Summary
Misty's evolution as a trainer includes Mega Evolution abilities, proving her strength against champion Ash in one-on-one combat. Whitney's Miltank is remembered for its Rollout attack, ultimately defeating three of Ash's Pokemon with ease, proving himself to be a challenging opponent. Clair stands out as a Dragon-type expert and mentor to Iris, sporting her powerful team and possessing a shiny Druddigon in her collection.
inside Pokémon anime, Gym Leaders are trainers who specialize in a single type and are considered a challenge for aspiring young trainers to challenge themselves. If they win, the Gym Leader will award gym badges, and collecting eight of these badges will make that trainer eligible for the Regional Pokémon League.
Since they are considered a challenge to overcome, most Gym Leaders are exceptionally skilled in using their chosen type of Pokémon, and they are often ranked as some of the strongest trainers. most in their home area. Some Gym Leaders have even participated in the World Coronation Series, achieving very high rankings is usually reserved for the Elite Four and Champions. Based on these factors, here are the 10 strongest Gym Leaders seen in the Pokémon anime.
10 Misty's development as a coach cannot be overlooked
First appearance: Pokémon Indigo League, “Pokémon – I Choose You!”
Misty may seem like an odd choice, but only if one considers Misty in her first appearance in the anime. Misty matures a lot throughout the series, gaining powerful new Pokémon like Gyarados, overcoming her fears, and truly stepping into her role as a Gym Leader. When Ash visited Kanto with his Alolan classmates, he learned that Misty had gained the ability to Mega Evolve, using Mega Gyarados against him in battle.
While (Mega) Gyarados is certainly Misty's biggest threat, her other Pokémon should not be underestimated. Misty was even able to defeat Ash in a one-on-one battle after he was crowned World Champion, proving that her skills are no joke.
9 Whitney and her Miltank give Ash a hard time
First appearance: Pokémon Gold & Silver, “A Goldenrod Opportunity”
Whitney uses Normal-type Pokémon, but that doesn't make her performance even close to average.
Even hearing the mention of Whitney and her Miltank can bring back memories of devastating losses to Rollout for Gold and Silver video game players, and it turns out things are no different for Ash when he first faced Whitney. The third gym leader in the Johto region, Whitney uses Normal-type Pokémon, but that doesn't make her performance even close to average.
Whitney's battle with Ash saw him easily defeat her first Pokémon, and she lost her second Pokémon, but as it turned out, she only needed one; Whitney's Miltank quickly took down Cyndaquil, Totodile, and even Ash's Pikachu. Ash later defeated her in an unofficial match, after which she still gave him the badge. Whitney's battle strategy isn't exactly complicated, but it's effective and that's what really matters.
8 Dragon-type Expert Clair is the Johto Federation's Final Trial
First appearance: Pokémon Gold & Silver, “Beauty is Skin Deep”
Clair was the eighth and final Gym Leader that Ash fought in the Johto region, and a powerful Dragon-type user. Ash and Clair's first battle is interrupted by Team Rocket, but it is clear that Clair had the advantage over Ash from the start. They were then able to fight again, at which point Ash finally won, but only after a tough battle that required the return of his strongest Pokémon, Charizard.
Clair is both well-connected and highly regarded in the world of Dragon-type trainers, and goes on to become a mentor to Iris later in the series. Clair's team consists of Dragonair, Dragonite, Gyarados, and Kingdra, with the latter capturing a shiny Druddigon, making her one of the few anime characters to possess a shiny Pokémon..
7 Korrina is a master of Mega evolution
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “Mega Revelations!”
Korrina is a Fighting-type expert from the Kalos region, an expert in Mega Evolution.. When she was first introduced, she was seen completing a 100-match winning streak, defeating Ash and Team Rocket to surpass that record. This was part of her training with Lucario to help it Mega Evolve, which she would later complete with a little help from Ash.
Korrina is one of the few Gym Leaders to use Mega Evolution in her gym battles, making her among the elite few who can use this technique. Korrina also participated in the World Coronation Series, although her highest ranking was 1,001. However, even participating in the World Coronation Series makes Korrina one of the strongest trainers in the series.
6 Wulfric caused Ash to have a crisis of faith
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “All Hail the Ice Battlefield!”
An Ice-type trainer, as well as the last Kalos Gym Leader that Ash faced, Wulfric is a powerful opponent who should not be underestimated. In Ash's first match against Wulfric, the Gym Leader easily defeated three of Ash's Pokémon with only two of his own, causing Ash to lose confidence and fall into depression. With Ash's usual brimming confidence, that really said something.
Ash eventually returned for a rematch, but Wulfric did not hold back, even going as far as his Mega Evolve Abomasnow, although Ash ultimately won.. Wulfric is a passionate character who loves to see a little fire in the hearts of those who challenge him and who always fights hard. Because of this attitude, any battle against Wulfric is sure to be a true test of skill.
5 Roxie hinders herself in battle because of the challenge
First appearance: Pokémon Black & White, “Rocking the Virbank Gym! Part 1”
Roxie is a Poison-type Gym Leader who, in the game, is usually faced second, but Ash fought her last, allowing her to draw a much stronger team than her opponents in the game. mine. Roxie is so confident that she allows Ash to use six Pokémon for her three Pokémon.and it's clear that Ash desperately needs that advantage to win.
Roxie defeated 5 of Ash's 6 Pokémon, leaving only Pikachu standing last. Her team of Koffing, Scolipede, and Garbodor may not look strong on the outside, but Roxie knows how to overcome her team's weaknesses. She also proves herself to be an honorable opponent, giving Ash a berry to cure his Pignite poisoning.
4 Volkner's overwhelming skills bore him
First appearance: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, “Flint Sparks the Fire!”
Volkner is the last Gym Leader in the Sinnoh region and a user of Electric-type Pokémon.. When Ash first fought Volkner, he found the gym was giving out free badges, as Volkner was bored of fighting and focused on technology instead. Ash invites Volkner to come and fight him, and it is immediately clear that Volkner's skills are as strong as ever.
Volkner puts up a tough fight, using Pokémon like Fan Rotom to help overcome the Electric-type's major weakness.
Volkner's love of fighting was piqued and he participated in the World Coronation Series, achieving an impressive ranking of 27 when fighting Ash.. While he ultimately lost to Ash, helping push the young trainer to higher levels, Volkner put up a tough fight, using Pokémon like Fan Rotom to help overcome the Electric-type's major weakness.
3 Olympia's clairvoyance makes her a tough opponent
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “Cloudy Fate, Bright Future!”
Olympia is the seventh Gym Leader Ash challenges in Kalos and is a user of Psychic-type Pokémon. in accordance with her own psychic abilities. Olympia's gym battle is a rare duel, as her two Meowstics face off against Ash's Talonflame and Frogadier. The duo combat format results in a complex gym battle, as one Meowstic can defend or support while the other attacks.
Ash's battle with Olympia is often considered one of the best gym battles in Pokémon, with Ash having to seriously strategize to win.. That certainly makes Olympia look like one of the best Gym Leaders tactically, though how her psychic abilities play into her overall vision isn't really clear yet. . No matter what, Olympia is a powerful trainer who understands the intricacies of double battles.
2 Bea is trained to reach the highest rank
First appearance: Pokémon Journey, “Solitary and menacing!”
Bea is a fighting-type Gym Leader from the Galar region, but Ash never actually fought her in her official role as Gym Leader. Instead, Bea is Ash's great rival in the World Coronation Series. Disciplined and determined, Bea has proven herself to be a very cunning opponent in her battles with Ash, possessing a wide variety of Pokémon and being willing to change her team between battles.
Bea's strength shines through her rigorous training, which she undergoes no less than her Pokémon.
Bea achieved a ranking as high as 30th in the World Coronation Series, a truly impressive ranking that could have been even higher at one point. Bea's strength shines through her rigorous training, which she undergoes no less than her Pokémon. Bea is a Gigantamax user, especially through her Machamp, giving her a huge advantage in many fights.
1 Raihan is the only Gym Leader to achieve Master rank
First appearance: Pokémon Journey, “Toughing It Out!”
A Dragon-type expert from the Galar region, he, like Bea, was only encountered as an opponent in the World Coronation Series, although he held the title of Gym Leader. Raihan was a master at using weather-altering moves in battle and quickly rose through the ranks until he finished 8th in the Master Class, almost guaranteeing him a spot in the Masters' Eight tournament.
Raihan has proven to be very skilled, easily handling a large group of Macro Cosmos trainers to save Sonia and fighting wild Dynamaxed Pokémon himself. Ash narrowly defeated Raihan after he reached 9th place, causing the two to swap places on the leaderboard just before the tournament began. His Duraludon, his flagship Pokémon, has the ability to Gigantamaxing, making it an especially strong threat with few weaknesses. Raihan's skills, strategy, and powerful Pokémon combine to ensure that he dominates. The strongest Gym Leader inside Pokémon cartoon.
