Pokémon Trainer

For the character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl referred to as "Pokémon Trainer," see Pokémon Trainer (Super Smash Bros.).
"Trainer" redirects here. For the type of Pokémon Trading Card Game card, see Trainer card.

A Pokémon Trainer (Japanese: ポケモントレーナー Pokémon Trainer) is a person who catches, trains, cares for and battles with Pokémon. The majority of people within the known Pokémon world are Trainers.

File:Charizard red stuff.jpg
Generation I artwork of Pokémon Trainers and their Pokémon

Background

Many Trainers leave home at about the age of ten, sometimes accompanied with a starter Pokémon obtained from a Pokémon Professor, such as Oak. Many will travel around one or more regions, doing such things as gathering information for a Pokédex, perfecting their technique, collecting Badges, and working to become a Pokémon Master. No matter what their specialties or aims, there is one code that they all follow - when two Trainers make eye contact, they must have a battle.

 
Trainers from different classes: A Rocket Grunt, a Lass, and a Bug Catcher

Pokémon Trainers come in all sorts of classes: Youngsters tend to stay close to home, and Bug Catchers swarm about the Bug-filled forests; Hikers traverse mountains and caves, Fishermen are rarely far from water, and Ace Trainers aspire to compete in the Pokémon League. A Trainer's class may reflect their Pokémon of choice, the areas they prefer, their technique, and their level of skill; however, even within each class, Trainers may vary greatly.

 
A Pokédex and set of Poké Balls for a Trainer in the Pokémon Black & White anime

Many towns have a Gym run by a strong and experienced Trainer known as a Gym Leader. Other Trainers may challenge a Gym Leader, and if the Gym Leader is defeated in battle, he or she awards them a Pokémon League Badge. However, in the Pokémon anime, the Gym Leader may award the Trainer a Badge for other reasons, since the Badge is a symbol of the Trainer's skill. For example, Ash Ketchum won several of his early Badges by refusing to take an unfair advantage or going out of his way to save a Gym, which proved himself as an exceptional Trainer outside of battle.

Above the level of Gym Leaders are the Elite Four Trainers and Pokémon League Champion. There are also a special class of Trainers known as the Frontier Brains, but they are unique to Pokémon Emerald, Pokémon Platinum, and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver and part of a privately owned institution known as the Battle Frontier, and so may not be recognized by the League. These Trainers are considered the cream of the crop, and can only be challenged if a Trainer has met requirements such as winning eight Badges. Should a Trainer defeat other Trainers at this level, it is not uncommon for him or her to be offered a place in these high ranks.

However, just as there are many Trainers with noble goals and lawful methods, there are also corrupt Trainers, including a number of villainous teams. These Trainers often use powerful Pokémon to take what they want and further their plans.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Main article: Pokémon Trainer (Super Smash Bros.)

There is a playable character called "Pokémon Trainer" in the game Super Smash Bros. Brawl. His appearance is based on Red's Generation III design, and he uses members of the evolution families of the Kanto starters to battle against the others.

As a Trainer class

 
The Trainer class as it appears in-battle

In the games, Pokémon Trainer (rendered as "PKMN Trainer") is used as the Trainer class for certain storyline characters. These opponents tend to be the most powerful non-arena Trainers the player will face, notably including rivals (except Blue and Silver, who are instead outright referred to as rivals), Red from Pokémon Gold and Silver, Crystal, and HeartGold and SoulSilver, Steven from Pokémon Emerald, the Stat trainers in Pokémon Platinum, and Cynthia from Black and White. N also uses this class until he is revealed to be the king of Team Plasma. This class is used for every opponent in link battles or in the Pokémon World Tournament.

Trivia

  • For Gettin' Twiggy With It!, Professor Oak's lecture is about the Pokémon Trainer. He writes this Pokémon senryū about it: さあ10さい ぼくもわたしも トレーナー Sā jussai, boku mo watashi mo torēnā. "Ah, the age 10; we will all be Trainers."
  • Even though it is stated in the anime that a person may not become a Trainer until the age of 10, there are many Trainers in other media that are obviously below the minimum age, such as the Trainer classes Twins, Tuber, and Preschooler. Preschooler Hellen emphasizes the fact that she is four years old.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 寵物小精靈訓練員 Chungmat-siujingling Fanlinyuen
Mandarin 神奇寶貝訓練家*/神奇宝贝训练家* Shénqí-baǒbeì Xùnliànjiā
精灵宝可梦训练家* Jīnglíng-Pokémon Xùnliànjiā
  Danish Pokémon-træner
  Finnish Pokémon-kouluttaja
  European French Dresseur Pokémon
  German Pokémon-Trainer
  Greek Εκπαιδευτής Πόκεμον
  Indonesian Pelatih Pokémon
  Italian Allenatore di Pokémon
  Korean 포켓몬 트레이너 Pocketmon Trainer
  Polish Trener Pokémonów
  Brazilian Portuguese Treinador Pokémon
  Romanian Antrenor Pokémon
  Russian Тренер Покемонов
  European Spanish Entrenador Pokémon
  Swedish Pokémon-tränare

See also


  The Pokémon League  
Participation
TrainerBattleGym Leaders
GymsBadgesReferee
Championship matches
Elite FourOrange League
Champion League
Pokémon League Conferences
IndigoSilverEver GrandeLily of the Valley
VertressLumioseManalo
Regional Pokémon Leagues
IndigoOrange*JohtoHoennSinnoh
UnovaKalosAlolaGalarPaldea
Areas of jurisdiction
Pokémon League Reception GateHall of Fame
Palace of VictoryCerulean Cave
Others
Pokémon AssociationPIA
World Coronation Series
(Masters Eight Tournament)



Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series
Kanto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*Bug CatcherBurglarCamper*ChampionGSCFRLGHGSSPE
ChannelerElite FourGSCFRLGHGSSPEEngineerFishermanGamer*GentlemanGym Leader*GSCFRLGHGSSPE
HikerJugglerLassPicnicker*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Trainer*GSCPEPsychicRivalFRLGRockerRoughneck*
SailorScientistSuper NerdSwimmerTamerTeam Rocket Boss*FRLGHGSSPETeam Rocket Grunt*Youngster
BoarderHGSSDouble TeamHGSSFirebreatherGSCHGSSGuitaristGSCHGSSMediumGSCHGSS
PokéfanGSCHGSSSchool Kid*GSCHGSSSkierHGSSTeacherGSCHGSSTwinsGSCFRLGHGSS
Cool CoupleFRLGCrush KinFRLGSis and BroFRLGYoung CoupleFRLGHGSS
Coach TrainerPEKarate MasterPEPunk GuyPETeam RocketPETeam Rocket AdminPE
Master TrainersPE
Unused Trainer class:
ChiefRGBY
Johto Ace Trainer*BeautyBikerBird KeeperBlack Belt*BoarderBug CatcherBurglarCamper
ChampionExecutive*FirebreatherFisherman*GentlemanGuitaristHikerJugglerKimono GirlLass
LeaderMediumPicnickerPokéfanPoké Maniac*PKMN TrainerPoliceman*PsychicRivalHGSSSage
SailorSchool Kid*ScientistSkierSuper NerdSwimmerTeacherTeam Rocket Grunt*TwinsYoungster
Mystery Man*CHGSSDouble TeamHGSSElderHGSSPasserbyHGSSYoung CoupleHGSS
Battle Frontier only:HGSS

Aroma LadyArtistBattle GirlCameramanClownCollectorCowgirlCyclistDragon TamerIdol
JoggerLadyNinja BoyParasol LadyPIPoké KidPKMN BreederPKMN RangerRancherReporter
Rich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSocialiteTuberVeteranWaiterWaitressWorker
Arcade StarCastle ValetFactory HeadHall MatronTower Tycoon

Hoenn Ace Trainer*Aqua AdminSEASAqua LeaderSEASAroma LadyBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack Belt
Bug CatcherBug ManiacCamperChampionCollectorDragon TamerElite FourExpertFisherman
GentlemanGuitaristHex ManiacHikerInterviewers*KindlerLadyLassLeaderMagma AdminREOR
Magma LeaderREORNinja BoyOld CoupleParasol LadyPicnickerPoké Fan*Poké Maniac*Pokémon Breeder*
Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*PsychicRich BoyRuin ManiacSailorSchoolkid*Sis & Bro*Swimmer
Team Aqua GruntSEASTeam Magma GruntREORTeammates*TriathleteTuberTwinsWinstrateYoung CoupleYoungster
Ace DuoORASBrains & BrawnORASBackpackerORASDelinquentORASFairy Tale GirlORASFare PrinceORAS
Free DiverORASLeadersORASLorekeeperORASMysterious SistersORASProprietorORASRotation GirlORAS
Scuba DiverORASSecret Base ExpertORASSecret Base TrainerORASSootopolitanORASStreet ThugORAS
Battle Frontier only:E
Arena TycoonDome AceFactory HeadPalace MavenPike QueenPyramid KingSalon Maiden
Battle Institute and Battle Maison only:ORAS
ArtistBattle ChatelaineButlerChefFurisode GirlGarçonGardenerMadameMaidMonsieurOwnerPreschooler
Punk GirlPunk GuyRising StarRoller SkaterSchoolboySchoolgirlScientistTouristVeteranWaitressWorker
Sinnoh Ace TrainerAroma LadyArtistBattle GirlBeautyBird KeeperBlack BeltBug CatcherCameramanCamperChampion
ClownCollectorCommanderCowgirlCyclistDouble TeamDragon TamerElite FourFisher*GentlemanGuitarist
Gym Leader*HikerIdolInterviewersJoggerLadyLassMadame*Ninja BoyParasol LadyPicnickerPIPoké Fan*
Poké KidPokémon Breeder*Pokémon Ranger*Pokémon Trainer*Police Officer*PsychicRancherRanchers*
ReporterRich BoyRoughneckRuin ManiacSailorSchool KidScientistSkierSwimmerTeam Galactic Boss*
Team Galactic Grunt*Tower TycoonTuberTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoung CoupleYoungster
Arcade StarPtCastle ValetPtFactory HeadPtHall MatronPtMaidPtGAME FREAK'sBDSP
Unova Ace TrainerArtistBackersBackpackerBakerBattle GirlBikerBlack BeltChampionClerk
CyclistDancerDepot AgentDoctorElite FourFishermanGAME FREAKGentlemanGym Leader*
HarlequinHikerHooligansHoopsterInfielderJanitorLadyLassLinebackerMaidMotorcyclistMusician
NurseNursery AideParasol LadyPilotPokéfanPKMN BreederPKMN RangerPokémon Trainer*Policeman
PreschoolerPsychicRich BoyRoughneckSchool KidScientistSmasherSocialiteStrikerSubway Boss
SwimmerTeam PlasmaTeam Plasma GruntThe RichesBWTwinsVeteranWaiterWaitressWorkerYoungster
BeautyB2W2Boss TrainerB2W2GuitaristB2W2
Pokéstar Studios only:B2W2
A-list ActorActorActressBig StarCelebrityChic ActressChild StarComedian
Fine ActorMovie StarNew ActressStar ActorSuit ActorUnique StarVeteran Star
Pokémon World Tournament only:B2W2
Junior RepresentativeMaster RepresentativeSenior Representative
World ChampionWorld FinalistWorld Runner-up
Blueberry Academy only:SV
BB League ChampionBB League Elite FourBlueberry Academy Director
DirectorInstructorLeague ClubStudentTop Champion
  This Trainer Class article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.