Loser

***Loser*** is a term that Gary Oak often uses to describe (or insult) others in the first season of the Pokémon anime. Merriam-Webster defines the word *loser* as *"a person or thing that loses especially consistently"*, or *"a person who is incompetent or unable to succeed"*. Gary Oak defines the word *loser* as *"Ash Ketchum"*.

## History

Over the course of Indigo League, Gary very often referred to Ash as a "loser" *-* starting as early as the very first episode, when showing off his newly obtained starter Pokémon. This would go on to become a recurring theme throughout their Kanto journey.

In *Clefairy and the Moon Stone*, Gary wrote graffiti on a signpost on the way to Cerulean City, proclaiming that *"Gary was here"* and *"Ash is a loser"*. In the recap during the next episode, his voice is heard reading this aloud. Later, in *Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon*, he explains to Ash that he can't waste his "precious time hanging around with a *loser* like you". Gary proceeds to find no fossils and fall asleep on the ground.

In *Riddle Me This*, Gary runs into his rival on the same ship to Cinnabar Island, and asks the question of "who let this loser on the boat?" Soon after, in *Showdown at the Po-ké Corral*, Gary has the audacity to call Ash a loser yet again - despite him being the one who brutally lost a Gym battle and was knocked unconscious two episodes earlier, and Ash being the one who both saved his life that day *and* won the Gym Badge he was trying to obtain in the first place.

During the Indigo Plateau Conference, Gary wins his first match of the tournament and is interviewed on TV. He says to the reporter that "of course, in every Pokémon match, there has to be a winner, and there has to be a loser". He also adds that the Trainers he knows "are real losers". It's unknown who he was referring to when making this statement.

Unfortunately, only two episodes later, Gary tragically succumbed to the effects of loseritis and was disqualified from the conference in its fourth round. Following his own loss, he ceased ever calling anyone a "loser" ever again - possibly recognizing that he was now a *loser* himself. He later failed to win a skateboard race, and ended up suffering the same fate yet again in the Silver Conference. With that, he retired from Pokémon competition entirely, likely to avoid worsening his condition.

However, much later, Ash is feeling down about a recent loss of his own. Luckily for him, he soon receives a postcard from Gary, who was now in the Sinnoh region. Ash envisions his dear friend encouraging him, telling him that he "doesn't have any time to be wasting on some *Ashy-loser-boy* anyway", before walking away into the fog.

This sequence implies that deep down in Ash's heart, he believes that Gary still thinks he's a loser, even after all this time. It's also worth noting that Gary never actually called Ash an "*Ashy-loser-boy*" even once in reality, so he came up with that one himself.

In JN068, Gary meets Ash's new friend, Goh. Goh is, by every definition, a loser. Thus, the cycle may yet begin anew.

## *Loseritis*

An apparently contagious disease in the Kanto region, ***loseritis*** (alternatively spelled *loser-itis*) was first mentioned in *All Fired Up!*. In this episode, Gary graciously exits a conversation with Ash as to not catch a case of loseritis, as he would miss the Indigo Plateau Conference as a result. Unfortunately, this effort was in vain, as one episode later, Gary is defeated in the fourth round by Melissa and immediately goes home after his loss.

Long-term side effects of loseritis are unknown, but possible symptoms include forgetfulness, impatience, an inability to win important battles or win at any activity at all, an inability to recognize faces, unwarranted smugness or arrogance, endangering yourself and others, releasing all of your coolest Pokémon, depression, joint pain, and nausea. Possible cures and prevention methods include collecting Gym Badges, doing Pokémon research, and taking allergy medication. Loseritis may become chronic if not given medical treatment.

## Trivia

* This is all totally 100% factual.

1. ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loser