Barry hails from Twinleaf Town in the Sinnoh region and serves as one of Ash Ketchum's rivals during Ash's Sinnoh journey. Before Ash's arrival, Barry participated in Twinleaf Festivals, including singing a duet with Dawn at one event. He began his Pokémon journey early, capturing a Heracross and earning three Gym Badges, defeating Gym Leaders Byron and Gardenia. His victory over Gardenia required teaching his Empoleon Hydro Cannon to overcome her Cacnea. Barry exhibits a hyperactive and impatient personality, often rushing into situations and colliding with others. He frequently threatens to impose fines for perceived delays or obstacles, behavior that exasperates his Empoleon. Though easily distracted, he is highly determined. A crushing defeat by Team Galactic Commander Jupiter at Lake Acuity significantly impacted his confidence, prompting introspection that led to increased seriousness and maturity while retaining his core drive to become stronger. He admires Paul's training methods and battle prowess, aspiring to emulate his strength, yet maintains a caring attitude toward his Pokémon, contrasting Paul's approach. Throughout the series, Barry repeatedly challenges Ash to gauge their growth as Trainers. He first battles Ash outside Hearthome Gym using Empoleon and Roserade, losing to Ash's Pikachu but later acknowledging Ash's strategy. Barry assists Ash and friends during Team Galactic's operations on Iron Island, where his Heracross is injured by a Golbat. He also competes in the Pokémon Ping Pong Tournament with Empoleon, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to the professional player O. Barry returns to Twinleaf Town for its annual festival, battling Ash in the Festival Battle Challenge but losing. He later battles Ash again after Ash captures Gible, winning for the first time, though Gible consumes his ticket to challenge Fantina. After obtaining all eight Sinnoh Gym Badges, Barry encounters Paul and challenges him; Paul refuses, suggesting a battle with Ash instead. Barry initially dismisses Ash for lacking the final badge but agrees to battle; their match is interrupted by Team Rocket. At the Lily of the Valley Conference, Barry passes the preliminary rounds. In the third round, he battles Paul using Skarmory, Hitmonlee, and Empoleon. Skarmory sets Spikes but is defeated by Paul's Magmortar. Hitmonlee battles Paul's Ursaring, inflicting a burn that activates Ursaring's Guts ability, leading to Hitmonlee's defeat. Despite a strong effort, Barry loses without defeating any of Paul's Pokémon, though Paul acknowledges the battle's quality. Barry stays to watch Ash's subsequent matches before departing with a promise to reunite and match Ash's strength. Barry's known Pokémon team includes Empoleon, evolved from Piplup, his primary partner used against Ash's Pikachu, in the Ping Pong Tournament, and against Paul; Staraptor, evolved from Starly and used alongside Roserade in his first battle against Ash; Roserade, which battled Ash's Chimchar and Gliscor, knocking out Chimchar before tying with Gliscor, and later fought Team Galactic at Iron Island; Heracross, captured pre-series by slathering honey on a tree, used for training with Empoleon on Iron Island and transport during Team Galactic's attack; Skarmory, debuting against Paul at the Lily Conference to set Spikes before being defeated by Magmortar; and Hitmonlee, debuting against Paul's Ursaring at the Lily Conference, using Blaze Kick to inflict a burn but losing to Hammer Arm. Barry makes a cameo appearance in the ending credits of *Zoroark: Master of Illusions*.