List of Pokémon characters facts for kids
This is a list of important characters from the Pokémon video games. These characters often appear in different Pokémon stories, like the TV show, movies, and manga. Sometimes they have the same role, like Professor Oak and Giovanni, and sometimes they have different roles, like Misty and Brock.
In each main Pokémon game, you play as a main character. You also meet rivals, a Pokémon professor who helps you start your journey, and many other Pokémon trainers. You'll battle against "Gym Leaders" and villainous teams.
Contents
Characters from Kanto
These characters first appeared in the Pokémon Red, Green, Blue (1996), Yellow (1998), FireRed, LeafGreen (2004), and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (2018) games. These games are set in the Kanto region. Many of these characters show up in other Pokémon stories too.
Main Characters
- Red is the main boy character in Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow. He is also the boy main character in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Red later appears in other games like Gold, Silver, Crystal, and their remakes, as a secret powerful trainer to battle.
- Leaf is the main girl character in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.
- Chase and Elaine are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
Rival Trainers
- Blue is your rival in Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. He is Professor Oak's grandson and your childhood friend. Blue is very competitive, but he is a good Pokémon Trainer. He even becomes the Kanto Champion for a short time before you challenge him. Blue is the inspiration for Gary Oak in the anime. He later becomes the Gym Leader of Viridian City.
- Trace is the rival in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. He is much kinder than Blue. Trace often gives you advice and helpful items. The game's director, Junichi Masuda, said they made Trace nicer because rude rivals are not as popular with players today.
Professor Oak
Professor Samuel Oak is a famous Pokémon researcher. He is Blue's grandfather. He is known as the top Pokémon expert, especially in how Pokémon behave. Professor Oak is allowed by the Pokémon League to give new trainers their first Pokémon. These are usually Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander. In the anime, he gives Ash Ketchum his Pikachu.
Gym Leaders and Elite Four
Most main Pokémon games have eight "Gym Leaders." When you defeat a Gym Leader, you get a badge. Each Gym Leader uses Pokémon of a certain type or theme. Important Gym Leaders from Kanto are:
- Brock is the Gym Leader of Pewter City. He is an expert in Rock-type Pokémon. In the Pokémon anime, he travels with Ash.
- Misty is the Gym Leader of Cerulean City. She is an expert in Water-type Pokémon. In the anime, she also travels with Ash for a while.
Other Kanto Gym Leaders include Lt. Surge, Erika, Sabrina, Koga, Blaine, and Giovanni.
At the end of each main Pokémon game, you battle a group of strong trainers called the Elite Four. In Kanto, the Elite Four are Lorelei (Ice-type), Bruno (Fighting-type), Agatha (Ghost-type), and Lance (Dragon-type).
Team Rocket
Giovanni is the leader of the bad guys, Team Rocket. He also runs the Ground-type Gym in Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and their remakes. He disappears later, but Team Rocket tries to find him in other games. Giovanni is also a main villain in the Pokémon anime, where he is the boss of Jessie and James.
Jessie and James are two Team Rocket members who first appeared in the Pokémon anime. They show up as mini-bosses in Yellow, Let's Go, Pikachu!, and Let's Go, Eevee!.
Characters from Johto
These characters were first seen in the Pokémon Gold, Silver (1999), Crystal (2000), and HeartGold, SoulSilver (2009) games. These games are mostly set in the Johto region.
Main Characters
- Gold (also known as Ethan) is the main boy character in Pokémon Gold and Silver. He is also the boy main character in Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver.
- Kris was the first girl main character in the Pokémon series, introduced in Pokémon Crystal. Many women who grew up with the game felt it was special to finally play as a girl. Kris was later replaced by Lyra in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
Silver
Silver is your rival in the Johto games. He steals his first Pokémon from Professor Elm. At first, he sees Pokémon as just tools to use and throw away. But over time, he learns to treat his Pokémon with respect. Silver is also the son of Giovanni.
Professor Elm
Professor Elm is a Pokémon researcher who used to be a student of Professor Oak. He is a bit absent-minded. In the Johto games, he gives new trainers one of three starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile. He studies Pokémon breeding and discovered Pokémon eggs.
Jasmine
Jasmine is the Olivine City Gym Leader. She is an expert in Steel-type Pokémon. When you first meet her, she won't battle you because she is taking care of a sick Ampharos named Amphy. Amphy provides light for the city's lighthouse. You must help her get medicine for Amphy before she will battle you.
Characters from Hoenn
These characters were first introduced in the Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire (2002), Emerald (2004), and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014) games. These games are set in the Hoenn region.
Main Characters and Rivals
- Brendan and May are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. You choose one to play as, and the other becomes your main rival.
- Wally is another rival character. He starts as a sickly boy who needs help catching his first Pokémon. Later, he becomes healthier and a strong trainer. He battles you several times, showing how much he has grown.
Professor Birch
Professor Birch is a Pokémon researcher known for studying where Pokémon live in the wild. He is also the father of your main rival. In the games, he gives you and your rival a starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip. At the start of the game, you help him when he is attacked by a Poochyena.
Other Hoenn Characters
- Norman is the Petalburg City Gym Leader and an expert in Normal-type Pokémon. In the games, he is your father.
- Wallace is the Sootopolis City Gym Leader in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. He is an expert in Water-type Pokémon. In Pokémon Emerald, Wallace becomes the Pokémon League Champion.
- Steven Stone is the Champion of the Hoenn League in most Hoenn games. He is the son of a big company president and helps you fight against the villainous teams. His main Pokémon is Metagross.
- Maxie is the leader of Team Magma. His team wants to awaken Groudon to make more land.
- Archie is the leader of Team Aqua. His team wants to awaken Kyogre to make more ocean.
Characters from Sinnoh
These characters were first introduced in the Pokémon Diamond, Pearl (2006), Platinum (2008), and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (2021) games. These games are set in the Sinnoh region.
Lucas and Dawn
- Lucas and Dawn are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.
Barry
Barry is your rival in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. He is often impatient and wants to be the very best trainer. He is your best friend and helps you on your journey. He tends to accidentally bump into people.
Professor Rowan
Professor Rowan is the Pokémon Professor in the Sinnoh games. He is an older researcher and a friend of Professor Oak. He is known for studying Pokémon evolution. He gives trainers one of three Sinnoh starter Pokémon: Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup.
Other Sinnoh Characters
- Cynthia is the Sinnoh League Champion. She is interested in old stories and history. She helps you fight against Team Galactic.
- Cyrus is the leader of the villainous Team Galactic. He wants to create a new world just for himself, without any emotions.
- Looker is a detective from a group called Interpol. He appears in Pokémon Platinum to investigate Team Galactic. He also shows up in later games, helping you with different mysteries.
Characters from Unova
These characters were first seen in the Pokémon Black and White (2010) games and their sequels Black 2 and White 2 (2012). These games are set in the Unova region.
Main Characters
- Hilbert and Hilda are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Black and White.
- Nate and Rosa are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
Rival Trainers
- Cheren is one of your childhood friends and rivals in Pokémon Black and White. He is smart and reliable. He wants to become Champion. Two years later, in Black 2 and White 2, he becomes a Gym Leader.
- Bianca is your other childhood friend and rival in Pokémon Black and White. She is spontaneous but grows stronger during her journey. She goes on her Pokémon journey even though her father worries about her safety. Later, she becomes an assistant to Professor Juniper.
- Hugh is your rival in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. He is also your childhood friend. He wants to become a Pokémon Master and needs your help to get back his sister's stolen Purrloin.
Professor Juniper
Professor Aurea Juniper is the Pokémon Professor in the Unova games. She is the first female professor in the video games. She studies where Pokémon come from. She gives you, Bianca, and Cheren one of the starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig, or Oshawott. Her father, Cedric Juniper, was also a Pokémon Professor.
Other Unova Characters
- Alder is the former Champion of the Unova League. He helps you fight Team Plasma.
- N is the leader of Team Plasma. He is a mysterious trainer who believes that humans and Pokémon should live separately. He was raised to believe this by his adoptive father, Ghetsis. N captures a powerful Legendary Pokémon, either Zekrom or Reshiram, to show his power.
- Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius is the true leader of Team Plasma and the main villain of the Unova games. He is N's adoptive father. He tricked N and Team Plasma as part of his plan to rule the world. He returns in the sequels, trying to use Kyurem to freeze Unova.
- Colress is a Pokémon researcher who works with Neo Team Plasma. He wants to learn about Pokémon's powers and make them stronger. He battles you several times to test your skills.
Characters from Kalos
These characters were first introduced in the Pokémon X and Y (2013) games. These games are set in the Kalos region.
Calem and Serena
- Calem and Serena are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon X and Y.
Rival Trainers
Pokémon X and Y have several rival friends:
- Shauna is energetic and curious. She is looking for a goal in life.
- Tierno wants to find new Pokémon to make the perfect Pokémon Dance Team.
- Trevor is studious and wants to complete the Kalos Pokédex.
Professor Sycamore
Professor Augustine Sycamore is the professor of the Kalos region. He sometimes battles you. Unlike other professors, he doesn't give you the Kalos starter Pokémon (Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie). Instead, one of your friends gives them to you. Professor Sycamore gives you a choice of Kanto's starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.
Diantha
Diantha is the Kalos League's Champion. She is also a famous celebrity in the Kalos Region, appearing in movies and ads. You don't find out she's the Champion until the end of the game. Her main Pokémon is her Mega Gardevoir.
Lysandre
Lysandre is the leader of the villainous Team Flare. He wants to create eternal beauty. He believes that a special weapon from the past can help him achieve his goals, even if it means causing a lot of destruction.
Characters from Alola
These characters were first introduced in the Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016) or Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017) games. These games are set in the Alola region.
Elio and Selene
- Elio and Selene are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
Rival Trainers
- Hau is one of your rivals in the Alola games. He is very friendly and chooses a Pokémon that is weak against yours. He is often a step behind you, unlike past rivals.
- Gladion is another rival. He is a member of Team Skull. He is serious and competitive. His partner Pokémon is the mysterious Type: Null. He is also the son of Lusamine and Lillie's brother.
Professor Kukui
Professor Kukui is the Pokémon Professor in Pokémon Sun and Moon. He studies Pokémon moves. He also has a secret identity as The Masked Royal, a strong fighter in the Battle Royal Dome. He acts as the final opponent you battle before becoming Champion in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
Team Skull
Team Skull is a group of street thugs in Alola. They secretly work with the Aether Foundation for money.
- Guzma is the boss of Team Skull. He battles fiercely. He used to try the Island Challenge but didn't succeed.
- Plumeria is Team Skull's admin. She helps keep the team organized and cares for the members, making her less mean than other villain admins.
Other Alola Characters
- Lusamine is the leader of the Aether Foundation. She is the mother of Lillie and Gladion. She is very interested in strange creatures called Ultra Beasts. In the original Sun and Moon games, she becomes obsessed with them.
- The Ultra Recon Squad is a group that appears in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They investigate Ultra Wormholes and Ultra Beasts.
- Lillie is an important character in the Alola games. She doesn't like Pokémon battles because she doesn't like seeing Pokémon get hurt. She carries a special Pokémon called Nebby the Cosmog in her bag. She took Nebby from the Aether Foundation because she worried about her mother's plans for it.
Characters from Galar
These characters were first introduced in the Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019) games. These games are set in the Galar region.
Main Characters
- Victor and Gloria are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Rival Trainers
Sword and Shield have several rival characters:
- Hop is the younger brother of Leon, the Galar Champion. He looks up to his brother and wants to become Champion too. He later decides to become a Pokémon Professor instead.
- Bede is an arrogant trainer. After he is removed from the Gym Challenge, a Gym Leader named Opal trains him to be her replacement. He specializes in Fairy-type Pokémon.
- Marnie is the younger sister of Piers, the Spikemuth Gym Leader. She has a group of troublesome fans called Team Yell. She later becomes the Spikemuth Gym Leader. She specializes in Dark-type Pokémon.
- Klara is a rival in the "Isle of Armor" story in Pokémon Sword. She wants to become a Poison-type Gym Leader.
- Avery is a rival in the "Isle of Armor" story in Pokémon Shield. He comes from a family of psychics and wants to prove himself by becoming a Psychic-type Gym Leader.
Professors
- Professor Magnolia is the Pokémon Professor in the Galar region. She studies the Dynamax phenomenon, which makes Pokémon grow huge. She gives you and Hop special Dynamax Bands.
- Professor Sonia is Magnolia's granddaughter. She becomes the Galar Professor after discovering the truth about a legend called the Darkest Day. She often helps you and Hop during your journey.
Other Galar Characters
- Leon is the Champion of the Galar League. He often helps stop giant Dynamax Pokémon that are out of control. He has a terrible sense of direction and often gets lost. After you defeat him, he turns a tower into the Battle Tower.
- Nessa is a model and a Gym Leader. She specializes in Water-type Pokémon.
- Mustard runs a training dojo on the Isle of Armor. He is a former Galar Champion who trained Leon.
- Rose is the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League and the main villain of Sword and Shield. He is worried about Galar's future energy. He believes that awakening Eternatus will solve this problem.
- Sordward and Shielbert are the main bad guys in the post-game story for Pokémon Sword and Shield. They don't believe Sonia's history of Galar.
Characters from Hisui
These characters were introduced in Pokémon Legends: Arceus (2022). This game is set in the Hisui region, which is a very old version of the Sinnoh region.
- Rei and Akari are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. They are sent back in time by Arceus.
- Professor Laventon is the Pokémon Professor of the Hisui region. He studies how Pokémon live in their natural environments.
- The Miss Fortune Sisters are a group of three bandits who attack you in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
- Volo is a traveling member of the Ginkgo Guild who is interested in old legends. He seems friendly at first, but later it is revealed he is the main villain. He worked with Giratina to cause trouble and remake the world.
- Captain Cyllene is the strict leader of the Galaxy Team's Survey Corps. She sees potential in you and lets you join the team.
- Commander Kamado is the boss of the Galaxy Team. He is tough but respected by his team. He is an ancestor of Professor Rowan.
- The Hisui region has ten Wardens who take care of special Pokémon. One of them is Ingo from the Unova region, who came to Hisui and lost his memory.
- Adaman is the leader of the Diamond Clan. He believes that Arceus controls time.
- Irida is the leader of the Pearl Clan. She believes that Arceus controls space and dimensions.
- Cogita is a wise woman who knows a lot about Hisui's legends. She helps you on your journey and gives you important items. She and Volo are thought to be ancestors of Cynthia.
Characters from Paldea
These characters were introduced in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022) games. These games are set in the Paldea region.
- Florian and Juliana are the main boy and girl characters in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
- Nemona is your rival in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. She is a Champion-rank trainer and the student council president. She wants to make you a strong opponent and often uses weaker teams to test your skills.
- Professor Sada (in Scarlet) and Professor Turo (in Violet) are the Pokémon Professors and the parent of Arven. It is later revealed that the real professors passed away before the story begins. The ones you meet are robotic copies. They study ancient or futuristic versions of Pokémon, called "Paradox Pokémon."
- Larry is the Gym Leader of Medali, specializing in Normal-type Pokémon. He is also an Elite Four member who uses Flying-type Pokémon. He is known for his tired, "depressed" look, which many fans find relatable.
- Geeta is the Top Champion and leader of the Paldea League. Nemona calls her "La Primera."
- Team Star is a group of school students who act like delinquents. They are led by five crew bosses. It is later revealed they formed to protect themselves from bullies.
- Penny is the founder and "Big Boss" of Team Star, also known as Cassiopeia. She uses a team of Eevee evolutions.
- Arven is a student and the son of Professor Sada/Turo. His Pokémon, Mabosstiff, was badly hurt by a Paradox Pokémon. Arven searches for special herbs called "Herba Mystica" to heal his Mabosstiff. He later joins you to shut down a time machine.
- Kieran is a student from Blueberry Academy. He is very interested in the story of Ogerpon. He becomes upset with you for hiding the truth about Ogerpon. He later becomes the BB League Champion, aiming to defeat you.
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See also
