Flint's Infernape (Japanese:オーバのゴウカザルŌba's Goukazaru) is the only known Pokémon owned byFlint inPokémon the Series. It is also one of the Pokémon he uses in the games, being his main one inPokémon Diamond and Pearl.
It was revealed inFlint Sparks the Fire! that Infernape battled by Flint's side since he was a child, when it was a Chimchar. At the time,Sunyshore had a notorious reputation of being full of hoodlums. Having battles day after day, Flint and Chimchar were soon known as the strongest Trainers in all of Sunyshore. When Flint first metVolkner, Chimchar had just taken on two Trainers who sent outStunky andJolteon, defeating them with a singleFlamethrower. Flint then went on ahead to have a battle with Volkner'sPikachu, which he won. Soon, Volkner challenged them again, which he won, causing a rivalry between the two.
Later, the two were shown wondering in a forest at night, during a rain. Encountering a roguePokémon poacher and hisHoundoom, the two were forced to battle side-by-side with each other for the first time. With Chimchar and Flint getting knocked down by Houndoom's Flamethrower, Volkner is left to continue on his own. Finishing up withVolt Tackle, the poacher is finally chased away. He is later revealed to be theProprietor, a good friend of both in the present day. Exhausted from the battle, the gang was shown lying on the ground, becoming friends since that day. Having had numerous battles with Volkner day after day, Flint finally decided to leave the city on his journey to becoming stronger.
InFour Roads Diverged in a Pokémon Port!, Flint recalled battling in the finals of theSinnoh League. Being about Ash's age, he was the clear underdog, going up againstSnorlax with hisMonferno. Beginning withFlamethrower, Snorlax was able to simply blow the flames away. Monferno then followed up with aMach Punch, with Snorlax's belly easily absorbing the impact. Snorlax then usedBody Slam for a successful hit. Against all odds, Flint ended up winning the Sinnoh League and later became a member of theSinnoh Elite Four, with Monferno evolving toInfernape.
Infernape debuted inFlint Sparks the Fire!, where it saved Ash from Volkner's Gym's arm machines that had grabbed him as he refused to take a free Badge, which Volkner was now giving away due to loss of passion. Fruitlessly trying to convince him to have the battle, the decision was made for Flint to battle Ash in his place, which Volkner agreed to watch. Taking onBuizel as its first opponent, Buizel started out withWater Gun, which Infernape dodged with a high jump. With Infernape still in the air, Ash ordered Buizel to useIce Punch, which it easily blocked, having its hands frozen in the process. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Buizel then unleashedSonic Boom, only to have his hands freed. As its fourth move, Buizel went out charging withAqua Jet, countered by Infernape'sFlare Blitz, which knocked Buizel out of the match. Infernape's next opponent was none other thanInfernape. Ash's Infernape started off with aFlame Wheel, which Flint's evaded. It then used a series ofMach Punches, all of which were dodged. Despite a vigorous attempt, Ash's Infernape proved no match either, as it was knocked out by an exceedingly powerful Mach Punch, earning Flint's Infernape two wins in a row. As its last opponent it facedPikachu. Unlike the last two, it held on well. During the battle, it sparked the flashback of Volkner battling side-by-side with Flint in the woods. After a long battle, Pikachu went charging with Volt Tackle, clashed by Infernape'sThunder Punch. As Pikachu was finally unable to continue, Flint was awarded the win of the match.
Infernape is considered to be a very well-trained and powerful Pokémon. This strength was first shown when it was still a Chimchar in Flint's youth, where it took out aStunky andJolteon singlehandedly. The same also applies to Flint's battle with Ash when it easily took out his Buizel and Infernape and then defeated his Pikachu in a slightly more contested fight. Infernape is also highly persistent, fighting to the very end withGarchomp in Flint's battle withCynthia even after having been previously weakened from defeating two of her other Pokémon.
Flint's Infernape Cards listed with ablue background are only legal to use in the currentExpanded format. Cards listed with agreen background are legal to use in both the currentStandard andExpanded formats.
Infernape is subject to a continuity error: inFlint Sparks the Fire!, it was still a Chimchar when Flint is an adult, but it is a Monferno inFour Roads Diverged in a Pokémon Port!, where Flint is still a child. It is unknown if Monferno's appearance is a mistake or a retcon to their story.
