Gu Yan

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Gu Yan (顾砚)
Alias(es)	Senior Brother; Eldest Senior Brother
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Littleroot Research Lab; Professor Birch's disciples
Occupation/Role	Researcher; Pokémon Trainer; mentor to Zeno and Sapphire
Age	18 at the time Zeno joins the laboratory 16
First Appearance	Chapter 16

Appearance

Gu Yan is an eighteen-year-old researcher who initially gives Zeno the impression of being stern and difficult to approach. 16

• Wears black-rimmed glasses. 16
• Usually wears a long white researcher's coat and research uniform. 16 17
• Has a composed, serious bearing that makes him seem older and more formal than the other disciples. 16
• His Gallade is noted to resemble him in its resolute, gentlemanly presence. 40

Personality

Gu Yan is outwardly cold and reserved, maintaining mostly ordinary colleague relationships at the research lab. Beneath that demeanor, he is considerate and gentle, especially toward Professor Birch, Sapphire, Zeno, and the Pokémon under the laboratory's care. 17

He is practical and experienced. When Zeno celebrates the approval of the Clamperl-breeding plan, Gu Yan warns him that implementation—not approval—is the real burden, stressing responsibility toward both the villagers and the resident Pokémon. 22

Although he dislikes excessive physical contact, he is notably indulgent toward his younger fellow disciples. He repeatedly prioritizes Zeno and Sapphire's safety during expeditions, even when their enthusiasm creates extra work for him. 31 38 40

Abilities & Skills

Pokémon Research and Habitat Analysis

Gu Yan is a researcher with practical knowledge of Pokémon habitats, ecology, and field-survey methods.

• Guided Zeno through a survey of water quality, seabed sediment, reefs, and aquatic plants for the Big Shell Village Clamperl project. 21
• Emphasized that even minor environmental differences can greatly affect individual Pokémon and breeding outcomes. 21
• Performed most of the sample analysis for Zeno's Clamperl-breeding proposal, teaching Zeno throughout the process. 22
• Identified a large golden mineral specimen in Granite Cave as raw Thunder Stone and judged that it could be divided into roughly three usable pieces. 39
• Read and interpreted the ancient writing accompanying Granite Cave's murals of Rayquaza, Kyogre, and Groudon. 39

Pokémon Training

Gu Yan is an accomplished Trainer who regularly trains Zeno and helps develop his Pokémon.

• Often battles Zeno and taught Carvanha the move Ice Fang. 17
• Gives practical advice based on a Pokémon's existing strengths, such as advising A-Lu to develop his Ninjask's speed while preventing opponents from controlling it. 35
• Respects his Pokémon's preferences in battle rather than pursuing victory at any cost. 45
• Was previously the champion of the Hoenn Region Youth Challenge Cup. 44

Battle Strategy

Gu Yan fights calmly and adapts his plans to both battlefield conditions and his Pokémon's abilities.

• Used Tropius to establish Sunny Day, activate its Chlorophyll-enhanced speed, and pressure Brawly's Hitmonchan with repeated Air Slash. 43
• Used Tropius's final Sunny Day to prepare Ninetales for a sun-supported follow-up after Tropius was defeated. 44
• Had Ninetales use Nasty Plot before defeating Hitmonchan with Extrasensory; Ninetales later drew with Medicham after firing an instant Solar Beam under sunlight. 44
• Read Gallade's Teleport patterns without needing direct explanation and devised the Low Sweep feint that compromised Hariyama's knee. 45

Expedition and Travel Skills

Gu Yan is well prepared for travel, fieldwork, and dangerous environments.

• Uses Tropius for aerial transport and personally ensures that Zeno is equipped with a helmet, wind goggles, and a fastened seat belt before flight. 20
• Prepared diving equipment before traveling to Big Shell Village for underwater habitat research. 20
• Uses Lapras for sea travel and deployed Tropius to search from the air for Hachi's missing Wingull. 21 36
• Relied on Gallade's Teleport to extract the group safely from Granite Cave. 40

Pokémon

• Tropius — Gu Yan's primary aerial transport Pokémon; uses Sunny Day, Air Slash, and Tailwind in battle. 20 43 44
• Ninetales — A somewhat reclusive nine-tailed fox capable of Nasty Plot, Extrasensory, Ember, and Solar Beam. 39 44
• Gallade — Gu Yan's strongest and most synchronized battle partner; uses Teleport, Brick Break, Low Sweep, Drain Punch, and Close Combat. 40 45
• Lapras — Used for travel and to remain above the survey site while Gu Yan and Zeno dive. 21
• Other Pokémon — Gu Yan owns several additional Pokémon kept in Professor Birch's ecological park, but prefers not to bring too many when traveling. 26

Equipment

• Spatial backpack — A notably large backpack used to carry travel supplies. 20
• Diving equipment — Prepared in advance for underwater surveys near Big Shell Village. 20
• Flight gear — Provided Zeno with a helmet and wind goggles for riding Tropius. 20
• Light Stone — Gave one to Aron to reduce its weight and stamina consumption while it followed Sapphire. 42

Relationships

• Professor Birch — His teacher and the head of Littleroot Research Lab; Birch considers Gu Yan an outstanding disciple and entrusts him with guiding younger students. 16 35
• Zeno — Junior fellow disciple. Gu Yan mentors him in Pokémon care, battle training, field research, and responsible project planning. 17 21 22
• Sapphire — Junior fellow disciple. Gu Yan is patient and protective toward her despite privately finding her antics troublesome. 31 35 40
• Kam — Zeno's uncle and host during the Big Shell Village project; the two share stories and become acquainted during Gu Yan's stay. 20 22
• Brawly — Respected battle opponent and Dewford Gym Leader. Their full-strength match ends in Gu Yan's victory, and Brawly awards him a Knuckle Badge. 43 46
• Gallade — His closest battle partner; the two understand each other's intentions with exceptional precision. 45

Story Role / Major Arcs

Littleroot Research Lab

Gu Yan is introduced as Professor Birch's senior disciple and the laboratory's youngest researcher when Zeno becomes Birch's student. Though initially intimidating, he quickly becomes one of Zeno's principal caretakers and mentors. 16 17

He helps Zeno and Sapphire deliver reserved starter Pokémon to new Trainers, displaying a particularly gentle manner with Mudkip and an understanding of Treecko's shy nature. 17

Clamperl Marine Ranch Project

Professor Birch assigns Gu Yan to accompany Zeno during the three-month effort to establish Clamperl breeding in Big Shell Village. Gu Yan arranges their travel with consideration for Zeno's needs and provides the expertise Zeno lacks. 19 20

He conducts the underwater habitat survey, analyzes samples, and teaches Zeno to account for the existing ecosystem rather than treating the project as a simple business plan. 21 22 When the village later declines ownership of the ranch, Gu Yan refuses a share, stating that he did not help for money. 26

Dewford Expedition

Gu Yan leads Zeno and Sapphire through Petalburg City and Granite Cave to collect ancient mural records for Professor Birch. He refuses to split the group in the cave, citing the danger of territorial wild Pokémon and the narrow passageways that prevent Tropius from protecting them. 35 38 39

He identifies raw Thunder Stone, deciphers the murals' ancient text, and uses Gallade's Teleport to safely lead the group out of Granite Cave. 39 40

Battle Against Brawly

At Zeno and Sapphire's request, Gu Yan accepts Brawly's challenge under normal three-on-three battle rules rather than Gym rules, believing the latter would unfairly restrict the Gym Leader. 43

Tropius falls to Hitmonchan, but its Sunny Day enables Ninetales to defeat Hitmonchan and draw with Medicham. Gu Yan's Gallade then defeats Hariyama in a close-range fight, securing Gu Yan's victory over Brawly at full strength. 44 45 46

Notable Quotes

“Getting plans like these approved isn't the hardest part. Carrying them out is what's truly terrifying.” 22

Trivia

• Gu Yan briefly envies Sapphire's large Wailmer plushie but restrains himself from trying it because he considers himself too old to act childish. 31
• He learned some surfing in Lilycove City and was capable of balancing on a surfboard, though he was still washed out by a large wave alongside Zeno. 42