Ethan (game): Difference between revisions

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
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
Game animation debut	The Lake of Rage
English voice actor
Japanese voice actor
Anime counterpart	Jimmy, Ethan (M13)
Counterpart debut	The Legend of Thunder!
Manga counterpart(s)	Gold, Gold, Gold, Jō, Takashi

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.

Storyline in the games

When selected as the player character

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, analogous to Blue in Generation I.

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, Ethan learns his name from his dropped Trainer Card, and 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.

When not selected as the player 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.

PKMN Trainer Ethan Route 29 HeartGold and SoulSilver Reward: N/A
Type: Water Unknown Ability: Unknown Held item: None Marill♂ Lv.5 Tackle Normal Physical   --       Defense Curl Normal Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

Caught in tutorial

	Type: Normal Unknown Ability: Run Away or Guts Held item: None
Rattata♂/♀ Lv.2
Tail Whip Normal Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --       Curse Unknown Status   --

Quotes (as NPC)

This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Some more 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!"

• After receiving a Master Ball from Elm

"I wonder what a Kimono Girl wants from you..."

• If spoke 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 got 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!"

• After earning the Rising Badge

"<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!"

• In battle

"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!"
• "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!"

Artwork

Official artwork from Gold and Silver	Official artwork from Crystal	Running	Checking his Pokégear	Approaching a Time Capsule
Artwork from the Game Freak website	In front of the Ruins of Alph	Encountering a Shiny Pokémon	In the Sinjoh Ruins	Walking with Pokémon

Sprites

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
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

Optional names

Counterparts

In the anime

In the main series

Main article: Jimmy (Johto)

Jimmy, Ethan's first anime counterpart

Jimmy from the special episode The Legend of Thunder seems to be based on Ethan in the most basic sense, much more than Ash was based on his counterpart, Red. Jimmy follows Ethan's design from Pokémon Gold and Silver. However, as with the other game player characters, Ethan and Jimmy are not interchangeable.

Ethan's second counterpart has a cameo appearance at the beginning of Zoroark: Master of Illusions, in a battle against Ash. This counterpart follows Ethan's updated design from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. It is argued that this is Jimmy 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 used Donphan in a battle against Ash at the beginning of the thirteenth movie. During the battle, it fought against Pikachu. It was not shown who won the battle. Donphan's only known move is Rollout.
Debut	Zoroark: Master of Illusions

In Pokémon Generations

Ethan in Pokémon Generations

Ethan made two brief appearances during the Pokémon Generations episode The Lake of Rage while he and Lance infiltrated the Team Rocket HQ. He was shown communicating with Lance through his Pokégear about updates on their mission, and acted as a decoy for Lance's attacks. As a silent protagonist, he wasn't shown speaking, like Red.

In the manga

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

In Pokémon Adventures manga

Main article: Gold (Adventures)

Gold from the Pokémon Adventures is based on Ethan.

In Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga

Main article: Gold (Golden Boys)

The main character, Gold, in Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga 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

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 the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga is based on Ethan.

Trivia

Ken Sugimori's design for the anime.

• The Gold and Silver artwork was originally presented in the Official Guidebook of Nintendo Space World '97 (Japanese: NINTENDOスペースワールド'97オフィシャルガイドブック), along with Silver, Oak, Schoolboy, Lass, Firebreather, Kimono Girl, Fisher, Ho-Oh, Slowking, Ampharos, Donphan, and the new Pokédex.
• Ethan is 4'11" (1.50 m) tall and weighs 88.2 lbs (40 kg) in HeartGold and SoulSilver.
  • Alolan Sandshrew, Clefable, Latias, Gurdurr, Greninja, Ash-Greninja, and Minior (Meteor Form) are all the same weight as Ethan.
• Before he received an official name in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, most fans called him Gold (Japanese: ゴールド Gold).
• Ethan is the only male player character to have two female counterparts; Kris and Lyra.
• The majority of his Japanese default names from HeartGold and SoulSilver are shared with Red and Lucas. The same holds true for their respective female counterparts.
• A 1997 pamphlet describing Gold and Silver mentions that the protagonist has a brother three years his senior, and seems to imply the possibility of that brother being the first-generation protagonist. However, this aspect of his character was discarded by the time of the final release, as Red's mother still lives in Pallet Town.
• On the "Area" map on the Pokédex in HeartGold and SoulSilver, Ethan's headshot sprite shows his hat from Gold and Silver. An earlier, unused version of this sprite is also found within other scrapped Pokégear graphics data, in which Kris appears instead of Lyra.

Names

Capture tutors Old man • Primo • Professor Oak • Dude • Ethan/Lyra • Wally • Lucas/Dawn • Professor Juniper Bianca • Calem/Serena • Professor Kukui • Leon • Professor Laventon • Nemona

This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.