Underground Man

The Underground Man is a minor character in the Pokémon anime, specifically appearing in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl (DP episode "The Grass Menagerie!").

He is an elderly man living in Eterna City (in a house next to the Pokémon Center), closely tied to the Sinnoh region's Underground exploration feature. In the anime, he encounters Team Rocket (Jessie, James, and Meowth) while they are poking around in the Underground tunnels. He tricks them into digging up valuable spheres and shards for him by promising food in return, then runs off with the treasures while they're distracted eating.

He is also established as the father of Gym Leader Byron (Canalave City) and the grandfather of Gym Leader Roark (Oreburgh City), giving him a family connection to the mining/rock-themed characters in Sinnoh. His personality comes across as opportunistic and a bit sneaky in his brief anime appearance, with a strong interest in Underground treasures.