List of Pokémon anime characters - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

This is a list of characters in the Pokémon
Pokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...

anime series.

Protagonists

Voiced by: Rica Matsumoto

Rica Matsumoto

is a Japanese voice actress and J-pop singer who was born in Yokohama, Japan. Her name is also sometimes romanized as Rika Matsumoto. She was one of the original members of the popular vocal group JAM Project. After the way of the stage, she embarked on voice acting and a singing career...

(Japanese), Veronica Taylor

Veronica Taylor

Veronica Taylor is an American voice actress. Taylor is best known for her dubbing work in English-language anime adaptations, in particular for voicing Ash Ketchum in the English dub of the Japanese anime, Pokémon....

(4Kids Entertainment

4Kids Entertainment

4Kids Entertainment is an American film and television production company in bankruptcy since April 2011. It is known for English-dubbing Japanese anime and specializing in the acquisition, production and licensing of children's entertainment around the United States...

, English), Sarah Natochenny

Sarah Natochenny

Sarah Natochenny is an American actress and fashion model. She is known for providing the voice of Ash in the Pokémon anime metaseries. and movies since 2006, taking over for Veronica Taylor. Natochenny also voiced the lead role Alicia on the Xbox 360 video game Bullet Witch...

(TPCI, english) Kayzie Rogers

Kayzie Rogers

Kayzie Rogers is an American voice actress. She is best known for her work in animated television series....

(The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, later released in Japan as is a special hour-long episode of the Pokémon anime series created for the tenth anniversary of the franchise. This special premiered on Kids' WB! on April 29, 2006...

broadcast, English),

Ash is the main protagonist

Protagonist

A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...

of the Pokémon anime

Pokémon (anime)

, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...

. His dream is to become the greatest Pokémon Master in the world. There are also incarnations of him in a plethora of manga adaptations

Pokémon (manga)

There are various Pokémon manga series. The manga are usually published in Japan by Shogakukan, and translated into English in North America by Viz Media and Chuang Yi in English in Asian countries...

, of which include The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pocket Monsters Zensho, and Ash & Pikachu. He is loosely based on Red, the protagonist of the games Pokémon Red and Blue

Pokémon Red and Blue

Pokémon Red Version and Blue Version, originally released in Japan as , are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy. They are the first installments to the Pokémon series. They were first released in Japan in 1996 as Red and Green, with Blue being...

. The family name

Family name

A family name is a type of surname and part of a person's name indicating the family to which the person belongs. The use of family names is widespread in cultures around the world...

"Ketchum" is a pun on the franchise's

Pokémon

is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...

former tagline and slogan, "Gotta catch 'em all"!

Voiced by: Mayumi Iizuka

Mayumi Iizuka

is a Japanese voice actress and J-pop singer who was born in Tokyo and grew up in Taiwan and Yokohama. Iizuka is a member of Gekidan Wakakusa and Tokuma Japan Communications....

(Japanese), Rachael Lillis

Rachael Lillis

Rachael Lillis is an American actress and voice actress. She studied acting in Boston and New York City and has appeared in various theater and independent films....

(4Kids, English), Michele Knotz

Michele Knotz

Michele Knotz is an American voice actress who works for New York-based studios such as TAJ Productions. She is currently recording at DuArt Film and Video, where she provides the voices for various characters in the Pokémon anime....

(TPCI, English)

Ash's first traveling friend, Misty is a trainer who journeys with him throughout the first five seasons. She is revealed as one of the four gym leaders for Cerulean City in episode 7. Her dream is to be the world's greatest "Water Pokémon Master," but her means of accomplishing this are never really made clear. She has made several friends and rivals over the course of her journeys and claims she is a better Pokémon trainer than Ash. Her sisters never treated her well, and that story came up from time to time when she was traveling with Ash. At the end of the original series she takes over Cerulean Gym, however, she still contacts Ash from time to time and receives help from Tracey on a daily basis. Misty is a primary character in the seasons of the original series, with guest appearances in the Advanced Challenge, Advanced Battle, and Battle Frontier seasons.

Voiced by: Yuji Ueda

Yuji Ueda

is a popular Japanese seiyū.He is most known for the roles of Sagara Sanosuke , Akito Tenkawa , Takeshi , Horohoro , Johannes Krauser II and Keitaro Urashima ....

(Japanese), Eric Stuart

Eric Stuart

Eric Stuart is a voice actor, voice director, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. As the lead singer of his own band, the Eric Stuart Band , he is an award-winning independent artist with a growing US and international fan base.Stuart gained acclaim as a voice actor not only because of his...

(4Kids Entertainment, English), Bill Rogers

Bill Rogers (voice actor)

Bill Rogers is an American voice actor who works in the New York area. He has worked on various dubs, and in stage productions. He is currently working at Pokémon USA and DuArt Film and Video voicing characters on the Pokémon anime.-TV Roles:...

(TPCI, English)

Brock is a 15-year old Pokémon Breeder and the former Pewter Gym leader. Brock has dreams of being the world's best Pokémon breeder. He is Ash's longest lasting traveling partner, having appeared in every season (as a guest in Season 2). There is a much-used gag in the series where Brock falls in love with a girl and is either pulled away by the ear by Misty or Max, or is hit with Croagunk's Poison Jab, temporarily knocking him unconscious. Brock appears in all seasons of the anime but only appearing as a guest in the Orange Islands season. Brock leaves the main cast at the end of the Diamond and Pearl: Sinnoh League Victors season to become a Pokémon Doctor.

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki

Tomokazu Seki

is a Japanese voice actor. He formerly worked for Haikyou and is now the head of Atomic Monkey.-About:Some of his most notable roles include Shinichi Chiaki from Nodame Cantabile, Gilgamesh from Fate/stay night, Rob Lucci from One Piece, Gundam characters Domon Kasshu and Yzak Joule, from G Gundam...

(Japanese), Ed Paul

Ted Lewis (voice actor)

Ted Lewis is an American voice actor who does work for 4kids Entertainment, Central Park Media, DuArt Film and Video, NYAV Post. Primarily, he is involved with anime dub voice work...

(4Kids, English), Craig Blair (TPCI)

One of Ash's traveling friends through Season 2, set in the Orange Islands. He is a Pokémon watcher, and is currently Professor Oak’s assistant. His last name in the English dub is a pun because he sketches Pokémon. Tracey may also be a pun, based on the word "trace". He has Marill, Venonat and Scyther on his team. Tracey replaces Brock as a primary character in the Orange Islands season, with guest appearances in seasons 5, 8, and 9.

Voiced by: Kaori Suzuki (Japanese), Veronica Taylor

Veronica Taylor

(4Kids, English), Michele Knotz

Michele Knotz

(TPCI, English),

She is the 10-year-old daughter of the Petalburg City Gym Leader, Norman, and sister of Max. She meets Ash Ketchum

Ash Ketchum

Ash Ketchum, known as for all appearances in Japan, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise owned by Nintendo. He was created by, and named after, Satoshi Tajiri as the protagonist of the anime and manga series, as well as on various merchandise related to the franchise...

in Hoenn and starts traveling with him after obtaining her first Pokémon, Torchic

Torchic

Torchic, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, it first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...

. She originally dislikes Pokémon, but soon takes interest in Pokémon Contests. May tends to add only beautiful and cute Pokémon to her team, making sure they meet her standards, to enter them in contests. She raises Beautifly, her first capture, from a little Wurmple she finds on her journey. After entering contests she soon develops rivalries with other contest participants, Drew (her main rival who often assists her and gives helpful advice even while having a tendency to be somewhat insulting), Harley, and Jessie of Team Rocket, and goes on to win many contests. While Ash and Brock choose to travel to Sinnoh, May decides to follow her rivals to Johto instead. However, she visits Ash, Brock, and Dawn in Sinnoh sometime later to participate in the Wallace Cup. She is known as the "Princess of Hoenn," an alias which Dawn reffers to her by when the two first meet. May replaces Misty as a primary character in the Advanced Generation seasons, and makes a guest appearance in Battle Dimension. Altogether, May owns 3 sets of ribbons as of her last appearance.

Voiced by: Fushigi Yamada

Fushigi Yamada

, better known by her stage name , is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with 81 Produce.- As Kyoko Yamada :* Bikkuriman * Doraemon * Doraemon: Nobita's Genesis Diary * Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken...

(Japanese), Amy Birnbaum

Amy Birnbaum

Amy Birnbaum is an American voice actress, who works on the properties of 4Kids Entertainment.She has done many voiceovers for cartoons, mainly dubbing for English versions of anime. Her works can be found in anime dubs such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Kirby: Right Back at Ya!, Sonic X , Magical...

(4Kids, English), Kayzie Rogers

Kayzie Rogers

Kayzie Rogers is an American voice actress. She is best known for her work in animated television series....

(TPCI, English)

Max is a young male character (7-year-old) of the Pokémon anime

Pokémon (anime)

, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...

series, featured in the main series between the sixth and ninth seasons. Max appears alongside one of Ash Ketchum

Ash Ketchum

's companions, May, as her brother, and joins the group of Ash, May and Pokémon breeder Brock

Brock (Pokémon)

Brock, known as in Japanese versions, is a video game character in the Pokémon franchise. In the Pokémon video games, he is the Gym Leader of Pewter City and mainly uses Rock -type Pokémon; in the anime series, he left his position as a Gym Leader to travel alongside Ash Ketchum and become a...

. Max is a budding Pokémon trainer

Pokémon trainer

People with at least one Pokémon creature can be considered a Pokémon Trainer. In this sense, people in related Pokémon occupations, such as Pokémon coordinators or Pokémon breeders, can also be considered to be Pokémon Trainers....

, but is too young to receive a Pokémon. He is a bookworm that has read just about everything written about Pokémon. In Pokémon: Jirachi Wishmaker

Pokémon: Jirachi Wishmaker

Pokémon: Jirachi Wish Maker, originally released in Japan as , is the sixth film associated with the Pokémon animated series, and is the first one featuring the characters from Advanced Generation. It was accompanied by the short Gotta Dance. It was released in theaters in Japan on July 19, 2003...

, he befriends Jirachi and eventually leaves it. This is an idea from Pokémon 4Ever

Pokémon 4Ever

Pokémon 4Ever: Celebi - Voice of the Forest, originally released in Japan as , is a 2001 Japanese anime film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and based on the television series Pokémon. It is the fourth official Pokémon film. It was released in Japan on July 14, 2001. The film was directed in Japan by...

from when Ash leaves Sam. He remains simply a Pokémon enthusiast until he and May leave Ash and Brock in the final Advanced Generation episode, in which he returns to Hoenn to help take care of the Petalburg Gym. He is again seen as a flashback in DP Battle Dimension episode, "Full Course Tag Battle!". Max has received just two cameos since his departure, triggered by May's brief return for the Wallace Cup arc. He takes on what had once been Misty's role in restraining Brock from pretty women with the ear-pull. Max appears as a primary character alongside May in the Advanced Generation seasons, with non-speaking cameos in Battle Dimension.

Voiced by: Megumi Toyoguchi

Megumi Toyoguchi

is a voice actress, born on January 2, 1978 in Machida, Tokyo, Japan. She is employed by the talent management firm 81 Produce.-Trivia:* Toyoguchi is the only seiyū to have the distinction of appearing in every anime in the Saturday 6 p.m...

(Japanese), Emily Bauer

Emily Bauer

Emily Bauer is an American singer, dancer, actress and voice actress. She is also credited as Emily Blau.-Biography:...

(English)

Dawn is a 10-year-old Pokémon trainer and Coordinator that travels with Ash and Brock and replaces May during Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl. Following in her mother's footsteps as a coordinator, she chooses a Piplup, which she had already befriended at an earlier point, and sets out with the goal of winning the Grand Festival. As a native of Sinnoh, she often explains certain aspects of the region unfamiliar to both Ash and Brock, and keeps up to date with popular trends like the Pokétch. As she participates and win in more Contests, Dawn gradually becomes more confident in her skills as a Coordinator and regularly trains with her Pokémon before every contest. She is a tough and somewhat reckless girl. Her favorite phrase is "No need to worry!", but she usually says this when there is a need to worry. In the last episode, Dawn and Piplup get interviewed by Paris from Hearthome City, who wants to model Buneary and the outfits Dawn made. Although she originally planned to participate in the Kanto contests, she decides to remain in Sinnoh to become a part-time Pokestylist. Dawn is very saddened to leave Ash and Brock, but she and Piplup cheer up and wave goodbye as they return to Kanto. She later decides to travel to Hoenn to take part in the contests there.

Voiced by: Aoi Yūki

Aoi Yuki

is a Japanese voice actress and actress. She is affiliated with the Pro-Fit agency.　Her previous stage name was Yabusaki Aoi.When she was 16, she played the seven-year-old Murasaki Kuhōin in Kure-nai. She had two roles in 2008, eight in 2009, and twelve in 2010...

(Japanese), Eileen Stevens

Eileen Stevens

This page does redirect here. For the fictional character, check out Even Stevens.Eileen Stevens is an American actress based in New York City. She is best known as the voice of Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess. Other than anime and stage, Stevens has also done audio-books and commercials...

(USA)

Hailing from a village where there are many Dragon-type Pokémon, Iris is a wild girl who swings from vines and likes to eat berries. She first meets Ash when he mistakens her as a Pokémon. She has the Dragon-Type Pokémon Axew as her companion, as well as an Excadrill that initially does not obey her commands, but he later has a change of heart. Iris has also captured a female Emolga that has gluttonous appetite, and uses its feminine wiles and the Attract move to trick male Pokémon into giving her food. In the Black and White

Pokémon Black and White

are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. They are the first installments in the fifth generation of the Pokémon series of role-playing games...

video games, Iris is one of the two Gym Leaders of Opelucid City (she acts as Gym Leader only in Pokémon White Version). Her relation to this position has not yet been mentioned in the anime. The other Gym Leader Drayden has been featured (a battle with him being the reason that Iris's Excadrill stopped obeying her), but Iris's relationship with him (in the video games, he is Iris's grandfather) has also not been revealed.

Voiced by: Mamoru Miyano

Mamoru Miyano

is a Japanese voice actor, actor, and singer from Saitama. He is best known for his roles on Ouran High School Host Club, Death Note, Mobile Suit Gundam 00, and Kōtetsu Sangokushi. At the 2007 Seiyu Awards he was nominated for two awards for his role as Light Yagami in Death Note, and in 2008, he...

(Japanese), Jason Griffith (USA)

Cilan is an A-Class Pokémon Connoisseur who has the ability to determine the compatibility between Pokémon and their trainers. He is also one of the first Gym Leaders of the Unova League, a position he shares with his brothers Chili and Cress, but he leaves his post to join Ash and Iris on their journey. He has the Grass-Type Pokémon Pansage as his partner, and he later acquires a Dwebble and a Stunfisk.

Rivals

Gary Oak

Voiced by: Yuko Kobayashi

Yuko Kobayashi

is a Japanese seiyū who was born on February 6, 1961 in Tokyo. She is currently affiliated with 81 Produce and is married to fellow seiyu Mitsuaki Hoshino.-Notable voice roles:*Washu Hakubi in Tenchi Muyo*Shigeru in Pokémon...

(Japanese), Jimmy Zoppi

Jimmy Zoppi

Jimmy Zoppi , sometimes credited as Billy Beach and James Carter Cathcart, is an American bassist, vocalist, and voice-over artist. He has been playing with bands since high school and has been a bassist and vocalist of the Carter Cathcart Band since 1981. Zoppi's first voiceover part was O.G...

(English)

He is Ash's very first rival. He is based on the character Blue from the Pokemon video game series. Like his counterpart Blue, Gary hails from Pallet Town and is the grandson of renowned Pokémon researcher Professor Oak. At first, Gary was arrogant, always traveling with cheerleaders who only call out his name and constantly teasing Ash's group whenever they met. After losing in his first Pokémon tournament, he dispensed with the cheerleaders and has since become more open-minded. As Ash's rival, Gary usually thought of Ash as a poor trainer but he eventually came to accept Ash as his equal. Like Ash, Gary collected Gym badges and competed in Pokémon League tournaments; Kanto and Johto. After losing to Ash in the Johto League, he decides to pursue a career in Pokémon research, impeding his rivalry with Ash. After Ash defeats the Battle Frontier and comes back to Pallet Town, he and Ash have a battle with Gary's new Electivire and Ash's Pikachu. Electivire easily beats Pikachu, which inspires Ash to travel to Sinnoh. Gary is also a Pokemon researcher in Sinnoh, working with Professor Rowan. Appears in season 1-5 and 9-12. Gary's Japanese name, , is a reference to Shigeru Miyamoto

Shigeru Miyamoto

is a Japanese video game designer and producer. Miyamoto was born and raised in Kyoto Prefecture; the natural surroundings of Kyoto inspired much of Miyamoto's later work....

, who mentored Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri

Satoshi Tajiri

is a Japanese video game designer best known as the creator of Pokémon and the founder of development company Game Freak, Inc. An avid fan of arcade games, Tajiri wrote for and edited his own video gaming fanzine Game Freak with Ken Sugimori, before evolving it into a development company of the...

Voiced by: Minami Takayama

Minami Takayama

is a popular Japanese singer and voice actress. She was married to manga artist Gosho Aoyama on May 5, 2005 but they divorced on December 10, 2007. Minami is also a member of the pop group Two-Mix, and a part of DoCo when it was active....

(Japanese), Tara Jayne

Tara Sands

Tara Sands is an American voice actor, television host and actress. Well known as the voice of Anna Kyoyama in Shaman King, Mokuba Kaiba in the English adaptation of the second series Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, as well as Chase on Fighting Foodons and Filia Ul Copt in Slayers.Born in Hartford, Connecticut,...

(English)

Ritchie is a traveling Pokémon trainer from Frotomar City. Ritchie first appears during the Kanto League Saga, where he meets and forms a friendship with Ash Ketchum. As rivals, Ritchie and Ash are much alike. For example, both trainers own a Pikachu and have caught many of the same Pokémon. After the Kanto League tournament, Ritchie is ranked top eight of the competition after defeating Ash (due to a technicallity) then losing after his latter victory. Afterward, Ash and Ritchie part ways but pledge an oath to become Pokémon Masters. Ritchie re-appears in the Whirl Islands near the beginning of the fifth season, Pokémon: Master Quest, and is one of the protagonist

Protagonist

s of Pokémon Chronicles
Pokémon Chronicles
Pokémon Chronicles, known in Japan as , is a spin-off series of the Pokémon anime, revolving around characters other than Ash Ketchum.It first aired in Britain on Toonami, where the initial run has now finished. The only places where episodes are currently airing for the first time are the...

.

Voiced by: Katsumi Toriumi

Katsumi Toriumi

is a Japanese seiyū from Saitama Prefecture. He works at Production Baobab. Toriumi performed with other seiyu on the album Everybody's Christmas.-Voice Roles:*Zack Taylor in the Japanese dub of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers...

(Japanese), Wayne Grayson

Wayne Grayson

Vinnie Penna is an American actor and voice actor who is mostly known for voice over under the name Wayne Grayson and has worked with 4Kids Entertainment, NYAV Post and DuArt Film and Video....

(English)

Harrison is a traveling Pokémon trainer from Hoenn who competes in the Silver Conference. Ash and the gang first met him in "Pop Goes the Sneasel" when he tried to ward off a wild Sneasel that was guarding the sacred Ho-Oh flame. During the Silver Conference, Ash battles him with a six-on-six full battle. He defeats Ash and later loses to his next opponent, finishing at the top four of the Johto League competition. After the Johto League Silver Conference, Harrison convinces Ash to go to the Hoenn region. Afterwards, Harrison goes to Kanto to participate in the Indigo League.

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga

Mitsuki Saiga

is a female seiyū who was born in Saitama. Saiga works at Ken Production.-Anime:* .hack//Roots * .hack//Sign * 07-Ghost * Ashita no Nadja...

(Japanese), Pete Zarustica

Pete Zarustica

Oliver Wyman is an American voice actor who has worked on many animated features, television shows, and video games. He has also narrated over 150 audiobooks. His audiobook recordings have won five Audie Awards from the Audio Publisher's Association, fourteen Earphone Awards from AudioFile...

(as Oliver Wyman; 4Kids, English), Bill Rogers (TPCI, English)

Drew is an experienced Pokémon Coordinator, a confident, critical, but popular boy. He is May's first rival. Because he sees similarities between new Coordinator May and himself when he first started out, he taunts her for her inexperience. Though his comments and attitude may have anger May, he still provides a helping hand whenever she needs it. Drew's skills have been a continuing inspiration for May to better herself as a Coordinator.

Voiced by: Jun'ichi Kanemaru (Japanese), Andrew Rannells

Andrew Rannells

Andrew Scott Rannells is an American actor and singer. He performs the role of Elder Kevin Price in the 2011 Broadway musical, The Book of Mormon.-Career:...

(4Kids, English), Billy Regan (as Bill Timoney

Bill Timoney

Bill Timoney is an American actor. His best-known role on television is the character of Alfred Vanderpool on All My Children. Bill is also well-known as a voice actor and ADR director, primarily working on English-language dubs of Japanese anime especially TAJ Productions dubs...

; TPCI, English)

Arrogant, flamboyant, and proud, Harley is a Pokémon Coordinator and likely May's toughest rival. During their first meeting, Harley takes May's unwitting comments as insults to his abilities and he takes an instant dislike to her. Since then, Harley takes every opportunity to sabotage May before her contests and frequently takes advantage of her forgiving nature in order to trick her into believing he has reformed.

Voiced by: Masako Nozawa

Masako Nozawa

is a Japanese voice actress and actress affiliated with Office Nozawa. Her pet name is Mako. Her husband, Masa'aki Tsukada is also a voice actor....

(Japanese), Sean Schemmel

Sean Schemmel

Sean Schemmel is an American voice actor, ADR director, and script writer who has worked for NYAV Post, Bandai Entertainment, Funimation Entertainment, OkraTron 5000, DuArt Film and Video, and 4Kids Entertainment...

(English)

Morrison is Ash's rival in the Ever Grande Conference, a spirited person who likes to challenge other people to almost everything and never gives up in battle. Due to this, he always challenges Ash to various events such as Pokémon battles or even a food eating contest. Ash and the gang first met him in "Less is Morrison", where he soon becomes a friend and rival to Ash. When he appears again, he is a Ash's first opponent in the Ever Grande Conference; because of his conflicting feelings, he refuses to battle his friend until Ash encourages him to try his best. Morrison is able to battle with all his spirit, losing to Ash only when both of them are down to one Pokémon.

Voiced by: Kiyotaka Furushima

Kiyotaka Furushima

is a male Japanese voice actor from Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. After passing through the Haikyō Voice Actor's Studio, he became a member of the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society...

(Japanese), Julián Rebolledo

Julián Rebolledo

Julián Rebolledo is an American actor and voice talent, best known for his role as the voice of the neurotic father Jake Morgendorffer on the MTV animated series Daria. In 2000, Rebolledo appeared on the Law & Order episode "Vaya Con Dios", as Lt. Orra...

(English)

Paul is a roaming Pokémon trainer

Pokémon trainer

from Veilstone City, Sinnoh. As a Pokémon trainer, Paul is experienced and has traveled across the regional areas of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh, much like Ash. During Pokémon: Diamond & Pearl, he begins to travel through Sinnoh, where he meets and develops a rivalry with Ash Ketchum. Unlike Ash's previous rivals, Paul is a serious and taciturn trainer whose only concern towards Pokémon is their ability to act in battle and forming bonds with Pokémon dilute their potential, making them slackers. As such, he regards Ash's compassion towards his Pokémon as a sign of weakness, which frequently provokes Ash's anger. His severe and competitive behavior to become strong derives from resent over his older brother, Reggie, who had been an accomplished trainer until losing to Pyramid King Brandon and then quit Pokémon training to become a breeder. Paul is determined to make sure he doesn't meet that same fate, so he plans to surpass not just any trainer, but his own brother as well. In Japan, he is named after Shinji Mikami

Shinji Mikami

is a Japanese video game designer best known for creating the seminal survival horror series Resident Evil. He also contributed to some of Capcom's most popular post-32-bit era franchises, including Viewtiful Joe, Devil May Cry, and Ace Attorney, where he served as an executive producer...

, the creator of the Resident Evil series. He has a Torterra (evolved from a Turtwig), an Electivire which is revealed to have evolved in Pokémon DP 184, a Honchkrow, a Weavile, a Magmortar and an Ursaring. His brother currently looks after his Gliscor, Hariyama, Nidoking and Lairon which is seen to have evolved into Aggron when Ash battles Paul in the Sinnoh League in Pokémon DP 186, 187 and DP 188 (this is the longest battle in the series yet). He also is revealed to use a Froslass, a Gastrodon, a Drapion and his Ninjask in the Sinnoh League against Ash, but ultimately loses the battle. Afterwards, he finds a bit of respect for Ash, and heads out to battle with Brandon, The Pyramid King, as Brandon told Paul he would battle him again once he managed to control his emotions. Ash and Paul depart on a good note. Ash wishes him luck, which Paul returns. Just as Paul is about to leave Ash calls out that they should battle again, real soon. Paul comes to a sudden halt, looking stunned. Then he smiles, finally accepting him. As he waves good-bye, he walks away, into the sunset. Paul is also seen again in the next episode, watching Ash's battle with Tobias on television. When Ash is defeated, Paul looks disappointed, and walks away.

Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki

Tatsuhisa Suzuki

is a male Japanese voice actor and singer from Okazaki, Aichi, Japan, though was born in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan. He is affiliated with I'm Enterprise and Lantis. He is a graduate from Japan Narration and Acting School...

(Japanese), Jamie McGonnigal

Jamie McGonnigal

Jamie McGonnigal is a voice actor, actor, producer, activist and director, who has worked for various companies such as 4Kids Entertainment, NYAV Post, DuArt Film and Video and FUNimation Entertainment....

(English)

Barry is Ash's newest rival in Sinnoh, an impatient and overconfidant boy who, while competent and skilled, tends to lose most of his battles against Ash. He is an admirer of Paul, and uses the same technique though he cares for his Pokémon. He dreams of being the strongest Pokémon trainer in the world. Barry is best friends with Kenny and the son of Palmer, the Tower Tycoon of Sinnoh's Frontier Brains. He is based on the rival in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. He originally owns an Empoleon, a Staraptor, a Roserade and a Heracross and later gains a Hitmonlee and a Skarmory.

Voiced by: Kazuya Nakai (Japanese), Billy Regan (English)

A talented Pokémon trainer and wandering minstrel

Minstrel

A minstrel was a medieval European bard who performed songs whose lyrics told stories of distant places or of existing or imaginary historical events. Although minstrels created their own tales, often they would memorize and embellish the works of others. Frequently they were retained by royalty...

, Nando is a calm young man deeply conflicted as to whether he should challenge gyms or become a Pokémon Coordinator. After battling both Ash and Dawn, he chooses to pursue both paths, regardless of the difficulty. By the time of the Sinnoh Grand Festival, he has acquired seven Gym Badges and five Contest Ribbons. In the Grand Festival, he is able to reach the Top 4, losing to Zoey. After the Grand Festival, he obtains the necessary badges to compete in the Sinnoh League; he is Ash's first opponent but is eliminated after putting up a good battle. Nando make his debut appearance in Dawn of a New Era!. He owns a Roserade (evolved from his Budew), a Sunflora, a Kricketune, an Altaria, a Kricketot, an Armaldo, and a Lopunny. He is usually seen playing his golden Mew harp. The harp has often been shown to attract large groups of wild Pokemon, although its unknown if Nando is aware of this.

Voiced by: Risa Hayamizu

Risa Hayamizu

, also known as Lisa Hayamizu, is a Japanese voice actress. She works for Arts Vision.-Voice roles:*Akane Maniax as Female student *Basilisk as Kagerou*Burst Angel as Takane*Chocotto Sister as Older brother...

(Japanese), Elisabeth Morinelli

Elisabeth Morinelli

Emyln Elisabeth Morinelli is a voice and stage actress that works in the New York area . She is best known for voicing Zoey in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. She also voiced Pike Queen Lucy in an episode of Pokémon: Battle Frontier and also started voicing Officer Jenny after Season 9...

(a/k/a Emily Williams; English)

An experienced Pokémon coordinator from Snowpoint City and Dawn's main rival. Unlike most rivals, she often gives out helpful advice, and helps out in certain situations instead of fighting and taunting Dawn all the time. Zoey is initially disdainful of those who participate in both Gym battles and contests because she believes that trainers who divide their efforts will do not full-heartedly compete both disciplines. However, she changes her outlook as she meets trainers who are able to successfully manage both while respecting the hard work required. Zoey first appears in the episode of "Mounting a Coordinator Assault". The Pokémon she has with her are Glameow, Mismagius, Gastrodon, Lumineon, Gallade, and Leafeon. In "A Grand Fight for Winning", she defeats Dawn in the final stage of the Grand Festival and wins the Ribbon Cup.

Voiced by: Yūko Mita

Yuko Mita

is a Japanese voice actress. She is known for playing gentle, sexy bishōjo as well as many roles of young boys. Her hobbies include tennis and skiing...

(Japanese), Rhonda Krempa (English)

Kenny is one of Dawn's childhood friends and a rival coordinator. He is frequently calls her by her nickname, 'Dee Dee' and is best friends with Barry. Kenny makes his debut in Getting the Pre-Contest Titters and Settling a Not-So-Old Score, where he and Dawn enter the Floaroma Pokémon Contest. Eventually, he is able to qualify for the Sinnoh Grand Festival, but misses the cut of 32 in the Grand Festival, causing him to leave Lake Valor to improve his training.

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi

Ayako Kawasumi

is a Japanese voice actress and J-pop singer. She is affectionately referred to by her fellow voice actors and fans as "", "" and "". She is a skilled pianist, having practiced the piano since childhood....

(Japanese), Melisa Schroenburg (English)

One of Dawn's rivals, Ursula is a Coordinator from the Sinnoh region who enters the Chocovine Contest at the same time as Dawn. They meet just outside the Contest Hall when her Gabite gets into a confrontation with Dawn's Pachirisu. Her attitude toward Dawn is similar to Harley's attitude toward May. During the Sinnoh Grand Festival, she loses to Dawn and is eliminated from the contest, unable to make it into the Top 16. She currently owns a Gabite, a Wormadam, a Plusle and a Minun, a Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Jigglypuff first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...

, a Flareon and a Vaporeon (evolved from her 2 Eevee

Eevee

is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Eevee first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels...

during the appeals round of Sinnoh grand Festival).

Voiced by: Akeno Watanabe

Akeno Watanabe

is a Japanese voice actor born in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan. She works at Osawa Office and her nickname is Akenon. She currently stars in Pokémon Best Wishes as Ash's newest rival, Shooti and from Episode 17 onwards has begun voicing Ash's Scraggy.-Anime:...

(Japanese), Jamie McGonnigal

Jamie McGonnigal

(English)

Trip is a male trainer taking the Unova League challenge who appears in the Black and White series. In addition to being a Pokémon Trainer, he is also an amateur Pokémon photographer. Upon his first meeting and battle with Ash, he tends to somewhat display a discriminatory attitude toward him as being part of the "boonies" (being the fact Ash is from the Kanto region, along with his Pikachu, which happens to be extremely rare in the Unova region). He takes a Snivy from Professor Juniper, which later evolves into a Servine. He also has a a Tranquill, a Frillish, a Lampent, a Vanillite, and a Timburr, that soon evolved in to a Gurdurr.

Voiced by: Shizuka Itō

Shizuka Ito

is a Japanese voice actress and singer. She is currently represented by Ken Production. When voicing adult games, she is also known as , , , , or .Itō and fellow voice actress Hitomi Nabatame formed a voice acting unit called "Hitomi Nabatame and Shizuka Itō"...

(Japanese), Bella Hudson (English)

Bianca is a female trainer who appears in the Black and White series. She encounters Ash and his companions several times throughout the series which usually ends with a battle between herself and Ash. She is also shown to be very excitable and clumsy. Her main Pokémon are Pignite and Minccino.

Voiced by: Ikumi Hayama (Japanese), Suzy Myers (English)

Burgundy is a female Pokémon Connoisseur who at one point challenged Cilan and lost, and Cilan said that her Oshawott was not compatible with her. When Ash, Iris, and Cilan meet up with her once more, after she says that none of Ash's Pokémon are good for him, she reveals she challenged the Striaton Gym and got the Trio Badge, but still feels she needs to fight Cilan. Cilan defeats her again, even with her Dewott and Sawsbuck, but she exclaims she will fight him again someday and win. She later catches up with the group in Raimon Town at a tournament hosted by one of the Battle Clubs, where she battles Ash with her newly acquired Stoutland.

Voiced by: Misato Fukuen

Misato Fukuen

is a voice actress born on January 10, 1982. She is affiliated with Sigma Seven.-Outline, career, and person:* Formed a vocal group called TAMAGO in 2004 with fellow seiyū Mai Kadowaki....

(Japanese), Brittney Lee Hamilton (English)

Georgia is a female trainer who calls herself a Dragon Buster, someone who specializes in defeating Dragon-Type Pokémon, travelling around with her Beartic. Incensed, Iris challenges her, and the fight between Beartic and Iris's Excadrill where Excadrill loses allows Iris to make Excadrill feel better about their loss to Drayden several years earlier. Georgia ties with Iris in a second battle, as Excadrill learned Focus Blast and gained trust in Iris. Georgia participates in the Don Battle tournament where she uses a Pawniard in her match against Ash.

Voiced by: Tomohiro Waki (Japanese), Darren Dunstan (English)

Stephan is a male trainer that Ash meets on the way to Nimbasa City who has a Blitzle. He and Ash have a battle, but it gets postponed when Oshawott loses his Scalchop shell. Once Oshawott trains with a fake shell made of rock, he defeats Kenyan's Blitzle. When the gang meets Kenyan at the Battle Club tournament, his Blitzle is shown to have evolved into a Zebstrika, and he has also acquired a Sawk.

Professors

Voiced by: Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese), Stuart Zagnit

Stuart Zagnit

Stuart Zagnit is an American character actor. He has worked in all areas including Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional, National Tours,television, films, commercials and voice-overs.-Theatre:*2011: The Merry Wives of Windsor - Brooklyn, NY - Sir John Falstaff*2009: How The Grinch Stole...

(credited as Stan Hart- 4Kids, English) and Jimmy Zoppi

Jimmy Zoppi

(as Billy Beach; TPCI, English)

Professor Oak is a Pokémon researcher that was once a competitive Trainer, and is generally considered the best in his field. As such, his role in the Pokémon games and anime is that of a mentor

Mentor

In Greek mythology, Mentor was the son of Alcimus or Anchialus. In his old age Mentor was a friend of Odysseus who placed Mentor and Odysseus' foster-brother Eumaeus in charge of his son Telemachus, and of Odysseus' palace, when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.When Athena visited Telemachus she...

to young Pokémon Trainer

Pokémon trainer

s, a source of information and an occasional plot device

Plot device

A plot device is an object or character in a story whose sole purpose is to advance the plot of the story, or alternatively to overcome some difficulty in the plot....

. Amongst other things, he is credited with inventing the Pokédex. He also hands out a Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Designed by Ken Sugimori, their name is a combination of the words "bulb" and "dinosaur." First appearing in Pokémon Red and Blue as a Starter Pokémon, they later appeared in subsequent sequels,...

, Charmander

Charmander

Charmander, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Charmander first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...

, or Squirtle

Squirtle

Squirtle, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. It was originally conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori...

to beginning trainers (depending on which Pokémon the trainer chooses) to start their adventure in the Kanto Region. Although he is an expert on all matters relating to Pokémon, Professor Oak specializes in Pokémon behavioural science. He appears in Pokémon 4Ever

Pokémon 4Ever

as a child who was pulled into the future by Celebi. Additionally, it is apparent after Pokémon 3: The Movie

Pokémon 3: The Movie

Pokémon 3: The Movie, originally released in Japan as , is a 2000 Japanese animated film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama as the third feature-length Pokémon film. It was released in Japanese theaters on July 8, 2000, and the English adaptation, entitled Pokémon 3: Spell of the Unknown was released...

that he knew Delia Ketchum since she was a child; this most likely is the reason he occasionally exhibits parental-type concern (mainly in the form of scolding Ash as he is doing something that is dangerous). He also creates poems centred around Pokémon and is known as the rhyming professor by Dawn.

He is named after the oak

Oak

An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...

tree in English version of the game, while he is named after the orchid in the original Japanese version.

Voiced by: Keiko Han (Japanese), Kayzie Rogers (English)

Professor Ivy is the resident Pokémon professor of the Orange Islands, south of the region of Kanto. Professor Ivy is first introduced in the second season of the Pokémon anime. Ash and his friends, Misty

Misty (Pokémon)

Misty, known as in Japanese versions, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise. She has appeared as a Gym Leader in the Pokémon video games, several seasons of the Pokémon anime, The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga, the Ash & Pikachu manga, toys, books, and other media.-Design:Misty's...

and Brock

Brock (Pokémon)

make their way to Valencia Island and meet the Professor. The unusual Pokéball that Professor Ivy discovered is dubbed the GS Ball. It serves as a plot device

Plot device

A plot device is an object or character in a story whose sole purpose is to advance the plot of the story, or alternatively to overcome some difficulty in the plot....

that leads Ash to the region of Johto. During the second season, Brock decides to stay with Ivy to study Pokémon breeding, but later returns to Ash's group. She also appears in the animated film Pokémon: The Movie 2000
Pokémon: The Movie 2000
Pokémon: The Movie 2000, originally released in Japan as , is a 1999 Japanese animated film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama as the second Pokémon feature-length film, complementing the Orange Islands saga of the series and featuring several new Pokémon, including Lugia and Slowking...

.

Voiced by: Kazuhiko Inoue (Japanese), Nathan Price (English)

Professor Elm is in charge of giving novice trainers their first Pokémon

Pokémon

(Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile) in the video games Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Pokémon Gold and Silver

are the second installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Color. The games have dual-mode capabilities allowing them to also be played on earlier Game Boy models. They were first released in Japan in 1999 and to...

. He was a student of Professor Oak and moved to New Bark Town in the region of Johto where he conducts his research on Pokémon breeding. His English name refers to the elm

Elm

Elms are deciduous and semi-deciduous trees comprising the genus Ulmus in the plant family Ulmaceae. The dozens of species are found in temperate and tropical-montane regions of North America and Eurasia, ranging southward into Indonesia. Elms are components of many kinds of natural forests...

tree, while his Japanese name refers to Deutzia
Deutzia
Deutzia is a genus of about 60 species of shrubs in the family Hydrangeaceae, native to eastern and central Asia , and Central America and also Europe. By far the highest species diversity is in China, where 50 species occur.The species are shrubs ranging from 1–4 m in height...

. Professor Elm dresses quite casually, with a shirt that has a stripe across it slightly covered by his lab coat. He wears khaki slacks and sometimes wears night slippers or moccasins

Moccasin (footwear)

A moccasin is a slipper made of deerskin or other soft leather, consisting of a sole and sides made of one piece of leather, stitched together at the top, and sometimes with a vamp . Though sometimes worn inside, it is chiefly intended for outdoor use, as in exploring wildernesses and running from...

He is stereotypically

Stereotype

A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...

depicted as a professor that has a tendency to be absent-minded, due to his immersion in his work. His forgetfulness was shown in an episode of the Pokémon anime where Team Rocket visit his laboratory

Laboratory

A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...

, and the professor carelessly assumes them to be Nurse Joy from the Pokémon Center without looking up, and tells them to take the Pokémon, which they do. When the real Joy arrives, Elm discovers that one of his Pokémon, Totodile, has been stolen. With the help of Officer Jenny and the local Police Department, the Pokémon is recovered from Team Rocket. Professor Elm has also been described as the top student of Professor Oak, and seems to have a desire to surpass Professor Oak's accomplishments. He has a Corsola.

Voiced by: Fumihiko Tachiki

Fumihiko Tachiki

is a Japanese voice actor and narrator.-Career:Formerly a blues singer and known for his low voice, Tachiki is best known as the narrator for the pre-fight movies for Pride Fighting Championships and currently for Dream...

(Japanese), Dan Green

Dan Green (voice actor)

Daniel Alexander Green , is an American voice actor, voice director and script adapter who has worked for 4Kids Entertainment, DuArt Film and Video, NYAV Post and Central Park Media...

(English)

Professor Birch is considered the "Pokémon Professor" in the Hoenn region. Unlike other Pokémon scientists, he is known for his field work, rather than, in his own words, remaining "cooped up in his lab all day." He is an expert in the field of Pokémon habitual distribution. He is also responsible for giving new Pokémon Trainer

Pokémon trainer

s one of the three Hoenn starter Pokémon: Treecko

Treecko

Treecko, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Treecko first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...

, Torchic

Torchic

, or Mudkip

Mudkip

Mudkip, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Mudkip first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...

. These Pokémon are found in Pokémon games Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. His English name refers to the birch

Birch

Birch is a tree or shrub of the genus Betula , in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. The Betula genus contains 30–60 known taxa...

tree, while his Japanese name refers to the Columbine flower

Aquilegia

Aquilegia is a genus of about 60-70 species of perennial plants that are found in meadows, woodlands, and at higher altitudes throughout the Northern Hemisphere, known for the spurred petals of their flowers.-Etymology:The genus name Aquilegia is derived from the Latin word for eagle , because...

In the anime, Professor Birch appears at the start of the Hoenn Saga. When Ash arrives in the Hoenn region, his Pikachu

Pikachu

is one of the species of Pokémon creatures from the Pokémon media franchise—a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards, and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. As do all Pokémon, Pikachu fight other Pokémon in battles central to the anime, manga, and games of the series...

is ill from an overexposure to magnetism, and needs treatment immediately. Birch himself takes Ash and Pikachu back to his lab. Birch gives May her first Pokémon, a Torchic

Torchic

, a Pokédex, and some Poké Balls. He later appears when Ash, May, Brock, and Max return to Littleroot to help save the Starter Pokémon from Team Rocket, and also helps to solve the mystery of Clamperl's evolutions.

Voiced by: Kayumi Iemasa (Japanese), Craig Blair (English)

Professor Rowan is the authority on Pokémon

Pokémon

in the region

Pokémon regions

There are several regions that have appeared in the various media of the Pokémon franchise. Each of the five generations of the main series releases focuses on a new region. Moreover, several regions have been introduced in spin-off games, and one in the Pokémon anime, though most of these are...

of Sinnoh, the setting of the Pokémon video games

Pokémon (video games)

Pokémon is a series of video games developed by Game Freak and Creatures Inc. and published by Nintendo as part of the Pokémon media franchise. First released in 1996 in Japan for the Game Boy, the main series of role-playing video games has continued on each generation of Nintendo's handhelds...

, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. With the enhanced remake Pokémon Platinum, the games comprise the fifth installment and fourth generation of the Pokémon series of RPGs...

and Pokémon Platinum
Pokémon Platinum
is a title in the Pokémon series of video games. It was developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS handheld game console. It is an enhanced remake of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl in the same vein as Pokémon Yellow, Crystal, and Emerald were for their respective games...

. Professor Rowan's name derives from the rowan

Rowan

The rowans or mountain-ashes are shrubs or small trees in genus Sorbus of family Rosaceae. They are native throughout the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the highest species diversity in the mountains of western China and the Himalaya, where numerous apomictic microspecies...

tree, continuing the trend of the names of Pokémon professors deriving from the names of trees, while his Japanese name refers to Sorbus commixta
Sorbus commixta
Sorbus commixta is a species of rowan native to Japan, the far east of Russia on Sakhalin, and in Korea on the island of Ulleungdo....

, the Japanese Rowan tree.

Rowan's laboratory is located in Sandgem Town, making him the first professor in the Pokémon series not to live in the protagonist's town. He specializing in the research of Pokémon evolution and is considered a senior researcher to Professor Oak, whom he is old friends with. He gives the player a Pokédex, and allows him or her and the rival to keep one of the three Sinnoh Starter Pokémon (Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup) each after they are attacked by Starly while searching for a rare Pokémon, having seen a red Gyarados

Gyarados

is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Gyarados first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise....

on TV appearing at Lake Verity (a reference to Pokémon Gold and Silver

Pokémon Gold and Silver

Professor Rowan appears in the first episode of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, "Following a Maiden's Voyage!" He meets Dawn and later gives her Piplup. He owns a Starly and a Staraptor. He runs a Pokémon Summer Academy; he is shown to be serious in nature as is exhibited by breaking up Ash and Angie's constant fights and surprising them when they are late arriving to the Summer Academy.

Voiced by: Naomi Shindō (Japanese), Khristine Hvam (English)

Professor Juniper is the authority on Pokémon

Pokémon

in the region

Pokémon regions

of Isshu (Unova), the setting of the Pokémon video games

Pokémon (video games)

, Pokémon Black and White

Pokémon Black and White

are role-playing games developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS. They are the first installments in the fifth generation of the Pokémon series of role-playing games...

. Professor Juniper's name derives from the juniper

Juniper

Junipers are coniferous plants in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, there are between 50-67 species of juniper, widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Africa in the Old World, and to the...

tree, continuing the trend of the names of Pokémon professors deriving from the names of trees, while her Japanese name derives from a name for the Japanese Yew

Taxus cuspidata

Taxus cuspidata is a member of the genus Taxus, native to Japan, Korea, northeast China and the extreme southeast of Russia....

Juniper's laboratory is located in Kanoko Town. In the anime, she is a friend of Professor Oak. As a present, she gives the player and the player's rivals Cheren and Bianca, the Starter Pokémon of Isshu: Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott.

Professor Juniper appears in the first episode of Pokémon: Best Wishes!
Pokémon: Best Wishes!
This is a list of episodes of Pokémon: Black & White, the fourteenth season of the Pokémon anime television series, covering the continuing adventures of series protagonist Ash Ketchum as he travels to the new region of Unova. In Japan, this is the first portion of the branding of the anime series...

titled "To the Isshu Region! Zekrom's Shadow!!" She meets Trip and later gives him Snivy and when her Oshawott runs away and follows Ash, she allows Ash to keep the Pokémon.

Team Rocket

is an organization bent on world domination. Headed by Giovanni, their plan to steal and exploit Pokémon for profit and power is a central plot device used throughout the series. According to the anime, the organization only has bases in the Kanto and Johto regions; however, that does not stop the show's antagonist trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth from following Ash Ketchum to other areas around the Pokémon world. Often, members of Team Rocket are broken up into pairs in order to perform specific heists—like Jessie and James. In the English translations, the pairs are often given names which nod to iconic figures of the American Old West

American Old West

The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...

: Jesse James

Jesse James

Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He also faked his own death and was known as J.M James. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary...

, Butch Cassidy

Butch Cassidy

Robert LeRoy Parker , better known as Butch Cassidy, was a notorious American train robber, bank robber, and leader of the Wild Bunch Gang in the American Old West...

, and Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley , born Phoebe Ann Mosey, was an American sharpshooter and exhibition shooter. Oakley's amazing talent and timely rise to fame led to a starring role in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which propelled her to become the first American female superstar.Oakley's most famous trick is perhaps...

, as well as Atilla the Hun.

A recurring trio of bumbling thieves who constantly follow Ash Ketchum around in order to capture his Pikachu, which they consider exceptionally strong. While they are usually antagonistic towards Ash and his friends, they have shown that they are good-hearted at times and willing to put their differences aside when it is beneficial.

They are the rivals of Jessie, James, and Meowth; unlike the trio, they are successful Rockets and are looked upon favorably by Giovanni. They even had an ally in a corrupt Officer Jenny mole, who helped Butch and Cassidy cover up the fact that the breeding center they started in their first appearance was a conspiracy to steal others' Pokémon. Their plans are on a larger scale, with the goal of capturing many Pokémon at once. As a running gag, other characters usually mispronounce Butch's name (e.g. Biff, Botch, Buzz, Bob, Chuck, Bill, Buffy, Butcher, Hutch, etc.); James is usually the one most guilty of this. The duo sometimes recites a less poetic, more arrogant version of the motto used by Jessie, James, and Meowth. Cassidy is voiced by Megan Hollingshead and Andy Whaley (4Kids), Elizabeth Morinelli (TPCI) in English while Yamato is voiced by Masako Katsuki

Masako Katsuki

is a Japanese voice actress who was born in Hachinohe, Aomori. Formerly from Theater Echo, she is currently employed by 81 Produce and has voiced in several notable films and tv series...

in Japanese. Eric Stuart (4Kids) and Jimmy Zoppi (TPCI) voices Butch in English while Takehito Koyasu

Takehito Koyasu

is a Japanese voice actor.-Career:Koyasu is part of the voice actor quartet Weiß consisting of Weiß Kreuz voice castmates Shinichiro Miki, Tomokazu Seki, and Yuuki Hiro...

does Kosaburō's Japanese voice.

: Pierce is a member of Team Rocket who is Jessie, James, and Meowth's contact in the Unova Region. Sent by Giovanni, he directs the trio to perform a series of crimes involving research on a meteorite that fell on Unova hundreds of years in the past. He is voiced by Jin Yamanoi

Jin Yamanoi

is a Japanese voice actor.-Anime:* Legend of the Galactic Heroes , Hauf * Slam Dunk , Mikoshiba* Dirty Pair Flash , Transvestite * Romeo and the Black Brothers , Lanbert...

, and is voiced by Dan Green

Dan Green (voice actor)

Daniel Alexander Green , is an American voice actor, voice director and script adapter who has worked for 4Kids Entertainment, DuArt Film and Video, NYAV Post and Central Park Media...

in the english version.

Team Magma

is one of the two villainous organizations in the Hoenn Region. They are a group of experts in the fields of geology

Geology

Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...

and plate tectonics

Plate tectonics

Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that describes the large scale motions of Earth's lithosphere...

. Like Team Rocket, some rebels are Pokémon thieves, but Team Magma specializes in the field of Fire and Ground type Pokémon. In Pokémon Ruby, the team acts as the main crime team antagonists.

Voiced by Keiji Fujiwara

Keiji Fujiwara

is a Japanese voice actor from the Tokyo Metropolitan area who is affiliated with Air Agengy.His best known projects include Crayon Shin-chan as Hiroshi Nohara, Eureka Seven as Holland, Fullmetal Alchemist as Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes, Zoids: Chaotic Century as Irvine, Final Fantasy VII Advent...

(Japanese), Marc Thompson (English)

He is the leader of Team Magma. Maxie wants to wipe out the sea for more land by using a volcano and Groudon. He is more misguided than truly evil, as he believes that his actions will benefit others. Maxie met Ash in the episode "Gaining Groudon", and told him of his dreams. He also told Ash about the Blue Orb, which could control Groudon, and with it in his hands, he could make life better for himself. Suddenly, Pikachu got possessed by the Blue Orb. It controlled Groudon, and a cataclysmic battle began, resulting in Groudon's victory. Afterwards, Maxie thanks Ash, realizing that the land of Hoenn was perfect the way it is. In some strategy guides, he is sometimes referred to as female.

Team Aqua

is one of the two villainous organizations found in Hoenn. They specialize in Water and Dark type Pokémon. Their goal is to raise the level of the all the world oceans with the power of Kyogre.

Voiced by: Masaki Aizawa

Masaki Aizawa

is a Japanese male voice actor. He currently works for Production Baobab.- Television :* The Red Baron , Norman* Wedding Peach , Middle-aged man * Slayers , Man A...

(Japanese),Sean Schemmel

Sean Schemmel

He is the leader of Team Aqua. He becomes possessed by the power of the Red Orb, much like Pikachu

Pikachu

and the Blue Orb. His only concern from that point is to raise the sea, even if it meant drowning all of his Team Aqua members.

Team Galactic

, is the crime syndicate in the Sinnoh region. Their goal is to catch the Pokémon that created the world: Dialga of time and Palkia of space, as well as Mesprit, Azelf, and Uxie, so that their leader, Cyrus, can destroy the universe and rebuild it in his own image with himself as an absolute god. However, only the Commanders and Boss are aware of this plan.

Voiced by: Kenta Miyake

Kenta Miyake

is a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with 81 Produce.He is known for his unusually low voice .After the death of Hirotaka Suzuoki in 2006, Kenta took over the role of Giovanni during Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. He has since expanded this role into the new series, Pokemon Best Wishes...

(Japanese), Sean Schemmel

Sean Schemmel

(English)

He is the leader of Team Galactic. His goal is to "create a new world" in his own image, as himself as the god of that world. In his first appearance, it was shown that he is a rich businessman who has made most of the buildings and libraries throughout Sinnoh. However, Ash and the others do not know that he is also the Team Galactic leader. Since then, he has appeared many times as the Team Galactic leader.

Other characters

Voiced by: Masami Toyoshima (Japanese), Veronica Taylor

Veronica Taylor

(4Kids, English), Sarah Natochenny (TPCI, English)

She is Ash's mother. Delia is very caring of her son, always reminding him to do his best. She is very talented, having won a beauty pageant and cooked a dish so popular that elite chefs at the Indigo Plateau have asked for its recipe. It is not known who is the father of Ash, but it isn't clear that Ash's parents have separated, although she has contacted him at least once since Ash left. She has a Mr. Mime

Mr. Mime

Mr. Mime, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Mr. Mime first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...

housekeeper who helps her with chores and is also rather adept in battle. In the Japanese version, the name of Satoshi's mother was, for a long time, unrevealed (with her referring to herself as Satoshi no haha or referred as Mama-san, although the role was credited as Hanako). The name Hanako (and its English counterpart, Delia) was revealed during the second Pocket Monsters movie. She also is constantly reminding Ash to change his underwear.

Voiced by: Ayako Shiraishi

Ayako Shiraishi

is a Japanese voice actress. She retired in 2002.-Original Video Animation:*Gunbuster *Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo Strikes Back! -Television:*Alice SOS*Mobile Suit Victory Gundam...

(EP002-EP229, Japanese), Kikuko Inoue

Kikuko Inoue

is a popular Japanese voice actress and singer. She has been part of the singing groups DoCo and Goddess Family Club, among others, and is the manager of her voice-acting company, Office Anemone. Inoue tends to play the "perfect girlfriend" or "motherly" role in many series, but she has also played...

(Temp. Replacement from EP491-EP516, Japanese), Yuriko Yamaguchi

Yuriko Yamaguchi (voice actor)

is a Japanese voice actress who was born in Osaka. Previously a member of Vi-Vo, Yuriko is currently freelance. She is most known for the roles of Nico Robin and the second voice of Nurse Joy . Her hobby is overtone singing. Her nickname is "Yuruko"...

(EP245-EP488; EP517-EP656, Japanese), Chika Fujimura (EP659-present, Japanese); Megan Hollingshead

Megan Hollingshead

Megan T.D. Hollingshead is an American theatre and voice actress. She also sometimes goes by the name of Karen Thompson...

(EP02-EP316, English), Bella Hudson (EP323-EP418, English), Diane Stillwell (MMoMP

The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

, English), Michele Knotz

Michele Knotz

(EP425-EP656, English), Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld (EP659-present, English)

"Nurse Joy" is the name for every member of an identical family of Pokémon nurses. They mainly work in Pokémon Centers, but they also work in other locations. They are also often accompanied by a Chansey

Chansey

Chansey, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Chansey first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...

or Blissey (throughout Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh) or Audino (throughout Unova). Like Chansey, Blissey and Audino, all Nurse Joys are mostly hospitable, especially towards Pokémon. Brock, who claims to be able to tell the Joys just by minor appearance details (different-colored crosses on their hats; hair is slightly shorter; smile is wider; etc.), is infatuated with every Nurse Joy he meets, and often has to be restrained by a traveling companion. Although all of them look completely identical to each other, some do have different personalities, and a few even other occupations besides nursing. There is a Nurse Joy who is a body builder, a contest judge and even one who is scared of water Pokémon. In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl series, there was also a Nurse Joy who is married and has two daughters who both have the name "Joy" at the end of their names and looks exactly like their mother rather than their father. Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga author Toshihiro Ono

Toshihiro Ono

is a Japanese manga artist and graphic novelist. He was born in Aichi, Japan.He is best known for the Pokémon manga based on the animation series: "The Electric Tale of Pikachu" published by Viz Media...

cited her as one of his favorite characters to draw for the series, stating the reason as "because she's a girl".

Voiced by: Chinami Nishimura

Chinami Nishimura

is a Japanese voice actress who has voiced characters in both the Japanese and English-dubbed versions of Pokémon. Nishimura was born in Chiba Prefecture...

(EP002-EP632, Japanese), Chiaki Takahashi

Chiaki Takahashi (actress)

is a Japanese voice actress. Her hometown is Yokohama, Japan. On October 10, 2000, she changed the kanji lettering of her name, though the pronunciation remains the same. She was a member of the J-pop group Aice5 as well. Currently freelance , she was previously represented by Aoni Production and...

(EP663-present, Japanese); Megan Hollingshead

Megan Hollingshead

Megan T.D. Hollingshead is an American theatre and voice actress. She also sometimes goes by the name of Karen Thompson...

(EP002-EP339, movies 1-8, English), Jamie Davyous Owens

Jamie Owens

Jamie Owens, also known known as Jamie Davyous Owens, is a voice actress who worked with 4Kids Entertainment during Pokémon: Advanced Battle in which she took the role of Officer Jenny...

(EP393-EP416, English), Kayzie Rogers

Kayzie Rogers

Kayzie Rogers is an American voice actress. She is best known for her work in animated television series....

(MMoMP

The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

, English), Maya Rosewood (EP429, English [uncredited]), Emily Williams (EP462-EP656, English), Emily Bauer

Emily Bauer

Emily Bauer is an American singer, dancer, actress and voice actress. She is also credited as Emily Blau.-Biography:...

(EP663-present, English)

She is a police officer in the Pokémon anime who maintains the law and order in the Pokémon world, and often opposes members of Team Rocket. The Japanese name, junsaa, means "police officer". Officer Jennies are often accompanied by Growlithe or a particular Pokémon that is of importance in a town or a personal preference to that Jenny, such as a Wobbuffet, Spinarak or even a Chatot. There are also many with trademark items to differentiate some, but are just as few as the Joys. The only differences are the symbols on their hats and their uniforms (which are different depending on their region.)

Voiced by: Koichi Sakaguchi

Koichi Sakaguchi

is a Japanese seiyū. He is affiliated with 81 Produce.He also had a recurring role in both the Japanese and English language Pokemon anime which saw him voicing Jessie's Arbok up until Episode 6 of the Hoenn series which saw Arbok and its companion, Weezing being released to help protect a herd of...

(Japanese)

Mr. Contesta is main judge of the three contest judges of Pokemon Contests. He is usually the first one to comment on the Pokémon, and the one who offers advice to the Coordinators. He is critical, but fair in his judgments.

Voiced by: Yoshinori Sonobe

Mr. Sukizo is one of the three judges for Pokemon contests, alongside Mr. Contesta and Nurse Joy. His appearance resembles that of a male PokéFan, which may have served as inspiration for his design. Sukizo is a man of few words as the only thing he ever seems to say is "I like it" (好きですね). In the English adaptation of the series, his phrase is "remarkable".

Voiced by: Megumi Nakajima

Megumi Nakajima

is a seiyū and singer under the Stardust Promotion talent agency. Born of a Japanese father and a Filipina mother, she was brought up in a "house filled with music" and grew up with the desire to sing. In 2003, she participated in the "Self Stardust Promotion" contest and passed, thereby...

(Japanese), Eileen Stevens (English)

Lyra is a female trainer from Johto who joins Ash and friends for a couple of episodes (from "An Egg Scramble! to "Bagged Then Tagged!"). Lyra is based on the female player character of the same name in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

are enhanced remakes of the 1999 video games Pokémon Gold and Silver. The games are part of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games, and were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS...

Voiced by: Kenji Nojima

Kenji Nojima

is a Japanese seiyū who was born in Tokyo. He is employed by Japanese voice talent agency Aoni Production. He is the son of veteran seiyū Akio Nojima and is the younger brother of seiyū Hirofumi Nojima...

(Japanese), Christopher Niosi (English)

He is a male trainer from Johto who joins Ash and friends for a couple of episodes (from "An Egg Scramble! to "Bagged Then Tagged!"). He, like Brock, wants to become a breeder someday. In "A Rivalry To Gible On", when Lyra tried to make Dawn and Khoury a couple, Khoury started devoloping a crush on Dawn but realized that he had feelings for Lyra.

Voiced by: Hisao Egawa

Hisao Egawa

is a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo who works for Aoni Production. Egawa is most known for the roles of Shin'ichi Maki in Slam Dunk, Geki Kuroiwa in Brave Command Dagwon, Geki Hyūma and Goldymarg in The King of Braves GaoGaiGar, Killer Bee in Naruto Shippuden, and Falco Lombardi in the Star Fox...

(Japanese), Marc Thompson (English)

"Don George" is the name of the owners of throughout Unova. Like the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys, there are many Don Georges that are all identical, but having different colored collars and wrist bands.

Voiced by: Minami Takayama

Minami Takayama

(Japanese)

Luke is a young Pokémon trainer and amateur filmmaker Ash, Iris, and Cilan meet with when they reach Nimbasa City. He uses his Zorua, Golett, and Leavanny to make films, and has Ash, Cilan, and Iris help him finish his latest film. He later joins them in signing up for the Don Battle tournament, using his Larvesta to reach the semi-finals.

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