Norman (anime)

Norman is a character appearing in the anime series, who is the Gym Leader of Petalburg City in the Hoenn region.

Season 6: Advanced
He is the father of May and Max, and the husband of Caroline.

Very early in his Hoenn journey, Ash Ketchum arrived with May in Petalburg City in the hope of getting his first gym battle. Ash found the Petalburg Gym and met Max. May stopped him and allowed Ash to meet her parents, Caroline and Norman. Norman turned out be to the real Petalburg City Gym Leader. Norman used his Pokémon, a Vigoroth, to save May's Torchic from Team Rocket.

Norman is a good friend of Professor Birch and was most likely to have been the person to send May to Littleroot Town to get her first Pokémon. As May did not initially like Pokémon, this seems to have created some distance between the two. Before Ash knew that Norman was May's father, he commented that it sounded like she knew the Petalburg Gym Leader pretty well, to which she replied, "No, I just wish I did" and becomes subdued.

Season 7: Advanced Challenge
The day after that, in Love, Petalburg Style, May and Max tried to figure out why Norman and Caroline are getting all worked up as Ash tries to save Norman's three Pokémon from Team Rocket. It all turned out that Norman had Nurse Joy set up a special firework display to make fireworks in a form of a Beautifly as a wedding anniversary gift.

Ash had his gym battle with Norman in Balance of Power. Using his Grovyle, Pikachu, and Torkoal, Ash defeated Norman's Pokémon, much to Max's dismay. Upset over his father's loss, Max stole the Balance Badge and locked himself up in Norman's greenhouse. Norman was able to get Max under control and Max apologized and gave Ash his Balance Badge.

Season 8: Advanced Battle
Norman watched with his Gym referee May's performances in the Grand Festival.

Season 11: DP Battle Dimension
May explained to Ash and Brock her brother, Max, was in the Petalburg City's Gym, taking care of Norman's Pokémon. In addition, Norman and Max watched May on TV during the events of Wallace Cup.