Koga

Revision as of 18:36, 10 September 2019 by Chosen (talk | contribs) (→‎Sprites)
Koga
キョウ Kyō
"The Poisonous Ninja Master"
Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Koga.png
Art from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Gender Male
Eye color Black
Hair color Greying teal
Hometown Fuchsia City
Region Kanto
Relatives Janine (daughter)
Aya (anime only, sister)
Trainer class Gym LeaderRBYFRLGPE
Elite FourGSCHGSS
Generation I, II, III, IV, VII
Games Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!, Stadium, Stadium 2, Masters
Leader of Fuchsia Gym
Badge Soul Badge
Elite Four of Indigo Plateau
Specializes in Poison types
Anime debut The Ninja Poké-Showdown
English voice actor Stuart Zagnit
Japanese voice actor Hōchū Ōtsuka

Koga (Japanese: キョウ Kyō) was the Leader of Fuchsia City's Gym. He is a student of ninjutsu who specializes in Poison-type Pokémon. He handed out the Soul Badge to Trainers who defeated him.

He became a member of the Indigo Elite Four some time after the events of Generation I and its remakes, but before the events of Generation II and its remakes, thus leaving his daughter Janine in charge of the Fuchsia Gym.

In the games

Koga, known as the Poisonous Ninja Master, serves two roles in the Pokémon games. In Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, he is the Leader of the Fuchsia Gym, but is promoted to a member of the Indigo Plateau Elite Four in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver. Koga is a user of the Poison-type; he likes the despair and horror that Poison-type Pokémon can inflict on others.

Koga has studied medicine and antidotes; he makes his own potions to heal his Pokémon. He also serves as a teacher. Many students come to him to be trained in the arts of Ninjutsu and Pokémon. One of his students is his own daughter, Janine, who takes over his Gym in Generations II and IV storyline. In addition to these roles, Koga also patrols the grounds of the Kanto Safari Zone, to ensure that the players of the Safari Game are safe from the wild Pokémon within.

In Generations I, III, and VII, Koga's Gym is typically the fifth Gym to be challenged. He has built invisible walls in the Fuchsia City Gym, constructing a confusing maze out of them. Koga awaits challengers in the center of the maze, clearly visible, but a group of Koga's students must be fought first. Defeating him will earn the successful Trainer the TM for Toxic and the Soul Badge.

With the future of the Gym in his daughter's hands, Koga advances to a role in the Pokémon League of Kanto and Johto before the events of Generations II and IV. In these games, he is the second member of the Elite Four to be faced. The team he uses in this role is similar to his Gym Leader's teams; the main difference is the introduction of Pokémon not native to Kanto. Koga's battle style as an Elite Four member is designed to confound and destroy his opponent in battle. Rather than using brute force, Koga attempts to confuse, put to sleep, and poison his opponent.

Fame Checker

This is a list of the Fame Checker's information on Koga in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions.

Fuchsia City - Sign
  • What does this person do?
"Fuchsia City Pokémon Gym
Leader: Koga
The Poisonous Ninja Master"
Fuchsia Gym - Koga
  • Favorite kind of Pokémon?
"Despair to the creeping horror of Poison-type Pokémon!"
Fuchsia Gym - Juggler Kirk
  • What is this person like?
"Even though I've lost, I will keep training according to the teachings of Koga, my ninja master."
Fuchsia City - Charine
  • Family and friends?
"My father is the Gym Leader of this town.
I’m training to use Poison Pokémon as well as my father."
Safari Warden's Home - Pokémon Journal
  • There’s a rumor...
"Koga is said to have a thorough knowledge of medicine.
He even concocts medicine to nurse his Pokémon to health."
Safari Zone - Man
  • What does this person do?
"The Safari Zone's huge, wouldn't you say?
Fuchsia's Gym Leader, Koga, patrols the grounds every so often.
Thanks to him, we can play here knowing that we're safe."
Message from Koga
  • From: Koga
  • To: [Player]
"You and I, we must both set our sights higher and work towards meeting our challenges.
Now, I must go train my daughter."

Pokémon

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

Pokémon Red and Blue



Pokémon Yellow



Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal



Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

First battle



Rematch



Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Gym battle



Rematch



Pokémon Stadium

Round 1



Round 2



Pokémon Stadium 2

Round 1



Round 2



Side games

Pokémon Zany Cards

 
Koga in Pokémon Zany Cards

Koga appears, along with Sabrina, as the Stage 4 opponent of Special Seven mode.

Quotes

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow

  • Before battle
"Fwahahaha! A mere child like you dares to challenge me? Very well, I shall show you true terror as a ninja master! You shall feel the despair of poison and sleep techniques!"
  • Being defeated
"Humph! You have proven your worth! Here! Take the SoulBadge!"
  • After being defeated
"Now that you have the SoulBadge, the Defense of your Pokémon increases! It also lets you Surf outside of battle! Ah! Take this too!"
"TM06 contains Toxic! It is a secret technique over 400 years old!"
"When afflicted by Toxic, Pokémon suffer more and more as battle progresses! It will surely terrorize foes!"

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

  • Before battle
"Fwahahahaha! I am Koga of the Elite Four. I live in shadows, a ninja! My intricate style will confound and destroy you! Confusion, sleep, poison... Prepare to be the victim of my sinister technique! Fwahahahaha! Pokémon is not merely about brute force--you shall see soon enough!"
  • Being defeated
"Ah! You have proven your worth!"
  • After being defeated
"I subjected you to everything I could muster. But my efforts failed. I must hone my skills. Go on to the next room, and put your abilities to test!"

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

  • Before battle
"Fwahahaha! A mere child like you dares to challenge me? The very idea makes me shiver with mirth! Very well, I shall show you true terror as a ninja master! Poison brings steady doom. Sleep renders foes helpless. Despair to the creeping horror of Poison-type Pokémon!"
  • Being defeated
"Humph! You have proven your worth! Here! Take the SoulBadge!"
  • After being defeated
"Now that you have the SoulBadge, the Defense of your Pokémon rises. It also lets you Surf outside of battle. Ah! Take this, too!"
"Sealed within that TM lies Toxic! It is a secret technique dating back some four hundred years."
"When afflicted by Toxic, a Pokémon suffers more and more. It suffers worsening damage as the battle wears on! It will surely terrorize foes!"

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

  • Before battle
"Fwahahahaha! I am Koga of the Elite Four. I live in shadows--a ninja! My intricate style will confound and destroy you! Confusion, sleep, poison... Prepare to be the victim of my sinister techniques! Fwahahahaha! Pokémon are not merely about brute force--you shall see soon enough!"
  • After sending out last Pokémon
"One Pokémon left? Ha ha ha! I've been counting on this one from the very beginning!"
  • When last Pokémon is at critical health
"Ooooof..."
  • Being defeated
"Ah! You've proven your worth!"
  • After being defeated
"I subjected you to everything I could muster. But my efforts failed. I must hone my skills. Go on to the next room, and put your abilities to the test!"

Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!

Fuchsia Gym
"Yo! Champ in the making! We have the Safari Zone here in Fuchsia City, where you can meet tons of different Pokémon! And at the Fuchsia City Gym, we welcome Trainers who've met lots of Pokémon, so... I'll need to see if you’ve managed to catch at least 50 species of Pokémon! ..."
  • If the player hasn't caught enough Pokémon
"You've caught... <number of caught Pokémon> species! Unfortunately, you haven't made it to 50 species yet... Go catch some more Pokémon and then come back! The Fuchsia City Gym is always open!"
  • If the player has caught enough Pokémon
"Well done! Looks like you've caught <number of caught Pokémon> species! That means you are now worthy of challenging my Gym! ..."
  • After qualifying to challenge the Gym
"Fwahahahaha! Startled by my disguise, are you? I shall use my intricate style to confound and destroy you in battle, as well!"
  • Before battle
"Fwahahaha! A mere child like you dares to challenge me? That very idea makes me shiver with mirth! Very well, I shall show you true terror as a ninja master! Opponents can't lay a hand on me, as poison brings their steady doom. Despair as you feel the creeping horror of Poison-type Pokémon!"
  • Being defeated
"Hmph! You have proven your worth!"
  • After being defeated
"Here! Take a Soul Badge!"
"Now that you have a Soul Badge, Pokémon up to Lv. 60 will heed your command if you received them in a trade. Ah! Take this, too."
"Sealed within that TM27 lies the move Toxic! It is an ancient move, passed down through my family for 400 years. When hit with Toxic's poisonous effects, a Pokémon will take more and more damage with each turn that passes in battle! It will surely terrorize your opponent!"
Rematch
  • Before battle (first rematch)
"Fwahahaha! If it isn't the child. It seems we are fated to meet once again. You have come at a truly opportune time. I was just thinking that I wanted to test my newly refined sinister techniques... in a battle that will end in your utter defeat!"
  • Before battle (subsequent rematches)
"Fwahahaha! Today I'll not only defeat you, but I will also demonstrate my fatherly dignity to my daughter!"
  • Being defeated
"...If I am not strong enough to defeat you now, there is but one thing to do. I must hone my skills."
  • After being defeated
"With Trainers like you and <rival>, the Pokémon League must be a place of formidable strength! Truly, it is something to be proud of! As it so happens, I have been thinking of aiming to join the Elite Four myself..."

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Quotes seem to vary, perhaps depending on how well the player did.
  • Normal
"Ha, ha, ha! My skill will be hard to overcome! Let me show you what I mean!"
"You have done well. I must devote myself to my training. Test your skills against the others."
  • Hard
"Ha, ha, ha! My skill will be hard to overcome! Now you shall see my mystic puzzle powers!"
"You have done well. If I cannot match you now, I can only train further. Continue testing your skill!"
  • Super Hard
"Ha, ha, ha! My skill will be hard to overcome! Now you shall see my mystic puzzle powers!"
"You have done well. If I cannot match you now, I can only train further. Continue testing your skill!"
  • Intense
"Ha, ha, ha! My skill will be hard to overcome! Now you shall see my mystic puzzle powers!"
"You have done well! Continue testing your skill!"

Pokémon Zany Cards

  • Before battle
"Ha ha ha! I am Koga! Ninja of Fuchsia Gym. I wield sleep, confuse, and more spells! Feel my power in battle!"
  • During battle
  • Using a card
"I can't be confused."
"Take this spell!"
"Ninja-style is the best!"
"I'm sticking with it."
  • Drawing a card
"Drawing more is my plan."
"This is not good..."
  • Hit
"It's ok. More spells."
  • Hit with Reverse
"Can't escape from me."
  • After battle
  • Second or third
"Tricked!"
  • When defeated
"Well done! Super!"

Pokémon Puzzle League

  • Before battle
"Greetings, young warrior. I am Koga, the Pokémon sensei who holds the Soul Badge. If you wish to best me, it will take great patience and agility. Do you choose to battle me?"

Pokémon Stadium 2

  • Before battle
"Ah, so it is you who defeated Will? Interesting..."
"Would you care for a glimpse into the world of the ninja?"
"Your arrival is indeed impressive, as is your look of resolve."
  • Sending out first Pokémon
"<Pokémon>! How's that?"
  • Sending out a new Pokémon
"<Pokémon> will take you on."
"I pity you, but here's <Pokémon>!"
"There, <Pokémon>!"
"It can't be easy with <Pokémon>."
"Enough!"
"This can't be helped!"
"Well done, <Pokémon>!"
  • Own Pokémon faints
"This cannot be!"
"Ah... You've done well."
"That critical hit was by mere chance! It was nothing!"
  • Player's Pokémon lands a critical hit
"Landing a critical hit is merely a fluke, that's all!"
"How do you like that?"
"Wah, ha, ha... That was fine."
"So? What good is this?"
"The ninja technique of Double Team!"
  • Commanding his Pokémon to use Toxic
"Savor it! Toxic!"
"How about this?"
  • If the player is defeated
"You have lost."
  • After being defeated
"It stands to reason that you defeated Will!"
"I, too, must pursue further discipline."
"Never have I met the likes of you."
  • After winning
"You expect to battle the Elite Four with your current skills?"
"Have you learned to fear the techniques of the ninja?"
"You lack disciplined training!"
  • If the battle ended in a draw
"Hmm... You don't appear to be a raw amateur after all."
  • If the player runs from the battle
"It would be better for you to try at another time."

Artwork

       
Headshot from
Red and Blue
Official artwork from
Yellow
Official artwork from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Official artwork from
HeartGold and SoulSilver

Sprites

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Missing overworld model from LGPE
               
Sprite from
Red and Blue
Sprite from
Yellow
Sprite from
Generation II
Sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
VS sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Model from
Masters
               
Overworld sprite from
Red and Blue
Overworld sprite from
Yellow
Overworld sprite from
Generation II
Overworld sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Overworld sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Portraits from
Stadium and
Stadium 2
VS model from
Masters

In the anime

In the main series

 
Koga in the original series

Koga appeared in The Ninja Poké-Showdown. He operates the Fuchsia Gym in the woods outside Fuchsia City. Aya, Koga's younger sister, is one of his students.

Ash and his friends managed to overcome the Gym's traps before meeting Koga, and Ash challenged him to a Gym battle. During the match, Ash's Pidgeotto initially lost to Koga's newly-evolved Venomoth, prompting Ash to call out Charmander. However, their match was interrupted when Team Rocket tried to steal Koga's large supply of Voltorb, even though they originally raided the Gym with the intent of getting Poison-type Pokémon. Team Rocket was eventually stopped by Psyduck's unexpectedly powerful Confusion attack. Koga then offered to trade his Venomoth for Psyduck, but Misty declined. Ash and Koga then had a rematch; pitting Charmander against Koga's Golbat, Ash triumphed and won the Soul Badge.

He reappeared in a flashback in The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion!.

Character

Koga is dedicated to perfecting his battling techniques. Like the traps in his Gym, he attempts to confuse and disorientate his opponents to get the upper hand during a match.

Pokémon


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


On hand

This listing is of Koga's known Pokémon in the anime:

 

 
Venonat → Venomoth
When Ash challenged Koga, Koga sent out his Venonat, which Ash originally underestimated since he had previously defeated his Aya's Venonat quite easily but then it instantly evolved into a Venomoth, and proceeded to get the upper hand in its Gym battle with Pidgeotto. The battle was interrupted by Team Rocket, and afterwards, Koga offered to trade Venomoth to Misty for her Psyduck, but she declined.

Venomoth's known moves are Stun Spore and Sleep Powder.

Debut The Ninja Poké-Showdown
Voice actors
Japanese
English Eric Stuart
 
Golbat
Main article: Koga's Golbat

During Koga's and Ash's rematch, Koga used his Golbat against Ash's Charmander. Golbat eventually lost to Charmander's strong Fire-type moves, winning Ash the Soul Badge.

Debut The Ninja Poké-Showdown
Voice actors
Japanese Shin'ichirō Miki
English Eric Stuart (EP032)
Shin'ichirō Miki (BW116)
 
Scyther
Koga's Scyther only appeared in a flashback in Bad To The Bone. Otoshi's flashback revealed that he defeated Scyther with his Marowak and obtained the Soul Badge.

None of Scyther's moves are known.

Debut Bad To The Bone
At Fuchsia Gym
 
Voltorb (multiple)
Koga keeps these multiple Voltorb as traps in his Gym. They can be either hidden under the floor or be dropped from the ceiling. Ash, Misty, and Brock first came across one when Ash fell into a trap, stepped on one and it shocked him. Team Rocket attempted to steal the Voltorb from the Gym, and Meowth used these Pokémon as exploding bowling balls and threw them at the heroes.

The Voltorb's only known move is Self-Destruct, which they usually use when a trap is set off.

Debut The Ninja Poké-Showdown
Voice actors
Japanese
English Eric Stuart

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 大塚芳忠 Hōchū Ōtsuka
English Stuart Zagnit
Czech Petr Burian
Finnish Arto Nieminen (EP032)
Markus Bäckman (BW116)
Hungarian Seszták Szabolcs
Norwegian Tommy Karlsen
Polish Radosław Popłonikowski
Brazilian Portuguese Gileno Santoro
Spanish Latin America Gerardo Vázquez (EP032)
Enrique Cervantes (BW116)
Spain Juan Fernández Mejías (EP032)
César Martín (BW116)


In Pokémon Origins

Koga appeared briefly in File 3: Giovanni. He was seen losing a Gym battle against Red and handing him a Soul Badge as a proof of his victory.

Pokémon

 
Weezing
Weezing is Koga's only known Pokémon. It was used in his Gym battle against Red, but lost.

None of Weezing's moves are known.

Debut File 3: Giovanni

In the manga

 
Koga in Magical Pokémon Journey

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

 
Koga in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Koga makes a cameo appearance in Pikachu's Excellent Adventure.

In the manga, Jessie, James, and Meowth get trapped in Koga's Gym while searching for the Hidden Village with Ash's Pikachu, a Charmander, a Squirtle, a Kangaskhan, and Tommy. Their battle is only shown briefly in a montage sequence and it is unknown whether Team Rocket was victorious or not. It is also never shown if Ash himself battles Koga.

In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga

Koga makes a brief cameo in The Wal Comes Tumbling Down. Walnut, an aspiring ninja master, mentions that Koga is a big inspiration to him.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

 
Koga in Pokémon Adventures

Koga uses custom-made Poké Balls that can be thrown as shuriken—perhaps an inspiration for Falkner's later boomerang Poké Balls.

History

Red, Green & Blue arc

Koga is one of the three villainous heads of Team Rocket, and serves under Giovanni.

Koga debuts in Raging Rhydon, where he is searching the Moon Stone in Mt. Moon. Here, Koga fights with Red and Misty and forces his Rhyhorn to evolve with a mysterious injection, revealing what happened to Misty's Gyarados when it was kidnapped, but the mission fails. Koga later tries to scare off Red in Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower, and uses a Gastly to reanimate the corpses of dead Pokémon buried there. He also attacks Red with his Arbok. However, Blue has his Charmeleon slice Arbok in half. Under his boss's orders, he captures Articuno and brings it to Saffron City. He is once again defeated by Blue at Silph Co., albeit that he almost killed both of them by not allowing them to reach their Poké Balls by using his Muk, then almost freezing them to death with his Articuno. After he is defeated and knocked out, Red claims Koga's Soul Badge and Blue uses his special Golbat to find out where Team Rocket is holding his grandfather.

Yellow arc

Koga helps the Pallet Town Trainers in the fight against the Elite Four at Cerise Island. Koga is paired with Blue and battles Agatha, but Blue first returns his Golbat to him. When the two of them finally meet Agatha in a cave, she uses her Arbok to cause stalactites to rain down on them, separating them. Agatha then makes Blue and Koga's Golbat (that he got paired up with again) face Agatha's Golbat. Meanwhile, Koga's Arbok had to face Agatha's Arbok, which could change its patterns, allowing it to gain the upper hand over Koga. When Blue was paralyzed from a Haunter's Lick, Koga started throwing his shuriken balls. Agatha thought this was a desperate tactic, but in reality they were Pokémon holding Paralyze Heals. Koga was hoping at least one of them would get to Blue, which it did. Blue then joins him, and Koga commands his Golbat to use Leech Life on himself. His blood is then put on Arbok's torso to prevent its ability to change its pattern. Without Arbok's ability, Agatha was seemingly defeated.

However, in reality, Agatha just pretended to be defeated and had her Gengar masquerade as Koga and Blue's shadow to slowly suck the life out of them. The two did not realize this at first, and reasoned Koga's loss of energy was due to his sudden loss of a large amount of blood. After traveling through the maze of stalactites for a while, they found themselves back where they started with Agatha nowhere to be found. They then figured out her plan and defeated the Gengar, but not before Koga is nearly crushed in the collapsing terrain of the destroyed battleground. He narrowly escapes using his Muk to defend him in his wounded state.

Gold, Silver & Crystal arc

Unlike the other two Rocket Admins, who were instructed to return and manage their Gyms, Koga was not even reached by Giovanni. He then disappears for a time, leaving his daughter Janine in charge of the Gym. Janine is worried for her father, but opposes his criminal ties. Later, Koga reappeared with a new partner, Bruno, who had saved Koga when Cerise was about to collapse. They trained together for a while and both of them later met their former opponents Red and Blue, whose Rhydon was drilling underground towards Ilex Forest. Towards the end of the series, Koga and Bruno found Will and Karen in the Ilex Forest and persuaded them to work together. The new Elite Four is formed.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

After long absence, Koga returns, along with the rest of the Elite Four, in Attaway, Aipom!. They face Gold in the Pokéathlon Power Course, with Koga taking part in the Circle Push event and easily winning it. Despite this, however, Gold manages to later make a comeback in the final event and win the course.

Pokémon

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

 

 
Rhyhorn → Rhydon
Koga's Rhydon was introduced as a Rhyhorn, where it fought against Red and Pika. When it was losing, Koga injected in with a mysterious needle, forcing it to evolve. In its evolved form, it was too much for both Red and Misty to handle, and they had to escape the battle by distracting Rhydon with an electrically charged boulder. It hasn't been seen again.

Rhydon's known moves are Rock Throw and Horn Drill.

Debut Raging Rhydon
 
Gastly
Gastly appeared in the Pokémon Tower, possessing the bodies of the dead Pokémon that were buried there, along with Blue and his Charmeleon. Red's Bulbasaur managed to destroy it by sucking up Gastly's gas form, and expelling it in a Solar Beam, freeing Blue in the process.

None of Gastly's moves are known.

Debut Sigh for Psyduck
 
Arbok
Arbok is one of Koga's most powerful Pokémon. It can regenerate itself even if it's cut in half, so as long as its head remains intact. It was used against both Blue and Agatha. It also possesses the ability to temporarily control a detached body part, such as its tail.

Arbok's known moves are Acid and Glare.

Debut That Awful Arbok
 
Golbat
Main article: Koga's Golbat

Koga's Golbat is much smaller than the average Golbat. His Supersonic can be used to create a magic mirror for scrying to see things from a distance, even if walls or land are in the way. After Blue defeated Koga at Silph Co., he stole Golbat to locate Professor Oak but later returned him to his rightful owner on Cerise Island.

Debut That Awful Arbok
 
Grimer
Koga wears a Grimer on his shoulder in the form of a ninja outfit in Pokémon Adventures. He used him extensively to smother Blue, preventing him from breathing and restricting his movements so that he would be unable to call on his Pokémon.

None of Grimer's moves are known.

Debut Go for the Golbat
 
Ekans
Koga has an Ekans on his arm. It was used first to dispatch Blue's Scyther in Silph Co., and during the battle of Cerise Island to get a Parlyz Heal it held to Blue. Ekans was later used in the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, where it fought with Bruno's Hitmonlee against Lance's Dragonite, but they were easily overtaken by its Hyper Beams.

None of Ekans's moves are known.

Debut Go for the Golbat
 
Muk
Koga's Muk was used on Cerise Island to battle the Elite Four, and proved useful in his survival after the island began to crumble. In the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, he was used during the Circle Push event of the Pokéathlon.

Muk's only known move is Poison Gas.

Debut Karate Machop!
 
Weezing
Koga's Weezing was used on Cerise Island to battle Agatha, mostly to bide time until Arbok regenerated.

Weezing's only known move is Smog, and its Ability is Levitate.

Debut Weezing Winks Out
 
Koffing
Koga used Koffing against Agatha on Cerise Island. He was instrumental in defeating her Gengar when he used his gas to convey a message to Blue.

None of Koffing's moves are known, and his Ability is Levitate.

Debut Striking Golduck
 
Tentacruel
Koga used Tentacruel to help Red and Blue as the two Pokédex Holders were digging to the Ilex Forest.

None of Tentacruel's moves are known.

Debut The Last Battle X
Released
 
Articuno
Main article: Legendary birds (Adventures)

This Articuno was originally seen at the Seafoam Islands. Even though Red stopped one attempt, Team Rocket was finally able to catch this legendary bird because of its energy loss, and had it sent over for Koga afterwards. During the battle between Red, Blue, Green and Lt. Surge, Koga and Sabrina, it was merged with Zapdos and Moltres to create Thu-Fi-Zer after Sabrina took matters into her own hands. Once defeated and freed, it returned to the wild, where it was later caught by Green alongside its fellow Legendary birds.

Debut You Know...Articuno!

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

 
Koga in Pokémon Pocket Monsters
 
Koga as a Johto Elite Four member

Koga first appears in Save The Chansey!! as a character with greed.

He hires a Chansey torturer to kidnap the Chansey as they were valuable to him, something he only cared about. Red sneaks in with Clefairy and Pikachu to take the Chansey. After getting caught though, Koga releases Koffing and Grimer to stall Red and his Pokémon. However, Clefairy defeats them both, one by one, and rescues the Chansey.

In Aim to be the No. 1 Pokémon!!, he was revealed to have registered for the No. 1 Pokémon Contest. His did not have his greed this time and it wore off since then. Koga participates with Ninetales but loses since Ninetales did not dazzle the audience.

After Red's travels in Johto, Koga is revealed to have joined the Johto Elite Four in A Challenge to the Elite Four!. He, along with Will and Bruno fell from the Elite Four Tower, seemly defeated by Karen. Red asks them what happened, but Koga asks him to ask Karen herself. It is later revealed that after being exhausted from training, Karen decided to tell them a joke, and they fell down the building after hearing her dumb joke.

Pokémon

 
Koffing
Koffing was sent out as an obstacle so Red and the others wouldn't get to Chansey.

None of Koffing's moves are known.

Debut Save The Chansey!!
 
Grimer
Grimer is another Pokémon of Koga's. It first appeared rising from the trash cans nearby.

None of Grimer's moves are known.

Debut Save The Chansey!!
 
Ninetales
Koga sent out Ninetales to participate in the No. 1 Pokémon Contest. Its beauty managed to dazzle the audience but it was not enough for it to win.

None of Ninetales's moves are known.

Debut Aim to be the No. 1 Pokémon!!
 
Muk
Muk is one of Koga's Pokémon. It appeared on the top floor of the Pokémon League when Red found Karen up there. It is unknown if Muk evolved from Grimer, or if it is a separate Pokémon.

None of Muk's moves are known.

Debut A Challenge to the Elite Four!
Escaped
 
Chansey (multiple)
These Chansey were performers at a circus held by a Juggler. They were kidnapped by the Chansey Torturer for Koga's greed. They were strong enough to break free from the ropes that were tying them.

None Chansey's moves are known.

Debut Save The Chansey!!

In the Pokémon Zensho manga

 
Koga in Pokémon Zensho

Koga is seen in the Safari Zone training his ninjutsu skills. He accidentally throws one of his stars at Satoshi but misses luckily. Afterwards, Satoshi's Ditto volunteers to battle him and wins.

Pokémon

 
Weezing
Weezing is Koga's only known Pokémon. It was up against Ditto. When Ditto transformed into its master, Weezing became very confused and self-destructs afterwards, giving Satoshi the win.

Weezing's only known move is Selfdestruct.

Debut Fuchsia City

In the TCG

Koga has an eponymous Theme Deck in the Gym Challenge expansion.

Artwork

   
Koga and the Soul Badge Koga's updated VS art

Cards

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Koga or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Koga'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 #
Koga's Beedrill   Gym Challenge   9/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Ditto   Gym Challenge   10/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Arbok   Gym Challenge   25/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Muk   Gym Challenge   26/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Pidgeotto   Gym Challenge   27/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Golbat   Gym Challenge   46/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Kakuna   Gym Challenge   47/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Koffing   Gym Challenge   48/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Pidgey   Gym Challenge   49/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Weezing   Gym Challenge   50/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Ekans   Gym Challenge   77/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Grimer   Gym Challenge   78/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Koffing   Gym Challenge   79/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Pidgey   Gym Challenge   80/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Tangela   Gym Challenge   81/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Weedle   Gym Challenge   82/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Zubat   Gym Challenge   83/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Crobat         Pokémon VS   079/141
Koga's Forretress         Pokémon VS   080/141
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Koga T Gym Challenge   19/132      
Gym Challenge   106/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Fuchsia City Gym T [St] Gym Challenge   114/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Ninja Trick T Gym Challenge   115/132 Challenge from the Darkness    
Koga's Ninja Gym T [St]       Unnumbered Promotional cards    
 


In the TFG

Koga appears as a Trainer figure in the Groundbreakers expansion pack of the Pokémon Trading Figure Game.

Trivia

  • Out of the original Generation I Gym Leaders, Koga has the fewest Trainer cards in the Gym Leader sets of the TCG.
  • Koga is the first Elite Four member who was introduced in an earlier generation and then attained the title in a later generation.
  • Koga is the only Gym Leader introduced as of Generation V who does not appear in Black 2 and White 2. This is due to his status as an Elite Four member in the Generation II and IV games.
  • Koga uses a Venomoth on his team in all of the games in which Sabrina does not use one on her team, and vice versa.
  • Koga and Janine are the only two Gym Leaders to have the same slogan in different generations.
  • Koga appears as an opponent in Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. He uses a Crobat to battle.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese キョウ Kyō The on-yomi of the kanji for "apricot" (杏). This kanji's kun-yomi is anzu.
English, French, German,
Italian, Spanish, Brazilian
Portuguese
Koga From 甲賀流 Kōga-ryū, a school of ninjutsu.
Korean 독수 Doksu Means poison fang which refers to his specialty in the Poison-type. Alternatively, 독수 can mean a vicious clutch.
Chinese (Mandarin) 阿桔 Ā Jié From 桔梗 jiégěng (Chinese bellflower)
Chinese (Cantonese) 阿桔 Ā Git *
阿梗 Ā Gáng *
From 桔梗 jiégěng (Chinese bellflower)
From Japanese 梗 kyō
Thai เคียว Kyō Transliteration of his Japanese name.
Vietnamese Kyo Transliteration of his Japanese name.


Related articles

Gym Leaders of the Kanto region
Pewter Gym  
 
Brock
Cerulean Gym  
 
Misty
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Lt. Surge
Celadon Gym  
 
Erika
Fuchsia Gym  
   
Koga Janine
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Blaine
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Giovanni Blue


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Members of Team Rocket
Bosses:

Giovanni (animeAdventuresPocket MonstersMasters)
Madame Boss (anime only) • Masked Man (Adventures only)

Executives:

Archer (Masters) • Ariana (Masters) • Petrel (Masters) • Proton (Masters)
Anime only: Iron-Masked Marauder
Adventures only: CarlShamWill (former) • Karen (former)
Golden Boys only: Grey

Trios:
 

Jessie (Masters), James (Masters), & Meowth (JJM)
Koga, Lt. Surge, & Sabrina (Triad) (Adventures only; former)
Ken, Al, & Harry (TRET) (Adventures only)
Carr, Sird (former), & Orm (T3B) (Adventures only)

Duos:

Anime only: Butch & Cassidy (former) • Attila & HunAnnie & Oakley (dub only)

Scientists

Gideon
Anime only: Dr. FujiDr. NambaSebastianDr. Zager
Adventures only: Blaine (former)

Others: 

GruntsRocket BrothersRBYFRLG/Rocket SistersPE
Anime only: DominoRocket ScoutWendyTysonJubeiViper
Christopher (former) • Matori (Matori Matrix) • PierceGozu
Radio drama only: MiyamotoMondo
How I Became a Pokémon Card only: Kaede


Main characters
Ash KetchumPikachuGary OakRitchieMay OakProfessor OakDelia KetchumJessieJamesMeowth
Gym Leaders
BrockMistyKogaSabrinaGiovanniRudyDrake
Other
A.J.AyaBillDamianDarioDuplicaEevee brothersGiselleJeanette FisherOfficer JennyJoeNurse Joy
Lara LaramieMahriMelanieMikeyMimiProfessor OrvillePotterFlorinda ShowersRubySamuraiTommy



  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.