Gym Leader

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Artwork from Pokémon Sword and Shield of Victor facing Gym Leader Milo

A Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader) is the highest-ranking member of a Pokémon Gym. The main job of a Gym Leader is to test Trainers and their Pokémon so that they are strong and resourceful enough to take the Pokémon League challenge. If a Trainer defeats a Gym Leader in battle, then the Trainer earns that Gym's Badge.

Gym Leaders are also responsible for overseeing how their respective Gym is run and maintain it. Great care must be taken to make sure that their Gym reflects the best environment for the type they specialize in, such as swimming pools in a Water-type Gym or trees and flowering plants in a Grass-type Gym. According to Morty, teaching young people how to battle with Pokémon can also be the job of a Gym Leader. Unlike regular Pokémon Trainers, a Gym Leader has the right to directly challenge the Pokémon League Champion, as revealed by Brock in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

It has not exactly been made clear how Gym Leaders attain their position, but it appears that it varies for each Gym. Some of them founded their Gym and are self-appointed; others, such as Whitney, are chosen by the other members of the region's Pokémon League. A few appear to be passed on through families: Janine, Falkner, and Flannery all take over their respective Gyms from a close family member. However, Gyms do not necessarily belong to a particular family; Roark and his father Byron are both Gym Leaders at the same time, in different Gyms. Leaders can also choose to vacate their position; examples include Koga, Giovanni, and Wallace.

Pokémon used

Nearly all Leaders rely on a single type of Pokémon. For example, Erika uses only Grass-type Pokémon in official Gym battles. Some Leaders, however, stray from this mold, albeit rarely. This is evidenced by the different types used by Blue during his reign as the Gym Leader of the Viridian Gym in Generations II, IV, and VII, although he is the only Gym Leader to do so. However, many Gym Leaders have one or two Pokémon that stray from their type theme.

Geography and climate can often be connected to the type of Pokémon the Gym Leader of that area uses. Pastoria Gym Leader, Crasher Wake, uses Water-type Pokémon, a direct allusion to the flooded marsh that surrounds the area and the constant downpour that plagues Pastoria City. Another example of this is the Cinnabar Gym Leader, Blaine, who uses Fire-type Pokémon and lives in a volcanic area.

The character archetype can also reflect the type of Pokémon a Leader uses. For example, Roark and Byron, who are both miners, use the related Rock- and Steel-type Pokémon. Tate and Liza could be based on the archetype of twins who can communicate telepathically, and thus train Psychic-type Pokémon and being twins, they also battle opposing Trainers in Double Battles.

In the games

Gym Leader Milo challenges the player

A Gym Leader (Japanese: ジムリーダー Gym Leader), or Leader prior to Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, is the Trainer class name given to the Gym Leaders when they are battled in the Pokémon games. Despite Gym Leaders themselves being introduced in Generation I, the Trainer class did not appear onscreen until Generation II, and it has been incorporated into every game since. Gym Leaders are integral within the Pokémon universe. Occasionally, in order for one to advance in the game, the player must challenge and defeat the leader of a Gym. Each game is designed in such a way that the player will not be able to move forward until they receive a Gym Badge which will, in turn, either allow them to use an HM to overcome natural obstacles or trigger a necessary event to continue with the game. It is one of the player's main objectives to collect eight Gym Badges, allowing them to challenge the Elite Four.

Leaders do not seem to be required to be in their Gyms at all times. Giovanni, for example, could keep his title as a Gym Leader despite not being at the Viridian Gym during the majority of the events of Generation I, and his successor, Blue, was also absent from the Gym several times. Beginning in Generation IV, Leaders are increasingly encountered outside of their Gyms, evident in the remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, where the Leaders have to be found in different locations at specific times before they can exchange phone numbers with the player for a rematch at the Fighting Dojo. Some Leaders even appear across regions, such as Jasmine appearing in Sunyshore City, Crasher Wake on Route 47, and Maylene in Celadon City. Leaders can even challenge other Gyms and the Elite Four (like Volkner wanted to do). In later games, it is made apparent that Gym Leaders know each other and are acquainted with Gym Leaders from other regions, as well as with members of the Elite Four and Champions. Examples of this are Jasmine being friends with Erika, Volkner being friends with Flint, Brawly training with Bruno, and most Unova Gym Leaders coming together to fight Team Plasma's Seven Sages.

In addition, some Gym Leaders may be required to use Pokémon different than their usual team, such as Cheren in Black 2 and White 2. Due to their higher AI compared to regular trainers, Gym Leaders are also one of the few Trainers to employ the use of Potions when battling.

Gym Trainers

In addition to Gym Leaders, there are also Gym Trainers. They are Trainers that are either a devotee or apprentice to the Gym Leader, who follow the same type theme as the Leader does. It is usually necessary to defeat multiple Gym Trainers before challenging the Gym Leader. Some Gyms in the game require the player to solve a puzzle, and one must often use Gym Trainers as obstacles to reach the solution. They have no direct impact on the overall plot, other than rarely offering the player helpful advice. It is also worth noting that the type of Trainer appearing in a Gym will depend on the Gym itself. For instance, Gardenia employs Aroma Ladies and Beauties, exclusively, while Misty recruits Sailors and Swimmers; these Gym Leaders represent the types Grass and Water, respectively. However, starting in Generation VIII, they only have the Trainer class “Gym Trainer”, as well as a special introduction featuring their badge.

In the anime

In the main series

The Gym Leaders of Kalos in the anime

In the anime, Trainers challenge Gym Leaders at their respective Gyms in order to earn Badges. If a Trainer earns eight Badges from one region, they become eligible to enter that region's Pokémon League Conference.

There are more than eight Gyms, and thus Gym Leaders, in each region. Many Trainers in the anime been shown to have Badges that do not exist in the games, such as Gary earning ten Badges in Kanto. Other Badges observed in the anime which do not correspond to known Badges suggest that there are at least nine Gyms in Hoenn, 11 in Sinnoh, 14 in Unova, and 11 in Kalos. 11 Gyms have been shown on-screen in Unova.

In The Great Eight Fate!, May mentioned that the Sootopolis Gym is the last Gym of the Hoenn League, implying that there is a fixed order of Gyms. However, in the next episode, Eight Ain't Enough!, Juan is surprised to hear that the Rain Badge was Ash's eighth Badge.

All Gym Leaders since Flannery have appeared in at least one episode before Ash earned a Badge from them. Several exclusive anime characters have become or were Gym Leaders in that canon at some point, such as Forrest, Misty's sisters, Flannery's grandfather, or Elite Four's Agatha.

In Pokémon Origins

All Kanto Gym Leaders of Generation I appeared in Pokémon Origins, but only Brock and Giovanni had voice acted lines and key roles in the series' plot. In this canon, it is revealed that Leaders have different teams to take on challengers, depending on how many Badges they have.

In Pokémon Generations

Most of the Unova Gym Leaders in Pokémon Generations

Giovanni is the only Kanto Gym Leader to appear in Pokémon Generations, appearing in The Chase and The Legacy.

Most of the Unova Gym Leaders appeared in The Uprising, battling against Team Plasma at the Pokémon League. Drayden reappeared in The Frozen World, trying and failing to stop Team Plasma from stealing the DNA Splicers.

In Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Many Gym Leaders of Galar have appeared in Pokémon: Twilight Wings. The first one to appear was Bea, who battles against Leon in Letter and lost. Milo, Nessa, and Allister also made cameo appearances at the end of the same episode. Training focused mainly on Bea.

In the manga

Kanto Gym Leaders in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga

Throughout his journey, faced the Gym Leaders of Kanto and Johto. All of them except for Falkner appeared only as silhouettes.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Gym Leaders have the same jobs as in the games and anime, but are also shown to throw away their role as Leader and pursue other goals. Some Gym Leaders even become evil, such as Koga, Lt. Surge, Sabrina, and Pryce. In order to become a Gym Leader in Adventures, one needs to fight a Trainer chosen by the Pokémon Association and win in front of them without letting one of their own Pokémon faint. The one exception to this rule seen so far has been by Blue when he defended the building where Red took his exam, since Red had to decline becoming a Gym Leader due to an injury, despite having passed the exam. Some Gym Leaders have jobs outside of their Gyms, but some of them focus solely on training their skills.

Gym Leaders are highly respected in their respective home regions and usually in other regions as well. When crises emerge, it is highly probable for Gym Leaders to gather to discuss about the situation that has befallen the region and what to do with it:

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Gold met many of the Johto Gym Leaders over the course of the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga, on his quest to earn eight Badges. However, due to the manga ending in Cianwood City, Pryce and Clair never appeared in it.

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

The Generation I Gym Leaders of Kanto appeared in Pokémon Zensho. Satoshi earned a Badge from each of them, although he got the Cascade Badge from Misty by defending her Gym from a Team Rocket Grunt and the Marsh Badge from Sabrina by helping to save Silph Co. from Team Rocket, instead of defeating them.

List of Gym Leaders

Indigo League

Indigo League
I, II, III, IV, and VII Region: Kanto
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSBrock PE.png
Brock
タケシ Takeshi
Pewter City
ニビシティ
Nibi City
Rock Boulder Badge.png
Boulder Badge
VSMisty PE.png
Misty
カスミ Kasumi
Cerulean City
ハナダシティ
Hanada City
Water Cascade Badge.png
Cascade Badge
VSLt Surge PE.png
Lt. Surge
マチス Matis
Vermilion City
クチバシティ
Kuchiba City
Electric Thunder Badge.png
Thunder Badge
VSErika PE.png
Erika
エリカ Erika
Celadon City
タマムシシティ
Tamamushi City
Grass Rainbow Badge.png
Rainbow Badge
VSKoga PE.png
Koga
キョウ Kyō I III VII
Spr HGSS Janine.png
Janine
アンズ Anzu II IV
Fuchsia City
セキチクシティ
Sekichiku City
Poison Soul Badge.png
Soul Badge
VSSabrina PE.png
Sabrina
ナツメ Natsume
Saffron City
ヤマブキシティ
Yamabuki City
Psychic Marsh Badge.png
Marsh Badge
VSBlaine PE.png
Blaine
カツラ Katsura
Cinnabar Island
グレンじま
Guren Island I III VII
Fire Volcano Badge.png
Volcano Badge
Seafoam Islands
ふたごじま
Twin Islands II IV
VSGiovanni PE.png
Giovanni
サカキ Sakaki I III VII
VSBlue PE.png
Blue
グリーン Green II IV VII
Viridian City
トキワシティ
Tokiwa City
Ground Various Earth Badge.png

Earth Badge


Johto League

Johto League
Generations II and IV Region: Johto
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSFalkner.png
Falkner
ハヤト Hayato
Violet City
キキョウシティ
Kikyō City
Flying Zephyr Badge.png
Zephyr Badge
VSBugsy.png
Bugsy
ツクシ Tsukushi
Azalea Town
ヒワダタウン
Hiwada Town
Bug Hive Badge.png
Hive Badge
VSWhitney.png
Whitney
アカネ Akane
Goldenrod City
コガネシティ
Kogane City
Normal Plain Badge.png
Plain Badge
VSMorty.png
Morty
マツバ Matsuba
Ecruteak City
エンジュシティ
Enju City
Ghost Fog Badge.png
Fog Badge
VSChuck.png
Chuck
シジマ Shijima
Cianwood City
タンバシティ
Tanba City
Fighting Storm Badge.png
Storm Badge
VSJasmine.png
Jasmine
ミカン Mikan
Olivine City
アサギシティ
Asagi City
Steel Mineral Badge.png
Mineral Badge
VSPryce.png
Pryce
ヤナギ Yanagi
Mahogany Town
チョウジタウン
Chōji Town
Ice Glacier Badge.png
Glacier Badge
VSClair.png
Clair
イブキ Ibuki
Blackthorn City
フスベシティ
Fusube City
Dragon Rising Badge.png
Rising Badge


Hoenn League

Hoenn League
Generations III and VI Region: Hoenn
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSRoxanne.png
Roxanne
ツツジ Tsutsuji
Rustboro City
カナズミシティ
Kanazumi City
Rock Stone Badge.png
Stone Badge
VSBrawly.png
Brawly
トウキ Tōki
Dewford Town
ムロタウン
Muro Town
Fighting Knuckle Badge.png
Knuckle Badge
VSWattson.png
Wattson
テッセン Tessen
Mauville City
キンセツシティ
Kinsetsu City
Electric Dynamo Badge.png
Dynamo Badge
VSFlannery.png
Flannery
アスナ Asuna
Lavaridge Town
フエンタウン
Huen Town
Fire Heat Badge.png
Heat Badge
VSNorman.png
Norman
センリ Senri
Petalburg City
トウカシティ
Touka City
Normal Balance Badge.png
Balance Badge
VSWinona.png
Winona
ナギ Nagi
Fortree City
ヒワマキシティ
Hiwamaki City
Flying Feather Badge.png
Feather Badge
VSLiza & Tate.png
Tate and Liza
フウとラン Fū and Lan
Mossdeep City
トクサネシティ
Tokusane City
Psychic Mind Badge.png
Mind Badge
VSWallace.png
Wallace
ミクリ MikuriRSORAS
VSJuan.png
Juan
アダン AdanE
Sootopolis City
ルネシティ
Rune City
Water Rain Badge.png

Rain Badge


Sinnoh League

Sinnoh League
Generation IV Region: Sinnoh
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSRoark.png
Roark
ヒョウタ Hyouta
Oreburgh City
クロガネシティ
Kurogane City
Rock Coal Badge.png
Coal Badge
VSGardenia.png
Gardenia
ナタネ Natane
Eterna City
ハクタイシティ
Hakutai City
Grass Forest Badge.png
Forest Badge
VSMaylene.png
Maylene
スモモ Sumomo
Veilstone City
トバリシティ
Tobari City
Fighting Cobble Badge.png
Cobble Badge
VSCrasher Wake.png
Crasher Wake
マキシマム仮面 Maximum Mask
Pastoria City
ノモセシティ
Nomose City
Water Fen Badge.png
Fen Badge
VSFantina.png
Fantina
メリッサ Melissa
Hearthome City
ヨスガシティ
Yosuga City
Ghost Relic Badge.png
Relic Badge
VSByron.png
Byron
トウガン Tougan
Canalave City
ミオシティ
Mio City
Steel Mine Badge.png
Mine Badge
VSCandice.png
Candice
スズナ Suzuna
Snowpoint City
キッサキシティ
Kissaki City
Ice Icicle Badge.png
Icicle Badge
VSVolkner.png
Volkner
デンジ Denzi
Sunyshore City
ナギサシティ
Nagisa City
Electric Beacon Badge.png
Beacon Badge


Unova League

Black and White

Unova League
Generation V Region: Unova
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSCilan.png
Cilan
デント Dent
VSChili.png
Chili
ポッド Pod
VSCress.png
Cress
コーン Corn
Striaton City
サンヨウシティ
Sanyou City
Grass Fire Water Trio Badge.png
Trio Badge
{{{size}}}
Lenora
アロエ Aloe
Nacrene City
シッポウシティ
Shippou City
Normal Basic Badge.png
Basic Badge
{{{size}}}
Burgh
アーティ Arty
Castelia City
ヒウンシティ
Hiun City
Bug Insect Badge.png
Insect Badge
{{{size}}}
Elesa
カミツレ Kamitsure
Nimbasa City
ライモンシティ
Raimon City
Electric Bolt Badge.png
Bolt Badge
{{{size}}}
Clay
ヤーコン Yakon
Driftveil City
ホドモエシティ
Hodomoe City
Ground Quake Badge.png
Quake Badge
{{{size}}}
Skyla
フウロ Huuro
Mistralton City
フキヨセシティ
Fukiyose City
Flying Jet Badge.png
Jet Badge
{{{size}}}
Brycen
ハチク Hachiku
Icirrus City
セッカシティ
Sekka City
Ice Freeze Badge.png
Freeze Badge
VSDrayden.png
Drayden
シャガ ShagaB
VSIris.png
Iris
アイリス IrisW
Opelucid City
ソウリュウシティ
Souryuu City
Dragon Legend Badge.png

Legend Badge

Black 2 and White 2

Unova League
Generation V Region: Unova
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSCheren 2.png
Cheren
チェレン Cheren
Aspertia City
ヒオウギシティ
Hiougi City
Normal Basic Badge.png
Basic Badge
VSRoxie.png
Roxie
ホミカ Homika
Virbank City
タチワキシティ
Tachiwaki City
Poison Toxic Badge.png
Toxic Badge
VSBurgh.png
Burgh
アーティ Arty
Castelia City
ヒウンシティ
Hiun City
Bug Insect Badge.png
Insect Badge
VSElesa 2.png
Elesa
カミツレ Kamitsure
Nimbasa City
ライモンシティ
Raimon City
Electric Bolt Badge.png
Bolt Badge
VSClay.png
Clay
ヤーコン Yakon
Driftveil City
ホドモエシティ
Hodomoe City
Ground Quake Badge.png
Quake Badge
VSSkyla.png
Skyla
フウロ Huuro
Mistralton City
フキヨセシティ
Fukiyose City
Flying Jet Badge.png
Jet Badge
VSDrayden.png
Drayden
シャガ Shaga
Opelucid City
ソウリュウシティ
Souryuu City
Dragon Legend Badge.png
Legend Badge
VSMarlon.png
Marlon
シズイ Shizui
Humilau City
セイガイハシティ
Seigaiha City
Water Wave Badge.png
Wave Badge


Kalos League

Kalos League
Generation VI Region: Kalos
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSViola.png
Viola
ビオラ Viola
Santalune City
ハクダンシティ
Hakudan City
Bug Bug Badge.png
Bug Badge
VSGrant.png
Grant
ザクロ Zakuro
Cyllage City
ショウヨウシティ
Shōyō City
Rock Cliff Badge.png
Cliff Badge
VSKorrina.png
Korrina
コルニ Corni
Shalour City
シャラシティ
Shara City
Fighting Rumble Badge.png
Rumble Badge
VSRamos.png
Ramos
フクジ Fukuji
Coumarine City
ヒヨクシティ
Hiyoku City
Grass Plant Badge.png
Plant Badge
VSClemont.png
Clemont
シトロン Citron
Lumiose City
ミアレシティ
Miare City
Electric Voltage Badge.png
Voltage Badge
VSValerie.png
Valerie
マーシュ Mache
Laverre City
クノエシティ
Kunoe City
Fairy Fairy Badge.png
Fairy Badge
VSOlympia.png
Olympia
ゴジカ Gojika
Anistar City
ヒャッコクシティ
Hyakkoku City
Psychic Psychic Badge.png
Psychic Badge
VSWulfric.png
Wulfric
ウルップ Urup
Snowbelle City
エイセツシティ
Eisetsu City
Ice Iceberg Badge.png
Iceberg Badge

Galar League

Galar League
Generation VIII Region: Galar
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Type Badge
VSMilo.png
Milo
ヤロー Yarrow
Turffield
ターフタウン
Turf Town
Grass Gym logo.png
Grass
Grass Badge.png
Grass Badge
VSNessa.png
Nessa
ルリナ Rurina
Hulbury
バウタウン
Bow Town
Water Gym logo.png
Water
Water Badge.png
Water Badge
VSKabu.png
Kabu
カブ Kabu
Motostoke
エンジンシティ
Engine City
Fire Gym logo.png
Fire
Fire Badge.png
Fire Badge
VSBea.png
Bea
サイトウ SaitōSw
VSAllister.png
Allister
オニオン OnionSh
Stow-on-Side
ラテラルタウン
Lateral Town
Fighting Gym logo.png
Fighting
Ghost Gym logo.png
Ghost
Fighting Badge.png
Fighting Badge
Ghost Badge.png
Ghost Badge
VSOpal.png
Opal
ポプラ Poplar
VSBede 2.png
Bede
ビート Beet
Ballonlea
アラベスクタウン
Arabesque Town
Fairy Gym logo.png
Fairy
GalarFairy Badge.png
Fairy Badge

VSGordie.png
Gordie
マクワ MakuwaSw
VSMelony.png
Melony
メロン MelonSh
Circhester
キルクスタウン
Circus Town
Rock Gym logo.png
Rock
Ice Gym logo.png
Ice
Rock Badge.png
Rock Badge
Ice Badge.png
Ice Badge
VSPiers.png
Piers
ネズ Nezu
VSMarnie 3.png
Marnie
マリィ Mary
Spikemuth
スパイクタウン
Spike Town
Dark Gym logo.png
Dark
Dark Badge.png
Dark Badge

VSRaihan.png
Raihan
キバナ Kibana
Hammerlocke
ナックルシティ
Knuckle City
Dragon Gym logo.png
Dragon
Dragon Badge.png
Dragon Badge

Orange League

Orange League
Anime-exclusive Region: Orange Archipelago
Gym Leader
Japanese
Location
Japanese
Challenge Prize
CissySmall.png
Cissy
アツミ Atsumi
Mikan Island
ナツカン島
Natsukan Island
Water Gun target test
Surfing race
Coral-Eye Badge.png
Coral-Eye Badge
DannySmall.png
Danny
ダン Dan
Navel Island
ネーブル島
Navel Island
Climb mountain (to qualify)
Freeze a geyser race
Build a Toboggan
Toboggan race
Sea Ruby Badge.png
Sea Ruby Badge
RudySmall.png
Rudy
ジギー Ziggy
Trovita Island
ユズ島
Yuzu Island
Target test
Same-type Pokémon battle
Spike Shell Badge.png
Spike Shell Badge
LuanaSmall.png
Luana
ルリコ Ruriko
Kumquat Island
リュウチン島
Ryūchin Island
Double Battle Jade Star Badge.png
Jade Star Badge
DrakeSmall.png
Drake
ユウジ Yūji
Pummelo Island
カンキツ島
Kankitsu Island
Full Battle WinnerTrophy.png
Winner's Trophy
Honor at the
Palace of Victory


Trivia

  • For Setting the World on Its Buneary, Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia is about Gym Leaders. He writes this senryū about them: 「ジムリーダー いのちをかけて かかってこい」 "Gym Leader, put your life on the line and challenge me."
  • The Dark type did not get a Gym until Generation VIII, twenty years after the type debuted in Pokémon Gold and Silver. Previously, there have been three Elite Four members (Karen, Sidney, and Grimsley) as well as an Island Kahuna (Nanu) who specialize in Dark types. The other seventeen types have at least one Gym associated with them, with the new types Steel and Fairy getting gyms in their debut generations.
  • Every Gym Leader that specializes in Ghost- and Steel-type Pokémon uses Gengar and Steelix respectively in battle.
  • In the Johto saga of the anime, none of the Gym Leaders had exactly the same lineups as they do in the games.
  • The Sinnoh saga marks the only time in the anime that all Gym Leaders in a region have used exactly the same teams as in the games.
  • In the games, every Gym Leader has at least one Pokémon in their party that knows the TM move they give out upon defeat. Former Gym Leaders do not count in this, as Wallace when he is faced as Champion and Giovanni when he is faced in Generation IV do not have Pokémon that know the move they gave out as TMs when they were faced as Gym Leaders in previous games. Koga, despite not being a Gym Leader in Generation IV, has several Pokémon that know Toxic, the move he last gave out as a TM.
  • From Generations I to V (not counting remakes), every move that was in a TM given out by a Gym Leader was a new move for that generation, and many of them were rarely (if ever) seen on any other Pokémon in the generation they were introduced. This trend has been broken in Generation VI, where only three Gym Leaders—Viola, Korrina, and Valerie—hand out TMs with moves new to the generation.
  • In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the player can continue the game without defeating Winona of Fortree City until attempting to battle the Elite Four.
  • The Orange League is the only one so far in which Ash has successfully defeated all the Gym Leaders without a rematch.
  • In Pocket Monsters: The Animation, it was mentioned that the position of Gym Leaders was very unforgiving, as it had a three-strike rule stating that if a Gym Leader lost three times in a row, the Gym will be disqualified. It also revealed that being a Gym Leader was costly, leaving little pay, and the government can't provide for them. It also revealed that the rather brutal nature of Gym leading was one of the reasons why Misty's and Brock's parents ended up abandoning them to Gym duties.
  • Prior to the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield, Gym Leaders were referred to as Gym Masters in a since deleted tweet by the official Nintendo of America account.
  • In the anime, Ash has had his first encounters with the first Gym Leader of a region in either the fifth or fifteenth episode of their respective regional arcs. Ash first met Brock, Cissy, the Striaton brothers, and Viola in the fifth episodes of the Kanto, Orange Islands, Unova, and Kalos arcs, respectively; and Falkner, Roxanne, and Roark in the fifteenth episodes of the Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh arcs, respectively.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 道館館主 Dougún Gúnjyú *
道館掌門人 Dougún Jéungmùhnyàhn *
練功場場主 Lihngūngchèuhng Chèuhngjyú *
競技場的掌門人 Gihnggeihchèuhng-dīk Jéungmùhnyàhn *
Mandarin 道館館主 / 道馆馆主 Dàoguǎn Guǎnzhǔ *
道館訓練家 / 道馆训练家 Dàoguǎn Xùnliànjiā *
練功場首領 Liàngōngcháng Shǒulǐng *
訓練館首領 / 训练馆首领 Xùn​liàn​guǎn​ Shǒu​lǐng​ *
道馆首领 Dàoguǎn​ Shǒu​lǐng *
The Czech Republic Flag.png Czech Trenér stadionu
Denmark Flag.png Danish Styrkecenterleder
Salleder
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Gym Leider
Finland Flag.png Finnish Salipäällikkö
Salijohtaja
Salivalmentaja (anime)
Salinjohtaja (Pokémon Adventures)
France Flag.png French Champion d'Arène()
Championne d'Arène ()
Germany Flag.png German Arenaleiter ()
Arenaleiterin ()
Greece Flag.png Greek Αρχηγός Σταδίου Archegós Stadiou
Israel Flag.png Hebrew מנהיג מכון Manhig Makhon ()
מנהיגת מכון Manhigat Makhon ()
India Flag.png Hindi Gym Leader
Hungary Flag.png Hungarian Teremvezető
Iceland Flag.png Icelandic Stjórnaði Pokémon-ræktinni
Pokémon-ræktastjóri
Ræktastjóri
Pokémon-leiðbeinandi
Italy Flag.png Italian Capopalestra
South Korea Flag.png Korean 체육관 관장 Cheyukgwan Gwanjang
Norway Flag.png Norwegian Treningsleder
Gymtrener
Poland Flag.png Polish Lider Sali ()
Liderka Sali ()
Mistrz Pokémon*
Lider Stadionu*
Lider Zespołu/Lider Szkoły*
Portuguese Brazil Flag.png Brazil Líder de Ginásio
Líder da Academia (The Official Pokémon Handbook)
Portugal Flag.png Portugal Líder de Ginásio
Romania Flag.png Romanian Șef de Arenă
Russia Flag.png Russian Гим-лидер Gim-lider
Лидер Спортзала Lider Sportzala
Spain Flag.png Spanish Líder de gimnasio
Sweden Flag.png Swedish Gymledare
Gymtränare*
Gymmästare*
Thailand Flag.png Thai ยิมลีดเดอร์ Yim Leader
Turkey Flag.png Turkish Salon Lideri
Vietnam Flag.png Vietnamese Thủ lĩnh nhà thi đấu

See also


RosaChallenge.png The Pokémon League VSMarshal.png
Participation
TrainerBattleGym Leaders
GymsBadgesReferee
Championship matches
Elite FourOrange League
Champion League
Pokémon League Conferences
IndigoSilverEver GrandeLily of the Valley
VertressLumioseManalo
Regional Pokémon Leagues
IndigoOrange*JohtoHoennSinnoh
UnovaKalosAlolaGalarPaldea
Areas of jurisdiction
Pokémon League Reception GateHall of Fame
Palace of VictoryCerulean Cave
Others
Pokémon AssociationPIA
World Coronation Series
(Masters Eight Tournament)



Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*Bug CatcherBurglarCamper*ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
ChannelerElite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPEEngineerFishermanGamer*GentlemanGym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
HikerJugglerLassPicnicker*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Trainer*GSCPEPsychicRivalFRLGRockerRoughneck*
SailorScientistSuper NerdSwimmerTamerTeam Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPETeam Rocket Grunt*Youngster
BoarderHGSSDouble TeamHGSSFirebreatherGSCHGSSGuitaristGSCHGSSMediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSSSchool Kid*GSCHGSSSkierHGSSTeacherGSCHGSSTwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLGCrush KinFRLGSis and BroFRLGYoung CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPEKarate MasterPEPunk GuyPETeam RocketPETeam Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Johto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*BoarderBug CatcherBurglarCamper
ChampionExecutive*FirebreatherFisherman*GentlemanGuitaristHikerJugglerKimono GirlLass
LeaderMediumPicnickerPokéfanPoké Maniac*PKMN TrainerPoliceman*PsychicRivalHGSSSage
SailorSchool Kid*ScientistSkierSuper NerdSwimmerTeacherTeam Rocket Grunt*TwinsYoungster
Mystery Man*CHGSSDouble TeamHGSSElderHGSSPasserbyHGSSYoung CoupleHGSS
Battle Frontier only:HGSS

Aroma LadyArtistBattle GirlCameramanClownCollectorCowgirlCyclistDragon TamerIdol
JoggerLadyNinja BoyParasol LadyPIPoké KidPKMN BreederPKMN RangerRancherReporter
Rich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSocialiteTuberVeteranWaiterWaitressWorker
Arcade StarCastle ValetFactory HeadHall MatronTower Tycoon

Hoenn Ace Trainer*Aqua AdminSEASAqua LeaderSEASAroma LadyBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack Belt
Bug CatcherBug ManiacCamperChampionCollectorDragon TamerElite FourExpertFisherman
GentlemanGuitaristHex ManiacHikerInterviewers*KindlerLadyLassLeaderMagma AdminREOR
Magma LeaderREORNinja BoyOld CoupleParasol LadyPicnickerPoké Fan*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Breeder*
Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*PsychicRich BoyRuin ManiacSailorSchoolkid*Sis & Bro*Swimmer
Team Aqua GruntSEASTeam Magma GruntREORTeammates*TriathleteTuberTwinsWinstrateYoung CoupleYoungster
Ace DuoORASBrains & BrawnORASBackpackerORASDelinquentORASFairy Tale GirlORASFare PrinceORAS
Free DiverORASLeadersORASLorekeeperORASMysterious SistersORASProprietorORASRotation GirlORAS
Scuba DiverORASSecret Base ExpertORASSecret Base TrainerORASSootopolitanORASStreet ThugORAS
Battle Frontier only:E
Arena TycoonDome AceFactory HeadPalace MavenPike QueenPyramid KingSalon Maiden
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS
ArtistBattle ChatelaineButlerChefFurisode GirlGarçonGardenerMadameMaidMonsieurOwnerPreschooler
Punk GirlPunk GuyRising StarRoller SkaterSchoolboySchoolgirlScientistTouristVeteranWaitressWorker
Sinnoh Ace TrainerAroma LadyArtistBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack BeltBug CatcherCameramanCamperChampion
ClownCollectorCommanderCowgirlCyclistDouble TeamDragon TamerElite FourFisher*GentlemanGuitarist
Gym Leader*HikerIdolInterviewersJoggerLadyLassMadame*Ninja BoyParasol LadyPicnickerPIPoké Fan*
Poké KidPokémon Breeder*Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*Police Officer*PsychicRancherRanchers*
ReporterRich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSailorSchool KidScientistSkierSwimmerTeam Galactic Boss*
Team Galactic Grunt*Tower TycoonTuberTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoung CoupleYoungster
Arcade StarPtCastle ValetPtFactory HeadPtHall MatronPtMaidPtGAME FREAK'sBDSP
Unova Ace TrainerArtistBackersBackpackerBakerBattle GirlBikerBlack BeltChampionClerk
CyclistDancerDepot AgentDoctorElite FourFishermanGAME FREAKGentlemanGym Leader*
HarlequinHikerHooligansHoopsterInfielderJanitorLadyLassLinebackerMaidMotorcyclistMusician
NurseNursery AideParasol LadyPilotPokéfanPKMN BreederPKMN RangerPokémon Trainer*Policeman
PreschoolerPsychicRich BoyRoughneckSchool KidScientistSmasherSocialiteStrikerSubway Boss
SwimmerTeam PlasmaTeam Plasma GruntThe RichesBWTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoungster
BeautyB2W2Boss TrainerB2W2GuitaristB2W2
Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2
A-list ActorActorActressBig StarCelebrityChic ActressChild StarComedian
Fine ActorMovie StarNew ActressStar ActorSuit ActorUnique StarVeteran Star
Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2
Junior RepresentativeMaster RepresentativeSenior Representative
World ChampionWorld FinalistWorld Runner-up
Blueberry Academy only:SV
BB League ChampionBB League Elite FourBlueberry Academy Director
DirectorInstructorLeague ClubStudentTop Champion
Kalos Ace DuoAce TrainerArtistArtist FamilyBackpackerBattle GirlBeautyBlack BeltBrains & Brawn
ButlerChampionChefDriverElite FourFairy Tale GirlFishermanFurisode GirlGarçonGardener
Hex ManiacHikerHoneymoonersLassLeaderLumiose Gang MemberMysterious SistersOwner
Poké FanPoké Fan FamilyPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon RangerPokémon Trainer
PreschoolerPsychicPunk CouplePunk GirlPunk GuyRangersRising StarRoller Skater
SchoolboySchoolgirlScientistSky TrainerSuccessorSuspicious ChildSuspicious Lady
Suspicious WomanSwimmerTeam FlareTeam Flare AdminTeam Flare BossTeam Flare Grunt
TouristTwinsVeteranWaitressWorkerYoungster
Battle Chateau ranks:
By male: BaronViscountEarlMarquisDukeGrand Duke
By female: BaronessViscountessCountessMarchionessDuchessGrand Duchess
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:
Battle ChatelaineLadyMadameMaidMonsieurRich Boy
Unused Trainer classes:
Ace SurferSwimmers
Galar ArtistBackpackerBeautyBlack BeltCabbieCafé MasterCameramanChampionColleaguesCookDancerDaring Couple
DoctorFisherGAME FREAK'sGym ChallengerGym LeaderGym TrainerGentlemanHikerInterviewersLassLeague Staff
Macro Cosmos'sMadameMedical TeamModelMusic CrewMusicianOffice WorkerPoké KidPokémon Breeder
Pokémon TrainerPolice OfficerPostmanRail StaffReporterSchoolboySchoolgirlSwimmerTeam Yell GruntWorkerYoungster
Expansion Pass only:
Dojo MasterDojo MatronMaster Dojo Student


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