Black Belt (Trainer class)

Black Belt
からておう Karate King
VSBlack Belt SV.png
VS model from Generation IX
Other names Blackbelt (Generations I and II)
カラテおう Karate King (Generations III, V, and VI, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon)
Judoboy (Stadium)
Introduced in Generation I
Appears in Red, Blue, and Yellow
Gold, Silver, and Crystal
Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, and LeafGreen
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver
Black, White, Black 2, and White 2
X, Y, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Sword and Shield
Scarlet and Violet
Stadium, Stadium 2
Masters EX
Gender Male only
Female Counterpart Battle Girl, Crush Girl
Notable members Koichi, Kiyo, Connally
Anime debut A Tyrogue Full of Trouble! (Series)
TCG debut Triumphant
TCG card Black Belt
Manga debut Magnificent Meditite & Really Riolu II (Adventures)

A Black Belt (Japanese: からておう Karate King or カラテおう Karate King, shortened in Generation I to からて Karate), spelled Blackbelt in Generations I and II, is a Trainer class that debuted in the Generation I games. They are generally depicted as generic martial artists, in headband and gi striking a fighting pose.

Black Belts are the male counterparts of the Battle Girl and Crush Girl classes. When paired with Crush Girls, Psychics, male Preschoolers, female Dancers, or other Black Belts in Double Battles, they are called Crush Kin, Brains & Brawn, Karate Family, Capoeira Couple, or Sparring Partners, respectively.

In all games, they generally specialize in Fighting-type Pokémon. In the Battle Subway, they specialize in Fighting-, Fire-, and Steel-type Pokémon. In the Battle Maison, they specialize in Fighting-, Fire-, and Rock-type Pokémon. In the Battle Tower in Galar, Black Belts specialize in a mix of Fighting- and Ice-type Pokémon, along with species that have a high base Attack.

In Pokémon Stadium, they are known as Judoboys and specialize in using Focus Energy to land critical hits.

In Generation VII, they sport a much older appearance and keep their Pokémon in Ultra Balls.

In Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Black Belts will award three Poké Balls along with prize money upon being defeated, except for Gym Trainers and Master Trainers.

Gallery

Artwork

   
From Generation VI Sun and Moon Settei

Sprites and models

In the core series

  This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Missing overworld model from LGPE; need higher quality images from LGPE; missing different skin tones for SV
Generation I
     
Red and Green
Trainer sprite
Yellow
Trainer sprite
Overworld sprite
Generation II
     
Spaceworld '97 demo
Trainer sprite
Trainer sprite Overworld sprite
Generation III
       
Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
Trainer sprite
Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald
overworld sprite
FireRed and LeafGreen
Trainer sprite
FireRed and LeafGreen
overworld sprite
Generation IV
       
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
Trainer sprite
Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum
overworld sprite
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Trainer sprite
HeartGold and SoulSilver
overworld sprite
Generation V
       
Black and White
Trainer sprite
Black 2 and White 2
Trainer sprite
Pokéstar Studios
sprite
Overworld Sprite
Generation VI
     
VS sprite Overworld model PSS
sprite
Generation VII
       
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
VS Sprite
Sun and Moon
VS sprite (Z-Ring)
Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
VS sprite (Z-Power Ring)
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
overworld model
     
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
Battle Model
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
battle model
Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
battle model (Master Trainer)
Generation VIII
       
Sword and Shield
battle model
Sword and Shield
Y-Comm Icon
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
battle model
Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl
overworld model
Generation IX
 
Scarlet and Violet
battle model

In other games

       
Stadium and Stadium 2
portraits
Masters EX
model
Masters EX
VS sprite

Trainer list

Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow

Blackbelts have two X Attacks for each Pokémon to use during the battle, using them randomly at 12.5% chance.


Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal


Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire


Pokémon Emerald


See more: List of Battle Frontier Trainers (Generation III)/Black Belt

Special Trainers

  • Black Belt Tyrese may randomly be recruited as an Apprentice at the Battle Tower. Here, players may customize his team and can eventually either team up with or battle against him.

Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen


Pokémon Diamond and Pearl


Pokémon Platinum


Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver


Pokémon Black and White


Pokémon Black 2 and White 2


Pokémon X and Y


Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire


Pokémon Sun and Moon


See also:
List of Battle Royal Dome Trainers/Black Belt
List of Battle Tree Trainers/Black Belt

Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon


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


Pokémon Sword and Shield


Pokémon Scarlet and Violet


Pokémon Stadium


Pokémon Stadium 2


In the anime

 
Black Belts in the anime

Kiyo, a Black Belt, appeared in A Tyrogue Full of Trouble!, where he was preparing his Fighting Pokémon near Mt. Mortar for the upcoming P1 Grand Prix. He later caught a troublesome Tyrogue.

In Pasta La Vista, Master Hamm, an old Black Belt and the leader of the Saffron City Fighting Dojo, struggled to convince his son Kyle to take over the dojo, despite him insisting that he wanted to sell noodles instead. In the end, one of Master Hamm's students, Terri, took over the dojo instead, while Master Hamm and Kyle both set out to sell noodles.

In Glory Blaze!, a Black Belt participated in the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition. He teamed up with a Psychic and his Metagross, using a Zangoose himself. They battled Ash and Paul, who were using Turtwig and Chimchar, respectively. As Chimchar was scared of Zangoose, it was unwilling to battle, but Paul was only thinking about the possibility of getting Chimchar's Ability Blaze activated. When Chimchar defended Turtwig from Zangoose's attack, Paul turned his back to it. Ash then started commanding Chimchar, and with the help of his Turtwig, Zangoose was defeated.

Connally is a Black Belt who trains in Veilstone Gym and serves as the referee for Maylene's Gym battles with challengers. He appeared from Lost Leader Strategy! to A Triple Fighting Chance!, where he refereed Maylene's battles with Dawn and Ash. Several other Black Belts were also seen accompanying Connally at the Veilstone Gym.

In Solitary and Menacing!, four Black Belts were featured at the Saffron City Fighting Dojo. Ash battled one of them with his Riolu.

Pokémon

DP051 Black Belt

 
Zangoose
During the Tag Battle against Ash and Paul, the Black Belt used his Zangoose to attack Paul's Chimchar, who was so frightened of it that it was barely able to attack. However, Ash's Turtwig was finally able to defeat Zangoose with a combination of Razor Leaf and Tackle.

Zangoose's known moves are X-Scissor, Crush Claw, Detect*, and Fire Blast.

Debut Glory Blaze!
Voice actors
Japanese Katsuyuki Konishi
English Bill Rogers

JN034 Black Belt

 
Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee was one of the Pokémon a Black Belt used in his battle against Ash, going up against his Riolu.

None of Hitmonlee's moves are known.

Debut Solitary and Menacing!
 
Hitmonchan
Hitmonchan was one of the Pokémon a Black Belt used in his battle against Ash, going up against his Riolu.

None of Hitmonchan's moves are known.

Debut Solitary and Menacing!

In the manga

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Black Belts appeared in Solitary and Menacing!.

Pokémon Adventures

 
Black Belt Jeffery in Pokémon Adventures

History

Emerald arc

In Sneaky Like Shedinja and Sneaky Like Shedinja II, a virtual Black Belt judges the "Mind", "Skill", and "Body" score of the multiple battle rounds between Emerald and Greta at the Battle Arena challenge.

Diamond & Pearl arc

In Magnificent Meditite & Really Riolu II, Black Belt Jeffery (Japanese: シロウ Shirō) appears as the last challenger before Platinum challenged Maylene. He sent out his Machoke for the battle against Chatler. Chatler was able to defeat Machoke, advancing them to Maylene. Jeffery was later seen chasing down Maylene's father with Darren (Japanese: ジロウ Jirō), Rafael (Japanese: サブロウ Saburō), and Colby (Japanese: イチロウ Ichirō).

The 4 Black Belts were seen again in Stunning Staravia & Stinky Skuntank II.

In Luring in a Lickilicky, a Black Belt appears during the Pokétch presentation taking place in Jubilife City.

Platinum arc

A Black Belt appeared as a background character in Deprogramming Porygon-Z, where he was part of a group of people who entered the Battle Frontier after Palmer had his assistants open the gates.

HeartGold & SoulSilver arc

In Out-Odding Oddish, a Black Belt was seen entering the Pokéathlon Dome.

Black & White arc

In Dream a Little Dream, a Black Belt is briefly seen amongst the Trainers about to enter Victory Road.

Pokémon

 
Machoke
Jeffery chose Machoke to battle Platinum. It took on Chatler and lost.

None of Machoke's moves are known.

Debut Magnificent Meditite & Really Riolu II
 
Machoke
Machoke was seen with its Trainer when entering the Battle Frontier.

None of Machoke's moves are known.

Debut Deprogramming Porygon-Z

Pokémon Battle Frontier

A Black Belt appeared in Enta Arrives at the Battle Frontier!.

In the TCG

 
Black Belt TCG art by Kanako Eo

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Black Belt in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Black Belt's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Passimian   Silver Tempest   TG08/TG30 VMAX Climax   203/184
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Black Belt Su Triumphant   85/102 Clash at the Summit   077/080
 


Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 空手道王 Hūngsáudouh-wòhng *
空手道高手 Hūngsáudouh Gōusáu *
Mandarin 空手道王 Kōngshǒudào-wáng *
空手道高手 Kōngshǒudào Gāoshǒu *
  French Karatéka
  German Schwarzgurt
  Indonesian Pemegang Sabuk Hitam
  Italian Cinturanera
  Korean 태권왕 Taegwon-wang
  Polish Karateka*
Czarny Pas*
Portuguese   Brazil Faixa Preta
  Portugal Carateca
  Spanish Karateka


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
Sevii Islands Aroma LadyBikerBird KeeperBlack BeltBug CatcherCamperCool CoupleCooltrainerCrush Girl
Crush KinCue BallFishermanGentlemanHikerJugglerLadyLassPainterPicnickerPokéManiac
PKMN BreederPKMN RangerPsychicRuin ManiacScientistSis and BroSwimmerTamer
Team Rocket AdminTeam Rocket GruntTwinsTuberYoung CoupleYoungster
Trainer Tower only:
BeautyBurglarEngineerRockerSailorSuper Nerd
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
InstructorLeague 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
Alola Ace DuoAce TrainerAether Branch ChiefAether FoundationAether Foundation Employee
Aether PresidentAthletic SiblingsBackpackerBeautyBellhopBlack BeltCaptainCollectorCookDancer
Eevee UserElite FourEspeon UserFirefighterFishermanFlareon UserGAME FREAKGentlemanGlaceon User
Golf BuddiesGolferHikerHoneymoonersIsland KahunaJanitorJolteon UserKarate FamilyLassLeafeon User
MadameOffice WorkerPokémon BreederPokémon ProfessorPokémon TrainerPolice OfficerPreschooler
PrincipalPunk GirlPunk GuyPunk PairRising StarRising Star DuoScientistSightseerSwimmerSwimmers
Swimmer GirlsSylveon UserTeacherTeam SkullTeam Skull AdminTeam Skull BossTeam Skull Grunt
Trial GuideTwinsUmbreon UserVaporeon UserVeteranVeteran DuoWorkerYoungsterYouth Athlete
ActorUSUMCapoeira CoupleUSUMDancing FamilyUSUMKantonian GymUSUMMaster & ApprenticeUSUM
ReporterUSUMSparring PartnersUSUMSurferUSUMTeam AquaUSUMTeam FlareUSUMTeam GalacticUSUM
Team MagmaUSUMTeam PlasmaUSUMTeam Rainbow RocketUSUMTeam Rainbow Rocket GruntUSUM
Tourist CoupleUSUMUltra Forest KartenvoyUSUltra Recon SquadUSUM
Battle Tree, Battle Royal Dome, and Battle Agency only:
Battle LegendPokémon Center LadyPro Wrestler
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
Paldea ArtistBackpackerBlack BeltCabbieChampionCookCourierDirectorDragon TamerElite FourGym Leader
Gym TrainerHikerInstructorJanitorModelMusicianOffice WorkerPoké ManiacPokémon Trainer
ScientistStudentTeam StarTeam Star GruntTop ChampionWaiterWaitressWorkerYoungster
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero only:
Glitterati


Pasio Trainer classes
Ace TrainerAether FoundationAether Foundation EmployeeBeautyBlack BeltCamperCollectorHex Maniac
HikerLassMasked ManMasked WomanPoké FanPokémon RangerPreschoolerPunk Girl
Rising StarScientistSightseerStreet ThugSwimmerTeam Aqua GruntTeam Flare Grunt
Team Galactic GruntTeam Magma GruntTeam Plasma GruntTeam Rocket GruntTeam Yell GruntYoungster


  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.