The emblem of a Gym Leader.
A Gym Leader (ジムリーダー, Jimu Riidaa) is the highest-ranking member and owner of an official Pokémon Gym. With Blue from the games as the only known exception, gym leaders will only specialize in one specific type of Pokémon and will also have their gym designed to fit the environment of that specific type. Gym leaders use their gyms and their Pokémon to test the skills of trainers that challenge them, and if said trainers win a battle, the gym leader will gift them with a badge that's unique to that specific gym. If a trainer wins the minimum required amount of badges for a specific region's Pokémon League Conference, that is eight, they're eligible to compete — they also have the chance to battle the region's Elite Four. There are a total of eight Gym Leaders in each region, usually all eight gym leaders in a region will specialize in a different type of Pokémon, the most recurring type for the first gym is Rock due to both Grass and Water being super effective against it. Unlike regular Pokémon Trainers, a Gym Leader has the right to directly challenge the Pokémon League Champion, as revealed by Brock in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
As shown several times, a Gym Leader is usually well involved with their community. When not at the Gym, a Gym Leader is usually involved in some type of work or service that the surrounding community is known for (this is more prevalent in the anime and the manga than the video games). If the Gym Leader is unable to perform their duties, they may leave the place running by a trusted family member or subordinate. When at the Gym, a leader will maintain the Gym itself, the Pokémon, the other members, and will battle any challenger.
Games
Kanto
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Gym Leader: Brock (タケシ, Takeshi) Gym Leader Location: Pewter City Gym (ニビシティ, Nibi Shiti) |
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 Boulder Badge |
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Gym Leader: Misty (カスミ, Kasumi) Gym Leader Location: Cerulean City Gym (ハナダシティ, Hanada Shiti) |
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 Cascade Badge |
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Gym Leader: Lt. Surge (マチス, Machisu) Gym Leader Location: Vermilion City (クチバシティ, Kuchiba Shiti) |
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 Thunder Badge |
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Gym Leader: Erika (エリカ, Erika) Gym Leader Location: Celadon City (タマムシシテ, Tamamushi Shiti) |
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 Rainbow Badge |
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Gym Leader: Koga (キョウ, Kyō) Gym Leader Location: Fuchsia City (セキチクシティ, Sekichiku Shiti) |
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 Soul Badge |
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Gym Leader: Sabrina (ナツメ, Natsume) Gym Leader Location: Saffron City (ヤマブキシティ, Yamabuki Shiti) |
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 Marsh Badge |
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Gym Leader: Blaine (カツラ, Katsura) Gym Leader Location: Cinnabar Island (グレンじま, Guren-jima) |
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 Volcano Badge |
 
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Gym Leader: Giovanni/Blue (サカキ/グリーン, Sakaki/Green) Gym Leader Location: Viridian City (ヤマブキシティ, Tokiwa Shiti) |
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 Earth Badge |
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Gym Leader: Brock (タケシ, Takeshi) Gym Leader Location: Pewter City Gym (ニビシティ, Nibi Shiti) |
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Boulder Badge |
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Gym Leader: Misty (カスミ, Kasumi) Gym Leader Location: Cerulean City Gym (ハナダシティ, Hanada Shiti) |
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Cascade Badge |
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Gym Leader: Lt. Surge (マチス, Machisu) Gym Leader Location: Vermilion City (クチバシティ, Kuchiba Shiti) |
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Thunder Badge |
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Gym Leader: Erika (エリカ, Erika) Gym Leader Location: Celadon City (タマムシシテ, Tamamushi Shiti) |
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Rainbow Badge |
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Gym Leader: Janine (アンズ, Anzu) Gym Leader Location: Fuchsia City (セキチクシティ, Sekichiku Shiti) |
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Soul Badge |
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Gym Leader: Sabrina (ナツメ, Natsume) Gym Leader Location: Saffron City (ヤマブキシティ, Yamabuki Shiti) |
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Marsh Badge |
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Gym Leader: Blaine (カツラ, Katsura) Gym Leader Location: Cinnabar Island (グレンじま, Guren-jima) |
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Volcano Badge |
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Gym Leader: Blue (グリーン, Green) Gym Leader Location: Viridian City (ヤマブキシティ, Tokiwa Shiti) |
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Earth Badge |
Johto
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Gym Leader: Falkner (ハヤト, Hayato) Gym Leader Location: Violet City (キキョウシティ, Kikyou Shiti) |
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 Zephyr Badge |
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Gym Leader: Bugsy (ナタネ, Natane) Gym Leader Location: Azalea City (ハクタイシティ, Hakutai Shiti) |
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 Hive Badge |
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Gym Leader: Whitney (アカネ, Akane) Gym Leader Location: Goldenrod City (コガネシティ, Kogane Shiti) |
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 Plain Badge |
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Gym Leader: Morty (マツバ, Matsuba) Gym Leader Location: Ecruteak City (エンジュシティ, Enju Shiti) |
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 Fog Badge |
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Gym Leader: Chuck (シジマ, Shijima) Gym Leader Location: Cianwood City (タンバシティ, Tanba Shiti) |
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 Storm Badge |
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Gym Leader: Jasmine (ミカン, Mikan) Gym Leader Location: Olivine City (アサギシティ, Asagi Shiti) |
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 Mineral Badge |
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Gym Leader: Pryce (ヤナギ, Yanagi) Gym Leader Location: Mahogany Town (チョウジタウン, Chouji Taun) |
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 Glacier Badge |
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Gym Leader: Clair (イブキ, Ibuki) Gym Leader Location: Blackthorn City (アサギシティ, Fusube Shiti) |
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 Rising Badge |
Hoenn
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Gym Leader: Roxanne (ツツジ, Tsutsuji) Gym Leader Location: Rustboro City (カナズミシティ, Kanazumi Shiti) |
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 Stone Badge |
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Gym Leader: Brawly (トウキ, Touki) Gym Leader Location: Dewford Town (ムロタウン, Muro Taun) |
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 Knuckle Badge |
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Gym Leader: Wattson (テッセン, Tessen) Gym Leader Location: Mauville City (キンセツシティ, Kinsetsu Shiti) |
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 Dynamo Badge |
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Gym Leader: Flannery (アスナ, Asuna) Gym Leader Location: Lavaridge Town (フエンタウン, Fuen Taun) |
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 Heat Badge |
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Gym Leader: Norman (センリ, Senri) Gym Leader Location: Petalburg City (トウカシティ, Tōka Shiti) |
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 Balance Badge |
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Gym Leader: Winona (ナギ, Nagi) Gym Leader Location: Fortree City (ヒワマキシティ, Hiwamaki Shiti) |
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 Feather Badge |
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Gym Leader: Tate and Liza (フウとラン, Fu to Ran) Gym Leader Location: Mossdeep City (トクサネシティ, Tokusane Town) |
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 Mind Badge |
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Gym Leader: Wallace (ミクリ, Mikuri) Gym Leader Location: Sootopolis City (ヒワマキシティ, Rune Shiti) |
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 Rain Badge |
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Gym Leader: Roxanne (ツツジ, Tsutsuji) Gym Leader Location: Rustboro City (カナズミシティ, Kanazumi Shiti) |
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Stone Badge |
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Gym Leader: Brawly (トウキ, Touki) Gym Leader Location: Dewford Town (ムロタウン, Muro Taun) |
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Knuckle Badge |
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Gym Leader: Wattson (テッセン, Tessen) Gym Leader Location: Mauville City (キンセツシティ, Kinsetsu Shiti) |
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Dynamo Badge |
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Gym Leader: Flannery (アスナ, Asuna) Gym Leader Location: Lavaridge Town (フエンタウン, Fuen Taun) |
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Heat Badge |
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Gym Leader: Norman (センリ, Senri) Gym Leader Location: Petalburg City (トウカシティ, Tōka Shiti) |
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Balance Badge |
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Gym Leader: Winona (ナギ, Nagi) Gym Leader Location: Fortree City (ヒワマキシティ, Hiwamaki Shiti) |
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Feather Badge |
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Gym Leader: Tate and Liza (フウとラン, Fu to Ran) Gym Leader Location: Mossdeep City (トクサネシティ, Tokusane Town) |
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Mind Badge |
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Gym Leader: Juan (アダン, Adan) Gym Leader Location: Sootopolis City (ヒワマキシティ, Rune Shiti) |
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Rain Badge |
Sinnoh
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Gym Leader: Roark (ヒョウタ, Hyōta) Gym Leader Location: Oreburgh City (クロガネシティ, Kurogane Shiti) |
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 Coal Badge |
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Gym Leader: Gardenia (ナタネ, Natane) Gym Leader Location: Eterna City (ハクタイシティ, Hakutai Shiti) |
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 Forest Badge |
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Gym Leader: Maylene (スモモ, Sumomo) Gym Leader Location: Veilstone City (トバリシティ, Tobari Shiti) |
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 Cobble Badge |
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Gym Leader: Crasher Wake (マキシマム仮面, Makushimamu Kamen) Gym Leader Location: Pastoria City (ノモセシティ, Nomose Shiti) |
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 Fen Badge |
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Gym Leader: Fantina (メリッサ, Merissa) Gym Leader Location: Hearthome City (ヨスガシティ, Yosuga Shiti) |
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 Relic Badge |
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Gym Leader: Byron (トウガン, Tōgan) Gym Leader Location: Canalave City (ミオシティ, Mio Shiti) |
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 Mine Badge |
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Gym Leader: Candice (スズナ, Suzuna) Gym Leader Location: Snowpoint City (キッサキシティ, Kissaki Shiti) |
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 Icicle Badge |
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Gym Leader: Volkner (デンジ, Denji) Gym Leader Location: Sunyshore City (ミオシティ, Nagisa Shiti) |
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 Beacon Badge |
Unova
  
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Gym Leader: Cilan /Chili /Cress (デント/ポッド/コーン, Dento/Poddo/Kōn)Gym Leader Location: Striaton City (サンヨウシティ, Sanyō Shiti) |
 Trio Badge | |
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Gym Leader: Lenora (アロエ, Aroe) Gym Leader Location: Nacrene City (シッポウシティ, Shippō Shiti) |
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 Basic Badge |
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Gym Leader: Burgh (アーティ, Āti) Gym Leader Location: Castelia City (ヒウンシティ, Hiun Shiti) |
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 Insect Badge |
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Gym Leader: Elesa (カミツレ, Kamitsure) Gym Leader Location: Nimbasa City (ライモンシティ, Raimon Shiti) |
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 Bolt Badge |
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Gym Leader: Clay (ヤーコン, Yākon) Gym Leader Location: Driftveil City (ホドモエシティ, Hodomoe Shiti) |
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 Quake Badge |
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Gym Leader: Skyla (フウロ, Fūro) Gym Leader Location: Mistralton City (フキヨセシティ, Fukiyose Shiti) |
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 Jet Badge |
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Gym Leader: Brycen (ハチク, Hachiku) Gym Leader Location: Icirrus City (セッカシティ, Sekka Shiti) |
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 Freeze Badge |
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Gym Leader: Drayden (シャガ/アイリス, Shaga/Airisu) Gym Leader Location: Opelucid City (フキヨセシティ, Sōryū Shiti) |
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 Legend Badge |
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Gym Leader: Cilan/Chili/Cress (デント/ポッド/コーン, Dento/Poddo/Kōn) Gym Leader Location: Striaton City (サンヨウシティ, Sanyō Shiti) |
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Trio Badge |
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Gym Leader: Lenora (アロエ, Aroe) Gym Leader Location: Nacrene City (シッポウシティ, Shippō Shiti) |
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Basic Badge |
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Gym Leader: Burgh (アーティ, Āti) Gym Leader Location: Castelia City (ヒウンシティ, Hiun Shiti) |
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Insect Badge |
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Gym Leader: Elesa (カミツレ, Kamitsure) Gym Leader Location: Nimbasa City (ライモンシティ, Raimon Shiti) |
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Bolt Badge |
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Gym Leader: Clay (ヤーコン, Yākon) Gym Leader Location: Driftveil City (ホドモエシティ, Hodomoe Shiti) |
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Quake Badge |
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Gym Leader: Skyla (フウロ, Fūro) Gym Leader Location: Mistralton City (フキヨセシティ, Fukiyose Shiti) |
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Jet Badge |
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Gym Leader: Brycen (ハチク, Hachiku) Gym Leader Location: Icirrus City (セッカシティ, Sekka Shiti) |
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Freeze Badge |
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Gym Leader: Iris (シャガ/アイリス, Shaga/Airisu) Gym Leader Location: Opelucid City (フキヨセシティ, Sōryū Shiti) |
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Legend Badge |
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Gym Leader: Cheren (チェレン, Cheren) Gym Leader Location: Aspertia City (ヒオウギシティ, Hiougi Shiti) |
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Basic Badge |
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Gym Leader: Roxie (ホミカ, Homika) Gym Leader Location: Virbank City (タチワキシティ, Tachiwaki Shiti) |
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 Toxic Badge |
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Gym Leader: Burgh (アーティ, Āti) Gym Leader Location: Castelia City (ヒウンシティ, Hiun Shiti) |
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Insect Badge |
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Gym Leader: Elesa (カミツレ, Kamitsure) Gym Leader Location: Nimbasa City (ライモンシティ, Raimon Shiti) |
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Bolt Badge |
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Gym Leader: Clay (ヤーコン, Yākon) Gym Leader Location: Driftveil City (ホドモエシティ, Hodomoe Shiti) |
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Quake Badge |
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Gym Leader: Skyla (フウロ, Fūro) Gym Leader Location: Mistralton City (フキヨセシティ, Fukiyose Shiti) |
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Jet Badge |
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Gym Leader: Drayden (シャガ, Shaga) Gym Leader Location: Opelucid City (ソウリュウシティ, Sōryū Shiti) |
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Legend Badge |
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Gym Leader: Marlon (シズイ, Shizui) Gym Leader Location: Humilau City (フキヨセシティ, Seigaiha Shiti) |
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 Wave Badge |
Kalos
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Gym Leader: Viola (ビオラ, Biora) Gym Leader Location: Santalune City (ハクダンシティ, Hakudan Shiti) |
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 Bug Badge |
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Gym Leader: Grant (ザクロ, Zakuro) Gym Leader Location: Cyllage City (ショウヨウシティ, Shōyō Shiti) |
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 Cliff Badge |
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Gym Leader: Korrina (コルニ, Koruni) Gym Leader Location: Shalour City (シャラシティ, Shara Shiti) |
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 Rumble Badge |
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Gym Leader: Ramos (フクジ, Fukuji) Gym Leader Location: Coumarine City (ヒヨクシティ, Hiyoku Shiti) |
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 Plant Badge |
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Gym Leader: Clemont (シトロン, Shitoron) Gym Leader Location: Lumiose City (ミアレシティ, Miare Shiti) |
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 Voltage Badge |
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Gym Leader: Valerie (マーシュ, Māju) Gym Leader Location: Laverre City (クノエシティ, Kunoe Shiti) |
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 Fairy Badge |
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Gym Leader: Olympia (ゴジカ, Gojika) Gym Leader Location: Anistar City (ヒャッコクシティ, Hyakkoku Shiti) |
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 Psychic Badge |
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Gym Leader: Wulfric (ウルップ, Uruppu) Gym Leader Location: Snowbelle City (クノエシティ, Eisetsu Shiti) |
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 Iceberg Badge |
Alola
- Main article: Island Kahuna
Alola has no Gym Leaders. Instead, the player character can battle the four Island Kahuna in a Grand Trial, after passing the Trial.
Galar
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Gym Leader: Milo (ヤロ, Yaro) Gym Leader Location: Turffield (ターフタウン, Taafu Taun) |
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 Grass Badge |
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Gym Leader: Nessa (ルリナ, Rurina) Gym Leader Location: Hulbury (バウタウン, Bau Taun) |
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 Water Badge |
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Gym Leader: Kabu (カブ, Kabu) Gym Leader Location: Motostoke (エンジンシティ, Enjin Shiti) |
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 Fire Badge |
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Gym Leader: Bea (サイトウ, Saitō) Gym Leader Location: Stow-on-Side (ラテラルタウン, Rateraru Taun) |
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 Fighting Badge |
 
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Gym Leader: Opal/Bede (ポプラ</ビート, Poplar/Beet) Gym Leader Location: Ballonlea (アラベスクタウン, Arabesuku Taun) |
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 Fairy Badge |
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Gym Leader: Gordie (マクワ, Makuwa) Gym Leader Location: Circhester (キルクスタウン, Kirukusu Taun) |
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 Rock Badge |
 
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Gym Leader: Piers/Marnie (ネズ/マリィ, Nezu/Mary) Gym Leader Location: Spikemuth (スパイクタウン, Supaiku Taun) |
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 Dark Badge |
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Gym Leader: Raihan (キバナ, Kibana) Gym Leader Location: Hammerlocke (キルクスタウン, Nakkuru Shiti) |
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 Dragon Badge |
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Gym Leader: Milo (ヤロ, Yaro) Gym Leader Location: Turffield (ターフタウン, Taafu Taun) |
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Grass Badge |
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Gym Leader: Nessa (ルリナ, Rurina) Gym Leader Location: Hulbury (バウタウン, Bau Taun) |
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Water Badge |
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Gym Leader: Kabu (カブ, Kabu) Gym Leader Location: Motostoke (エンジンシティ, Enjin Shiti) |
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Fire Badge |
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Gym Leader: Allister (オニオン, Onion) Gym Leader Location: Stow-on-Side (ラテラルタウン, Rateraru Taun) |
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 Ghost Badge |
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Gym Leader: Opal/Bede (ポプラ</ビート, Poplar/Beet) Gym Leader Location: Ballonlea (アラベスクタウン, Arabesuku Taun) |
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Fairy Badge |
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Gym Leader: Melony (メロン, Melon) Gym Leader Location: Circhester (キルクスタウン, Kirukusu Taun) |
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 Ice Badge |
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Gym Leader: Piers/Marnie (ネズ/マリィ, Nezu/Mary) Gym Leader Location: Spikemuth (スパイクタウン, Supaiku Taun) |
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Dark Badge |
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Gym Leader: Raihan (キバナ, Kibana) Gym Leader Location: Hammerlocke (キルクスタウン, Nakkuru Shiti) |
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Dragon Badge |
Anime
Kanto
Pewter City
While Brock begins as the Gym Leader, his father: Flint, is the former Gym Leader, his mother: Lola took over the gym and made it a Water-type Gym, and his younger brother Forrest is the current Gym Leader.
Route to Vermilion City
While Ash travels and meets the Gym Leaders from the games as normal, he also meets a trainer named A.J., who runs his own unofficial Gym which is on the route to Vermilion City, A.J.'s gym does not have a badge or a type.
A.J. also makes a brief appearance in the games as a Youngster on Route 9.
Vermillion City
While Lt. Surge is the current Gym Leader, he left on a quest to train himself sometime prior to the events of the Journey series, having Visquez serve as the Acting Gym Leader in his absence.
Cerulean City
While Misty is the current Gym Leader, her three sisters: Daisy, Violet, and Lily act as Gym Leaders until Misty takes the post.
Viridian City
While Giovanni starts as the Gym Leader like in the games, he has to go on a business journey - so he leaves Jessie, James, and Meowth as the Gym Leaders. Jessie is the one who actually does the battling.
Since Giovanni does not return from the business trip as he is busy running Team Rocket, the Elite Four member Agatha is put in charge of the Gym.
Orange Islands
The Gym Leaders from the Orange Islands have only appeared in the Pokémon Anime series and not in game series. In addition to this, these Gym Leaders work slightly differently than others, usually having trainers that face them take part in a number of challenges rather than Pokémon Battles. Also, the majority of these Gym Leaders do not specialize in a specific Pokémon type.
| Gym Leaders: Orange Island | |||
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| Gym Leader | Gym | Type | Badge |
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Gym Leader: Cissy (アツミ, Atsumi) Gym Leader Location: Mikan Island (ナツカン島, Natsukan-shima) |
 Coral-Eye Badge | |
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Gym Leader: Danny (ダン, Dan) Gym Leader Location: Navel Island (ネーブル島, Nēburu-shima) |
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 Sea Ruby Badge |
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Gym Leader: Rudy (ジギー, Jigī) Gym Leader Location: Trovita Island (ユズ島, Yuzu-shima) |
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 Spike Shell Badge |
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Gym Leader: Luana (ルリコ, Ruriko) Gym Leader Location: Kumquat Island (リュウチン島, Ryūchin-shima) |
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 Jade Star Badge |
Luminose City
Clemont built a robotic version of himself called Clembot to run the Gym for him when he was too busy to attend his duties as a Gym Leader. After Clembot went "rogue" (due to an accident during programming), Clemont managed to regain control of Clembot after defeating it in a match. Clemont later reprogrammed Clembot to be friendlier and had it serve as the Acting Gym Leader while he went travelling across Kalos with his friends.
Trivia
- The Dark type is the last type to receive a Gym Leader specializing in the type with the introduction of Piers and Marnie in Generation VIII.
- However, before their introduction, there were Elite Four members and an Island Kahuna who specialized in the type.
- The only regions with Gym Leaders for all three of the starter types are Kanto, Unova and Galar.
- However, in the Generation V games, the player character is only able to have a Gym battle with the Gym Leader for one of those types (starter's weakness in Black and White; Water in Black 2 and White 2).
- Johto is the only region with no Gym Leaders that specialize in any of the starter types.
- Due to the Hoenn and Unova regions having two Water-type Gym Leaders each (Wallace and Juan; Cress and Marlon), there are a total of six Gym Leaders of this type, more than any other type.
- However, the type with Gym Leaders in the most regions is Electric, with a Gym Leader of that type in every region except for Johto and Galar.
- The Mossdeep City Gym and the Striaton City Gym are currently the only Pokémon Gyms to have more than one person acting as a Gym Leader (Tate and Liza are the co-Gym Leaders of Mossdeep City while Cilan, Chili and Cress are the co-Gym Leaders for Striaton City).
- Also, while Tate and Liza both specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon, Cilan and his two brothers each specialize in a different type of Pokémon: Cilan specializes in Grass types, Chili specializes in Fire types and Cress specializes in Water types.
- While Cilan, Chili and Cress each fit the criteria of Gym Leaders specializing in only one specific type of Pokémon, the Striaton City Gym is the only gym to technically specialize in more than one type of Pokémon.
- Also, while Tate and Liza both specialize in Psychic-type Pokémon, Cilan and his two brothers each specialize in a different type of Pokémon: Cilan specializes in Grass types, Chili specializes in Fire types and Cress specializes in Water types.
- All of the Galar Gym Leaders have a special ID Number on their jersey. All of these are numbers can be translated from Japanese Pager Code to say a word relating to them:
- Milo has the number 831, which translates to ya-sa-i, meaning 'veggie'.
- Nessa has the number 049, which translates to o-yo-gu, meaning 'swim'.
- Kabu has the number 187, which translates to hi-ba-na, meaning 'spark'.
- Bea has the number 193, which translates to i-ku-sa, meaning 'fight'.
- Allister has the number 291, which translates to ni-ku-i, meaning 'detest'.
- Gordie has the number 188, which translates to i-wa-ba, meaning 'rock wall'.
- Melony has the number 361, which translates to sa-mu-i, meaning 'cold'.
- Opal has the number 910, which translates to kyu-to, meaning 'cute'.
- Piers has the number 061, which translates to wa-ri-i, meaning 'bad'.
- Raihan has the number 241, which translates to tsu-yo-i, meaning 'strong'.
Gallery
See also
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