Player character: Difference between revisions

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m (replaced: ===In the Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer=== → ===Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer===, ===In the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer=== → ===Pokémon Omega R...)
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==In the anime==
==In the anime==
===In the main series===
===Main series===
[[File:May Kanto Grand Festival.png|thumb|220px|May's anime counterpart]]
[[File:May Kanto Grand Festival.png|thumb|220px|May's anime counterpart]]
In the [[Pokémon anime]], six of the player characters have been given major roles, four of them in the main series. {{Ash}} represents {{ga|Red}} (his game counterpart), being based on him in appearance as well as basic history ([[Ritchie]], by extension of resembling Ash, also resembles Red, although his basic history is unknown).
In the [[Pokémon anime]], six of the player characters have been given major roles, four of them in the main series. {{Ash}} represents {{ga|Red}} (his game counterpart), being based on him in appearance as well as basic history ([[Ritchie]], by extension of resembling Ash, also resembles Red, although his basic history is unknown).
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[[File:Calem PG.png|thumb|left|220px|Calem in Pokémon Generations]]
[[File:Calem PG.png|thumb|left|220px|Calem in Pokémon Generations]]


===In Pokémon Origins===
===Pokémon Origins===
{{OBP|Red|Origins}} has a direct counterpart as the main character in [[Pokémon Origins]].
{{OBP|Red|Origins}} has a direct counterpart as the main character in [[Pokémon Origins]].


===In Pokémon Generations===
===Pokémon Generations===
Direct counterparts of {{ga|Red}}, {{ga|Ethan}}, {{ga|Brendan}}, {{ga|Hilbert}}, and {{ga|Calem}} appeared in [[Pokémon Generations]].
Direct counterparts of {{ga|Red}}, {{ga|Ethan}}, {{ga|Brendan}}, {{ga|Hilbert}}, and {{ga|Calem}} appeared in [[Pokémon Generations]].


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[[File:Brendan May ORAS Trailer.png|thumb|220px|left|May and Brendan in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer]]
[[File:Brendan May ORAS Trailer.png|thumb|220px|left|May and Brendan in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer]]


===In the Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer===
===Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer===
Nate and Rosa both appeared in [[Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer|the animated trailer for Pokémon Black and White Versions 2]].
Nate and Rosa both appeared in [[Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 Animated Trailer|the animated trailer for Pokémon Black and White Versions 2]].


===In the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer===
===Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer===
Brendan and May both appeared in [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer|the animated trailer for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]].
Brendan and May both appeared in [[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer|the animated trailer for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]].
{{-}}
{{-}}
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Many of the characters appearing in various [[Pokémon manga]] are based on player and rival characters from the [[core series]] games. These characters usually play a major role within the series.
Many of the characters appearing in various [[Pokémon manga]] are based on player and rival characters from the [[core series]] games. These characters usually play a major role within the series.


===In the Pokémon Adventures manga===
===Pokémon Adventures===
[[File:Ruby Adventures.png|thumb|150px|{{adv|Ruby}}, one of Brendan's manga counterparts]]
[[File:Ruby Adventures.png|thumb|150px|{{adv|Ruby}}, one of Brendan's manga counterparts]]
[[Pokémon Adventures]] features many [[cross-canon counterpart]]s for most of the player and rival characters in the games, with {{adv|Red}} being based on his game counterpart. This is also the case for his two fellow Kanto [[Pokédex holder]]s. The same applies for nearly all other main characters in the series; {{adv|Gold}}, for example, is based on the then-unnamed player character Ethan. However, because the [[Pokémon Yellow Version|Yellow version]], the fourth installment to the first generation, gave no additional protagonists, {{adv|Yellow}} was created, revealed to have been the girl Red rescued in [[Viridian Forest]] before his battle with {{adv|Giovanni}}. {{adv|Emerald}} is another cognate case, as in the entirety of [[Generation III]], only two player characters were given. {{adv|Wally}}, the closest thing to a third main character, was dropped in favor of this new character designed entirely from scratch. As of the {{chap2|Diamond & Pearl}} and {{chap|Platinum}}s, only the first ten main characters have met each other, as none of the Sinnoh Dex Holders have ventured out of their region.
[[Pokémon Adventures]] features many [[cross-canon counterpart]]s for most of the player and rival characters in the games, with {{adv|Red}} being based on his game counterpart. This is also the case for his two fellow Kanto [[Pokédex holder]]s. The same applies for nearly all other main characters in the series; {{adv|Gold}}, for example, is based on the then-unnamed player character Ethan. However, because the [[Pokémon Yellow Version|Yellow version]], the fourth installment to the first generation, gave no additional protagonists, {{adv|Yellow}} was created, revealed to have been the girl Red rescued in [[Viridian Forest]] before his battle with {{adv|Giovanni}}. {{adv|Emerald}} is another cognate case, as in the entirety of [[Generation III]], only two player characters were given. {{adv|Wally}}, the closest thing to a third main character, was dropped in favor of this new character designed entirely from scratch. As of the {{chap2|Diamond & Pearl}} and {{chap|Platinum}}s, only the first ten main characters have met each other, as none of the Sinnoh Dex Holders have ventured out of their region.

Revision as of 18:45, 3 March 2021

050Diglett.png This article is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Pokkén Tournament player characters, Art Academy

The beginning of Red's Pokémon journey.

A player character (Japanese: 主人公 protagonist) in the world of Pokémon is the main character in the plot of the Pokémon games. Remarkably silent, players are represented by an avatar; it is left up to the real player to "fill in" what they imagine the character is feeling, thinking, and acting, thus immersing them within the world of the game.

In the core series

Gameplay

In the core series games, the player characters are Pokémon Trainers beginning their Pokémon journey. They start their journey in their hometown by getting a starter Pokémon, a Pokémon that appears very early in their native region's Pokédex, and is usually of the Grass-, Fire-, or Water-type. The region's resident Pokémon Professor will always give them this, as well as a Pokédex. Starting in Pokémon Crystal, players can also choose their character's gender. Usually, they have rivals who begin their journey at about the same time. Players take part in several events, and meet a great number of Pokémon and people during their adventure. A common target is to conquer a Pokémon League's eight Gym Leaders and Elite Four, and become the Champion. Several additional side-quests occur during and after each game's main plot.

To date, only one player character has reappeared from an older generation in a role other than that of the player. In Generation II and the Generation IV remakes, when Ethan or Kris/Lyra travels to Mt. Silver and reaches the deepest point of the cave, Red is found, utterly silent as he was under the player's control. At the time of these games' respective releases, Red's Pikachu was the highest-leveled Pokémon owned by an in-game Trainer (Barry's fully evolved starter Pokémon temporarily surpassed the standard set in Gold and Silver until the release of their remakes, HeartGold and SoulSilver). Red reappeared in Black 2 and White 2, in the Champions Tournament of the Pokémon World Tournament, and again in the Alola-based Generation VII games, as the leader of the Battle Tree with Blue.

The player character can be named in all core series games at the beginning of the game using the same interface as that for entering nicknames for Pokémon.

In the side series

Stadium series

Three unnamed player characters appear in Pokémon Stadium series. Japanese-only Pokémon Stadium featured one male character, whose design was likely based on Red. However, for the sequel, a brand new male character was created. This player was also in Pokémon Stadium 2, where he was given a female counterpart. She appears when a player uses a Pokémon Crystal Game Pak. Like the core series player characters, these three characters remain silent throughout the games.

Additionally, the Pokémon Stadium series includes various minigames featuring Pokémon as player characters. For instance Pikachu or Voltorb are the player characters in "Thundering Dynamo" from Pokémon Stadium, while Cleffa and Igglybuff are the player characters in "Streaming Stampede" from Pokémon Stadium 2.

Orre series

Aside from the standard that many of the games' player characters take in their journey, there are also several other ways in which other player characters complete their journey, such as Wes and Michael in Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness who are called to defeat Cipher and free all of their snagged Pokémon from their Shadow state.

In spin-off games

Mobile

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, the player character can be chosen and customized at the beginning of the game. They can also be customized at any time from the profile screen starting in version 0.31.0.

The default male player character originally wore the gray weave hat, no glasses, the a shirt that came with fingerless gloves, a green and red backpack, the red and black pants and leggings, and green shoes. After an update the overhaled the trainer's wardrobe, the default male player character wears the gray trainer visor, no glasses, the light blue classic hoodie, a yellow trainer backpack, yellow fingerless gloves, trainer shorts, gray leggings, and yellow running shoes. Both designs feature the character with brunette hair, teal eyes, and light skin.

The default female player character originally wore the white and red cap, no glasses, the maroon shirt that came with a choker and gloves of the same color, a red backpack, an orange ball buckle belt, gray and black pants, and orange shoes. After an update that overhaled the trainer's wardrobe, the default female player character wears the black ball cap, no glasses, the black ribbon choker, the crimson classic longsleeve, a teal urban pack, black fingerless gloves, crimson ball buckle, crimson sprint suit, black long leg warmers, and red running shoes. Both designs feature the character with brunette hair, teal eyes, and light skin.

Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, the player character, Scottie or Bettie, is a Pokémon Trainer who travels to the artificial island of Pasio to participate in the Pokémon Masters League tournament.

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

In Pokémon: Magikarp Jump, the player plays as a person of ambiguous gender always referred to as "you", who fishes and trains Magikarp to jump as high as possible.

Pokémon Quest

Main article: Player (Quest)

In Pokémon Quest, the player explores the Tumblecube Island and befriends Pokémon.

Game Boy Color

Pokémon Trading Card Game series

In Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Card GB2: Here Comes Team GR!, Mark and Mint do not use actual Pokémon themselves, but cards instead.

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

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

Nintendo DS

Pokémon Conquest

In Pokémon Conquest, the player character is the Warlord of Ransei's kingdom of Aurora. Their objective is to unite the seventeen kingdoms of the region, stop Nobunaga, and meet the legendary Pokémon that created Ransei. As more stories are unlocked, more characters become playable.

Pokémon Ranger series

In the Pokémon Ranger series, Lunick, Solana, Kellyn, Kate, Ben and Summer are not Pokémon Trainers, but instead Pokémon Rangers. They use the Pokémon they have captured with the Capture Styler to help them along the way. They also have partner Pokémon that follow them wherever they go.

Pokémon Trozei

In Pokémon Trozei!, the main protagonist is Lucy Fleetfoot, who must release all the Pokémon stolen by Phobos Battalion.

Pokémon Dash

In Pokémon Dash, the player character is Pikachu.

Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure

In Learn with Pokémon: Typing Adventure, the player can choose from four preset outfits, two for each gender, at the beginning of the game.

Nintendo 3DS

Detective Pikachu

In Detective Pikachu, the protagonist is Tim Goodman, who teams up with Detective Pikachu to solve several mysteries and to find his missing father.

Nintendo 64

Pokémon Snap

In Pokémon Snap, Todd Snap must strive for something different from Trainers. He must capture all the Pokémon on Pokémon Island—on film.

Hey You, Pikachu!

Main article: Player (Hey You, Pikachu!)

In Hey You, Pikachu!, the player uses the PokéHelper to talk to Pikachu. The player is shown as a silhouette.

Pokémon Puzzle League

Pokémon Puzzle League is an anime-based game. The player characters come from the anime, instead of their core series counterparts. In the 1P Stadium mode, the player character is Ash Ketchum. In the 2P Stadium mode, there are 15 player characters to choose: Ash Ketchum, Gary Oak, the Team Rocket trio, Tracey, Ritchie, Brock, Misty, Lt. Surge, Erika, Koga, Sabrina, Blaine, Giovanni, Lorelei, and Bruno.

Wii

PokéPark series

In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure, the player character is a Pikachu. In PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond, the player characters are Pikachu, Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott.

Arcade

Pokémon Ga-Olé

In Pokémon Ga-Olé, the main protagonist can be played in the arcade game as either a male or a female.

Pokkén Tournament

In Pokkén Tournament, the player took control of a character who wishes to rise to the top of the Ferrum League. The player avatar can be customized at the beginning of the game, with more customization options available to purchase in the shop as the game progresses.

Pokémon Battrio

Main article: Avatar (Battrio)

Players with Memory Keys have the ability to create an avatar (Japanese: アバター) that will serve as their profile for all activity while playing Pokémon Battrio. Players can select either a male or female avatar of varying types, and give their profile a nickname of up to four characters.

Windows

Pokémon Play It! series

In Pokémon Play It! and Pokémon Play It! Version 2, Julie talks directly with the unseen player character. In the introduction of both games, Julie says that she and the player character are Pokémon Trainers. However, they play the Trading Card Game rather than train Pokémon.

Perdue series

In Pokémon Team Rocket Blast Off, Pokémon Poké Ball Launcher, and Pokémon Seek & Find, the player characters are Ash Ketchum and May.

Pokémon Team Turbo

In Pokémon Team Turbo, there are 20 racers available: Bulbasaur, Venusaur, Charmander, Charmeleon, Squirtle, Blastoise, Pikachu, Treecko, Torchic, Blaziken, Mudkip, Skitty, Plusle, Spheal, Metagross, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Deoxys, and Munchlax.

Various

Pokémon Rumble series

In Pokémon Rumble, the player starts as a Toy Rattata. In Pokémon Rumble Blast, the player starts as a Toy Pikachu. In Pokémon Rumble World, the player starts as their Mii character.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, players play as actual Pokémon. Unlike most other Pokémon games, the player actually talks, but is given preset responses to say to questions. In Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky, after defeating Dialga on the top of the Temporal Tower, on the way back to Wigglytuff's Guild, the player speaks in full sentences instead of silently thinking to themselves or having answer choices. This type of dialogue is used by the player on rare occasions, in small amounts, throughout the story of Gates to Infinity.

Super Smash Bros. series

The Super Smash Bros. series of fighting games includes characters from multiple franchises other than Pokémon. The playable characters from the Pokémon franchise found in Smash Bros. games are: Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Pichu, Mewtwo, Lucario, Squirtle, Ivysaur, Charizard, Greninja, and Incineroar. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Squirtle, Ivysaur and Charizard are playable under the control of the Pokémon Trainer, who is based on the player character versions of Red and Leaf and represents the concept of player characters in the Pokémon games.

Gallery

Core series

Game RGBY FRLG GS C HGSS RS E ORAS DP Pt BDSP
Male

Red Green Red.png

FireRed LeafGreen Red.png

Gold Silver Ethan.png

Crystal Ethan.png

HeartGold SoulSilver Ethan.png

Ruby Sapphire Brendan.png

Emerald Brendan.png

Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Brendan.png

Diamond Pearl Lucas.png

Platinum Lucas.png

Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Lucas.png

Red Ethan Brendan Lucas
Female N/A

FireRed LeafGreen Leaf.png

N/A

Crystal Kris.png

HeartGold SoulSilver Lyra.png

Ruby Sapphire May.png

Emerald May.png

Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire May.png

Diamond Pearl Dawn.png

Platinum Dawn.png

Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Dawn.png

Leaf Kris Lyra May Dawn
BW B2W2 XY SM USUM PE SwSh LA
Male

Black White Hilbert.png

Black 2 White 2 Nate.png

XY Calem.png

Sun Moon Protagonist Elio.png

Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Protagonist male.png

Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Male Trainer.png

Sword Shield Male Trainer.png

File:Legends Arceus Main Character male.png

Hilbert Nate Calem Elio Chase Victor ???
Female

Black White Hilda.png

Black 2 White 2 Rosa.png

XY Serena.png

Sun Moon Selene.png

Ultra Sun Ultra Moon Selene.png

Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Elaine.png

Sword Shield Gloria.png

File:Legends Arceus Main Character female.png

Hilda Rosa Serena Selene Elaine Gloria ???

Side games

Stadium (JPN) Stadium (ENG) & Stadium 2 Stadium 2 Colosseum XD Battle Revolution
SJP Player Boy.png S2 Hero.png S2 Heroine.png Colosseum Wes 3D.png XD Michael.png PBR Nate.png PBR Cyndy.png
Boy Girl Wes Michael Nate Cyndy

Spin-off games

GO Masters EX Conquest Ga-Olé
GO Player M.png GO Player F.png Masters Scottie.png Masters Bettie.png Conquest Hero I.png Conquest Heroine I.png Ga-Olé Protagonist male.png Ga-Olé Protagonist female.png
Male Female Scottie Bettie Hero Heroine Male Female
Ranger Ranger: Shadows of Almia Ranger: Guardian Signs TCG GB1
TCG GB2
TCG GB2
Ranger Lunick.png Ranger Solana.png Kellyn.png Kate.png Ben.png Summer.png Mark.png Mint 2.png
Lunick Solana Kellyn Kate Ben Summer Mark Mint
Typing Adventure Snap Trozei Magikarp Jump Detective Pikachu
Typing Boy 1.png Typing Boy 2.png Typing Girl 1.png Typing Girl 2.png Snap Todd Snap.png Lucy Fleetfoot Trozei.png Magikarp Jump You.png Tim Goodman artwork.png
Boy Girl Todd Snap Lucy Fleetfoot You Tim Goodman
Hey You, Pikachu! Puzzle Challenge
Player Hey You Pikachu.png Puzzle Challenge player.png
Player Ethan

Super Smash Bros. series

Super Smash Bros. series
Pikachu SSBU.png Jigglypuff SSBU.png Mewtwo SSBU.png Pichu SSBU.png Pokemon Trainer SSBU.png Female Trainer SSBU.png
Pikachu Jigglypuff Mewtwo Pichu Pokémon Trainer
Squirtle SSBU.png Ivysaur SSBU.png Charizard SSBU.png Lucario SSBU.png Greninja SSBU.png Incineroar SSBU.png
Squirtle Ivysaur Charizard Lucario Greninja Incineroar

Battrio

Battrio
Male
Battrio avatar hotblooded m.png Battrio avatar cool m.png Battrio avatar glasses m.png Battrio avatar mischievous m.png Battrio avatar fashionable m.png
Hot Blooded Type Cool Type Glasses Type Naughty Type Fashionable Type
Female
Battrio avatar hotblooded f.png Battrio avatar cool f.png Battrio avatar glasses f.png Battrio avatar mischievous f.png Battrio avatar fashionable f.png
Hot Blooded Type Cool Type Glasses Type Naughty Type Fashionable Type

Pokémon characters

Pikachu's Adventure &
Wonders Beyond
Wonders Beyond Rumble Rumble Blast Dash
PP2 Pikachu.png PP2 Snivy.png PP2 Tepig.png PP2 Oshawott.png 019Rattata.png Pikachu Pokémon Rumble Blast.png Pikachu Dash.png
Pikachu Snivy Tepig Oshawott Rattata Pikachu Pikachu
Electric Grass Fire Water Normal Electric Electric

Stadium minigames

Stadium (ENG)
Clefairy Says Dig! Dig! Dig! Ekans' Hoop Hurl Magikarp's Splash Rock Harden
Stadium035.png Stadium027.png Stadium023.png Stadium129.png Stadium011.png Stadium014.png
Clefairy Sandshrew Ekans Magikarp Metapod Kakuna
Run, Rattata, Run Snore War Sushi-Go-Round Thundering Dynamo
Stadium019.png Stadium096.png Stadium108.png Stadium025.png Stadium100.png
Rattata Drowzee Lickitung Pikachu Voltorb
Stadium 2
Barrier Ball Clear Cut Challenge Delibird's Delivery Eager Eevee
Stadium122.png Stadium123.png Stadium212.png Stadium127.png Stadium225.png Stadium133.png
Mr. Mime Scyther Scizor Pinsir Delibird Eevee
Egg Emergency Furret's Frolic Gutsy Golbat Pichu's Power Plant
Stadium113.png Stadium162.png Stadium203.png Stadium042.png Stadium172.png Stadium025.png
Chansey Furret Girafarig Golbat Pichu Pikachu
Rampage Rollout Streaming Stampede Topsy-Turvy Tumbling Togepi
Stadium232.png Stadium173.png Stadium174.png Stadium237.png Stadium175.png Stadium138.png
Donphan Cleffa Igglybuff Hitmontop Togepi Omanyte

Pokémon Team Turbo

TT Bulbasaur.png TT Venusaur.png TT Charmander.png TT Charmeleon.png TT Squirtle.png
Bulbasaur Venusaur Charmander Charmeleon Squirtle
TT Blastoise.png TT Pikachu.png TT Treecko.png TT Torchic.png TT Blaziken.png
Blastoise Pikachu Treecko Torchic Blaziken
TT Mudkip.png TT Skitty.png TT Plusle.png TT Spheal.png TT Metagross.png
Mudkip Skitty Plusle Spheal Metagross
TT Kyogre.png TT Groudon.png TT Rayquaza.png TT Deoxys.png TT Munchlax.png
Kyogre Groudon Rayquaza Deoxys Munchlax

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, Blue Rescue Team and Rescue Team DX

001Bulbasaur PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Bulbasaur
004Charmander PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Charmander
007Squirtle PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Squirtle
025Pikachu-Male PMD Rescue Team DX.png025Pikachu-Female PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Pikachu
Grass Poison Fire Water Electric
052Meowth PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Meowth
054Psyduck PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Psyduck
066Machop PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Machop
104Cubone PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Cubone
Normal Water Fighting Ground
133Eevee-Male PMD Rescue Team DX.png
133Eevee-Female PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Eevee
152Chikorita PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Chikorita
155Cyndaquil PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Cyndaquil
158Totodile PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Totodile
Normal Grass Fire Water
252Treecko PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Treecko
255Torchic PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Torchic
258Mudkip PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Mudkip
300Skitty PMD Rescue Team DX.png
Skitty
Grass Fire Water Normal

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness

MDP E 001.png
Bulbasaur
MDP E 004.png
Charmander
MDP E 007.png
Squirtle
MDP E 025.png
Pikachu
MDP E 052.png
Meowth
MDP E 152.png
Chikorita
MDP E 155.png
Cyndaquil
MDP E 158.png
Totodile
Grass Poison Fire Water Electric Normal Grass Fire Water
MDP E 252.png
Treecko
MDP E 255.png
Torchic
MDP E 258.png
Mudkip
MDP E 300.png
Skitty
MDP E 387.png
Turtwig
MDP E 390.png
Chimchar
MDP E 393.png
Piplup
MDP E 446.png
Munchlax
Grass Fire Water Normal Grass Fire Water Normal

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

MDP E 001.png
Bulbasaur
MDP E 004.png
Charmander
MDP E 007.png
Squirtle
MDP E 025.png
Pikachu
MDP E 037.png
Vulpix
MDP E 133.png
Eevee
MDP E 152.png
Chikorita
Grass Poison Fire Water Electric Fire Normal Grass
MDP E 155.png
Cyndaquil
MDP E 158.png
Totodile
MDP E 231.png
Phanpy
MDP E 252.png
Treecko
MDP E 255.png
Torchic
MDP E 258.png
Mudkip
MDP E 300.png
Skitty
Fire Water Ground Grass Fire Water Normal
MDP E 387.png
Turtwig
MDP E 390.png
Chimchar
MDP E 393.png
Piplup
MDP E 403.png
Shinx
MDP E 447.png
Riolu
Grass Fire Water Electric Fighting

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Keep Going! Blazing Adventure Squad!

004Charmander.png
Charmander
037Vulpix.png
Vulpix
058Growlithe.png
Growlithe
133Eevee.png
Eevee
155Cyndaquil.png
Cyndaquil
Fire Fire Fire Normal Fire
216Teddiursa.png
Teddiursa
255Torchic.png
Torchic
390Chimchar.png
Chimchar
427Buneary.png
Buneary
Normal Fire Fire Normal

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Let's Go! Stormy Adventure Squad!

007Squirtle.png
Squirtle
158Totodile.png
Totodile
194Wooper.png
Wooper
231Phanpy.png
Phanpy
258Mudkip.png
Mudkip
Water Water Water Ground Ground Water
298Azurill.png
Azurill
360Wynaut.png
Wynaut
393Piplup.png
Piplup
447Riolu.png
Riolu
Normal Psychic Water Fighting

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Go For It! Light Adventure Squad!

025Pikachu.png
Pikachu
052Meowth.png
Meowth
054Psyduck.png
Psyduck
172Pichu.png
Pichu
175Togepi.png
Togepi
Electric Normal Water Electric Normal
179Mareep.png
Mareep
239Elekid.png
Elekid
403Shinx.png
Shinx
417Pachirisu.png
Pachirisu
Electric Electric Electric Electric

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

025Pikachu PMDGTI.png
Pikachu
495Snivy PMDGTI.png
Snivy
498Tepig PMDGTI.png
Tepig
501Oshawott PMDGTI.png
Oshawott
610Axew PMDGTI.png
Axew
Electric Grass Fire Water Dragon

Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon

001Bulbasaur PSMD.png
Bulbasaur
004Charmander PSMD.png
Charmander
007Squirtle PSMD.png
Squirtle
025Pikachu PSMD.png
Pikachu
152Chikorita PSMD.png
Chikorita
Grass Poison Fire Water Electric Grass
155Cyndaquil PSMD.png
Cyndaquil
158Totodile PSMD.png
Totodile
252Treecko PSMD.png
Treecko
255Torchic PSMD.png
Torchic
258Mudkip PSMD.png
Mudkip
Fire Water Grass Fire Water
387Turtwig PSMD.png
Turtwig
390Chimchar PSMD.png
Chimchar
393Piplup PSMD.png
Piplup
447Riolu PSMD.png
Riolu
495Snivy PSMD.png
Snivy
Grass Fire Water Fighting Grass
498Tepig PSMD.png
Tepig
501Oshawott PSMD.png
Oshawott
650Chespin PSMD.png
Chespin
653Fennekin PSMD.png
Fennekin
656Froakie PSMD.png
Froakie
Fire Water Grass Fire Water

In the anime

Main series

May's anime counterpart

In the Pokémon anime, six of the player characters have been given major roles, four of them in the main series. Ash represents Red (his game counterpart), being based on him in appearance as well as basic history (Ritchie, by extension of resembling Ash, also resembles Red, although his basic history is unknown).

At the beginning of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, May was introduced in order to better represent Generation III, as both Misty and Brock are characters who originated in Generation I. Likewise, at the beginning of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, Dawn joined Ash. In Pokémon the Series: XY, Serena joined Ash in order to represent Generation VI.

Jimmy and Marina appeared in The Legend of Thunder! special, taking a similar role to Ash and his companions, fighting Team Rocket members to protect Legendary Pokémon. While the protagonists of Generation II did not join Ash's company, these two filled the roles as the anime counterparts to Ethan and Kris.

Lyra appeared in An Egg Scramble!, and joined the group for a brief time until Bagged Then Tagged!.

Ash and his friends have also encountered several player characters from the side games. Todd Snap was the first, and a special case, as he originated in the anime before appearing in Pokémon Snap. He joins the group for a few episodes at two points in the anime: once during the Indigo League and once during Johto League Champions. The others, Solana, Kellyn, and Ben are all Pokémon Rangers that Ash and friends assisted in rescuing and protecting Pokémon.

So far, Brendan has only made a few select cameo appearances at the beginning of some of the movies, while Lucas made a cameo at the beginning of Giratina and the Sky Warrior, where he was battling Brendan. Ethan also appears with a second counterpart at the beginning of Zoroark: Master of Illusions.

None of the Generation V, Generation VII, and Generation VIII player characters have yet been seen in the main anime.

Red in Pokémon Origins
Calem in Pokémon Generations

Pokémon Origins

Red has a direct counterpart as the main character in Pokémon Origins.

Pokémon Generations

Direct counterparts of Red, Ethan, Brendan, Hilbert, and Calem appeared in Pokémon Generations.

Much like Red, none of the other player characters depicted in the miniseries have any lines of dialogue.

Nate in the Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer
May and Brendan in the Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

Nate and Rosa both appeared in the animated trailer for Pokémon Black and White Versions 2.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer

Brendan and May both appeared in the animated trailer for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

In the manga

Many of the characters appearing in various Pokémon manga are based on player and rival characters from the core series games. These characters usually play a major role within the series.

Pokémon Adventures

Ruby, one of Brendan's manga counterparts

Pokémon Adventures features many cross-canon counterparts for most of the player and rival characters in the games, with Red being based on his game counterpart. This is also the case for his two fellow Kanto Pokédex holders. The same applies for nearly all other main characters in the series; Gold, for example, is based on the then-unnamed player character Ethan. However, because the Yellow version, the fourth installment to the first generation, gave no additional protagonists, Yellow was created, revealed to have been the girl Red rescued in Viridian Forest before his battle with Giovanni. Emerald is another cognate case, as in the entirety of Generation III, only two player characters were given. Wally, the closest thing to a third main character, was dropped in favor of this new character designed entirely from scratch. As of the Diamond & Pearl and Platinum arcs, only the first ten main characters have met each other, as none of the Sinnoh Dex Holders have ventured out of their region.

Additionally, though Lyra is usually accepted as a different character from Kris, Crystal has appeared wearing her clothes to serve as a counterpart, rather than introducing a second Johto female protagonist for the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc.

In other manga

In addition to the Pokémon Adventures characters, there are many characters that have very similar character designs as player or rival characters from the games. These include Red from Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Rald from Pokémon Battle Frontier, Hareta and Mitsumi from Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!, and Black from Golden Boys.

Trivia

  • Most of the male characters that Ash, the main character from the Pokémon anime, has encountered have been from side games, like Pokémon Ranger. The only counterpart of a male player character who has met Ash is Ethan, in the thirteenth movie.
  • Red's dialogue during his appearance as an NPC reflects the games' player characters' status as silent protagonists.
  • The list of default names per gender generally repeats from game to game, starting in Pokémon Crystal. Exceptions to this are character-specific names, which are names unique to a character and are usually references to the title or aspects of the game.
  • Until Generation V, the given Japanese names of the male player characters in the core series games (as NPCs) all end in ki (). This excludes Red's appearance in Generations II and IV, as he is not a player character during the games when he is an NPC. Inclusively, Lunick's Japanese name also ends in ki.


Player characters
Core series RedLeafEthanKrisLyraBrendanMayLucasDawn
HilbertHildaNateRosaCalemSerenaElioSelene
ChaseElaineVictorGloriaReiAkariFlorianJuliana
Side series WesMichaelNateCyndy
Spin-off games MarkMintTodd SnapLucy Fleetfoot
LunickSolanaKellynKateBenSummer
HeroHeroineTim GoodmanScottieBettie


Project CharacterDex logo.png 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.