Alder is the former Pokémon League Champion of the Unova region. His life was profoundly shaped by the death of his original partner, a Larvesta that evolved into Volcarona, from illness. This loss led him to wander Unova while processing his grief and changed his approach to strength, shifting focus away from pure power toward valuing life experiences and the emotional bonds between Trainers and Pokémon. He has long, fiery red hair tied in a spiky ponytail, tan skin, purple eyes, and wears Native American-inspired attire including a tan cloak-like vestment with black and orange trim, white pants, black sandals, and a necklace holding multiple Poké Balls. Alder displays wisdom and genuine concern for mentoring, alongside carefree and eccentric traits such as falling asleep during battles, forgetting details, and occasionally flirting. Despite these quirks, he shows courage in crises, once physically restraining a rampaging Gigalith by removing a painful nail from its foot. He first appears on Route 5, encountering Ash and Trip, and later mentors Trip after inspiring him during Trip's childhood. Their full battle culminates with Alder's Bouffalant defeating Trip's Serperior using its Sap Sipper Ability. Bouffalant remains his primary known battling partner. His tenure as Champion concluded with Iris as his successor. In a flashback, Alder is also shown losing to N in the Pokémon League championship battle, a moment that demonstrates Team Plasma's advancement.