Rival

For the Elite Four Champion in Pokémon Stadium, see Blue (game).

For the Japanese opening theme, see The Rivals.

In the games

A Rival (Japanese: ライバル Rival) is a type of Pokémon Trainer that first debuted in the Generation I games. It specifically refers to Blue and Silver. However, there are Pokémon Trainers who may not be formally described as rivals, but have characteristics reminiscent of those of Blue and Silver. These Trainers are the following: Brendan or May, depending on the player's gender, as well as Wally in Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald; and Pearl in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. Lucas and Dawn (whichever the player is not) are sometimes said to be rivals, however, they never actually battle against the player.

Typically, rivals will meet the player at various points in the game with progressively stronger Pokémon. They usually must be battled and defeated in order to continue the game. More often than not, they will have the starter Pokémon that weakens the one the player chose at the beginning of the game; the exceptions are Wally, who instead uses Ralts as his starter, and either Lucas or Dawn, of whom one uses the starter Pokémon that is actually weak to the player's choice. Since they are not rivals in the traditional sense, they are referred to as pseudo-rivals.

They use a variety of Pokémon for the the remainder of their teams.

Pseudo-Rival Sprites

May in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

May in Pokémon Emerald

File:Brendan.png Brendan in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Brendan in Pokémon Emerald

File:Koki.png Lucas in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

File:KokiPt.png Lucas in Pokémon Platinum

Dawn in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

File:Dawnplatinum.png Dawn in Pokémon Platinum

In the anime

Various rivals for the main characters have also appeared in the anime. Rivals in this sense refers to major recurring characters, as all of the main characters have had a "rival" who only appears in a single or few episodes that they eventually make up with. Examples include Morrison or Harrison, while the major rivals are listed below.

• Ash Ketchum has had Gary Oak while Paul and Jun are currently his rivals. Many other characters also collect badges and may be counted as rivals in the future.

• May has had both Drew and Harley. Solidad may also qualify, as the two battled and Solidad was seen with Drew and Harley watching May in the Wallace Cup on television.

• Dawn has had both Zoey, Kenny and Jessie. Nando may also qualify, though he and Dawn have yet to battle officially.

• Johanna had a childhood rival in Yuri.

Template:Gen I trainers