Gary

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Gary
Alias(es)	Shigeru Oak (小茂)
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	Pokémon Trainer; Champion of the Ever Grande Conference and Lily of the Valley Conference 573
First Appearance	Awakening 1

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Past-life memories awakened	1	His defeat by Ash at the Silver Conference breaks the seal on memories from his previous life, restoring his adult mindset. 1
System activation	2	The System awakens from hibernation and reveals its capture-based reward function. 2
Viridian Power	3	Obtained from Blastoise's System reward; grants Pokémon communication, healing, and the potential to temporarily strengthen bonded Pokémon. 3
Intermediate Pokémon Breeder Skill	4	Activates an Intermediate Pokémon Breeder Skill Card. 4
Super Pallet Towner physique	19	Received after capturing Larvitar; gradually improves his physical fitness. 19
Creation Power	511	Received through Arceus's blessing; replaces his former Viridian and Aura Powers, granting stronger healing and aura detection. 511

Background

Gary was an adult from Earth who died and reincarnated as Professor Oak's grandson in the Pokémon world. His past-life memories were sealed because his infant body could not withstand an adult mind; before awakening, he developed as a gifted but otherwise ordinary young Trainer. 1 2

After losing to Ash in the Silver Conference, Gary's refusal to accept defeat breaks the seal on his memories. He immediately resolves to surpass Ash and become the Strongest Trainer, rejecting Professor Oak's suggestion that he become a Pokémon researcher. 1 2

Personality

Gary is ambitious, competitive, and intensely focused on self-improvement. He often needles Ash over his shortcomings, but treats their rivalry as motivation for both of them to grow. 1 17 511

His adult memories make him more composed and calculating than he was before his awakening. He seeks instruction from accomplished Trainers, evaluates opponents carefully, and prioritizes his Pokémon's development over short-term victories. 10 174 209

Gary acknowledges that he was once arrogant, much like Professor Oak in his youth. Though he retains a habit of boasting—particularly around Ash—others later recognize a more humble and mature side to him. 419 511 709

Abilities & Skills

Become Stronger by Capturing System

Gary's System rewards him for capturing Pokémon with Elite Four-level potential or greater. The higher the captured Pokémon's potential, the greater the reward. 2

• Displays a Pokémon's level, potential, abilities, and moves. 3 251
• Grants rewards for qualifying captures made after his awakening. 2
• Provided Aptitude Enhancement Cards, which can raise a Pokémon's potential by one tier up to Champion potential. 10 19
• A later Pseudo-legendary Potential Card raised Arcanine from Champion to Pseudo-legendary potential. 543
• Professor Oak expands Gary's carrying limit from six Pokémon to twelve. 108

Viridian Power

Gary initially gains Viridian Power through a System reward associated with Blastoise. 3

• Communicates with Pokémon, including Kartana. 3 261
• Heals Pokémon injuries. 3
• Heightens his senses enough to overhear distant conversations and detect Pokémon. 8 502
• Can temporarily strengthen Pokémon when their bond with Gary is sufficiently deep. 3
• Is replaced by Creation Power after Arceus's blessing. 511

Creation Power

Gary names the power granted by Arceus the Creation Power. Its known abilities are stronger healing and the detection ability previously associated with Aura Power. 511

• Calms the Lake Guardians while they are under Cyrus's control. 514
• Supersedes both his Viridian Power and Aura Power. 511
• Further capabilities remain unknown to Gary. 511

Trainer Skill

Gary is a tactical battler who adapts team composition, moves, and battlefield conditions to his opponent.

• Defeats Norman's Slaking by combining Arcanine's Agility, Will-O-Wisp, and Flare Blitz. 26
• Uses Rain Dance to disrupt Roark's Sandstorm strategy during their Mega Evolution battle. 312
• Uses Gardevoir's and Staraptor's Substitute tactics to outmaneuver Barry's team. 523
• Seeks training from Bruno and Steven Stone, leading to major growth across his team. 174
• Gives detailed post-battle guidance on move control, stamina, and command ability. 209

Equipment / Items

• Master Ball — A rare gift from Umbreon capable of capturing Legendary Pokémon. 4
• Blastoise Mega Stone — System reward obtained after Gary captures a Shiny Metagross. 7
• Red Gyarados Mega Stone — Used to Mega Evolve Red Gyarados against Roark's Mega Steelix. 312
• Garchomp Mega Stone — Found in a Honchkrow nest and identified through the System. 331
• Z-Ring — Given to Gary by Tapu Koko; its Melemele Island origin leads him to seek Chengye Oak's advice. 207

Documented Pokémon

Pokémon	Notes
Blastoise	Gary's starter and longest-serving partner; had Champion potential and was his strongest Pokémon at Level 63. 3
Arcanine	A Kanto veteran that reaches Elite Four level during Gary's rematch with Norman; its potential is later raised to Pseudo-legendary. 3 111 543
Umbreon	Female Dark-type partner with Champion potential; becomes Gary's fourth Elite Four-level Pokémon. 3 174
Shiny Metagross	A rare capture that joins Gary before his battle with Ash; reaches Elite Four level through training. 7 14 174
Elekid / Electivire	Captured with Elite Four potential, then raised to Champion potential using an Aptitude Enhancement Card; an Electivire later trains alongside Gary's evolved partners. 10 174
Aerodactyl	Revived from Old Amber through Devon Corporation's Fossil Reviver; reaches Elite Four Candidate level. 106 174
Red Gyarados	Evolved from Gary's Golden Magikarp and later Mega Evolves in battle. 174 312
Garchomp	A powerful partner used against poacher Akui; cuts apart Houndoom's Flamethrower with Dragon Claw. 731
Rayquaza	Captured by Gary; refuses research cooperation but permits Gary to give one of its Dragon Scales to Professor Oak. 198
Kartana	A weakened Ultra Beast that joins Gary after he promises to help it become stronger. 261
Kubfu	Chooses Gary as its Trainer after witnessing Lucario, seeking to someday surpass it. 700

Relationships

• Professor Oak — Gary's grandfather. Oak supports Gary's decision to pursue training rather than research, relies on him for errands, and respects his decisions concerning Legendary Pokémon. 2 7 198
• Ash — Childhood rival. Ash's Silver Conference victory triggers Gary's awakening; their repeated battles push both Trainers to improve. 1 17 121 679
• Rosa — Gary's girlfriend and frequent traveling companion. She trusts his strength, supports his battles, and trains alongside him. 49 122 511
• Hilda — Gary's girlfriend and traveling companion. She joins Gary and Rosa in training, travel, and confrontations with criminal organizations. 122 511 575
• Bruno — Fighting-type Elite Four member who agrees to guide Gary's group during their training in Dewford Town. 174
• Steven Stone — Former Hoenn Champion who recognizes Gary's potential and joins Bruno in training him. 49 174
• Cynthia — Sinnoh Champion who learns of Gary through Aaron and Lucian, later credits him as the key figure in exposing Cyrus's scheme. 356 456
• Rayquaza — Legendary Pokémon partner with whom Gary shares mutual respect; Gary prioritizes its wishes over Professor Oak's research interests. 198
• Mustard — Gary's master in Galar. Mustard considers Gary capable of eventually rivaling or surpassing Leon. 694
• Kartana — Ultra Beast partner drawn to Gary's promise of greater strength. 261

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Awakening and System acquisition — Loses to Ash at the Silver Conference, regains his past-life memories, and learns that his System rewards high-potential Pokémon captures. 1 2
• Sinnoh expedition — Travels at Professor Oak's request, captures Elekid, raises its potential to Champion level, and meets Professors Rowan and Sycamore. 7 10 11
• Hoenn journey — Begins challenging the Hoenn League, earns the Balance Badge from Norman, and receives intensive training from Bruno and Steven. 26 174
• Conference champion — By the time Team Rocket identifies him in Unova, Gary holds the titles of Ever Grande Conference and Lily of the Valley Conference Champion. 573
• Sinnoh crisis — Helps save Michina Town from Arceus's wrath, gains Creation Power, and uses it against Team Galactic at Spear Pillar. 511 514
• Alola journey — Receives a Z-Ring from Tapu Koko and recruits Kartana after promising to help it grow stronger. 207 261
• Unova conflicts — Rout Team Rocket in Pinwheel Forest, defeats Ash repeatedly in battle, and confronts Team Rocket's attempts to obstruct him. 575 679 680 609
• Galar and Kalos travels — Trains under Mustard, defeats Leon in Galar, then proceeds to Kalos to challenge the Kalos Alliance. 694 709

Notable Quotes

“My evolution won't stop here. This is the last time. Next time, you won't have such good luck.” 1

“Grandpa, my dream of becoming the Strongest Trainer won't stop here.” 2

“I am Gary, not just Professor Oak's grandson.” 195