Hibiki redirects here. For the character of the day in Beauty and the Breeder, see Zane.
Gold (game) redirects here. For the game titled "Pokémon Gold Version", see Pokémon Gold and Silver Versions.
This article is about the male protagonist whose default name is クリス in the Japanese version of Pokémon Crystal. For the female player character in Pokémon Crystal with the same Japanese name, see Kris (game).

Ethan (Japanese: ヒビキ Hibiki) is the main playable character in Pokémon Gold and Silver and is the male choice in Pokémon Crystal, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. In Crystal, his female counterpart is Kris, while in HeartGold and SoulSilver, his female counterpart is Lyra.

Ethan
ヒビキ Hibiki

Artwork from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Age Unknown
Gender Male
Height 4'11" (1.50 m) HGSS
Eye color Black*, Gray*, Brown*
Hair color Black*, Dark Blue*
Hometown New Bark Town
Region Johto
Relatives Mom (as player)
Grandparents, unnamed father (as NPC)
Trainer class Pokémon Trainer, player character
Generation II, IV, VII, VIII, IX
Counterpart(s) Ethan (Masters)
Games Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, SoulSilver
Puzzle Challenge, Masters EX
English voice actor Ted Sroka[1] (Masters EX)
Japanese voice actor Daisuke Hirose[2] (Masters EX)
Animated series Pokémon the Series
Pokémon Generations
Pokémon Evolutions
Debut The Legend of Thunder! (Animated series; Gen II)
Zoroark: Master of Illusions (Animated series; Gen IV)
The Lake of Rage (Generations)
The Show (Evolutions)
Counterpart(s) Jimmy (Johto)
English voice actor Sean Schemmel (Jimmy)
Japanese voice actor Kenji Nojima (Jimmy)
Manga series Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Pocket Monsters
Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys
Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure
Counterpart(s) Gold (Adventures), Gold (Pocket Monsters), Gold (Golden Boys),
Debut Murkrow Row (Adventures)
Welcome Back, Clefairy!! (Pocket Monsters)
Let's Go! The Journey Towards The Championship (GB)
Aim to be the Strongest! The Hot-Blooded Brotherly Combination!! (JBA)

In the core series games

As the protagonist

Ethan's journey as a Trainer begins when Professor Elm asks him to run an errand for Mr. Pokémon, who lives north of Cherrygrove City on Route 30. Because he may encounter dangerous wild Pokémon along the way, Elm gives him a choice between three Pokémon to protect him: Cyndaquil, Totodile or Chikorita.

Ethan spots another boy his age watching Elm's Lab from outside. When Ethan tries to talk to him, the boy abruptly shoves him away. This boy, Silver, will become Ethan's rival.

Ethan continues onward and finally meets Mr. Pokémon and completes his errand. While there he meets Professor Oak who, upon realizing Ethan's bond with his new Pokémon, gives him a Pokédex. On his way back home, Ethan again meets Silver, who has stolen one of Elm's remaining Pokémon. After defeating the boy in battle, the boy tells Ethan his nameGSC/Ethan learns the boy's name from his dropped Trainer CardHGSS, and Ethan relays it to the police in New Bark Town. Professor Elm allows Ethan to keep the Pokémon he chose earlier, and also encourages him to compete in the Johto League.

Ethan begins on a Pokémon journey in the Johto region, facing off against its eight Gym Leaders, defeating and disbanding the revived Team Rocket, and becoming Pokémon League Champion by defeating the Elite Four and its previous Champion, Lance at Indigo Plateau. Along the way he also teaches Silver to respect Pokémon as living creatures and not just as tools for battle.

After being declared the Pokémon League Champion, Ethan then journeys by ship from Olivine City to Vermilion City in Kanto. Traveling around that region, he battles against another set of eight Gym Leaders. Upon getting permission from Professor Oak in Pallet Town, Ethan heads for Mt. Silver via Route 28. His journey comes to a close when, deep in Mt. Silver's cave, he faces the Champion from Pallet Town, Pokémon Trainer Red, who had been training there since shortly after he became Pokémon League Champion three years prior.

As a non-playable character

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

In Pokémon Crystal, if Kris is selected, then the male player character does not appear in the game, except as an opponent in the Trainer House. Even when playing as Kris, the player's sprite is changed to Ethan's during link battles and in the Trainer House.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, if playing as Lyra, Ethan appears as an NPC in the game. When playing as Ethan, Lyra takes on this role instead.

Ethan meets the player in New Bark Town at the start of the game. In this particular scene, he is seen with a Marill. He teaches the player how to catch Pokémon on Route 29 (replacing the Dude from Gold, Silver, and Crystal). His grandparents run the Pokémon Day Care on Route 34. He also gives the player the Fashion Case in Goldenrod Tunnel and the Vs. Recorder on Route 31.

When called from certain locations, Ethan will mention that something will happen if the player takes a certain Pokémon there.

Pokémon

Ethan uses this party to show the player how to catch Pokémon when Lyra is selected as the player character in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.

Marill/ Lv.5
Type:
Ability:
Held item:
None
Caught in tutorial
Rattata/ Lv.2
Type:
Ability:
Held item:
None
Mentioned

When called with the Pokégear at different locations, Ethan will mention he owns certain Pokémon.


Tauros*

Bulbasaur*

Porygon*

Tangela*

In the spin-off games

The male Pokémon Trainer's Ethan-based alternate palette in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Pokémon Puzzle Challenge

Ethan is the player character in the Challenge mode of Pokémon Puzzle Challenge. In this mode, he challenges the Gym Leaders and Elite Four of Johto in puzzle games.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

While Ethan himself does not appear directly, a palette swap color scheme based on Ethan's design appears for the male Pokémon Trainer, who is an incarnation of Red.

Pokémon Masters EX

Main article: Ethan (Masters)

Ethan, who is based on the player character, forms a sync pair with Cyndaquil and its evolved forms Quilava and Typhlosion, along with Lugia and Ho-Oh in Pokémon Masters EX. Ethan became a playable sync pair on January 15, 2020.

Ethan has also made notable appearances in the game's Main Stories, Legendary Adventures and the Villain Arc. Unlike in Pokémon Crystal, both Ethan and Kris coexist in the same game.

Dex Trainer NDex Pokémon Type Weakness Role EX role Base potential Availability
#075 Ethan #0157 Cyndaquil → Quilava → Typhlosion
Fire
Rock
★★★★★☆EX Sync Pair Scout
#075 Sygna Suit
Ethan
#0249 Lugia
Flying
Ghost
★★★★★☆EX Master Fair Sync Pair Scout
#075 Ethan #0250 Ho-Oh
Fire
Rock
★★★★★☆EX Variety Sync Pair Scout
#075 Arc Suit
Ethan
#0249 Lugia
Flying
Rock
★★★★★☆EX Arc Suit Fair Sync Pair Scout

Pokémon GO

Main article: Style (GO)

To commemorate the Johto Festival, Ethan's outfit from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver were released as free style options in Pokémon GO.

Quotes

Main article: Ethan (game)/Quotes

Counterparts

Jimmy, Ethan's first animated counterpart

In animation

Pokémon the Series

Jimmy
Main article: Jimmy (Johto)

Jimmy, the main protagonist of The Legend of Thunder!, is the first animation counterpart of Ethan, and seems to be based on him in the most basic sense, much more than Ash was based on his game counterpart, Red. Jimmy follows Ethan's design from Pokémon Gold and Silver. Much like Ethan, Jimmy is from New Bark Town and receives a first partner Pokémon from Professor Elm. He also encounters the counterparts of Silver and Kris on his journey.

Ethan

Ethan's second counterpart has a cameo appearance at the beginning of Zoroark: Master of Illusions, where he had a battle against Ash. This counterpart follows Ethan's updated design from Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. This counterpart is identified as "Hibiki" (Ethan's Japanese name) in the Japanese DVD of the movie, supporting that this is Ethan and not an updated design for Jimmy.

Pokémon

This listing is of Ethan's known Pokémon in Pokémon the Series:

Donphan
Ethan's Donphan

Ethan used Donphan in a battle against Ash at the beginning of the thirteenth movie. During the battle, it fought Pikachu. It was not shown who won the battle.

Donphan's only known move is Rollout.

Ethan in Pokémon Generations

Pokémon Generations

Ethan made two brief appearances in The Lake of Rage. First, he and Lance infiltrated the Team Rocket HQ separately. He then communicated with Lance through his Pokégear about updates on their mission, and acted as a decoy for Lance's attacks.

Much like the other player characters depicted in Pokémon Generations, Ethan doesn't have any lines of dialogue.

Ethan in Pokémon Evolutions

GOTCHA!

Ethan briefly appeared in GOTCHA!, using his Tyranitar and Ampharos.

Pokémon Evolutions

Ethan briefly appeared in The Show, where he was seen in Ecruteak City.

In the manga

Ethan, like most player characters, also has several counterparts in the various Pokémon manga series.

Pokémon Adventures

Ethan's Pokémon Adventures counterpart, Gold
Main article: Gold (Adventures)

Gold from Pokémon Adventures is based on Ethan. He's a stubborn boy with a tendency towards gambling and bragging about himself. Having lived with Pokémon for all his life, he has the ability to make Pokémon Eggs hatch and draw out the potential of the baby Pokémon hatched from them.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Main article: Gold (Pocket Monsters)

Gold from Pokémon Pocket Monsters is based on Ethan.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Main article: Gold (Golden Boys)

Gold, the main character of Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys, is based on Ethan.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Main article:

Jō from Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure is based on Ethan.

Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon

Main article: Takashi

Takashi from Pocket Monsters HeartGold & SoulSilver Go! Go! Pokéathlon is based on Ethan.

Pokémon HeartGold SoulSilver: Pokédex Completion Comic

Main article: Soul (PCC)

Soul from Pokémon HeartGold SoulSilver: Pokédex Completion Comic is based on Ethan.

In the TCG

The following is a list of cards mentioning or featuring Ethan or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Ethan's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a green background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type Mark English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Ethan's Pinsir Grass I Destined Rivals 001/182 Hot Wind Arena U 001/063
        MEGA Dream ex   001/193
Ethan's Cyndaquil Fire I Destined Rivals 032/182 Hot Wind Arena C 015/063
Ethan's Quilava Fire I Destined Rivals 033/182 Hot Wind Arena C 016/063
Ethan's Typhlosion Fire I Destined Rivals 034/182 Hot Wind Arena R 017/063
Destined Rivals 190/182 Hot Wind Arena AR 070/063
Ethan's Slugma Fire I Destined Rivals 035/182 Hot Wind Arena C 018/063
Ascended Heroes 023/217 MEGA Dream ex   018/193
Ethan's Magcargo Fire I Destined Rivals 036/182 Hot Wind Arena R 019/063
Ascended Heroes 024/217 MEGA Dream ex   019/193
Ascended Heroes 222/217 MEGA Dream ex AR 197/193
Ethan's Ho-Ohex Fire I Destined Rivals 039/182 Hot Wind Arena RR 020/063
Destined Rivals 209/182 Hot Wind Arena SR 077/063
Destined Rivals 230/182 Hot Wind Arena SAR 086/063
Destined Rivals 239/182 Hot Wind Arena UR 090/063
        SV-P Promotional cards   254/SV-P
Ascended Heroes 026/217 MEGA Dream ex RR 021/193
Ethan's Pichu Lightning I Destined Rivals 071/182 Hot Wind Arena C 036/063
        Start Deck 100 Battle Collection   241/742
Ethan's Sudowoodo Fighting I Destined Rivals 093/182 Hot Wind Arena C 041/063
Ethan's Trainer cards
Card Type Mark English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Ethan's Adventure Su I Destined Rivals 165/182 Hot Wind Arena U 063/063
Destined Rivals 221/182 Hot Wind Arena SR 084/063
Destined Rivals 236/182 Hot Wind Arena SAR 089/063
        MEGA Dream ex   174/193
 

Gallery

For images on Ethan in Pokémon Masters EX, see: Ethan (Masters)

Artwork

Artwork from
Gold and Silver
Artwork from
Crystal
Artwork from
Crystal
Checking his Pokégear
Approaching a Time Capsule Artwork from the Game Freak website In front of the Ruins of Alph Encountering a Shiny Pokémon
In the Sinjoh Ruins Walking with Pokémon Ethan and Cyndaquil concept artwork for Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurines Artwork of Ethan fighting the Red Gyarados
at the Lake of Rage for Pokémon Day by Megumi Mizutani
Artwork showcasing Whirlpool from Pokémon Daisuki Club Artwork of Ethan battling Red
on the summit of Mt. Silver for Project Snorlax by Kazuma Koda
TCG sleeve featuring Ethan and Typhlosion

Game assets

In the core series

Generation II
 G  S 
Space World 1997 demo
Sprite
 G  S 
Sprite
 C 
Sprite
 G  S 
Space World 1997 demo
Sprite
(Back)
 G  S  C 
Sprite
(Back)
 G  S 
Space World 1997 demo
Sprite
(Overworld)
 G  S  C 
Sprite
(Overworld)
Generation IV
 HG  SS 
Sprite
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Pokéathlon)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Pre-release, Back)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Back)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Intro)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Intro)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Gender select)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(VS)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Overworld)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Pokéathlon, Overworld)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Team Rocket Grunt, Overworld)
 HG  SS 
Sprite
(Pokégear)

In other games

Generation II
Puzzle Challenge
Sprite

Trivia

Concept art for Pokémon the Series by Ken Sugimori

Names

He was first named Ethan (Japanese: ヒビキ Hibiki) when he appeared as a non-player character in Generation IV games. He is also known by the same name in Pokémon Masters EX.

In the game manuals from Generation II, his name depends on the game version: GoldG, SilverS, or ChrisC (Japanese: ゴールド, シルバー, or クリス).

The different names are seen in the player's story from the game manuals. For instance:

  • "The Professor showed Gold three Pokémon [...]" (referring to the player in Pokémon Gold's manual)
  • "The Professor showed Silver three Pokémon [...]" (referring to the player in Pokémon Silver's manual)

In the player's story from Pokémon Crystal's manual, the Japanese name クリス simultaneously refers to either player character. However, this was adapted as "you" instead in the English version. For instance:

  • Japanese version of Crystal's manual:
    クリスはパートナーとなる1(ぴき)のポケモンを(えら)ぶと」 (Kris/Chris chooses 1 partner Pokémon and [...])
  • English version of Crystal's manual:
    "After you choose your Pokémon [...]"

In several game screenshots from the English manual of Pokémon Crystal, the male player character is named Chris.

In the Pokémon Gold and Silver Spaceworld '97 demo, his name is サトシG Satoshi or シゲルS Shigeru. These are Ash's and Gary's respective Japanese names, and correspond to the second entry in the list of optional names for Red and Blue in Pokémon Red and Green.

In Pokémon Puzzle Challenge, he appears as an unnamed player character.

Before he received an official name in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, most fans called him Gold (Japanese: ゴールド Gold).

Language Name Origin
Japanese ヒビキ Hibiki From 響き hibiki (echo; sound)
English, Latin American Spanish,
Indonesian, Brazilian Portuguese
Ethan From echo
German Klarin From Klarinette (clarinet)
European Spanish Eco From eco (echo)
French Luth From luth (lute)
Italian Armonio From armonio (harmonium) and armonia (harmony)
Korean 심향 Simhyang From 심 (心) sim (heart) and 향 (響) hyang (echo)
Chinese (Traditional) 阿響 Ā Xiǎng / A Héung From 響 xiǎng / héung (echo; sound) and the familial prefixā / a
Thai ฮิบิกิ Hibiki Transcription of his Japanese name

Optional names

Games Japanese English German European Spanish French Italian Korean
Gold ゴールド Gold
ヒロキ Hiroki
テツオ Tetsuo
タカシ Takashi
GOLD
HIRO
TAYLOR
KARL
Gold
DANIEL
FRITZ
KARL
ORO
HIRO
TOMÁS
CARLOS
GOLD
JULIEN
JEAN
JACQUES
ORO
PAOLO
DIEGO
CARLO
골드 Gold
수호 Suho
인철 Incheol
강산 Gangsan
Silver シルバー Silver
カモン Kamon
トオル Tōru
マサオ Masao
SILVER
KAMON
OSCAR
MAX
Silber
THOMAS
OSKAR
HANS
PLATA
KAMON
OSCAR
MÁXIMO
SILVER
DANIEL
PIERRE
PAUL
ARGENTO
LUCA
PAOLO
MAX
실버 Silver
청운 Cheong'un
지겸 Jigyeom
찬호 Chanho
Crystal クリス Chris
ヨウスケ Yōsuke
タケヒロ Takehiro
タカオ Takao
CHRIS
MAT
ALLAN
JON
CHRIS
ARNOLD
GERT
JON
CRIS
ANTONIO
ÁLEX
EMILIO
CHRIS
BENJI
NICOLAS
JEAN
CHRIS
SERGIO
GIACOMO
MANUELE
HeartGold
SoulSilver
ハート HeartHG
ソウル SoulSS
サトシ Satoshi
ケン Ken
カケル Kakeru
ジャック Jack
ジャン Jean
ジョン John
カモン Kamon
タカシ Takashi
テツオ Tetsuo
トオル Tōru
ヒロキ Hiroki
マサオ Masao
タカオ Takao
タケヒロ Takehiro
トウゴ Tōgo
ヒトシ Hitoshi
ヨシナオ Yoshinao
HeartHG
SoulSS
Ash
Nic
Dion
Duncan
Jude
Ross
ShaeHG / SheaSS
Darrell
Terell
Chris
Brad
Dwight
Talon
Lonny
Jess
Eric
Chase
HeartHG
SoulSS
Karsten
Gerd
Hans
Jack
Jan
John
Daniel
Helge
Uhland
Tobit
Ugo
Berno
Jon
Rafik
Boris
Thomas
Silvio
HeartHG
SoulSS
Ash
Llamin
Casio
Job
Chechu
Juande
Javi
Ral
Marino
Toilo
Nahum
Max
Morel
Ralph
Russ
Erminio
Quinn
Heart
Soul
Dilan
Gurvan
Gabriel
Allane
Zack
Marc
Loris
Max
Damien
Tom
Greg
Kamel
Franck
Ralph
Seb
Daniel
Thomas
HeartHG
SoulSS
Ash
Nico
Elmo
Mattia
Silvano
Rossano
Kamon
Karl
Gabry
Oscar
Dino
Daniel
Manuele
Ralph
Lucio
Paolo
Marco
하트 HeartHG
소울 SoulSS
지우 Jiwoo
Ken
호진 Hojin
상우 Sang'u
Jyang
재범 Jaebeom
청운 Cheong'un
강산 Gangsan
인철 Incheol
지겸 Jigyeom
숙호 Sukho
찬호 Chanho
지훈 Jihun
윤호 Yunho
케이 Kay
다인 Dain
상현 Sanghyeon

References

Related articles

Player characters
Core series RedLeafEthanKrisLyraBrendanMayLucasDawn
HilbertHildaNateRosaCalemSerenaElioSelene
ChaseElaineVictorGloriaReiAkariFlorianJuliana
PaxtonHarmony
Side series WesMichaelNateCyndyWillemBecca
Spin-off games MarkMintTodd SnapLucy Fleetfoot
LunickSolanaKellynKateBenSummer
HeroHeroineTim Goodman
ScottieBettieJamieRiver
Rival and Friend Characters
Core series BlueSilverBrendan/MayWallyBarryLucas/DawnEthan/LyraCherenBianca
NHughCalem/SerenaShaunaTiernoTrevorLillieHauGladionTrace
HopMarnieBedeKlaraAveryRei/AkariAdamanIridaNemonaArvenPenny
CarmineKieranUrbain/TaunieLidaNaveenAnshaKorrina
Side series Rui
Spin-off games RonaldLunick/SolanaAriaKeithRhythmiBen/Summer
LucaSharonPauloLearTina
Capture tutors
Non-player characters in the core series games
Johto Professor ElmProfessor OakMomEthanLyraSilverMr. PokémonEusineLanceRedKiyoBaobaMagnusEarlKurtCarrieDude
MaryBuenaRadio DirectorHaircut brothersWebsterMasterLiWilmaPrimoMaximoJetCaitlinCynthiaCameronMr. GameFelicityTeala
Team RocketGym guideGym LeadersFrontier BrainsKimono GirlsWeek SiblingsName RaterPoké SeerDay-Care CoupleProfessor's aides
This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.