Kabu

Kabu is designated the third Gym Leader Galar Trainers face in their Gym Challenge. However, Kabu is also known to be the first real challenge in the Gym Challenge. Often, Trainers give up due to being unable to defeat him. Kabu, after being scouted as a Pokémon Trainer, moved from Hoenn to Galar.[3] He is the current Leader of the Motostoke Gym. He lost the Gym position at one point but regained back several years later in glorious fashion.[4] He made several attempts to becoming Champion but could never reach it. He attempted a no-holds-barred approach to winning his fights but was not satisfied with the results. He even dropped to the minor division of Galar League. However, after facing off against Leon, he regained faith in his potential. He also developed a more unrelentingly positive outlook on life as a result, battling to win with every intention with his Fire-type Pokémon. He is shown doing athletic activities like jogging throughout the game.

Kabu is first seen at Motostoke Stadium for the Gym Challenge's opening ceremony. The player and Hop first meet him in Galar Mine No. 2, defeating a pair of Team Yell Grunts who were disturbing the local wild Pokémon. He explains to the two young Trainers that he sometimes visits the mine to train against the Water-type Pokémon that live there, before returning to his Gym. After being defeated, Kabu is joined by Milo and Nessa at Motostoke's front gate as he recites a cheer for the player and Hop to wish them good luck for the rest of their Gym Challenge. Kabu later participates in the Champion Cup at Wyndon, but is defeated by Piers in the first round. He also participates in the post-game Champion tournaments and the Galarian Star Tournament.

After Kabu's initial defeat, the player is awarded with the Fire Badge, TM38 (Will-O-Wisp), and the Fire Uniform.

"Kabu is a Pokémon Trainer who was invited from the Hoenn region. There were a few times where he was very close to becoming Champion, but victory always seemed to elude him at the last moment. Because of this, he adopted a no-holds-barred approach to battling for a time, but even that did not bring the results he wanted. He even dropped to the minor division at one point, but after a fantastic battle with Leon, he regained faith in his own potential. His motto is to keep learning and training as long as he is alive."

Kabu was shown to be a very wise and mature person, highly respected in his hometown. He is shown doing athletic activities like jogging throughout the anime. He also gave Liko several pieces of advice on how to train her Sprigatito.