Gary Oak

Shigeru Nakazo Oak (nicknamed "Gary") is from Pallet Town in the Kanto region. He's a friend of Ash from their earlier days in Kanto. He's a future member of the Mokusetsu.

Background
Gary is from Pallet Town in the Kanto region, the same city that Ash is from. The two have known each other for years, ever since Ash set out on his first journey for his former goal of being a Pokémon Master.

Present
In the first episode, summertime just started and Ash was seen arriving in Jubilife City, Sinnoh. This is the city that Sinnoh Academy is located in. For this reason, most people who attend Sinnoh Academy live there in PokéLife Apartments. Gary and another Kanto friend, Tracey, were living in those apartments at the time. They're both also friends of Barry, Zoey, and Paul from Sinnoh Academy, who were also living in those apartments at the time.

Before arriving to Jubilife City, Ash notified Gary and Tracey of his arrival and asked if he could stay in their apartment with them during his stay, which they agreed to. Ash stayed for a week while training with Alain. During this, they met Alain and also introduced Ash to Barry, Zoey, and Paul (Alain wasn't present during this). After this, Ash left to start his journey with Alain, while Gary and Tracey said they would meet up with Ash later when they come to Kanto, since those two were about to move back there soon.

Personality
Gary is a smug individual. He seems to care about looks and girls more than the others. According to him, he's had success in the past as a "ladies man". He will often try to set up Ash and others with girls when he can. The success of him as a wingman is unknown.

He kids around with Ash often, making sarcastic remarks. Tracey is already used to this, having lived with him during their stay at Sinnoh Academy. He may even poke fun at Ash's choice to not attend Sinnoh Academy with them, or any academy at all. It's all in good love, because Gary is truly a supportive friend of Ash, but he won't usually show deep emotion.

Naming

 * His first name, Shigeru, is his Japanese name in the Pokémon anime. He's named after Shigeru Miyamoto.
 * His nickname, Gary, is his name in the English dub of the anime. This name comes from 3 places: he's named after the "Garry Oak", which is a type of oak tree, "Gary" is the default name for Blue in Pokémon Red and Blue, and the name derives from Shigeru.
 * His middle name, Nakazo, was randomly selected from a Japanese name generator.
 * His last name, Oak, is his last name in the English dub of the anime.

General

 * His birthday, April 1st, is the original Japan air date of the very first episode of the Pokémon anime, which he was seen in.