How would you rank the Kanto Gym Leaders based on the anime

SnorlaxBeam32

I watched Pokemon Master TC rank them on YT and couldn't believe how low Misty was ranked.

He ranked them

1. Sabrina
2. Lt. Surge
3. Brock
4. Koga
5. Blaine
6. Team Rocket
7. Misty
8. Erika

My order would be

1. Sabrina 2. Blaine 3. Brock 4. Misty 5. Lt. Surge 6. Koga 7. Erika 8. Team Rocket

Sabrina is by far the coolest but I loved seeing Blaine's gym.

TheJeffers

Have any of the Kanto gym leaders besides Brock and Misty appeared in the anime since the first season? If not, presumably that would mean that we would be ranking them based on those appearances. And I have actually seen that season, albiet only the once when it first aired, and only in English.

What are even the criteria for ranking them? Their ability as Pokémon trainers? How much we like the character? How we rate the gym battle?

SnorlaxBeam32

I guess the criteria from the video was personal taste based on "Coolness", "Gym Style", "Intimidation" and what was on the line. Yeah, it was based on the first season anime.

How would you rank them?

Lonestar85

Outside of Brock and Misty, no other Kanto Gym Leader(besides Giovanni but does that really count?) has appeared in the Anime since Ash visited their respective Gyms. Given that, you base their ranking on when they were challenged and if I were ranking them, I would do as follows:

1) Sabrina: Beat Ash thoroughly using an Abra that evolved into a Kadabra. Didn't even need its final form to demonstrate her power and honestly, the whole Haunter ordeal was just plot armor at its finest for giving him a badge. A badge that was his 4th when most players challenge her 6th because she's that strong.

2) Lt.Surge: I understand why PM ranked him this high because he's the first Gym Leader that Ash actually defeated. May have taken him two tries but that Raichu of his was no joke with da Thunderbolt + Body Slam.

3) Koga: Battle may have been interrupted by Team Rocket, but this is another Gym fight that Ash actually wins. Double Team Venomoth is no joke on Pokémon Yellow.

4) Blaine: While the battle was solid, the whole "Aim for the Horn" with Rhydon was another Electric beats Ground mess. Only reason it's not lower is because of Charizard vs. Magmar(which we can't enjoy in the games…).

5) Erika: Another Gym Fight interrupted by Team Rocket and yet another Gym Badge not earned by defeating the Gym Leader.

6) Giovanni/Team Rocket: Admittedly this wasn't a Gym Fight with Giovanni. If it was, I don't think Ash would have ever gotten the Earth Badge and hence the story would have ended right there. Plot Armor strikes again no?

7) Misty: I have this above Brock for one reason and that is because Ash didn't use Pikachu. If he had, then yeah I think he would have rolled her like he did her return in Generation 7. Despite that, the badge was given out of pity.

8) Brock: First Gym Leader we get to see but I cannot forgive Electric beating Ground here when its not supposed to hurt them at all. Then you throw in the sprinklers and the badge given out of pity… ugh.

SnorlaxBeam32

@Lonestar85 Awesome response and ranking. I really enjoyed reading it. I totally forgot about the Rhydon "Go for the horn" thing. Ugh.

You make a lot of great points. Thanks for sharing!!