Protagonists

Red (レッド, Red) is the protagonist of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue and Yellow and the male protagonist of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Red later appears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal as a secret boss fight on Mt. Silver, and also appears in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Pokémon Sun and Moon, and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, as well as in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, reprising his role from the originals. In Pokémon Adventures, he is the champion of Kanto.

Leaf (リーフ, Leaf) is the female protagonist of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Chase (カケル, Kakeru) and Elaine (アユミ, Ayumi) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!.

Rivals

Blue (グリーン, Green) is the rival character of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen. He is the grandson of Professor Oak and the player character's childhood friend. He is pushy and competitive, but generally a good Pokémon Trainer. He briefly precedes the player character as the Champion of the Kanto region, waiting for the player to challenge him. Blue is the basis for Gary Oak in the anime. IGN listed Blue as the 98th best villain in video games, though they stressed that it was difficult to view him as a villain.^[1] He reappears in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal and their remakes as the Viridian City Gym Leader. He also serves as Kanto's Champion in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2's Pokémon World Tournament and alongside Red in Pokémon Sun and Moon and their Ultra versions.

Trace (シン, Shin) is the rival character of Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. He eventually becomes Champion of Kanto, and acts similarly to Blue.^[2]

Professor Oak

Professor Samuel Oak (Professor Yukinari Ōkido (オーキド・ユキナリ博士, Ōkido Yukinari-hakase)) is a Pokémon researcher and the grandfather of Blue in the Kanto-based games. He is described as the leading Pokémon expert, specializing in Pokémon behavioral science. Alongside his research, he is also authorized by the Pokémon League to give new Pokémon trainers one of the three starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander. In the anime, he gives Ash Ketchum his Pikachu after he arrives too late to receive one of the usual three starter Pokémon. In Pokémon Yellow, he gives Red a Pikachu after Blue takes an Eevee. A younger version of the character has a major supporting role in the movie Pokémon 4Ever.

Gym leaders and Elite Four

Each main-series Pokémon game, with the exception of Pokémon Sun and Moon and their remakes, includes a group of eight "Gym leaders", who award the player character a badge upon defeat. Each Gym leader possesses a team of several Pokémon of similar type or theming. Particularly notable Gym leaders of the Kanto-based games are:

• Brock (Takeshi (タケシ)) is the Gym Leader of Pewter City and an expert on Rock-type Pokémon. In the Pokémon anime, he joins Ash on his adventure, leaving his post to his father, Flint. However, in Pokémon Chronicles, he returns to find his mother leading the gym using Water-type Pokémon.
• Misty (Kasumi (カスミ)) is the Gym Leader of Cerulean City and an expert on Water-type Pokémon. In the anime, she leaves this post for a time to join Ash on his adventure. In Pokémon Chronicles, Misty returns to take over as Gym Leader from her sisters and becomes one of the main characters, often co-starring with Tracey Sketchit, Casey or one of her sisters: Daisy, Lily, and Violet.

In addition to Brock and Misty, the other gym leaders are Lt. Surge, Erika, Sabrina, Koga, Blaine, and Giovanni.

Each main-series Pokémon game also includes a group of elite-level trainers at the end of the game, which is called the Elite Four in Kanto. This team includes the Ice-themed Lorelei, Fighting-themed Bruno, Ghost-themed Agatha, and Dragon-themed Lance.^[3]

Team Rocket

Giovanni (Sakaki (サカキ)) is the leader of the villainous Team Rocket. He runs the ground-type Gym in Pokémon Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and their remakes. He later disappears and is not seen again, though Team Rocket attempts to locate him in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, and their remakes. He also appears as the final boss of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon in the postgame story. Giovanni is a recurring character in the Pokémon anime series, where he is the boss of Jessie and James.

Jessie (Musashi (ムサシ)) and James (Kojirō (コジロウ)) are a pair of Team Rocket grunts who originate from the Pokémon anime series. The appear as mini-bosses in Yellow, Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. Their English names are a reference to outlaw Jesse James.^[4] Their Japanese names are references to two famed swordsmen in Japanese history, Sasaki Kojirō and Miyamoto Musashi, who famously fought each other on the Island of Ganryū in 1612, resulting in Musashi's victory and Kojirō's death.

Protagonists

Gold/Ethan (ゴールド/ヒビキ, Gold/Hibiki) is the protagonist of Pokémon Gold and Silver, and the male protagonist of Pokémon Crystal, HeartGold, and SoulSilver.

Kris (クリス, Kris) was introduced in Pokémon Crystal, and was the first female player character in the Pokémon series. Though players at the time paid little attention to the addition of a female character, Kris is considered a meaningful addition by women who grew up with the game. Playing as the character was noted as a formative queer experience for transgender women. The character was replaced by Lyra (コトネ, Kotone) in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.^[5][6][7]

Silver

Silver (シルバー, Silver) is the rival of the Johto-based games. He steals his first Pokémon from Professor Elm and tends to see Pokémon as tools to use and discard. Unlike rivals before him, Silver is depicted as a mediocre trainer, though both the Sprout Tower sage and Johto Champion Lance see talent and great potential in him. He eventually realizes his wrongdoings and changes his ways by treating his Pokémon with respect. Silver also appears in Pokémon Masters EX, in which he is identified by Ho-Oh as being pure of heart. He is the son of Giovanni, with the Celebi event in HeartGold and SoulSilver showing their past.

Professor Elm

Professor Elm (Professor Utsugi (ウツギ博士, Utsugi-hakase)) is an absent-minded Pokémon researcher and former student of Professor Oak. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, he is authorized by the Pokémon League to give new trainers one of the three starter Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. He specializes in research regarding Pokémon breeding and is credited with the discovery of Pokémon eggs, even gifting the player character a Togepi egg for research.

Jasmine

Jasmine (Mikan (ミカン)) is the Olivine City Gym Leader and an expert on Steel-type Pokémon. She initially refuses the player's challenge because she is tending to a sick Ampharos named Amphy that provides light for the city lighthouse. She challenges the player after they get Amphy proper medicine from Cianwood City. Jasmine reappears as a minor character in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.^[8] She was introduced to Pokémon Masters EX in 2020.^[9][10]

Protagonists and rivals

Brendan (ユウキ, Yūki) and May (ハルカ, Haruka) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and Omega Ruby, and Alpha Sapphire. The player can select which character they want to play as, with the other character taking the role of the main rival.

Wally (ミツル, Mitsuru) is an additional rival character. He is introduced as a sickly young boy who needs help catching a Pokémon. Using a borrowed Zigzagoon, the player character helps him catch a Ralts. When he later battles the protagonist, he seems healthier and in tune with his Pokémon. He battles the player for the last time in Victory Road and waits there, always ready for a rematch.

Professor Birch

Professor Birch (Professor Odamaki (オダマキ博士, Odamaki-hakase)) is a Pokémon researcher, known for his fieldwork and research on Pokémon habitual distribution. He is also the father of the rival character. In the games, Birch gives the player character and the main rival a starter Pokémon: Treecko, Torchic or Mudkip. At the beginning of the game, he is attacked by a Poochyena and drops his bag, resulting in the player having to use one of his Pokémon to save him. In the anime, he gives May her Torchic. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the father of Sapphire.

Other characters

Norman (Senri (センリ)) is the Petalburg City Gym Leader and an expert on Normal-type Pokémon. In the games, Norman is the protagonist's father. In the anime, he is the father of May and Max. In the Pokémon Adventures manga, he is the father of Ruby and a close friend of Professor Birch.

Wallace (Mikuri (ミクリ)) is the Sootopolis City Gym Leader in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. He is an expert on Water-type Pokémon and a skilled artist and top Pokémon Contest star. In Pokémon Emerald, Wallace becomes the Pokémon League Champion, leaving the post of Gym Leader to his mentor, Juan. In the anime, he does not appear until the Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl anime series, where he is a Contest Master from the Hoenn region who holds a Contest called the Wallace Cup.

Steven Stone (Daigo Tsuwabuki (ツワブキ・ダイゴ, Tsuwabuki Daigo)) is the Champion of the Hoenn League in Ruby, Sapphire, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. He is the son of the president of Devon Corporation and aids the player in their battles against Teams Magma and Aqua. In Emerald, he has retired from competitive battling, but can be challenged at Meteor Falls as the game's ultimate superboss. His signature Pokémon is Metagross.

Maxie (Matsubusa (マツブサ)) is the leader of Team Magma, which aims to awaken Groudon to cause a drought that will dry the oceans and expand landmasses. In contrast, Archie (Aogiri (アオギリ)) is the leader of Team Aqua, which aims to awaken Kyogre to cause a heavy rainfall that will flood the landmasses and expand the oceans.

Lucas and Dawn

Lucas (コウキ, Kōki) and Dawn (ヒカリ, Hikari) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl.

Barry

Barry (ジュン, Jun) is the rival character in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl and Platinum. He is often impatient and is determined to be the best Trainer. He is best friends with the player, who he aids throughout their journey, and his father, Palmer, owns the Battle Tower in Sinnoh. He tends to accidentally crash into people, and often tries to fine people for being too slow. This is due to him apparently wanting to save up for a Battle Tower to compete with his father's.

Professor Rowan

Professor Rowan (Professor Nanakamado (ナナカマド博士, Nanakamado-hakase)) is the Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl games, having returned to Sinnoh after four years of traveling abroad. He is a senior researcher to and old friend of Professor Oak, and is known for his research on Pokémon evolution. He is authorized to give trainers one of three Sinnoh starter Pokémon, Turtwig, Chimchar or Piplup. In the anime, he gives Dawn her Piplup. He has an assistant, either Lucas or Dawn, depending on which player character was not chosen by the player.

Other characters

Cynthia (Shirona (シロナ)) is the Sinnoh League Champion, who uses mostly female Pokémon. She is interested in mythology and history and spends her time researching and exploring various sites associated with Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region. In the game, she helps the protagonist fight against Team Galactic and assists them when Giratina appears. In the anime, Ash first meets Cynthia after she defeats Paul in a battle; she later helps the group fight against Team Galactic. She also appears in Black and White and their sequels, where the player can battle her.

Cyrus (Akagi (アカギ)) is the nihilistic leader of the villainous Team Galactic and the main antagonist of the Sinnoh games. Although it appears he wants to work with his team to create a new dimension, his true goal is to create a dimension solely for himself; one devoid of emotions that he sees as weak and useless.

"Looker" ("Handsome" (ハンサム, Hansamu)) is a member of Interpol who appears in Pokémon Platinum, where he is investigating Team Galactic. He appears again in Black and White, seelking the player's assistance in apprehending the seven sages of Team Plasma. During the events of Black 2 and White 2, he is in another region searching for N alongside the player character of Black and White. In X and Y, he poses as a detective to investigate a Team Flare scientist. In Sun and Moon, he comes to Alola to assist the player with capturing the Ultra Beasts that were unleashed there.

Protagonists

Hilbert (トウヤ, Tōya) and Hilda (トウコ, Tōko) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Black and White. Nate (キョウヘイ, Kyōhei) and Rosa (メイ, Mei) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.

Rivals

Cheren (チェレン, Cheren) is one of the rival characters in Pokémon Black and White, and is one of the player's childhood friends. He is intelligent and trustworthy, often giving the player character advice and battling them to test his skills. Like the player, he aims to become Champion. Two years later, in Black 2 and White 2, he becomes Aspertia City's Gym Leader. His name is derived from the Bulgarian word for black: черен (cheren).^[11]

Bianca (ベル, Bel) is the other rival in Pokémon Black and White, and alongside Cheren is one of the player's childhood friends. She is spontaneous and sometimes unreliable, but she develops over the course of the journey. She also has a strong side, which she shows when she goes on a Pokémon journey against her father's wishes. Her father wants her to stay at home, believing the world to be unsafe, until Elesa eventually convinces him to let keep Bianca go on her own journey. Two years later, in the events of Black 2 and White 2, she becomes an assistant to Professor Juniper and gives the player their starter Pokémon. Her English name is derived from the Italian word for white, while her Japanese name "Bel" is derived from the Russian word for white: бел (bel).^[11]

Hugh (ヒュウ, Hue) is the sole rival in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. He is from Aspertia City and one of the player's childhood friends. Like the player characters, he also seeks to become a Pokémon Master. Throughout the game, the player helps Hugh retrieve his sister's Purrloin, which was stolen by Team Plasma years prior.

Professor Juniper

Professor Aurea Juniper (Professor Araragi (アララギ博士, Araragi-hakase)) is the Pokémon Professor in the Pokémon Black and White games and the first female professor to appear in the video games. She specializes in research involving the origins of Pokémon. She gives the player character, Bianca, and Cheren each one of the game's starter Pokémon: Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott. In the anime, she gives Trip a Snivy and allows Ash to keep an Oshawott that escapes from her lab. Her father, Cedric Juniper, was a Pokémon Professor and has since retired.

Other characters

Fennel (Makomo (マコモ)) is a Pokémon professor who studies Pokémon trainers and the dreams of Pokémon. The player encounters her when Team Plasma abducts a Munna from her research facility to use its Dream Mist powers. She gives access to the games' wireless capabilities and online systems.

Alder (Adeku (アデク)) is the former Champion of the Unova League, who helps the player battle Team Plasma throughout Unova. N successfully challenges him to battle and wins, forcing the player to fight N instead. The player can later challenge Alder after finishing the main story of the game. While he does not specialize in a particular Pokémon type, half of his Pokémon are Bug types and his signature Pokémon is Volcarona. He later reveals he had another Volcarona that died before the games begin. He retires from his position by the time Black 2 and White 2 take place, having been succeeded by Iris, but can be battled in his home in Floccesy Town after the player has completed the main story.

N (エヌ, Enu) is the leader of Team Plasma. He is a mysterious trainer who shows up throughout the player's journey and believes that humans and Pokémon should be separated. He was forced to grow up with abused Pokémon, as a plot by his adoptive father Ghetsis, so that he would want to liberate Pokémon from humans. By following through with the plan, he captures either Zekrom in Black or Reshiram in White to show the world his power. N returns in Black 2 and White 2 in a supporting role, enabling the games' mascot Kyurem to transform. N later on becomes a character the player can challenge on a monthly basis, with his team changing with the games' seasonal cycle. His full name is Natural Harmonia Gropius (ナチュラル・ハルモニア・グロピウス, Nachuraru Harumonia Guropiusu).

Ghetsis Harmonia Gropius (G-Cis Harmonia Gropius (ゲーチス・ハルモニア・グロピウス, Gēchisu Harumonia Guropiusu) is the true leader of Team Plasma and the main antagonist of the Unova games. He is the adoptive father of N, Anthea, and Concordia, who initially appears as one of the Seven Sages devoted to Plasma's cause. However during the climax of the first games, it is revealed he manipulated N and Team Plasma as part of his plan to rule over the world via N. He is arrested after being beaten by Hilbert/Hilda, but escapes thanks to the Shadow Triad. He returns in the sequels as the leader behind Neo Team Plasma, wanting to use Kyurem to freeze and rule over Unova. He reveals himself after Colress' defeat and retreats to Giant Chasm with Kyurem. After his attempt to murder Nate/Rosa is thwarted by N, he merges his (N's) legendary with Kyurem. After beating it and Ghetsis, he snaps completely and is transported away by the Shadow Triad.

Colress (Achroma (アクロマ, Akuroma)) is an independent Pokémon researcher and a proxy leader of Neo Team Plasma, who works to learn about the powers of Pokémon and bring out the true strength within them. He battles the player several times throughout the game to test their abilities and the power of their Pokémon. He eventually aligns with Neo Team Plasma, as they will allow him to study Pokémon the way he wishes. In the main story of Black 2 and White 2, he is the helmsman of Team Plasma's primary mode of transportation. After Neo Team Plasma is defeated, he helps the group reform. He returns in Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, helping the player character defeat Team Rainbow Rocket in the post-game story. He has a larger and more antagonistic role in the anime, as he builds a device that would allow Ghetsis to control Reshiram and takes control of various Pokémon, including Team Rocket's Meowth.

Calem and Serena

Calem (カルム, Karumu) and Serena (セレナ, Serena) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon X and Y.

Rivals

Shauna (サナ, Sana) is one of the rivals/friends of the player character in Pokémon X and Y. She is energetic and curious, but is searching for a goal in life. She gives the player character a nickname at the outset of their journey.

Tierno (ティエルノ, Tierno) is interested in finding new Pokémon to make the perfect Pokémon Dance Team.

Trevor (トロバ, Trevor) is studious and wishes to fill up all three parts of the Kalos region's Pokédex.

Professor Sycamore

Professor Augustine Sycamore (Professor Platane (プラターヌ博士, Puratānu-hakase)) is the professor of the Kalos region, who occasionally battles the player. Unlike previous professors, who gave out the regions' starter Pokémon, Kalos's starter Pokémon Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie are given out by one of the player character's friends. Instead, Professor Sycamore gives the player a choice between Kanto's starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.

Diantha

Diantha (Carnet (カルネ, Karune)) is the Kalos League's Champion, but she does not reveal this to the player when they first meet in Lumiose City. She is known in the Kalos Region as a popular celebrity, appearing in films and advertisements, but the player does not discover her place in the Pokémon League until the end of the game. She does not specialize in a particular Pokémon type, but her signature Pokémon is her Mega Gardevoir.

Lysandre

Lysandre (Fleur-de-Lis (フラダリ, Furadari) is the leader of the villainous Team Flare, who seeks to attain eternal beauty. He follows the player's progress closely, seeking them in his plans and revealing the history of Kalos and the king AZ, who nearly wiped out all life. He is also related to AZ, as he is a descendant of his brother. After his identity as Team Flare's leader is revealed, he admits he wishes to use AZ's weapon to enact mass extinction, believing the Mega Ring to be central to his plans. The player ultimately defeats Lysandre and when Lysandre attempts to activate the weapon, despite the player having captured its power source, the weapon crumbles and destroys the headquarters. Lysandre also appears in the anime as a recurring antagonist, where his plans are similar to the games.

Elio and Selene

Elio (ヨウ, Yō) and Selene (ミヅキ, Mizuki) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon.

Hau and Gladion

Hau (ハウ, Hau) is one of the rivals of Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. Compared to previous rivals, he is more friendly and loves malasadas. He is Melemele Kahuna Hala's grandson.

Gladion (グラジオ, Gladio) is another rival character in the games, who lends his strength to Team Skull as an enforcer. He values being strong in Pokémon battles. His partner Pokémon is the mysterious Type: Null, which later evolves to Silvally. He is Lusamine's son and Lillie's brother.

Professor Kukui

Professor Kukui (ククイ博士, Kukui-hakase) is the Pokémon Professor in Pokémon Sun and Moon, who studies Pokémon moves and takes Lillie under his wing as his assistant; he is married to Professor Burnett. He has a secondary double life as The Masked Royal and is one of the strongest opponents in the Battle Royal Dome. He is good friends with Molayne, who keeps his double life a secret. He takes one of the Alolan starter Pokémon under his wing, whichever was not chosen by Hau or the player, and later uses it in battle in its final form. He acts as the final opponent before becoming Champion in Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Team Skull

Team Skull (スカル団, Skull-dan, Skull Gang) is a gang of street thugs who are the resident villain team of Alola in Pokémon Sun and Moon, secretly working with the Aether Foundation after being promised money. They disband following the events of the games.

• Guzma (グズマ): Guzma is the boss of Team Skull, who battles without mercy. In the past, he went through the Island Challenge, but did not meet the criteria to become a captain. He has history with Professor Kukui, as they were both unable to become captains. He appears as a Double Battle partner at the Battle Tree and, in the Ultra versions, helps the player defeat Team Rainbow Rocket out of loyalty to Lusamine. After that, he appears as a possible Title Defense challenger.
• Plumeria (プルメリ, Plumeri): Plumeria is Team Skull's admin, who helps to keep the team in order. She cares for the grunts beneath her, making her less antagonistic than previous admins. She appears as a possible fighter in Title Defense.

Other characters

Lusamine (ルザミーネ): The leader of the Aether Foundation, the mother of Lillie and Gladion, and the true villain of the original Sun and Moon games. She is obsessed with the Ultra Beasts, specifically the Nihilego species, having fallen under their influence; Gladion speculates her fixation started after her husband Mohn vanished while studying them. She unleashes Nihilego upon Alola before deciding to live a solitary life amongst them in their home realm. She is taken over by a Nihilego at the games' climax in a last-ditch attempt to destroy the heroes. In the Ultra versions, she works with the Ultra Recon Squad and harnesses Nebby's power to fight Necrozma, but is easily defeated. She reforms at the end of the story, choosing to no longer interfere in her childrens' lives, but is captured by Team Rainbow Rocket and taken hostage in the post-game.

The Ultra Recon Squad (ウルトラ調査隊, Urutora chōsa-tai) is an organization that appears in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. They aim to investigate Ultra Wormholes and Ultra Beasts and return the light that was stolen from their home by Necrozma.

Lillie (リーリエ, Lilie) is an important character in Sun and Moon and their Ultra versions. She hates Pokémon battles because she dislikes seeing Pokémon getting hurt and likes reading. She keeps Nebby the Cosmog in her bag, which she stole from the Aether Foundation because she knew her mother's intentions could end up killing it. She later takes refuge with Professor Kukui and becomes his assistant.

Protagonists

Victor (マサル, Masaru) and Gloria (ユウリ, Yūri) are the male and female protagonists of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

Rivals

Sword and Shield features several rival characters. These are:

• Hop (ホップ, Hop) is the younger brother of Leon, the Champion of Galar. He idolizes his brother and aspires to become Champion himself. Over time, he grows frustrated with his constant losses to the player, until he eventually changes paths and sets out to become a Pokémon Professor.
• Bede (ビート, Beet) is an arrogant trainer whose Pokémon journey is sponsored by Chairman Rose. After he is disqualified from the Gym Challenge, Opal takes him under her wing and starts training him to become her successor. He initially specializes in Psychic-type Pokémon, but later on specializes in Fairy-type Pokémon.
• Marnie (マリィ, Mary) is the younger sister of Piers, who is Spikemuth's Gym Leader. Team Yell, a group of Gym trainers from Spikemuth, are her troublesome fans. After the game's conclusion, she succeeds Piers as Spikemuth's Gym Leader. She specializes in Dark-type Pokémon.
• Klara (クララ, Kurara) is the rival in the "Isle of Armor" story in Pokémon Sword. She was an underground "idol", and aspires to become a Poison-type Gym leader to acquire fans.
• Avery (セイボリー, Savory) is the rival in the "Isle of Armor" story in Pokémon Shield. He came from a family of psychics, but was shunned for being unable to teleport or read minds. He aspires to prove his family wrong and become a Psychic-type Gym leader.

Professors

Professor Magnolia (マグノリア博士, Magunoria-hakase) is the Pokémon Professor in the Galar region, who studies the Dynamax phenomenon and gives the player and Hop Dynamax Bands. She steps down as Professor near the end of the game.

Professor Sonia (ソニア博士, Sonia-hakase) is Magnolia's granddaughter, who becomes Galar professor after announcing her discovery of the legend of the Darkest Day. She also appears throughout the story, often assisting the player and Hop. She publishes a book on her Dynamax research and in turn the true history of Galar, which causes Sordward and Shielbert to start the events of the postgame story. In The Crown Tundra, she researches the Swords of Justice: Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion.

Other characters

Leon (Dande (ダンデ)) is the Champion of the Galar League. He often appears throughout the story, and defeats various out of control Dynamax Pokémon caused by Eternatus. He has a horrible sense of direction and often gets lost. He was childhood rivals with both Sonia and Raihan, a Gym Leader who specializes in Dragon-type Pokémon. After defeating him and becoming Champion, he converts Rose's tower base into the Battle Tower. He also sets up the Galarian Star Tournament at the end of The Crown Tundra.

Mustard (マスタード, Mustard) runs the dojo on the Isle of Armor. He is a former Galar Champion who trained Leon in the past, reigning undefeated for 18 years until he retired due to being asked to participate in a rigged match. He purchased the Isle of Armor and developed an interest in video games.

Rose (ローズ) is the chairman of the Galar Pokémon League, the president of a large business conglomerate, and the main villain of Sword and Shield. He is obsessed with solving Galar's future energy crisis, and wants to awake Eternatus because he believes harnessing its power would solve the problem. After the player defeats and catches Eternatus, he voluntarily surrenders to the authorities. He specializes in Steel-type Pokémon.

Sordward (ソッド, Swod) & Shielbert (シルディ, Shildy) are the main antagonists of the post-game story for Pokémon Sword and Shield. They believe that Sonia's accounts of Galar's history are false.