Pokémon Trainer
- Trainer redirects here. For other uses, see Trainer (disambiguation).
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.
Pokémon Trainer is a broad term for any person who owns Pokémon, including Coordinators and Breeders. However, the term is more often used to refer to people on a journey to collect Gym Badges and enter the Pokémon League.
Terminology
This is officially written as "Trainer" starting with a capital letter. However, in some early official media, it was written in lowercase as "trainer" instead. For instance: "You've been finally granted your Pokémon trainer's license. Now it's time to to become the world's greatest Pokémon trainer! (written on the back of the boxes of Pokémon Red and Blue)
In the core series games
Many Trainers leave home, sometimes accompanied with a first partner Pokémon obtained from a Pokémon Professor, to travel around one or more regions, doing such things as gathering information for a Pokédex, perfecting their technique, collecting Gym 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.
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 favorite type, the areas they prefer, their technique, and their level of skill; however, even within each class, Trainers may vary greatly.
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, they award the challenger a 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 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. In Alola, each of the four islands has a kahuna who may be challenged by traveling Trainers taking the island challenge after the completion of their island's trials.
Above the level of Gym Leaders and island kahunas are the Elite Four members and the Pokémon League Champion. There are also Trainers who serve as leaders for battle facilities not recognized by the Pokémon League, such as the Frontier Brains of the Battle Frontier and the Battle Chatelaines of the Battle Maison. These Trainers are considered the cream of the crop, and should a Trainer defeat other Trainers at this level, it is not uncommon for them 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 and poachers. These Trainers often use powerful Pokémon to take what they want and further their plans.
While the viability of Pokémon training as a lifestyle is never outright stated in most games, it is implied in Pokémon Sun and Moon that it does not guarantee a sufficient income. Several Eevee users are seen having to take up part-time jobs in order to obtain the finances needed to support themselves, with the latter being unable to go into retirement using just the funds from Pokémon training.
During the time period in which Pokémon Legends: Arceus is set, the term "Pokémon Trainer" was not in use, though a few people at the time still kept, trained, cared for, and battled with Pokémon as partners. The phrase "Pokémon wielder" or "wielder of Pokémon" is used by Volo to describe himself and the player (though no other contemporaneous character uses the term) and in Raifort's explanation about the treasures of ruin; the same Japanese phrase has also been translated as "Pokémon user" or "user of Pokémon" in past games going back to Pokémon Gold and Silver.
Trainer class
Trainer classes are the types of non-playable Pokémon Trainers that players can battle in all core series Pokémon games. They come in different varieties and sprites which describe their occupation, estimated age, and sometimes what Pokémon they train. For example, a Psychic is a young adult with telekinetic powers who trains Psychic-type Pokémon.
All Trainer classes have overworld or field sprites that sometimes may be used for non-Trainers. Unlike in-battle sprites, overworld sprites may be shared between multiple Trainer classes such as the Ace Trainer overworld sprite, which is shared with Dragon Tamers and Pokémon Rangers in Generation IV. Notable Trainer classes, such as Gym Leaders, have unique sprites between each individual one. Trainer classes can be combined in certain Double Battles; for example a Crush Girl and a Black Belt can team up to form a Crush Kin; however, special class names are not created for Trainers involved in a Multi Battle.
Starting from Generation III, the player assumes the form of a generic Trainer class of their choice when data of this player is exchanged wirelessly or through record mixing to another core series game of the same generation.
List of Trainer classes
- Main article: Category:Trainer classes
As a Trainer class
In the games, Pokémon Trainer (rendered as "PKMN Trainer" until Generation VI, in which the full title "Pokémon Trainer" is written out) 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. This class is used for all rivals (except Blue and Silver, who are instead outright referred to as rivals), every opponent in link battles and the Pokémon World Tournament, special Trainers in the Battle Tree, and Bosses of the Battle Agency, as well as the following characters:
- Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal: Red, Cal, and Carrie
- Pokémon Emerald: Steven
- Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum: the Stat Trainers (Cheryl, Mira, Riley, Buck, and Marley)
- Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver: Red
- Pokémon Black and White: Cynthia, Hilbert*, Hilda*.
- Pokémon Black 2 and White 2: Cynthia, Colress*, Rood, N, Alder, Cilan, Chili, Cress, Nate*, and Rosa*.
- Pokémon X and Y: AZ, Essentia, and Malva*
- Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire: Zinnia*
- Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon: Dexio, SinaMUM, MolayneSM, AnabelSM, Red*, Blue*, Ryuki, Plumeria*, Guzma*, and LillieUSUM
- Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!: Mina, Blue*, Archer*, Green, and Red
- Pokémon Sword and Shield: Piers*, Leon*, Sordward, Shielbert, Peony, and Opal*
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: Arven, Penny*, Youssef, Harrington, Carmine, Lacey*, Shige, and Aya
In the spin-off games
Play It! series
In the introduction of Pokémon Play It! and Pokémon Play It! Version 2, Julie says that she and the player character are Pokémon Trainers. However, they play the Trading Card Game rather than train Pokémon. In the lesson "What's a Trainer card?", Julie mentions that Bill is a Trainer as well.
Super Smash Bros. series
- 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 evolutionary families of the Kanto first partner Pokémon to battle against the others. While he was absent in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, he returned in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, along an alternate female version based on Leaf.
Trophy information
Two trophies appear in the 3DS version of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, one of the Brawl character and one of the player characters from Pokémon X and Y.
Pokémon Trainer
NA: Pop quiz! What do Misty, Brock, Cynthia, Iris, and Ash all have in common? That's right—they're all Pokémon Trainers! This Pokémon Master in the making is the same. Back in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, he fought to be the very best—like no one ever was. To smash them was his real test—to launch them was his cause!
PAL: Quiz time! What do Misty, Brock, Cynthia, Iris and Ash all have in common? That's right - they're all Pokémon Trainers! This Pokémon Master in the making is just the same. He fought to be the very best - like no one ever was - back in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. To smash them was his real test - to launch them was his cause.
Pokémon Trainer (Pokémon X & Y) (NA)/Trainers (PAL)
NA: We suppose it's possible you've missed out up till now, so let us explain: in Pokémon, you set out from your hometown on a Pokémon journey, catching Pokémon and fighting battles with them. In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, you reach the next town and find yourself embroiled in a tale of... No, wait—no spoilers!
PAL: If you've been living under a rock for some years now, let us explain. In Pokémon, you start from your home town on your own Pokémon journey, catching Pokémon and fighting battles with them. In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, you reach the next town and find yourself embroiled in a tale of... Well, we won't spoil it for you.
Pokémon Shuffle
In Pokémon Shuffle, Mega Evolved Pokémon (which appear as bosses in main stages and Competitive Stages) are each accompanied by a Pokémon Trainer. These Pokémon Trainers are depicted in silhouette, say only one line before sending out their Pokémon, and do not say anything after the battle.
Trivia
- For Gettin' Twiggy With It!, Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia is about Pokémon Trainers. He writes this senryū about it: 「さあ10さい ぼくもわたしも トレーナー」 "Ah, the age 10; we will all be Trainers."
- It is stated in the anime that a person may not become a Trainer until the age of 10; however, this is not the case in other media as some Trainers are obviously below the minimum age, such as the Trainer classes Twins, Tuber, and Preschooler. Some Preschoolers in the Battle Subway emphasize the fact that they are four years old. However, in the anime episode Battling the Bully!, Cilan mentions that young kids are allowed to have battles for fun.
- In Generation I and Generation II, the word "Trainer" is not capitalized. However, it is capitalized in later games.
- In Pocket Monsters: The Animation, it was revealed that Pokémon training was a very dangerous sport, as the mere act of training a Pokémon can result in severe injuries or even death. It also mentions that various men try to go out and become a Pokémon trainer at age 10 (which was considered the legal age of adulthood), and there was a high dropout rate regarding whether they become skilled Trainers that afterwards they come across as incompetent. It is also implied that this is the reason why many professional workplaces are primarily staffed by women.
- Pokémon X and Y introduced the most new Trainer classes of any core series game, with 47.
- Pokémon Crystal and HeartGold and SoulSilver introduced the fewest new Trainer classes of any core series games, with one each.
- The only Trainer classes to appear in every main line game are the Black Belt, Hiker, and Youngster.
In other languages
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See also
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The Pokémon League | 
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| Participation Trainer • Battle • Gym Leaders Gyms • Badges • Referee Championship matches Elite Four • Orange League Champion League Pokémon League Conferences Indigo • Silver • Ever Grande • Lily of the Valley Vertress • Lumiose • Manalo |
Regional Pokémon Leagues Indigo • Orange* • Johto • Hoenn • Sinnoh Unova (BB) • Kalos • Alola • Galar • Paldea Areas of jurisdiction Pokémon League Reception Gate • Hall of Fame Palace of Victory • Cerulean Cave • Area Zero Others Admissions Exam • Pokémon Association PIA • World Coronation Series (Masters Eight Tournament) | ||
| Trainer classes in the Pokémon core series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. |