List of characters in the Pokémon anime series

This is a list of characters in the Pokémon anime series.

Protagonists

Ash Ketchum (サトシ, Satoshi^?)

Voiced by: Rica Matsumoto (Japanese), Veronica Taylor (4Kids Entertainment, English), Sarah Natochenny (TPCI, english) Kayzie Rogers (The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon broadcast, English),

Ash is the main protagonist of the Pokémon anime. His dream is to become the greatest Pokémon Master in the world. There are also incarnations of him in a plethora of manga adaptations, of which include The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pocket Monsters Zensho, and Ash & Pikachu. He is loosely based on Red, the protagonist of the games Pokémon Red and Blue. The family name "Ketchum" is a pun on the franchise's former tagline and slogan, "Gotta catch 'em all"!

Misty (カスミ, Kasumi^?)

Voiced by: Mayumi Iizuka (Japanese), Rachael Lillis (4Kids, English), Michele Knotz (TPCI, English)

Ash's first traveling friend, Misty is a trainer who journeys with him throughout the first five seasons. She is revealed as one of the four gym leaders for Cerulean City in episode 7. Her dream is to be the world's greatest "Water Pokémon Master," but her means of accomplishing this are never really made clear. She has made several friends and rivals over the course of her journeys and claims she is a better Pokémon trainer than Ash. Her sisters never treated her well, and that story came up from time to time when she was traveling with Ash. At the end of the original series she takes over Cerulean Gym, however, she still contacts Ash from time to time and receives help from Tracey on a daily basis. Misty is a primary character in the seasons of the original series, with guest appearances in the Advanced Challenge, Advanced Battle, and Battle Frontier seasons.

Brock (タケシ, Takeshi^?)

Voiced by: Yuji Ueda (Japanese), Eric Stuart (4Kids Entertainment, English), Bill Rogers (TPCI, English)

Brock is a 15-year old Pokémon Breeder and the former Pewter Gym leader. Brock has dreams of being the world's best Pokémon breeder. He is Ash's longest lasting traveling partner, having appeared in every season (as a guest in Season 2). There is a much-used gag in the series where Brock falls in love with a girl and is either pulled away by the ear by Misty or Max, or is hit with Croagunk's Poison Jab, temporarily knocking him unconscious. Brock appears in all seasons of the anime but only appearing as a guest in the Orange Islands season. Brock leaves the main cast at the end of the Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors season to become a Pokémon Doctor.

Tracey Sketchit (ケンジ, Kenji^?)

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki (Japanese), Ed Paul (4Kids, English), Craig Blair (TPCI)

One of Ash's traveling friends through Season 2, set in the Orange Islands. He is a Pokémon watcher, and is currently Professor Oak’s assistant.^[1] His last name in the English dub is a pun because he sketches Pokémon. Tracey may also be a pun, based on the word "trace". He has Marill, Venonat and Scyther on his team. Tracey replaces Brock as a primary character in the Orange Islands season, with guest appearances in seasons 5, 8, and 9.

May (ハルカ, Haruka^?)

Voiced by: Kaori Suzuki (Japanese), Veronica Taylor (4Kids, English), Michele Knotz (TPCI, English),

She is the 10-year-old daughter of the Petalburg City Gym Leader, Norman, and sister of Max. She meets Ash Ketchum in Hoenn and starts traveling with him after obtaining her first Pokémon, Torchic. She originally dislikes Pokémon, but soon takes interest in Pokémon Contests. May tends to add only beautiful and cute Pokémon to her team, making sure they meet her standards, to enter them in contests. She raises Beautifly, her first capture, from a little Wurmple she finds on her journey. After entering contests she soon develops rivalries with other contest participants, Drew (her main rival who often assists her and gives helpful advice even while having a tendency to be somewhat insulting), Harley, and Jessie of Team Rocket, and goes on to win many contests. While Ash and Brock choose to travel to Sinnoh, May decides to follow her rivals to Johto instead. However, she visits Ash, Brock, and Dawn in Sinnoh sometime later to participate in the Wallace Cup. She is known as the "Princess of Hoenn," an alias which Dawn reffers to her by when the two first meet. May replaces Misty as a primary character in the Advanced Generation seasons, and makes a guest appearance in Battle Dimension. Altogether, May owns 3 sets of ribbons as of her last appearance.

Max (マサト, Masato^?)

Voiced by: Fushigi Yamada (Japanese), Amy Birnbaum (4Kids, English), Kayzie Rogers (TPCI, English)

Max is a young male character (7-year-old) of the Pokémon anime series, featured in the main series between the sixth and ninth seasons. Max appears alongside one of Ash Ketchum's companions, May, as her brother, and joins the group of Ash, May and Pokémon breeder Brock. Max is a budding Pokémon trainer, but is too young to receive a Pokémon.^[2] He is a bookworm that has read just about everything written about Pokémon.^[1] In Pokémon: Jirachi Wishmaker, he befriends Jirachi and eventually leaves it. This is an idea from Pokémon 4Ever from when Ash leaves Sam. He remains simply a Pokémon enthusiast until he and May leave Ash and Brock in the final Advanced Generation episode, in which he returns to Hoenn to help take care of the Petalburg Gym. He is again seen as a flashback in DP Battle Dimension episode, "Full Course Tag Battle!". Max has received just two cameos since his departure, triggered by May's brief return for the Wallace Cup arc. He takes on what had once been Misty's role in restraining Brock from pretty women with the ear-pull. Max appears as a primary character alongside May in the Advanced Generation seasons, with non-speaking cameos in Battle Dimension.

Dawn (ヒカリ, Hikari^?)

Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi (Japanese), Emily Bauer (English)

Dawn is a 10-year-old Pokémon trainer and Coordinator that travels with Ash and Brock and replaces May during Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl. Following in her mother's footsteps as a coordinator, she chooses a Piplup, which she had already befriended at an earlier point, and sets out with the goal of winning the Grand Festival. As a native of Sinnoh, she often explains certain aspects of the region unfamiliar to both Ash and Brock, and keeps up to date with popular trends like the Pokétch. As she participates and win in more Contests, Dawn gradually becomes more confident in her skills as a Coordinator and regularly trains with her Pokémon before every contest. She is a tough and somewhat reckless girl. Her favorite phrase is "No need to worry!", but she usually says this when there is a need to worry. In the last episode, Dawn and Piplup get interviewed by Paris from Hearthome City, who wants to model Buneary and the outfits Dawn made. Although she originally planned to participate in the Kanto contests, she decides to remain in Sinnoh to become a part-time Pokestylist. Dawn is very saddened to leave Ash and Brock, but she and Piplup cheer up and wave goodbye as they return to Kanto. She later decides to travel to Hoenn to take part in the contests there.

Iris (アイリス, Airisu^?)

Voiced by: Aoi Yūki (Japanese),^[3] Eileen Stevens (USA)

Hailing from a village where there are many Dragon-type Pokémon, Iris is a wild girl who swings from vines and likes to eat berries. She first meets Ash when he mistakens her as a Pokémon. She has the Dragon-Type Pokémon Axew as her companion, as well as an Excadrill that initially does not obey her commands, but he later has a change of heart. Iris has also captured a female Emolga that has gluttonous appetite, and uses its feminine wiles and the Attract move to trick male Pokémon into giving her food.^[4] In the Black and White video games, Iris is one of the two Gym Leaders of Opelucid City (she acts as Gym Leader only in Pokémon White Version). Her relation to this position has not yet been mentioned in the anime. The other Gym Leader Drayden has been featured (a battle with him being the reason that Iris's Excadrill stopped obeying her), but Iris's relationship with him (in the video games, he is Iris's grandfather) has also not been revealed.

Cilan (デント, Dento^?, Dent)

Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano (Japanese),^[3] Jason Griffith (USA)

Cilan is an A-Class Pokémon Connoisseur who has the ability to determine the compatibility between Pokémon and their trainers. He is also one of the first Gym Leaders of the Unova League, a position he shares with his brothers Chili and Cress, but he leaves his post to join Ash and Iris on their journey. He has the Grass-Type Pokémon Pansage as his partner, and he later acquires a Dwebble and a Stunfisk.^[4][5]

Rivals

Gary Oak

Voiced by: Yuko Kobayashi (Japanese), Jimmy Zoppi (English)

He is Ash's very first rival. He is based on the character Blue from the Pokemon video game series. Like his counterpart Blue, Gary hails from Pallet Town and is the grandson of renowned Pokémon researcher Professor Oak. At first, Gary was arrogant, always traveling with cheerleaders who only call out his name and constantly teasing Ash's group whenever they met. After losing in his first Pokémon tournament, he dispensed with the cheerleaders and has since become more open-minded. As Ash's rival, Gary usually thought of Ash as a poor trainer but he eventually came to accept Ash as his equal. Like Ash, Gary collected Gym badges and competed in Pokémon League tournaments; Kanto and Johto. After losing to Ash in the Johto League, he decides to pursue a career in Pokémon research, impeding his rivalry with Ash. After Ash defeats the Battle Frontier and comes back to Pallet Town, he and Ash have a battle with Gary's new Electivire and Ash's Pikachu. Electivire easily beats Pikachu, which inspires Ash to travel to Sinnoh. Gary is also a Pokemon researcher in Sinnoh, working with Professor Rowan. Appears in season 1-5 and 9-12. Gary's Japanese name, Shigeru Okido (オーキド シゲル, Ōkido Shigeru^?), is a reference to Shigeru Miyamoto, who mentored Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri.

Ritchie (ヒロシ, Hiroshi^?)

Voiced by: Minami Takayama (Japanese), Tara Jayne (English)

Ritchie is a traveling Pokémon trainer from Frotomar City. Ritchie first appears during the Kanto League Saga, where he meets and forms a friendship with Ash Ketchum. As rivals, Ritchie and Ash are much alike. For example, both trainers own a Pikachu and have caught many of the same Pokémon. After the Kanto League tournament, Ritchie is ranked top eight of the competition after defeating Ash (due to a technicallity) then losing after his latter victory. Afterward, Ash and Ritchie part ways but pledge an oath to become Pokémon Masters. Ritchie re-appears in the Whirl Islands near the beginning of the fifth season, Pokémon: Master Quest, and is one of the protagonists of Pokémon Chronicles.

Harrison (ハヅキ, Hazuki^?)

Voiced by: Katsumi Toriumi (Japanese), Wayne Grayson (English)

Harrison is a traveling Pokémon trainer from Hoenn who competes in the Silver Conference. Ash and the gang first met him in "Pop Goes the Sneasel" when he tried to ward off a wild Sneasel that was guarding the sacred Ho-Oh flame. During the Silver Conference, Ash battles him with a six-on-six full battle. He defeats Ash and later loses to his next opponent, finishing at the top four of the Johto League competition. After the Johto League Silver Conference, Harrison convinces Ash to go to the Hoenn region. Afterwards, Harrison goes to Kanto to participate in the Indigo League.

Drew (シュウ, Shū^?)

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga (Japanese), Pete Zarustica (as Oliver Wyman; 4Kids, English), Bill Rogers (TPCI, English)

Drew is an experienced Pokémon Coordinator, a confident, critical, but popular boy. He is May's first rival. Because he sees similarities between new Coordinator May and himself when he first started out, he taunts her for her inexperience. Though his comments and attitude may have anger May, he still provides a helping hand whenever she needs it. Drew's skills have been a continuing inspiration for May to better herself as a Coordinator.

Harley (ハーリー, Hārī^?)

Voiced by: Jun'ichi Kanemaru (Japanese), Andrew Rannells (4Kids, English), Billy Regan (as Bill Timoney; TPCI, English)

Arrogant, flamboyant, and proud, Harley is a Pokémon Coordinator and likely May's toughest rival. During their first meeting, Harley takes May's unwitting comments as insults to his abilities and he takes an instant dislike to her. Since then, Harley takes every opportunity to sabotage May before her contests and frequently takes advantage of her forgiving nature in order to trick her into believing he has reformed.

Morrison (マサムネ, Masamune^?)

Voiced by: Masako Nozawa (Japanese), Sean Schemmel (English)

Morrison is Ash's rival in the Ever Grande Conference, a spirited person who likes to challenge other people to almost everything and never gives up in battle. Due to this, he always challenges Ash to various events such as Pokémon battles or even a food eating contest. Ash and the gang first met him in "Less is Morrison", where he soon becomes a friend and rival to Ash. When he appears again, he is a Ash's first opponent in the Ever Grande Conference; because of his conflicting feelings, he refuses to battle his friend until Ash encourages him to try his best. Morrison is able to battle with all his spirit, losing to Ash only when both of them are down to one Pokémon.

Paul (シンジ, Shinji^?)

Voiced by: Kiyotaka Furushima (Japanese), Julián Rebolledo (English)

Paul is a roaming Pokémon trainer from Veilstone City, Sinnoh. As a Pokémon trainer, Paul is experienced and has traveled across the regional areas of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, much like Ash. During Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl, he begins to travel through Sinnoh, where he meets and develops a rivalry with Ash Ketchum. Unlike Ash's previous rivals, Paul is a serious and taciturn trainer whose only concern towards Pokémon is their ability to act in battle and forming bonds with Pokémon dilute their potential, making them slackers. As such, he regards Ash's compassion towards his Pokémon as a sign of weakness, which frequently provokes Ash's anger. His severe and competitive behavior to become strong derives from resent over his older brother, Reggie, who had been an accomplished trainer until losing to Pyramid King Brandon and then quit Pokémon training to become a breeder. Paul is determined to make sure he doesn't meet that same fate, so he plans to surpass not just any trainer, but his own brother as well. In Japan, he is named after Shinji Mikami, the creator of the Resident Evil series. He has a Torterra (evolved from a Turtwig), an Electivire which is revealed to have evolved in Pokémon DP 184, a Honchkrow, a Weavile, a Magmortar and an Ursaring. His brother currently looks after his Gliscor, Hariyama, Nidoking and Lairon which is seen to have evolved into Aggron when Ash battles Paul in the Sinnoh League in Pokémon DP 186, 187 and DP 188 (this is the longest battle in the series yet). He also is revealed to use a Froslass, a Gastrodon, a Drapion and his Ninjask in the Sinnoh League against Ash, but ultimately loses the battle. Afterwards, he finds a bit of respect for Ash, and heads out to battle with Brandon, The Pyramid King, as Brandon told Paul he would battle him again once he managed to control his emotions. Ash and Paul depart on a good note. Ash wishes him luck, which Paul returns. Just as Paul is about to leave Ash calls out that they should battle again, real soon. Paul comes to a sudden halt, looking stunned. Then he smiles, finally accepting him. As he waves good-bye, he walks away, into the sunset. Paul is also seen again in the next episode, watching Ash's battle with Tobias on television. When Ash is defeated, Paul looks disappointed, and walks away.

Barry (ジュン, Jun^?)

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki (Japanese), Jamie McGonnigal (English)

Barry is Ash's newest rival in Sinnoh, an impatient and overconfidant boy who, while competent and skilled, tends to lose most of his battles against Ash. He is an admirer of Paul, and uses the same technique though he cares for his Pokémon. He dreams of being the strongest Pokémon trainer in the world. Barry is best friends with Kenny and the son of Palmer, the Tower Tycoon of Sinnoh's Frontier Brains. He is based on the rival in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. He originally owns an Empoleon, a Staraptor, a Roserade and a Heracross and later gains a Hitmonlee and a Skarmory.

Nando (ナオシ, Naoshi^?)

Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese), Billy Regan (English)

A talented Pokémon trainer and wandering minstrel, Nando is a calm young man deeply conflicted as to whether he should challenge gyms or become a Pokémon Coordinator. After battling both Ash and Dawn, he chooses to pursue both paths, regardless of the difficulty. By the time of the Sinnoh Grand Festival, he has acquired seven Gym Badges and five Contest Ribbons. In the Grand Festival, he is able to reach the Top 4, losing to Zoey. After the Grand Festival, he obtains the necessary badges to compete in the Sinnoh League; he is Ash's first opponent but is eliminated after putting up a good battle. Nando make his debut appearance in Dawn of a New Era!. He owns a Roserade (evolved from his Budew), a Sunflora, a Kricketune, an Altaria, a Kricketot, an Armaldo, and a Lopunny. He is usually seen playing his golden Mew harp. The harp has often been shown to attract large groups of wild Pokemon, although its unknown if Nando is aware of this.

Zoey (ノゾミ, Nozomi^?)

Voiced by: Risa Hayamizu (Japanese), Elisabeth Morinelli (a/k/a Emily Williams; English)

An experienced Pokémon coordinator from Snowpoint City and Dawn's main rival. Unlike most rivals, she often gives out helpful advice, and helps out in certain situations instead of fighting and taunting Dawn all the time. Zoey is initially disdainful of those who participate in both Gym battles and contests because she believes that trainers who divide their efforts will do not full-heartedly compete both disciplines. However, she changes her outlook as she meets trainers who are able to successfully manage both while respecting the hard work required. Zoey first appears in the episode of "Mounting a Coordinator Assault". The Pokémon she has with her are Glameow, Mismagius, Gastrodon, Lumineon, Gallade, and Leafeon. In "A Grand Fight for Winning", she defeats Dawn in the final stage of the Grand Festival and wins the Ribbon Cup.

Kenny (ケンゴ, Kengo^?)

Voiced by: Yūko Mita (Japanese), Rhonda Krempa (English)

Kenny is one of Dawn's childhood friends and a rival coordinator. He is frequently calls her by her nickname, 'Dee Dee' and is best friends with Barry. Kenny makes his debut in Getting the Pre-Contest Titters and Settling a Not-So-Old Score, where he and Dawn enter the Floaroma Pokémon Contest. Eventually, he is able to qualify for the Sinnoh Grand Festival, but misses the cut of 32 in the Grand Festival, causing him to leave Lake Valor to improve his training.

Ursula (ウララ, Urara^?)

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese), Melisa Schroenburg^[6] (English)

One of Dawn's rivals, Ursula is a Coordinator from the Sinnoh region who enters the Chocovine Contest at the same time as Dawn. They meet just outside the Contest Hall when her Gabite gets into a confrontation with Dawn's Pachirisu. Her attitude toward Dawn is similar to Harley's attitude toward May. During the Sinnoh Grand Festival, she loses to Dawn and is eliminated from the contest, unable to make it into the Top 16. She currently owns a Gabite, a Wormadam, a Plusle and a Minun, a Jigglypuff, a Flareon and a Vaporeon (evolved from her 2 Eevee during the appeals round of Sinnoh grand Festival).

Trip (シューティー, Shūtī^?, Shooty)

Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe (Japanese), Jamie McGonnigal (English)

Trip^[7] is a male trainer taking the Unova League challenge who appears in the Black and White series. In addition to being a Pokémon Trainer, he is also an amateur Pokémon photographer. Upon his first meeting and battle with Ash, he tends to somewhat display a discriminatory attitude toward him as being part of the "boonies" (being the fact Ash is from the Kanto region, along with his Pikachu, which happens to be extremely rare in the Unova region). He takes a Snivy from Professor Juniper, which later evolves into a Servine. He also has a a Tranquill, a Frillish, a Lampent, a Vanillite, and a Timburr, that soon evolved in to a Gurdurr.^[4]

Bianca (ベル, Beru^?, Bel)

Voiced by: Shizuka Itō (Japanese), Bella Hudson (English)

Bianca is a female trainer who appears in the Black and White series. She encounters Ash and his companions several times throughout the series which usually ends with a battle between herself and Ash. She is also shown to be very excitable and clumsy. Her main Pokémon are Pignite and Minccino.

Burgundy (カベルネ, Kaberune^?, Cabernet)

Voiced by: Ikumi Hayama (Japanese), Suzy Myers (English)

Burgundy is a female Pokémon Connoisseur who at one point challenged Cilan and lost, and Cilan said that her Oshawott was not compatible with her. When Ash, Iris, and Cilan meet up with her once more, after she says that none of Ash's Pokémon are good for him, she reveals she challenged the Striaton Gym and got the Trio Badge, but still feels she needs to fight Cilan. Cilan defeats her again, even with her Dewott and Sawsbuck, but she exclaims she will fight him again someday and win. She later catches up with the group in Raimon Town at a tournament hosted by one of the Battle Clubs, where she battles Ash with her newly acquired Stoutland.

Georgia (ラングレー, Rangurē^?, Langley)

Voiced by: Misato Fukuen (Japanese), Brittney Lee Hamilton (English)

Georgia is a female trainer who calls herself a Dragon Buster, someone who specializes in defeating Dragon-Type Pokémon, travelling around with her Beartic. Incensed, Iris challenges her, and the fight between Beartic and Iris's Excadrill where Excadrill loses allows Iris to make Excadrill feel better about their loss to Drayden several years earlier. Georgia ties with Iris in a second battle, as Excadrill learned Focus Blast and gained trust in Iris. Georgia participates in the Don Battle tournament where she uses a Pawniard in her match against Ash.

Stephan (ケニヤン, Keniyan^?, Kenyan)

Voiced by: Tomohiro Waki (Japanese), Darren Dunstan (English)

Kenyan is a male trainer that Ash meets on the way to Nimbasa City who has a Blitzle. He and Ash have a battle, but it gets postponed when Oshawott loses his Scalchop shell. Once Oshawott trains with a fake shell made of rock, he defeats Kenyan's Blitzle. When the gang meets Kenyan at the Battle Club tournament, his Blitzle is shown to have evolved into a Zebstrika, and he has also acquired a Sawk.

Professors

Professor Samuel^[8] Oak (オーキド博士, Ōkido-hakase^?, Professor Okido)

Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese), Stuart Zagnit (credited as Stan Hart- 4Kids, English) and Jimmy Zoppi (as Billy Beach; TPCI, English)

Professor Oak is a Pokémon researcher that was once a competitive Trainer,^[1] and is generally considered the best in his field. As such, his role in the Pokémon games and anime is that of a mentor to young Pokémon Trainers, a source of information and an occasional plot device. Amongst other things, he is credited with inventing the Pokédex.^[1] He also hands out a Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle to beginning trainers (depending on which Pokémon the trainer chooses) to start their adventure in the Kanto Region. Although he is an expert on all matters relating to Pokémon, Professor Oak specializes in Pokémon behavioural science. He appears in Pokémon 4Ever as a child who was pulled into the future by Celebi. Additionally, it is apparent after Pokémon 3: The Movie that he knew Delia Ketchum since she was a child; this most likely is the reason he occasionally exhibits parental-type concern (mainly in the form of scolding Ash as he is doing something that is dangerous). He also creates poems centred around Pokémon and is known as the rhyming professor by Dawn.

He is named after the oak tree in English version of the game, while he is named after the orchid in the original Japanese version.

Professor Felina Ivy (ウチキド博士, Uchikido-hakase^?, Professor Uchikido)

Voiced by: Keiko Han (Japanese), Kayzie Rogers (English)

Professor Ivy is the resident Pokémon professor of the Orange Islands, south of the region of Kanto. Professor Ivy is first introduced in the second season of the Pokémon anime. Ash and his friends, Misty and Brock make their way to Valencia Island and meet the Professor. The unusual Pokéball that Professor Ivy discovered is dubbed the GS Ball.^[1] It serves as a plot device that leads Ash to the region of Johto. During the second season, Brock decides to stay with Ivy to study Pokémon breeding, but later returns to Ash's group.^[1] She also appears in the animated film Pokémon: The Movie 2000.^[1]

Professor Elm (ウツギ博士, Utsugi-hakase^?, Professor Utsugi)

Voiced by: Kazuhiko Inoue (Japanese), Nathan Price (English)

Professor Elm is in charge of giving novice trainers their first Pokémon (Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile) in the video games Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. He was a student of Professor Oak and moved to New Bark Town in the region of Johto where he conducts his research on Pokémon breeding. His English name refers to the elm tree, while his Japanese name refers to Deutzia. Professor Elm dresses quite casually, with a shirt that has a stripe across it slightly covered by his lab coat. He wears khaki slacks and sometimes wears night slippers or moccasins.

He is stereotypically depicted as a professor that has a tendency to be absent-minded, due to his immersion in his work. His forgetfulness was shown in an episode of the Pokémon anime where Team Rocket visit his laboratory, and the professor carelessly assumes them to be Nurse Joy from the Pokémon Center without looking up, and tells them to take the Pokémon, which they do. When the real Joy arrives, Elm discovers that one of his Pokémon, Totodile, has been stolen. With the help of Officer Jenny and the local Police Department, the Pokémon is recovered from Team Rocket. Professor Elm has also been described as the top student of Professor Oak, and seems to have a desire to surpass Professor Oak's accomplishments. He has a Corsola.

Professor Birch (オダマキ博士, Odamaki-hakase^?, Professor Odamaki)

Voiced by: Fumihiko Tachiki (Japanese), Dan Green (English)

Professor Birch is considered the "Pokémon Professor" in the Hoenn region. Unlike other Pokémon scientists, he is known for his field work, rather than, in his own words, remaining "cooped up in his lab all day." He is an expert in the field of Pokémon habitual distribution. He is also responsible for giving new Pokémon Trainers one of the three Hoenn starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip. These Pokémon are found in Pokémon games Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. His English name refers to the birch tree, while his Japanese name refers to the Columbine flower.

In the anime, Professor Birch appears at the start of the Hoenn Saga. When Ash arrives in the Hoenn region, his Pikachu is ill from an overexposure to magnetism, and needs treatment immediately. Birch himself takes Ash and Pikachu back to his lab. Birch gives May her first Pokémon, a Torchic, a Pokédex, and some Poké Balls. He later appears when Ash, May, Brock, and Max return to Littleroot to help save the Starter Pokémon from Team Rocket, and also helps to solve the mystery of Clamperl's evolutions.

Professor Rowan (ナナカマド博士, Nanakamado-hakase^?, Professor Nanakamado)

Voiced by: Kayumi Iemasa (Japanese), Craig Blair (English)

Professor Rowan is the authority on Pokémon in the region of Sinnoh, the setting of the Pokémon video games, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Platinum. Professor Rowan's name derives from the rowan tree, continuing the trend of the names of Pokémon professors deriving from the names of trees, while his Japanese name refers to Sorbus commixta, the Japanese Rowan tree.

Rowan's laboratory is located in Sandgem Town, making him the first professor in the Pokémon series not to live in the protagonist's town. He specializing in the research of Pokémon evolution and is considered a senior researcher to Professor Oak, whom he is old friends with. He gives the player a Pokédex, and allows him or her and the rival to keep one of the three Sinnoh Starter Pokémon (Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup) each after they are attacked by Starly while searching for a rare Pokémon, having seen a red Gyarados on TV appearing at Lake Verity (a reference to Pokémon Gold and Silver).

Professor Rowan appears in the first episode of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, "Following a Maiden's Voyage!" He meets Dawn and later gives her Piplup. He owns a Starly and a Staraptor. He runs a Pokémon Summer Academy; he is shown to be serious in nature as is exhibited by breaking up Ash and Angie's constant fights and surprising them when they are late arriving to the Summer Academy.

Professor Juniper (アララギ博士, Araragi-Hakase^?, Professor Araragi)

Voiced by: Naomi Shindō (Japanese), Khristine Hvam (English)

Professor Juniper is the authority on Pokémon in the region of Isshu (Unova), the setting of the Pokémon video games, Pokémon Black and White. Professor Juniper's name derives from the juniper tree, continuing the trend of the names of Pokémon professors deriving from the names of trees, while her Japanese name derives from a name for the Japanese Yew.

Juniper's laboratory is located in Kanoko Town. In the anime, she is a friend of Professor Oak. As a present, she gives the player and the player's rivals Cheren and Bianca, the Starter Pokémon of Isshu: Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott.

Professor Juniper appears in the first episode of Pokémon: Best Wishes! titled "To the Isshu Region! Zekrom's Shadow!!" She meets Trip and later gives him Snivy and when her Oshawott runs away and follows Ash, she allows Ash to keep the Pokémon.

Antagonists

Main article: Pokémon crime syndicates

Team Rocket

Team Rocket (ロケット団, Roketto-dan^?, Rocket Gang) is an organization bent on world domination. Headed by Giovanni, their plan to steal and exploit Pokémon for profit and power is a central plot device used throughout the series. According to the anime, the organization only has bases in the Kanto and Johto regions; however, that does not stop the show's antagonist trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth from following Ash Ketchum to other areas around the Pokémon world. Often, members of Team Rocket are broken up into pairs in order to perform specific heists—like Jessie and James. In the English translations, the pairs are often given names which nod to iconic figures of the American Old West: Jesse James, Butch Cassidy, and Annie Oakley, as well as Atilla the Hun.

Jessie (ムサシ, Musashi^?) , James (コジロウ, Kojirō^?) , and Meowth (ニャース, Nyāsu^?, Nyarth)

Main article: Pokémon crime syndicates#The Team Rocket trio

A recurring trio of bumbling thieves who constantly follow Ash Ketchum around in order to capture his Pikachu, which they consider exceptionally strong. While they are usually antagonistic towards Ash and his friends, they have shown that they are good-hearted at times and willing to put their differences aside when it is beneficial.

Butch (コサブロウ, Kosaburō^?) and Cassidy (ヤマト, Yamato^?)

They are the rivals of Jessie, James, and Meowth; unlike the trio, they are successful Rockets and are looked upon favorably by Giovanni. They even had an ally in a corrupt Officer Jenny mole, who helped Butch and Cassidy cover up the fact that the breeding center they started in their first appearance was a conspiracy to steal others' Pokémon. Their plans are on a larger scale, with the goal of capturing many Pokémon at once. As a running gag, other characters usually mispronounce Butch's name (e.g. Biff, Botch, Buzz, Bob, Chuck, Bill, Buffy, Butcher, Hutch, etc.); James is usually the one most guilty of this. The duo sometimes recites a less poetic, more arrogant version of the motto used by Jessie, James, and Meowth. Cassidy is voiced by Megan Hollingshead and Andy Whaley (4Kids), Elizabeth Morinelli (TPCI) in English while Yamato is voiced by Masako Katsuki in Japanese. Eric Stuart (4Kids) and Jimmy Zoppi (TPCI) voices Butch in English while Takehito Koyasu does Kosaburō's Japanese voice.

Pierce (フリント, Furinto^?, Flint)

Pierce is a member of Team Rocket who is Jessie, James, and Meowth's contact in the Unova Region. Sent by Giovanni, he directs the trio to perform a series of crimes involving research on a meteorite that fell on Unova hundreds of years in the past. He is voiced by Jin Yamanoi.

Team Magma

Team Magma (マグマ団, Maguma-dan^?, Magma Gang) is one of the two villainous organizations in the Hoenn Region. They are a group of experts in the fields of geology and plate tectonics. Like Team Rocket, some rebels are Pokémon thieves, but Team Magma specializes in the field of Fire and Ground type Pokémon. In Pokémon Ruby, the team acts as the main crime team antagonists.

Maxie (マツブサ, Matsubusa^?)

Voiced by: Marc Thompson (English)

He is the leader of Team Magma. Maxie wants to wipe out the sea for more land by using a volcano and Groudon. He is more misguided than truly evil, as he believes that his actions will benefit others. Maxie met Ash in the episode "Gaining Groudon", and told him of his dreams. He also told Ash about the Blue Orb, which could control Groudon, and with it in his hands, he could make life better for himself. Suddenly, Pikachu got possessed by the Blue Orb. It controlled Groudon, and a cataclysmic battle began, resulting in Groudon's victory. Afterwards, Maxie thanks Ash, realizing that the land of Hoenn was perfect the way it is. In some strategy guides, he is sometimes referred to as female.

Team Aqua

Team Aqua (アクア団, Akua-dan^?, Aqua Gang) is one of the two villainous organizations found in Hoenn. They specialize in Water and Dark type Pokémon. Their goal is to raise the level of the all the world oceans with the power of Kyogre.

Archie (アオギリ, Aogiri^?)

Voiced by: Sean Schemmel

He is the leader of Team Aqua. He becomes possessed by the power of the Red Orb, much like Pikachu and the Blue Orb. His only concern from that point is to raise the sea, even if it meant drowning all of his Team Aqua members.

Team Galactic

Team Galactic (ギンガ団, Ginga-dan^?, Galaxy Gang), is the crime syndicate in the Sinnoh region. Their goal is to catch the Pokémon that created the world: Dialga of time and Palkia of space, as well as Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie, so that their leader, Cyrus, can destroy the universe and rebuild it in his own image with himself as an absolute god. However, only the Commanders and Boss are aware of this plan.

Cyrus (アカギ, Akagi^?)

Voiced by: Kenta Miyake (Japanese), Sean Schemmel (English)

He is the leader of Team Galactic. His goal is to "create a new world" in his own image, as himself as the god of that world. In his first appearance, it was shown that he is a rich businessman who has made most of the buildings and libraries throughout Sinnoh. However, Ash and the others do not know that he is also the Team Galactic leader. Since then, he has appeared many times as the Team Galactic leader.

Other characters

Delia Ketchum (ハナコ, Hanako^?)

Voiced by: Masami Toyoshima (Japanese), Veronica Taylor (4Kids, English), Sarah Natochenny (TPCI, English)

She is Ash's mother. Delia is very caring of her son, always reminding him to do his best. She is very talented, having won a beauty pageant and cooked a dish so popular that elite chefs at the Indigo Plateau have asked for its recipe. It is not known who is the father of Ash, but it isn't clear that Ash's parents have separated, although she has contacted him at least once since Ash left. She has a Mr. Mime housekeeper who helps her with chores and is also rather adept in battle. In the Japanese version, the name of Satoshi's mother was, for a long time, unrevealed (with her referring to herself as Satoshi no haha or referred as Mama-san, although the role was credited as Hanako). The name Hanako (and its English counterpart, Delia) was revealed during the second Pocket Monsters movie. She also is constantly reminding Ash to change his underwear.

Nurse Joy (ジョーイ, Jōi^?)

Voiced by: Ayako Shiraishi (EP002-EP229, Japanese), Kikuko Inoue (Temp. Replacement from EP491-EP516, Japanese), Yuriko Yamaguchi (EP245-EP488; EP517-EP656, Japanese), Chika Fujimura (EP659-present, Japanese); Megan Hollingshead (EP02-EP316, English), Bella Hudson (EP323-EP418, English), Diane Stillwell (MMoMP, English), Michele Knotz (EP425-EP656, English), Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (EP659-present, English)

"Nurse Joy" is the name for every member of an identical family of Pokémon nurses. They mainly work in Pokémon Centers, but they also work in other locations. They are also often accompanied by a Chansey or Blissey (throughout Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh) or Audino (throughout Unova). Like Chansey, Blissey and Audino, all Nurse Joys are mostly hospitable, especially towards Pokémon. Brock, who claims to be able to tell the Joys just by minor appearance details (different-colored crosses on their hats; hair is slightly shorter; smile is wider; etc.), is infatuated with every Nurse Joy he meets, and often has to be restrained by a traveling companion. Although all of them look completely identical to each other, some do have different personalities, and a few even other occupations besides nursing. There is a Nurse Joy who is a body builder, a contest judge and even one who is scared of water Pokémon. In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl series, there was also a Nurse Joy who is married and has two daughters who both have the name "Joy" at the end of their names and looks exactly like their mother rather than their father.^[9] Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga author Toshihiro Ono cited her as one of his favorite characters to draw for the series, stating the reason as "because she's a girl".^[10]

Officer Jenny (ジュンサー, Junsā^?)

Voiced by: Chinami Nishimura (EP002-EP632, Japanese), Chiaki Takahashi (EP663-present, Japanese); Megan Hollingshead (EP002-EP339, movies 1-8, English), Jamie Davyous Owens (EP393-EP416, English), Kayzie Rogers (MMoMP, English), Maya Rosewood (EP429, English [uncredited]), Emily Williams (EP462-EP656, English), Emily Bauer (EP663-present, English)

She is a police officer in the Pokémon anime who maintains the law and order in the Pokémon world, and often opposes members of Team Rocket. The Japanese name, junsaa, 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, Spinarak or even a Chatot. 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.)

Raoul Contesta (コンテスタ, Contesuta^?)

Mr. Contesta is main judge of the three contest judges of Pokemon Contests. He is usually the first one to comment on the Pokémon, and the one who offers advice to the Coordinators. He is critical, but fair in his judgments.

Mr. Sukizo (スキゾーさん, Sukizou-san^?)

Mr. Sukizo is one of the three judges for Pokemon contests, alongside Mr. Contesta and Nurse Joy. His appearance resembles that of a male PokéFan, which may have served as inspiration for his design. Sukizo is a man of few words as the only thing he ever seems to say is "I like it" (好きですね). In the English adaptation of the series, his phrase is "remarkable".

Lyra (コトネ, Kotone^?)

Voiced by: Megumi Nakajima (Japanese), Eileen Stevens (English)

Lyra is a female trainer from Johto who joins Ash and friends for a couple of episodes (from "An Egg Scramble! to "Bagged Then Tagged!"). Lyra is based on the female player character of the same name in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Khoury (カズナリ, Kazunari^?)

Voiced by: Kenji Nojima (Japanese), Christopher Niosi (English)

He is a male trainer from Johto who joins Ash and friends for a couple of episodes (from "An Egg Scramble! to "Bagged Then Tagged!"). He, like Brock, wants to become a breeder someday. In "A Rivalry To Gible On", when Lyra tried to make Dawn and Khoury a couple, Khoury started devoloping a crush on Dawn but realized that he had feelings for Lyra.

Don George (ドン・ジョージ, Don Jōji^?)

Voiced by: Hisao Egawa (Japanese), Marc Thompson (English)

"Don George" is the name of the owners of Pokémon Battle Clubs (ポケモンバトルクラブ, Pokemon Batoru Kurabu^?) throughout Unova. Like the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys, there are many Don Georges that are all identical, but having different colored collars and wrist bands.

Luke (ルーク, Rūku^?)

Voiced by: Minami Takayama (Japanese)

Luke is a young Pokémon trainer and amateur filmmaker Ash, Iris, and Cilan meet with when they reach Nimbasa City. He uses his Zorua, Golett, and Leavanny to make films, and has Ash, Cilan, and Iris help him finish his latest film. He later joins them in signing up for the Don Battle tournament, using his Larvesta to reach the semi-finals.

References

	Pokémon portal
	Anime and manga portal

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} West, Tracy; Noll, Katherine (September 2006). Pokémon Top 10 Handbook. Scholastic Inc. ISBN 0-439-89047-0. 
2. ^ Pokémon Advanced, Vol. 1 - A Ruin with a View Viz Video., July 2004. ASIN B0001Z35JW.
3. ^ ^{a b} "あにてれ：ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ". http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/pokemon_bw/staff/. Retrieved 2010-08-26. 
4. ^ ^{a b c} "あにてれ：ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ". http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/pokemon_bw/chara/. 
5. ^ "イッシュ地方のジムリーダーたち | 『ポケットモンスターブラック・ホワイト』公式サイト". http://www.pokemon-sp.jp/series/bw/#/characters/characters07.html. 
6. ^ http://www.theateronline.com/actshow.xzc?PK=17083
7. ^ "A New Season Premieres February 12th! | News | Pokemon.com". 2011-02-02. http://www.pokemon.com/us/news/anim_season14_announce-2011-02-02/. Retrieved 2011-02-06. 
8. ^ Professor Oak's first name was revealed in "The Power of One", the main Feature of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
9. ^ Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Episode 28 ; Drifloon In The Wind.
10. ^ "Animerica Interview Toshihiro Ono". VIZ Media. Archived from the original on 2000-05-10. http://web.archive.org/web/20000510020712/http://www.vizkids.com/pokemon/news_interview.shtml. Retrieved 2009-08-05. 

Manga volumes

• Ono, Toshihiro. Pokémon: Electric Pikachu Boogaloo Graphic Novel. VIZ Media LLC, April 5, 2000. ISBN 1-56931-436-5
• Ono, Toshihiro. Pokémon: Surf’s Up, Pikachu Graphic Novel. VIZ Media LLC, June 2000. ISBN 1-56931-494-2