well, such as when he met Melanie. However, he became more open and passionate towards almost all single young women as time progressed.

Brock briefly left the show during the Orange Islands saga to work for Professor Ivy on Valencia Island and so is only seen in a couple of cameos in the second movie. While there, something happened that will probably remain secret as Brock will only huddle and say "that name" whenever he is asked about it. (Brock does mention his work for her in Destiny Deoxys, though this line was added in the dub.) After this incident, Brock returned to Kanto where he was found by Delia Ketchum, who helped him to regain his strength. Brock then became a rival to Mimey until he rejoined Ash and Misty as the three traveled to Johto. They stayed together for the entire region, but at the end of this journey, the three went their separate ways, with Brock's help requested at home by his father.

Upon his return home, Brock was dismayed to find that his mother had returned and commandeered the gym, turning the Rock-type haven into a brightly decorated Water-type den. Brock battled her for the honor of Rock-types and won, promising his brother Forrest that he would become Gym Leader someday.

After that, Brock returned to follow Ash through Hoenn, along with their new friends May and Max, and then through Kanto again as Ash took on the Battle Frontier. He left extremely briefly when the Advanced Generation dissolved to visit his home, and is now traveling with Ash and Dawn in Sinnoh.

Brock is among the longest-lived main characters in the anime, only being absent from the Orange Islands season and thus ranked under only the permanent characters of Ash, Pikachu, Jessie, James, and Meowth. Because of this, some fans believe he is too worn-out as a character and should be removed from the cast. Others believe he has established himself as a permanent character of the main cast, and do not see him being removed from the cast any time in the near future.

Pokémon

This listing is of Brock's Pokémon as of the most recent Japanese episode.

On hand

Additionally, it has been confirmed that Brock's egg will hatch into a Happiny in a future episode.

At Pewter Gym

Released

  • Vulpix (he said, however, that he never considered Vulpix his own, and that he was only raising it for its true owner, Susie)

In the games

 
Art of Brock from Pokémon Red and Blue

Brock's title is "The Rock-Solid Pokémon Trainer". Brock is quite proud of his rock-hard willpower, and uses Rock-type Pokémon to complement this.

Brock is one of the few truly serious professional Pokémon trainers in the Pewter City area. He's tough, people respect him, and most admire him. Supposedly, it's hard to get him to laugh or drop his serious demeanor, but when he does, he can't stop.

Brock likes to dig for fossils in Mt. Moon, which is possibly how he ended up getting a Kabutops and Omastar in Generation II.

In each game, there is only one other trainer in his gym: a Camper, whose name is Jerry in Generation II and Liam in Generation III. This trainer usually isn't devoted to the Rock-type, and may use pure Ground-type Pokémon like Sandshrew and Diglett.

In addition to the Boulderbadge, Brock gives out TM34 for Bide, in Pokémon Red and Blue, Pokémon Green, and Pokémon Yellow. In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, he gives out TM39 for Rock Tomb. In Pokémon Gold and Silver and Pokémon Crystal, he doesn't give out a TM. In the Generation I games and their Generation III remakes, one trainer will not allow you to continue onto Route 3 until you have defeated Brock.

Fame Checker

This is a list of the Fame Checker’s information on Brock in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Pewter City - sign
  • What does this person do?
"Pewter City Pokémon Gym
Leader: Brock
The Rock-Solid Pokémon trainer!"
Pewter Gym - Brock
  • Favorite kind of Pokémon?
"My rock-hard willpower is evident in even my Pokémon.
My Pokémon are all rock hard and have true-grit determination.
That’s right - my Pokémon are all the Rock type!"
Pewter City - young man
  • What is this person like?
"There aren’t many serious Pokémon trainers here.
They’re all like Bug Catchers, you know, just hobbyists.
But Pewter Gym’s Brock isn’t like that, not one bit."
Route 4 - boy
  • What is this person like?
"Brock is cool. He’s not just tough.
People like and respect him.
I want to become a Gym Leader like him."
Mt. Moon - man
  • What does this person do?
"Hi. I’m excavating for fossils here under Mt. Moon.
Sometimes, Brock of Pewter Gym lends me a hand."
Pewter Museum - Pokémon Journal
  • What is this person like?
"Brock rarely laughs, but is said to be unable to stop if he starts."
Message from Brock
  • From: Brock
  • To: [Player]
"In this big world of ours, there must be many tough trainers.
Let’s both keep training and making ourselves stronger!"

Pokémon

This listing is of Brock's Pokémon in the games in which he has appeared.

Pokémon Red, Blue and Green

Pokémon Yellow

Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Pokémon Stadium

Pokémon Stadium 2

Quotes

Pokémon Red and Blue

"I'm Brock! I'm Pewter's Gym Leader! I believe in rock hard defense and determination! That's why my Pokémon are all the rock-type! Do you still want to challenge me? Fine then! Show me your best!"

"I took you for granted. As proof of your victory, here's the Boulder Badge!"

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

"So, you're here. I'm Brock. I'm Pewter's Gym Leader. My rock-hard willpower is evident even in my Pokémon. My Pokémon are all rock hard, and have true-grit determination. That's right - my Pokémon are all the Rock type! Fuhaha! You're going to challenge me knowing that you'll lose? That's the Trainer's honor that compels you to challenge me. Fine, then! Show me your best!"

"I took you for granted, and so I lost. As proof of your victory, I confer on you this...the official Pokémon League Boulder Badge."

There are all kind of Trainers in this huge world of ours. You appear to be very gifted as a Pokémon Trainer. So let me make a suggestion. Go to the Gym in Cerulean and test your abilities."

Pokémon Gold and Silver

"Wow, it's not often that we get a challenger from Johto. I'm Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader. I'm an expert on rock-type Pokémon. My Pokémon are impervious to most physical attacks. You'll have a hard time inflicting any damage. Come on!"

"Your Pokémon's powerful attacks overcame my rock-hard defense... You're stronger than I expected... Go ahead--take this Badge."

In the manga

In the Pokémon Special manga

Brock is a brave trainer in Pokémon Special, and he assists Erika and Misty in their battles against Team Rocket. He also gave Yellow a Graveler.

Brock works as a security guard at the Pewter Museum of Science.

Pokémon

This listing is of Brock's Pokémon in the Pokémon Special manga.

On hand

Released

In the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Since the Electric Tale of Pikachu is based heavily on the anime, Brock's appearances in it are mostly comparable to his anime appearances. However, he is not constantly traveling with Ash in the manga.

In Haunting My Dreams, there are hints about him being in a relationship with Sabrina.

In the TCG

There is a Theme Deck named for Brock in the Gym Heroes expansion. It has two versions, English and Japanese.

Artwork

Artwork from the cards:

Pokémon

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Brock or his Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG.

In Gym Heroes

In Gym Challenge

In Pokémon VS

Alto Mare Half Deck

Mew Half Deck

Manaphy Half Deck

In Promotional Cards

Unnumbered Promotional Cards

"ADV-P" Promotional Cards

In the TFG

Brock appears as a rare trainer figure in the launch set, Next Quest, of the Pokémon Trading Figure Game.

Trivia

  • The Japanese name of the Boulderbadge is the Grey Badge.
  • Most official sources do not give Brock a last name. However, several sources suggest that in the anime, his last name is Harrison. In the July 2006 issue of K-Zone Magazine, Eric Stuart was interviewed and stated that Brock's last name is Harrison.
  • Brock has the most airtime out of all of Ash's companions, being present in every season except for the Orange Islands saga.
  • In the anime, Brock's house is located directly behind the Pewter Gym. His room is only seen briefly in AG034, but what is seen of it shows that it is decorated in a traditional Japanese style, including fusuma, a tansu chest, and a futon for a bed.
  • Brock owns two Poison-type Pokémon, Crobat and Croagunk, whose names both start with Cro-.
  • Brock is currently the only main character of the anime with Steel-type Pokémon, owning two, Steelix and Forretress. If Dawn's Piplup reaches its final form, however, this will no longer be the case, as Empoleon is Water/Steel.
  • For DP007, Professor Oak's lecture is about Brock. He writes this Pokémon senryū about him: ポケモンに つくしてそだてる ブリーダー Pokémon ni tsukushite sodateru Burīdā "The breeder who raises and devotes himself to Pokémon."
  • Brock is the fourth main character to own a Pokémon hatched from an egg. The first, of course, was Misty with Togepi and Azurill the second was Ash with Phanpy, and the third was May with Eevee.

Names

Language Name Reference to
Japanese タケシ Takeshi Takeshi, a name; or 猛し takeshi, brave. Contains the word たけ (take), mountain.
English Brock Badger; rhymes with rock.
French Pierre Literally means "stone".
German Rocko From English rock.
Korean Ung '웅' means 'man-like', brave. A common word used for boy's names in Korea
Hebrew ברוּק Transliteration of Brock.
Russian Брок Brok Transliteration of Brock.
Chinese 小剛 Xiǎo Gàng 剛 is taken from 剛 Takeshi, an alternate spelling of the name.

Related articles

External links

On Bulbagarden forums

Gym Leaders of the Kanto region
Pewter Gym  
 
Brock
Cerulean Gym  
 
Misty
Vermilion Gym  
 
Lt. Surge
Celadon Gym  
 
Erika
Fuchsia Gym  
   
Koga Janine
Saffron Gym  
 
Sabrina
Cinnabar Gym  
 
Blaine
Viridian Gym  
   
Giovanni Blue
Anime characters
Protagonists Ash Ketchum (Pikachu) • Misty (Togetic) • BrockTracey SketchitMayMaxDawn (Piplup) • Iris (Haxorus) • CilanSerenaClemontBonnie (Dedenne) • LanaKiaweLillieSophoclesMallowRotom PokédexGoh (Grookey)
Rivals GaryRitchieHarrisonDrewHarleyMorrisonTysonSolidadPaulNandoZoeyKennyConwayBarryUrsulaTripBiancaBurgundyStephanGeorgiaCameronAriaAlainMietteTiernoShaunaTrevorNiniSawyerGladionHoracioHauLeonRaihanHoraceBeaLeague Conference participantsCoordinatorsPerformersWorld Coronation Series participants
Antagonists Jessie (Wobbuffet) • JamesMeowthGiovanniButchCassidyDr. NambaMatoriPierceDr. ZagerGozuTabithaMaxieShellyArchieHunter JSaturnCyrusMarsJupiterCharonColressAldithGhetsisBarretMalamarLysandreMableCelosiaAlianaXerosicBryonyTuppZippRappPlumeriaGuzmaVirenRoseOleana
Professors Professor OakProfessor IvyProfessor ElmProfessor BirchProfessor RowanProfessor CarolinaProfessor JuniperDr. FennelCedric JuniperProfessor SycamoreProfessor KukuiProfessor BurnetProfessor CeriseProfessor MagnoliaSoniaProfessor Amaranth
Relatives Delia KetchumDaisyVioletLilyJames's parentsFlintLolaForrestBrock's siblingsNormanCarolineJohannaChiliCressGraceMeyerLana's fatherLana's motherHarper and SarahRangoSimaMimoKiawe's grandfatherMohnLusamineGladionSophocles's parentsMolayneAbeMallow's motherUluWalkerCamilleHalta
Supporting Officer JennyNurse JoyMagikarp salesmanTodd SnapCharles GoodshowCaseyLizaSakuraLanceClairRaoul ContestaMr. SukizoSteven StoneVivian MeridianRobertScottLilian MeridianSolanaBrandonMarianYuzoRhondaCynthiaReggieAngieLookerIzzy and CaraLyraKhouryTobiasDon GeorgeElderAlderLukeFreddy O'MartianIngoEmmetJervisVirgilNAnthea and ConcordiaPorterAlexaSophieCosetteClembotSanpeiMairinAstridDianthaKorrinaGurkinnMonsieur PierrePalermoKeananMalvaSamson OakAnelaHobbesNinaAnnaLakiDanaYansuWickeFabaIlimaAcerolaDiaChloeChrysaRenParkerTaliaLeiDanikaQuillonHopGym LeadersElite FourFrontier BrainsIsland kahunasMany temporary characters
Supporting Pokémon FearowHo-OhSquirtle SquadPink ButterfreeHaunterJigglypuffMewtwoMimeyLapras herdGranbullPichu BrothersLugiaSilverDelibirdWynautLarvitarKyogre and GroudonArticunoDeoxysLake guardiansForces of NatureMeloettaReshiramSuper-ancient PokémonWooperFlorgesSquishyZ2Guardian deitiesBewearToucannon's flockStoutlandOranguruNebbyStuffulUltra BeastsGrandpa ForestNecrozmaLunalaShayminMewRotom PhonesPelipperThievul trioEternatusDrone RotomHero duoLatiasRecurring wild Pokémon
See also: Pokémon Horizons characters