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Gary Oak (Japanese: オーキド・シゲル Shigeru Okido) is a recurring character who appeared in the Pokémon anime. He is a Pokémon Researcher from Pallet Town and grandson of Professor Oak. He is a childhood friend and former rival of Ash Ketchum. His Japanese name is derived from Shigeru Miyamoto.

In the anime

In the main series

Young Gary

History

Pre-series

Gary has been a neighbor of Ash Ketchum since they were both young. At one time they seemed to be friends and went to see movies together as seen in Lights, Camerupt, Action!.

Shortly before beginning their journeys, Gary and Ash found an old Poké Ball while fishing. The two boys began fighting over who would get to keep the Poké Ball but ended up breaking it in half. Since then, they decided to keep the two separate pieces for themselves. It was revealed in The Ties That Bind that they still carried the pieces with them.

Gary in the original series

Gary debuted in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where he went to Professor Oak's Laboratory along with two other Pokémon Trainers before Ash did. After choosing his starter Pokémon, he left Pallet Town with his cheerleaders on a sporty red convertible.

Gary made quick progress through his Pokémon journey, much to Ash's annoyance. He breezed through the Pewter and Cerulean Gyms prior to Showdown in Pewter City and The Water Flowers of Cerulean City. It was also revealed in Challenge of the Samurai that Gary had also defeated Samurai in a battle.

Gary made a brief appearance in Here Comes the Squirtle Squad, where he exited a town store, accidentally knocking Ash out in the process. In Beauty and the Beach, Gary hopped onstage during the Beach Beauty and Pokémon Costume Contest and attempted to insult Ash in front of the gathered crowd.

In Mystery at the Lighthouse, Professor Oak revealed to Ash that Gary had already caught 45 Pokémon, compared to Ash's team of seven. Professor Oak also revealed that Gary's Pokémon included a much larger Krabby than the Krabby that Ash caught that episode.

In Dig Those Diglett!, Gary was one of the Trainers who decided to help out the foreman in getting rid of the Diglett affecting construction at Gaiva Dam. Gary attempted to send out a Pokémon to battle the Diglett, but it did not exit the Poké Ball, and a Diglett returned it to him. He tried to send out his other Pokémon, though they also did not leave their Poké Balls and were returned to him by the Diglett. Realizing that his Pokémon did not want to battle the Diglett, he deemed it pointless to stay and left with his cheerleaders in their convertible.

In Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon, Gary went digging for Fossils in Grampa Canyon.

In Riddle Me This, Gary was on vacation rather than bothering to challenge the local Cinnabar Gym.

In The Battle of the Badge, he revealed that he had already received ten Badges. He then went to the challenge the Viridian Gym Leader, Giovanni. At first he seemed to be winning against Giovanni, knocking out Giovanni's Golem and Kingler with his Nidoking and Arcanine, respectively. However, the tide of the battle turned when Giovanni sent out Mewtwo (disguised in armor) against Gary. Though Gary was allowed to use both his Pokémon against him, Mewtwo made quick work of Gary's team, and he lost the battle. When Ash and his friends later entered the Gym, they found Gary and his cheerleaders lying unconscious on the floor. Once Ash revived him, Gary warned Ash about the gym. He asserted that Giovanni's mysterious Pokémon (Mewtwo) was not only powerful, but also evil—and that no Trainer would ever beat that Pokémon. Gary then watched Ash battle Team Rocket, who had appeared as the temporary Gym Leaders and invited Ash to challenge them. During the battle, he tackles Meowth to prevent him from using a remote to detonate the platform where Ash stood. He also admits that Ash is a good trainer after watching his team defeat all the Pokémon that Team Rocket used. Following the battle, Gary flees the collapsing gym with the others.

In Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, Gary returned to Pallet Town and headed to the lobby of Professor Oak's Laboratory. Professor Oak mentioned to both Ash and Gary that they were the top Trainers, noting the other two couldn't compare with their battling skills. Professor Oak showed Gary's collection of Pokémon to Ash. Although Ash had seen more Pokémon, Gary had managed to catch a far greater amount. After Team Rocket was defeated, he promised Ash that they would have their battle at the Pokémon League.

Gary and his grandfather

In All Fired Up!, Gary met up with Ash in the Pokémon League in Indigo Plateau. He departed the area after claiming he would get Loseritis. The next day, he was seen in the stadium with the other Trainers and Ash. Gary did not stay that long as his opponent, Melissa, defeated his Nidoking using her Golem, which eliminated him from the Pokémon League. Following the loss, he left on another journey.

Gary eventually returned from that journey in A Tent Situation. Much unlike his former self, he congratulated Ash on his victory in the Orange League. Ash challenged him to a battle in the next episode with Pikachu as his choice. Gary in turn used his Eevee. Gary managed to defeat Ash and then left on his journey through Johto.

Ash and his friends encountered Gary on their way to Violet City in Illusion Confusion!. Gary recommended they find themselves a Hoothoot to avoid becoming lost in the particularly disorientating forest before leaving to continue catching more Pokémon.

In Power Play, he battled a Trainer named Alex Davis with his Umbreon, which had evolved from his Eevee prior. Gary was able to defeat Alex and his Alakazam. The battle made Ash want to challenge Gary next, but Gary refused and walked off. Ash sent out his other Pokémon to battle Umbreon, but Gary had already left. From his campsite, Gary and Umbreon noticed a blackout in a town Ash and his friends were in. Gary and Umbreon jumped into the rescue of the Power Plant when the Robo-Mecha Wobbuffet was attacking it. Following the mecha's defeat, Gary worked with Ash and his friends to get the power back on.

In Extreme Pokémon!, he was practicing with Arcanine for the Extreme Pokémon Race. He then entered the race and competed against Ash and his Bayleef. They were both in the lead, though Ash was able to narrowly win the event.

Gary arrived in Silver Town in A Claim to Flame! to compete in the Silver Conference. He greeted Ash and exchanged pleasantries, promising to get to the top and defeat Ash. Gary was able to get past the screening round along with Ash and Harrison.

In The Ties That Bind and Can't Beat the Heat!, he battled Ash in an intense Full Battle. In the final round, Ash ended up winning the battle when his Charizard defeated Gary's Blastoise. Afterwards Gary continued to support Ash's campaign from the sidelines.

By Johto Photo Finish, Gary decided that he didn't want to be a Pokémon Trainer anymore, but instead a Pokémon researcher like his grandfather. Gary managed to reach Pallet Town a few days before Ash, and as he was preparing to leave for his next venture with just his Blastoise, Ash encountered him in Gotta Catch Ya Later. Gary's fresh start approach inspired Ash's desire to travel to Hoenn.

Gary appeared in a flashback to Ash's childhood in Lights, Camerupt, Action!.

In Putting the Air Back in Aerodactyl!, Gary was revealed to be working on Sayda Island as a Fossil researcher with Dora, head of the Sayda Lab. There, he revived an Aerodactyl from an Old Amber. At first, the Aerodactyl was afraid of him and every other person on the island. However, Gary gained its trust after he fed it some fruit that Aerodactyl used to eat. Afterwards, Dora announced that Gary could now work full-time at the Sayda Lab.

Eventually, he moved to the Sinnoh region, where he is currently conducting his research. He sent a postcard to Ash from there in The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing!, which motivated Ash to not to get himself down after a loss and keep fighting, much like he did during their rivalry.

In Home Is Where The Start Is!, Gary reunited with Ash. He battled him with his Electivire and defeated Ash's Pikachu once more.

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl Gary in

During his time in Sinnoh, Gary became an assistant of Professor Rowan. As before, Gary conducts his research on rare Pokémon, including Fossil Pokémon and Legendary Pokémon. Gary demonstrated more maturity and more respect for other people, especially with Ash. Upon meeting him, Dawn thought that he was a poet like his grandfather.

In Ill-Will Hunting!, he was taking care of a group of Shieldon and protected them from J and her minions, Gary and Ash were forced to join forces to defeat the enemy, even though Ash has been against it. However, thanks to the efforts of the two they managed to save Shieldon from the hands of J.

He appeared again in Fighting Fear With Fear!, where he helped Ash and Gligar by giving a Razor Fang to Ash. This caused Gligar to evolve later on. He was in the area after hearing rumors of Azelf, whom Ash had seen earlier at Lake Valor.

Gary later appeared in The Needs of the Three! and The Battle Finale of Legend!, working alongside Professor Rowan at Valor Lakefront where he attempted to protect Azelf from J and Team Galactic; however, he was unable to defeat Saturn in battle. He later monitored the changes around Mt. Coronet caused by Cyrus's attempts to summon Dialga and Palkia. Gary and Professor Rowan later arrived to collect the Adamant and Lustrous Orbs after Ash's group and Cynthia handled Team Galactic.

Gary later reappeared in a fantasy in The Dream Continues!.

Character

Gary and Ash

The day he started out on his Pokémon journey, he came off as an arrogant Trainer, much like his game counterpart, Blue. His chosen starter Pokémon was Squirtle, which was actually the same Pokémon that Ash originally wanted to start with. He even had a group of cheerleaders who cheered him on in all his battles and would go so far as crying whenever he lost. He didn't walk on his journeys like most Trainers did; instead he had his own sporty red convertible with a chauffeur. Gary loved when he got a chance to make fun of Ash by bragging about how far behind Ash was compared to him. He also gave Ash the pet-name of "Ashy-boy" (Japanese: "Satoshi-kun"), which occasionally seems to annoy him. His style of training at this point was to capture many Pokémon and to use the strongest, as a stark contrast to Ash, who focused on developing a bond with his Pokémon.

His arrogance continued over time during Ash's journey in Kanto until he challenged the Viridian City Gym Leader, Giovanni, to a Pokémon battle for his final (but unnecessary) Badge in The Battle of the Badge, where he was brutally defeated by Mewtwo. However, this still didn't change his arrogance. It would take a loss at the Pokémon League way later on against Melissa for him to finally realize that he greatly needed to change himself. Following his loss, Gary would become more polite and respectful of others, no longer showing any of his arrogant and extravagant tendencies from the past. This change in attitude would continue to be apparent throughout his few appearances during the Johto season.

As Ash's first and longest rival, his relationship and rivalry with Ash would prove to play a pivotal role on the latter's outlook as a Trainer. Despite his low opinion of Ash, Gary would make a point to show off his superiority in every way he could during his earlier appearances. The duo's dynamic would see a major change once Gary was abruptly eliminated in the Indigo Plateau Conference, with Gary growing humble and ceasing his arrogance and antagonistic attitude towards Ash, though he would still tease him at times. By the time of the Silver Conference, Ash and Gary would have a more amiable relationship with one another while still maintaining a sense of rivalry. After his defeat against Ash, Gary would graciously accept his defeat and gave him his half of the Poké Ball, symbolizing the end of their rivalry and the renewal of their friendship. Even after ending his rivalry with Ash, Gary would continue to have an impact on Ash and his journey moving forward, continuing to serve as a motivation towards him while at times lending him a helping hand.

Pokémon

Since the very start of his own journey, Gary has shown exceptional skill as a Pokémon Trainer, catching and training an astonishing number and variety of strong Pokémon in a short period of time and losing battles very infrequently. However, since retiring as a Pokémon Trainer to become a researcher, it isn't known if he continues to catch new Pokémon often.

This listing is for Gary's Pokémon as of The Battle Finale of Legend!.

On hand

In storage

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This article is missing information on this character's English voice actor and Japanese voice actor.

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Magmar Gary used his Magmar during his Silver Conference battle against Ash, sending it to battle against Ash's Heracross. It managed to engulf the Single Horn Pokémon in flames from Fire Blast and a point blank Flamethrower, but Heracross proved to be extremely tough as it beat the flames away and managed to beat the Spitfire Pokémon with its powerful Megahorn. Magmar's known moves are Flamethrower and Fire Blast. Debut The Ties That Bind Voice actors Japanese English Eric Stuart

Unseen Pokémon

Before his battle against Gary in The Ties That Bind, Ash was seen checking Gary's page on the Silver Conference website, where Gary's Pokémon were listed with pictures. Among them, there were several Pokémon that Gary hasn't been seen using.

As of Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, Gary had captured more than 200 Pokémon from 60 different species.

Temporary

Achievements

Gary's collection of Kanto Badges

Badges obtained

Kanto Badges

During his journey through Kanto, Gary collected ten Gym Badges. Of the Badges he received, he already had five by Primeape Goes Bananas, and he showed off the whole set in The Battle of the Badge. This listing is of the Badges Gary has obtained in the Kanto region:

Johto Badges

This listing is of the Badges Gary has obtained in the Johto region:

At least eight Badges (prior to A Claim to Flame!)

Pokémon League

Gary has competed in the following Pokémon League Conferences:

Pokémon competitions

Gary has competed in the following Pokémon competitions:

Voice actors

In the movies

In I Choose You!

I Choose You! Gary in

Gary appeared in a brief, non-speaking flashback in I Choose You!, which is set in a timeline separate from the main series. In the flashback, he was seen choosing Squirtle as his starter Pokémon, much to the dismay of Ash, who had wanted Squirtle as his own starter.

Pokémon

In Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution

Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution Gary in

Gary appeared in a cameo in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. Like in Mewtwo Strikes Back, he was seen losing his Gym battle against Giovanni from The Battle of the Badge.

Pokémon

Nidoking ♂ Nidoking was a Pokémon Gary used in his Gym battle against Giovanni, where he was overwhelmed by Mewtwo's Psychic powers. None of Nidoking's moves are known. Debut The Battle Of The Badge

Artwork

Official artwork from the

original series

In the games

In the core series games

Gary Oak is based on Blue Oak, his counterpart from the games. Additionally, "Gary" is one of the suggested names for Blue in the games Pokémon Red, Yellow, and FireRed, and for the player character Red in the games Pokémon Blue (international), FireRed, and LeafGreen.

In spin-off games

Pokémon Puzzle League

Gary VS. Screen in Pokémon Puzzle League

In Pokémon Puzzle League, Gary is one of the characters available in the 2P Stadium mode. He also appears as a hidden boss, where he uses evolved versions of his playable Pokémon.

Pokémon

As a playable character





As a hidden boss





Pokémon Zany Cards

Gary is one of the opponents in Pokémon Zany Cards.

In the manga

Gary Oak in Ash & Pikachu

In the Ash & Pikachu manga

Gary appeared in One Half Of A Poké Ball, where he faced off against Ash during the Silver Conference.

Pokémon





Pokémon competitions

Gary has competed in the following Pokémon League Conferences:

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Gary Oak in The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Gary is a recurring character in The Electric Tale of Pikachu. In the manga, Gary is a childhood friend and rival of Ash and frequently appears when Ash does something wrong. He has a sister named May, who has no equivalent in the anime.

At the Pokémon League, he is defeated by Ritchie, but confronts Ash at the end of the series. In the epilogue, he and Ash are shown traveling together on their journey.

Pokémon

This listing is of Gary's known Pokémon in the manga:

Arcanine Main article: Gary's Arcanine Arcanine is Gary's main Pokémon. It was usually relied on as a mode of transportation. Debut Ash vs. Gary

Rhydon Gary sent out Rhydon along with his other Pokémon to battle the giant Slowpoke after Arcanine became hypnotized by it. However, it wasn't long before it fell victim to the giant Pokémon. None of Rhydon's moves are known. Debut Ash vs. Gary

Gyarados Gary sent out Gyarados along with his other Pokémon to battle the giant Slowpoke after Arcanine became hypnotized by it. However, it wasn't long before it fell victim to the giant Pokémon. Later, Gary sends it out as a way of traveling on water so he can catch it after Team Rocket came by and tried to steal it with their net. None of Gyarados's moves are known. Debut Ash vs. Gary

Venusaur Gary sent out Venusaur along with his other Pokémon to battle the giant Slowpoke after Arcanine became hypnotized by it. Similar to Arcanine, it wasn't able to battle the Slowpoke. None of Venusaur's moves are known. Debut Ash vs. Gary

Pidgeot Pidgeot was sent out along with Gary's other Pokémon to battle the giant Slowpoke. It fell victim to the Slowpoke's laziness. None of Pidgeot's moves are known. Debut Ash vs. Gary





Slowpoke → Slowbro Ash and his rival, Gary, both battled for this giant Slowpoke. Even though Ash was able to catch it, he gave it to Gary instead so he could get a picture of his sister, May. After this, they found out that Slowpoke had evolved into a Slowbro. Slowpoke's known moves are Disable, Ice Beam, Growl, Surf and Headbutt. Debut Ash vs. Gary

Pokémon competitions

Gary has competed in the following Pokémon League Conferences:

Gary in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution

In the Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution manga

Gary appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. Like in the movie, he lost his Gym battle against Giovanni.

Pokémon





In the Pokémon Newspaper Strip

This section is incomplete.

Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.

Gary is a recurring character in the Pokémon Newspaper Strip.

He debuted in Strip 7, showing off his Rapidash to his cheerleaders. Ash's Metapod deflected Rapidash's fire move, defeating Rapidash. In Strip 9, Gary's Beedrill battled Brock's Vulpix at school, but their match was interrupted once a teacher told everyone to return their Pokémon to their Poké Balls. In Strip 13, Gary challenged Ash to a battle, with Gary's Charizard going up against Ash's Pikachu. Ash was confident he would win, but he was ultimately unable to battle when he became trapped under his Snorlax.

Pokémon

Rapidash Gary's cheerleaders wanted Gary to show off Rapidash's powers. However, Ash's Metapod deflected Rapidash's fire move, defeating it. Debut Strip 7

Beedrill Beedrill battled Brock's Vulpix at school, but their battle was interrupted once the principal told everyone to return their Pokémon to their Poké Balls. Debut Strip 9

Charizard When Ash was trapped under his Snorlax, Gary challenged him to a Pokémon battle in which Ash's Pikachu would go up against his Charizard. Ash shortly imagined that battle, but he was unable to actually accept Gary's challenge. Debut Strip 13





Trivia

Names

Language Name Origin Japanese オーキド・シゲル

Okido Shigeru Derived from Shigeru Miyamoto. English Gary Oak Possibly taken from Garry Oak, a type of oak tree. Also, Gary is a default name for Blue in Pokémon Red and Blue. Also possibly derived from Shigeru. French Régis Chen Chen is an Asian name that looks like the word "chêne" (oak). German Gary Eich Direct translation. Eiche means Oak. Brazilian Portuguese Gary Carvalho Carvalho means Oak; Carvalho is also an actual surname. Korean 오바람 O Baram 오 O is from the first syllable in "Okido", while his first name, Baram is native Korean for wind. Chinese ( Mandarin ) 小茂 Xiǎo Mào

大木・茂 (full name) 茂 (luxuriant) is from 茂る shigeru.

大木 (big wood/tree) is from 大木戸 Ōkido. Chinese ( Cantonese ) 小茂 Síu Mauh Same as Mandarin name. Indonesian Shigeru Same as Japanese. Russian Гэри Оук Geri Ouk Transliteration of the English name.





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