The character known as Gelardan is the original Japanese name for the main antagonist in the second Pokémon film, who is more widely recognized internationally as Lawrence III. He is a self-styled and avid collector, a man driven by the singular goal of acquiring rare and powerful artifacts, a passion which ultimately places him in direct opposition to the natural order of the Pokémon world. Possessing a sophisticated and elegant demeanor, he views his quest not as crude villainy but as a grand, almost artistic undertaking, often likening his strategic moves to a game of chess.

Gelardan travels the world in a colossal, city-sized flying fortress known as the Hikōkyū, or Flying Palace, a marvel of technology that houses his vast collection and is equipped with advanced capturing weapons. His motivation stems from a profound, yet dangerously literal, interpretation of an ancient prophecy from Shamouti Island. The prophecy speaks of three elemental titans of Fire, Ice, and Lightning, and a "Beast of the Sea" that would appear to quell their fighting. Believing himself to be the "Chosen One" referenced in the text, Gelardan concludes that by capturing the legendary birds Moltres, Articuno, and Zapdos, he can force the guardian of the sea, Lugia, to emerge so he may add it to his collection as his ultimate prize.

In his role as the film's antagonist, Gelardan methodically uses his airship's weaponry to subdue and capture the legendary birds with specialized electrical rings, showing little regard for the catastrophic consequences. His actions directly disrupt the delicate balance of nature, causing worldwide climatic chaos as the birds' domains over fire, ice, and lightning clash. This disruption is the central conflict of the story, forcing the young trainer Ash Ketchum, the true Chosen One, to undertake a quest to restore harmony. Gelardan's relationships are defined purely by his acquisitive nature; he views the legendary Pokémon not as living beings but as rare treasures to be owned. His interactions with Ash and his friends are incidental, only becoming antagonistic when they attempt to free his captured prizes.

Despite his sophistication, Gelardan exhibits a notable lack of foresight. His obsession blinds him to the prophecy's actual warning, which was to not disturb the birds in the first place. He is so fixated on the reward that he fails to anticipate the destructive power of the uncontrolled titans. Over the course of the film, his character remains largely static, his beliefs unshaken until his final defeat. The climax sees his flying fortress shattered by Lugia's powerful Aeroblast attack, leaving him adrift in the sea with nothing but a single surviving piece of his collection: an Ancient Mew card, which had been the very first item he ever acquired. In this moment of utter ruin, there is a small development as he vows to begin his collection anew, this time on a more modest scale, suggesting a humbling, if not a complete reformation, of his character.

Regarding his notable abilities, Gelardan himself possesses no supernatural powers. His effectiveness as a threat comes entirely from his vast resources, strategic intellect, and access to advanced, non-standard technology for capturing Pokémon without the need for battle or Poké Balls. He is a physically unimposing figure, described as an adult male with green hair and gray eyes. Very little is known of his background, though at one point he mentions that his mother has passed away, and it is established that his entire collection began with a single rare card. The character's legacy includes a subtle reappearance, as a book belonging to him is later seen being read by the villainous duo Annie and Oakley in a subsequent Pokémon film.