Pokémon

Pokémon is the name of a franchise created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996, and it's owned by Nintendo. It was

originally a series of video games, developed by Game Freak, and since then hase become one of the world's best known franchises, having been turned into an anime, manga, toys/games, books, movies, etc. Pokémon is short for Pocket Monsters (Japanese: Poketto Monsuta).

Anime[]

There are currently a total of 4 series: Pokemon (the original series), Advanced Generation, Diamond and Pearl and Best Wishes. These 4 series are further divided into seasons, which presently comprises 14. There is also a serial called Pokemon Chronicles, a series of episodes which do not have Ash Ketchum as the main character, but instead revolve around other recurring characters.

Characters[]

The characters of each series vary, but Ash Ketchum is the main character in all four, and after him comes his first Pokemon, Pikachu. Ash's traveling companions change in each series, but Brock appears in almost all of them.

Pokemon (Original): Seasons 1-5[]

Ash Ketchum: He is the main character of the anime, whose greatest dream is to become a Pokemon Master. The story starts with Ash choosing his starter Pokemon, a Pikachu. The rest of the series revolves around Ash and Pikachu's travels to other regions, where Ash encounters new friends and rivals, beats Gym Leaders, catches new Pokemon, and paves his own way to fulfill his destiny.

Misty: Misty is a water-type Gym Leader, and is the first person Ash meets on his journey. Pikachu accidentally

destroys Misty's bike and she follows Ash to get another one. They eventually become friends and she is one of Ash's companions throughout the first five seaons, leaving her Gym in Cerulean City under the care of her sisters.

Brock: He is the Gym Leader of Pewter city, a rock type trainer. Brock remains at home, sacrificing his dream of becoming the world's best Pokemon Breeder because he must look after his nine brothers and sisters. But Ash and Misty unknowingly persuade his father to come home, after which Brock leaves with Ash and Misty, too. Brock has remained the only character to have traveled with Ash in every series, except for Best Wishes.

Gary Oak: Ash's rival from childhood. He takes Squirtle, the very Pokemon Ash wanted to choose, and sets out on his journey at the same time as Ash. The two compete in everything they do, and want to be better than the other. Gary eventually becomes a Pokemon Professor, like his Grandfather, Professor Samuel Oak.

Delia Ketchum: Ash's mother. She constantly supports her son in all aspects.

Jessie and James: These are two of Team Rocket's lower members along with their talking Pokemon, Meowth, who try to get promoted by giving their boss things which will please him. They appear in every episode but the first, usually trying to capture Pikachu in but always fail. In Best Wishes, they do get promoted.

Tracey Sketchit: Tracey is one of Ash and Misty's friend who loves to draw Pokemon and take photographs. He accompanies them to the Orange Islands. On their return, he becomes Prof. Oak's assistant.

Advanced Generation: Seasons 6-9[]

May: May is the first of Ash's friends in Hoenn and comes from Petalburg City. She is a great coordinator, the best in her region. May's starter Pokemon is Torchic. Her father is Norman, Gym Leader of Petalburg City and her mother is Caroline. May also has a brother by the name of Max, who travels with her, Ash and
Brock later on. May's bike was also barbecued by Pikachu. Her rivals are Drew, Solidad, Jessilina and a very insulting type coordinator: Harley. May, after winning all the Hoenn ribbons, goes to Sinnoh, and later to Johto.

Max: May's younger brother, who is nine. Max has alot of knowledge about Pokemon, but is too young to have one of his own, although he has befriended a few.
Drew: May's main rival in the series. He is one of the best coordinators. but May is able to beat him. He comes from a movie-only location, LaRousse City. Drew helps May become a better coordinator throughout the series, criticizing her and giving her tips. He is also the rival of Solidad, Jessilina and Harley.

Diamond and Pearl: Seasons 10-13[]

Dawn: Dawn, daughter of former Top Coordinator, Johanna, is Ash's companion in Sinnoh, alongside Brock. She first appears in Following a Maiden's Voyage, in which her bike is also charred. Like May, Dawn is also one of the best coordinators in the Pokemon world, and the best in her region. She is also friends with May, as well as the rival of Ursula, Nando, Kenny, Zoey and Jessilina. Her starter Pokemon is Piplup. Dawn wins the Wallace Cup, against May. It is believed she travels to Hoenn after this.
Paul: Ash's rival in Sinnoh. Paul sees his Pokemon as tools, only to help him win battles. He acts very cold-hearted, even going as far as releasing Pokemon if he finds them weak. By far, Paul is better than Ash, defeating him in all their battles, except for the Sinnoh League. Paul has also entered in contests.
Barry: Another of Ash's rival, who also comes from Twinleaf Town, like Dawn and Kenny, but knows Kenny only. He is a major fan of Paul, but unlike him, is very social and makes friends easily.
Kenny: Kenny is the rival of Dawn. He teases Dawn by calling her Dee Dee or Diamond Dandruff.
Zoey: Like kenny, Zoey is also a rival of Dawn. She is really kind-hearted and stands up for Dawn when ever Kenny teases her.
Ursula: Ursula is the rival of Dawn in Sinnoh.

Best Wishes! (Black & White): Seasons 14-16[]

Iris: A Dragon-type Gym Leader from Unova. She meets Ash when he first comes there, and the two end up fighting and competing over petty things. They become friends over time and Iris travels with Ash and Cilan in

Taken from Pokemon Wiki

Unova, helping Ash find his way around the region. She rivals with Georgia, a Dragon Buster.
Cilan: Another Gym Leader who joins Ash and Iris on their journey. He is a Pokemon Connoiseur, and rivals Burgundy. He has two brothers, Chili and Cress and his starter is a Pansage.
Trip: Ash's rival in Unova. He is from Nuvema Town and first appear's in In The Shadow Of Zekrom. He chooses Snivy as his starter. He is also a Pokemon Photographer.
Bianca: Bianca is a Pokemon Trainer, who loves to collect cute Pokemon. She is Ash's rival.
Burgundy: Another Pokemon Connoiseur with a Dewott, who rivals with Cilan.
Georgia: A Dragon Buster with a Beartic who rivals with Iris.

XY: Seasons 17-present[]

Serena:
Clemont:
Bonnie:

Gym Leaders[]

Kanto[]

Misty
Brock
Lt. Surge
Erika
Janine and Koga
Sabrina
Blaine
Agatha

Johto[]

Falkner
Bugsy
Whitney
Morty
Chuck
Jasmine
Pryce
Clair

Hoenn[]

Roxanne
Brawly
Wattson
Flannery
Norman
Winona
Tate & Liza
Juan

Sinnoh[]

Roark
Gardenia
Maylene
Crasher Wake
Fantina
Byron
Candice
Volkner

Unova[]

Cilan, Chili and Cress
Lenora
Burgh
Elesa
Clay
Skyla
Brycen
Drayden
Roxie
Cheren
Marlon

Other Characters[]

Professors: There is a different Pokemon Professor in each region, who gives Ash his Pokedex and Ash's companions (May and Dawn) their starters, as well as other trainers. Some prominent Professors are: Professor Oak, Professor Elm, Professor Ivy, Professor Birch, Professor Juniper, Professor Rowan and Professor Cozmo.
Nurse Joy: Each Pokemon Center is headed by a Nurse whose name is Joy. Nurses from the first 4 regions have the same appearance, except for the cross on their hats, while the Unova Joys vary. Each Joy has a different colored cross on her hat, corresponding to her area. All these nurses come from a large family, in which every one has the same name: Joy. Joys own Chansey or Blissey in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh and Audino in Unova.
Officer Jenny: Like the Joys, Jennys also come from a large family where every one has the same appearance and name. The Jennys in Unova differ from the other Jennys. Jenny usually own Growlithe or Arcanine.
Don George: Like the Joys and Jennys, Don Georges also come from a large family where everyone has the same name and appearance.