The region of Pokémon X and Y has characters aplenty, and that’s because there are a lot of colorful trainers in Kalos. Television shows like the in-game Gym Freaks commit daily to capturing the elusive Gym Leaders on camera, paparazzi style. What are these characters like? How are they similar to us in the real world?
Some of them are Gym Leaders: bold, eccentric, mean-spirited, entitled, disciplined, and unique in their way. Others fulfill more central roles to the narrative: the friends of the player character, their rival, even the Champion herself. All these characters fall somewhere within the Zodiac spectrum and add a wonderful flavor to the Pokémon X & Y games.
12 Aries - Malva
Malva is definitely a fire sign, and that’s not only because of her Fire Pokémon. This fiery fashionista is a fierce and confident antagonist. Her competitiveness gives her an edge on most people. She is a well-respected news reporter that has the latest scoop from Lumiose to Coumarine. Her temperament is always hot, electing to curse the player’s wickedness for their successes. Still, she is a powerful and self-made woman who’s always having fun: an Aries through and through.
11 Taurus - Siebold
Siebold is a rather intense world-class chef as well as a member of the Elite Four. When first challenged, he muses on how Pokémon battling should be considered an art. He takes great pride in preparing his creations but also takes time to indulge in them. His demeanor projects that of a disciplined and meticulous person. Like the mighty Bull of his sign, he is unwavering in his process, whether it’s following a recipe or battling with his Pokémon.
10 Gemini - Trevor
Trevor is the nosiest of the player’s friends; he’s always comparing his Pokédex and asking how many Pokémon they’ve caught. His competition is good-spirited, as this young boy is interested in the accumulation of knowledge. Like most Geminis, Trevor is intelligent and his curiosity leads him to places that other friends dare not go, such as the scary house on Route 15.
He’s not the leading type, but he can make surprising decisions. A boy of many sides, he’s an impulsive Gemini for sure.
9 Cancer - AZ
AZ is a mysterious nine-foot-tall man that has lived for 3,000 years. He is also believed to be the original king of Kalos. He cared so much for his dead Pokémon that he wiped out thousands, perhaps millions of Pokémon in order to revive it. Cancers are known for being caring, and they’re the most loving sign of the Zodiac. However, their anger can become like wrath when they’re wronged, and AZ’s fury 3,000 years ago is a testament to that fact.
8 Leo - Serena
Serena is a natural leader and shows great compassion to the player character. At the beginning of the game, she helps Calem learn how to catch Pokémon and promptly sets him on his path to becoming the Pokémon Master. Serena also sticks to her guns and trains fiercely to defeat her opponents. Just like a Leo, she is a great friend, albeit arrogant, and has a contagious fighting spirit that pumps others up.
7 Virgo - Clemont
Is it any surprise that Clemont is a Virgo? This Electric-Type Gym Leader’s intelligence is unmatched in Kalos. He is an inventor and a logical heavyweight, both identities associated with the sign. Clemont is also a bit quirky, sporting tinted glasses, overalls, a spiky blond haircut, and two handy mechanical arms. He’s like a dorkier, skinnier Doc Ock. Though he’s a celebrity of Lumiose, he’s a bit of a mess in interviews. Virgos are kind souls, but introverted and not the most confident public speakers.
6 Libra - Diantha
The Champion of Kalos is a warm-hearted, affectionate, talkative, and yet vulnerable person all at once. Diantha routinely encourages the player, even as they grow stronger, without revealing her true identity. Libras nurture the positive qualities in others, viewing the world through an idealistic lens.
They keep up appearances and are careful in their social interactions, especially with their adversaries. In other words, Diantha’s decision to remain anonymous is diplomatic. Libras know how to play politics, and coming from royalty, she plays the game well.
5 Scorpio - Wulfric
Scorpios are loyal and powerful people that can be rigid as ice… or Ice-type users. Wulfric admits to his stubbornness outright, and there’s no denying it. He’s built like an Abomasnow with huge arms and chest, casting an imposing figure inside Snowbelle Gym. He’s very loyal to Pokémon, being a frequent visitor of the secret Pokémon Village. Scorpios are contradictions, often misunderstood, and nothing conveys this more than his gym’s slogan: “Tough as an iceberg, hot as a furnace.”
4 Saggitarius - Wikstrom
Wikstrom, the Steel-type user of the Elite Four, is both a duke and knight. Because of his rank, he must adhere to strict ideals of loyalty and respect. He speaks with warmth and honesty and extends admiration to those who have bested him as a true knight would. His flashy old English speech demonstrates the sophistication common of his sign. He’s a textbook Sagittarius: an excellent friend and a worthy opponent.
3 Capricorn - Tierno
Tierno is the most singularly focused person in Kalos… as related to dancing. He loves dancing and wants to assemble the best dancing Pokémon roster. Capricorns are known for their dedication and ambition, but they are also prone to burning out from overworking. In order to achieve his goals, Tierno puts Pokémon battling to the wayside. By the end of the game, he’s more of a dancing scholar and rewards the player for showing him cool dancing moves.
2 Aquarius - Korrina
Korrina is the Fighting Gym leader of Shalour City, and a highly personable trainer as well. She is devoted to big picture concepts like peace and happiness for all living things.
She has proven herself worthy of the special bond between Pokémon and trainer that facilitates Mega Evolution and believes these bonds are crucial to heal the world. Aquarians are synonymous with humanitarianism, a mentality made clear from Korrina’s actions and words.
1 Pisces - Valerie
Valerie is the Fairy-Type Gym Leader of Laverre Gym. She is an eccentric and flighty person that seems to occupy a place between the real world and the imaginary one. She has an obsession with becoming a Pokémon and always talks about it. Like most Pisces, she is creative and pours her heart into fashion as a designer. She wears handmade fairy wings and strives to create things of beauty. She is in tune with her emotions and her attraction to beauty, which can cause her to space out. Substitute the wings for fins, and she’s a fish for sure.
NEXT: Pokémon: Which Water-Type Are You, Based On Your Chinese Zodiac
