Contents
Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Yi Nanzi (伊楠梓) |
| Alias(es) | Nanzi; Hu Bin’s “little brother” 10 30 |
| Species/Race | Human 10 |
| Gender | Male 18 22 |
| Affiliation | Hu Bin’s training group, alongside Wu Jin and Liu Yi 22 |
| Occupation/Role | Student; Pokémon Trainer 20 22 |
| Status | Alive; participating in the Spring City Marathon at the latest documented appearance 50 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 9, “Vulpix’s First Battle” 9 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cyndaquil partner | 9 | Yi Nanzi’s original documented Pokémon. Uses Ember and Swift in his first battle against Hu Bin. |
| Quilava partner | 50 | Cyndaquil evolves during the marathon’s final stretch after Yi Nanzi overcomes his collapse and resolves to continue alongside him. Their intensive training had already brought Cyndaquil close to evolution 46. |
Background / History
Meeting Hu Bin
Yi Nanzi meets Hu Bin at the Pokémon Training Hall and challenges him to a one-on-one battle. His Cyndaquil loses to Vulpix, but he accepts the result respectfully and promises a rematch. He challenges Hu Bin again the following day and suffers another defeat 9 10.
Hu Bin invites the disappointed Yi Nanzi and Cyndaquil to dinner. After tasting his spicy curry rice, Yi Nanzi declares Hu Bin his big brother, and Hu Bin accepts him as his little brother. Their friendship develops through shared training and meals; Yi Nanzi reciprocates by buying Pokéblocks for Vulpix rather than simply accepting free hospitality 10 11.
Pursuing Qin Qin
Yi Nanzi becomes infatuated with Qin Qin after watching her battle Hu Bin. When Hu Bin’s victory celebration is mistaken for mockery, Yi Nanzi offers to deliver an apology and a jar of Pokéblocks, using the errand as an opportunity to approach her 11 12.
He wins Qin Qin’s sympathy by presenting himself as Hu Bin’s long-suffering, loyal friend and promising to punish Hu Bin for any future misbehavior. Qin Qin accepts the apology and exchanges contact details with him. Hu Bin, Vulpix, and Cyndaquil overhear the conversation, and Hu Bin retaliates with a shoulder throw. Yi Nanzi subsequently courts Qin Qin while trying to regain Hu Bin’s favor, studying a Love Handbook and training harder because of her many admirers 13.
His hopes collapse when Qin Qin brings her boyfriend to a meal with him. Yi Nanzi declares that he will concentrate on becoming a stronger Trainer and enters the Spring City Marathon to defeat her boyfriend. Hu Bin takes his resolve seriously and offers to train both him and Cyndaquil 18.
Training and School Competition
Yi Nanzi funds weighted equipment for both Trainers and their Pokémon, while Hu Bin supplies training food and recovery massages. Despite struggling badly with the initial weighted five-kilometer run, Yi Nanzi and Cyndaquil complete it. They adopt early-morning and evening training sessions around school, and Yi Nanzi begins learning Pokémon massage from Hu Bin 19 20 21.
Wu Jin and Liu Yi initially resent Hu Bin’s close friendship with Yi Nanzi, but join the training group after learning its purpose. Yi Nanzi soon bonds with them over their romantic disappointments. He also hopes that success in the Spring City Rookie Tournament will allow him and Hu Bin to attend the same top university 21 22 23.
In his own school tournament, Yi Nanzi reaches the top thirty-two and then advances to the quarterfinals. His run ends there, but he responds by committing to further training rather than abandoning his competitive ambitions 30 32 34 36.
Spring City Marathon
By race day, a month of training has made Yi Nanzi substantially sturdier. He confronts Qin Qin’s boyfriend, Jin Kaiwei, and begins the twenty-kilometer race with Cyndaquil and Hu Bin. After entering the top ten, he urges the faster Hu Bin to continue without him 46 47.
Yi Nanzi refuses to be distracted by Jin Kaiwei’s taunts and rests properly at aid stations instead of rushing after other runners. His pacing and recovery help him remain competitive, but he and Cyndaquil eventually exhaust themselves and fall outside the top ten 48 49 50.
With two hundred meters remaining, Yi Nanzi collapses. Cyndaquil tearfully tries to drag him forward, while Hu Bin and their friends call out encouragement. Seeing his Pokémon’s devotion, Yi Nanzi rises and recommits to finishing together. Cyndaquil then evolves into Quilava; the provided account ends before Yi Nanzi crosses the finish line or receives a final placing 50.
Appearance
Yi Nanzi is described as a fair-skinned, clean-cut young man. Initially scrawny and easily exhausted, he becomes noticeably sturdier through marathon training 11 22 46.
- Early build: Thin enough to be compared to a bamboo pole while lying exhausted on the training-room floor 11.
- Later build: His formerly frail physique strengthens after sustained, increasingly demanding exercise 46.
Personality
Yi Nanzi loves battling and eagerly seeks rematches even after decisive losses. He treats competition as addictive rather than allowing defeat to sour his friendship with Hu Bin. Later, he encourages Wu Jin and Liu Yi to fight each other seriously, regarding an all-out match as a proper test of their training 9 10 32.
His romantic enthusiasm is exaggerated and sometimes opportunistic. While apologizing to Qin Qin, he sacrifices Hu Bin’s reputation to make himself look dependable and imagines their future children’s schooling after a single friendly conversation. Romantic disappointment nevertheless becomes a genuine source of motivation for training 13 18.
Although susceptible to teasing and embarrassment, Yi Nanzi shows reciprocity toward his friends: he buys treats for Vulpix, pays for shared training equipment, and offers to support Hu Bin’s planned business. His marathon performance also reveals growing patience and determination, particularly when he ignores provocation and rises after collapsing 11 19 39 48 50.
Abilities & Skills
Pokémon Training
Yi Nanzi trains Cyndaquil in battle moves, agility, and elemental control, following plans developed with Hu Bin 21 41.
- Uses the Training Hall’s Volcano environment to improve Fire-type move power and energy control 21.
- Directs Quick Attack drills through wooden posts to develop agility 41.
- Progresses from repeated losses against Hu Bin to a school-tournament quarterfinal appearance 9 10 34.
Endurance and Pacing
Weighted running and a demanding daily schedule substantially improve Yi Nanzi’s fitness 19 20 46.
- Completes the initial five-kilometer weighted run despite severe fatigue 19.
- Recognizes the importance of eating, drinking, and resting at marathon aid stations 49.
- Still lacks the endurance to sustain a top-ten position through the final stretch, collapsing shortly before the finish 50.
Pokémon Massage
Yi Nanzi learns massage techniques by observing Hu Bin and practicing under his instruction 20 21 40.
- By the marathon buildup, his technique is approaching intermediate level from beginner 40.
- Can provide Cyndaquil with a comfortable recovery massage 36 40.
Pokémon
| Pokémon | Documented Moves | Partnership |
|---|---|---|
| Cyndaquil → Quilava | Ember, Swift 9; Quick Attack 41 | Trains and races alongside Yi Nanzi. Despite joining in jokes at his expense, Cyndaquil remains deeply devoted to him and evolves when they renew their determination near the marathon finish 13 50. |
Equipment / Items
- Weighted training gear — Purchases lead weights for himself and Hu Bin, heavier Power Bands for Vulpix, and a size-appropriate set for Cyndaquil 19.
- Training notebook — Takes notes while Hu Bin explains their marathon preparation plan 19.
- Love Handbook — Studies it late at night while pursuing Qin Qin 13.
- Pokéblocks — Receives Hu Bin’s homemade Pokéblocks for Cyndaquil and buys Pokéblocks for Vulpix as a gesture of gratitude 11 12 19.
Relationships
- Hu Bin — Friend, honorary big brother, and training mentor. Their relationship begins with battles and dinner, then develops through shared preparation, recovery care, and persistent teasing 9 10 19 40.
- Cyndaquil / Quilava — Pokémon partner. Their shared effort strengthens their bond; Cyndaquil’s attempt to help him after his collapse restores Yi Nanzi’s resolve 19 50.
- Qin Qin — Unrequited romantic interest. She exchanges contact details with him, but he later discovers that she already has a boyfriend 13 18.
- Jin Kaiwei — Qin Qin’s boyfriend and marathon rival. Yi Nanzi aims to beat him and refuses to let his repeated taunts dictate his race strategy 18 46 48 49.
- Wu Jin — Training companion and friend. Initially hostile out of jealousy over Hu Bin, Wu Jin later bonds with Yi Nanzi and cheers him during the marathon 22 23 47.
- Liu Yi — Training companion and friend. Their early friction gives way to shared romantic grievances, training, and group outings 22 23 30.
- Qin An — Supportive member of the wider friend group. She encourages him against Jin Kaiwei and joins the others in cheering when he struggles near the finish 47 50.
Notable Quotes
“Battling is like playing games. Once you’ve done it once, you’ll want to do it countless more times!” 10
“Bro, don’t worry about me. I know how fast you are and how much stamina you have. Go on ahead. I’ll recover a little here!” 47
“Let’s go, Cyndaquil. Let’s claim our victory!” 50