View source for Friend

{{search|NPC friends of player characters|other uses|Friend (disambiguation)}}
[[File:SM Ending Screen Female Default.png|thumb|Photograph of {{ga|Selene}} with her friends, [[Hau]] and [[Lillie]]]]
----
The {{player}}'s '''friend'''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131017053930/http://www.pokemonxy.com/en-us/characters/friends/ Pokémon X and Y official site] (archived)</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20161118233619/http://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/en-us/people-alola/ Pokémon Sun and Moon official site] (archived)</ref><ref>[https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-us/characters/nemona/ Pokémon Scarlet and Violet official site]</ref> (Japanese: '''{{ruby|友達|ともだち}}''' ''friend''<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/xy/character/02.html Pokémon X and Y official site] (Japanese)</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pika_vee/character/180713_02.html Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! official site] (Japanese)</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/sv/ja/character/220601_02/ Pokémon Scarlet and Violet official site] (Japanese)</ref> or '''{{ruby|仲間|なかま}}''' ''companion''<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/usum/story/170922_04.html Pokémon Sun and Moon official site] (Japanese)</ref>) or '''childhood friend'''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110311170643/http://www.pokemonblackwhite.com:80/en-us/friends-and-foes/friends Pokémon Black and White official site] (archived)</ref> (Japanese: '''{{ruby|幼|おさな}}なじみ''' ''childhood friend'')<ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/ds/dp/ Pokémon Diamond and Pearl page on Pokemon.co.jp] (Japanese)</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/game/ds/platinum/character.html Pokémon Platinum page on Pokemon.co.jp] (Japanese)</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/series/bw/#/characters/characters03.html Pokémon Black and White official site] (Japanese)</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/b2w2/characters/character01.html Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 official site] (Japanese)</ref> is a reoccurring main character in a [[Pokémon games|Pokémon game]] that the player character may interact with over the course of their {{pkmn|journey}}. 

These characters take personal interest in the player, and often share a bond either at the start, before, or at the end of the story. Friends may accompany the player over the course of the game or form a [[rival]]ry with them. They may share similar goals with the player, while often having their own motivation and aspirations as well. Most friends can be spoken or interacted with in a game's post-adventure, showing improvement or character development.

Other notable instances of characters considering each other friends also occur in some [[Pokémon]] media.

==Terminology==
The term "friend" was used specifically in certain [[Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: Super Music Collection|music track titles]] in {{g|X and Y}}, used as a leitmotif for when the player meets up with their friend group. Otherwise, characters in-game may refer to the player as one of their friends. The [[Battle Tree]] in {{g|Sun and Moon}} and {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}} refers to the music tracks "Battle! (Hau)" and "Battle at the Summit! (Hau)" as "My Friend Hau". Hau's title on the Sun and Moon website refers to him as "Your Friend Hau". Hau's internal data also refers to the character as "FRIEND". Additionally, "friendly rival"<ref>[https://pokemonletsgo.pokemon.com/en-us/kanto-region/ Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! official site]</ref><ref>[https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/haus-trainer-spotlight-in-pokemon-masters-the-pokemon-tcg-manga-and-more Hau’s Trainer Spotlight in Pokémon Masters, the Pokémon TCG, Manga, and More | Pokemon.com]</ref> is a term used to refer to certain rival characters who are non-antagonistic towards the player.

==In the games==
===Core series===
[[File:BW Prerelease Bianca Cheren.png|thumb|{{ga|Hilbert}} and his friends, [[Cheren]] and [[Bianca]], meeting up to pick their first partner Pokémon]]
In the core series, the player is usually met with a character that can be considered a friend. This character archetype was first displayed in [[Generation I]], where {{ga|Blue}} is considered to have been friends with the player since they were young. The player's friends usually appear already having a Pokémon before they are met, as is the case with [[Nemona]] and [[Hop]], or they start their journey at the same time as them, picking their [[first partner Pokémon]] based on what the player has already chosen, as in the case with Blue and [[Shauna]]. Starting in {{game|Black and White|s}}, many of these characters form friend groups and start their journey together, either splitting up at a certain point and reforming later, or travel with the player. Most of the player's friends will be in the starting location and town or city as the player, characters in these locations may acknowledge each other as neighbors, {{ga|Serena}}/{{ga|Calem}} will directly call the player "neighbor" as a nickname and sign of affection.

Since some of these characters already have some experience with Pokémon, these characters often tutor the player on {{pkmn2|Caught|catching}} Pokémon, examples being Calem/Serena teaching the player and Shauna how to catch a Pokémon. Friendly [[rival]]ries may be created between characters and player, in which their friend may participate in the player's first [[Pokémon battle]], serving as a tutorial in such circumstances. Over the course of the game, these friendly rivals may appear throughout the game challenging the player and getting stronger. Other times, the opposite is true instead, with the player teaching their friend how to use or catch Pokémon, with [[Wally]] being taught by them. These characters, like [[Lillie]], also typically learn and grow at their own pace, and continue to learn from the player, and are encouraged by them throughout the story. 

Some characters, such as [[N]], are antagonistic to the player and may be affiliated with a [[Villainous team|sinister organization]] and will later become more friendly with the player by the end of the story.

Friends who provide no interest in rivaling the player in battle may reoccur and interact with the player in different ways, as in the case with Lillie, who often provides support and healing of the player's party, disliking the idea Pokémon battles and not wanting them to get hurt. [[Trevor]] and [[Tierno]], two friends that the player meets in {{g|X and Y}}, despite battling the player, have no interest in surpassing the character in that field either. Trevor specifically wants to rival the player in [[Pokédex]] information and completion, rather than having a typical rivalry. [[Arven]] welcomes the player on his journey through [[Paldea]], encouraging them to help with finding [[Herba Mystica]].

Starting in [[Generation III]], most friends typically have their {{DL|Pokémon Trainer|Trainer class}} as [[Pokémon Trainer]]. However, this class isn't exclusive to them, and some may not use this Trainer class, using another instead depending on their situation in the game. Some change their Trainer class throughout the game. Not all of the player's friends have participated in battle against them, if they battle at all.

The following are the characters in the games that have been officially referred to as friends of a player character.

{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|20px}} border: 4px solid #BABACC; background:#CCC"
|- style="font-size:95%"
| style="background:#fff; {{roundytl|15px}}" | {{gameabbrev1|RGBY}}{{gameabbrev3|FRLG}}
| style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev7|PE}}
| colspan="3" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev4|HGSS}}
| colspan="3" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev3|RSE}}{{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}
| colspan="3" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev4|DPPt}}{{gameabbrev8|BDSP}}
| colspan="3" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev5|BW}}
| style="background:#fff; {{roundytr|15px}}" | {{gameabbrev5|B2W2}}
|-
| style="background: #{{blue color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:FireRed LeafGreen Blue.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{green color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Trace.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{silver color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:HeartGold SoulSilver Silver.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{heartgold color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:HeartGold SoulSilver Ethan.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{soulsilver color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:HeartGold SoulSilver Lyra.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{ruby color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Brendan.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{sapphire color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire May.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{tcg grass color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Wally.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #E08040; width:84px" | [[File:Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Barry.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{diamond color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Lucas.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{pearl color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Dawn.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{black color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Black White Cheren.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{white color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Black White Bianca.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{bulba color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Black White N.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{black 2 color light}}" | [[File:Black 2 White 2 Hugh.png|x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Blue (game)|Blue}}<ref>Japanese {{game|Red and Green|s}} manual「となりには{{ruby|幼|おさな}}なじみの'''グリーン'''(ライバル)が{{ruby|住|す}}んでいます」 (''[...] his childhood friend Green (rival) lives next door.'')</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Trace (game)|Trace}}<ref name="Trace">[https://pokemonletsgo.pokemon.com/en-us/kanto-region/ Welcome to the Kanto Region | Pokémon Let's Go Official Website]: ''You'll begin your journey in Pallet Town, a humble place that's also home to your friendly rival, who just so happens to be your next-door neighbor.''</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Silver (game)|Silver}}<ref>'''{{mas|Ethan}}''': ''"This is Silver. He's a friend of mine from my adventure across the Johto region!"'' ({{g|Masters EX}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Ethan (game)|Ethan}}<ref name="HGSS friend">'''{{ga|Ethan}}'''/'''{{ga|Lyra}}''': ''"<Player>, people are talking about you! I heard you helped Kimono Girls? You've been helping all these people! You make me proud to be your friend."'' ([[New Bark Town]], {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Lyra (game)|Lyra}}<ref name="HGSS friend"></ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Brendan (game)|Brendan}}<ref>'''{{ga|Brendan}}''': ''"There isn't a Trainer in all of Hoenn who doesn't know who you are, <player>! When I tell people that I'm friends with you, <player>, they get pretty envious!"'' ({{DL|PokéNav|Match Call}}, {{game|Emerald}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|May (game)|May}}<ref>'''{{ga|May}}''': ''"I was hoping you would be nice, <player>, and that we could be friends."'' ([[Littleroot Town]], {{game|Ruby and Sapphire|s}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Wally (game)|Wally}}<ref>'''[[Scott]]''': ''"You're friends with that boy Wally, aren't you?"'' ([[Mauville City]], {{game|Emerald}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Barry (game)|Barry}}<ref>'''{{ga|Barry}}''': ''"...Uh... Well, I, uh... ... ... Well, then forget about me, but give a Pokémon to my friend here! I mean, it was me who tried to go into the tall grass and all..."'' ({{rt|201|Sinnoh}}, {{game|Platinum}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Lucas (game)|Lucas}}<ref>'''{{ga|Lucas}}''': ''"I thought so! Congratulations, <player>! You know, I'm glad we're friends!"'' ([[Sandgem Town]], {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Dawn (game)|Dawn}}<ref> '''{{mas|Dawn}}''': ''"Barry and Lucas are my precious friends..."'' ({{g|Masters EX}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Cheren}}<ref>'''[[Cheren]]''': ''"<player>! We've been friends our whole lives. We've got each other's back when it counts."'' ([[Wellspring Cave]], {{game|Black and White|s}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Bianca (game)|Bianca}}<ref>'''[[Bianca]]''': ''"<player>, thank you so much! The two of you got her Pokémon back! I'm lucky to have friends like you two!"'' ({{rt|3|Unova}}, {{game|Black and White|s}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|N}}<ref>'''{{mas|N}}''': ''"Just like my friend Hilbert."'' ({{g|Masters EX}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Hugh}}<ref>'''[[Hugh]]''': ''"<player>... I'm really glad you're my friend!"'' ([[Undella Town]], {{B2W2}})</ref>
|- style="font-size:95%"
| colspan="5" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev6|XY}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev7|SMUSUM}}
| colspan="3" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev8|SwSh}}
<!--| colspan="2" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev8|LA}}-->
| colspan="3" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev9|SV}}
| colspan="2" style="background:#fff" | {{gameabbrev9|SV}}{{gameabbrev9|TM}}{{gameabbrev9|ID}}
|-
| style="background: #{{x color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:XY Calem.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{y color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:XY Serena.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{contest color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:XY Shauna.png|x100px]]
| style=" background: #{{orange color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:XY Tierno.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{castle color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:XY Trevor.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{moon color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:USUM Lillie.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{sun color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:USUM Hau.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{sword color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Sword Shield Hop.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{dark color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Sword Shield Marnie.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{fairy color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Sword Shield Bede.png|x100px]]
<!--| style="background: #{{legends arceus color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Legends Arceus Rei.png|x100px]]-->
<!--| style="background: #{{legends arceus color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Legends Arceus Akari.png|x100px]]-->
| style="background: #{{scarlet color light}}; width:84px" {{roundybl|15px}} | [[File:Scarlet Violet Nemona.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{violet color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Violet Arven.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{black 2 color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Scarlet Violet Penny.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{Indigo Disk color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Scarlet Violet Carmine.png|x100px]]
| style="background: #{{Indigo Disk color light}}; width:84px" | [[File:Scarlet Violet Kieran.png|x100px]]
|-
| style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundybl}}" | {{color2|000|Calem (game)|Calem}}<ref name="XY Friend"> Associated with the ''Friends Theme "A New Meeting"'' and ''Battle! (Friend)'' [[Pokémon X & Pokémon Y: Super Music Collection|music tracks]]</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Serena (game)|Serena}}<ref name="XY Friend"></ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Shauna}}<ref name="XY Friend"></ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Tierno}}<ref name="XY Friend"></ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Trevor}}<ref name="XY Friend"></ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Lillie}}<ref name="SM Friend"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20171103020011/https://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/ultra/en-us/alola-region.html Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon website (archive): ''You’ll run into friends and develop even closer bonds with them during your island challenges.''</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Hau}}<ref name="SM Friend"></ref><ref>Associated and titled "My Friend Hau" or "Your Friend Hau" in numerous in-game tracks and promotional descriptions</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Hop}}<ref>'''[[Marnie]]''': ''"That friend of yours already went off to challenge the next Gym."'' ([[Motostoke]], {{g|Sword and Shield}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Marnie}}<ref>'''{{mas|Gloria}}''': ''"Marnie and I may be rivals, but we're also really good friends!"'' ({{g|Masters EX}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Bede}}<ref>During {{mas|Bede}} (Champion)'s sync pair story in {{g|Masters EX}}, the narration states that the player "came across Bede and his friends", and the two people he's shown with are {{mas|Victor}} and {{mas|Gloria}}.</ref>
<!--| style="background:#D1D1E6; | {{color2|000|Rei}}-->
<!--| style="background:#D1D1E6;" | {{color2|000|Akari}}-->
| style="background:#D1D1E6;" | {{color2|000|Nemona}}<ref> [https://scarletviolet.pokemon.com/en-us/characters/nemona/ Scarlet and Violet website]: ''"Your friend, Nemona, has a sunny and energetic disposition, and she absolutely loves Pokémon battles."''</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6" | {{color2|000|Arven}}<ref> '''[[Arven]]''': ''"Sorry for the wait! Here's a super healthy sandwich that'll perk you right up once you eat it! Plus, as a token of our friendship, here's another Titan Badge! Gaze upon it in awe as you eat."'' ({{g|Scarlet and Violet}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6; | {{color2|000|Penny}}<ref>'''[[Penny]]''': ''"Huh... I feel better after talking it out with you, <player>. Thanks. And, um, I want you to know you're a really important friend to me, too. That goes for Nemona as well! And even Arven and Koraidon/Miraidon!"'' ({{g|Scarlet and Violet}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6;" | {{color2|000|Carmine}}<ref>'''[[Carmine]]''': ''"This is <player>. He/She's here on a foreign exchange program. He/She's my friend, and—"''([[Central Plaza]], {{g|Scarlet and Violet}})</ref>
| style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundybr}}" | {{color2|000|Kieran}}<ref>'''[[Kieran]]''': ''"What?! R-really?! We're friends? F-friends... I feel all tingly and funny hearing that... Ehehe..."'' ([[Mossui Town]], {{g|Scarlet and Violet}})</ref>
|}

===Spin-offs===
====Pokémon Masters EX====
{| style="margin:auto; text-align:center; {{roundy|20px}} border: 4px solid #BABACC; background:#F3F3FF"
|- style="font-size: 95%; font-weight: bold"
| colspan=2 style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundytop|15px}}" | {{color2|{{black color dark}}|Pokémon Masters EX}}
|-
| style="background: #{{rock color}}; width:84px" | [[File:Spr Masters Paulo.png|x120px]]
| style="background: #{{fire color}}; width:84px" | [[File:Spr Masters Tina.png|x120px]]
|-
| style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundybl|15px}}" | {{color2|000|Paulo}}
| style="background:#D1D1E6; {{roundybr|15px}}" | {{color2|000|Tina}}
|}

==In animation==
===''Pokémon the Series''===
[[File:Ash and friends JN OP 5.png|thumb|250px|Photographs of Ash and all of his friends]]
{{main|Ash's friends}}
{{Ash}} has traveled within a group of friends throughout the course of {{aniseries|PTS}}. While Ash typically travels with the same group of friends though a series, some characters, such as {{an|Korrina}}, will drop in and out of the group for a number of episodes. In {{aniseries|SM}}, Ash has five [[Ash's classmates|classmates]] that he also becomes close to while attending the [[Pokémon School]].

===Pokémon Origins===
{{OBP|Blue|Origins}} appears in [[Pokémon Origins]], being in a similar role as he had in the video games. Unlike in the games, rather than just being {{OBP|Red|Origins}}'s rival, he helps assist Red in some situations involving [[Team Rocket]].

===Pokémon Generations===
[[Pokémon Generations]] has two episodes that focus on friends of the player:
* {{ga|Blue}} appears in ''[[PG03|The Challenger]]'', battling the [[Elite Four]] and becoming the {{pkmn|Champion|Pokémon League Champion}}, before {{ga|Red}} attempts to take his title.
* {{ga|Silver}} appears as the main character of ''[[PG05|The Legacy]]''. He is not shown interacting with the protagonist.

===[[Pokémon: Twilight Wings]]===
The episode ''[[TW03|Buddy]]'' focuses on Hop and his {{p|Wooloo}}. Hop also makes cameo appearances in ''[[TW01|Letter]]'' and ''[[TW02|Training]]''. [[Marnie]] makes a minor appearance in ''[[TW04|Early-Evening Waves]]''.

===[[GOTCHA!]]===
GOTCHA! notably features the friend characters up to and including {{g|Sword and Shield}}'s base game, with the characters from the first 7 generations (with exception of [[Trace (game)|Trace]] due to the absence of any character's from the {{LGPE}} games) being shown simultaneously. The scene in particular displays the characters either in battle or interacting with each other, with some sections being seen from a friend's perspective.

===Pokémon Evolutions===
[[File:Shauna Serena Evolutions.png|thumb|250px|[[Shauna]] and {{ga|Serena}} in Pokémon Evolutions]]
A majority of the player's friends have appeared in [[Pokémon Evolutions]]:
* In ''[[PE01|The Champion]]'', [[Hop]] helped {{ga|Victor}} put an end to [[Darkest Day]]. At the end of the episode, [[Marnie]] appeared in a cameo. 
* ''[[PE02|The Eclipse]]'' primarily focuses on [[Lillie]], who, by receiving help from {{ga|Selene}}, journeys to the [[Altar of the Moone]] in order to [[Evolution|evolve]] [[Nebby]], and save [[Lusamine|her mother]]. [[Hau]] also appears in a flashback, in which he, Lillie, Selene, [[Gladion]], and [[Guzma]] all witness Lusamine use Nebby's power to open an [[Ultra Wormhole]] at [[Aether Paradise]].
* In ''[[PE03|The Visionary]]'', [[Shauna]] and {{ga|Serena}} were seen helping {{ga|Calem}} put an end to [[Team Flare]]'s plans, with Serena being depicted with her NPC appearance. Neither character has a speaking role.
* In ''[[PE04|The Plan]]'', the history of [[N]] during and before the events of {{game|Black and White|s}} is recalled. [[Cheren]] also appears in a flashback.
* ''[[PE05|The Rival]]'' focuses on {{ga|Barry}} and goes through the events of {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s|Pokémon Diamond}} in a series of flashbacks from his perspective.
* ''[[PE06|The Wish]]'' has {{ga|May}} as the player character climbing [[Sky Pillar]] following the events of the [[Delta Episode]].
* ''[[PE07|The Show]]'' features {{ga|Ethan}}, presumably as his player character counterpart.
* In ''[[PE08|The Discovery]]'', {{ga|Trace}} entered [[Cerulean Cave]] to find {{p|Mewtwo}}, competing against {{ga|Green}}. Both characters lost to {{ga|Elaine}}, who had already caught the Pokémon by the time they arrived.

==In the TCG==
{{incomplete|section|Needs the Blue's Tactics, Red & Blue, Rival, Barry, Cheren, Cheren's Care, Bianca, Hugh, Shuana, Tierno, Hau, Lillie, Lillie's Full Force, Hop, Nemona, Arven, Penny cards}}
[[File:FriendsinGalarSilverTempestTG23.jpg|thumb|200px|The ''{{TCG ID|Brilliant Stars|Friends in Galar|140}}'' card from {{tcg|Brilliant Stars}}]]
In the TCG, a number of characters appear both in groups and singular cards based on the player's friends and rivals. Starting in the [[Sun & Moon TCG Series merchandise|Sun & Moon era]], cards based on a group of friends from the video games have been displayed. Multiple characters have also had their own separated cards.

{{cardlist/header|list of characters involving friends|supporter|char=yes}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|SM-P Promo|Friends in Alola|401}}|type=Supporter|jpset=SM-P Promotional cards|jprarity=|jpnum=401/SM-P}}
{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Brilliant Stars|Friends in Galar|140}}|type=Supporter|expanded=yes|enset=Brilliant Stars|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=140/172|jpset=VMAX Climax|jprarity=U|jpnum=149/184|enset2=Silver Tempest|enrarity2=Rare Secret|ennum2=TG23/TG30|jpset2=VMAX Climax|jprarity2=SR|jpnum2=258/184}}

{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Crown Zenith|Friends in Hisui|130}}|type=Supporter|standard=yes|enset=Crown Zenith|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=130/159|jpset=VSTAR Universe|jprarity=U|jpnum=160/172|enset2=Crown Zenith|enrarity2=Rare Secret|ennum2= 149/159|jpset2=VSTAR Universe|jprarity2=SR|jpnum2=247/172}}

{{cardlist/entry|cardname={{TCG ID|Crown Zenith|Friends in Sinnoh|131}}|type=Supporter|standard=yes|enset=Crown Zenith|enrarity=Uncommon|ennum=131/159|jpset=VSTAR Universe|jprarity=U|jpnum=154/172 |enset2=Crown Zenith|enrarity2=Rare Secret|ennum2= 148/159|jpset2=VSTAR Universe|jprarity2=SR|jpnum2=249/172 }}
{{cardlist/footer|supporter}}

==Trivia==
* {{ga|Ethan}} and {{ga|Lyra}} are currently the only friend characters to not participate in battle either against or partnering with the [[player character]].
** However, they do serve as the catch tutorial in {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}, demonstrating their capability of battling.
** Before {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}}, [[Lillie]] was the only friend character to not appear in any sort of battle at all.

==In other languages==
{{langtable|color={{blue color light}}|bordercolor={{silver color}}
|zh_yue=朋友 ''Pàhngyáuh''
|zh_cmn=朋友 ''Péngyǒu / Péngyou''
|nl=Vriend ({{male}})<br>Vriendin ({{female}})
|fr=Ami ({{male}})<br>Amie ({{female}})
|de=Freund ({{male}})<br>Freundin ({{female}})
|it=Amico ({{male}})<br>Amica ({{female}})
|ko=친구 ''Chingu''
|pt=Amigo ({{male}})<br>Amiga ({{female}})
|ru=Друг ''Drug'' ({{male}})<br>Подруга ''Podruga'' ({{female}})
|es=Amigo ({{male}})<br>Amiga ({{female}})
}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Rival characters}}
{{Project CharacterDex notice}}

[[Category:Characters]]

[[zh:朋友]]