Pepper

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Pepper (original: 枇琶)
Alias(es)	Senpai Pepper 26
Gender	Male 5 6
Affiliation	Lighthouse Research Institute; Orange Academy 5 41
Occupation/Role	Orange Academy student; occasional courier and farm helper 14 22
First Appearance	Chapter 5

Background

Pepper is the young son of Dr. Jacq and Friede. At the Lighthouse Research Institute, he eagerly opens the door expecting someone else, only to mistake Luo Mu for his father. His embarrassment escalates when Master Dogue attacks Luo Mu in defense of him, beginning their acquaintance with a misunderstanding. 5

At ten years old, Pepper is unusually talkative and initially calls Luo Mu “Uncle.” Luo Mu insists that he use “Brother” instead, a request Pepper begrudgingly accepts before quickly returning to his chatter. 6 Although accustomed to Jacq’s fiery temperament, he remains close to both parents. Their research obligations, however, repeatedly leave him alone. 6 14 18

Jacq entrusts Pepper to Luo Mu’s care at Orange Academy while she and Friede prepare to return to the Great Crater of Paldea for research. Pepper later delivers Luo Mu’s completed Terastal Orb from the institute to Pingdie Town, traveling with Master Dogue. 14

When his parents leave home unexpectedly despite a promise, Pepper finds only a note in the darkened house. Hurt and lonely, he eventually goes to Luo Mu’s farm without his parents’ knowledge and is allowed to stay the night. 18 26

Appearance

Pepper is a boy of about ten years old, approaching eleven, with soft light-brown hair. 5 42

• Light-brown hair with a soft appearance. 5
• Often accompanied by Master Dogue. 5 14
• Later appears in the standard Orange Academy uniform. 41

Personality

Pepper is curious, expressive, and prone to chatter. He is excited by unfamiliar Pokémon, farming, Terastallization, and Luo Mu’s powerful partners. 6 15 23 He also has a blunt but practical side: despite his age, he readily identifies flaws in Luo Mu’s farming methods and explains them without hesitation. 22

His outward liveliness masks loneliness and resentment over his parents’ frequent absences. He can become rebellious—staying awake until four in the morning and arguing with his parents—but still listens to Luo Mu outside matters involving them. 26 27 Even while upset, Pepper prioritizes a Pokémon Egg’s wellbeing over his own grievances and resolves to speak with his parents later. 22

Pepper admires Luo Mu’s reliability, competence, and willingness to help others. After seeing Luo Mu handle injured Hoppip and a hostile Stunky situation, he decides he wants to become someone similarly dependable. 24

Abilities & Skills

Pokémon and Farming Knowledge

Pepper has learned extensively from books, particularly through his upbringing around researchers. 15

• Correctly explains that powerful Pokémon can overload crop seeds with excessive energy and nutrients. 22
• Identifies Serperior’s excessive energy and Swampert’s energy-converted Water Gun as unsuitable for delicate farming work. 22
• Suggests using ordinary Grass-type Pokémon or the move Grassy Terrain to cultivate crops safely. 22
• Recognizes Luo Mu’s wasteland farm as unsuitable for growing crops without major work. 15

Independence and Responsibility

• Travels through South Province Area 1 with Master Dogue to deliver the Terastal Orb to Luo Mu. 14
• Joins Luo Mu’s wilderness search for Grass-type Pokémon despite his limited experience. 22 23
• Helps care for and encourage the unhatched Pokémon Egg. 22
• Participates in harvesting fruit at Jones Farm and assists with work around Luo Mu’s farm. 17 27

Pokémon

• Master Dogue — Pepper’s protective partner Pokémon. It initially attacks Luo Mu after mistaking him for a threat, accompanies Pepper on his delivery journey, and stays close during wilderness excursions. 5 14 22

Relationships

• Luo Mu — An older mentor-like figure whom Pepper calls “Brother Luo Mu.” Luo Mu is asked by Jacq to look after him at Orange Academy and provides him a place to stay when he feels abandoned by his parents. 6 14 26
• Dr. Jacq — His mother. She is protective of Pepper but often neglects time with him because of her research commitments. 5 14 26
• Friede — His father. Friede and Jacq’s Great Crater research contributes to Pepper’s recurring loneliness. 14 26
• Master Dogue — His guardian and closest Pokémon companion. 5 14
• Nemo — A fellow Orange Academy student whom Pepper recognizes from prior shared classes; they reunite after the holiday. 43

Story Role

Lighthouse Institute Encounter

Pepper’s mistaken greeting and Master Dogue’s attack create Luo Mu’s first encounter with the Lighthouse Institute family. After the misunderstanding is cleared, Pepper accompanies Luo Mu toward the laboratory and quickly establishes an informal “little brother” dynamic with him. 5 6

Terastal Orb Delivery

Pepper personally brings the completed Terastal Orb to Pingdie Town. He watches Swampert Terastallize for the first time and reacts with open excitement, expressing a desire to someday Terastallize Master Dogue himself. 14 15

Farm and Wilderness Helper

While spending time at Luo Mu’s farm, Pepper becomes a useful source of agricultural advice. He helps identify why the potato seeds failed, proposes a solution involving Grass-type Pokémon, and accompanies Luo Mu into the wilderness in search of suitable helpers. 22 23

Orange Academy Student

Pepper enrolls at Orange Academy alongside other students of his age. After initially avoiding Luo Mu, he is called upon to referee Nemo’s first battle against Growlithe. 41 42 43

Notable Quotes

“Liar.” 18

Trivia

• Pepper initially prefers calling Luo Mu “Uncle,” but changes to “Brother Luo Mu” after being corrected. 6
• He is described as being ten years old and close to turning eleven. 6 42
• Pepper becomes visibly excited by Terastallization, even more so than Luo Mu during Swampert’s first transformation. 15