After nine generations of successful releases across over 20 years, Pokemon has proven itself as one of Nintendo's most consistent franchises. The formula of nearly every game sees players journeying to become the Pokemon champion of a respective region as they train new companions and face gym challenges that test their strength. Collecting the eight gym badges of a region is a goal that even the most casual fans of Pokemon are likely familiar with, and the series’ many gym leader characters standing behind these badges have been instrumental in defining the identity of every new game. With so many over the years, however, the most memorable gym leaders have set themselves apart from the rest.

A Pokemon region’s gym challenges act as important benchmarks of the player’s progress, but gym leaders have come to play a bigger part in the series. Most titles have featured a traditional set of eight gym badges before the Pokemon League can be faced, with spin-off games typically having a different approach. The seventh generation mainline games in Pokemon Sun and Moon may have skipped out on gym challenges entirely, but Alola’s trial captains and island kahunas essentially serve the exact same function. There are over 70 characters that have served the role of gym leader as of Scarlet and Violet, but only some are still remembered by fans.

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S Tier

The highest-rated gym leaders in Pokemon are icons to many fans through how they show off the best of the franchise. Factors like the narrative relevance of battles against foes like the original Pokemon rival Blue in Gold and Silver or Giovanni in the first games and the bold designs of those like Ryme and Crasher Wake make these gym leaders some of the quintessential representatives of the role. The deeper ties that characters like Raihan, Jasmine, and Byron have to their regions make their games hard to imagine without them.

• Blue (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Pidgeot, Alakazam, Rhydon, Gyarados, Exeggutor, Arcanine
• Giovanni (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Rhyhorn, Dugtrio, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Rhydon
• Olivia (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Nosepass, Boldore, Lycanroc
• Raihan (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Team: Gigalith, Flygon, Sandaconda, Duraludon
• Jasmine (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Magnemite, Steelix
• Crasher Wake (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Gyarados, Quagsire, Floatzel
• Flannery (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Slugma, Numel, Torkoal
• Ryme (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) Team: Banette, Mimikyu, Houndstone, Toxtricity
• Roxie (Pokemon Black 2 and White 2) Team: Koffing, Whirlipede
• Lt. Surge (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Voltorb, Pikachu/Magnemite, Raichu
• Byron (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Bronzor, Steelix, Bastiodon

A Tier

Important parts of their regions’ challenges, high-rated gym leaders are still some of the best that Pokemon has to offer. Characters such as Bede and Marnie may take up the mantle after the player’s badges are already acquired, but Black and White rival Cheren actually occupied the role and elevated the plot of the Unova sequels. They may not always be totally game-defining, but examples like Opal and Norman offer a challenge that still feels important to the journey of the player. Leaders like Valerie or Drayden are tough to forget due to their distinct if not bizarre designs, while the likes of Brock, Misty, and Clemont still showcase some personality outside their known anime appearances.

• Larry (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) Team: Komala, Dudunsparce, Staraptor
• Clair (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Gyarados, Dragonair, Kingdra
• Cheren (Pokemon Black 2 and White 2) Team: Patrat, Lillipup
• Brock (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Geodude, Onix
• Sabrina (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Kadabra, Mr. Mime, Venomoth, Alakazam
• Elesa (Pokemon Black and White) Team: Emolga, Flaaffy, Zebstrika
• Clemont (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Emolga, Magneton, Heliolisk
• Acerola (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Gastly, Haunter, Gengar, Mimikyu
• Nessa (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Team: Goldeen, Arrokuda, Drednaw
• Hapu (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Golurk, Gastrodon, Flygon, Mudsdale
• Skyla (Pokemon Black and White) Team: Swoobat, Skarmory, Swanna
• Melony (Pokemon Shield) Team: Frosmoth, Darmanitan, Eiscue, Lapras
• Piers (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Team: Scrafty, Malamar, Skuntank, Obstagoon
• Allister (Pokemon Shield) Team: Yamask, Mimikyu, Cursola, Gengar
• Valerie (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Mawile, Mr. Mime, Sylveon
• Norman (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Spinda, Vigoroth, Linoone, Slaking
• Misty (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Staryu/Psyduck, Starmie
• Nanu (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Sableye, Krokorok, Alolan Persian
• Drayden (Pokemon Black) Team: Druddigon, Flygon, Haxorus
• Opal (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Team: Galarian Weezing, Mawile, Togekiss, Alcremie
• Lenora (Pokemon Black and White) Team: Herdier, Watchog
• Blaine (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Growlithe/Magmar, Ponyta/Ninetales, Rapidash, Arcanine
• Gardenia (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Cherubi, Turtwig, Roserade
• Hala (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Mankey, Makuhita, Crabrawler
• Korrina (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Mienfoo, Machoke, Hawlucha
• Iris (Pokemon White) Team: Fraxure, Druddigon, Haxorus

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B Tier

The less impressive tier of gym leaders can be defined by the smaller impact that these Pokemon trainers have had overall. Characters such as Wallace, Koga, or Volkner have always seemed cool on paper, but end up paling in comparison to the bolder or more challenging peers they share their regions with. The likes of Roark or Viola are fun additions to earlier towns, but their games wouldn’t really lose much without them. There’s still a lot of charm to be found with gym leaders like Diamond and Pearl's Fantina, but she’s a good example of how polarizing some of these characters can be at the same time.

• Janine (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Crobat, Weezing, Ariados, Venomoth
• Erika (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Victreebel, Tangela, Vileplume
• Koga (Pokemon Red and Blue) Team: Weezing, Muk, Koffing/Golbat, Venomoth
• Wattson (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Voltorb, Magnemite/Electrike, Magneton, Manectric
• Morty (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Gastly, Haunter, Gengar
• Winona (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Swellow/Swablu, Tropius, Pelipper, Skarmory, Altaria
• Brassius (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) Team: Petilil, Smoliv, Sudowoodo
• Kofu (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) Team: Veluza, Wugtrio, Crabominable
• Juan (Pokemon Emerald) Team: Luvdisc, Whiscash, Sealeo, Crawdaunt, Kingdra
• Whitney (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Clefairy, Miltank
• Kabu (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Team: Ninetales, Arcanine, Centiskorch
• Wallace (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Luvdisc, Whiscash, Sealeo, Seaking, Milotic
• Bea (Pokemon Sword) Team: Hitmontop, Pangoro, Sirfetch'd, Machamp
• Roark (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Geodude, Onix, Cranidos
• Volkner (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Raichu, Ambipom/Jolteon, Octillery/Electivire, Luxray
• Viola (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Surskit, Vivillon
• Mallow (Pokemon Moon) Team: Phantump, Shiinotic, Steenee
• Kiawe (Pokemon Sun) Team: Growlithe, Fletchinder, Alolan Marowak
• Lana (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Chinchou, Shellder, Araquanid
• Iono (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) Team: Wattrel, Bellibolt, Luxio, Mismagius
• Fantina (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Drifblim/Duskull, Gengar/Haunter, Mismagius
• Marlon (Pokemon Black 2 and White 2) Team: Carracosta, Wailord, Jellicent
• Chuck (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Primeape, Poliwrath
• Maylene (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Meditite, Machoke, Lucario
• Klara (Pokemon Sword) Team: Galarian Slowking, Scolipede, Galarian Slowbro
• Brawly (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Machop, Meditite, Makuhita
• Tate and Liza (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Lunatone, Solrock, Claydol, Xatu
• Grusha (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Team: Frosmoth, Beartic, Cetitan, Altaria
• Grant (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Amaura, Tyrunt

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C Tier

The bottom tier of gym leaders consists of those that range from controversial to straight-up forgettable. The likes of Milo and Mina seem to draw a lot of criticism and some appreciation alike, but even longtime fans can sometimes struggle to remember who Wulfric or Ramos even are. Characters such as Gold and Silver's Pryce and Black and White's Brycen can feel out of place near the end of their regions, making it understandable that the latter ended up being replaced. Supporters of gym leaders like Bugsy are sure to still exist, but it's hard to confidently say that any of these hold a candle to top tiers like Giovanni. Gimmicks like Clay's cowboy getup or Katy's baking are novel concepts in Pokemon, but ultimately don't mesh with their respective regions in ways that the higher tiers manage.

• Avery (Pokemon Shield) Team: Galarian Slowbro, Alakazam, Galarian Slowking
• Roxanne (Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire) Team: Geodude, Nosepass
• Sophocles (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Togedemaru, Magnezone, Electivire, Vikavolt, Golem
• Katy (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) Team: Nymble, Tarountula, Teddiursa
• Candice (Pokemon Diamond and Pearl) Team: Snover/Piloswine, Sneasel, Medicham/Froslass, Abomasnow
• Gordie (Pokemon Sword) Team: Barbaracle, Shuckle, Stonjourner, Coalossal
• Burgh (Pokemon Black and White) Team: Whirlipede, Dwebble, Leavanny
• Tulip (Pokemon Scarlet and Violet) Team: Farigiraf, Gardevoir, Espathra, Florges
• Bugsy (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Metapod, Kakuna, Scyther
• Ilima (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Yungoos/Gumshoos, Smeargle
• Milo (Pokemon Sword and Shield) Team: Gossifleur, Eldegoss
• Pryce (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Seel, Dewgong, Piloswine
• Mina (Pokemon Sun and Moon) Team: Klefki, Granbull, Shiinotic, Wigglytuff, Ribombee
• Clay (Pokemon Black and White) Team: Krokorok, Palpitoad/Sandslash, Excadrill
• Ramos (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Jumpluff, Weepinbell, Gogoat
• Wulfric (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Abomasnow, Cryogonal, Avalugg
• Olympia (Pokemon X and Y) Team: Sigilyph, Slowking, Meowstic
• Brycen (Pokemon Black and White) Team: Vanillish, Cryogonal, Beartic
• Cilan/Chili/Cress (Pokemon Black and White) Team: Lillipup, Pansage/Pansear/Panpour
• Falkner (Pokemon Gold and Silver) Team: Pidgey, Pidgeotto

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