Pokémon: Ranking The 10 Best Gym Leaders
6. Koga
Since Elite Four members aren’t gym leaders, there’s no place here for Lance or Lorelei. However, while Koga is an Elite Four member in Gold & Silver, he’s also a gym leader in Red, Blue & Yellow, so he definitely counts. Kanto’s Poison gym is taken over by his daughter, Janine, in Gold & Silver, so at least his family dynasty is secure.
Although Genwun nostalgia often backfires and sees early Pokémon and characters overly praised then roundly scorned in a never ending cycle, Koga seems immune to all that. Perhaps because of his lower profile or the fact that Poison types have always seemed like dark horses, Koga comes and goes without fanfare.
The fact is though, he really shouldn’t. His understated gym with its invisible walls and Koga getting the drop on your perfectly suit his characterisation as a ninja.
Koffing, Muk & Weezing aren’t the most inviting or popular ‘mons, but they suit him to a tee. Venonat and Venomoth in Yellow feel like a downgrade for the ninja master. Still, he’s a fantastic gym leader and if Let’s Go Johto (Let’s Go Togepi maybe?) does appear as predicted, we’ll see his evolution to Elite Four member all over again.