Description
Lance Wataru, born July 1, 1971, in Blackthorn City, Johto, hails from a lineage of Dragon Masters. He trained under his grandfather following his father's death before his birth, demonstrating an early affinity for Dragon-type Pokémon. His grandfather gave him his first Pokémon, a Dratini, which he evolved into Dragonair and later Dragonite. Beginning his journey at age 11 in 1982, he earned eight badges across Johto, securing his final badge by defeating his uncle Forrest Wataru on February 19, 1984.
He spent 15 months training in Sinnoh under Palmer Kurotsugu, forging his signature aggressive battling style. Returning to Johto in 1986 to care for his ailing grandfather, he resumed training after his grandfather's passing. On July 17, 1987, he defeated the Indigo Elite Four—Walker Hayato, Bruno Siba, Agatha Kikuko, and Kaiser Sakaki—then became the youngest Champion in Indigo history at age 16 by besting Flint Muno on September 17, 1987. His initial reign lasted 11 years, the longest unbeaten streak in Indigo history, ending when Red Norisada succeeded him in 1998. After Red's disappearance in 1999, he controversially reclaimed the Champion title, holding it until losing to Blue Oak on October 10, 2003.
As Champion, his policies favored large corporations in Kanto and Johto, drawing accusations of bias. He delegated anti-poaching efforts to local gym leaders, leading to inconsistent enforcement, particularly concerning Sinnoh's black market for rare species. He opposed democratic reforms, suppressing protests against the Pokémon League System, abolished in 2004. In foreign policy, he strengthened ties with Sinnoh, reopening the Kanto-Sinnoh border in 1990 and establishing joint training programs. He played a pivotal role in dismantling Team Rocket, infiltrating their Mahogany Town headquarters on July 15, 1997, and announcing Giovanni's death on June 17, 1997, though conspiracy theories about his involvement persist.
Post-Championship, he distanced himself from politics yet remained a popular figure, garnering 35% support in a 2016 presidential poll. He served in the Indigo Elite Four twice: from January 2007 to December 2008, stepping down after a training accident, and again from January 2016 until his son Shingo became Champion. Between these terms, he hosted a 2009 World Tour, losing only once to Sho Tadatomo. He temporarily led Blackthorn Gym in 2010 during Clair's maternity leave and focused on parenting from 2011 to 2015.
In investigative roles, he frequently employed disguises to infiltrate criminal organizations. He intervened at Lake of Rage to halt Team Rocket's experiments, freeing an Electrode powering a radio transmitter that forced Pokémon evolution. With assistance from a trainer, he defeated Team Rocket admins at their secret laboratory. During Hoenn's crisis involving Team Magma and Team Aqua, he disguised himself as a Team Magma grunt, confronting Shelly of Team Aqua and aiding in resolving the conflict between Groudon and Kyogre.
Specializing in Dragon-types, his signature Pokémon is Dragonite, renowned for its loyalty and diverse move set including Thunder Wave, Twister, Flamethrower, Fire Punch, and Hyper Beam. Dragonite assisted in infiltrating Team Rocket's hideout, demonstrating resilience against attacks and freeing captive Electrode. He also owns a Red Gyarados, caught after subduing it at Lake of Rage. In competitive battling, he reached 4th rank in the World Coronation Series' Master Class but lost to Diantha in the first round of the Masters Eight Tournament.
Personally, he married Maya Yuriko in 2001, and they have a son, Shingo Wataru, born in June 2001. The family resides in Blackthorn City.
He spent 15 months training in Sinnoh under Palmer Kurotsugu, forging his signature aggressive battling style. Returning to Johto in 1986 to care for his ailing grandfather, he resumed training after his grandfather's passing. On July 17, 1987, he defeated the Indigo Elite Four—Walker Hayato, Bruno Siba, Agatha Kikuko, and Kaiser Sakaki—then became the youngest Champion in Indigo history at age 16 by besting Flint Muno on September 17, 1987. His initial reign lasted 11 years, the longest unbeaten streak in Indigo history, ending when Red Norisada succeeded him in 1998. After Red's disappearance in 1999, he controversially reclaimed the Champion title, holding it until losing to Blue Oak on October 10, 2003.
As Champion, his policies favored large corporations in Kanto and Johto, drawing accusations of bias. He delegated anti-poaching efforts to local gym leaders, leading to inconsistent enforcement, particularly concerning Sinnoh's black market for rare species. He opposed democratic reforms, suppressing protests against the Pokémon League System, abolished in 2004. In foreign policy, he strengthened ties with Sinnoh, reopening the Kanto-Sinnoh border in 1990 and establishing joint training programs. He played a pivotal role in dismantling Team Rocket, infiltrating their Mahogany Town headquarters on July 15, 1997, and announcing Giovanni's death on June 17, 1997, though conspiracy theories about his involvement persist.
Post-Championship, he distanced himself from politics yet remained a popular figure, garnering 35% support in a 2016 presidential poll. He served in the Indigo Elite Four twice: from January 2007 to December 2008, stepping down after a training accident, and again from January 2016 until his son Shingo became Champion. Between these terms, he hosted a 2009 World Tour, losing only once to Sho Tadatomo. He temporarily led Blackthorn Gym in 2010 during Clair's maternity leave and focused on parenting from 2011 to 2015.
In investigative roles, he frequently employed disguises to infiltrate criminal organizations. He intervened at Lake of Rage to halt Team Rocket's experiments, freeing an Electrode powering a radio transmitter that forced Pokémon evolution. With assistance from a trainer, he defeated Team Rocket admins at their secret laboratory. During Hoenn's crisis involving Team Magma and Team Aqua, he disguised himself as a Team Magma grunt, confronting Shelly of Team Aqua and aiding in resolving the conflict between Groudon and Kyogre.
Specializing in Dragon-types, his signature Pokémon is Dragonite, renowned for its loyalty and diverse move set including Thunder Wave, Twister, Flamethrower, Fire Punch, and Hyper Beam. Dragonite assisted in infiltrating Team Rocket's hideout, demonstrating resilience against attacks and freeing captive Electrode. He also owns a Red Gyarados, caught after subduing it at Lake of Rage. In competitive battling, he reached 4th rank in the World Coronation Series' Master Class but lost to Diantha in the first round of the Masters Eight Tournament.
Personally, he married Maya Yuriko in 2001, and they have a son, Shingo Wataru, born in June 2001. The family resides in Blackthorn City.