Burgh appears in Pokémon Black and White as the Gym Leader of Castelia City's Gym, the third Gym to be challenged by the player. He is also an artist and apparently started his career in Nacrene City, which he often comes back to when he gets "artist's block." Trainers who defeat Burgh will receive the Insect Badge, along with TM76 (Struggle Bug).
"Eh? Just looking for a change of pace. Seems hectic or something around here. What's up?"
"Uh-huh. You are...<player>, is it? Are you raring to round up our robbers?"
Pinwheel Forest
Outside Pinwheel Forest
"This leads to Pinwheel Forest. If they manage to scuttle off into the forest, we might have trouble."
Inside Pinwheel Forest
"Well, you see... There are two ways out of Pinwheel Forest--the road that goes straight and the path that winds through the woods. I will take the straight road after them! If they're not there, I'll block the exit. Would you please take the other way and check whether Team Plasma is hiding in there somewhere? You'll run into a lot of Trainers, but it's basically a single path, so I'm sure you won't get lost. Come on! Let's do this for Lenora's sake!"
"Mm-hmm? Team Plasma hasn't come in this direction... The forest's bug Pokémon are quiet, too."
"Oh, sweet! The bug Pokémon were getting all worked up, so here I come, and what do I spy with my little eye? This important looking guy! Are you here to help your friends, whom I defeated?"
"Hmmm... We got back the stolen skull and if we corner them, there's no telling what they might do. I think I'll be heading back Lenora... Well now. Well... I'll be waiting for your challenge at Castelia City's Pokémon Gym. Yes indeed. I'm certainly looking forward to it!"
"Ah hah! You're the one who fought Team Plasma in Pinwheel Forest... If I remember, your name is... <player>! Come to challenge the Gym, I suppose? Aww. Sorry, but could you wait a bit? I was informed that Team Plasma has shown up! In fact... Come with me! I'm going to the dock at Prime Pier!"
At Prime Pier
"Come on! This way! Team Plasma... They took this young lady's Pokémon"
"Agreed! No fear--we will get that Pokémon back. Right, <player>? Having said that, finding a person or Pokémon here in Castelia City will be like finding a needle in a haystack."
"<Player>, let's go! Iris! You stay by that young lady's side."
On the main street
"That way! M'hm. There, heading toward the Gym?!"
On Gym Street
"This is definitely the place. Looks like our only option is to battle them and go in."
"Oh please! <Player>, I'll leave that one to you!"
"Team Plasma is inside. The stolen Pokémon may be there as well. Okay, I'm going in!
In Team Plasma's hideout
"So, what would you say is the guiding principle of Team Plasma, anyway? "Take what you want from people"?
"Here in Castelia, we have a lot of different kinds of people. Everyone's ways of thinking and lifestyles are very different. Honestly, there's something about what you're saying I don't quite understand."
"One thing we all have in common is that we all care a lot about Pokémon. Even meeting for the first time people can talk about Pokémon. Talk or battle or trade... Remember your speech at Accumula Town? You were responsible for leading me to rethink my relationship with Pokémon. For that, I thank you. At that time, I made a promise... I swore to myself that I would dedicate myself to Pokémon even more strongly! What you guys are doing... Aren't you going to strengthen the bond between people and Pokémon even more?"
"Gah! What do we do if anything's happened to the other stolen Pokémon?"
"What is everyone planning to do now?"
"Uh-hm. That's great! Iris is a dazzling Pokémon Trainer, but maybe not at home in the big city yet? So, a little give-and-take, hm! People and Pokémon need help to each other out."
"Well, then, <player>. I'll be waiting in the Gym."
Castelia Gym
Before battle
"Thanks again for your help. My bug Pokémon are scurrying with excitement about getting to battle you. Let's get straight to it!"
During battle (the first non-KO HP loss)
"Snick! My switch was turned on!"
After sending out last Pokémon
"Could it be time to bug out of here? No, no, I refuse to be squashed!"
Being defeated
"Is it over? Has my muse abandoned me?"
After being defeated
"Aww... I lost. Whatever! Losing to you doesn't bug me because you are a-MAZ-ingly strong! This is the Gym Badge! You beat me, so it's yours!"
"It's the Insect Badge! It's insectible--I mean, incredible! If you have three Badges, Pokémon up to Lv. 40 will obey you, including traded Pokémon. Because I'm a generous guy, I'll also give you this."
"Struggle Bug also lowers the Sp. Atk of the target that was damaged. I'm the best guy to tell you, it's the little things that count!"
"How many discoveries have you made since you started your adventure? When I was a kid, my innocent heart was captured by the beauty of bug Pokémon. I drew with them and battled with them, and after all this time, I continue to discover new things. A world shared with Pokémon is a world swarming with mysteries."
Post game:
"Heya! This is what I do. I keep raising Pokémon and drawing pictures inspired by the Pokémon I raise. It's what I love to do. My life hums with energy. What could be better?"
"Who...was that? Well. No matter. What are you going to do? You can stay here and train your Pokémon. Or maybe you should come challenge me, the Gym Leader! Be seeing you!"
Castelia Gym
Before battle
"Good work back there in the sewers. My Bug-type Pokémon have been scurrying with excitement about getting to battle you. I'd say my Bug-type Pokémon are pretty great! C'mon, let me brag a little! Dwebble's round little eyes are cute! It's resilient and reliable! My ace is Leavanny! It's really the best! I think it's so sweet how it makes clothes for other Pokémon out of leaves. Of course, I'm really proud of all of my Pokémon! Well now… Let's get right to it!"
During battle (the first non-KO HP loss)
"Lights, please! Time to show you what Bug-type Pokémon are made of!"
After sending out last Pokémon
"Mmm… I've got a bad feeling about this! Could I be in trouble?"
Being defeated
"Hmm… It's over! You're incredible!"
After being defeated
"Oh hoo… You are very strong indeed! I guess it's no surprise I lost. Here! Take this Insect Badge! I think it'll suit you!"
"Ooh! The Insect Badge suits you even better than I thought it would! If you have three Badges, Pokémon up to Lv. 40 will obey you, including traded Pokémon. And, huh, you know what, I'll also give you this."
"Struggle Bug also lowers the Sp. Atk of the target that was damaged. I'm the best guy to tell you this. It's the little things that count!"
If talked to (post-game)
"Hello! How have you been? So, now I'm working on a piece with a Pokémon motif! Well, I always do that, really. Every now and then, I got artist's block. But when I look at my Pokémon... I get filled with the urge to draw, and I can't stop!"
"Maybe... Or maybe not... Many Bug-type Pokémon have hard coverings, right? Their so-called exoskeletons. So I don't quite understand bones. Not at all, actually."
"Mmm... Well, for starters, what do bones mean to you?"
"Oohhh... I kind of understand. I'm also fascinated by the functional, efficient designs of Bug-type Pokémon, such as the shape of their legs."
"Thanks again for your help. My Bug-type Pokémon are scurrying with excitement about getting to battle you. Let's get straight to it!"
Before battle (second round)
"If the battle brings out the beauty in Bug-type Pokémon, it will be a scene that makes my heart flutter, win or lose. My bug Pokémon are abuzz with anticipation. Let's get straight to it!"
Before battle (final round)
"M'hm... If I win this battle, I feel like I can draw a picture unlike any before it. OK! I can hear my battle muse loud and clear. Let's get straight to it!"
Being defeated
"Is it over? Has my muse abandoned me?"
If the player is defeated
"Wow... It's beautiful somehow, isn't it..."
After being defeated
"Aww... I lost. Whatever! Losing to you doesn't bug me, because you are a-MAZ-ingly strong!"
After winning
"Sometimes I hear people say something was an ugly win, but I think if you're trying your best, any win is beautiful."
In the lobby, after the tournament
"Ummm... That's right. Bug-type Pokémon are cool, aren't they? Win or lose, they're always beautiful."
Jingle: "Woo hoo! All right! It's 'The National Gymquirer'!"
Page: "That's right! We collect the hottest gossip about Gym Leaders seen around town! Here is today's letter. From someone going by the name Compoundeyes Wrestler! Thank yooou! 'When I went to meet Burgh. It was like he had been licking the honeycomb walls! That guy likes to eat!' Now that is a surprise... But, I wonder if he was just admiring his own face reflected on those walls... That's also weird though... 'The National Gymquirer'! We eagerly await your letters!"
Jingle: "Woo hoo! All right! It's 'The National Gymquirer'!"
Page: "That's right! We collect the hottest gossip about Gym Leaders seen around town! Here is today's letter. From someone going by the name Molt! Thank yooou! 'When I went to meet Burgh, he was shooting cocoon silk from his hands and decorating his walls with it! Could he actually be a Pokémon?!' Now that is a surprise... But, I wonder if he was just carrying that silk in his hands? We are talking about Burgh, though... 'The National Gymquirer'! We eagerly await your letters!"
Burgh debuted in Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest!. He first appeared in Pinwheel Forest when Ash and Iris climbed the tallest tree in the forest, and they were surprised to find Burgh in a cocoon-like cloak, hanging from the tree. While introducing himself, a Sewaddle jumped onto his shoulder. He told the trio that the Sewaddle had been accompanying him throughout the forest, even though it is not his Pokémon.
The next day, Burgh and the group discovered an ill Patrat, and he was able to heal it with some medicine. Suddenly, Sewaddle was attached to a Deerling and fell into a raging river along with Ash. Burgh sent out his Leavanny, which used String Shot to save them. Sewaddle's leaf on its head was damaged in the process, but Leavanny fashioned a new one for Sewaddle. Later, Burgh said his goodbyes to the group.
In A Venipede Stampede!, Burgh and the group investigated mysterious sounds coming from the sewer system in Castelia City. They discovered an injured Venipede that Ash rescued from a pipe. Burgh quickly treated its wounds but wondered why it was in the sewer in the first place when Venipede traditionally live in the Desert Resort outside of the city. When the group returned to the surface, they found out that a swarm of Venipede has started wreaking havoc across the city.
Burgh became somewhat angry to find out that the Mayor of Castelia City planned to get rid of the Venipede by force, and protested the idea. The Mayor eventually decided to let him handle it. Burgh's idea was to find the leader of the Venipede and have Nurse Joy's Audino use Heal Pulse on it. He, Ash, and Iris eventually located the leader, only to see it being attacked by Trip and his Lampent. Burgh ordered him to stop and told him that he was only making things worse. Once Nurse Joy's Audino used Heal Pulse on the leader, Burgh played his Bug Flute and led the Venipede into Central Plaza for the time being. He saw Ash and his friends off, when they decided to go with Professor Juniper to investigate further at the Desert Resort.
Burgh is a frustrated genius and often in deep thought. He relishes in experiencing nature, and regularly visits Pinwheel Forest for its purity and fresh air. Burgh has adored Bug Pokémon since he was a child, and is well aware of their behavioral characteristics which helped him befriend a Sewaddle in Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest! and later calm a horde of angry Venipede in A Venipede Stampede!. He has also attempted to recreate Pinwheel Forest in the Castelia Gym to best suit his Pokémon and also balance out the chaos of urban life in Castelia City. Nature inspires his many artistic outlets including fashion design and sketching. In battle, Burgh uses defense strategies like Protect to combat his opponent's advances before lashing an opponent's Pokémon with high-powered attacks.
Pokémon
This listing is of Burgh's known Pokémon in the anime:
On hand
Leavanny
Leavanny debuted in Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest!, when Sewaddle is accidentally attached to a Deerling and then thrown into a raging river. When Ash jumps in after it, Burgh sends Leavanny out and tells it to use String Shot, which saves them from falling over a waterfall. It later fashioned leaves to place on the head of Sewaddle after its last head-cover had been ruined by the Deerling and the river.
In Battling For The Love of Bug-Types!, it battled Ash's Swadloon and won easily. It later disabled Pikachu with String Shot and dominated the battle until Pikachu used Leavanny's Leaf Storm to cut free from the threads and bombarded it with all of his attacks.
Leavanny was seen in a flashback in Battling the Leaf Thieves!, when Ash's Swadloon evolved into a Leavanny and started making similar head-covers as Burgh's Leavanny.
Dwebble was the first Pokémon that Burgh chose to battle Ash in Battling For The Love of Bug-Types!. It defeated Ash's Tepig easily, but was knocked out by Ash's Sewaddle after losing its protective shell. Burgh says that its shell is much lighter than a normal Dwebble's, making it more agile.
Whirlipede was the second Pokémon that Burgh chose to battle Ash in Battling For The Love of Bug-Types!. It put up a hard fight against Sewaddle, and its SolarBeam caused him to evolve. Despite the type advantage, Whirlipede was defeated by Ash's newly evolved Swadloon after it was knocked on its side.
This article is missing information on this character's Japanese voice actor. You can help by adding this information.
Sewaddle
Burgh has a Sewaddle that lives in the Castelia Gym; it is unknown if he uses it in Gym battles. It first appeared where Burgh was shown feeding it before greeting Ash, Iris, and Cilan.
Burgh first appears in Nacrene City where he bumps into Black while he was chasing after the stolen Dragon-type skeleton. Having come there looking for inspiration to cure his artist's block, Burgh joins Black in his search for the Fossil. Together, they find the culprits, Team Plasma, and defeat them in battle to retrieve the Dragon-type Skeleton back for the Nacrene City museum. Having gotten his inspiration back, the two say their goodbyes and Burgh hopes that they will meet again in Castelia City.
In Castelia City, Burgh is seen talking to Iris about his upcoming Gym Battle and becomes disheartened when she criticizes his most recent piece of art as not being as good as his previous ones. Later, he and Black have their Gym Battle at the Castelia Gym with Black emerging as the victor. Iris soon arrives with an unconscious girl named Bianca who had her Pokémon kidnapped. Together, with Black, White, and Iris, Burgh manages to find the kidnappers, Team Plasma, and force them to retreat.
Later, Burgh, along with his fellow Gym Leaders, appears at the Celestial Tower to discuss what to do about Team Plasma. Later, he and the other Gym Leaders battle the Shadow Triad in Nacrene City to protect the Dark Stone from being stolen. Despite their teamwork, Burgh and the other Gym Leaders are defeated by the Shadow Triad's trump card, the Forces of Nature. Burgh, along with the other Gym Leaders, are kidnapped and taken to a dark room, where they had their memories of the kidnapping erased. When Caitlin used her psychic abilities to communicate with the Gym Leaders, she had them relay a message to Black.
During Team Plasma's attack on the Pokémon League, Burgh is hoisted up on a crucifix along with the other Gym Leaders so that they and the League can be mocked. Soon after, he is freed by Shoko's Patrat and assists in the battle against Team Plasma.
Pokémon
Venipede
Venipede is the first Pokémon that is Burgh is known to possess. It is commonly seen on sitting on Burgh's shoulder.
Whirlipede was the second Pokémon that Burgh is seen to own. It was used to battle Gorm of Team Plasma to retrieve the stolen Dragon Skeleton. Later it was used in the Gym Battle against Black's Brav, but was easily defeated by an Air Slash. At Nacrene City, it was used to combat the Shadow Triad, but was defeated.
Dwebble was the third Pokémon that Burgh is seen to own. It was used in the Gym battle against Black's Brav and easily defeated him. Later, it was switched out when Black sent out his Tula for Leavanny. After Leavanny was defeated, Dwebble faced Black's Tep in battle and was defeated once the Tepig evolved into a Pignite and redirected its attack back at it.
Dwebble's only known move is Smack Down, and its Ability is Sturdy.
Leavanny was the fourth Pokémon that Burgh is seen to own. It was used in the Gym Battle against Black's where it was seen being switched in to battle Black's Tula and tied with it.
It was later seen in The Battle, where it participated in the battle against the Seven Sages.
