Summary
Over the last 25 years,Pokemonhas become one of the most popular and profitable multimedia properties in the world. Much of that success is thanks to the charming world that The Pokemon Company and primary developer Game Freak have created, with the diverse pocket monsters at the center of it all. Along with household names like Pikachu and Charizard,Pokemonis densely populated with Pokemon Trainers who challenge players on their journey toward becoming the Pokemon Champion. Of these Trainers, the most distinct arePokemon’s hallmark Gym Leaders, who carry personalities all their own.
Pokemon’s Gym Leadershave been essential ever since the first game, serving as a benchmark for players' progress. Like most things inPokemon, each Gym Leader also has a unique backstory that helps them stand out. Some of these backstories are rather innocent, with Roark being a miner and Katy working as a pastry chef, for example. Other Gym Leaders, however, have a much darker background, which can be shocking when compared to the mostly lighthearted tone of the series. These characters are often few and far between, but when they appear, they often leave an impression on thePokemoncommunity.
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Lieutenant Surge Is A War Veteran
Pokemondidn’t waste any time introducing a Gym Leader who raises some questions about the seeming innocence of the series.PokemonRedandBlue’s Lieutenant Surge is the third Gym Leader that players face on their journey, and he wastes no time making himself memorable. When players face thisElectric-type Pokemonspecialist, he claims that Electric Pokemon saved his life in the war, paralyzing his enemies. As bright and cheery asPokemonappears, it’s jarring to think that a war would take place in such a world. It raises questions about what exactly Surge witnessed in this war, and how deeply it has affected him.
Larry Is Woefully Overworked
Pokemon ScarletandViolet’s performance troubles are well-documented, but the newest entry in the series still managed to deliver a suite of memorable new Gym Leaders. One such Gym Leader isLarry, who is in stark contrast toPokemon’s more colorful characters. Larry is a rather plain businessman who is more content to work than engage in battle, and as humorous as this may be, it demonstrates a concerning lack of a work-life balance. Larry could be described as, in a word, miserable; and his duties as both a Gym Leader and a member of the Elite Four serve as a striking example of his workaholic lifestyle.
Pokemon’s Ghost-type monstersare rife with unsettling backstories, but one Gym Leader takes the cake on perhaps one of the most tragic histories.Pokemon Shield’s Allister already stands out thanks to his dark clothing and signature mask that he never seems to remove, but his past reveals something truly shocking. According to Allister’s League Card, he claims to have the ability to see dead Pokemon after he suffered an accident at just age four. Contending with the idea of dead Pokemon can be upsetting enough, but the thought of a child being haunted by Pokemon spirits darkens the game’s tone significantly.
After dozens of Gym Leaders over the years,Pokemoncontinues to find new ways to make them lively and full of personality. Some of those personalities can be tinged with a touch of darkness, however, grounding the experience in unexpected ways. WithPokemon ScarletandVioletset to introduce a new Elite Four inThe Indigo Disk DLC, Game Freak may have more unsettling characters in store.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you’re able to join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
