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This is a list of recurring characters in the Pokémon video game series. Characters may appear in multiple continuities within the Pokémon franchise, such as the animated adaptations, films, manga, and books. In these spin-offs, the characters may take on the same basic role, such as with Professor Oak and Giovanni in the Pokémon TV series, and sometimes different roles, such as with Misty and Brock.
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Each main-series Pokémon game features a player character protagonist or set of protagonists, one or more rival characters, a hometown "Pokémon professor" who introduces the mechanics of the game, and a large selection of fellow Pokémon trainers, "Gym leaders", and villainous teams to battle against.
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Red, Green, Blue (1996), Yellow (1998), FireRed, LeafGreen (2004), and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (2018), which are set in the fictional Kanto region. Many of these characters recur throughout the Pokémon franchise.
Protagonists
Red (レッド, Red) is the protagonist of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue and Yellow and the male protagonist of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Red later appears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal as a secret boss fight on Mt. Silver, and also appears in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Pokémon Sun and Moon, and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, as well as in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, reprising his role from the originals. In Pokémon Adventures, he is the Champion of the Kanto Region.
Leaf (リーフ, Leaf) is the female protagonist of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.
Chase (カケル, Kakeru) and Elaine (アユミ, Ayumi) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
Rivals
Blue (グリーン, Green) is the rival character of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. He is the grandson of Professor Oak and the player character's childhood friend. He is pushy and competitive, but generally a good Pokémon Trainer. He briefly precedes the player character as the Champion of the Kanto Region, waiting for the player to challenge him. Blue is the basis for Gary Oak in the anime. IGN listed Blue as the 98th best villain in video games, though they stressed that it was difficult to view him as a villain.[1] He reappears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal and their remakes as the new Viridian City Gym Leader.
Trace (シン, Shin) replaces Blue as the rival character of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.[2] The character is much kinder, offering advice and gifting the player items. When asked about this change, director Junichi Masuda said that Pokémon's evolving graphics make rude behaviors by rival characters more intense, and that he personally felt "those kinds of personalities these days are just not as accepted by players as they were back then."[3]
Professor Oak
Professor Samuel Oak (Professor Yukinari Ōkido (オーキド・ユキナリ博士, Ōkido Yukinari-hakase)) is a Pokémon Researcher and the grandfather of Blue in the Kanto-based games. He is described as the leading Pokémon expert, specializing in Pokémon behavioral science. Alongside his research, he is also authorized by the Pokémon League to give new Pokémon Trainers one of the three starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander. In the anime, he gives Ash Ketchum his Pikachu after he arrives too late to receive one of the usual three starter Pokémon. In Pokémon Yellow, he gives Red a Pikachu after Blue takes an Eevee. A younger version of the character has a major supporting role in the movie Pokémon 4Ever.
Gym leaders and Elite Four
Each main-series Pokémon game, with the exception of Pokémon Sun and Moon and their 3rd and 4th versions, includes a group of eight "Gym leaders", who award the player character a badge upon defeat. Each Gym leader possesses a team of several Pokémon of similar type or theming. Particularly notable Gym leaders of the Kanto-based games are:
- Brock (Takeshi (タケシ)) is the Gym Leader of Pewter City and an expert on Rock-type Pokémon. In the Pokémon anime, he joins Ash on his adventure, leaving his post to his father, Flint. However, in Pokémon Chronicles, he returns to find his mother leading the gym using Water-type Pokémon.
- Misty (Kasumi (カスミ)) is the Gym Leader of Cerulean City and an expert on Water-type Pokémon. In the anime, she leaves this post for a time to join Ash on his adventure. In Pokémon Chronicles, Misty returns to take over as Gym Leader from her sisters and becomes one of the main characters, often co-starring with Tracey Sketchit, Casey or one of her sisters: Daisy, Lily, and Violet.
In addition to Brock and Misty, the other gym leaders are Lt. Surge (マチス), Erika (エリカ), Sabrina (ナツメ）), Koga (キキョウ), Blaine (カツラ), and Giovanni (サカキ).
Each main-series Pokémon game, aside from Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Legends Arceus, also includes a group of elite-level trainers at the end of the game, which is called the Elite Four. This team includes the Ice-themed Lorelei (カンナ), Fighting-themed Bruno (シバ), Ghost-themed Agatha (キクコ), and Dragon-themed Lance (ワタル).[4]
Team Rocket
Giovanni (Sakaki (サカキ)) is the Leader of the villainous Team Rocket. He runs the Viridian City Gym in Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and their remakes. He later disappears and is not seen again, though Team Rocket attempts to locate him in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and their remakes. He also appears as the main antagonist of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon's postgame story. Giovanni is a recurring character in the Pokémon anime series, where he is the boss of Team Rocket.
Jessie (Musashi (ムサシ)) and James (Kojirō (コジロウ)) are a pair of Team Rocket grunts who originate from the Pokémon anime series. They appear as antagonists in Yellow, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Their English names are a reference to outlaw Jesse James.[5] Their Japanese names are references to two famed swordsmen in Japanese history, Sasaki Kojirō and Miyamoto Musashi, who famously fought each other on the Island of Ganryū in 1612, resulting in Musashi's victory and Kojirō's death.
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Gold, Silver (1999), Crystal (2000), HeartGold, or SoulSilver (2009), which are primarily set in the fictional Johto region.
Protagonists
Gold/Ethan (ゴールド/ヒビキ, Gold/Hibiki) is the protagonist of Pokémon Gold and Silver, and the male protagonist of Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver.
Kris (クリス, Kris) was introduced in Pokémon Crystal, and was the first female player character in the Pokémon series. Though players at the time paid little attention to the addition of a female character, Kris is considered a meaningful addition by women who grew up with the game. The character was replaced by Lyra (コトネ, Kotone) in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.[6][7][8]
Silver
Silver (シルバー, Silver) is the rival of the Johto-based games. He steals his first Pokémon from Professor Elm and tends to see Pokémon as tools to use and discard. Unlike Blue before him, Silver is depicted as a mediocre trainer, though the Sprout Tower sage and Lance see talent and great potential in him. He eventually realizes his wrongdoings and changes his ways by treating his Pokémon with respect. Silver also appears in Pokémon Masters EX, in which he is identified by Ho-Oh as being pure of heart. He is the son of Giovanni, with the Celebi event in HeartGold and SoulSilver showing their past.
Professor Elm
Professor Elm (Professor Utsugi (ウツギ博士, Utsugi-hakase)) is an absent-minded Pokémon Researcher and former student of Professor Oak. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, he is authorized by the Pokémon League to give new trainers one of the three starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile. He specializes in research regarding Pokémon breeding and is credited with the discovery of Pokémon eggs, even gifting the player character a Togepi egg for research.
Jasmine
Jasmine (Mikan (ミカン)) is the Olivine City Gym Leader and an expert on Steel-type Pokémon. She initially refuses the player's challenge because she is tending to a sick Ampharos named Amphy that provides light for the city lighthouse. She challenges the player after they get Amphy proper medicine from Cianwood City. Jasmine reappears as a minor character in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, giving HM07 Waterfall in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, or TM99 Waterfall in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.[9] She was introduced to Pokémon Masters EX in 2020.[10][11]
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire (2002), Emerald (2004), and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014), which are set in the fictional Hoenn region.
Protagonists and rivals
Brendan (ユウキ, Yūki) and May (ハルカ, Haruka) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. The player can select which character they want to play as, with the other character taking the role of the main rival.
Wally (ミツル, Mitsuru) is an additional rival character. He is introduced as a sickly young boy who needs help catching Pokémon. Using a Zigzagoon borrowed from Norman, the player helps him catch a Ralts. He is later taken to Verdanturf Town, where the fresh air helps him recover, though he leaves to keep training his Pokémon. He later battles the player in Victory Road.
Professor Birch
Professor Birch (Professor Odamaki (オダマキ博士, Odamaki-hakase)) is a Pokémon Researcher, known for his fieldwork and research on Pokémon habitual distribution. He is also the father of the rival character. In the games, Birch gives the player character and the main rival a starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip. At the beginning of the games, he is attacked by a wild Pokémon and drops his bag, resulting in the player having to use one of his Pokémon to save him. In the anime, he gives May her Torchic. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the father of Sapphire.
Other characters
Norman (Senri (センリ)) is the Petalburg City Gym Leader and an expert on Normal-type Pokémon. In the games, Norman is the protagonist's father. In the anime, he is the father of May and Max. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the father of Ruby and a close friend of Professor Birch.
Wallace (Mikuri (ミクリ)) is the Sootopolis City Gym Leader in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. He is an expert on Water-type Pokémon, a skilled artist and Pokémon Contest star. In Pokémon Emerald, Wallace becomes the Hoenn League Champion, leaving the post of Gym Leader to his mentor, Juan. In the anime, he does not appear until the Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl anime series, where he is a Contest Master from the Hoenn region who holds a Contest called the Wallace Cup.
Steven Stone (Daigo Tsuwabuki (ツワブキ・ダイゴ, Tsuwabuki Daigo)) is the Champion of the Hoenn Region in Ruby, Sapphire, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. He is the son of the president of Devon Corporation and aids the player in their battles against Teams Magma and Aqua. In Emerald, he has retired from competitive battling, but can be challenged for casual battles.
Maxie (Matsubusa (マツブサ)) is the Leader of Team Magma, which aims to awaken Groudon to cause a drought that will dry the oceans and expand landmasses. In contrast, Archie (Aogiri (アオギリ)) is the Leader of Team Aqua, which aims to awaken Kyogre to cause a heavy rainfall that will flood the landmasses and expand the oceans.
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Diamond, Pearl (2006), Platinum (2008), Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl (2021), which are set in the fictional Sinnoh region.
Lucas and Dawn
Lucas (コウキ, Kōki) and Dawn (ヒカリ, Hikari) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.
Barry
Barry (ジュン, Jun) is the rival character in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. He is often impatient and is determined to be the best Pokémon Trainer. He is best friends with the player, who he aids throughout their journey. His father, Palmer, owns the Battle Tower in Sinnoh. He tends to accidentally crash into people, and often tries to fine people for being too slow.
Professor Rowan
Professor Rowan (Professor Nanakamado (ナナカマド博士, Nanakamado-hakase)) is the Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games, having returned to Sinnoh after four years of traveling abroad. He is a senior researcher to and old friend of Professor Oak, and is known for his research on Pokémon evolution. He is authorized to give trainers one of three Sinnoh starter Pokémon, Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup. In the anime, he gives Dawn her Piplup. He has an assistant, either Lucas or Dawn, depending on which player character was not chosen by the player.
Other characters
Cynthia (Shirona (シロナ)) is the Sinnoh League Champion. She is interested in mythology and history and spends her time researching and exploring various sites associated with Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region. In the games, she helps the protagonist against Team Galactic and assists them when Giratina appears in Platinum. In the anime, Ash first meets Cynthia after she defeats Paul in a battle; she later helps the group fight against Team Galactic.
Cyrus (Akagi (アカギ)) is the nihilistic Leader of the villainous Team Galactic and the main antagonist of the Sinnoh games. Although he seems to want to work with his team to create a new dimension, his true goal is to create a dimension solely for himself; devoid of emotions that he sees as weak and useless.
"Looker" ("Handsome" (ハンサム, Hansamu)) is a member of the Interpol who appears in Pokémon Platinum, where he is investigating Team Galactic. He appears again in Black and White, seeking the player's assistance in apprehending the seven sages of Team Plasma. In X and Y, he poses as a detective to investigate a Team Flare scientist. In Sun and Moon, he comes to Alola to assist the player with capturing the Ultra Beasts that were unleashed there.
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Black and White (2010) and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 (2012), which are set in the fictional Unova region.
Protagonists
Hilbert (トウヤ, Tōya) and Hilda (トウコ, Tōko) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Black and White. Nate (キョウヘイ, Kyōhei) and Rosa (メイ, Mei) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
Rivals
Cheren (チェレン, Cheren) is one of the rival characters in Pokémon Black and White, and is one of the player's childhood friends. He is intelligent and trustworthy, often giving the player character advice and battling them to test his skills. Like the player, he aims to become Champion. Two years later, in Black 2 and White 2, he becomes Aspertia City's Gym Leader. His name is derived from the Bulgarian word for black: черен (cheren).[12]
Bianca (ベル, Bel) is the other rival in Pokémon Black and White, and alongside Cheren is one of the player's childhood friends. She is spontaneous and sometimes unreliable, but she develops over the course of the journey. She also has a strong side, which she shows when she goes on a Pokémon journey against her father's wishes. Her father wants her to stay at home, believing the world to be unsafe, until Elesa eventually convinces him to let keep Bianca go on her own journey. Two years later, in the events of Black 2 and White 2, she becomes an assistant to Professor Juniper and gives the player their starter Pokémon. Her English name is derived from the Italian word for white, while her Japanese name "Bel" is derived from the Russian word for white: бел (bel).[12]
Hugh (ヒュウ, Hue) is the sole rival in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. He is from Aspertia City and one of the player's childhood friends. Like the player characters, he also seeks to become a Pokémon Master. Throughout the game, the player helps Hugh retrieve his sister's Purrloin, which was stolen by Team Plasma years prior.
Professor Juniper
Professor Aurea Juniper (Professor Araragi (アララギ博士, Araragi-hakase)) is the Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Black and White games and the first female professor to appear in the video games. She specializes in research involving the origins of Pokémon. She gives the player character, Bianca and Cheren one of the game's starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. In the anime, she gives Trip a Snivy and allows Ash to keep an Oshawott that escapes from her lab. Her father, Cedric Juniper, was a Pokémon Professor and has since retired.
Other characters
Fennel (Makomo (マコモ)) is a Pokémon Professor who studies Pokémon Trainers and the dreams of Pokémon. The player encounters her when Team Plasma abducts a Munna from her research facility to use its Dream Mist powers. She gives access to the games' wireless capabilities and online systems.
Alder (Adeku (アデク)) is the former Champion of the Unova Region, who helps the player battle Team Plasma throughout Unova. N successfully challenges him to battle and wins, forcing the player to fight N instead. The player can later challenge Alder after finishing the main story of the game. While he does not specialize in a particular Pokémon type, half of his Pokémon are Bug-type and his signature Pokémon is Volcarona. He later reveals he had another Volcarona that died before the games begin. He has retired from his position in Black 2 and White 2, having been succeeded by Iris.
N (エヌ, Enu) is the Leader of Team Plasma. He is a mysterious Pokémon Trainer who shows up throughout the player's journey and believes that humans and Pokémon should be separated. He was forced to grow up with abused Pokémon, as a plot by his adoptive father Ghetsis, so that he would want to liberate Pokémon from humans. By following through with the plan, he befriends Zekrom in Black or Reshiram in White to help him alter the world. N returns in Black 2 and White 2 in a supporting role, enabling the games' mascot Kyurem to transform. His full name is Natural Harmonia Gropius (ナチュラル・ハルモニア・グロピウス, Nachuraru Harumonia Guropiusu).
Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius (G-Cis Harmonia Gropius (ゲーチス・ハルモニア・グロピウス, Gēchisu Harumonia Guropiusu) is the true Leader of Team Plasma and the main antagonist of the Unova games. He is the adoptive father of N, Anthea, and Concordia, He initially appears as one of the Seven Sages devoted to Team Plasma's cause. During the climax of the first games, it is revealed he manipulated N and Team Plasma as part of his plan to rule over the world via N. He is arrested after being beaten by the player, but escapes thanks to the Shadow Triad. He returns in the sequels as the leader of Neo Team Plasma, wanting to use Kyurem to freeze and rule over Unova. He reveals himself after Colress' defeat and retreats to the Giant Chasm with Kyurem. After his attempt to freeze the protagonist is interrupted by N and his legendary Pokémon, he uses the DNA Splicers he armed Kyurem with to merge them both. After beating it and Ghetsis, he snaps completely and is transported away by the Shadow Triad.
Colress (Achroma (アクロマ, Akuroma)) is an independent Pokémon Researcher and a proxy Leader of Neo Team Plasma, who works to learn about the powers of Pokémon and bring out the true strength within them. He battles the player several times throughout the game to test their abilities and the power of their Pokémon. He eventually aligns with Neo Team Plasma, as they will allow him to study Pokémon the way he wishes. In the main story of Black 2 and White 2, he is the helmsman of Team Plasma's primary mode of transportation. After Neo Team Plasma is defeated, he helps the group reform. He returns in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, helping the player character defeat Team Rainbow Rocket in the post-game story. He has a larger and more antagonistic role in the anime, as he builds a device that would allow Ghetsis to control Reshiram and takes control of various Pokémon, including Team Rocket's Meowth.
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon X and Y (2013), which are set in the fictional Kalos region.
Calem and Serena
Calem (カルム, Karumu) and Serena (セレナ, Serena) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon X and Y.
Rivals
Shauna (サナ, Sana) is one of the rivals/friends of the player character in Pokémon X and Y. She is energetic and curious, but is searching for a goal in life. She gives the player character a nickname at the outset of their journey.
Tierno (ティエルノ, Tierno) is interested in finding new Pokémon to make the perfect Pokémon Dance Team.
Trevor (トロバ, Trevor) is studious and wishes to fill up all three parts of the Kalos region's Pokédex.
Professor Sycamore
Professor Augustine Sycamore (Professor Platane (プラターヌ博士, Puratānu-hakase)) is the Pokémon Professor of the Kalos region, who occasionally battles the player. Unlike previous professors, who gave out the regions' starter Pokémon, Kalos's starter Pokémon Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are given out by one of the player character's friends. Instead, Professor Sycamore gives the player a choice between Kanto's starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
Diantha
Diantha (Carnet (カルネ, Karune)) is the Kalos Pokémon League Champion. She is known in the Kalos Region as a popular celebrity, appearing in films and advertisements, but the player does not discover her place in the Pokémon League until the end of the game.
Lysandre
Lysandre (Fleur-de-Lis (フラダリ, Furadari) is the Leader of the villainous Team Flare, which seeks to attain eternal beauty. He follows the player's progress closely, seeking them in his plans and revealing the history of Kalos and the king AZ, who nearly wiped out all life. He is also related to AZ, as he is a descendant of his brother. After his identity as Team Flare's leader is revealed, he admits he wishes to use AZ's weapon to enact mass extinction, believing the Mega Ring to be central to his plans. The player ultimately defeats Lysandre and when Lysandre attempts to activate the weapon, despite the player having captured its power source, the weapon crumbles and destroys the headquarters. Lysandre also appears in the anime as a recurring antagonist, where his plans are similar to the games.
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016) or Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017). These games are all set in the fictional Alola region.
Elio and Selene
Elio (ヨウ, Yō) and Selene (ミヅキ, Mizuki) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
Rivals
Hau (ハウ, Hau) is one of the rivals of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. He is a direct contrast to previous rivals like Blue, as he chooses a Pokémon that is weak to that of the protagonist and is constantly trailing behind the player, rather than being ahead of them.[13]
Gladion (グラジオ, Gladio) is a member of the villainous Team Skull and a rival for the player. He is terse and combative, capturing the spirit of rivalry as established earlier in the franchise.[13] His partner Pokémon is a Type: Null stolen from an Aether Foundation lab, which later evolves into Silvally. He is Lusamine's son and Lillie's older brother.
Professor Kukui
Professor Kukui (ククイ博士, Kukui-hakase) is the Pokémon Professor in Pokémon Sun and Moon, who studies Pokémon moves and takes Lillie under his wing as his assistant; he is married to Professor Burnett. He has a double life in the Battle Royal Dome as The Masked Royal. He is good friends with Molayne, who keeps his double life a secret. He takes one of the Alolan starter Pokémon under his wing, whichever was not chosen by Hau or the player, and later uses it in battle in its final form. He acts as the final opponent before becoming the first-ever Champion of Alola Region in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
Team Skull
Team Skull (スカル団, Skull-dan, Skull Gang) is a gang of street thugs who are the resident villain team of Alola in Pokémon Sun and Moon, secretly working with the Aether Foundation after being promised money. They disband following the events of the games.
- Guzma (グズマ) is the Boss of Team Skull, who battles without mercy. In the past, he went through the Island Challenge, but did not meet the criteria to become a captain. He has history with Professor Kukui, as they were both unable to become captains. In the Ultra versions, helps the player defeat Team Rainbow Rocket out of loyalty to Lusamine.
- Plumeria (プルメリ, Plumeri) is Team Skull's admin, who helps to keep the team in order. She cares for the grunts beneath her, making her less antagonistic than previous admins.
Other characters
Lusamine (ルザミーネ) is the president of the Aether Foundation, the mother of Lillie and Gladion, and the true villain of the original Sun and Moon games. She is obsessed with the Ultra Beasts, specifically Nihilego, having fallen under their influence; Gladion speculates her fixation started after her husband Mohn vanished while studying them. She unleashes Nihilego upon Alola before deciding to live a solitary life amongst them in their home realm. She is taken as a host by a Nihilego at the games' climax in a last-ditch attempt to destroy the protagonists. In the Ultra versions, she works with the Ultra Recon Squad and harnesses Nebby's power to fight Necrozma, but is defeated. She reforms at the end of the story, choosing to no longer interfere in her children's lives, but is captured by Team Rainbow Rocket, taken hostage, and later freed by the player in the postgame.
The Ultra Recon Squad (ウルトラ調査隊, Urutora chōsa-tai) is an organization that appears in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They aim to investigate Ultra Wormholes and Ultra Beasts and return the light that was stolen from their home by Necrozma.
Lillie (リーリエ, Lilie) is an important character in Sun and Moon and their Ultra versions. She hates Pokémon battles because she dislikes seeing Pokémon getting hurt. She keeps a Cosmog nicknamed Nebby in her bag, which she stole from the Aether Foundation because her mother could end up killing it. She later takes refuge with Professor Kukui and becomes his assistant.
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Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019). These games are set in the fictional Galar region.
Protagonists
Victor (マサル, Masaru) and Gloria (ユウリ, Yūri) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Rivals
Sword and Shield features several rival characters. These are:
- Hop (ホップ, Hop) is the younger brother of Leon, the Champion of the Galar Region. He idolizes his brother and aspires to become Champion himself. Over time, he grows frustrated with his constant losses to the player, until he eventually changes paths and sets out to become a Pokémon Professor.
- Bede (ビート, Beet) is an arrogant trainer whose Pokémon journey is sponsored by Chairman Rose. After he is disqualified from the Gym Challenge, Opal takes him under her wing and starts training him to become her successor. He initially specializes in Psychic-type Pokémon, but later on specializes in Fairy-type Pokémon.
- Marnie (マリィ, Mary) is the younger sister of Piers, who is Spikemuth's Gym Leader. Team Yell, a group of Gym trainers from Spikemuth, are her troublesome fans. After the game's conclusion, she succeeds Piers as Spikemuth's Gym Leader. She specializes in Dark-type Pokémon.
- Klara (クララ, Kurara) is the rival in the "Isle of Armor" story in Pokémon Sword. She was an underground "idol", and aspires to become a Poison-type Gym leader to acquire fans.
- Avery (セイボリー, Savory) is the rival in the "Isle of Armor" story in Pokémon Shield. He came from a family of psychics, but was shunned for being unable to teleport or read minds. He aspires to prove his family wrong and become a Psychic-type Gym leader.
Professors
Professor Magnolia (マグノリア博士, Magunoria-hakase) is the Pokémon Professor in the Galar region, who studies the Dynamax phenomenon and gives the player and Hop Dynamax Bands. She steps down as Professor near the end of the game.
Professor Sonia (ソニア博士, Sonia-hakase) is Magnolia's granddaughter, who becomes Galar professor after announcing her discovery of the legend of the Darkest Day. She also appears throughout the story, often assisting the player and Hop. She publishes a book on her Dynamax research and in turn the true history of Galar, which causes Sordward and Shielbert to start the events of the postgame story. In The Crown Tundra, she researches the Swords of Justice: Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.
Other characters
Leon (Dande (ダンデ)) is the Champion of the Galar Region. He often appears throughout the story, and defeats various out-of-control Dynamax Pokémon caused by Eternatus. He has a poor sense of direction and often gets lost. He was childhood rivals with Sonia and Raihan, a Gym Leader who specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon. After defeating him and becoming Champion, he converts Rose's tower base into the Battle Tower. He also sets up the Galarian Star Tournament at the end of The Crown Tundra.
Nessa (Rurina (ルリナ)) is a model, and Gym Leader, Specializing in Water-type Pokémon.
Mustard (マスタード, Mustard) runs the dojo on the Isle of Armor. He is a former Champion of the Galar Region who trained Leon in the past, reigning undefeated for 18 years until he retired due to being asked to participate in a rigged match. He purchased the Isle of Armor and developed an interest in video games.
Rose (ローズ) is the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League, the president of a large business conglomerate, and the main villain of Sword and Shield. He is obsessed with solving Galar's future energy crisis, and wants to awake Eternatus because he believes harnessing its power would solve the problem. After the player defeats and catches Eternatus, he voluntarily surrenders to the authorities. He specializes in Steel-type Pokémon.
Sordward (ソッド, Swod) & Shielbert (シルディ, Shildy) are the main antagonists of the post-game story for Pokémon Sword and Shield. They believe that Sonia's accounts of Galar's history are false.
Characters that were introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022). This game is set in the Hisui region and takes place in the distant past of the Sinnoh region of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
- Rei (テル, Teru) and Akari (ショウ, Shō) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, who are sent back in time by Arceus. Before their official names were revealed, they were thought to be Dawn and Lucas.
- Professor Laventon is the Pokémon Professor of the Hisui region, who specializes in the ecology of Pokémon.
- The Miss Fortune Sisters are a trio of bandits that attack the protagonist in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
- Volo: A traveling member of the Ginkgo Guild with an interest in old legends. He initially presents himself as an ally to the player, but the post-game reveals him to be the main antagonist, who, alongside Giratina, opened the space-time rift to destroy the world and remake it in his own image. He is similar to Cynthia in appearance, Pokémon, and battle theme, though their specific relation is unclear.
- Captain Cyllene (Shimaboshi (シマボシ)) is the leader of the Galaxy Team's Survey Corps in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. She resembles Cyrus in appearance and demeanor, though their specific relation is unclear. She tends to be strict to others and herself, but sees potential in the player and allows them to take a trial to join the Galaxy Team.[14]
- Commander Kamado (Denboku (デンボク)) is the boss of the Galaxy Team. He tends to be harsh, but the members of the Galaxy Team look up to him as a reliable leader and trust him deeply. He is the ancestor of Professor Rowan.[15]
- The Hisui region features a group of ten Wardens (キャプテン Captain) who are charged with taking care of certain Noble and Ride Pokémon by ensuring their territory is safe and leaving them offerings of water and food to express the clan's gratitude. Among them is Ingo from the Unova region, who came to Hisui and gained amnesia in the process.[15]
- Adaman (Seki (セキ)) is the leader of the Diamond Clan, which is at odds with the Pearl Clan because of their beliefs. He believes that Arceus, which is worshipped by both the Diamond and Pearl Clans, controls time, implying that he represents Dialga, the deity of time. He occasionally engages in conflicts with Irida.
- Irida (Kai (カイ)) is the leader of the Pearl Clan, which is at odds with the Diamond Clan because of their beliefs. She believes that Arceus, which is worshipped by both the Diamond and Pearl Clans, controls space and dimensions, implying that she represents Palkia, the deity of space and dimensions. She occasionally engages in conflicts with Adaman.
- Cogita (Cogito (コギト)) is a woman who lives in the Ancient Retreat, a secret location within the Hisui region. She possesses vast knowledge of the legends of the Hisui region. After the player is banished from Jubilife Village, she instructs them to collect the items required to forge the Red Chain, an item capable of closing the space-time rift. After completion of the main story, she gives the player the Pixie Plate, which she had been using as a cutting board and was unaware of what it truly was. She also visits the Galaxy HQ and tells the player of Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus, also known as the Forces of Nature. After the player successfully completes their Pokédex entries, she reveals that there is one more member of the group, Enamorus, and tells them to catch her at the Crimson Mirelands. Once Enamorus is caught, she gives the player the Reveal Glass, which can transform the Forces of Nature into their Therian Forms. Like Volo, she is similar in appearance to Cynthia, though their specific relation is unknown.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022), which are set in the fictional Paldea region.
- Florian (ハルト, Haruto) and Juliana (アオイ, Aoi) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
- Nemona (ネモ, Nemo): The rival in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, who is the president of the student council at Naranja/Uva Academy. She is a Champion-rank trainer who is determined to make the player a worthy opponent in battle. Nemona often tests the player's strength by purposefully using weaker teams throughout the game. She is passionate about battling and is often possessive over the player in hopes of being their sole mentor.
- Professor Sada (オーリム, Ōrimu) and Professor Turo (フトゥー, Futu): The Pokémon Professors in Scarlet and Violet, respectively, and the parents of Arven. It is later revealed that the true professors died before the events of the story, with the ones that appeared throughout the story being robotic duplicates and the true villains of their respective games. They are the first professors not to be named after trees, with Sada's name coming from "pasado", the Spanish word for past, and Turo's name coming from "futuro", the Spanish word for future. They study the possible relationship between the ancient or futuristic versions of modern-day Pokémon, known as "Paradox Pokémon", and are indirectly responsible for the "Terastal" phenomenon. Their robotic counterparts eventually realize that bringing in Paradox Pokémon from different timelines is wrong, but in the endgame, end up defending the time machine against their will through the defense program the professors had set up. Afterwards, they decide to travel to the past and future, respectively, knowing that it would be the only way to stop the time machine from bringing any more Paradox Pokémon to the present.
- Larry (アオキ, Aoki) is the Gym leader of Medali, who specializes in Normal-type Pokémon and an Elite Four member who specializes in Flying-type Pokémon.[16][17] He is characterized as a "depressed salaryman"[16] who works as both a Gym leader and Elite Four member.[17] His blank expression became popular with fans,[16] and was lauded as relatable by critics.[17]
- Geeta (オモダカ, Omodaka) is the Top Champion and administrator of the Paldea League. Nemona refers to her as "La Primera".
- Team Star (スター団, Sutā-dan) is an antagonistic team consisting of school delinquents, led by five separate crew bosses. Over the course of the "Starfall Street" storyline, it is revealed that they were founded to protect themselves from bullies. The team's founder, Penny, seeks to disband the team to prevent its members from being expelled, but the school's current director Clavell ultimately grants them clemency upon learning their story.
- Penny (ボタン, Botan) is the founder and "Big Boss" of Team Star, who is also known as Cassiopeia (カシオペア, Kashiopea). She uses a group of Eeveelutions as her team and carries a fluffy Eevee bag. It is later revealed that the five Crew leaders did not know her identity until the player defeats her.
- Arven (ペパー, Pepā) is a student of Naranja/Uva Academy and the son of the Professor. Before the events of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Arven was attacked by a Paradox Pokémon which severely injured his Mabosstiff. He seeks the "Herba Mystica", which is guarded by the Titan Pokémon, to help heal his Mabosstiff. He later accompanies the player into Area Zero to shut off the time machine. Arven's storyline was based on the death of game director Shigeru Ohmori's parents.[18] Arven's storyline received praise,[19][20] and he was named the best new character by Famitsu.[18]
- Kieran (スグリ, Suguri) is a student of Blueberry Academy. He is first introduced in The Teal Mask, where he is paired with the player during a field trip in Kitakami. He is deeply interested in the story of Ogerpon; however, he begins to resent the player after they hide from him the true story surrounding Ogerpon. At the end of The Teal Mask, he vows to become stronger and swears revenge on the player. In The Indigo Disk, it is revealed that he worked his way through the BB League to become its Champion, later revealing that it was all for defeating the player.
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