List of Pokémon anime characters

This article is about the characters in the anime TV series. For the characters in the whole franchise, see List of Pokémon characters. For the characters in the manga series, see List of Pokémon Adventures characters. For the creatures known as "Pokémon", see List of Pokémon.

Pokémon, known in Japan as Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā), is a Japanese anime television series based on the Pokémon video game series published by Nintendo. It began broadcasting on TV Tokyo on April 1, 1997, in association with MediaNet (formerly TV Tokyo MediaNet and Softx) and Shopro, stands for Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions Co., Ltd. (formerly Shogakukan Productions Co., Ltd.). The series follows main protagonist Ash Ketchum for the majority of its run. He is a young boy from Pallet Town who strives to become a "Pokémon Master," often seeking to become Pokémon Champion- the strongest Pokémon Trainer of a given "region"- as a result. These travels lead through various regions, various continent-like landmasses that inhabit a wider world. On his journey, he encounters many other characters, who often appear as main characters who accompany him on his travels, or as recurring characters which reappear throughout the series. He is succeeded as main character by Liko and Roy, who accompanies a travelling band of explorers known as the Rising Volt Tacklers to travel the world.

In the world of Pokémon, Pokémon are animal-like creatures with special, elemental attributes- known as Types- which can be captured by special capture devices known as "Poke Balls." Humans who wield these Pokémon often befriend them and can use them for a variety of things. One goal is that of the Gym Challenge, which involves a human- known as a Pokémon Trainer- challenging specials "Gyms" headed by "Gym Leaders." Defeating a Leader allows a Trainer to obtain a Badge, of which eight are needed in order to register to participate in a Pokémon League Tournament, the winner of whom often moving on to either battle the region's Pokémon Champion- the strongest Pokémon Trainer in the region- or their respective Elite Four, who are strong Trainers that must be battled before the Pokémon Champion.

Other avenues for Trainers include Contests, which are beauty-pageant like events where Trainers- here named Pokémon Coordinator- must compete to gain "Ribbons." Those with enough Ribbons can move onto a Grand Festival, where a Top Coordinator will be determined. There are also numerous antagonistic organizations that act as villains in the series, the most prominent of which is Team Rocket, with a specific trio acting as recurring characters for a large portion of the show's run.

Protagonists

Ash Ketchum (サトシ, Satoshi)

Voiced by: Rica Matsumoto; Hana Takeda (young, JN001) (Japanese); Veronica Taylor (4Kids); Sarah Natochenny (TPCI) (English)

Ash Ketchum is the main protagonist of the Pokémon anime for the first twenty-five seasons. A 10-year-old Pokémon Trainer from Pallet Town, he travels with many traveling companions throughout the series. Ash's dream is to become a "Pokémon Master", and as a result often attempts to win the Pokémon League− a competition of the strongest Trainers in a given region− in whatever region he is in. Though his attempts are typically unsuccessful, he eventually succeeded in becoming the Champion of the Alola Region and later became the strongest Pokémon Trainer in the world and new World Champion referred as the "Monarch."

Misty (カスミ, Kasumi)

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

Misty is a 10-year-old Water-Type Pokémon Trainer and one of Ash's travelling companions who first appeared in the original series. She was one of the four Gym Leaders of Cerulean City along with her three older sisters, and after the original series Misty became the sole Gym Leader of Cerulean City Gym. After her departure from the series, Misty reappeared in Advanced Generation, Sun & Moon, and Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.

Brock (タケシ, Takeshi)

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

Brock is the former Pewter City Gym Leader and a ladies' man. In his earliest appearances, Brock has dreams of being the world's best Pokémon Breeder, though in later series he instead aspires to be a Pokémon Doctor. There is a running gag in the series where Brock falls in love with every girl he meets and is either pulled away by the ear by Misty or Max or is hit with his Croagunk's Poison Jab. Brock stayed on the series for several seasons, eventually leaving at the end of the Diamond and Pearl series. Brock had guest appearances in Sun & Moon and Journeys.

Tracey Sketchit (ケンジ, Kenji)

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki (Japanese); Ted Lewis (4Kids, TPCI (Current)), Craig Blair (TPCI, season 9) (English)

One of Ash's traveling companions in Orange Islands, Tracey Sketchit is a Pokémon Watcher, someone who studies Pokémon in the field similarly to bird watchers. He later accomplished his dream to becomes an assistant to Professor Oak after the end of the Orange Islands.

May (ハルカ, Haruka)

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

May is the 10-year-old daughter of the Petalburg City Gym Leader, Norman and the older sister of Max. She meets Ash and starts traveling with him after obtaining her first Pokémon, Torchic. Initially, May did not like Pokémon as she only wanted to start her journey for the adventure and freedom that came with traveling with a Pokémon. However, her encounter with Ash and Brock changed that and her love for Pokémon began to grow steadily. She takes interest in Pokémon Contests, entering Contests with Pokémon she raises on her team throughout Hoenn and Kanto. While Ash and Brock choose to travel to Sinnoh, May does not accompany them as she went to compete in Johto. However, in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, she visits Ash, Brock and Dawn in Sinnoh to participate in the Wallace Cup. May later reappears in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.

Max (マサト, Masato)

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

Max is the 7-year-old son of the Petalburg City Gym Leader, Norman and the younger brother of May. He joins the group of Ash, May and Brock. Max is a budding Pokémon Trainer but is too young to receive a Pokémon. He is a bookworm who has read just about everything written about Pokémon. He remains a Pokémon enthusiast until he and May leave Ash and Brock at the end of Advanced Generation, in which he returns to Hoenn to help take care of the Petalburg Gym. He also cameos in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl and Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.

Dawn (ヒカリ, Hikari)

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

Dawn is a 10-year-old Pokémon Coordinator from Twinleaf Town who travels with Ash and Brock in Sinnoh Region. Following in her mother's footsteps as a Pokémon Coordinator- a Trainer who partakes in Pokémon Contests- she chooses Piplup and sets out with the goal of becoming Top Coordinator. She later reappeared in Pokémon the Series: Black & White where she met up with Ash and his Unova companions to compete at the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup and later in Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series.

Iris (アイリス, Airisu, Iris)

Voiced by: Aoi Yūki (Japanese); Eileen Stevens(Season 14-Season 24), Anairis Quiñones (Current) (English)

One of Ash's companions in Black and White series. Iris hails from a village where Dragon-type Pokémon are a major focus. She notably travels with an Axew, which is now a Haxorus. She reappears in Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series, where she is revealed to have become the new Champion of the Unova Region. She first battled Ash but lost the match. Later she battles Cynthia in the Masters Eight Tournament in the World Coronation Series, only to lose.

Cilan (デント, Dento, Dent)

Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano (Japanese); Jason Griffith (English)

Cilan is a Pokémon Connoisseur who has the ability to determine the compatibility between Pokémon and their trainers. He travels with Ash in Black and White series. He is one of the Gym Leaders of the Unova Region, 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 numerous hobbies seen throughout the series such as fishing, cinema and subway trains. He has the Grass-type Pokémon Pansage as his partner. He acts as a mentor figure to Ash and Iris. He reappears Pokémon the Series: XYZ where he met Clemont and Bonnie sometime after Ash left Kalos and Pokémon: To be a Pokémon Master where he, Ash and Misty help save Brock from a troublesome Hatterene. While Brock went to travel with Ash and Misty, Cilan parted ways with the three returning to Unova.

Serena (セレナ, Serena)

Voiced by: Mayuki Makiguchi (Japanese); Haven Burton-Paschall (English)

Serena is a 10-year-old Pokémon Performer from Vaniville Town, who acts as one of Ash's travelling companions in Pokémon the Series: XY. She met Ash back when the two attended Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp program, where Ash helped her back on her feet after hurting her leg. After seeing him on TV sometime later, she decides to join him on his journey, as she has a big crush on him. She partakes in Pokémon Showcases (beauty pageant-like contests) in an attempt to become the "Kalos Queen," an honorary title for the best Pokémon Performer. At the end of the series, she prepares to compete in the Pokémon Contests that occur in Hoenn. Before parting, she gives Ash a kiss. She returned in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, where she encouraged Chloe to perform at the Lilycove City Pokémon Contest.

Clemont (シトロン, Shitoron, Citron)

Voiced by: Yūki Kaji (Japanese); Michael Liscio Jr. (English)

Clemont is an Electric-type Gym Leader from Lumiose City. He is a young inventor and always has a large backpack that contains numerous strange gadgets, most of which explode. As a child, he attended an academy where he studied about Electric-type Pokémon. He created an electric shower booth called "Clemontic Shower" so that Electric-type Pokémon can absorb electricity freely, which led to his graduation from the academy. He also created Clembot to function as a substitute Gym Leader if Clemont was unavailable or if he wants to work on his inventing. He travels with Ash during the XY series to become a better Gym Leader. This culminates when Ash challenges and successfully defeats Clemont at the Lumiose Gym, acquiring his fifth badge in Kalos. He and Bonnie return in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series where he and Bonnie prepare Ash for his upcoming match against Drasna of the Kalos Elite Four.

Bonnie (ユリーカ, Yurīka, Eureka)

Voiced by: Mariya Ise (EP803-887, 903–942), Mika Kanai (EP888-902) (Japanese); Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (English)

Bonnie is Clemont's younger sister. Bonnie, due to her youth, cannot have a Pokémon yet, and thus has Clemont catch a Dedenne for her, which acts as her partner throughout the series. She later befriended one of Zygarde's cores, which she affectionately nicknamed "Squishy" and developed a close friendship with. A running gag involves her attempt to get other women to marry her brother, though Clemont often drags Bonnie away before it gets anywhere. Bonnie returns in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series where she and Clemont prepare Ash for his upcoming match against Drasna of the Kalos Elite Four.

Lana (スイレン, Suiren)

Voiced by: Hitomi Kikuchi (Japanese); Rosie Reyes (English)

Lana is one of the students at the Pokémon School of Melemele Island who befriends Ash in Sun and Moon series. She is a master in fishing and loves Water-type Pokémon. Lana has a caring relationship with her two Pokémon partners which is a Popplio that she rescued from some Team Skull Grunts which is now a fully evolved Primarina and she also owns a Eevee with bangs that were covering its eyes before she eventually cuts them off along with nicknaming it Sandy (ナギサ, Nagisa, lit. 'beach' or 'shore'). Lana lives on a seaside house with her parents and little sisters. She also finds a Sparkling Stone during a treasure hunt on Akala Island which is later made into a Z-Ring for her and a Waterium Z from a Totem Wishiwashi after she wins a battle against it.

Kiawe (カキ, Kaki)

Voiced by: Kaito Ishikawa (Japanese); Marc Swint (English)

Among the students at the Pokémon School of Melemele Island who befriends Ash in the Sun and Moon series, Kiawe is the oldest and most experienced, being the first among them to have obtained a Z-Ring, which allows him to use "Z-Moves." He runs a dairy farm on Akala Island along with his parents. He specializes in Fire-type Pokémon, due to being inspired by his late grandfather's words.

Lillie (リーリエ, Rīrie, Lillie)

Voiced by: Kei Shindō (Japanese); Laurie Hymes (English)

Lillie is one of the students at the Pokémon School of Melemele Island who befriends Ash in the Sun and Moon series. Hailing from a very rich family, she loves to study and usually helps the other students with their research, but has an inherent fear of touching any kind of Pokémon due to an incident involving Nihilego in her youth. She eventually overcomes her fears by the end of the series, and eventually departs to the world to try and find her missing father, Mohn. She later reunites with him in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series before returning home to Alola.

Sophocles (マーマネ, Māmane)

Voiced by: Fumiko Takekuma (Japanese); Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (English)

Sophocles is one of the students at the Pokémon School of Melemele Island who befriends Ash in Sun and Moon series. He specializes in Electric-type Pokémon and is good with machines. He used to have scotophobia, a fear of dark places, but overcomes them as he wanted to become an astronaut. After winning a Vikavolt race, Sophocles obtained a Z-Ring from Hapu. He has his own laboratory constructed by his dad which he uses for research. He made a couple guest appearances in Pokémon Journeys, welcoming Ash back to Alola, visiting Mossdeep City to help guide the Talonflame 2 asteroid explorer back to Earth and welcoming Lillie's family back to Alola.

Mallow (マオ, Mao)

Voiced by: Reina Ueda (Japanese); Rebecca Soler (Sun & Moon); Emily Cramer (Journeys) (English)

Mallow is one of the students at the Pokémon School of Melemele Island who befriends Ash in Sun and Moon series. She specializes in Grass-type Pokémon, as she has a Bounsweet, given to her by her late mother, which is now a fully evolved Tsareena. She is a dedicated chef who works at her family's restaurant, Aina Kitchen. She would also go through miles of distance to find exotic ingredients or a new recipe. After helping a longtime family friend to her father and herself along with receiving a Grassium Z from Tapu Koko, Mallow obtained a Z-Ring from Oranguru.

Goh (ゴウ, Gō)

Voiced by: Daiki Yamashita; Kei Shindō (young, JN001) (Japanese); Zeno Robinson (English)

Goh is a 10-year-old Pokémon Trainer who meets Ash in Pokémon Journeys: The Series and travels with Ash throughout the world. His dream is to catch every Pokémon to work his way up to capturing the rare and Mythical Pokémon Mew. He later ends up joining Project Mew, an organization dedicated to researching and finding Mew. After Project Mew was finished, Goh parts ways with Ash to travel across Kanto alone.

Liko (リコ, Liko)

Voiced by: Minori Suzuki (Japanese); Alejandra Reynoso (English)

The female protagonist of the Horizons series, who is a Pokémon Trainer from Cabo Poco in the Paldea Region who owns a mysterious pendant which was given to her by her grandmother, Diana, which is actually the Legendary Pokémon Terapagos in a dormant state. After she is targeted by the organization known as The Explorers for her pendant, she joins The Rising Volt Tacklers, a group of travelling explorers, in order to travel the Pokémon world.

Roy (ロイ, Roy)

Voiced by: Yuka Terasaki (Japanese); Anjali Kunapaneni (English)

The male protagonist of the Horizons series, who is a Pokémon Trainer from Kanto Region who joins the Rising Volt Tacklers after encountering a mysterious Shiny Rayquaza. His dream is to become a great adventurer like the ones his grandfather used to tell him about when he was a child, even more when he discovers an special connection between the Shiny Rayquaza and Liko's pendant.

Rising Volt Tacklers

The Rising Volt Tacklers (ライジングボルテッカーズ, Rising Volteccers) are adventurers in the Horizons series who travel the world through their airship, the Brave Olivine (ブレイブアサギ号, Brave Asagi), to learn secrets of mysteries and discover them, especially if they are Pokémon.

• Friede (フリード, Furīdo, Freed)

Voiced by: Taku Yashiro (Japanese); Crispin Freeman (English)

The Commander of the Rising Volt Tacklers who is a Pokémon Professor. His partner Pokémon are a Pikachu nicknamed Captain Pikachu that captains the group's airship, the Brave Olivine, and a Charizard. Friede used to be a Pokémon Researcher, but lost interest and mostly hung out on Ludlow's boat. When he met Liko's mother, Lucca, she showed him a Pikachu that wanted to soar high in the skies reigniting his researcher skills and passion. Because of this interest, he formed the Rising Volt Tacklers alongside Ludlow and Orla.

• Orla (オリオ, Orio, Orio)

Voiced by: Ayane Sakura (Japanese); Mara Junot (English)

An engineer of the team who is a machine enthusiast, whose partner Pokémon are a Metagross and an Elekid. It's revealed that she was childhood friends with Friede and they grew up together in Kanto, before she moved away to Hoenn. Orla once worked on the docks in Slateport City, until she met Ludlow and reunited with Friede, the latter of which asked her to use her mechanical skills to convert Ludlow's fishing boat into an airship, the Brave Olivine.

• Mollie (モリー, Morī)

Voiced by: Kei Shindō (Japanese); Erica Mendez (English)

A healing specialist of the team, whose partner Pokémon is a Chansey. Mollie is revealed to come from a family of doctors and did pursue that career at a young age. However, rather than working in a Pokémon Center, she decided to join the Rising Volt Tacklers as to help various Pokémon around the world she came across.

• Murdock (マードック, Mādokku)

Voiced by: Kenta Miyake (Japanese); Major Attaway (English)

A chef of the team who is skilled in his craft, who is Dot's uncle and Franka's brother. His partner Pokémon are a Rockruff and an Alcremie. Murdock used to work as a patisserie chef selling strawberry flavored cakes alongside his friend and coworker, Mitchell, who made matcha flavored cakes. However, when Murdock's Milcery evolved into Alcremie and helped further improved Murdock's skills, a rift between the two pastry chefs ensued which ended their partnership. Fortunately, Murdock did reunite and made amends with Mitchell.

• Ludlow (ランドウ, Randō, Landau)

Voiced by: Ikkyū Juku (Japanese); Larry Kenney (English)

A fisherman of the team. His partner Pokémon are a Quagsire and Sharpedo. Ludlow is a former mentor of Friede, who frequently hung out with Ludlow on his fishing boat. After Friede met a Pikachu, which became Captain Pikachu, Ludlow lended his boat to Friede and allowed it to become the airship, the Brave Olivine. He also has a superhero alter ego known as Mighty G.

• Dot (ドット, Dotto)

Voiced by: Yoshino Aoyama (Japanese); Faye Mata (English)

A popular online streamer who goes by the alias Nidothing (ぐるみん, Gurumin). As an influencer, she acts perky and uses exaggerated methods as well as providing advice to beginner trainers. Dot spends most of her time in her quarters making videos, though she got to know Liko and Roy more as well as reveal her Nidothing persona to Liko. She is Murdock's niece and Franka's daughter. Her partner Pokémon are a Quaxwell and Tinkatuff.

Rivals

• Gary Oak (オーキド・シゲル, Ōkido Shigeru, Shigeru Ōkido)

Voiced by: Yuko Kobayashi (Japanese); James Carter Cathcart (Season 1-25, ending in "In the Palm of our Hands!"), (English)

Gary Oak is a 10-year-old Ash's childhood rival. Gary hails from Pallet Town and is the grandson of Professor Oak. Like Ash, Gary collects Gym Badges and competes in Pokémon League Tournaments in Kanto and Johto. At first, Gary is arrogant, but after losing to a more powerful opponent in the Indigo League, Gary experiences a change of heart. After losing to Ash in the Johto League, Gary decides to pursue a career in Pokémon Research, ending his rivalry with Ash. After Ash defeats the Battle Frontier and comes back to Pallet Town, Gary and Ash have a battle between Gary's Electivire and Ash's Pikachu. Electivire easily beats Pikachu, which inspires Ash to travel to Sinnoh. Gary eventually works with Professor Rowan in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. He returns in Journeys, where he is currently travelling around the world to research Pokémon and also takes part in Project Mew, an organization attempting to locate the Mythical Pokémon Mew.

• Ritchie (ヒロシ, Hiroshi)

Voiced by: Minami Takayama (Japanese); Tara Sands (English)

Ritchie is a traveling Pokémon Trainer from the Kanto region. Ritchie first appears during the Indigo League, where he meets and forms a friendship with Ash. Ritchie defeats Ash, but then loses his next match. Afterward, Ash and Ritchie part ways but pledge an oath to become Pokémon Masters. Ritchie re-appears in Pokémon: Master Quest and is a major protagonist in Pokémon Chronicles.

• Drew (シュウ, Shū)

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga (Japanese); Oliver Wyman (4Kids); Bill Rogers (TPCi) (English)

Drew is an experienced Pokémon Coordinator who acts as May's rival. May and Drew continue their rivalry throughout the series, but May eventually manages to defeat Drew at the Indigo League Grand Festival. At the end of Pokémon: Battle Frontier, he heads towards to Johto to compete in more contests along with May and Harley, another coordinator.

• Harley (ハーリー, Hārī, Harley)

Voiced by: Jun'ichi Kanemaru (Japanese); Andrew Rannells (4Kids); Billy Regan (TPCi) (English)

Arrogant, flamboyant and proud, Harley is a Pokémon Coordinator and May's sinister 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.

• Morrison (マサムネ, Masamune)

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

Morrison is Ash's rival in the Hoenn region, and is a spirited person who likes to challenge other people to almost everything and never gives up in battle. Owing to this, he always challenges Ash to various events such as Pokémon battles or even a food eating contest. When he appears again, he is an opponent of Ash in Hoenn League; 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); Julian Rebolledo (English)

Paul is a roaming Pokémon Trainer from Veilstone City in Sinnoh. As a Trainer, Paul is experienced and has traveled across the regional areas of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh, much like Ash. During Diamond and Pearl series, he begins to travel through Sinnoh, where he meets and develops a rivalry with Ash. Paul is a grumpy and serious trainer whose only concern towards Pokémon is their ability to act in battle, believing that forming bonds with Pokémon dilutes their potential. This attitude derives from his resentment towards his older brother, Reggie, who had been an accomplished Trainer until he lost to Pyramid King Brandon, causing him to quit Pokémon training to become a Pokémon Breeder. Paul is determined to make sure he does not meet that same fate, so he plans to surpass not just any Trainer, but his own brother as well. He shows respect for strong Trainers, such as Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, but he never respects trainers who he deems weak, and sometimes openly shows rudeness to others in battle. After a defeat by Pyramid King Brandon, Paul was forced to fix his attitude as well as understand that strength was not everything. He ultimately loses his quarter-final battle against Ash in the Sinnoh League. He later reunites with Ash in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series where he helps train Ash's Pokémon for the Masters Eight Tournament, and it is revealed he has become a Gym Leader as well as mellowing out most of his poor attitude.

• Zoey (ノゾミ, Nozomi)

Voiced by: Risa Hayamizu (Japanese); Emlyn Morinelli McFarland (English)

Zoey is an experienced Pokémon Coordinator from Snowpoint City and Dawn's rival. She often gives out helpful advice and helps out in certain situations to Dawn. Zoey is initially disdainful of those who participate in both Gym battles and contests because she believes that trainers who divide their efforts do not full-heartedly compete in both disciplines. However, she changes her outlook as she meets trainers who are able to successfully manage both while respecting the hard work required. She defeats Dawn in the final round of the Grand Festival and became Top Coordinator.

• Kenny (ケンゴ, Kengo)

Voiced by: Yūko Mita (Japanese); Rhonda Krempa (Season 10–12), Erica Schroeder (Current) (English)

Kenny is one of Dawn's childhood friends and a rival. He frequently calls her by her nickname, "Dee Dee" (ピカリ, Pikari), a nickname from their childhood that Dawn actively dislikes. Kenny competes against Dawn in Pokémon Contests, but is unable to make it to the Grand Festival. Kenny eventually challenges Ash to a battle with the outcome determining who Dawn would travel with. Though he wins the battle, Dawn leaves him a note stating that she wishes to remain travelling with Ash.

• Barry (ジュン, Jun)

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

Barry is Ash's rival in Sinnoh. He is an impatient and overconfident 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 friends with Kenny and the son of Palmer, the Tower Tycoon of Sinnoh's Frontier Brains. Barry also battled Paul at the Sinnoh League but lost the match.

• 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. He is usually seen playing his golden Mew harp which has often been shown to attract large groups of wild Pokémon.

• Conway (コウヘイ, Kōhei)

Voiced by: Kōzō Mito (Japanese); Billy Regan (English)

Conway is a particularly smart and cunning Pokémon Trainer, who carefully studies and analyzes trainers to create a strategy. He first encounters Ash during the Hearthome City Tag Battle Tournament, where he battles alongside Dawn and makes their way to the finals, only to be defeated by Ash and Paul. He also appeared in the Sinnoh Summer Academy where he was captain of the Blue team only for his team to lose to Ash and the Red Team. He later battles Ash in the third round of the Sinnoh League where he loses. A common gag of Conway is that he appears out of nowhere in a creepy manner, of which Dawn is usually the victim.

• Ursula (ウララ, Urara)

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese); Melissa Schoenberg (English)

One of Dawn's rivals, Ursula is a Pokémon Coordinator from the Sinnoh region who enters the Chocovine Contest at the same time as Dawn. During the Sinnoh Grand Festival, she loses to Dawn and is eliminated from the contest, unable to make it into the Top 16.

• Trip (シューティー, Shūtī, Shooty)

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

Trip is a Pokémon Trainer taking the Unova League challenge who appears in the Black and White series and whose ultimate ambition is to compete in the Champion League and defeat Alder, the Unova Champion. 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" because Ash is from the Kanto region, along with his Pikachu, which happens to be extremely rare in the Unova region. Trip participates in the Club Battle, Clubsplosion, Junior Cup, and Unova League. Trip believes in strength when training, but after his loss against Alder shortly after winning the Junior Cup, he began to changes his views. After losing to Ash in the Unova League, Trip appears to have ended his rivalry with Ash, and shows an apparent degree of respect towards him.

• Bianca (ベル, Beru, Bel)

Voiced by: Shizuka Itō (Japanese); Erica Schroeder (English)

Bianca is a Pokémon 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 excitable and clumsy. Ash ends up battling her father, who is overprotective and does not wish for her to stay on the road. Though Ash loses, Bianca's father agrees to let Bianca continue her journey.

• Burgundy (カベルネ, Kaberune, Cabernet)

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

Burgundy is a Pokémon Connoisseur and Cilan's rival. At one point, she 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, but she exclaims she will fight him again someday and win. She later participates in the Club Battle, Clubsplosion, and Junior Cup tournaments with the group but loses in round one in all of them. She also tried to help a millionaire's daughter find a perfect Pokémon partner, but ends up being rejected as she was a C-Class Connoisseur.

• Georgia (ラングレー, Rangurē, Langley)

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

Georgia is a Pokémon Trainer and Iris's rival who calls herself a Dragon Buster, someone who specializes in defeating Dragon-type Pokémon. Incensed, Iris challenges her and the fight between Georgia's 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 Club Battle, Clubsplosion, and Junior Cup tournaments with Ash, Iris and Cilan. She does become a bit nicer to Iris during the Ferroseed Research Center crisis.

• Stephan (ケニヤン, Keniyan, Kenyan)

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

Stephan is a Pokémon Trainer whom Ash meets on the way to Nimbasa City. He and Ash have a battle, which Ash wins. Stephan participates in the Club Battle and Clubsplosion tournaments with the gang, the latter in which he and his Sawk win. He also participates in the Unova League, where he makes it to the Top 16. Here, he and Ash have an intense three-on-three battle in which Ash defeats him.

• Cameron (コテツ, Kotetsu)

Voiced by: Kōki Uchiyama (Japanese); Rory Max Kaplan (English)

Cameron is a rival of Ash's. He debuts after the Junior Cup, as he meant to compete, but did not arrive in time. Cameron temporarily joins the group when he goes to earn his eighth Gym Badge from Marlon in Humilau City, and upon obtaining it, he leaves. Cameron returns to compete in the Unova League where he defeats Bianca and later, in the Top 8, defeats Ash despite being one Pokémon short. However, Cameron ends up being defeated by Virgil in the Top 4.

• Virgil (バージル, Bājiru, Virgil)

Voiced by: Yūki Kaji (Japanese); Tom Wayland (English)

Virgil is a rescue worker with his father Jeff and his brother Davey. He saves Ash and his group when they fall off a bunch of rocks while trying to climb up to get to Vertress City, where Ash participates in the Unova League. After solving things at the dam, Virgil reveals he also entering the Unova League, making him one of Ash's rivals. He eventually wins the Unova League.

• Tierno (ティエルノ, Tieruno, Tierno)

Voiced by: Anri Katsu (Japanese); Todd Haberkorn (English)

Tierno is a Pokémon Trainer who loves to dance, which is also reflected in his party. Despite being a rookie Trainer, he can cope well when battling more experienced opponents thanks to his skills, teaching dance moves to his Pokémon so they can evade attacks with ease. Tierno is friendly and is always encouraging his friends to do their best. Tierno battled in the Kalos League but lost to Sawyer.

• Trevor (トロバ, Toroba, Trova)

Voiced by: Minami Fujii (Japanese); Michael Lockwood Crouch (English)

Trevor is a Pokémon Trainer and photographer, whose goal is to meet and take pictures of all the Pokémon he encounters. He is mostly interested in ones with differences in their features, however slight. He competes in the Kalos League, but loses to Alain.

• Shauna (サナ, Sana)

Voiced by: Yurie Kobori (Japanese); Jo Armeniox (English)

Shauna is energetic and loves making Pokévision videos with her Pokémon. She and her friends became fans of Serena after seeing the Pokévision video she made. She dreams of becoming a famous Pokémon Performer and ultimately Kalos Queen.

• Sawyer (ショータ, Shōta)

Voiced by: Ikue Ōtani (Japanese); Robby Duncan Sharpe (English)

Hailing from the Hoenn region, Sawyer is a new Pokémon trainer who chose Treecko as his starter Pokémon from Professor Birch. After meeting and battling Ash, he begins to respect Ash, looking to him as a mentor figure, and he sets his sights on surpassing Ash as a trainer. Following the evolution of Grovyle into Sceptile and Ash's Frogadier into Greninja, their rivalry becomes even fiercer, though in the third battle between the two trainers, Sceptile is defeated by Greninja's new "Ash-Greninja" form. In the fourth battle between the two, Sawyer manages to defeat Ash, and then witnesses Ash's defeat at the hands of Snowbelle City Gym Leader Wulfric, mentally saying that the person he admired would not have lost, and that the two would settle things at the Kalos League. At the Kalos League, Sawyer manages to advance all the way to the semi-finals, squaring off against Ash but ultimately loses, despite his Sceptile Mega Evolving. After the Kalos League, he helps fend off Team Flare and aids the civilian survivors in Lumiose City. When he later bids farewell to Ash after the Team Flare crisis, he reveals that his idol Steven Stone had given Sawyer a Key Stone to allow his Sceptile to Mega Evolve, and that he wants to repay the favor by becoming Steven's assistant.

• Miette (ミルフィ, Mirufi, Millefeui)

Voiced by: Saori Hayashi (season 17), Kei Shindō (seasons 18–19) (Japanese); Maggie McDowell (English)

Miette is Serena's rival. She meets Ash and his friends when her Slurpuff eats one of Serena's PokePuffs. When she reveals they were not good, she and Serena soon start a rivalry with each other. During her time with the group, Miette soon realizes Serena's true feelings for Ash and warns her that if she does not confess her feelings then she will admit her own feelings and take Ash for herself. Miette later participated in the Master Class Showcase but is defeated by Serena.

• Nini (ネネ, Nene)

Voiced by: Motoko Kumai (Japanese); Jenny Emm (English)

Nini is a confident Pokémon performer, aiming for the top. Serena and Nini show each other the performances they intend to show at the Showcase and become a rival to Serena. Nini later participates in the Master Class Showcase but loses to Jessie in the first round.

• Alain (アラン, Aran, Alan)

Voiced by: Kenshō Ono (Japanese); Jonathan Silver (English)

Alain is a Pokémon Trainer who acts as one of Ash's rivals in Kalos. He is a former assistant of Professor Sycamore, but left his side a long time prior to the series. He has a close bond with his Charizard and directly aids Lysandre with his goals. During his travels, Alain meets a girl named Mairin, who he comes to care for. However, her Chespin, Chespie, falls into a coma, which Alain blames himself for. After his encounters with Ash, Alain begins to enjoy battling, and defeats all of Kalos's Gyms in order to confront Ash in the Lumiose Conference. The pair engage in a final battle, resulting in Ash's loss. Lysandre unleashes Zygarde on Lumiose, but Alain defects from him and helps Ash in taking down Lysandre and Zygarde. He later returns in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, where he is a member of the Masters Eight. He battles Leon in the first round, but loses to him.

• Gladion (グラジオ, Gurajio, Glazio)

Voiced by: Nobuhiko Okamoto, Kei Shindo (young) (Japanese); Eddy Lee, Lori Phillips (young) (English)

Gladion is Ash's rival in Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon. He is Lillie's older brother and highly protective of her. He is partnered with Silvally, whom he stole from Faba. Believing his mother, Lusamine, to be aware of the incident that caused his sister deep trauma, he distances himself from his family. After helping Ash and his classmates defeat Faba and Lusamine, Gladion opens up to them more, and aids the group as a member of the "Ultra Guardians." Gladion later fights Ash in a final battle in the Alola League, only to lose. He later leaves with his family to search for his missing father, Mohn, whom they eventually find in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.

• Hau (ハウ, Hau)

Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama (Japanese); Neo Cihi (English)

Hau is one of Ash's Alolan rivals and Hala's grandson who participated in Alola league.

• Horacio (ハヤテ, Hayate)

Voiced by: Nozomu Sasaki (Japanese); Sam Black (English)

Horacio is Sophocles' rival. Arrogant and condescending, Horacio believed that his Charjabug's top-class equipment and Speed-increasing nature would allow him to win the race with ease. He was also a bad sport, mocking Sophocles and the latter's Charjabug along with disregarding the well-being of his Pokémon, by not allowing his Charjabug to take a break during pit stops. It resulted in Charjabug being too exhausted to continue and allowing Sophocles and his own Charjabug to get ahead of them. This was seen again when he arrived at a bridge to collect the Bug Stone on the other side. Horacio disregarded Sophocles's warning about the bridge being unstable and continued on, resulting in the bridge collapsing, and he had to be saved by Sophocles's Vikavolt. Horacio has mellowed down his poor attitude since then and respects Sophocles, which still continues during the Vikavolt race.

• Horace (トキオ, Tokio)

Voiced by: Ayahi Takagaki (Japanese); Jenny Yokobori (English)

Horace is a childhood friend of Goh as well as a member of the Project Mew mission. Three years prior to the events of Journeys, Horace first met Goh while searching for Celebi. Both of them searched for Celebi only to be scared off by wild Pokémon. The pair decided to try against the next day, but Horace fell ill and was unable to come, causing Goh to hold a grudge against him. Horace wrote a letter to Goh, hoping to undo his mistake. When the two met again, they both made amends with each other. Horace later joined Project Mew, participating in missions with Goh in order to encounter the elusive Mythical Pokémon, Mew.

Gym Leaders and Island Kahunas

• Drake (ユウジ, Yūji)

Voiced by: Kōji Yusa (Japanese); Scott Rayow (English)

Drake is the Orange Islands Champion. Despite his skills as a trainer, he grew bored with being unbeatable. When Ash arrives to challenge him, he is eventually able to defeat Drake, making Ash the new Champion.

• Jasmine (ミカン, Mikan)

Voiced by: Yumi Kakazu (Japanese); Tara Sands (4Kids era), Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (TPCi, Diamond and Pearl) (English)

Jasmine is the Steel-type Gym Leader from Olivine City. Initially, Jasmine could not battle Ash because her Ampharos was sick, but she suggested to Ash to challenge the Gym at Cianwood City while waiting. When the heroes returned to Olivine City, Ampharos has fully recovered, and Ash defeats Jasmine in battle. Jasmine later travels around to study Contest Battles to improve her tactics, and meets up with Ash in Sunyshore City in Sinnoh. Jasmine battles Flint of the Sinnoh Elite Four, where she loses. When Dawn feels uncertain of what to do with her journey, Jasmine advises her to follow her own path and trust her instincts, before returning home to Olivine City.

• Clair (イブキ, Ibuki)

Voiced by: Yuko Mita (Japanese); Megan Hollingshead (4Kids era), Eva Christensen (TPCi, Black and White) (English)

Clair is the Dragon-type Gym Leader from Blackthorn City, and the mentor of Champion Lance. After several attempts by Team Rocket to steal Pokémon as well as preventing the Holy Dragon Land from being destroyed, Clair battles Ash, with Ash winning. She later returned in Pokémon the Series: Black & White, where she is searching for a Shiny Druddigon. Clair calms the Shiny Druddigon and then captures it and returns home. She later reappears in the series, with Iris coming to visit her. The two went to the Dragon Holy Land where they encountered and calmed a wild Gible. Clair battled and defeated Iris in battle.

• Norman (センリ, Senri)

Voiced by: Jūrōta Kosugi (Japanese); Dan Green (English)

Norman is the father of May and Max, the husband of Caroline, and the Petalburg Gym Leader, who specializes in Normal-types. Ash went to Petalburg City to challenge the Gym Leader into a battle. However, because Ash did not have at least three Pokémon on hand (he only had Pikachu at the time), Norman could not accept Ash's Gym Challenge. After Ash defeated four Hoenn Gym Leaders, he and his friends went back to Petalburg City in time for Norman and Caroline's wedding anniversary. The next day, Ash got to defeat Norman in battle.

• Wallace (ミクリ, Mikuri)

Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa (Japanese); Sean Reyes (English)

Wallace is a famous and well-known Top Coordinator from Sootopolis City and also acted as the Champion of Hoenn. He first appeared in the series hosting the Wallace Cup in Sinnoh, where the winner will receive the Aqua Ribbon which grants the coordinator access to any Grand Festival regardless of region. As revealed in Mega Evolutions Special II, Steven Stone became Hoenn Champion confirming that Wallace no longer holds the title. He later reappears in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, where he challenges Ash to a battle. Ash defeats him, but the battle causes him and Goh to miss Chloe's contest.

• Volkner (デンジ, Denji)

Voiced by: Hirofumi Nojima; Daisuke Sakaguchi (young) (Japanese); Eli James (Diamond & Pearl), Griffin Puatu (Journeys) (English)

Volkner is the Electric-type Gym Leader from Sunyshore City. In his early life, he spent it on mostly battling poachers and gangs on the streets. At some point, he met his rival, Flint, where they battled and later became friends following a victory against a Proprietor. While Flint became the member of the Sinnoh Elite Four, Volkner took on the job as Gym Leader. He is also an electronic engineer as he designed automated walkways, multiple solar panels and Sunyshore Tower which is the city's power plant. Although a skilled battler, he grew disinterested in his victories and just gave away his Beacon Badges for free. When Volkner refused to battle Ash, Ash decided to battle Flint in an exhibition battle. Because of Flint's victory, Volkner immediately decided to accept Ash's official Gym Challenge. However, the battle was interrupted, due to Team Rocket stealing the Sunyshore Tower. Both Ash and Volkner defeated Team Rocket with the help of Ash's newly evolved Torterra. Later, Volkner battled Ash in a Gym Battle only to be defeated. Volkner returned in Journeys as he is participating in the World Coronation series and reunites with Ash. While he does put a good fight, he lost to Ash again.

• Drayden (シャガ, Shaga)

Voiced by: Masaki Terasoma (Japanese); Mike Pollock (English)

Drayden is the Dragon-type Gym Leader of Opelucid City. In a flashback, Iris and her Excadrill first encountered Drayden when he visited her hometown, Village of Dragons. Iris attempted to battle him, only to suffer a bad loss, due to her arrogance. It is also revealed that he is the head of Opelucid Academy, the same school where Iris attended. Although Iris had a tough time there as she did not know how to fit in, Drayden had faith in Iris as he plans on having her inherit the Opelucid Gym but after she goes on a journey first. He has a battle with Iris and wins again. He returns in Journeys, where he watches Iris battle against Ash and later Cynthia.

• Korrina (コルニ, Koruni, Corni)

Voiced by: Yuka Terasaki (Japanese); Lisa Ortiz (English)

Korrina is the Shalour City Gym Leader, who specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon and rides around on roller skates. Within her debut series, she gets help from Ash and friends to search for a Lucarionite, a Mega-evolution stone for her Lucario, which they found successfully, and she was able to Mega Evolve her Lucario. However, due to arrogance and failing to understand her Lucario's obsession with battles, her Mega-Lucario goes out of control and attacks its allies. She had to go to Pomace Mountain, where she learned how to be in sync through developing floral designs, which helped her successfully master Mega-evolution. She later battled Ash and lost and later helps Ash defeat Team Flare. In Journeys, Korrina was revealed to be competing in the Battle Festival to take a chance at facing Leon and reunites with Ash. Although she puts up a good fight, she loses to Ash again. Later, Korrina provides Ash a Key Stone and helps him head to Mega Island to search for a Lucarionite for his Lucario.

• Hala (ハラ, Hara, Hala)

Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama (Japanese); Ryan Andes (English)

Hala is the Kahuna of Melemele Island, who uses Fighting-types. He has been a Kahuna for a long time ever since Professor Kukui was a child. Prior to Ash's arrival to Alola, he mentored Kukui and Guzma before Guzma grew disillusioned and ran off vowing to become strong without Hala's teachings, Z-rings or Crystals. While carefree, Hala is also wise and provides advice to many people. One of Hala's Z-rings was taken by Tapu Koko who gave it to Ash and inspire him to take on the Island challenges. Hala also has a grandson named Hau. Within his debut, Hala instructed Ash to find a way to get rid of the Alolan Rattata and Alolan Raticate infestation without violence. This leads to Ash's first Island trial where he had to defeat the Totem Yungoos and Gumshoos, in order to convince them to help drive out the Rattata and Raticate. Because of this accomplishment, Ash was granted his first Grand Trial. After Professor Kukui advised Ash on how Z-Moves work in battle, Ash was able defeat Hala. Afterwards, Hala threw a big party for Ash on his victory. He has appeared frequently throughout later episodes such as participating in a Sled Jump Games while evolving his Crabrawler into a Crabominable. He returns in Journeys welcoming Lillie and her family back to Alola.

• Olivia (ライチ, Raichi, Lychee)

Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro (Japanese); Marisa Kennedy (English)

Olivia is the Kahuna of Akala Island and specializes in Rock-type Pokémon. In the past, Kiawe mentioned he challenged and defeated her in a Grand Trial, to inherit a Z-ring. She first appears in person in the show in which she takes Ash and his Pokémon School classmates to visit Akala Island. During the visit, she organizes a treasure hunt for the students on Akala in which Lana found a sparkling stone and gave it to Olivia, who fashioned it into a Z-ring for Lana. When it was time to make the famous "Akala Curry", Olivia sends Ash and Mallow on a search for ingredients which led them to Lush Jungle, where Ash is challenged by Totem Lurantis. This was revealed to be part of Ash's trial, which grants him access to battle Olivia in a Grand Trial. Ash wins his grand trial against Olivia in a double battle. She has appeared frequently throughout the show such as helping run Mallow's restaurant and advising Ash to go travel the world to further expand his skills after becoming Alola Champion.

• Nanu (クチナシ, Kuchinashi)

Voiced by: Masaki Aizawa (Japanese); Michael McMillan (English)

Nanu is the Kahuna of Ula'ula Island who specializes in Dark types, as well as a police officer. He was once acquainted with Giovanni, though their history is unclear. The Team Rocket Trio attempt to get a Z-Ring from Nanu, eventually succeeding as to save Acerola from a Gengar nicknamed "Greedy Rapooh", and he later battles Ash. Nanu defeats Ash in his first battle when Ash's Dusk Lycanroc went berserk because of its dirty fur. Sometime after Dusk Lycanroc learned how to control its anger, Nanu then assigns Ash to a trial at the Thrifty Megamart where he had to battle Team Rocket and their Mimikyu in an official battle. Once accomplished, Nanu accepts Ash's Grand Trial Challenge and loses despite forcing Ash to defeat all three of Nanu's Pokémon using only his Dusk Lycanroc.

• Hapu (ハプウ, Hapū, Hapu'u)

Voiced by: Junko Takeuchi (Japanese); Brittney Lee Hamilton (English)

Hapu is the Kahuna of Poni Island, who specializes in Ground-types and works as a farmer. Originally, there used to be an Island Kahuna prior to Hapu, but retired due to old age. Additionally, her grandfather, Sofu, was also a former Island Kahuna before he passed away. She first appeared in the series, where she falsely accused and attacked Ash and friends for stealing her radishes. Upon learning that Team Skull were the ones responsible, she drove them off and slowly starts to open up to the gang. After spending some time with the gang as well as battling Tapu Fini when the fog covered the island, Sofu returns as a ghost to inform Hapu that she is the next trainer to become an Island Kahuna. After being crowned the new Island Kahuna, she battled Ash in a Grand Trial but lost.

• Bea (サイトウ, Saitō)

Voiced by: Yoko Hikasa (Japanese); Tiana Camacho (English)

Bea is the Fighting Gym Leader from Stow-on-Side and a competitor in the World Coronation Series. Bea was considered a prodigy in Galar Karate according to Chuck, the Cianwood Gym Leader, when he mentioned studying Galar Karate under her father during a visit to Galar. Bea once had a battle against Korrina in which she came out victorious. Ash challenged her to a battle only for Bea to defeat Ash's two Pokémon effortlessly. Bea was later spotted in Cianwood City where Ash battled her again only for the match to end in a draw. Following the battle, Bea and her Pokémon surprised Ash and Goh who were shocked to see her eat the desserts offered by Chuck, she later states to Ash the next time they face each other will be in the Ultra Class. Both Ash and Bea competed against each other in the Ultra Class where Ash wins. Afterwards, Bea fully acknowledges and respects Ash's growth. She later appears a few more times such as witnessing Ash Gigantamxing his Gengar and having a practice battle with Hop, while Leon referees the match.

• Raihan (キバナ, Kibana)

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki (JN027-45), Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (JN82-current) (Japanese); Danny Kramer (English)

Raihan is a Dragon-type Gym Leader from Hammerlocke. Much like fellow Gym Leader Bea, Raihan entered the World Coronation series to face Leon. He first appeared in the series to face off against Leon and his Charizard using Duraludon only to lose. Afterwards, Raihan vowed to train harder to face off against Leon once more. Later on the series, he later appeared in the Darkest Day arc to help Sonia to stop the rampaging Eternatus and the out-of-control Dynamaxed Pokémon. He then competed in a cake baking competition where he loses to Ash. Raihan later served as Ash's final opponent in the Hyper Class where he loses the match despite relying on weather manipulation.

Antagonists

Team Rocket

Main article: Team Rocket

Team Rocket (ロケット団, Roketto-dan, Rocket Gang) is the criminal organization in the Kanto, Johto and Sevii Islands regions. Their goal is to catch all the Pokémon in the world so that their leader, Giovanni, can make an army of Pokémon and rule over the world. The most frequently appearing members of this organization are the "Team Rocket trio" of Jessie, James and Meowth. They have been described "as vital to the anime as Ash himself."

• Giovanni (サカキ, Sakaki)

Voiced by: Hirotaka Suzuoki (Seasons 1–8); Kenta Miyake (Season 10+) (Japanese); Ed Paul (4Kids/TPCI), Craig Blair (Season 10; TPCI) (English)

Giovanni is the crime lord and leader of Team Rocket as well as the former Viridian City Gym Leader. He normally acts from the shadows, though he has made major appearances in Pokémon the Series: Black & White. Aside from the operations of Team Rocket, he also funded the creation of Mewtwo in Mewtwo Strikes Back. Mewtwo eventually escapes from him and he attempted to recapture the Pokémon in Mewtwo Returns—resulting in Mewtwo erasing all memories of himself from Giovanni's mind.

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

Jessie: Voiced by: Megumi Hayashibara (Japanese); Rachael Lillis (4Kids), Michele Knotz (TPCI) (English)

James: Voiced by: Shin-ichiro Miki (James) (Japanese); Ted Lewis (up to and including episode 8; 4Kids), Eric Stuart (4Kids), Jimmy Zoppi (TPCI, seasons 9-25) (English)

Meowth: Voiced by: Inuko Inuyama (Japanese); Matthew Sussman, Maddie Blaustein, Jimmy Zoppi (TPCI, season 9-25) (English)

Jessie, James, and Meowth are a group of Team Rocket members. They act as recurring antagonists, often coming into conflict with series protagonist Ash Ketchum in an attempt to capture his Pikachu. They primarily act as comic relief, though they have also acted as serious antagonists on several occasions. Jessie owns a Wobbuffet, who is the source of a running gag where he pops out of his Poké Ball at the strangest times. James is a member of Team Rocket, who was part of a noble, rich family, but it was a life he desperately wanted to escape from. Meowth is capable of communicating with human speech. His pursuit for Meowzie in particular chained off his ambitions to learn to speak and act human-like and ultimately his employment within Team Rocket, after failing to woo Meowzie. Meowth acts as a translator for Team Rocket and sometimes Ash and his friends, translating what another Pokémon is saying. In the Darkest Day crisis, it is revealed that he can Gigantamax, and he can also use his signature G-Max Move G-Max Gold Rush.

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

Butch: Voiced by: Takehito Koyasu (Japanese); Eric Stuart (4Kids), James Carter Cathcart (Season 9-25) (English)

Cassidy: Voiced by: Masako Katsuki (Japanese); Megan Hollingshead (Original series, 4Kids), Andi Whaley (Ruby and Sapphire, 4Kids), Emlyn Morinelli McFarland (Current) (English)

Butch and Cassidy are a former elite duo of Team Rocket operatives, often serving on important missions for their boss, Giovanni. The pair often come into conflict with Jessie and James due to the latter pair's jealousy of them. They reappear in several series, but eventually stopped appearing in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. They later reappeared in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, having retired and went their separate ways. Butch is currently running a small bakery at a coastal town while Cassidy is currently running a cafe in a snowy village and taken up wood carving.

• Matori (マトリ, Matori)

Voiced by: Kiyomi Asai (Japanese); Emily Jenness (English)

Matori is Giovanni's secretary and the leader of Matori Matrix, who replaced Cassidy and Butch as Jessie and James' rival after Diamond and Pearl. She first appeared in the last Diamond and Pearl episode where she orders the Team Rocket trio to head back to their headquarters for a new mission, which would lead to the events of the Black and White series. Throughout the Black and White and XY series, Matori kept in contact with the Team Rocket group through various video calls but stays in the headquarters by Giovanni's side. In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, she acts as the primary overseer of Team Rocket's operations in Alola such as her and the Matori Matrix trying to abduct Necrozma and Stufful only to retreat. Eventually, after growing sick and tired of Team Rocket's lack of results, she orders them to return to their headquarters. Later in Journeys, she along with the Matori Matrix tried to steal all the Pokémon at the Sinnoh Resort and abduct Darkrai and Cresselia only to fail.

Team Magma

Team Magma (マグマ団, Maguma-dan, Magma Gang) is one of the two criminal organizations in the Hoenn Region. Team Magma wishes to create more land and seek the power of the Legendary Pokémon Groudon.

• Maxie (マツブサ, Matsubusa)

Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese); Marc Thompson (English)

Maxie is the leader of Team Magma. His goal is to wipe out the sea to create more land by using a volcano and Groudon. He is more misguided than truly evil, as he believes that his actions will benefit others. He plans on using the Blue Orb, which could control Groudon, and with it in his hands, he could make life better for himself. When Pikachu gets possessed by the Blue Orb, it controls Groudon, and a cataclysmic battle begins, resulting in Groudon's victory. Afterwards, Maxie thanks Ash, realizing that the land of Hoenn was perfect the way it is.

Team Aqua

Team Aqua (アクア団, Akua-dan, Aqua Gang) is one of the two criminal organizations in the Hoenn Region. Team Aqua wants to raise the level of the world's oceans and seek the power of the Legendary Pokémon Kyogre.

• Archie (アオギリ, Aogiri)

Voiced by: Masaki Aizawa (Japanese); Sean Schemmel (English)

Archie is the leader of Team Aqua. His goal is to wipe out the land to create more sea by using Kyogre. He is more misguided than truly evil, as he believes that his actions will benefit others. 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 criminal organization in the Sinnoh region. Their goal is to catch and control the Legendary Pokémon that created the universe- Dialga and Palkia- so that their leader, Cyrus, can destroy the universe and create a new universe that will only be his own as an absolute god.

• Cyrus (アカギ, Akagi)

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

Cyrus is the leader of Team Galactic. His goal is to "create a new universe" in his own image, with himself as the God of that world. Cyrus first appears under the guise of a businessman, but his villainous affiliations are eventually revealed to the protagonists. After Dialga and Palkia are bound to the Red Chain and freed by the Lake Guardians, Cyrus steps into a portal; his ultimate fate is unknown.

• Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn (マーズ, ジュピター, and サターン, Māzu, Jupitā, and Satān, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn)

Mars: Voiced by: Rie Tanaka (Japanese); Lisa Ortiz (English)

Jupiter: Voiced by: Chinami Nishimura (Japanese); Eileen Stevens (Diamond and Pearl), Kira Buckland (Arceus Chronicles) (English)

Saturn: Voiced by: Akemi Okamura (Japanese); Marc Thompson (English)

Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn are a trio of commanders who lead Team Galactic. They act as Cyrus's subordinates and are fiercely loyal. Each of the members carried out the scheme where they stole the Lustrous Orb, the Adamant Orb, the Spear Key and the Lake Trio to find Spear Pillar. Though they successfully summoned Dialga and Palkia using the Red Chains, Cyrus betrays his commanders as he wanted the new world for himself. Following Cyrus's disappearance, the three are arrested, miserable to the fact they devoted themselves to a false cause. However, in the Arceus Chronicles, the three broke free from jail and attempt to use the Legendary Pokémon Heatran to get him back, while completely ignoring the fact that Cyrus abandoned them. After Heatran is defeated, the three are arrested once again.

Team Plasma

Team Plasma (プラズマ団, Purazuma-dan, Plasma Gang) is the criminal organization in the Unova region. Their goal is to catch and control the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram so that their leader, Ghetsis, can rule the world.

• Ghetsis (ゲーチス・ハルモニア, Gēchisu Harumonia, G-Cis Harmonia)

Voiced by: Masaki Aizawa (Japanese); Bill Rogers (English)

Ghetsis is the leader of Team Plasma. His goal is to take control of the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram so that he can rule over the world. He is N's surrogate father figure, and attempts to use N to accomplish his goals. Despite this, Reshiram is freed from Ghetsis's control after Colress's device is destroyed, and Ghetsis is arrested.

• Colress (アクロマ, Akuroma, Achroma)

Voiced by: Hiroki Tōchi (Japanese); Eli James (English)

Colress is a scientist of Team Plasma. His goal is to discover the true way to draw out the strength of Pokémon. He uses many different devices to gain control of Pokémon, which includes a device made to control Reshiram. After the device's destruction, Colress is arrested alongside the rest of Team Plasma.

Team Flare

Team Flare (フレア団, Furea-dan, Flare Gang), is the criminal organization in the Kalos region. Their goal is to catch and control the Legendary Pokémon Zygarde so that their leader, Lysandre, can destroy the world and recreate it with peace and beauty.

• Lysandre (フラダリ, Furadari, Fleur-de-lis)

Voiced by: Hideaki Tezuka (Japanese); H.D. Quinn (English)

Lysandre is the leader of Team Flare, and the creator of Lysandre Labs. Lysandre once sought to help people and Pokémon, but decided the human race was not worth saving after seeing their selfishness firsthand. Lysandre attempts to gain control of Zygarde so he can use it to destroy the Kalos region, but after Zygarde is freed, Lysandre attempts to use the "Giant Rock" to destroy the world. He is last seen falling into Zygarde's Core Enforcer attack, and his ultimate fate is unknown.

• Xerosic (クセロシキ, Kuseroshiki, Xerosicy)

Voiced by: Tsuguo Mogami (Japanese); Abe Goldfarb (English)

Xerosic is a scientist of Team Flare. He attempts to aid Lysandre in controlling Zygarde to destroy the region, but is defeated by Clemont. Xerosic later escapes, and attempts to get his revenge, but is defeated once again by Clemont and the others. He is convinced to step away from his villainous path as he is arrested.

Team Skull

Team Skull (スカル団, Skaru-dan, Skull Gang) is the criminal organization in the Alola region. Their goal is to steal Pokémon, and they act as a threat similar to a street gang.

• Guzma (グズマ, Guzuma, Guzma)

Voiced by: Yasuyuki Kase (Japanese); Evan Maltby (English)

Guzma is the leader of Team Skull. He is known for his violent behavior and his lack of sportsmanship, which is why he does unsportsmanlike conduct. Before he founded Team Skull, he was one of Melemele Kahuna Hala's students. At one point, he lost to Hala's Hariyama and Kukui's Braviary. Since then, he vowed to be unbeatable without the use of Z-Moves. When Professor Kukui founded the Alola Pokémon League, he vowed to destroy it and defeat every single contestant. During the Manalo Conference, he defeated Lana in battle, but would ultimately be defeated by Ash. Afterwards, Guzma appears to have a change of heart, having finally realised that he cannot run away from his problems and finish a battle that he started even if he has no chance of winning.

Macro Cosmos

• Chairman Rose (ローズ, Rōzu, Rose)

Voiced by: Kenichirou Matsuda (Japanese); Barron Bass (English)

Chairman Rose is the chairman of the Macro Cosmos conglomerate. His father was killed in a mining accident in Rose's youth, and as a result seeks to prevent future problems before they can occur. He seeks to reawaken the Legendary Pokémon Eternatus to this end, but Eternatus goes out of control. Rose ends up fleeing after his defeat at the hands of Ash Ketchum.

Explorers

The Explorers (エクスプローラーズ, Explorers) are a mysterious organization after Liko, Roy, and their pendant and ancient Poké Ball, and are the Rising Volt Tacklers' archenemies. They are the main antagonists of the Horizons series.

• Gibeon (ギベオン, Gibeon)

Voiced by: Show Hayami (Japanese); David Kaye (English)

The leader of the Explorers, Amethio's grandfather and the overarching primary antagonist of Horizons.

• Hamber (ハンベル, Hamber)

Voiced by: Hironori Kondo (Japanese); Paul Mercier (English)

The second-in-command of the Explorers and Gibeon's advisor and assistant, whom the admins contacts throughout missions. He appears to be concerned for subordinates' safety. His partner Pokémon is a Dusknoir. Hamber used to be friends with Liko's grandmother, Diana, but the two drifted apart and are now enemies as Diana is aware of Hamber's evil intentions with the pendant.

• Amethio (アメジオ, Amethio)

Voiced by: Shun Horie (Japanese); Daman Mills (English)

An admin of the Explorers and Gibeon's grandson who is sent to retrieve the pendant along with his two subordinates. His partner Pokémon is a Ceruledge. After failing too many times to retrieve the pendant, he gets reassigned and his mission was given to Spinel. However, he does get his mission back after reporting to Hamber about Terapagos. Later, after Spinel showed footage of Amethio helping Liko out of the cave that Spinel trapped them in, Amethio was disowned by Gibeon and fired from the Explorers.

• Spinel (スピネル, Spinel)

Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa (Japanese); Matthew Mercer (English)

A psychotic and intelligent admin of the Explorers who was given the mission by Gibeon to retrieve the pendant after Amethio, Onia and Zirc failed to do so too many times. Spinel appears to be a rival of Amethio as he mocks and doubts him for seeing a Shiny Rayquaza, even though Amethio did actually see it. Spinel has no problem hurting children to achieve his goals such as using his Beheeyem to brainwash Liko into giving the pendant to him.

• Sidian (オニキス, Onyx)

Voiced by: Yuki Onodera (Japanese); SungWon Cho (English)

A stoic and serious admin of the Explorers, who first appeared as a silhouette before appearing in person after Spinel loses the pendant. His partner Pokémon is a Garganacl. Despite being an Explorer, Sidian is also honorable and prefers to battle fairly and often times has to keep Coral's attitude in check and not stray from their objectives.

• Coral (サンゴ, Sango)

Voiced by: Ikue Otani (Japanese); Lizzie Freeman (English)

A reckless and cheerful admin of the Explorers, who first appeared as a silhouette before appearing in person after Spinel loses the pendant. She has a Glalie as her main partner Pokémon. Coral has a sassy attitude given that she taunted Spinel for failing to retrieve the pendant and often acts reckless such as ordering her Glalie to use Self-Destruct despite Sidian's warnings not to.

• Chalce (アゲート, Agate)

Voiced by: Mimi Maihane (Japanese); Shara Kirby (English)

A reserved and calm admin of the Explorers, who first appeared as a silhouette before appearing in person after Spinel loses the pendant. She uses a Medicham as her main Pokémon. Chalce has some sense of humour but will criticize her comrades, such as Spinel, for messing up on their missions.

• Zirc (ジル, Zir)

Voiced by: Kohsuke Tanabe (Japanese); Michael Schneider (English)

A grunt of the Explorers and one of Amethio's subordinates. His partner Pokémon is a Rhydon.

• Onia (コニア, Conia)

Voiced by: Arisa Shida (Japanese); Lisa Ortiz (English)

A grunt of the Explorers and one of Amethio's subordinates. Her partner Pokémon is a Golduck.

Other antagonists

• Pokémon Hunter J (ポケモン ハンター J, Pokemon Hantā J, Pokémon Hunter J)

Voiced by: Takako Honda (Japanese); Shannon Conley (English)

J was a ruthless and cruel Pokémon Hunter around Sinnoh region who captured and stole Pokémon to sell them on the black market to her clients for money. She eventually helps Team Galactic capture the Lake Guardians, but her ship is struck by an attack from the Guardians, resulting in her ship sinking into the water below. Her ultimate fate is unknown.

• Faba (ザオボー, Zaobō, Sauboh)

Voiced by: Mitsuaki Madono (Japanese); Daniel J. Edwards (Sun and Moon, SM043 to SM132), Ryan Nicolls (Sun and Moon, SM137 to SM146), Kaiji Tang (Journeys) (English)

Faba is a member of the Aether Foundation, a charitable organization in the Alola region dedicated to wildlife conservation. Faba attempts to summon Nihilego, which captures Lusamine, Lillie's mother, and takes her to its dimension. After Nihilego is defeated, he becomes much nicer, apologizing to Ash and his friends for his sinister ambitions and acts as an ally to the series protagonists. Faba also competed in the Alola League and tried to rig the match in his favor but loses to Ash. He returns in Journeys welcoming Lusamine and her family back to Alola.

• Viren (ブルガン, Burugan, Bourgain)

Voiced by: Kiyomitsu Mizuuchi (Japanese); H.D. Quinn (English)

Viren is the selfish and greedy owner of Rainbow Happy Resorts, building resorts throughout Alola by illegal means while avoiding any punishments from the crimes he committed. He tried to build a resort by buying Kiawe's family farm, but failed and him and his underlings were sent to jail for blocking the streams and other illegal things. However, he was released from jail shortly after. He tried to build a resort, with no illegal means, but the work was interrupted by an Ultra Beast, Stakataka. After the Stakataka had been dealt with, he went to build his own stadium instead. He also used a team of heel wrestlers called the Revengers to sabotage a match but loses to a combined effort of Ash and Masked Royal.

Champions and Elite Four

• Lance (ワタル, Wataru)

Voiced by: Susumu Chiba (Japanese); Wayne Grayson (English)

Lance is the Champion of both Kanto and Johto, as well as a member of the Pokémon G-Men detective organization. He first appeared in the Johto series, posing as a Team Rocket grunt, to infiltrate Team Rocket operations of the forced evolution of a Red Gyarados near Lake Rage. With the help of Ash and friends, Lance was able to free the Red Gyarados from their control, catching it for his team, as well as defeat most of the Grunts and have them arrested. He returns in the Pokemon: Advanced Generation where he helps Ash and friends calm both Groudon and Kyogre. Lance returns once again in Journeys to compete in the World Coronation series. He battled Leon for the title of Monarch, only to fall short and finish as a runner-up. He maintained his Masters Eight position, and fought Diantha in the Masters Eight Tournament, losing to her.

• Steven Stone (ツワブキ・ダイゴ, Tsuwabuki Daigo, Daigo Tsuwabuki)

Voiced by: Rintarō Nishi (season 6); Ken'ichi Suzumura (Mega Evolution Specials; seasons 18–present) (Japanese); Andrew Paull (English)

Steven is the Champion of Hoenn. In his debut appearance, he was not yet Champion, and had his own Aron use Roar to calm the agitated Aron horde that was terrorizing Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket in Granite Cave. Steven finds a Fire Stone and leads Ash and his friends out of Granite Cave and to a deserted inlet, an ideal place for Ash to train for his rematch with Brawly at the Dewford Gym. He later reappeared in Pokémon the Series: XY, where he is now Hoenn Champion and acts as an ally of Alain. He battles Alain using his Shiny Mega Metagross, but the battle is interrupted by Lysandre. Deciding to cooperate with Alain and company, Steven helps Alain defeat and calm Mega Rayquaza, Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre. He later helps stop Team Flare's attempted destruction of Kalos, and takes Sawyer on as an apprentice given that Steven is the one who gave Sawyer a Key Stone. He later reappears in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, where he is a member of the Masters Eight. He battles Ash, only to lose.

• Cynthia (シロナ, Shirona)

Voiced by: Tomo Sakurai (Japanese); Emily Bauer (English)

Cynthia is the reigning Champion of Sinnoh. As a child, she received her Gible as her starter, which later became her main Pokémon, Garchomp. Cynthia also used to solely focus on getting stronger, but she abandoned that goal upon learning about the legends of Dialga and Palkia and realizing she was only hurting her Pokémon, recklessly. She studies archaeology and legends of the Sinnoh region. She appears many times throughout the Diamond & Pearl series where she helps Ash and his friends try to stop Team Galactic. She reappears in the Black & White series, where she entered Unova's Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup for a demonstration match against Caitlin, a member of Unova's Elite Four and later aids Ash in protecting the Mythical Pokémon Meloetta. She later reappears in Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series, where she aids Ash several times throughout the series which included stopping Team Galactic from rescuing Cyrus and helping a girl cope with the death of her Cleffa. She is also a member of the Masters Eight, where she defeated Iris using her Mega Garchomp and later faced Ash in the semi-finals. Cynthia also planned on retiring after the Masters Eight matches, but after her loss against Ash, she decided not to as she felt there is still room for her to improve.

• Flint (オーバ, Ōba)

Voiced by: Toru Nara (Japanese); Tom Wayland (Diamond & Pearl), Daman Mills (Journeys) (English)

Flint is the Fire-type user of the Sinnoh Elite Four. Much like Volkner, Flint spent his childhood facing off against street hoodlums. He later met Volkner and became friends after teaming up against a Proprietor. At the age of 20, Flint moved out of Sunyshore City and became an Elite Four. He first encountered Ash and the crew when Ash was demanding a Gym Battle from Volkner, instead of just getting a Beacon Badge for free. Upon learning that Volkner refuses to fight, having grown tired of being undefeated, Flint decides to challenge Ash in an exhibition match and won with using his Infernape alone. He helped Ash and friends stop Team Rocket from stealing the Sunyshore Tower and later defeated Jasmine in an exhibition match. Flint battled Cynthia for the Champion title only to lose. He returned in Journeys competing in the World Coronation series and is in the Masters Eight, where Leon defeated Flint. By the time Ash reached the Masters Eight, Flint was demoted back to Ultra Class.

• Diantha (カルネ, Karune, Carnet)

Voiced by: Fumiko Orikasa (Japanese); Vanessa Gardner (English)

Diantha is the Kalos Champion and a famous actress, who attended Professor Sycamore's summer camp programs as a child. Diantha was first seen winning an exhibition battle in Brackish Town against a trainer named Magnus and his Absol. Afterwards, she was taking a break from battles and meets Ash and co. while in disguise and enjoying some delicious chocolate cake. Wanting to prove his skills to Diantha, Ash challenges her to a battle which Diantha accepted. While battling, Team Rocket intervened and tried to steal Diantha's Mega Gardevoir unsuccessfully. The battle was called off as her manager came to pick up Diantha. Later on, Diantha was informed by Olympia about the upcoming Team Flare disaster and tracks down Ash and co. who were practicing on handling Greninja's transformation. Ash almost defeated Diantha in battle only to collapse from exhaustion when trying to handle the Ash-Greninja form. Diantha later hosted the Kalos League and teamed up with Ash and pals to stop Team Flare. In Journeys, Diantha is also revealed to be a member of the Masters Eight in the World Coronation series, in fifth position. Diantha faced off against and defeated Lance. She later battled Leon only to lose the match easily.

• Malva (パキラ, Pakira, Pachira)

Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe (Japanese); Samara Naeymi (English)

Malva is the Fire-type user of the Kalos Elite Four, a Team Flare agent and journalist. While she first appeared in the show reporting Professor Sycamore and his assistants examining the Anistar Sundial, she appeared in person in Mega Evolutions IV as one of the ten Mega evolved users Alain had to face to power up his Mega Charizard X, where Alain emerged victorious. She appeared at the Lumiose Conference, where she is often seen reporting the Kalos League. When Team Flare attacked Kalos, Malva immediately turned against Team Flare and aided Ash and Alain in stopping Team Flare's plot. Once the ordeal was done, Malva vowed to chase after the remaining Team Flare agents and then turn herself in for her affiliation.

• Leon (ダンデ, Dande)

Voiced by: Daisuke Ono (Japanese); Alejandro Saab (English)

Leon is the Galar Champion from Postwick and the former Monarch in the World Coronation series. He is a childhood friend of Sonia, who taught him how to battle and was his only friend at the time because Leon had to take care of his family. After meeting a Charmander, Leon decided to travel together with Sonia. However, Chairman Rose took Leon under his wing, as he saw potential and caused a rift between the two childhood friends. However, Leon is still friends with Sonia, and would not let people use dangerous Pokémon such as Eternatus for personal gains. Leon is introduced in the series where he battles against Lance and wins the World Coronation Series match and becomes Monarch. Shortly after, a Gigantamax Drednaw was causing problems outside Wyndon Stadium. Leon aids Ash and a Gigantamax Pikachu by providing Ash a Dynamax Band and gives him an overview on how to utilize Gigantamax. He later battles other trainers, such as Flint and Raihan, as well as helping Ash and Goh stop the Darkest Day from happening. He battled and defeated Alain and Diantha in the Masters Eight Tournament battles, before facing off against Ash in the finals. After a lengthy battle, Leon finally loses the match to Ash, relinquishing his title of Monarch to the latter. He is later seen refereeing Hop's battle against Bea.

Professors

• Professor Samuel Oak (オーキド博士, Ōkido Yukinari-hakase, Dr. Yurinari Ōkido)

Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (until SM043); Kenyu Horiuchi (since SM093); Keiko Toda (child) (Japanese); Jimmy Zoppi (PUSA/DuArt), Stuart Zagnit (4Kids), Tara Sands (young; Pokémon 4ever), Mick Wingert (Current) (English)

Professor Samuel Oak is a Pokémon Researcher and the grandfather of Gary Oak. He was once a competitive Trainer, 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. He also hands out a Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle to beginning trainers to start their adventure in the Kanto Region. Due to waking up late, Oak gave Ash a Pikachu instead of one of the usual three, as it was the only Pokémon Oak had left. Oak frequently reappears throughout the series, and Ash often sends his Pokémon to Oak when they are not in use. Oak also occasionally reads poems about Pokémon in specific episode segments. A younger version of Oak, nicknamed Sammy, appears in Pokémon 4Ever.

• Professor Felina Ivy (ウチキド博士, Uchikido-hakase, Dr. Uchikido)

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

Professor Felina 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. Brock elects to stay with Ivy, though he rejoins the group in a later season.

• Professor Augustine Sycamore (プラターヌ博士, Puratānu-hakase, Dr. Platane)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Tsuchida (Japanese); Jake Paque (English)

Professor Augustine Sycamore is a Pokémon Professor in the Kalos region. He researches the Mega Evolution phenomenon, and acts as a recurring character throughout the series. Alain used to work for him, and he also hosts a summer camp, which Ash and the others attend during the course of the series. Sycamore later aids Ash and his friends in stopping Team Flare and Zygarde.

• Professor Kukui (ククイ博士, Kukui-hakase, Dr. Kukui)

Voiced by: Keiichi Nakagawa, Chika Fujimura (young) (Japanese); Abe Goldfarb, Rachael Slotky (young) (English)

Professor Kukui is a Pokémon Professor in the Alola region. He is a teacher at the nearby Pokémon School, acting as the teacher to Ash and his friends. Kukui also lets Ash live in his house. He has a secret alias known as the Masked Royal, a celebrity Trainer who participates in "Battle Royals." He eventually marries Burnet during the course of the series, and later has a child with her. When Ash wins the Manalo Conference, Kukui challenges him to a battle. Despite the assistance of the Legendary Pokémon Tapu Koko, Ash is able to defeat Kukui. He returns in Journeys where he participates in a Battle Royal against Ash, but goes as himself instead of Masked Royal since he wanted Ash to be the star of the battle.

• Professor Burnet (バーネット博士, Bānetto-hakase, Dr. Burnet)

Voiced by: Sachi Kokuryū (Japanese); Melissa Hope (English)

Professor Burnet is a Pokémon Researcher who specializes in the relationship between Pokémon and other dimensions. She lives with Professor Kukui and Ash, and eventually marries Kukui during the events of the series. She is later revealed to be pregnant with her and Kukui's child, and the child, Lei, is seen in Pokémon Journeys: The Series.

• Mohn (モーン, Mōn, Mohn)

Voiced by: Jirō Saitō (Japanese); Jeremy Levy (English)

Mohn was a Pokémon Researcher in the Alola region, working on researching the Ultra Wormhole phenomenon. He was married to Lusamine and father of Gladion and Lillie, but he one day vanished after being sucked into an Ultra Wormhole. Everyone thought that he was dead, until it is revealed in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series that Mohn was rescued by a Shiny Nihilego called Lillie and was taken out of the wormhole, though he was rendered amnesiac. He eventually recovered at Crown Tundra, and reunited with his family.

• Professor Cerise (サクラギ博士, Sakuragi-hakase, Dr. Sakuragi)

Voiced by: Yūichi Nakamura (Japanese); Ray Chase (English)

Professor Cerise is a Pokémon Professor who appears in Pokémon Journeys: The Series. He is Chloe's father, and he runs a lab in the Kanto region. Ash and Goh often aid him in his research, and Goh keeps his Pokémon at Cerise's laboratory.

• Sonia (ソニア, Sonia)

Voiced by: Marina Inoue (Japanese); Brittany Cox (English)

Sonia is a young woman who was a childhood friend of Leon. She is also an apprentice of Professor Magnolia, a Pokémon Professor in Galar. She aids Ash and Goh in stopping the Darkest Day, after which Magnolia passes on her professor mantle to her.

Supporting characters

• Delia Ketchum (ハナコ, Hanako)

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

Delia Ketchum is Ash's mother. She acts as a supporting character throughout the series, often communicating with Ash via video call. She has a Mr. Mime housekeeper nicknamed Mimey (バリちゃん, Bari-chan), who helps her with chores and is also rather adept in battle.

• Nurse Joy (ジョーイ, Jōi, Joy)

Voiced by: Ayako Shiraishi (EP002-EP229); Yuriko Yamaguchi (EP245-EP488; EP517-EP656); Kikuko Inoue (Temp. Replacement from EP491-EP516); Chika Fujimura (EP659-EP795); Chinatsu Akasaki (EP802–present) (Japanese); Megan Hollingshead (Season 1–6, 23-25); Michele Knotz (Season 9–13); Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (Season 14–16); Kate Bristol (Season 17–19), Suzy Myers (season 20-22), Erica Mendez (current) (English)

"Joy" is the shared last name of the Joy family, in which most members are nurses. They mainly work in Pokémon Centers, but they also work in other locations. Although all of them look almost identical to each other, some do have different personalities, and a few even other occupations besides nursing. Multiple Joys are judges in Pokémon Contests. 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".

• Officer Jenny (ジュンサー, Junsā, Junsar)

Voiced by: Chinami Nishimura (EP002-EP632); Chiaki Takahashi (EP663-EP795); Chiemi Ishimatsu (EP801–present) (Japanese); Lee Quick (Season 1-7); Jamie Davyous Owens (Season 8); Emlyn Morinelli McFarland (Season 9–13); Emily Bauer (Season 14–16; Season 23); Saskia Maarleveld (Season 17-19), Samantha Moon (Sun and Moon series episodes 9 to 39), Martha Harms (Sun and Moon series 70-128) (English)

"Jenny" is the shared last name of the Jenny family, in which most members are police officers and maintain the law and order in the Pokémon world and often oppose members of Team Rocket. The Japanese name, junsa (巡査), means "police officer".

• Jimmy and Marina (ケンタ and マリナ, Kenta and Marina)

Jimmy: Voiced by: Kenji Nojima (Japanese); Sean Schemmel (English)

Marina: Voiced by: Kazusa Murai (Japanese); Kelly Davis (English)

Jimmy and Marina are main characters in Pokémon Chronicles. The pair are respectively based on the male and female player characters of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. Jimmy aims to become a Pokémon Champion, and is often seen with a partner Typhlosion, while Marina is interested in dance routines, later being revealed to have become a Pokémon Coordinator in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. The pair are old childhood friends.

• Brandon (ジンダイ, Jindai)

Voiced by: Masayuki Omoro (Japanese); Craig Blair (English)

Brandon is the head of the Battle Pyramid, one of the many battle facilities present at the Battle Frontier. The Pyramid is capable of flight, and as such, its location often changes. He is the final opponent of the Battle Frontier, and prior to Ash's challenge, had bested Paul's brother Reggie, which caused the latter to quit his career as a trainer and become a breeder. Brandon defeats Ash on his first two attempts , though Brandon loses on Ash's third try. Brandon notably owns three Legendary Pokémon: Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. He later travels to Sinnoh in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl to encounter Regigigas. After an encounter with Hunter J, Brandon elects to stay at with Regigigas to defend it. He also battles Paul, though Brandon defeats him.

• Alder (アデク, Adeku)

Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese); Scottie Ray (English)

Alder was the Unova Champion in Black & White series. While laidback and reckless, he does provide advice and acts as a role model to many trainers. In his debut, Ash meets Alder in person and requests a battle with him, while running into Trip. Although Ash put up a fight, the battle was called off when it was revealed that Alder was sleeping. Trip stared in disappointment at his former idol and stormed off in disgust upon learning that Alder stated that becoming the strongest was not the key to battle, contradicting the advice Alder gave to Trip earlier. Shortly after, he was able to stop a rampaging Gigalith by removing the nail that was stuck on one of its feet. He later hosted the Junior World Cup Tournament, where the winner will get to face Alder. Trip won the tournament, but he lost easily to Alder. In the Pokémon Master Journeys: The Series, it is revealed that Iris became the new Unova Champion, confirming that Alder no longer holds the title.

• N (N(エヌ), Enu)

Voiced by: Yūichi Nakamura (Japanese); Nicholas DiMichele (English)

N can hear the inner voices of Pokémon and believes that humans are using them for their own gain. Ghetsis raised N along with Anthea and Concordia, making them believe Pokémon cannot be equals with humans unless they are released from all Poké Balls. A short time before the Black & White series N was about to be crowned King of Team Plasma in Ghetsis' plan to use N's pure-hearted desire to save Pokémon to summon Reshiram and enslave it. However, the attempt backfired, leaving Team Plasma's castle destroyed by Fusion Flare. N, along with Anthea and Concordia flee to a secluded abandoned castle, where they spend their time tending to mistreat Pokémon. N goes on to encounter Ash, which begins to change his views, and he grows to oppose Ghetsis's plans.

• Meyer (リモーネ, Rimōne, Limoone) / Blaziken Mask (バシャーモかめん, Bashāmo Kamen, Bursyamo Mask)

Voiced by: Kensuke Satō (Japanese); Tom Wayland (Season 17 and the first half of season 18 ending in "Confronting the Darkness!"), Wayne Grayson (Season 18 starting from "The Moment of Lumiose Truth!" onwards) (English)

Meyer is the father of Clemont and Bonnie and the manager of an electrical appliance store. He notably holds a secret identity as "Blaziken Mask," a superhero-like vigilante who uses a Mega Evolving Blaziken. He aids Ash first by saving his life, and then by aiding in stopping Lysandre and Zygarde.

• Mairin (マノン, Manon)

Voiced by: Mikako Komatsu (Japanese); Zoe Martin (English)

Mairin is a Pokémon Trainer and companion of Alain. She owns a Chespin, nicknamed Chespie, who is put into a comatose state. She later befriends Ash and his friends, and accompanies Alain when he departs from Kalos alongside a fully restored Chespie.

• Rotom Pokédex (ロトム図鑑, Rotomu Zukan)

Voiced by: Daisuke Namikawa (Japanese); Roger Callagy (English)

Rotom Pokédex is a Pokédex given to Ash by Professor Kukui, which is possessed by a Rotom. He accompanies Ash throughout the series, often acting as a supporting character in many episodes. He is also a fan of a detective show named "Detective Laki" which is the foundation for numerous episodes in the series.

• Lusamine (ルザミーネ, Ruzamīne, Lusamine)

Voiced by: Sayaka Kinoshita (Japanese); Bobbi Hartley (English)

The mother of Gladion and Lillie, Lusamine is the Leader of the Aether Foundation. She is overly affectionate towards her children, though neither are initially as fond of her. After Lusamine is fused with Nihilego and separated, the three forgive each other. She heads up the "Ultra Guardians," a group which seeks to help stops Ultra Beast attacks and send them home. She once was married to Aether Professor Mohn, who moved to Alola to commence his research on the Ultra Wormhole. She, alongside Lillie and Gladion, was on a quest to find Mohn and bring him home. Along with Gladion and Lillie, she returns to the show in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, where they reunite with Mohn.

• Chloe Cerise (サクラギ・コハル, Sakuragi Koharu, Koharu Sakuragi)

Voiced by: Kana Hanazawa (Japanese); Cherami Leigh (English)

Chloe is a 10-year-old childhood friend of Goh. She is overly cautious and takes a realistic approach to life as she distances herself from making friends, with Goh being an exception. When she was little, Chloe liked Pokémon but started to dislike them and acted cold around them, except with the family Yamper at times, because she felt jealous as she did not like that they stole her attention from everyone around her. However, after realizing her behavior, Chloe overcame her jealously with Pokémon. She also became more open about making friends as she has come to see Ash in that term and has grown to care about Pokémon again. After catching her first Pokémon, Chloe officially became a Pokémon Trainer and joins her friends on their research adventures. Chloe's Pokémon partner is a special female Eevee that is incapable of evolving.

• Danika and Quillon (アサヒ and ツルギ, Asahi and Tsurugi)

Danika: Voiced by: Ryoko Shiraishi (Japanese); Anjali Kunapaneni (English)

Quillon: Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya (Japanese); Max Mittelman (English)

Danika and Quillon are "Chasers" for Project Mew. Danika is portrayed as welcoming and friendly and also explains to Goh how Project Mew operates. Quillon is portrayed as a reserved and serious trainer. The pair encounter Goh at various occasions, often aiding in Missions. They both own an Urshifu, with Danika owning a Rapid Strike form and Quillon a Single Strike form. Both later go to Faraway Island to encounter Mew alongside Horace, Goh, and Gary.

References

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