"I'm Falkner, the Violet City Pokémon Gym Leader! People say you can clip Flying-type Pokémon's wings with a jolt of electricity... I won't allow such insults to bird Pokémon! I'll show you the real power of the magnificent bird Pokémon!"
Falkner (Japanese: ハヤト Hayato) is the Gym Leader of the Violet City Gym in Johto. He specializes in using Flying-typePokémon and, when beaten, will reward the player with the Zephyr Badge, which allows for the TM Flash to be used outside of battle. He is the first gym leader in Johto. Also, the player will be able to use the HM Rock Smash, even when outside of battle.
"I'm Falkner, The Violet Pokémon Gym leader! People say you can clip flying-type Pokémon's wings with a jolt of electricity... I won't allow such insults to bird Pokémon! I'll show you the real power of the magnificent bird Pokémon!"
"Dang it! My dad's cherished bird Pokémon... All right. Take this. It's the official Pokémon LeagueZephyr Badge."
In the games[]
In the Johto region, Falkner's title is "The Elegant Master of Flying Pokémon". He inherited the Violet Gym from his father, who is never seen but said to be traveling. Falkner is seen as a cool and handsome Trainer, but it is said that his father is even more cool and more handsome. He tends to brag about his father, as seen in the Generation II remakes. Falkner defends the Violet Gym using his father's cherished bird Pokémon, and strives to be the greatest bird master.
In Gold, Silver, and Crystal, his gym is fairly simplistic, filled with bird cages. In addition to the Zephyr Badge, Falkner awards TM31, Mud-Slap, to those Trainers that manage to defeat him. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, his gym is remodeled. He and his trainers are located high above ground level.
Falkner's name possibly comes from the bird Falcon because of his fondness for bird-like Pokémon, which is makes him a Flying type trainer.
Additionally, his Japanese name means "falcon person."
In the games, Falkner seems to be popular with female Trainers (who find him to be quite handsome). According to a Picnicker named Liz (who provides gossip to the player over the PokéGear), Falkner's father is apparently suppose to be more handsome and cooler than his son is.
He seems to have a rivalry with Janine since they're seen arguing about who's dad is a better trainer.
In the manga his dad's name is Walker. Walker has a Skarmory and is rivals with Chuck.
Falkner is the only male gym leader to use flying type Pokémon. Winona and Skyla are both female.
Even though Falkner is a Gym Leader in G/S/C HG/SS, he doesn't own any Johto Pokémon, even though he is a Gym Leader in that region. However, he does use a Noctowl when you battle him the second time in HG/SS.
His hairstyle strongly resembles Cress' hairstyle one of the Striaton City Gym Leaders.
