Drake (Orange League)

Drake (Japanese: ユウジ Yūji) is the Orange Crew Supreme Gym Leader of the Orange League, and he lives on Pummelo Island. s who defeat him in a Full Battle at Pummelo Stadium receive the Winner's Trophy and enter the Orange League Hall of Fame.

History
At some undetermined time, Drake became the champion of the Orange League and was recognized as the strongest in the Orange Archipelago. His partner is a, which is easily his strongest Pokémon, as it managed to defeat three of 's Pokémon in a row.

In his debut appearance in Hello, Pummelo!, Drake wondered when he would finally meet a challenger capable of defeating him. During his time as leader of the Orange Crew, Drake remained undefeated no matter how many challengers tried to beat his team of powerful Pokémon.

After easily foiling 's attempt to steal Dragonite, Drake accepted Ash's challenge for the Winner's Trophy. Battling in a stadium overlooked by a statue of Dragonite, Drake's first four Pokémon fainted while only managing to defeat. In Enter the Dragonite, when Ash had four Pokémon remaining, Drake called upon Dragonite to battle, , , and in turn, finally succumbing to Pikachu's  attack. Drake was extremely impressed with Ash and his Pokémon and presented Ash with the Winner's Trophy as proof of his victory.

Character
Although the dub implies that Drake is merely a fifth Gym Leader in the Orange League, the Japanese version specifically uses the title Head Leader to denote his importance. Additionally, Drake is not necessarily a Pokémon League Champion either, given that it is not clarified whether or not he ever actually had to defeat a previous Head Leader in order to take the title (though it is suggested). In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, he is referred to as the Orange Crew Supreme Gym Leader. Ash battles him in Surf's Up, Pikachu.

In both the anime and manga, Ash was the first person to defeat Drake in Orange League history. Many Trainers never even got past Drake's first Pokémon,, apparently losing their cool seeing a copycat defeat their own Pokémon. Before Ash's challenge, Drake seemed bored and wondered if anyone would ever defeat him. He keeps his prized 's Poké Ball around his neck. Though no one prior to Ash had ever knocked out four of his Pokémon in a row, it is implied that some Trainers did get past his five other Pokémon only to be defeated by Dragonite, as the announcer says that he has saved Dragonite for last many times before.

Pokémon
This listing is of Drake's known Pokémon in the :

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
Drake appears as 's final opponent in the The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. After defeating the other Orange League Gym Leaders, Ash goes to battle Drake at Pummelo Island. The battle starts with Ash using his Pikachu and Drake with his Ditto. After a long, tough battle, Pikachu manages to defeat his clone with a well executed attack.

Most of the battle is not shown and it shows Drake with only his Dragonite left while Ash still has three Pokémon. Drake sends out his Dragonite which proceeds to easily defeat Ash's. Next, Dragonite faces Ash's Charizard and despite the fact that it is smaller than its opponent, Dragonite eventually defeats it. Lastly, Dragonite faces Ash's Pikachu and despite the clear advantage it possessed, Pikachu climbs into its mouth and shocks it from the inside, defeating it. Afterwards, Drake commends Ash for his victory.

On hand
This listing is of Drake's known Pokémon in the manga:

Trivia

 * Drake's Electabuzz used all of the moves introduced in Generation I except for, meaning that it used all the damaging Electric moves known at the time.
 * Drake's Gengar unofficially used the Ability to avoid Tauros and his  attack despite the concept of Abilities not being present at the time. It would then have the Ability in Generation III through VI.

Related articles

 * Images on the Bulbagarden Archives

Drake Drake (Archipiélago Naranja) Didier (Archipel Orange) Drake (Lega d'Orange) ユウジ 勇次