Nicholai

Nicholai (Japanese: キヨ Kiyo) is a recurring character of the Pokémon anime. He is a Pokémon Trainer in Hoenn who is obsessed with and ing as.

History
Nicholai first appeared in In the Knicker of Time!. ,, , and Max were traveling through the Petalburg Woods on the way to Rustboro City. They were surprised to see a gigantic, but it was actually Nicholai in a costume. He was trying to lure the wild Zigzagoon closer so he could battle them. Ash and his friends scared the Zigzagoon away, and an irritated Nicholai introduced himself to the group. The boy then showed off his collection of Pokémon costumes. Nicholai explained that he believed that his costumes allowed him to know what a Pokémon felt like. In addition, the costumes helped him blend in with wild Pokémon. Nicholai wanted a Zigzagoon so he could challenge Norman at the Petalburg City Gym.

After learning that May was Norman's daughter, Nicholai excitedly challenged May to a Pokémon battle. Nicholai sent out his and May used her only Pokémon,. Mudkip easily knocked out Torchic with a couple of attacks. Nicholai then concluded that since May lost so horribly, Norman must be a pushover in battle too. Max, angry at Nicholai for insulting his father, followed him as he continued his endeavor to capture a Zigzagoon. Max stole Nicholai's Pokémon bait, but ended up being surrounded by a pack of the Pokémon. Ash and the others rescued Max. Eventually, with the help of his Mudkip, Nicholai caught a Zigzagoon.

Team Rocket tried to steal Mudkip, but Nicholai used a costume to fly up and rescue the Mud Fish Pokémon. then blasted Team Rocket off with an attack. Nicholai used his new Zigzagoon in a battle against Ash's Taillow before parting for Petalburg City.

His second and final appearance was in ZigZag Zangoose!. When Ash and his friends were traveling to Fallarbor Town, they once again met Nicholai on. This time, he was dressed up as a and he had one of his own. He informed the group that he had challenged Norman, but was defeated. May and Max's mother told him where they were headed, so he came to meet them. He battled Ash, using his newly evolved against. Treecko managed to win. Later, when tried to steal Nicholai's Marshtomp, his Zangoose came to the rescue. He battled with and defeated it with a powerful. After Team Rocket was blasted off, Nicholai and Ash had one last battle, though the winner was not revealed.

Character
Nicholai tends to be overexcited, adventurous, and blunt, to a point where it irritates others. He considers himself a and has an in-depth knowledge of Pokémon behavior. He uses his Pokémon cosplays to interact with species and become closer with his own Pokémon during.

In battle, Nicholai's observation skills help him to overcome a difficult opponent. In ZigZag Zangoose!, he went on to defeat Jessie's Seviper after observing May's Skitty chase in a  costume. Nicholai uses evasion techniques to keep some distance between his Pokemon and his opponent's, before unleashing powerful attacks to deal the finishing blow.

Pokémon
This listing is of Nicholai's Pokémon in the Pokémon anime.

Trivia

 * Nicholai is based on the Trainer class. In the Japanese version, he even calls himself たんパンこぞう Shorts Boy, Youngster's Japanese name, though he also has similarities to the  who dresses up as a Pokémon.
 * The two episodes that Nicholai appears in both end with him using his in the midst of a  against.
 * Nando, who battled 's successor, for her first official battle, also went on to become a recurring character.
 * Nicholai's name may be a pun on "knickers."
 * The pokemon.com blurb of Nicholai's second appearance spells his name as Nicolai.

In other languages
Nicholai

Nicholai Nicolas (Hoenn) Nicholai 阿奇（丰缘）