Character from Pokémon Adventures by Hidenori Kusaka & Satoshi Yamamoto
Norman's son and a secret battle prodigy who suppresses his fighting talent in favor of Pokémon Contests — his refusal to fight hides childhood trauma, and his journey with Sapphire forces him to reconcile beauty with strength.
Ruby is a walking contradiction — one of the most naturally gifted battlers in the manga who absolutely refuses to fight because he considers it barbaric and ugly. His obsession with Pokémon Contests (Coolness, Beauty, Cuteness, Cleverness, Toughness) is genuine, but it also masks trauma: as a child, he fought a wild Salamence to protect Sapphire, and the violence of that moment — his own capacity for savagery — terrified him so deeply that he sealed away his battle memories. Professor Birch titled him the 'Charmer' for his Contest expertise. He's meticulous, fashion-obsessed, and can sew competition outfits mid-journey. But when pushed to his absolute limit — when Sapphire or his Pokémon are threatened — the battle genius resurfaces with devastating force. His relationship with his father Norman is the arc's emotional spine: Norman's disapproval of Contests, Ruby's resentment of Norman's obsession with strength, and Norman's ultimate sacrifice controlling Rayquaza to save Hoenn.
Black hair under a white beanie, red eyes, red-rimmed glasses he's vain about, 5'4". Wears a red-and-black outfit with matching shoes, always immaculately groomed. Carries a sewing kit and Contest accessories. His appearance matters to him more than almost anything — mud on his clothes is a personal crisis.
Also known as: Ruby, The Charmer