Raihan

|}
Raihan (Japanese: キバナ Kibana) is the Gym Leader of Hammerlocke's Gym, known officially as Hammerlocke Stadium. He specializes in . He gives the to Trainers who defeat him. He's also well-known for utilizing weather tactics in his battles.
==In the core series games==
Raihan is the eighth and final Gym Leader of the Galar League, and he is recognized as the strongest Gym Leader in Galar. He is also a friend and rival of Leon, and despite having a losing streak of 0 to 10 against him, he is the only person who has come close to beating him, having managed to knock out more of Leon's Pokémon than anyone else. He's said to be strong enough to become a Champion if he moved to another region, but has refused to do so out of desire of wanting to defeat Leon. He is often seen taking s on his Rotom Phone, a habit he initially picked up to remind him of the pain of defeat, but one which eventually spread to other parts of his lifestyle. Outside of training his Pokémon, his hobbies include fashion and cultivating his social media presence.Sword and Shield official website
While Raihan specializes in the type, he will often use Pokémon of other types to set up weather conditions such as and harsh sunlight. Uniquely amongst Galar's Gyms, Raihan's Gym also heavily focuses on Double Battles.
In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Raihan first appears during the game's opening cut-scene, having an with Leon. The player first meets Raihan in Hammerlocke to get his permission to visit the local vault, which contains tapestries about Galar's history. Once the player has earned seven Gym Badges, they challenge and defeat Raihan. Immediately afterwards, Raihan is also challenged and beaten by Hop. The player rematches Raihan in the Champion Cup in Wyndon and beats him once again. When Rose starts the Darkest Day, Raihan organizes the evacuation of Hammerlocke to keep people safe from the event.
After Raihan's initial defeat, the player is awarded with the , , and the Dragon Uniform.
During the post-game, Raihan helps the player, Hop, and Piers in defeating a group of Dynamax Pokémon let loose at the Hammerlocke Stadium by Sordward and Shielbert. During this encounter, Raihan admits that Piers managed to give him a tough challenge in the Champion Cup, despite his refusal to use Dynamax, and suggests that they should have a battle where neither of them uses it.
===League Cards===
This is a transcript of the back of Raihan's League Cards in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
;Normal League Card
:"Raihan is commonly regarded as the most skilled Gym Leader in the Galar region. He has striven for victory in every environment, and as a result, he has adopted a battle style where he utilizes weather effects to their fullest. It is rumored that he could easily become another region's should he choose to move, but it seems that to Raihan, defeating Leon is much more important. His uploaded selfies are quite popular. Occasionally he'll post a photo that only shows a sandstorm."
;Rare League Card
:"Raihan started taking selfies so as to never forget the pain of his defeats, but more recently he has been taking photos showing off his training routine, his fashion choices, and the like, causing some fans to leave harsh comments whenever he loses to Leon. It's true that Raihan is on a ten-nil losing streak against Leon, but no other Pokémon Trainer has managed to KO as many of Leon's Pokémon as Raihan has. Raihan no doubt looks forward to taking a selfie after finally defeating Leon."
===Pokémon===
Raihan keeps his Pokémon in Ultra Balls.
========
In all battles, Raihan will Gigantamax his at the first opportunity.
=====Gym battle=====
This battle is a Double Battle.
|
|
|
|
=====Second battle=====
|
|
|
| style="margin:auto" |
| style="margin:auto" |
=====Champion tournaments=====
|
|
|
| style="margin:auto" |
| style="margin:auto" |
=====Galarian Star Tournament=====
|
|
|
==In the spin-off games==
===Pokémon Masters EX===
Raihan forms a sync pair with , , , and in Pokémon Masters EX. His Flygon and Sandaconda are capable of Dynamaxing. Raihan became a playable sync pair on April 28, 2021.
Raihan has also made notable appearances in the game's Main Stories, Legendary Adventures and the Villain Arc.
|}
===Pokémon UNITE===
Raihan and his appear in Pokémon UNITE as an enemy Trainer to fight during the Legacy Trainer Showdown event between September 9, 2022 and October 6, 2022. It took place on Theia Sky Ruins. The other members of his team are Cynthia, Korrina, Leon, and . The event later returned between April 21, 2023 and May 21, 2023.
Raihan and his Duraludon also appear as an enemy Trainer in the recurring event. It also takes place on Theia Sky Ruins. This event has Casual, Intermediate, Expert, and Extreme difficulties. The composition of the opposing team varies depending on the event and the difficulty. The full team consists of himself, Cynthia, Korrina, Leon, and Green. In Cynthia themed events, Raihan and the other non-Cynthia members do not appear in the Casual difficulty, being replaced by s. On the Intermediate difficulty, only Leon and Green are replaced by Ace Trainers. In Leon themed events, Raihan and the other non-Leon members do not appear in the Casual difficulty, being replaced by Ace Trainers. On the Intermediate difficulty, only Cynthia and Green are replaced by Ace Trainers. In this mode, Raihan and his Duraludon never use Holowear.
Unlike other Trainers in this game, Raihan and the non-Ace Trainer members of his team are represented with two-dimensional artwork instead of three-dimensional models. In the pre-battle splash screen, Raihan has a custom Unite Snapshot depicting him and his Duraludon with two dimensional artwork. (The normal display of the Unite License/Holowear is not used.)
Raihan was included as part of the event, though he did not make an in-person appearance. His art happens to be included in the menus. The event missions menu, normally called Full-Burst Battle! Dragon Dustup Challenge, is identified as the Raihan Dragon Challenge or Raihan's Dragon Challenge in the menus for the event's Dragon Challenge Coins and in certain out of game sources.Hurry, Hurry! Step Right Up for Pokémon UNITE's Dragon Carnival, Pokémon UNITE News on the Nintendo Switch News app, 5/15/2024Play a New Type of Quick Battle and More During Pokémon UNITE’s Dragon Carnival Event It rewarded a Trainer Outfit that allows players to use Raihan's attire, as well as a Unite Snapshot background featuring Raihan. (Note that this background is not a modified version of the one Raihan himself uses in Legacy Trainer Showdown and Solo Challenge, instead being Raihan on a red background.)
==Gallery==
===Artwork===
Concept art from
===Sprites===
Icon from the menu
===League Cards===
 	
Raihan's in	Raihan's rare in
==Quotes==
==In animation==
===Pokémon the Series===
====Pokémon Journeys: The Series====
Prior to his introduction to the series, Raihan entered the current World Coronation Series competition just to challenge . During the current season, Raihan was skilled enough to grow rapidly in his rank, soon entering the Master Class.
Raihan debuted in Toughing It Out!, where he had a against Leon during the World Coronation Series in Wyndon. His battled Leon's Charizard, only to be defeated after a tough battle between the two Trainers. After Leon's victory, Raihan reiterated his goal to defeat him.
Raihan reappeared in a flashback in Sword and Shield, Slumbering Weald!.
In Sword and Shield: "From Here to Eternatus!", Raihan helped Sonia against a group of who had accosted her outside the Energy Plant and Hammerlocke Stadium. In the following episode, he easily defeated them and then left Sonia so he could take care of rampaging Dynamax Pokémon in the area. After Goh caught and the Darkest Day ended, he and Duraludon were seen looking on as the they were battling reverted back to its normal state.
Raihan made a cameo appearance at the end of Ultra Exciting from the Shocking Start! while watching 's World Coronation Series match against Volkner.
In The Sweet Taste of Battle!, Raihan met Ash and Goh when they all visited Ballonlea for Opal's All-Alcremie Decoration Challenge. He was reluctant to participate, but did so anyway as Opal refused to let him just walk away. However, Raihan's cake ultimately lost to Ash's. He then stayed to watch the battle between Ash and Opal. After the battle, Raihan participated in eating the cakes decorated during the contest, finding Ash's cake very tasty.
Raihan appeared in a fantasy in Battling Turned Up to Eleven!, along with other Masters Eight Trainers.
In Big Brother to the Rescue!, Ash got notified that his next match would be up against Raihan. In Catching the Aura of Fate!, Raihan noted his surprise that Ash had climbed through the ranks so quickly and began training for the match, declaring his intention to be the one to defeat Leon. 
Ash and Raihan battled at the Hammerlocke Stadium in Aim For The Eight!. Utilizing his weather strategies, Raihan quickly started to overwhelm Ash. However, Raihan was ultimately defeated, causing his and Ash's ranks to swap places and Ash rising to the Master Class. Raihan took a commemorative photo with Ash and told him to not lose until he'd get a chance to defeat him and Leon.
In A Flood of Torrential Gains!, Raihan watched Ash's match against Leon.
====Character====
Like his game counterpart, Raihan has a strong rivalry with Leon, and it is the real reason he entered the World Coronation Series. As expected of a member, Raihan is an exceptional , being able to enter the Master Class shortly after the current season of the competition begins and is strong enough to knock out several Pokémon from Rose's associates with a single move.
Raihan is also very flirtatious, as seen when he defended Sonia from Rose's associates, during which he called her a "beautiful woman". After fending off Rose's crew, Raihan remarked that he would have asked Sonia out on a date if the circumstances weren't critical and also referred to her as a "lovely lady". This attitude of Raihan over time proved to be a disguise for his real feelings, so Raihan after being defeated by Leon started taking to portray his true emotions.
====Pokémon====
This listing is of Raihan's known in :
=====On hand=====
=====Temporary=====
=====Traveling with=====
		
====Achievements====
=====World Coronation Series=====
Raihan has competed in the World Coronation Series. His rank and class are as follows:
* Rank 7 (Master Class; prior to Toughing It Out!)
* Rank unknown (Master Class; prior to Meeting Up with the Monarch!)
* Rank 8 (Master Class; prior to Big Brother to the Rescue!)
* Rank 9 (Ultra Class; Aim For The Eight!)
=====Pokémon competitions=====
* All-Alcremie Decoration Challenge - Participant (The Sweet Taste of Battle!)
====Voice actors====
====Artwork====
 	 	
Official artwork from	Official artwork for	Official artwork for
 	 	
Official artwork from	Official artwork for	Official artwork for
===Pokémon: Twilight Wings===
 
In Early-Evening Waves, Raihan was briefly seen on a magazine cover. In Sky, he had a battle against Leon at Wyndon Stadium.
In The Gathering of Stars, Raihan was seen at Hammerlocke Stadium with his Flygon, receiving an invitation letter for the Galarian Star Tournament from Leon. He was later seen at Wyndon Stadium, walking out onto the field for the tournament's opening ceremony.
====Pokémon====
This listing is of Raihan's known Pokémon in Pokémon: Twilight Wings:
=====On hand=====
=====Traveling with=====
		
====Achievements====
=====Pokémon competitions=====
* Galarian Star Tournament - Participant (The Gathering of Stars)
===GOTCHA!===
Raihan briefly appeared in GOTCHA!.
==In the manga==
===Pokémon Adventures===
Raihan debuted in Gulp Gulp!! Pokémon. He was first seen at the gates of Hammerlocke, speculating on which s would be able to earn the right to face him in the Gym Challenge. Later, in front of the Hammerlocke gate, Raihan met Henry Sword, who had come to see the vault. After a short that ended in Raihan's victory, Raihan took Henry to the vault, only for them to find Sonia under attack by a wild . By teaming up, Raihan and Henry managed to calm Oranguru down.
In Stealth!! Infiltrate the Energy Plant, when large rumbling came from the Hammerlocke Energy Plant, Raihan had Leon and Sonia move citizens to safety while he went inside to investigate. There, he encountered Rose and Oleana, who admitted they were experimenting with Wishing Stars to find a new source of electricity and prevent an energy crisis a thousand years away. Raihan agreed to keep what he learned secret, but questioned Rose's real intentions, noting that the Wishing Stars Rose had looked like an offering to .
In Grrr!! Noble Kidnappers, Raihan traveled to Spikemuth, where he met with Piers to discuss Rose's decision to disqualify Bede from the Gym Challenge. A loud sound coming from Route 9 Tunnel interrupted their conversation, and when Raihan and Piers went to investigate, they encountered a crashed Flying Taxi and Leon, who rescued the driver and the passenger, Sonia. While Raihan and Leon took the victims to a hospital in Hammerlocke, Piers was entrusted with a device Sonia meant for Casey Shield. 
In Rumble!! The Horrific Darkest Day, the Gym Leaders gathered at Rose Tower to find out if Rose intended on bringing harm to Galar. Raihan met with Leon, Sonia, and Nessa in Hammerlocke. They planned to join the others in Wyndon, only for Rose to unleash and restart the Darkest Day. Power Spot lights began appearing all over the region, causing Pokémon to start Dynamaxing at random. Raihan's group and Henry's group later reunited at the Energy Plant, where they found Rose ecstatic that his plan was a success. 
In Shock!! Chairman Rose's Plan, Rose explained he meant no harm to Galar and sent Sordward and Shielbert to defeat Eternatus and prevent the Darkest Day from spiraling out of control. Despite their claims of being descendants of the heroes that once stopped the Darkest Day, Sordward and Shielbert were unable to win, forcing Rose to take their place. Oleana explained that Rose's actions were for the benefit of Galar and requested that everyone help stop Eternatus. The group agreed and made their way to the summit, where they found Rose had already been defeated. Raihan, Leon, Piers, Hop, Marnie, Nessa, and Melony managed to take Eternatus down, only for it to get back up and unleash its Eternamax form. 
In GRRR!! The Irrepairable Gears, Eternatus quickly overwhelmed Raihan and the others, only for and to appear and assist in the battle against the Gigantic Pokémon. They attempted to wield the Rusted Sword and Shield, but the items and Henry were snatched out of the air by Eternatus. Zacian and Zamazenta struck Eternatus at the same time, creating a massive blast of light. By the time the light cleared, Henry, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus had vanished. Raihan and everyone injured during the battle were taken to a hospital to recover from the effects of Eternatus's poison.
In PASS35, after taking special medicine, Raihan and the others began to recover from the effects of the poison.
====Pokémon====
=====On hand=====
=====Borrowed=====
=====Traveling with=====
		
===Pokémon Journeys===
Raihan appeared in Toughing It Out!, where Raihan battled for the title of Monarch in the World Coronation Series. Just like in , he was defeated after an intense battle.
====Pokémon====
This listing is of Raihan's known Pokémon in the Pokémon Journeys: The Series manga:
==In the TCG==
This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Raihan in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
==Trivia==
* Raihan was designed by take.Tweet about designing all of the Gym Leaders for Pokémon Sword & Shield
* Raihan's uniform number is "241", which can be read in Japanese as for 強い tsuyoi, meaning "powerful".
* Raihan and his s' uniforms resemble Lance's outfit from .
** Flash of the Titans! references this by having Lance reveal that his outfit was based on said uniforms.
* Raihan is the first Gym Leader since Tate and Liza to be battled in a Double Battle for a Gym Badge, being followed by Ryme.
* When Raihan's Rotom Phone takes a picture of him during his Gigantamax animation, the photo's background will be of Hammerlocke Stadium even if the battle is elsewhere, such as Wyndon Stadium.
* Raihan's name change in the German, Spanish, French, and Portuguese localizations of Pokémon material caused a naming conflict with Roy, one of the protagonists of Pokémon Horizons: The Series. As a result, the latter has his name changed for the animated series's localizations in those languages.
==Names==
Language 	Name 	Origin
Japanese 	キバナ Kibana 	From 黄花藤 kibanafuji () and possibly 牙 kiba (fang)
English 	Raihan 	From ريحان rayḥān (Arabic for , a plant sometimes referred to as the "royal herb"), and possibly golden rain and golden chain (names for the common laburnum)
German, Spanish, French,Brazilian Portuguese	Roy 	From Laburnum anagyroides (scientific name of the common laburnum) and possibly roy (Middle French for king)
Italian 	Laburno 	From laburno (laburnum)
Korean 	금랑 Geumrang 	From 금사슬나무 geumsaseunnamu and 노랑꽃등 norangkkotdeung (names for the common laburnum)
Chinese () 	奇巴納 / 奇巴纳 Qíbānà 	Transcription of his Japanese name
Chinese () 	奇巴納 Kèihbānaahp 	Transcription of his Japanese name
==References==
==Related articles==
* Images on the Bulbagarden Archives
Category:Sword and Shield characters
Category:Gym Leaders
Category:Dragon-type Trainers
Category:Trainers with Dynamax Bands
Category:Multi Battle partners
Category:Animation characters
Category:Pokémon Adventures characters
de:Roy
es:Roy
fr:Roy
it:Laburno
ja:キバナ
zh:奇巴納