Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduced players to the first open-world Pokemon game, where you could choose your path to complete your journey. While these were welcomed changes, many players chose the most familiar route to start: collecting all eight badges from the region's gym leaders. Also, different from the previous games was that leaders could be challenged in any order, with the only limitation to players being accessibility and level cap.
As with any Pokemon game, these leaders are eccentric and unique – some more so than others. Scarlet and Violet really wanted to give the sense that each gym leader was a tangible, fully-formed character with their own careers and ambitions, and not just a formulaic boss at the end of a puzzle.
8/8 Katy: The Bug-Type Gym Leader of Cortondo
When it comes to Pokemon gyms, you always want the next leader to be more interesting than the last, so it makes sense that one of the very first gym leaders is a bit bland.
Katy is the Bug-type leader of the Cortondo Gym, and is also a baker, which is a particularly interesting choice for a Bug-type trainer. You would think that a baking gym leader from the Paldea region would use something like Fidough or other fairy types like Slurpluff, but you'd be wrong. She has some of the lowest-level Pokemon in the region, and a Teddiursa that terastallizes into a Bug-type, which arguably makes it more vulnerable than before.
The idea of Katy may have had a lot of potential, but like weevils in your baking flour, her character doesn’t seem like a fit for this gym.
7/8 Tulip: The Psychic-Type Gym Leader of Alfornada
Of all the gym leaders in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Tulip may be one of the less impressive, but she still brings a lot to the table. This Psychic-wielding gym leader of Alfornada is one of the strongest in the game. She also is an influential model, runs her own cosmetics empire, and has a constant obsession with her appearance.
This kind of characterization in a gym leader is pretty familiar to Pokemon fans. Wallace, Fantina, and even Nessa from the last generation all shared elements of Tulip. She definitely feels like a character we’ve seen before, but the fact that we can see ad posters with her in other towns across Paldea certainly makes her feel more like a celebrity.
6/8 Kofu: The Water-Type Gym Leader of Cascarrafa
One gym leader that certainly made some big waves was Kofu of Cascarrafa. He’s a water-type gym leader who part-times as a sushi chef. His challenge adds an element of humor to his character, as the entirety of the challenge is essentially returning him his forgotten wallet. He’s lovable and relatable, but it’s his Pokemon lineup that leaves fans wanting more.
Although his outfit, hair, and occupation would make the new sushi chef Pokemon Dondozo an obvious pick for his team, Kofu’s ace Pokemon is actually a Crabominable. Dondozo is the perfect Pokemon for Kofu, and it's also new and unique. It feels like a major missed opportunity to showcase what Paldea offers. While that’s certainly a disappointment, Kofu makes up for some of it with his charm and bombastic personality.
5/8 Grusha: The Ice-Type Gym Leader of Glaseado
Of all the Ice-type gym leaders in the Pokemon series, few are as cool as Grusha. It’s honestly surprising that it’s taken this long to see a snowboarding Ice-type gym leader, but the Glaseado Gym delivers just that.
Grusha's backstory is also unique in the context of Scarlet and Violet, in that he is the only gym leader without a secondary career. Citing an unexplained accident that robbed him of his dream, his character has a surprising depth behind his literally cold exterior.
While his ace Pokemon is Altaria, it’s his Cetitan that stands out on the team, and can be an obstacle for players who aren’t prepared for it. Aside from all the ice puns and substance-less dialogue, Grusha seems pretty neat.
4/8 Brassius: The Grass-Type Gym Leader of Artazon
The Grass-type gym leader Brassius is truly a work of art. The Artazon Gym leader’s unique design stands out among the previous Grass-type users, and even his puns can sometimes be entertaining. He truly encapsulates the "Art Teacher who brags about shopping at Whole Foods" vibe – which is fitting for a Grass-type gym leader.
The thorn whip attached to his belt is a creative touch fit for the dapper designer. His team includes the first Normal/Grass-type Smoliv, and a redemption for Sudowoodo that was well overdue.
Unfortunately, his Gym Challenge was full of disappointing visual glitches that were difficult for fans to ignore; but for one of the lowest-level gym leaders, Brassius definitely leaves his mark.
3/8 Iono: The Electric-Type Gym Leader of Levincia
The Levincia Gym certainly brings a unique energy. While Iono is not the first influencer gym leader in the Pokemon series, she is the most realistic. Her gym challenge is full of gimmicks, striving for higher viewership on her gym challenge streams. The added commentary from her fans and donors makes her feel like a parody of modern-day Pokemon streamers.
On top of her spot-on characterization, she has a great team featuring a Ground-immune Wattrel and a powerfully bulky Bellibolt. Her initial reveal on social media was met with mixed feelings from fans, but she’s a streamer that thrives in controversy, and that deserves some recognition.
2/8 Ryme: The Ghost-Type Gym Leader of Montenevera
One of the most interesting gym leaders in Paldea has to be Ryme, the rapping Ghost-type gym leader of the Montenevera. Everything about this character gives fans more to love. Her gym stage is decorated with adorable dancing Greavard, and she rap battles you before her match. She even roasts the challenger who lost just before your battle.
Her design is one-of-a-kind, featuring a unique hairstyle that resembles a skeleton. Her ace Pokemon Toxtricity is an excellent choice for her character and presents a challenge for you, even if you're on her level. There have been many Ghost-type gym leaders in the past, but Ryme is by far the most entertaining we've ever gotten.
1/8 Larry: The Normal-Type Gym Leader of Medali
Of all the gym leaders in Paldea, there was only one leader that was so fun and well-written that he had to be brought back for the Elite Four. This gym leader is none other than Larry, the Normal-type master from Medali. Over the past eight generations, there have been many Normal-type gym leaders, and GameFreak tends to try its best to make them interesting despite the natural blandness of the typing. Larry, on the other hand, leans right into it.
He’s a burnt-out office worker who just wants to enjoy his meal, playing up the trope of the Japanese Salaryman. He goes wherever he’s assigned, so it makes sense that we see him return as the Flying-type trainer in the Elite Four. His cartoonish mediocrity contrasts with the overly animated world he resides in.
He’s by far the best gym leader in Paldea, and likely ranks among the greatest in the series. While it may seem ironic, sometimes the most mundane can become the most intriguing, and Larry does just that.
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