The original Gym Leaders of Pokemon Red & Blue are some of the most recognizable characters in all of gaming. Even though you only encounter them once, their personalities are vivid through their outfits, Pokémon, and the few lines of dialogue you get with them.
Just like these characters, your Chinese Zodiac can be just as indicative of your personality. The year you were born is subject to all sorts of unique traits and circumstances, and that distinctness is easily comparable to Kanto’s top trainers. These Gym Leaders are the ones you’ll most reflect based on your birth year.
12 Rat (1984, 1996, 2008, 2020): Lt. Surge
People born in the Year of the Rat are hard workers who stop at nothing to achieve great things in life. That ambition comes less from a drive to succeed, though, and more from their desire to be recognized for their effort. Success is one thing, but being credited for their work is far more important.
The overly intense Lt. Surge perfectly captures that drive, being a former military leader who dresses like his battle never ended. He’s just as happy to intimidate you as he is to defeat you, and with his speedy Electric-type Pokémon he’s certainly capable of doing both.
11 Ox (1973, 1985, 1997, 2009): Brock
Much like the animal itself, Oxen will frequently spite their surroundings as they constantly push forward. They can be extremely productive and confident, but this bravery comes at the cost of some serious stubbornness. If you ever try to question their decisions, be ready for a ton of pushback.
In the games, Brock’s team is one of the most defensive in the Pokémon series, and in the earliest games, he’s unbreakably firm as he uses Bide to grit his teeth through your attacks. He’s tough to push over, and not afraid of the numerous Super Effective attacks you can have for him.
10 Tiger (1974, 1986, 1998, 2010): Misty
While Oxen often fight against opposing opinions, Tigers take a different approach by ignoring their surroundings. This care-free attitude is certainly something to be envious of, at least until it ends in some mistakes and forgotten responsibilities.
Misty’s presence in Pokémon Gold & Silver is full of those unfortunate traits. She’s a proud and capable Gym Leader and swimmer, but you have to pull her out of a date just to fight her. She can be serious when she wants to be, but might not always be that way when you need it most.
9 Rabbit (1975, 1987, 1999, 2011): Janine
Rabbits can seem quite timid when you first meet one. At their worst, they can feel like wet blankets who don’t like any fun, but most of the time they’re just being careful. They won’t always look like it, but they can be way more talented and social than they initially appear.
With her father having joined the Elite 4 in Pokémon Gold & Silver, Janine takes care of the Fushia City Gym as a much more positive Gym Leader. She’s certainly strong enough to rival her father, but she’s far less intense and aggressive, and a much more friendly presence than her father.
8 Dragon (1976, 1988, 2000, 2012): Koga
Those born in the Year of the Dragon are made of pure intensity. They’re greatly adaptable and can let loose in a comfortable space, but for the most part, you’re not likely to hear them cracking too many jokes. They’re energetic and cutthroat, and if you ever get in their way they’re not afraid to fight dirty.
Janine might be an optimistic student, but her father Koga is a very deeply serious master. He’s proud to admit defeat, but he’s certainly not going to go easy on you and thrives on the fear that his ninja skills might give to you.
7 Snake (1977, 1989, 2001, 2013): Giovanni
Dragons might hold grudges, but Snakes take this to an extreme by wishing for revenge and balance. For a Snake, it’s not enough to be free from a bad situation. They have to get even, and they need to do everything they can to make things feel fair.
Giovanni is just as vengeful, showing up as the final Kanto Gym Leader in Pokémon Red & Blue after you’ve already beaten him several times prior. No matter how many times you fight, he just wants to get back on his feet and prove you wrong and sees you as a rival more than a challenger.
6 Horse (1978, 1990, 2002, 2014): Misty (Anime)
Horses are often some of the biggest extroverts you’ll know. They’re ready to talk and proud to share their opinions, and just as happy to share secrets. That’s not to say they don’t value privacy if you ask, but if you don’t make it clear they might be the first to gush about your private life.
While Misty is a socially conscious strong swimmer in the games, Misty in the anime is much more of a social butterfly who isn’t afraid to be honest with her friends. It can seem like bullying from the outside, but when you’re close to her like Brock and Ash are, you realize it’s just her way of helping.
5 Goat (1979, 1991, 2003, 2015): Blaine
Much like how real goats can balance on steep cliffs, being born in the year of the Goat gives people great care and steadiness in life. They can seem reserved and cautious, especially around spending, but they’re always proud and brave in the face of adversity.
Blaine reflects all these traits. This is a man who not only lost his gym to a volcano but proceeded to move into another volcano until he was able to rebuild, showing a resilience that other Gym Leaders should be jealous of.
4 Monkey (1980, 1992, 2004, 2016): Blue
Monkeys will typically take anything too far. When supporting loved ones, they’ll frequently go overboard with gifts and acts of service, to a point where they’re a bit unbearable. But when it comes to rivalries, they can sometimes also bite a little too deep.
Blue is especially a victim of the latter. He’s an incredibly rude rival to Red who thinks he knows it all as he fails again and again. Thankfully, maturity hits Blue immediately after his losses, and before he takes his new job he’s quick to calm down and recognize when it’s time to step back.
3 Rooster (1981, 1993, 2005, 2017): Sabrina
The biggest flaw of people born in the Year of the Rooster is cockiness, particularly when they’re succeeding. When they’re on a winning streak or are having a good day, they can be quite charismatic and positive, but it can also lead to them being clumsy and sloppy if they’re riding high for too long.
Sabrina and her Psychic-type team are in one of those modes every game you face her, bragging about her psychic powers that she’s had since childhood. She’s genuinely surprised and disappointed when you finally beat her, and could perhaps do with a bit more modesty.
2 Dog (1982, 1994, 2006, 2018): Erika
If you know someone who avoids conflict and confrontation, there’s a good chance they were born in the Year of the Dog. They might be loyal and friendly to know intimately, but standing up to others can be a challenge, and they can get intimidated quickly if you know their weaknesses.
Erika is extremely lighthearted in her Gym, preferring beautiful Grass-type partners as opposed to more intimidating and powerful species. Her non-aggressive team and personality can make her easy to defeat, but thankfully she’s able to hold her composure and is plenty mature.
1 Pig (1983, 1995, 2007, 2019): Brock (Anime)
The Year of the Pig is a time for clumsiness and friendliness, and the animated version of Brock is exactly that and more. Rather than the stubborn Gym Leader that he is in the games, this version of the character is a man looking for love, and is proud to take care of his friends and Pokémon.
This isn’t to say that he’s not without flaws, as he’s extremely quick to embarrass himself and his friends in his romantic pursuits. But between his great cooking skills and a strong sense of humor, it’s hard to stay mad at him when he makes a fool of himself.
NEXT: Pokémon: 10 Hardest Fights Of Gen I, Ranked By How Tough They Were
