List of Pokémon characters

This is a list of characters in the Pokémon games, animated TV series, and manga series. Save for notable specific Pokémon, the specific species of Pokémon are not listed here; they are instead detailed further at List of Pokémon.

Note that this list includes characters from all of the various incarnations of the Pokémon franchise. This includes characters from a number of discrete, similar-but-separate continuities, including the video game continuity, the anime continuity, the Pokémon Adventures continuity, the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga continuity, and the Magical Pokémon Journey manga continuity. The anime continuity and most of the manga continuities are based to varying degrees on the games, but they all diverge at key points. A single character may appear in multiple continuities, sometimes in the same basic role (e.g. Giovanni), sometimes in very different roles (e.g. Brock).

All references to the "video games" collectively refer to Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, LeafGreen, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, and White only, unless noted otherwise. Likewise, references to the Pokémon anime also include, in addition to the eponymous anime itself, the related sidestory Pokémon Chronicles anime, the game Pokémon Channel, and Ash & Pikachu manga unless otherwise noted.

Names in bold are the names from the English language versions of the video games or anime. Names in plain text are the anglicized form of the characters' original Japanese language name.

Main characters

Player characters

The protagonist of the video games can be renamed by the player, but each has an array of default names. As the anime and the various manga are, to differing degrees, based on the games, other Pokémon protagonists (or supporting characters) are often named after and share many characteristics with the game protagonists.

• Red (レッド, Reddo^?): The male protagonist of Pokémon Red and Blue, and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. This character also appears in Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal, and their remakes, as an optional, high-level boss battle. Many characters are based on this protagonist, the most notable being Ash Ketchum in the anime, and Red in Pokémon Adventures.
• In the Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen games, the player has the option of choosing a female avatar within the game. Her design is based on Green from Pokémon Adventures, who was in turn based on concept art for a third female protagonist of the original Red, Green, and Blue games. While no name is officially given to the character, many refer to her as "Leaf" (リーフ, Rīfu^?), which is one of the many pre-set options available for the female avatar.
• Ethan (Hibiki (ヒビキ^?)): The male protagonist of Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver. In the games, Ethan is a young trainer from the Johto region, who sets out to prove himself three years after Red became the League Champion. Ethan's journey as a Pokémon trainer begins when Professor Elm asks him to run an errand for Mr. Pokémon, who lives north of Cherrygrove City. This protagonist is the inspiration for Jimmy, one of the heroes of "The Legend of Thunder", the multipart episode at the beginning of Pokémon Chronicles. Ethan inspired Gold of Pokémon Adventures. Ethan had gone without an official name for many years until the recent remakes HeartGold and SoulSilver; fans previously referred to him by the unofficial name, Gold.
• Kris (クリス, Kurisu^?): The female protagonist of Crystal. Her adventure in the games is similar to the male protagonist. This protagonist is the inspiration for Marina, one of the heroes of "The Legend of Thunder", the multipart episode at the beginning of Pokémon Chronicles. Kris inspired Crystal of Pokémon Adventures.
• Lyra (Kotone (コトネ^?)): The female protagonist of HeartGold and SoulSilver. In the games, Lyra is a young trainer from the Johto region, who sets out to prove herself three years after Red became the League Champion. Lyra's journey as a Pokémon trainer begins when Professor Elm asks her to run an errand for Mr. Pokémon, who lives north of Cherrygrove City. Lyra has an anime counterpart who travels with the main characters for a couple of episodes.
• Brendan (Yūki (ユウキ^?)): The male protagonist of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. He made some cameo appearances in the opening of Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker, Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea and Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior. Brendan also inspired Ruby in Pokémon Adventures.
• May (Haruka (ハルカ^?)): The female protagonist of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. She has counterparts in anime and manga, May being a main character in the Pokémon anime for seasons 6 to 9, guest starring in season 12, and Sapphire, the main character of a few volumes of Pokémon Adventures. However, Sapphire is based on the "rival" role May plays when Brendan is picked as the player character.
• Lucas (Kōki (コウキ^?)): The male protagonist of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Lucas's only anime appearance is a cameo in Pokémon: Giratina and the Sky Warrior where he was shown battling for the introduction, but has had no lines or contact to the other characters. He is also the basis for Diamond from the manga.
• Dawn (Hikari (ヒカリ^?)): The female protagonist of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. Dawn inspired the Dawn from the Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl anime and Platinum Berlitz from the manga.
• Hilbert (Tōya (トウヤ^?)): The male protagonist of Pokémon Black and White. When not chosen as the player character, he appears as the player's Multi-battle partner in the Battle Subway.
• Hilda (Tōko (トウコ^?)): The female protagonist of Pokémon Black and White. When not chosen as the player, she appears as the player's Multi-battle partner in the Battle Subway.

Rivals

The main character's rival in the video games has a number of different names, but he roughly corresponds to several other characters in the animated series and comics. (Note that not all of the corresponding characters are rivals or antagonists to the protagonist in the anime or in Pokémon Adventures, however.) In the Pokémon video games, the rivals will always pick a starter Pokémon which has a type advantage over the player's own.

• Blue (Green (グリーン, Gurīn^?)): The player's rival and League Champion in Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and their remakes, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, this character runs the Viridian City Gym, replacing the now-missing Giovanni. He is pushy and competitive, but is generally a good Pokémon Trainer. He is the grandson of Professor Oak. Blue is the basis for Gary Oak in the anime and Blue in Pokémon Adventures. IGN listed Blue as the 98th best villain in video games, though they stressed that it was difficult to view him as a villain. However, they did say that he was kind of a "douche", citing his attempt to prevent the player character from getting a map.^[1]
• Silver (シルバー, Shirubā^?): The player's rival in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, and their remakes, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This character steals his first Pokémon from Professor Elm, and tends to see Pokémon as tools, to use and discard, although not in the Pokémon Adventures. Unlike the first rival, his view on Pokémon makes him a mediocre trainer, though the sage in the Sprout Tower recognises that he is talented, and has great potential. This rival does not appear in the anime mainly, but is featured in the Japanese opening for Pokémon Chronicles. The rival is featured in Pokémon Adventures as Silver.
• Wally (Mitsuru (ミツル^?)): Another one of the rivals in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald is the player's protégé, Wally. In the beginning, he is a sickly young boy who needs help in catching a Pokémon. When he goes to the player's father for advice, Norman directs the player to help him catch a Pokémon. Using Norman's Zigzagoon, the player helps Wally catch a Ralts. The next time he battles the protagonist, he seems healthier and is in tune with his Pokémon. He battles the player for the last official time near Victory Road and waits there, always ready for another battle.
• Barry (Jun (ジュン^?)): The other rival (who can be named at the player's choice) is a blond-haired boy who is impatient and determined to be the best Trainer of all time. His father, Palmer, owns the Battle Tower in Sinnoh, and his skill and wanderlust has apparently rubbed off on his son. At times he will aid the player, but, more often than not, he will pick fights with the player. He tends to crash into people quite often as he runs about. His final battle with the player is in the Fight Area, and he can be fought again during weekends. He is the inspiration for Barry in the anime.
• Cheren (チェレン^?): One of the rivals in Pokémon Black and White. Cheren is very intelligent and trustworthy; he often gives the player character advice and battles the player to test his skills. Like the player, he aims to become the Champion. He is one of the player's childhood friends.^[2] His name is from the Bulgarian word for black: черен (cheren).
• Bianca (Bel (ベル, Beru^?)): One of the rivals in Pokémon Black and White. Bianca 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. She is one of the player's childhood friends.^[2] Bianca's Japanese name "Bel" is from the Russian word for white: бел (bel).
• N (エヌ, Enu^?): N is one of the antagonists in Pokémon Black and White. He is a very mysterious trainer who shows up at random and inconvenient times and believes that all humans and Pokémon should be separated. He is almost always seen using Pokémon that can only be found in the area that he is fought in. He is later revealed to be the 'king' of Team Plasma. He was forced to grow up with abused Pokémon, as a plot by his father, Ghetsis, so that he would want to liberate all Pokémon from humans. By following through with the plan, he captures either Zekrom or Reshiram (depending on the game version) in order to show the world his power so that they will follow through with his plan to liberate all Pokémon.

Pseudo-rival

The "pseudo-rival" in the video games debuted in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and is always the character that the player did not choose to play as.

• Brendan or May: The pseudo-rival in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald is either Brendan or May. They are the opposite gender of the protagonist, have an agreeable and encouraging attitude, and are the child of Professor Birch. In Pokémon Adventures, Brendan and May are featured as Ruby, the son of the Gym Leader Norman, and Sapphire, the daughter of Professor Birch.
• Lucas or Dawn: The pseudo-rival in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum is either Lucas or Dawn. They are the opposite gender of the player's character and are one of Professor Rowan's assistants. In both cases, they won't fight the player, but rather aid the player during the player's quest. The rival has a little sister in Sandgem Town that watches TV and tells the player where swarms of Pokémon come.
• Ethan or Lyra : The pseudo-rival in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver is either Ethan or Lyra. They are the opposite gender of the player's character, and are the grandchild of the daycare couple on Route 34. In both cases, they won't fight the player, but rather aid the player during the player's quest. They also take the role of "Dude" from the original Game Boy Color games, showing the player how to catch Pokémon.

Crime syndicates

Main article: Pokémon crime syndicates

• Team Rocket (ロケット団, Roketto-dan^?): The first syndicate to be revealed in the Pokémon metaseries. In each of its various incarnations, Team Rocket desires to steal Pokémon to further its goal of world domination. They are led by the criminal mastermind, Giovanni. After debuting in the original games, Red and Blue, the syndicate then appeared in the animated series and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. They also appear in the Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, and HeartGold and SoulSilver versions. Two agents named James and Jessie appear with their Meowth as the main antagonists of the anime.
• Team Aqua (アクア団, Akua-dan^?) and Team Magma (マグマ団, Maguma-dan^?): These two opposing groups each seek to cause huge alterations to the planet's ecosystem. Aqua wishes to expand the seas by awakening Kyogre, and Magma wants to evaporate all the water (causing a huge drought) through Groudon. In Sapphire Team Magma is an ally to the player, while in Ruby Team Aqua is the player's ally.
• Team Galactic (ギンガ団, Ginga-dan^?): In Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, they are the evil team tormenting the region of Sinnoh. They desire to reshape time and space to their preferred designs by making a red chain to control Dialga and Palkia to attempt create a new universe. In the video games, they appear to only want Dialga in Diamond or they only want Palkia in Pearl. In Pokémon Platinum, they want both but are stopped when Giratina comes out of the Distortion World and drags everything back in with it. They also appear in the anime seasons based on Diamond and Pearl.
• Team Plasma (プラズマ団, Purazuma-dan^?): In Pokémon Black and White, the crime syndicate is Team Plasma, which intends to separate Pokémon from humans. They are led by a boy known only as N who will capture Zekrom in Black and Reshiram in White (the player will capture the opposite colored one), intending to use the Dragon Pokémon to force people to abandon capturing Pokémon. In reality, N is a pawn used by his father Ghetsis such that Ghetsis will be the only one with Pokémon at his disposal, allowing him to take control of Unova. Team Plasma is yet to appear in the anime seasons based on Black and White as of March 2011^[update].

Pokémon League

The Pokémon League is a little-described organization that organizes and certifies Pokémon Gyms and Pokémon tournaments. Becoming the Pokémon League Champion is one of the main goals in the video games, as well as one of Ash's stated goals in life in the anime.

The members of the Pokémon League have differing roles depending on where they appear; in the video games, they are the one-time "boss" opponents the player has to overcome to progress through the game, in the anime, they are usually one-time challengers Ash has to face to become the Pokémon League Champion, and in the manga, they are alternately enemies or allies to the protagonists, depending on their individual motivations.

Gym Leaders

Main article: Pokémon Gym

Gym Leaders (ジムリーダー, Jimu Rīdā^?) lead Pokémon Gyms, and offer Gym badges to Pokémon trainers who can defeat them. Usually, this challenge takes the form of a Pokémon battle, but, occasionally, the challenges are a trial of skill or endurance, or the badges are given in return for extraordinary services rendered.

Each main region has at least eight Gym Leaders at a time. Any trainer who earns a Gym Badge from eight Gyms is eligible to go on to face the Elite Four or participate in the Pokémon League Championships, as appropriate.

Kanto Gym Leaders

• Brock (Takeshi (タケシ^?)): 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 (Pokémon Sunday in Japan), he returns to find his mother leading the gym, using Water-type Pokémon.
• Misty (Kasumi (カスミ^?)): Gym Leader of Cerulean City and an expert in Water-type Pokémon. In the anime, she leaves this post for a time to join Ash on his adventure. In Pokémon Chronicles (Pokémon Sunday in Japan), Misty returns to take over as the 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.
• Lt. Surge (Matis (マチス, Machisu^?)): An expert in Electric-type Pokémon. He is ex-military, but retains the lieutenant title, at the Vermilion City gym. The Japanese video games refer to him as an American, rather than a native of Kanto.
• Erika (エリカ^?): An expert in Grass-type Pokémon. Operates a women-only Pokémon Gym (which doubles as a greenhouse) in Celadon City. In the anime, Erika also works as a perfume maker. In Pokémon Adventures, Erika serves as the leader of the Kanto Gym Leaders who are unaffiliated with Team Rocket.
• Sabrina (Natsume (ナツメ^?)): A specialist in Psychic-type Pokémon, in Saffron City. In the anime, she is a cold, emotionless woman born with powerful psychic abilities, including telekinesis, telepathy, and transmutation, which she used in destructive ways as a child. In the anime, she carries around a green-haired doll that is actually a physical manifestation of the childhood and childlike spirit she abandoned in favor of practicing her psychic abilities. In the videogame the protagonist is told of how she beat the leader of 'The Fighting Dojo' (the gym next door) by robbing it of its gym status.
• Kiyo (Nobuhiko (ノブヒコ^?)): Kiyo leads a martial arts gym in Saffron City, and, until an unspecified amount of time before the events of Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen, was either a Gym Leader or an aspiring Gym Leader. Either way, his prospects as a Gym Leader were dashed after Sabrina and her Gym of Psychic-type Pokémon defeated him and his followers.
• Koga (Kyō (キョウ^?)): An expert on Poison-type Pokémon, a ninja who also patrols the Safari Zone in Fuchsia City. Runs the Fuchsia City Gym in Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed and LeafGreen. In Pokémon Gold and Silver, he leaves his gym to join the Elite Four and is replaced by his daughter Janine. He is a former Team Rocket executive in the Pokémon Adventures manga, who goes on to form the new Elite Four with Bruno, Karen, and Will.
• Janine (Anzu (アンズ^?)): An expert in Poison-type Pokémon. Janine is Koga's daughter, and in Pokémon Gold and Silver takes over the Fuchsia City Pokémon Gym after her father joins the Elite Four. She makes the Gym's invisible maze even more confusing by filling it with lesser Pokémon trainers disguised as herself, to mislead challengers.
• Blaine (Katsura (カツラ^?)): An expert in Fire-type Pokémon. He enjoys testing his potential challengers with quizzes on their knowledge of Pokémon and appears to be an old friend of Mr. Fuji. Originally resided on Cinnabar Island, but moved to the Seafoam Islands after Cinnabar was destroyed by a volcano, with the intention of rebuilding the gym on Cinnabar some day.
• Giovanni (Sakaki (サカキ^?)): An expert in Ground-type Pokémon, and the leader of Team Rocket. Runs the Viridian City Gym in Pokémon Red, Blue, Pokémon Yellow, FireRed and LeafGreen. He later disappears and is not seen again, though Team Rocket attempts to locate him in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Pokémon HeartGold , SoulSilver , and Crystal.
• Blue (Green (グリーン, Gurīn^?)): In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Blue, the rival from Pokémon Red and Blue, takes the Viridian City Gym after Giovanni's disappearance.

Orange Islands Gym Leaders

• Cissy (Atsumi (アツミ^?)): Cissy is an expert on Water-type Pokémon, and challenges Ash to a water gun accuracy contest and a surfing race instead of a battle.
• Danny (Dan (ダン^?)): Danny challenges Ash to climb a mountain, freeze a geyser, and sled-race down the mountain.
• Rudy (Ziggy (ジギー, Jigī^?)): A Pokémon trainer and dance instructor. He is very protective of his little sister, Mahri.
• Luana (Ruriko (ルリコ^?)): A specialist in two-on-two Pokémon battles. She also owns and operates a hotel, and has a son, Travis, who looks much like Ash, who also has a Pikachu sitting on his shoulder while starting off on his journey.
• Drake (Yūji (ユウジ^?)): Drake is the head of the Orange Islands Gym Leaders. (He is unrelated to the Drake that resides in Hoenn.) Because he had been undefeated until Ash defeats him, Drake has been the long-standing champion of the Orange Islands; with Ash's victory, photos and plaster prints of him and his team are included among photos and plaster prints of previous champions preceding Drake.

Johto Gym Leaders

• Falkner (Hayato (ハヤト^?)) : Violet City Gym Leader and an expert on Flying-type Pokémon. Falkner inherited ownership of the gym from his father.
• Bugsy (Tsukushi (ツクシ^?)): Azalea Town Gym Leader and an expert on Bug-type Pokémon. He is a child prodigy who has an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Pokémon.
• Whitney (Akane (アカネ^?)): Goldenrod City Gym Leader and an expert on Normal-type Pokémon. She doesn't take losing well and will throw temper tantrums when she does. In the anime, she is a more agreeable and friendly person, though she tends to get lost in Goldenrod City quite easily.
• Morty (Matsuba (マツバ^?)): Ecruteak City Gym Leader and an expert on Ghost-type Pokémon. Morty has vaguely defined psychic abilities, similar to Sabrina of Kanto. In Pokémon Crystal, he is a friend of Eusine, a trainer searching for Suicune.
• Chuck (Shijima (シジマ^?)): Cianwood City Gym Leader and an expert on Fighting-type Pokémon. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Chuck was the childhood teacher of the rival, Blue.
• Jasmine (Mikan (ミカン^?)): 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 that provides light for the city lighthouse. Only after giving the Ampharos proper medicine can Jasmine be challenged. Jasmine notably appears in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Platinum in Sunyshore City and also as a competitor in Master Rank Pokémon Contests.
• Pryce (Yanagi (ヤナギ^?)): Mahogany Town Gym Leader and an expert on Ice-type Pokémon. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Pryce leads Neo Team Rocket under the alias of The Mask of Ice. In public, he serves as the leader of the Johto Gym Leaders in a similar capacity to Erika, Winona, and Byron. Pryce is considerably more benign in the anime series, though he has a bitter attitude toward Pokémon since the mysterious disappearance of his loyal Piloswine during his youth.
• Clair (Ibuki (イブキ^?)): Blackthorn City Gym Leader and an expert on Dragon-type Pokémon. Clair is the younger cousin of Elite Four member and Champion, Lance.

Hoenn Gym Leaders

• Roxanne (Tsutsuji (ツツジ^?)): Rustboro City Gym Leader and an expert on Rock-type Pokémon. She is also a teacher at the Pokémon Trainer's School in Rustboro.
• Brawly (Tōki (トウキ^?)): Dewford Town Gym Leader and an expert on Fighting-type Pokémon. He trains by surfing the waves along Dewford beach, and claims that the swell helps build up his Pokémon's muscles. In the anime, he also has a private island which has a training facility and a battle field that has geysers on it. He used to train with Bruno, the Elite Four member from Kanto.
• Wattson (Tessen (テッセン^?)): Mauville City Gym Leader and an expert on Electric-type Pokémon. An old man, Wattson is almost always seen smiling and likes a good joke. He and the Trick Master are good friends in Pokémon Adventures. In the anime, any visitor who enters the Gym by the front door takes as an inadvertent roller coaster ride, ending up against a mechanical Raikou.
• Flannery (Asuna (アスナ^?)): Lavaridge Town Gym Leader and an expert on Fire-type Pokémon. Like Falkner, she supposedly inherited her Gym; Flannery's predecessor was her grandfather and she is relatively new in her role as Lavaridge's Gym Leader.
• Norman (Senri (センリ^?)): Petalburg City Gym Leader and an expert on Normal-type Pokémon. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, Norman is the protagonist's father. In the anime, he is the father of May and Max and Caroline's husband. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the father of Ruby and a close friend of Professor Birch.
• Winona (Nagi (ナギ^?)): Fortree City Gym Leader and an expert on Flying-type Pokémon. In Pokémon Adventures, she is the de facto leader of the Gym Leaders of Hoenn against the plots of Team Aqua and Team Magma. In the anime, she owns a shiny Swellow.
• Tate & Liza (Fū & Lan (フウとラン, Fū to Ran^?)): The twins are the Mossdeep City Gym Leaders and experts on Psychic-type Pokémon. Their parents work at the Mossdeep Space Center. In the anime, it is revealed that Liza is older than Tate by minutes from birth and also happens to be a more experience trainer than him.
• Wallace (Mikuri (ミクリ^?)): Wallace is the Sootopolis City Gym Leader in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. He is an expert on Water-type Pokémon and also happens to be a skilled artist. In Pokémon Emerald, Wallace becomes the Pokémon League Champion, leaving the post of Gym Leader to his mentor, Juan. In the anime, he does not make an appearance till the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl anime series.
• Juan (Adan (アダン^?)): An expert on Water-type Pokémon. He was Wallace's mentor and ran the Sootopolis City Gym before him. After Wallace became the Pokémon League Champion, he returned to run the Gym.

Sinnoh Gym Leaders

• Roark (Hyōta (ヒョウタ^?)): Oreburgh City Gym Leader and an expert on Rock-type Pokémon. His father is Byron, who is the Gym Leader of Canalave City.
• Gardenia (Natane (ナタネ^?)): Eterna City Gym Leader and an expert on Grass-type Pokémon. In the anime, she is extremely enthusiastic about Grass-type Pokémon and would often approach one despite not being worried about being attacked. In the Diamond, Pearl and Platinum games, she shows her discontent for Ghost-type Pokémons as she warns the player about them outside the Old Chateau at the Eterna Forest and notes that she is worried about what would happen if a dual Grass-Ghost type Pokémon does exist.
• Maylene (Sumomo (スモモ^?)): Veilstone City Gym Leader and an expert on Fighting-type Pokémon. Her father is often seen at the casino in Veilstone City and he describes his daughter as a tough one. She also appears in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver at an eating contest in Celadon City and as a participant in the Pokéthlon.
• Crasher Wake (Maximum Mask (マキシマム仮面, Makishimamu Kamen^?)): Pastoria City Gym Leader and an expert on Water-type Pokémon. Wake is dressed up like a masked wrestler. He is widely known as professional wrestler in the Sinnoh region and is often mentioned on various TV shows. He also makes several appearances in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
• Fantina (Melissa (メリッサ, Merissa^?)): Hearthome City Gym Leader and an expert on Ghost-type Pokémon. She comes from a foreign land; in the English language version, Fantina often speaks with a mixture of French and broken English. She is also a skilled tango dancer. Fantina can often be found participating in Master Rank Super Contests in the Hearthome Contest Hall. In Pokémon Platinum, she can be challenged earlier in the game, with her Pokémon at a lower level.
• Byron (Tōgan (トウガン^?)): Canalave City Gym Leader and an expert on Steel-type Pokémon. He is the father of Roark, who is also a Gym Leader. He and his son are avid diggers. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Byron acts as the leader of the Sinnoh Gym Leaders against Team Galactic.
• Candice (Suzuna (スズナ^?)): Snowpoint City Gym Leader and an expert on Ice-type Pokémon. After the Elite Four are conquered, she will grant the player access to the Snowpoint Temple. In the anime, she is a childhood friend of Dawn's rival, Zoey.
• Volkner (Denji (デンジ^?)): The Sunyshore City Gym Leader and an expert on Electric-type Pokémon. Volkner is close friends with Flint of the Sinnoh Elite Four, but has become depressed after a long series of unworthy opponents.

Unova Gym Leaders

• Cilan (Dent (デント, Dento^?)), Chili (Pod (ポッド, Poddo^?)), and Cress (Corn (コーン, Kōn^?)): Triplets and waiters who share duties as the Striaton City Gym Leaders. The player challenges the Gym Leader whose Pokémon is strong against the player's starter; Cilan has the Grass-Type Pansage, Chili has the Fire-Type Pansear, and Cress has the Water-Type Panpour. Cilan appears as a main character in the anime, joining Ash on his journey after Ash is awarded Striaton Gym's Trio Badge for defeating him and his brothers.
• Lenora (Aloe (アロエ, Aroe^?)): Nacrene City Gym Leader and paleontologist who uses Normal-Type Pokémon. Lenora has her Gym located inside Nacrene City's museum, of which she is also the director. Her devoted husband, Hawes, is the assistant director.
• Burgh (Arti (アーティ, Āti^?)): Castelia City Gym Leader; he is a skilled painter and a Bug-Type specialist. Burgh's Gym is modeled after a beehive and features many of his works of art. He is friends with Lenora.
• Elesa (Kamitsure (カミツレ^?)): Nimbasa City Gym Leader and a model; Elesa specializes in Electric-Type Pokémon. The Nimbasa City Gym is located in an amusement park, and the Pokémon Gym is filled with roller coasters. Elesa helps to convince Bianca's father to allow his daughter to become a Pokémon trainer and also tells Clay to lower the drawbridge into the Driftveil City for the player.
• Clay (Yacon (ヤーコン, Yākon^?)): Driftveil City Gym Leader; Clay uses Ground-Type Pokémon in his cavernous mine-like gym. He tests the player before allowing a Gym Challenge by asking the player help arrest the Team Plasma members in his town.
• Skyla (Fūro (フウロ^?)): Mistralton City Gym Leader; Skyla uses Flying-Type Pokémon in her gym on an airstrip. She also works as a commercial pilot, flying cargo planes. Before she lets the player challenge her, she visits the Celestial Tower to help a hurt Pokémon she saw on her last flight.
• Brycen (Hachiku (ハチク^?)): Icirrus City's Gym Leader; Brycen is an Ice-Type specialist. Bored of his life as a movie star, Brycen sought out Alder who suggested that he become a Pokémon trainer. He stresses the importance of concealing his identity from others and wears a mask.
• Drayden (Shaga (シャガ^?)) and Iris (アイリス, Airisu^?): The two Gym Leaders of Opelucid City and Dragon-Type specialists. While both characters are present in each version of the games, Drayden is battled in Black while Iris is battled in White; the character who is not the Gym Leader will be the Move Tutor for Draco Meteor instead. Iris appears as a main character in the anime, but her connection to the Opelucid Gym has not yet been mentioned as of June 2011^[update].

Members of the Elite Four

The Elite Four (四天王, Shitennō^?, lit. "Four Heavenly Kings") is an order of exceptionally skilled Pokémon trainers consisting of four member trainers of ascending rank led by a more powerful trainer known as the 'Pokémon Champion'. The position of 'Pokémon Champion' is constantly open to challenge as any Pokémon trainer who gains eight badges and defeats the Elite Four, and once they defeat the Champion in a Pokémon battle, they automatically earn the title for themselves. Whenever the title of champion is passed on, it is honored by an inauguration into the Hall Of Fame. Most different regions possess their own organizations.

Kanto Elite Four

The Kanto Elite Four act as the Elite Four in the original series of Pokémon games consisting of Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow versions as well as in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen versions which act as remakes of the original games. Within the timeline of the games series they are eventually also given the status as the 'Johto Elite Four'.

• Lorelei (Kanna (カンナ^?)): Lorelei is a specialist of Ice-type Pokémon. She is originally from the Sevii Islands and she collects Pokémon Dolls. She appears in the Orange Islands series of the anime, where she is known as Prima in the English version. She is a villain in Pokémon Adventures, who attempts to take over the world with the other Elite Four. She later allies with Red and Blue to save her home.
• Bruno (Shiba (シバ^?)): Bruno is an expert on Fighting-types, and a friend and training partner of Brawly. He constantly trains his own body along with his Pokémon, and he wishes to fight the best trainers in the world, which is why he is part of the group. He regularly trains on the Sevii Islands and utilizes the spa for his Pokémon. He appears in the first episode of the anime as a combatant on television, and he later meets Ash when he seeks out Bruno to learn of his "secret" to become a great trainer. Bruno is an unwilling villain in Pokémon Adventures, where he is forced by Agatha to fight for her. He later forms the Johto Elite Four with Will, Karen, and Koga. Bruno attaches his Poké Balls to the ends of a set of nunchaku, and unleashes his Pokémon at high speeds to give him an advantage.
• Agatha (Kikuko (キクコ^?)): Agatha is an elderly woman who specializes in ghost and poison type Pokémon. She appears in the anime as a temporary leader for the Viridian City Gym, where she defeats Ash in a battle. She is the main antagonist of the Yellow chapter of Pokémon Adventures. She attempts to destroy most of humanity from their base on Cerise Island. She controls Bruno against his will by utilizing the mind-controlling powers of her ghost Pokémon, and she is a former rival of Professor Oak, though their relationship eventually grew very bitter when he decided to pursue his own research career rather than stick with their group, which according to Oak, was only interested in finding new ways to control Pokémon, which the professor found unethical.
• Lance (Wataru (ワタル^?)): Lance, known as one of the best Pokémon trainers in their world, specializes in dragon Pokémon. He is Clair's cousin, having previously trained with her in Blackthorn City. He helps the protagonist in the second generation games in the fight against Team Rocket. He appears in the anime, where he helps Ash's group defeat Team Rocket, catching a red Gyarados that is part of their experiments, and later helps to stop the battle between Groudon and Kyogre. He is an antagonist in Pokémon Adventures who wishes to destroy humanity due to all of the pollution and their hurting of Pokémon. He later becomes an ally of Silver, who he sends on various missions. Lance is the Johto Champion.
• Blue

Johto Elite Four

• Will (Itsuki (イツキ^?)): Will is a Psychic-type specialist, who wears formal clothes and a mask. His Pokémon Adventures incarnation is kidnapped by the Mask of Ice as a child and raised to be his servant. He is initially one of the leaders of Neo Team Rocket, but he eventually goes on to form the new Elite Four with Karen, Koga, and Bruno.
• Bruno
• Koga
• Karen (Karin (カリン^?)): Karen is a Dark-type specialist; she likes Dark-types because she finds their wild and tough nature appealing. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, she was kidnapped as a child and raised by Mask of Ice to be his servant. Like Will, she is initially a leader of Neo Team Rocket until she joins the others to form the new Elite Four.
• Lance

Hoenn Elite Four

• Sidney (Kagetsu (カゲツ^?)): Dark-type specialist, who believes that the dark-side is beautiful, and that "might is right." He is always upbeat, and congratulates those who defeat him.
• Phoebe (Fuyō (フヨウ^?)): is a Ghost-type specialist, whose grandparents are responsible for guarding the Blue, Red, and Green Orbs at Mt. Pyre. She takes control of Regice, together with Glacia, in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
• Glacia (Prim (プリム, Purimu^?)): Ice-type specialist, who came to Hoenn while looking for a warmer climate that, as she claims, help her Pokémon grow strong.
• Drake (Genji (ゲンジ^?)): Dragon-type specialist. He battles Ash in the anime, and he wins overwhelmingly due to Ash's overconfidence.
• Steven Stone (Daigo Tsuwabuki (ツワブキ　ダイゴ, Tsuwabuki Daigo^?)): Steven is the Steel-type using champion of the Hoenn Elite Four, and the son of Mr. Stone of the Devon Corporation. He has a passion for rare stones, and he constantly travels in search of them. He is replaced by Wallace in Emerald, going on to become a powerful wandering trainer. Steven also appears in HeartGold and SoulSilver, most notably to present the player with one of the three starter Pokémon of Hoenn.
• Wallace

Sinnoh Elite Four

• Aaron (Ryō (リョウ^?)): Aaron uses Bug Pokémon, calling them beautiful and perfect. He appears in the anime preparing for a championship battle against Cynthia. When he meets Ash, who tells him about his experience with Cynthia, Aaron tells Ash about how he abandoned his Wurmple during his youth. He does his best to train and understand Bug-types out of regret for his mistake. He is later shown to have lost his match.
• Bertha (Kikuno (キクノ^?)): Bertha is a elderly Ground-type specialist. She appears in the anime along with Cynthia.
• Flint (Ōba (オーバ^?)): Flint is a Fire-type specialist, who meets the protagonist in Sunyshore City. He is a friend of Volkner and he has a younger brother named Buck.
• Lucian (Goyō (ゴヨウ^?)): Lucian is a Psychic-type trainer, who is an avid reader. He battles with Dawn in the anime, and he is shown on television battling Cynthia.
• Cynthia (Shirona (シロナ^?)): Cynthia is the Sinnoh league champion, who uses mostly female Pokémon. She is very interested in mythology and history, and spends her time researching and exploring various sites associated with Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region. In the game, she helps the protagonist fight against Team Galactic, and she also assists them once Giratina appears and takes Cyrus into the Distortion World. In the anime, Ash's first meeting with Cynthia also involves witnessing her defeat Paul with ease; she later helps the group fight against Team Galactic. In Black and White, Cynthia is found in Undella Town where she can be challenged during the spring and summer months in her rented villa.

Unova Elite Four

• Shauntal (Shikimi (シキミ^?)): Shauntal is a Ghost-Type Pokémon Trainer. Her hobby is writing books.
• Grimsley (Gīma (ギーマ^?)): Grimsley is a Dark-Type Pokémon Trainer. The son of a distinguished family that fell into ruin, he has become an expert gambler.
• Caitlin (Cattleya (カトレア, Katorea^?)): Caitlin is a Psychic-Type Pokémon Trainer; she is described as having psychic powers which she had trouble controlling in the past due to her explosive temper. She travels to the region of Unova to learn how to control them and become a better trainer. She previously appeared in the Generation IV games' Battle Frontier and was in charge of running the Battle Castle but was unable to battle.
• Marshal (Renbu (レンブ^?)): Marshal is a Fighting-Type Pokémon Trainer and Alder's apprentice.
• Alder (Adeku (アデク^?)): Alder is the true Champion of the Unova League, who is available to battle after the games' main story is finished. Although he does not specialize in a single Pokémon type, three of his Pokémon are of the Bug Type. He originally left his position as his first Pokémon died and he did not wish to battle for a period of time.

Frontier Brains

The Frontier Brains (フロンティアブレーン, Furontia Burēn^?) are a fictional group of powerful Pokémon trainers from the Battle Frontier that appears in Pokémon Emerald and Pokémon Platinum. Each Brain resides at a Frontier facility and has his or her own title. After defeating a Frontier Brain, the trainer will receive a Silver Symbol (1st time) or Gold Symbol (2nd time). In Platinum, the trainer will receive a Silver Medal (1st time) or Colored Medal (2nd time).

In the anime, Ash Ketchum travels the land of Kanto after his journey in Hoenn, defeating the Frontier Brains. Instead of being on the Battle Frontier island, the facilities are in cities in Kanto.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, a mysterious boy called Emerald, who has a connection with Latias and Latios, comes to the Battle Frontier island to defeat the Frontier Brains. Todd, a character from the anime and the Pokémon Snap games, watches Emerald go through the frontier. Similarly, Platinum Berlitz challenges the Frontier Brains of Sinnoh alongside Looker in order to learn more about the Distortion World in a later chapter of the manga.

Hoenn/Kanto

• Factory Head Noland (Factory Head Datsura (ファクトリーヘッド ダツラ, Fakutorī Heddo Datsura^?)) resides in the Battle Factory in Hoenn. As the Factory Head, he is able to view the Battle Swap data of any trainer and advocates gaining experience rather than relying solely on acquired knowledge. Noland battles with a randomly selected team each time he is challenged, which can include any Pokémon except those that are not admissible in the Battle Frontier. He hands out the Knowledge Symbol. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the first to battle with Emerald and is in charge of the raising and caring for all the rental Pokémon.
• Arena Tycoon Greta (Arena Captain Kogomi (アリーナキャプテン コゴミ, Arīna Kyaputen Kogomi^?)) resides in the Battle Arena. A blunt girl who likes face strong trainers, she hands out the Guts Symbol to those who defeat her.
• Dome Ace Tucker (Dome Superstar Heath (ドームスーパースター ヒース, Dōmu Sūpāsutā Hīsu^?)) resides in the Battle Dome. Tucker prefaces battles with narcissistic comments, and enjoys the sound of a crowd chanting his name. He uses Pokémon that are one of a kind, for example, the final evolutions of starter Pokémon. He turns over the Tactics Symbol.
• Pike Queen Lucy (Tube Queen Azami (チューブクイーン アザミ, Chūbu Kuīn Azami^?)) resides in the Battle Pike. Lucy prefers to use serpent-like Pokémon. She is very tall, quiet and pale, with knee length black hair and sharp looking eyes. Never saying much, defeated or otherwise, she does state that it took a great deal of work to get to her level of skill. Instead of a series of battles like the other facilities, Lucy's Pike consists of rooms that randomly have either a double battle, a wild Pokémon, a healing station, a trainer battle, or a random conversation. She hands over the Luck Symbol. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, she is the second to battle with Emerald.
• Palace Maven Spenser (Palace Guardian Ukon (パレスガーディアン ウコン, Paresu Gādian Ukon^?)) resides in the Battle Palace. In Pokémon Adventures, he once touched the Blue Orb, which controls Kyogre, so he can tell who also has touched it. When battling him, Emerald is not allowed to issue commands to his Pokémon, who must battle based on their instincts and sense of strategy; challenges against Spenser require the trainer to have faith in the Pokémon he has chosen. He hands out the Spirit Symbol.
• Pyramid King Brandon (Pyramid King Jindai (ピラミッドキング ジンダイ, Piramiddo Kingu Jindai^?)) resides in the Battle Pyramid. A man who appreciates the grand life of an explorer, he uses trios of Legendary Pokémon. In Pokémon Adventures, he remarks that he favours one-hit knockout moves and had captured Regirock, Regice, and Registeel after the trio disappeared following the battle in Hoenn to stop Groudan and Kyogre. In the anime, Ash notably faces Brandon several times before finally defeating him as the final Frontier Brain. Brandon hands out the Bravery Symbol.
• Salon Maiden Anabel (Tower Tycoon Lila (タワータイクーン リラ, Tawā Taikūn Rira^?)) resides in the Battle Tower. She uses a variety of Pokémon. In the manga, she is the leader of the Frontier Brains, and her Battle Tower is considered "special". In the anime, Ash challenges her before Pyramid King Brandon. She gives the Ability Symbol.

Sinnoh/Johto

• Factory Head Thorton (Factory Head Nejiki (ファクトリーヘッド ネジキ, Fakutorī Heddo Nejiki^?)) resides in the Battle Factory in Sinnoh and later, in Johto. Like Factory Head Noland, Thorton's team is randomly selected each time he is challenged and can include any Pokémon except those inadmissible to the Battle Frontier. He gives away the Silver Factory Print to trainers that defeat him once and the Gold Factory Print to trainers that defeat him twice.
• Hall Matron Argenta (Stage Madonna Kate (ステージマドンナ ケイト, Suteji Madona Keito^?)) resides in the Battle Hall in Sinnoh and later, in Johto. Argenta uses a strange strategy to test trainers and forces them to chose one Pokémon to battle 10 Pokémon of each type during their challenge. She gives away the Silver Hall Print to trainers that defeat her once, and the Gold Hall Print to trainers that beat her twice.
• Tower Tycoon Palmer (Tower Tycoon Kurotsugu (タワータイクーン クロツグ, Tawaa Taikun Kurotsugu^?)) resides in the Battle Tower in Sinnoh and later, in Johto. He was first introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl as the leader of the Battle Tower, which was later incorporated into Pokémon Platinum's Battle Frontier. He gives away the Silver Tower Print to trainers that defeat him once, and the Gold Tower Print to trainers that beat him twice.
• Castle Valet Darach (Castle Butler Kokuran (キャッスルバトラー コクラン, Kasuteru Botura Kokuran^?)) and Lady Caitlin (Kattleya (カトレア, Katoreya^?)) resides in the Battle Castle in Sinnoh and later, in Johto. Darach is the butler of Caitlin, who is the one in charge of running the facility by determining how much Castle Points (CP) are awarded to the player in the castle. He fights in her place using her Pokémon. Managing and using CP is an important factor for this facility. He gives away the Silver Castle Print to trainers that defeat him once, and the Gold Castle Print to trainers that beat him twice.
• Arcade Star Dahlia (Roulette Goddess Dahlia (ルーレットゴーデス ダリア, Roureto Godesu Daria^?)) resides in the Battle Arcade in Sinnoh and later, in Johto. Her challenge consists in using a roulette simulator that randomly chooses a special condition for the upcoming battle. She gives away the Silver Arcade Print to trainers that defeat her once, and the Gold Arcade Print to trainers that beat her twice. She is also known to be a great dancer according to some trainers at her facility.

Subway Bosses

Similar to the Battle Towers and Battle Frontiers of the third and fourth generations, the Battle Subway (バトルサブウェイ, Batoru Sabuwei^?) is a venue in Pokémon Black and White where the player can fight a series of trainers in succession, before eventually challenging the Subway Bosses (Subway Masters (サブウェイマスター, Sabuwei Masutā^?)).^[3]

• Ingo (Nobori (ノボリ^?)) is the Subway Boss for the two Single Battle lines.
• Emmet (Kudari (クダリ^?)) is the Subway Boss for the two Double Battle lines.

When challenging the two Multi Battle lines (two players or one player with an NPC challenging two NPCs), both Emmet and Ingo are fought in a Multi Battle.

Other recurring characters

Pokémon Professors

The Pokémon Professors give new Pokémon trainers a starting Pokémon appropriate to their region, and entrust them with a task (be it completing a Pokédex, delivering an object, or otherwise offering encouragement). They are also leading researchers of Pokémon-related topics, and mentor Pokémon trainers in a general way. It's interesting to note that almost all Pokémon Professors have the name of some sort of woody plant: Oak, Ivy, Elm, Birch, Rowan, and Juniper, with the exception of Professor Hastings.

• Professor Samuel Oak (Professor Yukinari Ōkido (オーキド・ユキナリ博士, Ōkido Yukinari-Hakase^?)): A Pokémon researcher and the grandfather of Gary Oak/Blue/the rival in Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. He is often considered the leading Pokémon expert, often giving lectures to Pokémon academies and hosting a radio show in Goldenrod City, and specializes in Pokémon behaviorial science. Alongside his research, he is also authorized by the Pokémon League to give new Pokémon trainers one of the three Kanto starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. In the anime, he gives Ash his Pikachu, after Ash arrives too late to receive one of the usual three starter Pokémon. In Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition, he simply gives the player a Pikachu after the rival takes the Eevee that Oak intended to give the player. He is a master Pokémon poet. All Pokémon he "baby-sits" are loyal to him, and he had a Charmeleon as a young boy. In Pokémon 4Ever, it is shown that he traveled forward in time to the future when he was a boy, and Ash became friends with him. When Ash tells Professor Oak about him, he replies that he is sure that "Sammy" will always be his friend, even though Misty later realizes that Ash never told him his name; the current Professor Oak is later seen looking through a book of old drawings he made as a kid (the predecessor to the Pokédex, which he invented with the other professors).
• Professor Felina Ivy (Professor Uchikido (ウチキド博士, Uchikido-Hakase^?)): A Pokémon researcher. She is the leading researcher in the Orange Islands. In the anime, she gives Ash the GS Ball to deliver to Kurt, which eventually leads him to the Johto region. Brock ends up staying with her during the Orange Islands saga of the anime, but parts ways with her after that saga, on unexplained painful or unpleasant terms.
• Professor Elm (Professor Utsugi (ウツギ博士, Utsugi-Hakase^?)): 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 Pokémon trainers one of the three Johto starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. He is also credited as discovering that Pikachu is an evolved Pokémon. In the Pokémon anime, Jessie, James and Meowth temporarily steal a Totodile from him, (in reality he tells them to take it, thinking they are Nurse Joy). His 'absent minded professor' stereotype is even more pronounced in the games as he often forgets to visit his family and his wife worries that he may not remember to eat. He specializes in research regarding Pokémon breeding and is credited with the discovery of Pokémon eggs.
• Professor Birch (Professor Odamaki (オダマキ博士, Odamaki-Hakase^?)): A Pokémon researcher, known for his fieldwork and research on Pokémon habitial distribution. In Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, he is authorized by the Pokémon League to give new Pokémon trainers one of the three Hoenn starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. He is the father of the rival character. In the anime, he gives May her Torchic. In the manga, he is the father of Sapphire.
• Professor Rowan (Professor Nanakamado (ナナカマド博士, Nanakamado-Hakase^?)): The Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games, having returned to Sinnoh after four years of traveling abroad. A senior researcher to and old friend of Professor Oak, Professor Rowan 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.
• Professor Hastings (Professor Shinbara (シンバラ教授, Shinbara-Kyōju^?)): The Pokémon Professor in Pokémon Ranger. He invented the capture styler.
• Professor Juniper (Professor Araragi (アララギ博士, Araragi-Hakase^?)): The Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Black and White games, the only female professor to appear in the video game series. She is authorized by the Pokémon League to give new trainers one of three Unova starter Pokémon, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. In the game, she leaves a present at the player's house containing starter Pokémon for the player and the player's rivals, Bianca and Cheren. In the anime, she gives Trip a Snivy and allows Ash to keep an Oshawott that escapes from her lab.

PC developers

• Bill (Masaki Sonezaki (ソネザキ マサキ, Sonezaki Masaki^?)): The inventor of the PC storage system in Kanto/Johto. In the games, he manages to turn himself into a human-Pokémon hybrid by accident. (This amazes the player's Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition.) His favourite Pokémon are Eevee and its evolutions. According to FireRed and LeafGreen, Bill seems to be allergic to dairy products, and his first Pokémon was an Abra. In the anime, Bill was presented with green hair, but all other reincarnations of him included brown hair.
• Celio (Nishiki (ニシキ^?)): a Pokémon storage system programmer and good friend of Bill who lives in the Sevii Islands. Celio runs the Pokémon Net Center on Knot Island in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. He needs the player's help to finish the incomplete Pokémon Network machine. This machine is capable of transferring Pokémon between Kanto and Hoenn. To assist with this quest, Celio will give the Rainbow Pass and upgrade the Town Map so it shows the locations of the final four Sevii Islands.
• Lanette (Mayumi (マユミ^?)): The inventor of Hoenn's storage system in the Pokémon games and developer of the new, more user-friendly storage system interface used in all Pokémon games since Ruby and Sapphire. It is implied in-game that she is close friends with Bill. The player can read an E-mail on Lanette's laptop from Bill complimenting her success with the Hoenn PC system. Her house is littered with books and she rewards visiting players with a doll, asking them not to tell anyone. In the Pokémon Adventures manga she, along with her sister, go to Kanto to upgrade its Pokémon storage system, and make it possible to exchange Pokémon with Hoenn.
• Brigette (Azusa (アズサ^?)): The older sister of Lanette and the host of Pokémon Box: Ruby & Sapphire. She upgraded the Pokémon storage system with the ability to hold 1500 Pokémon, and the ability to select and move multiple Pokémon at once. She is also generous, and will give away Pokémon eggs containing special Pokémon if certain conditions are met. In the Pokémon Adventures manga she, along with her sister, go to Kanto to upgrade its Pokémon storage system, and make it possible to exchange Pokémon with Hoenn.
• Bebe (Mizuki (ミズキ^?)): The inventor and manager of the PC storage system in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. She developed Sinnoh's Pokémon storage system based on the previous designs of Bill and Lanette. Her house, which is next to the Pokémon Center in Hearthome, is not quite as cluttered as Lanette's. Bebe is good friends with Hayley, who owns a ranch in which Pokémon can be stored, and they still keep in contact with each other. After the player obtains the National Dex, she will give them a level 5 Eevee. In Pokémon Platinum, the Eevee is available right away at level 20, without the need of the National Dex.
• Amanita (Shōro (ショウロ^?)): The inventor and manager of the PC storage system in Pokémon Black and White. She is also Fennel's younger sister. She developed Unova's Pokémon storage system based on the designs of Bill, Lanette, and Bebe. Living in Striaton City, her system enables a player to keep up to 720 Pokémon, after the system is upgraded twice due to at least one Pokémon being placed in each of the 8 and then 16 boxes.

Games

• Pokémon Fan Club (ポケモン大好きクラブ, Pokemon Daisuki Kurabu^?): The Pokémon Fan Club is a Pokémon lover association found throughout different regions. The chairman of the Kanto club loves Rapidash and Fearow, and he will easily talk about them at length. The Hoenn chairman travels all across the nation with his Fearow. The Sinnoh chairman is alone in his club due to his constant bragging.
• Mr. Fuji (フジろうじん, Fuji Rōjin^?, lit. Elderly Fuji): Mr. Fuji is a kind old man who lives in Lavender Town, Kanto in the first generation games. He is the founder of the Cinnabar Island laboratory and a former friend of Blaine. He owns a Poké Flute and wishes for the happiness of all Pokémon. He becomes enraged after Team Rocket kills a Marowak, and he cares for the orphaned Cubone.
• Eusine (Minaki (ミナキ^?)), called Eugene in Pokémon Chronicles: Eusine is a self-declared Legendary Pokémon expert who appears in Pokémon Crystal. He searches for Suicune for a decade, and wishes to see it greatly.
• Todd Snap (Tōru (トオル^?)): Todd is a Pokémon photographer who takes pictures of Pokémon in their natural habitat. He is the main character of Pokémon Snap, and he appears in the anime, where he is called "Snap" in the episodes aired in the United States.Voiced by: Yamaguchi Kappei (Japanese), Jimmy Zoppi (English)
• Scott (Enishida (エニシダ^?)): The founder of the Battle Frontier (and retired Pokémon League Champion, in Pokémon Emerald). He is voiced by Frank Frankson as John Campbell, then Bill Rogers.
• Gabby and Ty (Mari & Dai (マリ&ダイ^?)): Gabby and Ty are a reporter/cameraman team, who interview the third generation protagonist, by way of a Pokémon battle, on multiple occasions.
• Five trainers can join the main character during different events in the fourth generation games and all of the trainers each specialize in one particular stat. They are made up of Cheryl (Momi (モミ^?)), who is scared of Team Galactic; Riley (Gen (ゲン^?)), a senior protegé of Byron; Mira (Miru (ミル^?)), who wishes to be like the protagonist; Buck (Baku (バク^?)), the younger brother of Elite Four member Flint; and Marley (Mai (マイ^?)), a girl interested in the legendary Pokémon Shaymin. All five of these characters can be met later in the game at the Battle Tower.
• "Looker" ("Handsome" (ハンサム, Hansamu^?)): "Looker" is a member of Interpol who appears in Pokémon Platinum investigating Team Galactic. He appears again in Black and White to seek the player's assistance in apprehending the seven sages of Team Plasma.
• Fennel (Makomo (マコモ^?)): Fennel is a Pokémon professor in the Unova Region who studies Pokémon trainers as well as the dreams of Pokémon. The player encounters her when Team Plasma abducts a Munna from her research facility to use its Dream Mist powers to reach its goals. She gives players the C-Gear item as well as access to the Pokémon Dream World online system.
• Morimoto (モリモト^?): Shigeki Morimoto is the director of Game Freak, and has been involved with the development of the Pokémon games since Red and Green. In Pokémon Black and White, he appears as a non-player character in Castelia City that the player can battle daily.

Recurring "clones"

These characters are actually a group of women with identical appearances (although Brock demonstrates the ability to tell them apart). They don't individually recur, but they do appear in each town in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova regions and the Orange Islands, an identical-looking and -sounding woman with the same name filling the same role. Their identical appearance may be a reference to or parody of the identical sprites used in the video games, a common practice in video game RPGs.

• Nurse Joy (Joy (ジョーイ, Jōi^?)): A family of Pokémon nurses in the anime, all named Joy, who operate the various Pokémon Centers in the world of Pokémon. Because of their identical appearance, it is often difficult to tell one Nurse Joy from another. The Japanese name, joi, means "female doctor". They often have Chansey nurses. Some can be singled out from the others due to trademark items but there are very few. In Pokémon Yellow, as well as Diamond and Pearl, Nurses resembling Nurse Joy work in the Pokémon Centers. Their English voice actresses are Megan Hollingshead (season 1-6), Eva Kaminsky (using the alias of "Bella Hudson"; Seasons 7-8), and Michele Knotz (Season 9 onward). The only difference between all the Nurse Joys is that each Nurse Joy has a different color for the Red Cross on their hats. In the Unova Region, all Nurses Joy have a distinct appearance from their counterparts from other regions, with a slightly different hairstyle, pink clothes instead of white, and having an Audino for partner instead of a Chansey or Blissey.
• Officer Jenny (Junsar (ジュンサー, Junsā^?)): A family of police officers who are all police officers in the Pokémon anime, all named Jenny, who maintain law and order in the Pokémon world, often opposing members of Team Rocket. The Japanese name, junsa, means "police officer". Officer Jennies are often accompanied by Growlithe or a particular Pokémon that is of importance in a town or a personal preference to that Jenny, such as a Wobbuffet or Spinarak. There are also many with trademark items to differentiate some, but are just as few as the Joys. The only differences are the symbols on their hats and their uniforms (which are different depending on their region.) They make an appearance in Yellow, replacing the male police officer, and later to give the player a Squirtle. They are voiced by Chinami Nishimura (Japanese), and in English by Megan Hollingshead (Seasons 1-6), Jamie Davyous Owens (Season 7-8), Diane Stillwell (MoMP) Emily Williams in late Season 9 and onward, Maya Rosewood played her in a Season 9 episode, and Kayzie Rodgers (aka Jamie Peacock) voiced her in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon. An Officer Jenny trains a rookie detective Marble whose voice actresses are that of Meghan McCracken (English) and Chinami Nishimura (Japanese). In the Unova Region, all Jenny Officers have a distinct appearance from their counterparts from other regions, with their hair shorter and a different uniform.
• Don George (ドン・ジョージ, Don Jōji^?): A family of identical brothers introduced in the Best Wishes! anime series. Each of them run a Pokémon Battle Club in a different location, where trainers gather to challenge other trainers and engage into special training with their Pokémon. Each wears a black gi, but each Don George has different colored wristbands, belts, and collars from each other. For example, Accumula Town's Don George has red-colored items while Nacrene City's Don George wears olive.

See also

• List of characters in the Pokémon anime series
• Pokémon Adventures protagonists
• Pokémon crime syndicates

References

1. ^ "Gary Oak is number 98". IGN. http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/98.html. Retrieved 2011-04-05. 
2. ^ ^{a b} CoroCoro Comic July 15, 2010
3. ^ Thomas East (21 February 2011). "New Pokémon Black & White screenshots show Battle Subway". Official Nintendo Magazine. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/23910/news/new-pokmon-black-white-screenshots-show-battle-subway/. Retrieved 21 February 2011.