Lt. Surge

Lt. Surge (also known as the "Lightning Lieutenant") is the Gym Leader of Vermilion City in the Pokémon anime, specializing in Electric-type Pokémon. He awards the Thunder Badge to trainers who defeat him.

In the anime (primarily appearing in the Indigo League arc, episode "Electric Shock Showdown"), Lt. Surge is portrayed as a very tall, large, and muscular man with short, spiky yellow/blond hair and a slight tan. He has a military-inspired look, often wearing an open olive-green shirt, black pants, boots, fingerless gloves, and a dog tag necklace—reflecting his background as a former soldier (implied to be American, with references to his army past where Electric Pokémon saved his life).

His personality is arrogant, rude, loud, and crude. He frequently belittles challengers (especially younger ones or those with unevolved Pokémon) by calling them and their Pokémon "babies," and he looks down on unevolved Pokémon as weak. He prioritizes raw power and evolves his Pokémon (like his signature Raichu) as quickly as possible, even if it means missing out on key moves that require staying unevolved longer. Despite his abrasive attitude and tendency to trash-talk, he shows respect to trainers who manage to defeat him through strategy and determination.