Ethan (game)

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Hibiki redirects here. For the character of the day in Beauty and the Breeder, see Zane.
Gold (game) redirects here. For the game titled "Pokémon Gold Version", see Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions.
This article is about the male protagonist whose default name is クリス in the Japanese version of Pokémon Crystal. For the female player character in Pokémon Crystal with the same Japanese name, see Kris (game).
Ethan
ヒビキ Hibiki
HeartGold SoulSilver Ethan.png
Art from HeartGold and SoulSilver
Gender Male
Eye color Gray
Hair color Black
Hometown New Bark Town
Region Johto
Relatives Mom (as player)
Grandparents, unnamed father (as NPC)
Trainer class Pokémon Trainer, Player character
Generation II, IV
Games Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Masters
Animated counterpart Jimmy,
Ethan (M13)
Counterpart debut The Legend of Thunder!
Manga counterpart(s) Gold, Gold, Gold, , Takashi, Soul

Ethan (Japanese: ヒビキ Hibiki) is the main playable character in Pokémon Gold and Silver and is the male choice in Pokémon Crystal, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. In Crystal, his female counterpart is Kris, while in HeartGold and SoulSilver, his female counterpart is Lyra.

In the core series

As the protagonist

Ethan's journey as a Trainer begins when Professor Elm asks him to run an errand for Mr. Pokémon, who lives north of Cherrygrove City on Route 30. Because he may encounter dangerous wild Pokémon along the way, Elm gives him a choice between three Pokémon to protect him: Cyndaquil, Totodile or Chikorita.

Ethan spots another boy his age watching Elm's Lab from outside. When Ethan tries to talk to him, the boy abruptly shoves him away. This boy, Silver, will become Ethan's rival.

Ethan continues onward and finally meets Mr. Pokémon and completes his errand. While there he meets Professor Oak who, upon realizing Ethan's bond with his new Pokémon, gives him a Pokédex. On his way back home, Ethan again meets Silver, who has stolen one of Elm's remaining Pokémon. After defeating the boy in battle, the boy tells Ethan his nameGSC/Ethan learns the boy's name from his dropped Trainer CardHGSS, and Ethan relays it to the police in New Bark Town. Professor Elm allows Ethan to keep the Pokémon he chose earlier, and also encourages him to compete in the Johto League.

Ethan begins on a Pokémon journey in the Johto region, facing off against its eight Gym Leaders, defeating and disbanding the revived Team Rocket, and becoming Pokémon League Champion by defeating the Elite Four and its previous Champion, Lance at Indigo Plateau. Along the way he also teaches Silver to respect Pokémon as living creatures and not just as tools for battle.

After being declared the Pokémon League Champion, Ethan then journeys by ship from Olivine City to Vermilion City in Kanto. Traveling around that region, he battles against another set of eight Gym Leaders. Upon getting permission from Professor Oak in Pallet Town, Ethan heads for Mt. Silver via Route 28. His journey comes to a close when, deep in Mt. Silver's cave, he faces the Champion from Pallet Town, Pokémon Trainer Red, who had been training there since shortly after he became Pokémon League Champion three years prior.

As a non-playable character

In Pokémon Crystal, if Kris is selected, then the male player character will not appear in the game at all (although his sprite will be used in a link battle with another game from Generation II as well as opponents in Viridian City's Trainer House).

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, if Lyra is selected to be the player character, Ethan meets her in New Bark Town at the start of the game. In this particular scene, he is seen with a Marill. He will always have Marill even if another starter Pokémon is selected. In addition, he doesn't appear to take the remaining starter Pokémon. His role in the storyline of HeartGold and SoulSilver is similar to that of Lucas/Dawn in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum if they are not chosen as the player character, while Lyra takes this place if he is selected as the player. He teaches the player how to catch Pokémon on Route 29 (replacing the Dude from Gold, Silver, and Crystal).

While playing as Lyra, his grandparents run the Pokémon Day Care on Route 34. He also gives the player the Fashion Case in Goldenrod Tunnel and the Vs. Recorder on Route 31. Naturally, this role is given to Lyra if he is the player character.

Pokémon

Ethan uses this party to show the player how to catch Pokémon when Lyra is selected as the player character in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.



Caught in tutorial
Spr 4h 019 m.png
Type:
Normal Unknown
Ability:
Run Away or Guts
Held item:
None
Rattata/ Lv.2
Tail Whip
Normal Status
  --  
   
  --  
   
  --  
   


Mentioned

When called with the Pokégear at different locations, Ethan will mention he owns certain Pokémon.

Spr 4h 128.png
Tauros*
Spr 4h 001.png
Bulbasaur*
Spr 4h 137.png
Porygon*
Spr 4h 114.png
Tangela*

Quotes

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Missing quotes

New Bark Town
  • After the player gets a starter
"<Player>! So you picked... a Chikorita/Cyndaquil/Totodile! That's a cute Pokémon you have! When you walk with it, it'll become more friendly. You should turn around and talk to it sometimes, too. Oh, that's right! Why don't you show it to your mom? See ya!"
"I wonder what a Kimono Girl wants from you..."
  • If the player speaks to his Marill
"Hmm... My Pokémon may be putting on some weight lately...
  • If the player attempts to walk to Route 27 before battling Ho-Oh/Lugia
"Hey, <player>! Where do you think you're going, <player>?"
  • In his house
  • If the player hasn't yet gotten a starter Pokémon
"<Player>! Professor Elm was looking for you. Did you go to his lab?"
  • If the player has a starter Pokémon
"My Marill is super cute... But your Chikorita/Cyndaquil/Totodile looks pretty good, too, <player>!"
  • Later in the game (if no Shiny Leaf is present on the walking Pokémon)
"Isn't it strange that when we are with Pokémon, going out is just so much more fun! <player>! Try going to different places and talk to your Pokémon! I bet you'll find out so many things about them!"
Professor Elm's lab
  • After battling Silver
"Hold on a second! She has nothing to do with it! I saw it. There was a red-haired boy looking into the building!"
"<Player>! I'm glad they understand you are innocent. See you later!"
"<Player>! Did you already collect eight Badges? That's so cool! The professor is waiting for you."
"<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."
Route 29
"There you are! <Player>! You can catch wild Pokémon with Poké Balls. Follow me!"
"See? Just like that! It's better to lower your target's HP more than I did, or make it sleep or something. You can try all kinds of things to see what works. I'll give you these. Good luck! See ya!"
  • During the capture tutorial
"All right! I got its HP down! Time to throw a Poké Ball!
Route 31
"I knew it was you, <player>! How did you get past me? Here is something neat for surprising me, <player>!"
"The Vs. Recorder can record all your Pokémon battles. I have to go now! I won't let you pass me again! Come on, Marill!"
Route 34
"Grandpa! Good work, Grandpa! The Pokémon you raised for me has been as healthy as can be! You look fit, too!"
"Hi, <player>! Let me introduce you. This is <player>. She's a Trainer. She seems to be getting better at raising Pokémon. Well, not as good as you, Grandpa, of course! Follow me, <player>!"
"Grandma! Let me introduce my friend. This is <player>!"
"What? Grandma...! What are you talking about? She just happens to live nearby..."
"Well, I better go now... See ya! Oh! I almost forgot! Here! This is my Pokégear number!"
"You know you can talk to your Pokémon as they follow you? They do all sorts of cute stuff on the road and in towns. I'm taking notes every time they do funny things. Give me a call and I'll share some of them with you."
"Grandma! Don't you say anything. We are both Trainers, and we are supposed to exchange numbers. That's all."
Celebi event
"Hi, <player>. Have you heard of the legend of the shrine? They say that people disappear when they tamper with it."
"... What was that?"
"Where are we...? Ilex Forest has disappeared! ...That's not it. It's more like we have been transported somewhere else...? <Player>, something is strange! I heard the radio mentioning the date from three years ago!"
"Is that...am I looking at...Celebi? That explains it! Celebi must have caused all this! My grandpa once told me that Celebi can travel through time using its mystic power called Time Travel! Celebi must have taken us back in time! Literally!"
"<Player>, there is someone else here besides us! Let's go find out who!"
"Who does he think he is? That was unnecessary! But what were they talking about? The revival of Team Rocket...? They say that Team Rocket was removed from the Kanto region by a child three years ago. So this really is three years ago!"
"Oh no! It's happening again...! It's Celebi's Time Travel!"
"Huh? That's the guy we just saw arguing with that boy!"
"Three years ago...? Goldenrod City...? Could this be the one the radio was trying to reach? Giovanni, their boss? Do you hear it, <player>? The radio is saying something strange! Team Rocket has occupied the Radio Tower at Goldenrod City! It can't be! <Player>, you solved this case already!"
"They keep calling for their boss. I feel sorry they don't know he's not coming. After this, <player>, you will defeat them! ...Wait a second! <Player>, you're still here. Then, who will defeat Team Rocket...?"
"Not again...! I've had enough! Please let me go back to my time!"
  • Ilex Forest
"Traveling through time sure doesn't feel good."
"Hey, my Marill! I thought I would never see you again! Wait a sec... So we must be back to our time! It was all so bizarre. But now that we are safely back to our time and Team Rocker's terrible design fell through, we can say... all's well that ends well, right? <Player>, you never cease to inspire great adventures! It sure was an exhausting day, though. I better get going. See you!"

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

Ethan is the player character in the Challenge mode of Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. In this mode, he challenges the Gym Leaders and Elite Four of Johto in puzzle games.

Artwork

Gold Silver Ethan.png Crystal Ethan.png Gold Silver Ethan running.png Gold Silver Ethan Pokégear.png Gold Silver Ethan Time Capsule.png
Official artwork from
Gold and Silver
Official artwork from
Crystal
Running Checking his Pokégear Approaching a Time Capsule
Game Freak Whitney Ethan.jpg Ruins of Alph.jpg Pokémon Gallery Encounter with Shining.png Arceus ruins art.png HGSS Walking Pokémon.png
Artwork from the Game Freak website In front of the Ruins of Alph Encountering a Shiny Pokémon In the Sinjoh Ruins Walking with Pokémon
File:Ethan and Cyndaquil artwork.png
Ethan and Cyndaquil concept artwork for Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurines

Sprites

Spr GS Ethan.png Spr C Ethan.png Spr HGSS Ethan.png Spr EthanHGSSstart.png Spr HGSS Ethan 2.png GSC Ethan Back.png HGSS Ethan Back.png VSEthan Masters.png Spr Masters Ethan.png
Sprite from
Gold and Silver
Sprite from
Crystal
Sprite from
Generation IV
Intro sprite from
Generation IV
Pokéathlon
sprite from
Generation IV
Backsprite from
Generation II
Backsprite from
Generation IV
VS Model from
Masters
Model from
Masters
EthanGSCwalkdown.png EthanHGSSwalkdown.png EthanTRHGSSwalkdown.png EthanAthUnusedHGSSwalkdown.png EthanChallenge.png Ethan walking.png Ethan opening.png Puzzle Challenge player.png
Overworld
sprite from
Generation II
Overworld sprite from
Generation IV
Overworld sprite, when disguised as a Team Rocket Grunt from
Generation IV
Overworld Pokéathlon sprite from
Generation IV
VS sprite from
Generation IV
Sprite from
the opening of
HeartGold and SoulSilver
VS sprite from
the opening of
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Sprite from
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

Optional names

Game Japanese English French German Italian Spanish Korean
Gold ゴールド Gold
ヒロキ Hiroki
テツオ Tetsuo
タカシ Takashi
Gold
Hiro
Taylor
Karl
Gold
Julien
Jean
Jacques
Gold
Daniel
Fritz
Karl
Oro
Paolo
Diego
Carlo
Oro
Hiro
Tomás
Carlos
골드 Gold
수호 Suho
인철 Incheol
강산 Gangsan
Silver シルバー Silver
カモン Kamon
トオル Tōru
マサオ Masao
Silver
Kamon
Oscar
Max
Silver
Daniel
Pierre
Paul
Silber
Thomas
Oscar
Hans
Argento
Luca
Paolo
Max
Plata
Kamon
Óscar
Max
실버 Silver
청운 Cheong'un
지겸 Jigyeom
찬호 Chanho
Crystal クリス Chris
ヨウスケ Yōsuke
タケヒロ Takehiro
タカオ Takao
Kris
Mat
Allan
Jon
Chris
Benji
Nicolas
Jean
Chris
Arnold
Gert
Jon
Chris
Sergio
Giacomo
Manuele
Chris
Antonio
Álex
Emilio
HeartGold
SoulSilver
ハート HeartHG
ソウル SoulSS
サトシ Satoshi
ケン Ken
カケル Kakeru
ジャック Jack
ジャン Jean
ジョン John
カモン Kamon
タカシ Takashi
テツオ Tetsuo
トオル Tōru
ヒロキ Hiroki
マサオ Masao
タカオ Takao
タケヒロ Takehiro
トウゴ Tōgo
ヒトシ Hitoshi
ヨシナオ Yoshinao
HeartHG
SoulSS
Ash
Nic
Dion
Duncan
Jude
Ross
ShaeHG / SheaSS
Darrell
Terell
Kris
Brad
Dwight
Talon
Lonny
Jess
Eric
Chase
Heart
Soul
Dilan
Gurvan
Gabriel
Allane
Zack
Marc
Loris
Max
Damien
Tom
Greg
Kamel
Franck
Ralph
Seb
Daniel
Thomas
HeartHG
SoulSS
Karsten
Gerd
Hans
Jack
Jan
John
Daniel
Helge
Uhland
Tobit
Ugo
Berno
Jon
Rafik
Boris
Thomas
Silvio
HeartHG
SoulSS
Ash
Nico
Elmo
Mattia
Silvano
Rossano
Kamon
Karl
Gabry
Oscar
Dino
Daniel
Manuele
Ralph
Lucio
Paolo
Marco
HeartHG
SoulSS
Ash
Llamin
Casio
Job
Chechu
Juande
Javi
Ral
Marino
Toilo
Nahum
Max
Morel
Ralph
Russ
Erminio
Quinn
하트 HeartHG
소울 SoulSS
지우 Jiu
Ken
호진 Hojin
상우 Sang'u
Jyang
재범 Jaebeom
청운 Cheong'un
강산 Gangsan
인철 Incheol
지겸 Jigyeom
숙호 Sukho
찬호 Chanho
지훈 Jihun
윤호 Yunho
케이 Kay
다인 Dain
상현 Sanghyeon


Counterparts

In the anime

In the main series

Main article: Jimmy (Johto)
Jimmy, Ethan's first anime counterpart

Jimmy, the main protagonist of The Legend of Thunder!, is the first anime counterpart of Ethan, and seems to be based on him in the most basic sense, much more than Ash was based on his game counterpart, Red. Jimmy follows Ethan's design from Pokémon Gold and Silver. Much like Ethan, Jimmy is from New Bark Town and receives a starter from Professor Elm. He also encounters the counterparts of Silver and Kris on his journey.

Ethan's second counterpart has a cameo appearance at the beginning of Zoroark: Master of Illusions, where he had a battle against Ash. This counterpart follows Ethan's updated design from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. It has been argued that this is Jimmy in an updated look, rather than a different counterpart, but this counterpart is identified as "Hibiki" (Ethan's Japanese name) in the Japanese DVD of the movie.

Pokémon

This is a listing of Ethan's known Pokémon in the anime:

Donphan
Ethan's Donphan

Ethan used Donphan in a battle against Ash at the beginning of the thirteenth movie. During the battle, it fought Pikachu. It was not shown who won the battle.

Donphan's only known move is Rollout.

In Pokémon Generations

Ethan made two brief appearances in The Lake of Rage. First, he and Lance infiltrated the Team Rocket HQ separately. He then communicated with Lance through his Pokégear about updates on their mission, and acted as a decoy for Lance's attacks.

Much like the other player characters depicted in Pokémon Generations, Ethan doesn't have any lines of dialogue.

In the manga

Ethan, like most player characters, also has several counterparts in the various Pokémon manga series.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Ethan's Pokémon Adventures counterpart, Gold
Main article: Gold (Adventures)

Gold from Pokémon Adventures is based on Ethan.

In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Main article: Gold (Golden Boys)

Gold from Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys is based on Ethan.

In the Pokémon HeartGold SoulSilver: Pokédex Completion Comic manga

Main article: Soul (PCC)

Soul from Pokémon HeartGold SoulSilver: Pokédex Completion Comic is based on Ethan.

In the Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon manga

Main article: Takashi

Takashi from Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon is based on Ethan.

In the Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure manga

Main article:

Jō from Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure is based on Ethan.

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

Main article: Gold (Pocket Monsters)

Gold from Pokémon Pocket Monsters is based on Ethan.

Trivia

Ken Sugimori's design for the anime.

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese ヒビキ Hibiki From 響き hibiki (echo; sound)
English Ethan Biblically, Ethan/Eitan is believed to be the author of Psalm 89 and/or a harp or cymbal player in King David's court.
German Klarin From Klarinette (clarinet)
Spanish Eco From eco (echo)
French Luth From luth (lute)
Italian Armonio From armonia (harmony) or armonio (harmonium)
Korean 심향 Simhyang From 심 (心) sim (heart) and 향 (響) hyang (echo)
Chinese (Mandarin) 阿響 Ā Xiǎng From 響 xiǎng / héung (echo; sound)
Chinese (Cantonese) 阿響 A Héung


Poké Ball battle V.png Capture tutors Poké Ball battle V.png
Old manPrimoProfessor OakDudeEthan/LyraWallyLucas/DawnProfessor Juniper
BiancaCalem/SerenaProfessor KukuiLeonProfessor LaventonNemona


Player characters
Core series RedLeafEthanKrisLyraBrendanMayLucasDawn
HilbertHildaNateRosaCalemSerenaElioSelene
ChaseElaineVictorGloriaReiAkariFlorianJuliana
Side series WesMichaelNateCyndy
Spin-off games MarkMintTodd SnapLucy Fleetfoot
LunickSolanaKellynKateBenSummer
HeroHeroineTim GoodmanScottieBettie
Non-player characters in the core series games
Johto Professor ElmProfessor OakMomEthanLyraSilverMr. PokémonEusineLanceRedKiyoBaobaMagnusEarlKurtCarrieDude
MaryBuenaRadio DirectorHaircut brothersWebsterMasterLiWilmaPrimoMaximoJetCaitlinCynthiaCameronMr. GameFelicityTeala
Team RocketGym guideGym LeadersFrontier BrainsKimono GirlsWeek SiblingsName RaterPoké SeerDay-Care CoupleProfessor's aides


Characters appearing in Pokémon Masters EX
Pasio ScottieBettieLearRachelSawyerPauloTina
Kanto BrockMistyLt. SurgeErikaBlaineLoreleiBrunoAgathaJanineKogaBlueGiovanniLeafLanceProfessor OakRedSabrinaJessieJamesAshElaineChase
Johto KrisBugsyWhitneyPryceClairWillKarenLyraEthanSilverJasmineMortyFalknerEusineArcherArianaPetrelProtonChuck
Hoenn BrendanRoxanneBrawlyFlanneryNormanWinonaTateLizaPhoebeDrakeNolandGlaciaZinniaStevenWallaceWallyLucyLisiaMayMaxieArchieSidneyCourtneyGreta
Sinnoh BarryRoarkGardeniaMayleneCrasher WakeCandiceFlintThortonCherylMarleyCynthiaFantinaDawnCyrusVolknerDarachLucasAaronBerthaLucianLookerAdamanIridaPalmerArgentaAkariReiRileyDahliaVolo
Unova RosaClaySkylaBrycenIrisRoxieMarlonShauntalMarshalCherenHilbertHildaElesaCaitlinGrimsleyBurghAlderNateBiancaNGhetsisIngoEmmetHughColressLenoraBrycen-ManBellelba
Kalos GrantKorrinaRamosWulfricSieboldWikstromViolaCalemValerieClemontSerenaLysandreProfessor SycamoreDianthaEvelynNitaHelenaKaliShaunaEmmaOlympiaDrasnaDanaKatherineTiernoMorganMalvaTrevorSinaDexio
Alola HauSophoclesMinaOliviaHapuKahiliNanuAcerolaKukuiPlumeriaGuzmaLusamineGladionLillieMolayneMallowSeleneElioLanaKiaweHalaThe Masked RoyalNaomiAnabelRyuki
Galar GloriaPiersLeonMarnieRaihanNessaBeaHopAllisterSoniaBedeGordieMelonyVictorBall GuyRoseOleanaEvePeteyKabuKlaraAveryMilo
Paldea NemonaPennyIonoGrushaGeetaJacqRikaPoppyLarryArvenGiacomoClavellEri
NPCs Professor BellisTristaTriciaTrinniaMeowthTabithaMattShellyMarsJupiterSaturnCilanChiliCressKiyoShadow TriadFabaArceusBrandonBengaTeam Break


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