Looker: the trench-coated agent who spans four generations

He leads nothing, wins nothing, and he's everywhere. Sinnoh sets him on Team Galactic's trail; then, in Unova, Team Plasma has him to thank for the arrest of its Sages; Lumiose City finds him behind a private detective's nameplate; Alola sends him chasing after Ultra Beasts. He's one of the few supporting characters the series has carried from one generation to the next — and his trench coat has become a signature.

Contents

• Sinnoh: The Rookie Who Hands Out Gadgets
• A Career That Follows the Generations
• In the Anime, and a Name That Wavered
• In the Manga, Gadgets That Explode
• Looker at a Glance
• Frequently Asked Questions

Sinnoh: The Rookie Who Hands Out Gadgets

The meeting takes place in Jubilife City, on your very first visit: the man in the trench coat announces that he belongs to the International Police, then leaves, handing the player the Vs. Recorder, a device used to record battles.

Bringing down Team Galactic: that's his entire agenda, pursued with a method that's braver than it is effective. In Eterna City, he walks through the doors of the organization's headquarters disguised as a Grunt, slipping in among the troops.

You also run into him near Floaroma Town, at the Valley Windworks, once the player has driven Team Galactic out. Platinum makes him an on-and-off traveling companion, always out of step.

A Career That Follows the Generations

Unova finally gives him a real success: Team Plasma loses its Sages, every one of whom he puts behind bars, following on from Black and White.

In Kalos, his status changes and he works as a private detective in Lumiose City, which earns him one of the most fleshed-out post-game storylines of the generation.

Alola puts him back at the player's service, this time to capture Ultra Beasts. Five regions (Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Hoenn, Alola), one trench coat — the character's continuity rests almost entirely on his silhouette.

🔎 Creatures from other worlds have their own section: check out our Legendary Pokémon.

In the Anime, and a Name That Wavered

His debut comes during the Sinnoh saga: without revealing himself, he keeps watch on what Team Galactic is plotting around Lake Acuity, and on how it uses a railway line to move equipment that's never specified.

One detail amuses attentive viewers: the French dub started out by giving him his English name, "Looker," before switching to Beladonis, his name in the French games, from the following episodes on.

He later returns to fight Team Plasma across two non-consecutive seasons, the second showing him in only five episodes. The series grants him a consistency it denies most of its supporting characters.

In the Manga, Gadgets That Explode

The manga gives him a whole arsenal he calls "International Police Equipment." A good share of these gadgets have the unfortunate habit of blowing up in his face.

Two scientists who once worked for Team Galactic are the first to face his questioning. He then sneaks into the Battle Frontier on the trail of his client, whom he follows all the way into the Distortion World to pull out two trapped characters.

He makes himself useful down to the smallest detail, explaining to Platinum, at the Battle Castle, how to manage her Castle Points. This is the most competent version of the character, and the only one where his job really looks like detective work.

Looker at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Looker?
  An agent of the International Police and a recurring character since the fourth generation. He goes after Team Galactic, then Team Plasma, then the Ultra Beasts.
• Why is Looker sometimes called Beladonis?
  Because the French version of the anime first used his English name, Looker, before switching to Beladonis, his French name, in later episodes.
• What does Looker give the player?
  The Vs. Recorder, which lets you record battles, when the two first meet in Jubilife City. He then provides clues throughout the investigation into Team Galactic.
• Does Looker appear in several regions?
  Yes, and that's what sets him apart: Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, where he becomes a private detective, then Alola. He's one of the few supporting characters the series carries like this from generation to generation.

In short

Looker is the best continuity idea the series has ever had with a supporting character. He never gets promoted, never earns a title, and botches roughly every other mission, but he's there in every generation, on a trail that's bigger than he is. The trench coat ended up being worth more than a badge.