Friday, September 11, 2026

Character Sheet: Winona

WINONA


Next up, we have Winona, the Flying-type gym leader of Fortree City. Her gym has a unique revolving door mechanic, and the city you challenge her in was notable for its invisible Kecleon infestation, so I think we can work with that.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Altaria

It will perform Aerial Ace.

 

Side B: Revolving Door

This will let her dodge oncoming attacks by revolving the door around herself and sending them flying behind her.

 

Up B: Fly

Just a given for any Flying-type leader really, at this point.

 

Down B: Kecleon

She will summon a Kecleon that will act as an invisible obstacle on the stage for a short time.

 

Final Smash: Fortree Gym Flight Squad

She will send out an Altaria, Swellow, and Pelipper who will all divebomb the stage.

 

Entrance: Her opening pose and line.

 

Taunts: Up, her Altaria will fly around her while singing. Side, she will test the mechanisms on a revolving door. Down, she’ll use a Devon Scope to reveal a hidden Kecleon.

 

Kirby Hat: Her flight cap and hair.

 

Kart: Based on Altaria.

Special Move: Revolving Door.

 

Spirit Battle: On Sky Pillar (omega form), with her original team.

 

Victory Screen: Taking to the sky on her Altaria.

Losing Screen: Handing over her badge.

 

Color Swaps: Her main outfit, her ORAS outfit, based on Skyla’s outfit, based on Wallace (because of their manga relationship), based on May, based on Altaria, based on Swellow, based on Pelipper.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Tate and Liza prepare for trouble and make it double!

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Character Sheet: Norman

NORMAN


Next, we have Norman, the Normal-type gym leader of Petalburg City and the father of the game’s protagonist. His gym is very basic, which may give us some trouble, but considering his familial relations, he is a major player in both the anime and manga, so I think we’ll be fine (Hopefully, I don’t have to use the rather infamous moment in the manga where he straight up beats his son. I . . . think we’ll be fine without it).

 

Standard B: Slaking

It will use Dynamic Punch, delivering a devastating blow.

 

Side B: Retaliate

The TM he gives out in ORAS. Basically, a counter move.

 

Up B: Beautifly Fireworks

I am more than happy to represent a depiction of him as a loving husband and father, rather than a child abuser, so I’ll use his anniversary gift to his wife from the anime as a move, carrying him up into the air with it.

 

Down B: Truant

The infamous ability of his Slaking, he will lay down and rest for a moment, deflecting attacks.

 

Final Smash: Petalburg Gym Masters

He will send out Slaking, Delcatty, and Linoone, which will run around beating characters up.

 

Entrance: His opening pose and line

 

Taunts: Up, he’ll wave and say “Hi, Kiddo!” Side, he will cross his arms and look serious. Down, he will look down with a disgusted look, like in the manga.

 

Kirby Hat: His hair

 

Kart: Based on Vigoroth

Special Move: Truant

 

Spirit Battle: On Mt. Chimney (omega form), with his original team.

 

Victory Screen: For what it’s worth, the scene of him in shadow, standing up above Ruby while lightning flashes behind him, just after the aforementioned infamous scene, would be a pretty baller victory screen for him.

Losing Screen: Handing over his badge.

 

Color Swaps: His original design, his ORAS design, a “day off with the family” outfit, based on Slaking, based on Vigoroth, based on May, based on Brendan, based on Max.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Winona takes to the skies!

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Character Sheet: Flannery

FLANNERY


Next, we have Flannery, the Fire-type gym leader of Lavaridge Town. Her gym is based on a steamy bathhouse, or onsen, with geysers that shoot you from floor to floor. We also see her setting up her gym in the anime, so we can pull some from there too.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:


Standard B: Torkoal

It will use ember.


Side B: Smoother

She will use the device from the anime that she uses to smooth out the gym and make it flat.


Up B: Geyser

The geyser that shoot you to the upper floor in the game.


Down B: Submerge

Several of the trainers in her gym wait underwater to surprise the trainer. She’ll do that for a few seconds.


Final Smash: Lavaridge Gym Firestorm

She will send out a Magcargo, Camerupt, and Torkoal, which will set the stage on fire.


Entrance: Her opening line and pose


Taunts: Up, lighting one of the kindler’s sticks and waving it around. Side, posing excitedly for a second. Down, relaxing in a hot spring.


Kirby Hat: Her hair


Kart: Based on Camerupt

Special Move: Geyser


Spirit Battle: On Mt. Chimney (omega form) with her original team.


Victory Screen: Taking up a dynamic pose and boasting of her prowess.

Losing Screen: Handing over her badge.


Color Swaps: Her original look, her ORAS look, a kindler outfit, a ninja outfit, based on Blaziken, based on Magcargo, based on Torkoal, based on Camerupt. Considering her gym and . . . the manga, there’s an argument for a “hot spring” look, but I think that falls into “Mai Shiranui” territory.


Thanks for reading! Next up, May’s dad is gonna beat up your dad!

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Character Sheet: Wattson

WATTSON


Next up, we have Wattson, the Electric-type gym leader of Mauville City. He’s also an inventor and the mind behind New Mauville. He always gave me John Hammond from Jurassic Park vibes, personally. Either way, between the games, manga, and anime, we’ve got a bit.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Electrike

It will use Thunder Fang and bite the opponent.

 

Side B: Mauville Coaster

The mine cart from his anime appearance will appear under him and barrel forward, coming to a stop at a robo-Raikou that will explode on impact.

 

Up B: Magnet Rise

Two Magnemites will carry him upward.

 

Down B: Energy Barrier

Like those used in his gym.

 

Final Smash: Mauville Gym Thunderbolts

He will let out Manectric, Magneton, and Electrode, which will electrify the entire stage.

 

Entrance: His opening line and pose.

 

Taunts: Up, spreading his arms to show a sign for New Mauville. Side, petting his Robo-Raikou. Down, tinkering with something for a moment.

 

Kirby Hat: His beard

 

Kart: His Robo-Raikou

Special Move: Energy Barrier

 

Spirit Battle: On Battle Frontier (omega form), with his original team.

 

Victory Screen: “Come on back any time,” while belly laughing.

Losing Screen: Handing over his badge.

 

Color Swaps: His original look, his ORAS look, a white suit like Hammond, a Hawaiian shirt like Dennis Nedry from the same, based on Electrike, based on Manectric, based on Magnemite, based on Electrode.

 

Thanks for reading! Next, Flannery erupts onto the scene.

Monday, September 7, 2026

Character Sheet: Brawly

BRAWLY


Next up, we have Brawly, the Fighting-type gym leader of Dewford Town. He is a surfer dude, living on an island, so he feels like he’d be water, and his gym’s main gimmick is the whole thing being dark? Hmm, I think Pokemon was a little confused on their theming with this guy. But hey, it works well for me!

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Makuhita

Using Arm Thrust.

 

Side B: Treadmill

One of those blocking the path in ORAS.

 

Up B: Surf’s Up

He will ride a wave upward.

 

Down B: Lights Out

He will flash with darkness and turn invisible for a short period.

 

Final Smash: Dewford Gym Fight Squad

He will let out Hariyama, Medicham, and Blaziken, who will race around the stage, beating people up.

 

Entrance: His opening pose and line

 

Taunts: Up, “surf’s up, dude!” Side, high-fiving his Makuhita. Down, waxing his surfboard.

 

Kirby Hat: His hair and headband

Special Move: Surf’s Up

 

Spirit Battle: On Battle Frontier (omega form), with his original team.

 

Victory Screen: Riding a big wave into the distance.

Losing Screen: Handing over his badge.

 

Color Swaps: His original outfit, his ORAS outfit, shirtless with trunks, based on Makuhita, based on Hariyama, based on Meditite, based on Medicham, based on Blaziken.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Wattson takes charge!

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Character Sheet: Roxanne

ROXANNE


Now, we move on to the Hoenn region of Gen III. Roxanne is first, the Rock-type gym leader of Rustboro City, who also acts as a teacher at the nearby Pokemon school. Her gym is pretty basic, but I think we’ve got enough to go on.

Here’s the moveset I came up with:

 

Standard B: Nosepass

Probably performing just Rock Throw.

 

Side B: Quiz Question

Similar to Blaine’s version of this.

 

Up B: Magnet Rise

She will hold onto Nosepass as it rises.

 

Down B: Rock Tomb

Using the TM she gives you.

 

Final Smash: Rustboro Gym Rockstars

She will send out a Nosepass, Aggron, and Relicanth, which will drop giant rocks on the stage.

 

Entrance: Her opening line and pose.

 

Taunts: Up, pointing at something on a chalkboard. Side, opening a book and flipping through it. Down, looking over a fossil.

 

Kirby Hat: Her hair

 

Kart: Based on Nosepass

Special Move: Magnet Rise

 

Spirit Battle: On Battle Frontier (omega form), with her original team.

 

Victory Screen: Handing back an F to their opponent.

Losing Screen: Handing over her badge.

 

Color Swaps: Her original outfit, her ORAS costume, based on Brock, based on Roark, based on Nosepass, based on Aggron, based on Cradily, based on Armaldo.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Brawly hangs ten!

Friday, September 4, 2026

Character Sheet: Clair

CLAIR


Next up, we have Clair, the Dragon-type gym leader of Blackthorn City, and the cousin of Lance. Her gym has an extensive, lava-themed puzzle, which will help us, and after her defeat, she will refuse to give you a badge until you’ve passed a trial in the Dragon’s Den, which may help too. She’s also a companion to Ash for a few anime episodes, so basically, we have a bit to work with.

Here’s what I came up with:

 

Standard B: Dragonair

It will use Dragon’s Breath

 

Side B: Lava Boulder

She will push forward a boulder that will drop after a short distance and splash up some burning lava.

 

Up B: Dragon Rising

She and her Dragonair will fly upward at high speed.

 

Down B: Dragon Fang

She will use it to give herself a temporary stat boost.

 

Final Smash: Blackthorn Gym Dragon Hoard

She will summon Dragonair, Dragonite, and Kingdra, who will unleash draconic rage upon the stage.

 

Entrance: Her opening line and pose.

 

Taunts: Up, she will raise the Dragon Fang to the sky. Side, she will throw back her cape and pose. Down, she will call you a cheater.

 

Kirby Hat: Her hair

 

Kart: Based on Dragonair

Special Move: Dragon Rising

 

Spirit Battle: On Mt. Silver (omega form), with her original team.

 

Victory Screen: She will tell you that you must pass the Dragon’s Den to beat her.

Losing Screen: She will hand over her badge.

 

Color Swaps: Her original design, her HGSS design, an outfit based on Lance, based on Dragonite, based on Gyarados, based on Salamence, based on Garchomp, based on Hydreigon.

 

Thanks for reading! Next up, Roxanne rocks the school!