This is a list of recurring characters in the Pokémon video game series. Characters may appear in multiple continuities within the Pokémon franchise, such as the animated adaptations, films, manga, and books. In these spin-offs, the characters may take on the same basic role, such as with Professor Oak and Giovanni in the Pokémon TV series, and sometimes different roles, such as with Misty and Brock.
Each main-series Pokémon game features a player character protagonist or set of protagonists, one or more rival characters, a hometown "Pokémon professor" who introduces the mechanics of the game, and a large selection of fellow Pokémon trainers, "Gym leaders", and villainous teams to battle against.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Red, Green, Blue (1996), Yellow (1998), FireRed, LeafGreen (2004), and Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! (2018), which are set in the fictional Kanto region. Many of these characters recur throughout the Pokémon franchise.
is the protagonist of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue and Yellow and the male protagonist of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Red later appears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal as a secret boss fight on Mt. Silver, and also appears in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Pokémon Sun and Moon, and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, as well as in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, reprising his role from the originals. In Pokémon Adventures, he is the Champion of the Kanto Region.
is the female protagonist of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.
and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.
See main article: article and Rivals (Pokémon). is the rival character of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. He is the grandson of Professor Oak and the player character's childhood friend. He is pushy and competitive, but generally a good Pokémon Trainer. He briefly precedes the player character as the Champion of the Kanto Region, waiting for the player to challenge him. Blue is the basis for Gary Oak in the anime. IGN listed Blue as the 98th best villain in video games, though they stressed that it was difficult to view him as a villain.[1] He reappears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal and their remakes as the Viridian City Gym Leader.
replaces Blue as the rival character of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.[2] The character is much kinder, offering advice and gifting the player items. When asked about this change, director Junichi Masuda said that Pokémons evolving graphics make rude behaviors by rival characters more intense, and that he personally felt "those kinds of personalities these days are just not as accepted by players as they were back then."[3]
Professor Samuel Oak is a Pokémon Researcher and the grandfather of Blue in the Kanto-based games. He is described as the leading Pokémon expert, specializing in Pokémon behavioral science. Alongside his research, he is also authorized by the Pokémon League to give new Pokémon Trainers one of the three starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander. In the anime, he gives Ash Ketchum his Pikachu after he arrives too late to receive one of the usual three starter Pokémon. In Pokémon Yellow, he gives Red a Pikachu after Blue takes an Eevee. A younger version of the character has a major supporting role in the movie Pokémon 4Ever.
Each main-series Pokémon game, with the exception of Pokémon Sun and Moon and their 3rd and 4th versions, includes a group of eight "Gym leaders", who award the player character a badge upon defeat. Each Gym leader possesses a team of several Pokémon of similar type or theming. Particularly notable Gym leaders of the Kanto-based games are:
In addition to Brock and Misty, the other gym leaders are Lt. Surge (マチス), Erika (エリカ), Sabrina (ナツメ）), Koga (キキョウ), Blaine (カツラ), and Giovanni (サカキ).
Each main-series Pokémon game also includes a group of elite-level trainers at the end of the game, which is called the Elite Four in Kanto. This team includes the Ice-themed Lorelei (カンナ), Fighting-themed Bruno (シバ), Ghost-themed Agatha (キクコ), and Dragon-themed Lance (ワタル).[4]
See main article: article and Team Rocket. Giovanni is the Leader of the villainous Team Rocket. He runs the Viridian City Gym in Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and their remakes. He later disappears and is not seen again, though Team Rocket attempts to locate him in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and their remakes. He also appears as the main antagonist of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon's postgame story. Giovanni is a recurring character in the Pokémon anime series, where he is the boss of Team Rocket.
Jessie and James are a pair of Team Rocket grunts who originate from the Pokémon anime series. They appear as antagonists in Yellow, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Their English names are a reference to outlaw Jesse James.[5] Their Japanese names are references to two famed swordsmen in Japanese history, Sasaki Kojirō and Miyamoto Musashi, who famously fought each other on the Island of Ganryū in 1612, resulting in Musashi's victory and Kojirō's death.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Gold, Silver (1999), Crystal (2000), HeartGold, or SoulSilver (2009), which are primarily set in the fictional Johto region.
is the protagonist of Pokémon Gold and Silver, and the male protagonist of Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver.
was introduced in Pokémon Crystal, and was the first female player character in the Pokémon series. Though players at the time paid little attention to the addition of a female character, Kris is considered a meaningful addition by women who grew up with the game. Playing as the character was noted as a formative queer experience for transgender women. The character was replaced by in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.[6] [7] [8]
See main article: article and Rivals (Pokémon).
is the rival of the Johto-based games. He steals his first Pokémon from Professor Elm and tends to see Pokémon as tools to use and discard. Unlike Blue before him, Silver is depicted as a mediocre trainer, though the Sprout Tower sage and Lance see talent and great potential in him. He eventually realizes his wrongdoings and changes his ways by treating his Pokémon with respect. Silver also appears in Pokémon Masters EX, in which he is identified by Ho-Oh as being pure of heart. He is the son of Giovanni, with the Celebi event in HeartGold and SoulSilver showing their past.
Professor Elm is an absent-minded Pokémon Researcher and former student of Professor Oak. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, he is authorized by the Pokémon League to give new trainers one of the three starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile. He specializes in research regarding Pokémon breeding and is credited with the discovery of Pokémon eggs, even gifting the player character a Togepi egg for research.
Jasmine is the Olivine City Gym Leader and an expert on Steel-type Pokémon. She initially refuses the player's challenge because she is tending to a sick Ampharos named Amphy that provides light for the city lighthouse. She challenges the player after they get Amphy proper medicine from Cianwood City. Jasmine reappears as a minor character in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl, giving HM07 Waterfall in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, or TM99 Waterfall in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.[9] She was introduced to Pokémon Masters EX in 2020.[10] [11]
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire (2002), Emerald (2004), and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014), which are set in the fictional Hoenn region.
See main article: article and Rival (Pokémon). and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. The player can select which character they want to play as, with the other character taking the role of the main rival.
is an additional rival character. He is introduced as a sickly young boy who needs help catching Pokémon. Using a Zigzagoon borrowed from Norman, the player helps him catch a Ralts. He is later taken to Verdanturf Town, where the fresh air helps him recover, though he leaves to keep training his Pokémon. He later battles the player in Victory Road.
Professor Birch is a Pokémon Researcher, known for his fieldwork and research on Pokémon habitual distribution. He is also the father of the rival character. In the games, Birch gives the player character and the main rival a starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip. At the beginning of the games, he is attacked by a wild Pokémon and drops his bag, resulting in the player having to use one of his Pokémon to save him. In the anime, he gives May her Torchic. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the father of Sapphire.
Norman is the Petalburg City Gym Leader and an expert on Normal-type Pokémon. In the games, Norman is the protagonist's father. In the anime, he is the father of May and Max. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the father of Ruby and a close friend of Professor Birch.
Wallace is the Sootopolis City Gym Leader in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. He is an expert on Water-type Pokémon, a skilled artist and Pokémon Contest star. In Pokémon Emerald, Wallace becomes the Hoenn Pokémon League Champion, leaving the post of Gym Leader to his mentor, Juan. In the anime, he does not appear until the Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl anime series, where he is a Contest Master from the Hoenn region who holds a Contest called the Wallace Cup.
Steven Stone is the Champion of the Hoenn Region in Ruby, Sapphire, Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. He is the son of the president of Devon Corporation and aids the player in their battles against Teams Magma and Aqua. In Emerald, he has retired from competitive battling, but can be challenged for casual battles.
Maxie is the Leader of Team Magma, which aims to awaken Groudon to cause a drought that will dry the oceans and expand landmasses. In contrast, Archie is the Leader of Team Aqua, which aims to awaken Kyogre to cause a heavy rainfall that will flood the landmasses and expand the oceans.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Diamond, Pearl (2006), Platinum (2008), Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl (2021), which are set in the fictional Sinnoh region.
and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.
See main article: article and Rival (Pokémon). is the rival character in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. He is often impatient and is determined to be the best Pokémon Trainer. He is best friends with the player, who he aids throughout their journey. His father, Palmer, owns the Battle Tower in Sinnoh. He tends to accidentally crash into people, and often tries to fine people for being too slow.
Professor Rowan is the Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games, having returned to Sinnoh after four years of traveling abroad. He is a senior researcher to and old friend of Professor Oak, and is known for his research on Pokémon evolution. He is authorized to give trainers one of three Sinnoh starter Pokémon, Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup. In the anime, he gives Dawn her Piplup. He has an assistant, either Lucas or Dawn, depending on which player character was not chosen by the player.
Cynthia is the Sinnoh Pokémon League Champion. She is interested in mythology and history and spends her time researching and exploring various sites associated with Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region. In the games, she helps the protagonist against Team Galactic and assists them when Giratina appears in Platinum. In the anime, Ash first meets Cynthia after she defeats Paul in a battle; she later helps the group fight against Team Galactic.
Cyrus is the nihilistic Leader of the villainous Team Galactic and the main antagonist of the Sinnoh games. Although he seems to want to work with his team to create a new dimension, his true goal is to create a dimension solely for himself; devoid of emotions that he sees as weak and useless.
"Looker" is a member of the Interpol who appears in Pokémon Platinum, where he is investigating Team Galactic. He appears again in Black and White, seeking the player's assistance in apprehending the seven sages of Team Plasma. In X and Y, he poses as a detective to investigate a Team Flare scientist. In Sun and Moon, he comes to Alola to assist the player with capturing the Ultra Beasts that were unleashed there.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Black and White (2010) and their sequels Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 (2012), which are set in the fictional Unova region.
and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Black and White. and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
See main article: article and Rivals (Pokémon). is one of the rival characters in Pokémon Black and White, and is one of the player's childhood friends. He is intelligent and trustworthy, often giving the player character advice and battling them to test his skills. Like the player, he aims to become Champion. Two years later, in Black 2 and White 2, he becomes Aspertia City's Gym Leader. His name is derived from the Bulgarian word for black: Bulgarian: черен (cheren).
is the other rival in Pokémon Black and White, and alongside Cheren is one of the player's childhood friends. She is spontaneous and sometimes unreliable, but she develops over the course of the journey. She also has a strong side, which she shows when she goes on a Pokémon journey against her father's wishes. Her father wants her to stay at home, believing the world to be unsafe, until Elesa eventually convinces him to let keep Bianca go on her own journey. Two years later, in the events of Black 2 and White 2, she becomes an assistant to Professor Juniper and gives the player their starter Pokémon. Her English name is derived from the Italian word for white, while her Japanese name "Bel" is derived from the Russian word for white: Russian: бел (bel).[12]
is the sole rival in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. He is from Aspertia City and one of the player's childhood friends. Like the player characters, he also seeks to become a Pokémon Master. Throughout the game, the player helps Hugh retrieve his sister's Purrloin, which was stolen by Team Plasma years prior.
Professor Aurea Juniper is the Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Black and White games and the first female professor to appear in the video games. She specializes in research involving the origins of Pokémon. She gives the player character, Bianca and Cheren one of the game's starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. In the anime, she gives Trip a Snivy and allows Ash to keep an Oshawott that escapes from her lab. Her father, Cedric Juniper, was a Pokémon Professor and has since retired.
Fennel is a Pokémon Professor who studies Pokémon Trainers and the dreams of Pokémon. The player encounters her when Team Plasma abducts a Munna from her research facility to use its Dream Mist powers. She gives access to the games' wireless capabilities and online systems.
Alder is the former Champion of the Unova Region, who helps the player battle Team Plasma throughout Unova. N successfully challenges him to battle and wins, forcing the player to fight N instead. The player can later challenge Alder after finishing the main story of the game. While he does not specialize in a particular Pokémon type, half of his Pokémon are Bug-type and his signature Pokémon is Volcarona. He later reveals he had another Volcarona that died before the games begin. He has retired from his position in Black 2 and White 2, having been succeeded by Iris.
is the Leader of Team Plasma. He is a mysterious Pokémon Trainer who shows up throughout the player's journey and believes that humans and Pokémon should be separated. He was forced to grow up with abused Pokémon, as a plot by his adoptive father Ghetsis, so that he would want to liberate Pokémon from humans. By following through with the plan, he befriends Zekrom in Black or Reshiram in White to help him alter the world. N returns in Black 2 and White 2 in a supporting role, enabling the games' mascot Kyurem to transform. His full name is .
Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius (is the true Leader of Team Plasma and the main antagonist of the Unova games. He is the adoptive father of N, Anthea, and Concordia, He initially appears as one of the Seven Sages devoted to Team Plasma's cause. During the climax of the first games, it is revealed he manipulated N and Team Plasma as part of his plan to rule over the world via N. He is arrested after being beaten by the player, but escapes thanks to the Shadow Triad. He returns in the sequels as the leader of Neo Team Plasma, wanting to use Kyurem to freeze and rule over Unova. He reveals himself after Colress' defeat and retreats to the Giant Chasm with Kyurem. After his attempt to freeze the protagonist is interrupted by N and his legendary Pokémon, he uses the DNA Splicers he armed Kyurem with to merge them both. After beating it and Ghetsis, he snaps completely and is transported away by the Shadow Triad.
Colress is an independent Pokémon Researcher and a proxy Leader of Neo Team Plasma, who works to learn about the powers of Pokémon and bring out the true strength within them. He battles the player several times throughout the game to test their abilities and the power of their Pokémon. He eventually aligns with Neo Team Plasma, as they will allow him to study Pokémon the way he wishes. In the main story of Black 2 and White 2, he is the helmsman of Team Plasma's primary mode of transportation. After Neo Team Plasma is defeated, he helps the group reform. He returns in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, helping the player character defeat Team Rainbow Rocket in the post-game story. He has a larger and more antagonistic role in the anime, as he builds a device that would allow Ghetsis to control Reshiram and takes control of various Pokémon, including Team Rocket's Meowth.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon X and Y (2013), which are set in the fictional Kalos region.
See main article: article and Rivals (Pokémon).
and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon X and Y.
See main article: article and Rivals (Pokémon).
is one of the rivals/friends of the player character in Pokémon X and Y. She is energetic and curious, but is searching for a goal in life. She gives the player character a nickname at the outset of their journey.
is interested in finding new Pokémon to make the perfect Pokémon Dance Team.
is studious and wishes to fill up all three parts of the Kalos region's Pokédex.
Professor Augustine Sycamore is the Pokémon Professor of the Kalos region, who occasionally battles the player. Unlike previous professors, who gave out the regions' starter Pokémon, Kalos's starter Pokémon Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie are given out by one of the player character's friends. Instead, Professor Sycamore gives the player a choice between Kanto's starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.
Diantha is the Kalos Pokémon League Champion. She is known in the Kalos Region as a popular celebrity, appearing in films and advertisements, but the player does not discover her place in the Pokémon League until the end of the game.
Lysandre (is the Leader of the villainous Team Flare, which seeks to attain eternal beauty. He follows the player's progress closely, seeking them in his plans and revealing the history of Kalos and the king AZ, who nearly wiped out all life. He is also related to AZ, as he is a descendant of his brother. After his identity as Team Flare's leader is revealed, he admits he wishes to use AZ's weapon to enact mass extinction, believing the Mega Ring to be central to his plans. The player ultimately defeats Lysandre and when Lysandre attempts to activate the weapon, despite the player having captured its power source, the weapon crumbles and destroys the headquarters. Lysandre also appears in the anime as a recurring antagonist, where his plans are similar to the games.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Sun and Moon (2016) or Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (2017). These games are all set in the fictional Alola region.
and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.
See main article: article and Rivals (Pokémon).
is one of the rivals of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. He is a direct contrast to previous rivals like Blue, as he choses a Pokémon that is weak to that of the protagonist and is constantly trailing behind the player, rather than being ahead of them.[13]
is a member of the villainous Team Skull and a rival for the player. He is terse and combative, capturing the spirit of rivalry as established earlier in the franchise. His partner Pokémon is a stolen from an Aether Foundation lab, which later evolves into Silvally. He is Lusamine's son and Lillie's older brother.
is the Pokémon Professor in Pokémon Sun and Moon, who studies Pokémon moves and takes Lillie under his wing as his assistant; he is married to Professor Burnett. He has a double life in the Battle Royal Dome as The Masked Royal. He is good friends with Molayne, who keeps his double life a secret. He takes one of the Alolan starter Pokémon under his wing, whichever was not chosen by Hau or the player, and later uses it in battle in its final form. He acts as the final opponent before becoming the first-ever Champion of Alola Region in Pokémon Sun and Moon.
is a gang of street thugs who are the resident villain team of Alola in Pokémon Sun and Moon, secretly working with the Aether Foundation after being promised money. They disband following the events of the games.
is the Leader of the Aether Foundation, the mother of Lillie and Gladion, and the true villain of the original Sun and Moon games. She is obsessed with the Ultra Beasts, specifically Nihilego, having fallen under their influence; Gladion speculates her fixation started after her husband Mohn vanished while studying them. She unleashes Nihilego upon Alola before deciding to live a solitary life amongst them in their home realm. She is taken as a host by a Nihilego at the games' climax in a last-ditch attempt to destroy the protagonists. In the Ultra versions, she works with the Ultra Recon Squad and harnesses Nebby's power to fight Necrozma, but is defeated. She reforms at the end of the story, choosing to no longer interfere in her children's lives, but is captured by Team Rainbow Rocket and taken hostage in the postgame.
The is an organization that appears in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They aim to investigate Ultra Wormholes and Ultra Beasts and return the light that was stolen from their home by Necrozma.
is an important character in Sun and Moon and their Ultra versions. She hates Pokémon battles because she dislikes seeing Pokémon getting hurt. She keeps Cosmog nicknamed Nebby in her bag, which she stole from the Aether Foundation because her mother could end up killing it. She later takes refuge with Professor Kukui and becomes his assistant.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019). These games are set in the fictional Galar region.
and are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Sword and Shield.
See main article: article and Rivals (Pokémon).
Sword and Shield features several rival characters. These are:
is the Pokémon Professor in the Galar region, who studies the Dynamax phenomenon and gives the player and Hop Dynamax Bands. She steps down as Professor near the end of the game.
is Magnolia's granddaughter, who becomes Galar professor after announcing her discovery of the legend of the Darkest Day. She also appears throughout the story, often assisting the player and Hop. She publishes a book on her Dynamax research and in turn the true history of Galar, which causes Sordward and Shielbert to start the events of the postgame story. In The Crown Tundra, she researches the Swords of Justice: Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.
Leon is the Champion of the Galar Region. He often appears throughout the story, and defeats various out-of-control Dynamax Pokémon caused by Eternatus. He has a poor sense of direction and often gets lost. He was childhood rivals with Sonia and Raihan, a Gym Leader who specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon. After defeating him and becoming Champion, he converts Rose's tower base into the Battle Tower. He also sets up the Galarian Star Tournament at the end of The Crown Tundra.
Nessa is a model, and Gym Leader, Specializing in Water-type Pokémon.
runs the dojo on the Isle of Armor. He is a former Champion of the Galar Region who trained Leon in the past, reigning undefeated for 18 years until he retired due to being asked to participate in a rigged match. He purchased the Isle of Armor and developed an interest in video games.
is the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League, the president of a large business conglomerate, and the main villain of Sword and Shield. He is obsessed with solving Galar's future energy crisis, and wants to awake Eternatus because he believes harnessing its power would solve the problem. After the player defeats and catches Eternatus, he voluntarily surrenders to the authorities. He specializes in Steel-type Pokémon.
& are the main antagonists of the post-game story for Pokémon Sword and Shield. They believe that Sonia's accounts of Galar's history are false.
Characters that were introduced in (2022). This game is set in the Hisui region and takes place in the distant past of the Sinnoh region of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
Characters that were introduced in the video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (2022), which are set in the fictional Paldea region.