Ishimaru

Biodata

Background and History

Ishimaru grew up alongside Bai Shi at the Twinleaf Town Orphanage. After moving out, he hauled bricks at a construction site while saving for a Pokémon of his own. He wanted to accompany Bai Shi into the wild to catch one, but Bai Shi refused because neither could protect him if they encountered danger 5.

Bai Shi later gave him a Shroomish obtained by trading a captured Spearow to Suzuki. Ishimaru welcomed it enthusiastically and offered to battle Kuroda when Kuroda discovered Bai Shi had left town 12. While Bai Shi traveled, Shroomish evolved into Breloom, and Ishimaru caught a Makuhita. By Bai Shi’s return, Ishimaru had defeated Oniki and was winning battles against other former orphanage residents 99 100.

A 2–0 loss to Bai Shi convinced Ishimaru to travel for experience. He began in Sandgem Town on Bai Shi’s advice, later worked in Oreburgh City’s coal mines, and sought training from Veilstone Gym Leader Maylene 103 104 126. After apprenticing at her Gym, he returned with an improved team but lost another match to Bai Shi. The friends then exchanged move-training lessons before Ishimaru departed for Johto, where he hoped to study under Cianwood Gym Leader Chuck and possibly meet his idol, Bruno 150 151 152. He is later reported to be challenging the Johto League 334.

Appearance

Ishimaru is described as a stocky boy about Bai Shi’s age 5.

• Has broad shoulders 5.
• Often wears a broad, toothy grin 5 100.

Personality

Ishimaru celebrates Bai Shi’s successes openly, but he is also eager to measure his own progress in battle. Kuroda’s habit of lecturing their former orphanage peers irritates him, and Ishimaru initially hopes Bai Shi will defeat him 5 8. He takes setbacks seriously: after each loss to Bai Shi, he looks for ways to improve rather than abandoning his goal 103 104 151 152.

He is protective of his Pokémon, saying he would rather go hungry than let them miss a meal. He also hesitates to accept an expensive phone from Bai Shi and asks Maylene’s permission before passing her Detect lesson on to Bai Shi’s Zangoose 100 152.

Pokémon

Battles with Bai Shi

Relationships

• Bai Shi — Childhood friend and recurring battle rival. Bai Shi gave him his first Pokémon, advised him on his travels, and trained Pokémon alongside him 5 12 104 152.
• Maylene — Veilstone Gym Leader who guided Ishimaru during his apprenticeship and taught Detect to his Machoke 150 152.
• Oniki — Fellow former orphanage resident whom Ishimaru defeated in battle 99.
• Kuroda — Fellow former orphanage resident whose superior attitude frustrated Ishimaru; Ishimaru offered to battle him after Bai Shi left town 5 12.

Notable Quotes

“Bai Shi, when I come back, let's battle again!” 104

“One day, sooner or later, I'll master this miraculous power too!” 151