Pokémon Sword & Shield: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Milo

Gym Leaders are a vital part of the Pokémon franchise. They are more than just rivals or obstacles in the players’ story and are a significant part of their respective regions. They’re usually seen as stars, idols admired by Pokémon trainers who aspire to not only beat them but be at their level.

Milo, Pokémon Sword & Shield‘s first Gym Leader, is one of the franchise’s nicest characters. A Grass-type specialist with a perpetual smile on his face, Milo is as sweet as they come. He doesn’t have an expanded role, like Nessa or Piers, but still manages to leave an impression on players who certainly want to know more about him.

10 His Backstory

Milo was born in Turffield City to a couple of unnamed farmers. He has an equally unnamed younger brother who assists with the farming duties. He has a herd of Wooloo and a Yamper who acts as the farm’s herding dog. Milo loves gardening and always uses his boots because they let him dig his heels when he needs to.

Milo is extremely muscular and strong. His Rare League Card states that the rolls of hay used during his Gym Challenge each weigh over 770 pounds, yet Milo can roll them around with surprising ease.

9 His Age

Not much is said about Milo’s age, so it’s to the players to guess it. Trainers begin their Pokémon journeys when they’re ten years old, and there are Gym Leaders as young as ten years old, like Hoenn’s Psychic duo, Tate and Liza. Galar’s own Alister is also on the young side, probably younger than ten.

Milo’s child-like face and juvenile appearance give him the appearance of a high school athlete. Even if he’s not that young, he most likely isn’t older than twenty.

8 Pokémon Team

During his first battle, Milo’s team consists of Gossifleur and its evolution, Eldegoss, both kept in Ultra Balls. His signature Pokémon is the latter, which he will Dynamax at the first opportunity. Once the player becomes the Champion, Milo’s team, and signature Pokémon, change.

In Sword, his new ace is Flapple, while Appletun takes its place in Shield, both level 62. The rest of his team includes Eldegoss, Bellossom, and Cherrim. The last member of his team also changes depending on the version. In Sword, he has a Shiftry, and in Shield, he has a Ludicolo.

7 Dynamaxing

Dynamaxing is a big deal in Galar. The big gimmick of Generation VIII, one that many hope will carry on to the Gen IV remakes, Dynamax allows trainers to grow their Pokémon several sizes. Some Pokémon even change forms, a quality known as Gigantamax.

Each player gets a unique animation for when they throw their enlarged Pokéball. Milo pats it and smiles gently, signaling just how close he is to his Pokémon but, most importantly, how he views Pokémon battles.

6 Turffield City

Milo was born and raised in Turffield City, which explains why its citizens feel such a kinship towards him. Whenever Milo’s Wooloo roll out of his farm, he runs after them and the entire town runs behind him.

A farming town, Turffield has a population of 36. The city is inspired by one of the United Kingdom’s most famous and ancient landmarks, Stonehenge. Indeed, Turffield has a famous geoglyph, recognized around the Galar region. Within the game, it seems to relate to the legendary Darkest Day and seems to be a depiction of Eternatus.

5 Role In The TCG

Milo is Supporter Card in the Pokémon Trading Card Game during the English Sword & Shield Series. The card was released in the English Rebel Clash expansion. The Full Art Card, with artwork by Hitoshi Ariga, depicts a smiling Milo holding a shovel.

The card allows the player to discard up to two cards then draw another two for each. Like other Supporter Cards, only one can be played per turn.

4 Role In The Manga

Milo makes only two appearances in the Pokémon Adventures manga, during the Sword & Shield chapter. He first joins the rest of the Gym Leaders in reacting to the news that Leon himself endorsed two trainers for the Gym Challenge during the manga’s third round.

He then appears in the sixth round, where he faces several opponents, including Marnie, Hop, Bede, and the manga counterparts of Victor and Gloria. He loses and later joins Nessa and Kabu in congratulating manga Gloria and Hop for defeating the first three Galar Gyms.

3 Role In The Anime

Milo has made a few appearances in the Pokémon: Twilight Wings anime. He made a cameo in the episode “Letter,” before briefly appearing in the episode “Buddy,” where he helped Hop’s Wooloo get back home by calling a flying taxi for the sheep Pokémon.

He’s later seen giving an interview about Galar’s Champion Leon in “Sky,” before appearing in “The Gathering of Stars,” where he joins the rest of the Gym Leaders in the inauguration of the Galarian Star Tournament. He makes one final appearance in the episode “Early-Evening Waves,” where he defeats Nessa during the Champions Cup. And speaking of Nessa…

2 A Frenemy To Nessa

Galar’s second Gym Leader, the Water-type specialist Nessa is very popular in the region and is also a model. She’s based in Hulbury City, based off of Liverpool, and is highly competitive and tough. Her ace Pokémon is the dual-type Drednaw, whose dual Water/Rock typing makes it quad weak to Grass.

Nessa claims that Milo is her rival, but he refutes it as he sees himself as his ultimate rival. It could also be because his gentle nature makes him avoid conflict and animosity.

1 A Friendly Guy

Milo is certainly a kind person in the Pokémon world. Despite his imposing and menacing appearance, Milo is humble and easy-going, a hard-worker who enjoys rooting for and encouraging people. He’s so kind and caring that he finds it hard to go all-out on weaker challengers, which is why he’s the first Gym Leader in the Challenge.

Milo claims he doesn’t really care about winning or losing and instead just enjoys every Pokémon battle. He takes a more serious attitude when he actually participates in high-profile battles, like the Galarian Star Tournament.

About The Author

David Caballero
(798 Articles Published)

David is a twenty-eight-year-old Mexican writer and reader. Having studied Marketing in school, he spent three years working a nine-to-five desk job before deciding to pursue a writing career. He now works as a Senior Writer in ScreenRant and does some more freelancing job, talking about the entertainment business he so loves. Currently, he’s also writing his second novel while actively working to get his first one published.

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