Bede is a character appearing in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield as one of the rivals. He is one of the people who once received endorsement from Chairman Rose but later had his Gym Challenger status revoked. Opal recruited him to be her successor of Ballonlea Stadium's Gym Leader soon after.
He mostly specializes in Psychic types, but changed to Fairy types after succeeding Opal's position.
Quick Answers
Why did Bede's Gym Challenger status get revoked?
How did Bede become a Fairy-type Gym Leader?
What is Bede's relationship with Chairman Rose?
Which Pokémon types does Bede specialize in?
How did Opal influence Bede's career in Pokémon?
Appearance[]
Concept artwork of Bede.
Bede has a slender, graceful stature and sharp, refined facial features that reflect his intense and prideful nature. His pale skin and narrow lavender eyes give him a cold, calculating gaze, often accompanied by a stern or dismissive expression. Thin, angled eyebrows and a slightly upturned mouth add to his aloof and confident demeanor. His platinum-blonde hair is soft and curly, styled in a voluminous, tousled manner with a distinctive swirl at the top, giving him a touch of eccentric elegance. Though not particularly tall, Bede carries himself with poise and self-assurance, his precise posture and composed movements reinforcing his image as a determined and ambitious Trainer.
Casual clothes[]
Bede's clothing is stylish, distinctive, and reflective of his refined yet aloof personality. He wears a long, oversized purple and magenta coat with gradient tones and bold geometric patterns, including a Galar League symbol on the back. The coat features large sleeves and an angular design, giving him a dramatic, almost aristocratic silhouette. Attached to the coat is a boxy, front-facing satchel pouch in matching purple tones, adding both function and visual balance to the outfit. He pairs this with fitted white leggings that have a hexagonal pattern on the calves, adding a touch of futuristic flair. On his feet, he wears black slip-on shoes with thick soles and lavender detailing, which complement the rest of his color palette. Bede's outfit is both elegant and unconventional, perfectly capturing his prideful, unique character and his evolution from a cold rival to a determined Gym Leader.
Ballonlea Gym clothes[]
In this outfit, Bede dons the flamboyant uniform of the Ballonlea Gym, symbolizing his new role as Opal's successor and his shift toward Fairy-type Pokémon. The ensemble features a pastel palette of soft pink and teal with bold black accents, forming swirling, asymmetrical patterns across a tunic-style top and fitted leggings. The top displays an indescribable word in a stylized cursive font and his league number “908,” adding a theatrical flair. He continues to wear his signature hexagonal-patterned undershirt and leggings beneath the new uniform, maintaining a connection to his original look. The entire outfit blends whimsy with elegance, echoing the playful yet refined nature of Fairy-types, while also showcasing Bede's growth from a proud, serious rival to a figure embracing a more expressive and unconventional path.
Personality[]
Bede's personality is initially arrogant, sharp-tongued, and intensely competitive. He starts off as a prideful and condescending rival, firmly believing in his superiority as a Trainer, especially due to his early endorsement by Chairman Rose. Driven by ambition and a desire to prove himself, he often looks down on others and can come across as cold or dismissive. However, beneath his ego lies a deep desire for validation and purpose, shaped by a difficult past and the pressure to meet expectations.
As the story progresses, Bede undergoes significant character development. After being disqualified from the Gym Challenge and taken in by Opal, he gradually softens, becoming more introspective and mature. While he retains his blunt honesty and confidence, he learns to direct his ambition with greater humility and self-awareness. By the end of his journey, Bede transforms into a more balanced and respectable individual, capable of both strength and empathy—especially as he takes on the role of Ballonlea's Gym Leader.
Etymology[]
ビー (Biito), when referring to the plant Beta vulgaris, is a loanword from the English "beet," as in sugar beet or beetroot. The English term comes from Latin beta, the classical name for the beet plant, and the scientific name Beta vulgaris means "common beet." In Japanese, ビート is used in agricultural and industrial contexts, particularly for sugar production—such as in ビート糖 (beet sugar). This plant-based usage is entirely separate from the musical meaning of ビート, though both share the same katakana form.
Biography[]
As a child, Bede was sent to an orphanage after his parents ran into trouble. This traumatic experience caused him difficulties on socializing with peers and caused him to frequently scuffle with them. At one point, Chairman Rose visited the facility. Noting his talent, Rose took Bede with him. The chairman granted Bede a Hatenna as his first Pokémon. Since then, Bede began training himself for Pokémon battles, and joined the Gym Challenge to prove himself to be worthy for the Chairman's endorsement.
Bede is first seen signing up for the Gym Championships at Motostoke. After finishing up, he rudely bumps into Hop. If the player tries to speak with him, he dismisses them, finding them not worthy of his time.
Upon encountering the player at the Galar Mine, Bede chooses them as a rival. He later has a rematch with them in Galar Mine No. 2. After the player and Hop leave Motostoke, Bede confronts the two and begins calling out Hop on his awful talent, challenging him to a battle. By the time the player arrives at Hammerlocke, Bede also arrives, having revealed to have won the match. Bede's victory over Hop was shown to have an emotional effect on him, causing him to focus more on proving himself as a trainer, not as the Champion's brother.
After defeating the Stow-on-Side Gym Leader, Bede is seen using Chairman Rose's Copperajah to break down a replica mural depicting the hero of Galar. He justifies his motives as he's collecting Wishing Stars for the Chairman. After the player beats Bede, Rose and Oleana show up visibly angered by Bede's negligence over a historic site and revoke his Endorsement, much to his shock. Shortly after Bede is taken away, the mural collapses, revealing four statues; the two kings of Galar and the sword and shield-wielding Pokémon. Sordward and Shielbert would learn of the destruction, but mistakenly accuse the player instead of Bede.
Humiliated, Bede follows Rose to Hammerlocke in the hopes of convincing his former guardian to give him a chance at redemption. Bede confronts the player when Opal spots him. Opal finds Bede to have the "pink" she was looking for, much to his shock but agrees to undergo Opal's training, believing it to be a way further his talents. Much to his dismay, the "training" consisting of Fairy-types and random nonsense, but Bede still completed it and eventually replaced Opal as Ballonlea's Gym Leader.
During the Champion Cup, Bede interrupts the tournament as the newly-appointed Ballonlea Gym Leader during the Finals, challenging the player into a battle, claiming to retire should he lose. Unexpectedly, Bede loses to the player and intended to honor his terms, but the audience was captivated by the battle and convinced him otherwise, forcing him to remain as a Gym Leader.
After the championship, Sordward and Shielbert unleash several Dynamax Pokémon at the Gyms. By the time the player arrives at the Ballonlea Stadium, Bede has already taken care of them, and asks for a rematch. Ultimately, Bede loses and finally comes to terms with the player surpassing him.
League Card entries[]
Regular League Card[]
Bede's League Card.
Bede spent some time living in an orphanage after his family ran into some trouble when he was young. He always had difficulty getting along with others and would constantly get into fights. That is until one day Chairman Rose visited the facility. Rose gave Bede a Pokémon, which changed Bede's life forever. He showed talent as a Trainer and threw himself into Pokémon battles, becoming stronger by the day. He has joined the Gym Challenge with an endorsement from the chairman himself, and Bede plans to prove that the chairman's faith was not misplaced.
Rare League Card[]
Bede's Gym Leader League Card.
He was appointed by the former Gym Leader Opal to become the new Gym Leader of Ballonlea Stadium. The general consensus is that Opal's harsh training has in fact mellowed him out. Though he himself has never confirmed nor denied this, it should be noted that he no longer refuses to give autographs. Additionally, it seems his skills as a Pokémon Trainer have also increased rather dramatically. Recently, his intrusion during the Finals of the Champion Cup has gained popularity, and fans wish to see that kind of performance again. Bede himself is not sure how to react.
Other appearances[]
Pokémon[]
 Solosis 
|
 Gothita
|
 Hatenna
| |||
| Lv. 13 | ♂ | Lv. 15 | ♀ | Lv. 16 | ♀
|
| Item: None | Item: None | Item: None
| |||
| Confusion | Psybeam | Disarming Voice | |||
| Endeavor | Tickle | Confusion | |||
| - | Pound | Round | |||
| - | - | - | |||
Solosis
|
Gothita
|
 Ponyta
|
Hatenna
| ||||
| Lv. 21 | ♂ | Lv. 22 | ♀ | Lv. 22 | ♂ | Lv. 23 | ♀
|
| Item: None | Item: None | Item: None | Item: None
| ||||
| Psyshock | Psyshock | Confusion | Psybeam | ||||
| Psybeam | Rock Tomb | Fairy Wind | Disarming Voice | ||||
| Endeavor | Psybeam | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
 Duosion
|
 Gothorita
|
Ponyta
|
 Hattrem
| ||||
| Lv. 32 | ♂ | Lv. 32 | ♀ | Lv. 33 | ♂ | Lv. 35 | ♀
|
| Item: None | Item: None | Item: None | Item: None
| ||||
| Light Screen | Fake Tears | Fairy Wind | Psybeam | ||||
| Reflect | Rock Tomb | Psybeam | Dazzling Gleam | ||||
| Psyshock | Psybeam | Agility | - | ||||
| Psybeam | - | - | - | ||||
 Mawile  
|
 Gardevoir
|
 Rapidash
|
 Hatterene
| ||||
| Lv. 51 | ♀ | Lv. 51 | ♀ | Lv. 52 | ♂ | Lv. 53 | ♀
|
| Item: None | Item: None | Item: None | Item: None
| ||||
| Play Rough | Dazzling Gleam | Psycho Cut | Psychic | ||||
| Iron Head | Psychic | Take Down | Dazzling Gleam | ||||
| Crunch | Calm Mind | Dazzling Gleam | Calm Mind | ||||
| - | Wish | Quick Attack | Mystical Fire | ||||
Mawile
|
Gardevoir
|
Rapidash
|
Hatterene
| ||||
| Lv. 61 | ♀ | Lv. 61 | ♀ | Lv. 62 | ♂ | Lv. 63 | ♀
|
| Item: None | Item: None | Item: None | Item: None
| ||||
| Play Rough | Dazzling Gleam | Psycho Cut | Psychic | ||||
| Iron Head | Psychic | Smart Strike | Dazzling Gleam | ||||
| Crunch | Future Sight | Dazzling Gleam | Calm Mind | ||||
| Fake Tears | Magical Leaf | Stomp | Mystical Fire | ||||
Mawile
|
Gardevoir
|
Rapidash
|
 Sylveon
|
Hatterene
| |||||
| Lv. 61 | ♀ | Lv. 61 | ♀ | Lv. 62 | ♂ | Lv. 62 | ♀ | Lv. 63 | ♀ |
| Ability: Intimidate | Ability: Synchronize | Ability: Pastel Veil | Ability: Cute Charm | Ability: Anticipation | |||||
| Item: None | Item: None | Item: None | Item: None | Item: None | |||||
| Play Rough | Shadow Ball | Zen Headbutt | Moonblast | Psychic | |||||
| Iron Head | Psychic | Smart Strike | Light Screen | Dazzling Gleam | |||||
| Crunch | Energy Ball | Dazzling Gleam | Shadow Ball | Calm Mind | |||||
| Fake Tears | Dazzling Gleam | Drill Run | Psyshock | Dark Pulse | |||||
Trivia[]
- Bede's name may come from the term "bead", as beads (such as prayer beads or magatama) are often associated with mysticism and the supernatural, representing both types he uses. It may also, fitting Pokémon's overall plant naming theme, be derived from "beet".
- Bede's uniform number, 908, can be read in Japanese as "kū-rei-ba," which sounds similar to the word 'clever'.
- With his appointment as Opal's successor, Bede is the first notable male Fairy-type specialist.
- Bede is the second Gym Leader to change type specialties, the first being Jasmine, who specialized in Rock-types before Steel-types.
- However, Bede is the first Gym Leader to be shown doing so in-game, as Jasmine is never battled using primarily Rock-type Pokémon.
- Despite switching to specializing in the Fairy-type, Bede's team still mostly consists of Psychic-type Pokémon, as Bede continues to use most of the Pokémon from his first three battles, which are Psychic types that evolve into Psychic/Fairy-type Pokémon.
- Bede is left-handed.
- Bede was the name of an English scholar of the late seventh and early eighth centuries AD.
Gallery[]
| Locations · Pokédex | |
| Gym Leaders | |
| Others | |
| See also | |
| Characters | |
| Kanto | |
|---|---|
| Johto | |
| Hoenn | |
| Sinnoh | |
| Unova | |
| Kalos | |
| Alola | |
| Galar | |
| Paldea | |