You can go anywhere to "read" about Norman the Gym leader of Petalburg but this is a page dedicated to my thoughts and "mini" collection dedicated to the only male Normal-type specialist. I hope you will learn something about why I love this dude so much and what makes him a gem in my Sloth line collections!
NORMAN
(センリ, Senri)
Norman (センリ, Senri) is the Gym Leader of Petalburg City's Gym, known officially as the Petalburg Gym and the father of the player in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. He specializes in Normal-type Pokémon. With the Sloth line being his main focus! He gives the Balance Badge to Trainers who defeat him, that is, if they can defeat his twin Slaking duo.Senri, Norman's Japanese name, means a long distance, while Haruka, May's Japanese name, means far away.He is the first and only father of the player that has been seen in the main series of games so far.In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, he has an underleveled Slaking; Vigoroth does not evolve until level 36.
This is Norman, he is totally an underrated Gym Leader. Don't let his "Normal" looking appearance and "Napoleon Dynamite" moon boots fool you. He is a vicious opponent. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. "Psh, Norman? He was so boring, he didn't have a crazy gym set up or fancy clothes". Actually, I thought the same way when I first seen him. But knowing more about him as shown me that he's pretty amazing and not just for being the Sloth line master. But here's something, did you know that he's so physically strong he can crush a phone receiver into pieces without effort? Or that he was originally from Johto? Or that he was the one who calmed Groundon and Kyorge during their rampage by using his Rayquazza?! OR that he even DIED and was resurrected?! Yeah, I thought so.....well read on and learn more about the awesomeness that is Norman the Petalburg Gym Leader!
GYM
Petalburg is such a pleasant little city, its very small since its one of the first cities you visit during your travels. But its like Viridian where you must come back later to actually use the gym! You can go fishing and maybe catch a Magikarp or if you're lucky, a Marill. Or visit a childhood friend, named Wally where he will present you with the HM Surf.
IN GAME
Norman is also the player character's father in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald no matter which gender is selected. The other gender choice (and therefore the rival) is the child of Professor Birch. Although he is the first Gym Leader encountered, he refuses to battle until the player has at least four badges. Once he is beaten, he gives the player the Balance Badge. Norman and his family are originally from Johto. He, as well as the player, have just moved to Hoenn so that he could take up the position of Gym Leader. People have come to describe him as someone who "lives for Pokémon." Norman also provides special items scanned in via e-Reader to the player.
He is pretty sweet in the game, when I was a kid, I first seen the leaked pokemon for gen 3, I didn't care for any of the gym leaders yet. I've ALWAYS wanted a sloth based pokemon since its my favorite animal EVER. So, when I seen the Slakoth line, I totally flipped and couldn't wait to get one. The game came out, I got Ruby, you get a black screen and your character wakes up..... to be introduced to two Vigoroth movers! GAAH! Omg, I couldn't believe it. I then realized that this house or whoever owned it was a sloth trainer but NOPE he's a gym leader and not only does the sloth line get a gym to themselves. The Gym Leader is the main character's DAD! To the tiny version of me, this was HUGE! When does one of your favorite lines, let alone one you thought wasn't even that popular to begin with get such an honor in any game!?
He is pretty sweet in the game, when I was a kid, I first seen the leaked pokemon for gen 3, I didn't care for any of the gym leaders yet. I've ALWAYS wanted a sloth based pokemon since its my favorite animal EVER. So, when I seen the Slakoth line, I totally flipped and couldn't wait to get one. The game came out, I got Ruby, you get a black screen and your character wakes up..... to be introduced to two Vigoroth movers! GAAH! Omg, I couldn't believe it. I then realized that this house or whoever owned it was a sloth trainer but NOPE he's a gym leader and not only does the sloth line get a gym to themselves. The Gym Leader is the main character's DAD! To the tiny version of me, this was HUGE! When does one of your favorite lines, let alone one you thought wasn't even that popular to begin with get such an honor in any game!?
Omega Ruby + Alpha Saphire
ANIME
In the anime, he is the father of May and Max, and the husband of Caroline. Very early in his Hoenn journey, Ash Ketchum arrived with May in Petalburg City in the hope of getting his first gym battle. Ash found the Petalburg Gym and met Max. May stopped him and allowed Ash to meet her parents, Caroline and Norman. Norman turned out to be the real Petalburg City Gym Leader. Norman is a good friend of Professor Birch and was most likely to have been the person to send May to Littleroot Town to get her first Pokémon. As May did not initially like Pokémon, this seems to have created some distance between the two. Before Ash knew that Norman was May's father, he commented that it sounded like she knew the Petalburg Gym Leader pretty well, to which she replied, "No, I just wish I did" and becomes subdued. The day after that, in Love, Petalburg Style, May and Max tried to figure out why Norman and Caroline are getting all worked up as Ash tries to save Norman's three Pokémon from Team Rocket. It all turned out that Norman had Nurse Joy set up a special firework display to make fireworks in a form of a Beautifly as a wedding anniversary gift. Ash had his gym battle with Norman in Balance of Power. Using his Grovyle, Pikachu, and Torkoal, Ash defeated Norman's Pokémon, much to Max's dismay. Max stole the Balance Badge and locked himself up in Norman's greenhouse. Norman was able to get Max under control and Max gave Ash his Balance Badge.
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Agh! I really enjoyed watching the Hoenn region series. They did a lot of firsts the show hasn't brought about. May would take over as Ash's female compainion, Max would be the first child tag-a-long to travel with Ash and Brock was....well, Brock. XD I loved how you actually got to see a Gym Leader's family, not just a son or a father but the whole family and it wasn't a perfect family either. They made them very complex with very interesting problems. Which I loved and thought was a huge step up for the Pokemon anime. You have Caroline who wants her kids to go on an adventure but worries about them and still feels they are too young. Max, who studies about pokemon yet is too young to actually go on a pokemon journey of his own. Looking up to his father who he has seen all his life fight. I love how he learns a lot from traveling with Ash and actually seeing his Dad's defeat from one of his best friends. May and Norman had a very interesting relationship as well. He is a man who lives Pokemon and does nothing else but train which makes him oblivious to his family emotions. Much like Ash, actually he reminded me of Ash in many ways. Haha. May just wanted a dad growing up so she resented pokemon for it but having Ash teach her the wonders of them and contests she has something to talk about with her father. She just wanted his attention. Norman in the show was pretty awesome with all his little quirks. I loved seeing how everyone had a suspicion that he was "maybe" cheating on Caroline. And how he was so oblivious to the real picture and just does whatever he wants until HE shows you he was pulling a surprise. You never get to see love stories in anime especially ones about cheating, or any cool back stories about it for any gym leader. They had a great episode that shows you just how popular Norman and his family was. I thought it was hilarious and wished he was just as popular outside the show. XDD I loved them all in the anime!
I always get excited when I know an episode of a Pokemon I like is going to be featured. As a kid, I'd get excited to just HEAR what a pokemon would sound like. Sometimes they say their names while others roar or grunt. I was totally stoked when these episodes came out. And the sloth line did not disappoint. My favorite was probably getting to see Slakoth stand and be active in battle. He totally kicked Ash's Pikachu furry butt. He was a boss dodging everything Pikachu would throw at him. And his voice is so cute, it kind of reminds of Cartman from "South Park". Like he was saying "Slakoth, you guys. Slakoth". XDDD Noman's Vigoroth is equally as strong as Ash's Pikachu as they both get knocked out. My sloth baby is a beast! And Slaking is always a badass.
TEAM
Here are all of Norman's playable Pokemon in Emerald. I included Zigzagoon since he lent one to Wally and probably had another to get his current Linoone. So in he goes. Such a defensive team! So, so strong and he always had not one but TWO Slaking's to kick your butt. I remember playing this version and having the hardest time beating Norman. He was always the trainer that would make me come back to face off with again.....because he's so strong. I want to collect a kid each and possibly all their zukan pieces for my Norman collection!
MANGA
Norman is the father of Ruby, and his wife is nameless. He is a man who believes in power and he is very skillful in battling. Because of that, he strongly disagreed with Ruby's obsession with Contests. When Ruby reached his 11th birthday, however, he decided that Ruby is old enough to make his decision and finally let him have his own way. Physically, he is so strong that he can squeeze a phone receiver into pieces without effort, and he won't hesitate to use this strength on his son when he deems necessary. However, he still cares for Ruby very much: He asked his wife to arrange their move to Hoenn on the date of Ruby's birthday so that he can tell him about his permission for Ruby to take part in Contests in person. He also prepared a pair of special running shoes made by the Devon Corporation for his birthday. Later, he also gave a Pokéblock holder to Ruby. There are several hints from the series showing Norman has had unpleasant encounters with the Pokémon Association. The beginning of all could possibly be traced back to seven years prior to the start of the Ruby/Sapphire saga, where Norman failed his Gym Leader Test in Johto. Seven years ago (five in Volume 21 and onward), Norman was banned from taking the Gym Leader Test for five years, because of Ruby, who had fended off a Salamence. At that time, the Pokémon Association had Rayquaza locked up nearby. They were experimenting with an artificially made stone called the Emerald Orb. The Salamence, which Ruby drove away with his three Pokémon, broke into Rayquaza's containment area and set it free. As a result, Norman took the blame for his son, and became distant from his family to hunt down Rayquaza. During the battle between Groudon and Kyogre, Norman fought using Rayquaza and calmed the two titans (with Ruby's help). He died after Groudon and Kyogre left to their respective domains, supposedly because of the strain needed to control Rayquaza without a proper medium. However, Norman was later revived under mysterious circumstances when Ruby released his Celebi, alongside Courtney and Steven (who had also died trying to quell the titans).
...... Holy CRAP. Why isn't any of this featured in the anime!?! He is so legendary in the manga. He's a hard ass but also very devoted to his son, he had a freakin' legendary ! And stopped the epic battle between Kyorge and Groundon with it! His back story about failing the Gym Leader's test is incredible too! At least we know they moved to Hoenn in the anime but they don't tell you WHY. He's still has some qualities that show in the anime, like his forcing to have May be a trainer and his dedication to his Pokemon being on top of his list. But jeez, WOW! I wish we could of seen ANY of this in the anime.
...... Holy CRAP. Why isn't any of this featured in the anime!?! He is so legendary in the manga. He's a hard ass but also very devoted to his son, he had a freakin' legendary ! And stopped the epic battle between Kyorge and Groundon with it! His back story about failing the Gym Leader's test is incredible too! At least we know they moved to Hoenn in the anime but they don't tell you WHY. He's still has some qualities that show in the anime, like his forcing to have May be a trainer and his dedication to his Pokemon being on top of his list. But jeez, WOW! I wish we could of seen ANY of this in the anime.
His manga team isn't too different, just change his two Slaking's to two Slakoth's! *v* Look at them go! And Spinda, you are adorable, I'm so glad a Gym Leader uses you in combat and I'm glad it is my favorite Gym Leader.
Now these pokemon I will not collect.....unless I get addicted and or collected everything of the "on hand" part of his team. These would be fun additions to have for Norman since they're a bit more popular and "colorful". Norman was like "Here, take these, I got my sloths."
Norman used this Flygon as a method of transportation after he was told to take the Gym Leader's exam in five years. Later after Wally mastered his training, he gave Flygon to him during his climb of the Sky Pillar. Augh, Flygon would of been such a cool pokemon for Norman to have on his team...But he gives out his pokemon like candy since he knows his sloths are all he needs to be epic.
Rayquaza was temporarily under Norman's control with the help of Wally. However, after Norman's apparent death, Rayquaza has flown away. Just look at Norman, controlling that legendary in flight, while STANDING on him. Like a boss. And then the pokemon leaves soon after he dies since that's the only reason this pokemon would ever want to leave Norman.
~ NORMAN COLLECTION~
I don't want to make each Pokemon have their own huge major side collection. Nope, for Norman I would be very happy with getting one kid of every member of his advanced Emerald team and their zukan. This is what I have so far that is Norman related.
Balance Badges
Pokecen ORAS Norman Bling Bag Can Badge
Pokedolls
Kids
Tomy
Zigzagoon Tomy
Zukan
Norman Adventure CardNorman + Sloth Line Think ChipZigzagoon + Linoone Footprint FiguresLinoone Bootleg TomyZigzagoon/Linoone Pokemon Ranch StickersZigzagoon + Linoone Charms |
Norman's Vigoroth Vs. Ash's Pikachu 3D FlipcardZigzagoon Pan StickerLinoone Pan StickersZigzagoon + Linoone CardsSlakoth + Vigoroth + Slaking Charms |
MAY
May is my all time FAVORITE Pokemon Trainer. As a girl playing the games, I'd always have to play as the boy. Then they made Crystal and the girl power in Pokemon was finally born! Kris was a cool girl and all but she was never in the anime. (No, I don't mean the spin-off) So when May made her debut, I was one of the happy ones. Everyone was so furious that "May replaced Misty" at the time but this is a cycle the audience will soon learn to deal with. And so what? Yeah, I liked Misty growing up for the nostalgia but she was so boring as trainer AND a gym leader. For the first part of the show she complained and whined, the second she did nothing but tag along and hold an egg for a few seasons. She had no real reason to be traveling anymore. She was always the damsel in distress too.
When May debuted I was so excited. I liked Ash the best in the show and when they made May, they literally made me a female Ash. Her outfit is by far the best out of the female companions in the show. Reverse Ash gloves and biker shorts are totally cool in my book. She whined a little at the beginning but so did Ash when he first started out. Like Ash, she was cocky, had no idea what she was doing to catch and train pokemon and was unexperienced with them in general. Just like Ash. But she didn't just tag along like Misty did, once she grew as a trainer she was just as strong or even equally as strong as Ash. She would save her own Pokemon when she needed to, she had a reason to go on the journey which in her case was "Contests". She would cry when she lost matches, had to make major decisions for her friends and brother and all at the same time wanted to please her father and get his attention. She was tomboyish but also a helpless romantic. Which is the best of both worlds for me. She still battled Team Rocket and other trainers and her Pokemon evolved drastically by the time she left. She was such a strong character. And not only that, her dad is the Petalburg Gym leader, which means she grew up with Sloths her whole life! *w* That alone makes me love her.
When May debuted I was so excited. I liked Ash the best in the show and when they made May, they literally made me a female Ash. Her outfit is by far the best out of the female companions in the show. Reverse Ash gloves and biker shorts are totally cool in my book. She whined a little at the beginning but so did Ash when he first started out. Like Ash, she was cocky, had no idea what she was doing to catch and train pokemon and was unexperienced with them in general. Just like Ash. But she didn't just tag along like Misty did, once she grew as a trainer she was just as strong or even equally as strong as Ash. She would save her own Pokemon when she needed to, she had a reason to go on the journey which in her case was "Contests". She would cry when she lost matches, had to make major decisions for her friends and brother and all at the same time wanted to please her father and get his attention. She was tomboyish but also a helpless romantic. Which is the best of both worlds for me. She still battled Team Rocket and other trainers and her Pokemon evolved drastically by the time she left. She was such a strong character. And not only that, her dad is the Petalburg Gym leader, which means she grew up with Sloths her whole life! *w* That alone makes me love her.
~ MAY COLLECTION~
2020 Pokecen Trainers Haruka Plush
2022 Pokecen Original Mascot Trainers Haruka Plush Keychain
May (Haruka)/Manaphy "Zukan" Diorama Set
Auuuugh! Look at those details! She's perfect! The sculpt and paint are fantastic and so persice. Manaphy is detachable but it takes a bit to position it back on her arm lol The reason I call these Zukan diorama's even though they're not zukan due to scale is because they FEEL and look just like a bigger version of a zukan piece. I just love the material of the older zukan. This figure is one of my most expensive gets within ALL of my collections. More expensive than the Eevee zukan, even more expensive than my prototype Vigoroth, even more so than my Lugia Lotto zukan I won last year for $200+ This is truly one of my most prized possessions in my entire collection. I am currently getting a custom case to display her.More shots of her because if you were like me looking for this figure, you know there was like 2 known pictures of the set and the phanplet and thats it! The barrel piece and chair piece are attached to two pieces of the floor that latch together, May's head, arm and legs are posable. I can make her look away and at Manaphy. Her bandana tips can spin around her head. And be posed. This diorama is simply AMAZING. I'm so, SO SO SO happy to have this. My hands were literally shaking when I received the box. Thank you imensly to the people who helped me on my quest. This one probably my last major huge unontainable holy grail that was on my list. Now I feel I can find anything!
Megahouse G.E.M May Figure
2022 ARTFX-J May w/Torchic Game Figure
ARTFX-J Haruka Oras Game Figure
Bandai Ruby/Sapphire 1/20 Scale Worlds May/Haruka Figure
Bandai Ruby/Sapphire 1/20 Scale Worlds ORAS Ver. May/Haruka Figure
Pokecen ORAS May Blind Bag Can Badges
Got both blind bag ORAS can badges. These are always a pain to track down but at least theres a lot of sought after human characters people would trade for.
2017 May Winking Chibi Keychain Figure
May's Wishmaker
This piece has a back as well as a front with replicated designs of the original wishmaker in the movie. The pieces do not bend. I believe this item was only sold by movie theatres that showed the 6th Pokemon movie (In Japan of course). I would like to find this new with back packaging.
May Settei
Yes! I finally came across a lot with a bunch of May settei! I always wanted to get a hold of ANY of her settei but what I have now makes me very happy. I think her not impressed face is the best. I'm not sure if she has anymore but I'd love to get more in the future.
May Ruby Saphire Promo Poster
May/Ash Movie ZukanSkitty + Delcatty ZukanEevee + Glaceon + Leafeon ZukanMay Bandai Adventure CardMay Pan StickerMay's BandanaMay Figure Keychain Featuring Torchic |
Torchic + Combusken + Blaziken ZukanWrumple + Cascoon + Silcoon + Duxtox + Beautifly ZukanBulbasaur + Ivysaur + Venusaur ZukanSquirtle + Wartortle + Blastoise ZukanMay + Beautifly Line ThinkchipMay Holo Staks MagnetMay Megablock |