Despite its target audience of children, Pokemon is a series loved by people of all ages. Within the anime story as well as the games, the protagonists are children. However, that does not mean adults cannot have fun with Pokemon too.
While most Gym Leader roles are left to young adults and even children, there are still plenty of Gym Leaders that fit into the range of middle-aged to elderly. They are quite experienced people, and do not mind beating up the Pokemon of any children who challenge them.
10 Byron: 49-Years-Old
Armed with a shovel, it is not surprising to most players that Byron is a Steel-type specialist that gives out a badge known as the “Mine Badge.” He is the Gym Leader of Canalave City, which is part of the Sinnoh region.
Like many older Gym Leaders, he also has children. He is Roark’s father, and Roark is another Gym Leader of the region. Unlike his dad though, she specializes in Rock-types.
9 Pryce: 50-Years-Old
Pryce is an Ice-type specialist from the Johto region’s Mahogany Town. He gives out the Glacier Badge to those who defeat him. He is known for being one of the oldest Gym Leaders.
He is known as the “The Teacher of Winter’s Harshness.” Fun fact: in the Pokemon Adventures manga, Pryce is actually a villain!
8 Juan: 50-Years-Old
Juan is not recognizable to all players and has few to no fans, as he was only a Gym Leader in the Emerald title. In that game, he is the Gym Leader of Sootopolis City. He is actually the former teacher of Wallace, who is typically the Gym Leader of that city in the other games.
Like Wallace, he also specializes in Water-types. In the anime, he is also accomplished at Pokemon Contests.
7 Drayden: At Least 50-Years-Old
Dragon-type specialist, Drayden, is pretty popular for his badass character design. He gives out the Legend Badge and is the leader of Opelucid City’s gym. He is not only the city’s Gym Leader, but also acts as its mayor!
A cool fact about Drayden is that he is the only Gym Leader in the anime who has never been seen losing a battle.
6 Wulfric: Unknown
While his age is unknown, it is a safe bet to put Wulfric at least in his 50s. He is the keeper of the Iceberg Badge. Like Pryce, he is also an Ice-type specialist. Unlike Pryce though, his personality is a little more kind and warm.
He is from the X and Y games, and is leader of the Snowbelle City gym. He uses an Avalugg, Abomasnow, and Cryogonal for his gym battles.
5 Crasher Wake: 57-Years-Old
Crasher Wake looks a bit like he wandered in from a different game, but he is a Gym Leader and Water-type specialist. He gives out the Fen Badge to those who beat him in the Pastoria City gym.
In terms of personality, Wake is all about having fun. Instead of focusing too much on strategy, he is known to just use moves he thinks will be fun in the moment.
4 Blaine: 58-Years-Old
Blaine is from the first generation and his character design has changed a little over time. However, he has always been the oldest Gym Leader of the Kanto region. He is a Fire-type specialist who oversees the Cinnabar Island gym and gives out the Volcano Badge to those to defeat him.
Apparently Blaine was inspired to become a Fire-type specialist because he was guided out of a freezing mountain range by Moltres. His signature Pokemon is an Arcanine.
3 Wattson: 60-Years-Old
This jolly old man is the keeper of the Dynamo Badge. He oversees the Mauville City gym and is a specialist in Electric-types. Many NPCs call him “The cheerfully electrifying man.” In his original gym battle of the Ruby and Sapphire games, he uses a Magnemite, Voltorb, and Magneton.
He is not only the Gym Leader. He is the actual founder of Mauville City! Funnily enough, the city is known for its population of old men.
2 Ramos: Unknown
Part gardener and part Gym Leader, Ramos’ age is actually unknown. One thing is clear though: he is old. Fans have debated and most put him in the range of his late 60s to late 70s. He is a Grass-type specialist who gives out the Plant Badge for those who defeat him in Courmarine City.
Just to put more emphasis on his older age, he calls players “sprout” or “whippernapper.”
1 Opal: 88-Years-Old
The oldest Gym Leader of them all is from the most recent game: Sword and Shield. At 88-years-old, Opal serves as a Fairy-type specialist in Ballonea’s gym. Due to her old age, she actually is in the midst of choosing a successor during the game.
Despite her oldest age, Opal’s character design and personality are full of life. It goes to show that the most recent games really gave more love to their Gym Leaders. Not just that, but she is the only woman character out of all the elderly Gym Leaders!
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