Nini
ネネ Nene
Nini.png
Nini
Gender Female
Eye color Brown
Hair color Dark green
Hometown Unknown
Region Kalos
Trainer class Performer
Anime debut Pathways to Performance Partnering!
English voice actor Jenny Emm
Japanese voice actor Motoko Kumai

Nini (Japanese: ネネ Nene) is a recurring character who appeared in the Pokémon anime. She is a Pokémon Performer and one of Serena's rivals.

History

Nini debuted in Pathways to Performance Partnering!, where she met Ash and his friends after Chespin and Pancham wandered into her practice area while fighting. She first accused the Pokémon of trying to harm hers but the group cleared it up with her. She mentioned that she planned on entering Pokémon Showcases in which Serena mentioned she'll do the same. Nini asked Serena and the others to judge her performance routine then asked for critiquing when she was done. Serena noted that her Farfetch'd should dance more in sync with Smoochum and Ash noted that Smoochum's Heart Stamp could be flashier. After taking notes, she then asked Serena if she could perform for her for reference.

Once Serena finished her performance, Nini noted that Pancham's dance didn't seem very compatible with Fennekin's dance. However she did notice that the dance was similar to her own Smoochum's dance. So she asked Serena if Pancham and Smoochum could do a dance routine together. Nini was pleased with the results so she asked Serena if she would trade Pancham to her in exchange for one of her Pokémon. Serena declined however.

Shortly after Team Rocket showed up in disguise with Jessie posing as a Pokémon choreographer to take advantage of Nini's situation. She enrolled Nini and Serena's Pokémon, as well as Chespin, into a phony dance class to keep their guard down enough to lure them into a trap. Once the trap was sprung and Team Rocket revealed, Nini demanded her Pokémon be returned to her. However, the team took off in their balloon leaving her and the others to chase them down. Her Pokémon were eventually returned to her some time later after Pancham and Chespin were able to settle their differences and defended everyone from Team Rocket. As the sun was setting, Nini shook hands with Serena before she left the group and told her to get ready for the next Pokémon Showcase.

 
Nini and Serena

In A Performance Pop Quiz!, Nini met up with Serena again and participated in the Anistar City Pokémon Showcase Rookie Class. During the Theme Performance, which consisted of a quiz about Pokémon, she was matched up against Serena and Lily. Her Farfetch'd managed to win the race, allowing Nini to answer the question. However, she answered incorrectly, allowing Serena, whose Pancham came in second, to answer correctly and earn a point. While Nini managed to score a point on a different question, she and Lily eventually lost to Serena and Pancham. Back in the dressing room, Nini congratulated Serena and wished her luck in the Freestyle Performance.

In A Dancing Debut!, Nini participated in the Couriway Showcase Rookie Class. After baking a Poké Puff with the help of all three of her Pokémon, she managed to advance to the Freestyle Performance, where she performed her Heartbreak routine. However, it was not enough to impress the crowd, and she ended up losing to Jessilee.

In Master Class Is in Session!, Nini entered the Pokémon Showcase Master Class that was being held in Gloire City. In the first round, she was matched against Concetta and Jessilee. She was doing a good job performing alongside her Smoochum, but Jessilee managed to overshadow her using the smoke from Gourgeist's Shadow Ball. When the results were announced, it was revealed that Nini had gotten fewer votes than Jessilee. As such, she was eliminated from the competition, which made her cry. She was later seen talking to Serena backstage.

Character

Nini carries a notebook with her, in which she writes down tips on how to improve her performances in Showcases. Although she can be described as a joyous and cheerful person, these traits of her personality do not translate very well to her performance style, as she tends to add dramatic aspects to her routines. This is seen by her signature performance, known as "Heartbreak".

After Nini lost the Master Class, she cried as her dream of becoming Kalos Queen would have to be put on hold. However, she showed how good of a friend she is by cheering Serena on and asking her to win the competition. After the Master Class ended, Nini was determined to start over and practice with her Pokémon for the next tournament.

Like Shauna, she knows that Serena has a crush on Ash and she thinks that Ash is dense.

Pokémon


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This listing is of Nini's known Pokémon in the anime:

 
Smoochum
Smoochum performs with Farfetch'd and one of their routines is known as "Heartbreak". She was shown to have feelings for Serena's Pancham but her affection was not reciprocated. The two did perform well together, however. Jessie took interest in Smoochum, wanting to steal her so that she could perform with her. She would succeed for a short while but she and the other Pokémon were able to escape. Team Rocket kept on the Pokémon's trail and confronted them once more. Smoochum and Farfetch'd were both attacked by Inkay as was Serena's Fennekin leaving Pancham and Chespin to battle Team Rocket alone. They held them off long enough for Smoochum and Farfetch'd to be reunited with Nini.

Smoochum reappeared in A Performance Pop Quiz!. In A Dancing Debut!, Smoochum was used in the Theme Performance of the Couriway Showcase Rookie Class alongside Farfetch'd and Gothita, where she helped Nini prepare a Poké Puff, advancing her to the Freestyle Performance. There, she delivered a performance along with its teammates, but it did not receive enough votes to win.

In Master Class Is in Session!, Smoochum was used in the first round of the Gloire Showcase Master Class, competing against Jessilee's Gourgeist and Concetta's Scraggy. She was performing well, but was overshadowed after Gourgeist used the smoke from Shadow Ball to cover her opponents. As a result, Smoochum did not receive enough votes to win the round and was eliminated.

Smoochum's known moves are Powder Snow and Heart Stamp.

Debut Pathways to Performance Partnering!
Voice actors
Japanese Yuka Terasaki
English Kayzie Rogers
 
Farfetch'd
After Nini said she wanted to trade one of her Pokémon to Serena for Pancham, Farfetch'd became nervous, knowing that it was most likely the one to be traded. Much to its relief, however, Serena politely declined the offer. It was later kidnapped by Team Rocket along with Smoochum, Serena's Pokémon, and Clemont's Chespin. Farfetch'd used its leek as a guide to find their way back to their Trainers after they had escaped. Farfetch'd and Smoochum were both attacked by Inkay as was Serena's Fennekin leaving Pancham and Chespin to battle Team Rocket alone. They held them off long enough for Farfetch'd and Smoochum to be reunited with Nini.

In A Performance Pop Quiz!, Farfetch'd was used in the Theme Performance of the Anistar Showcase Rookie Class, which consisted of a Pokémon Quiz. It raced against Serena's Pancham and Lily's Solrock and won, giving Nini the chance to answer first. However, Nini answered incorrectly. Eventually, Serena managed to obtain three points, advancing to the Freestyle Performance. As a result, Nini and Farfetch'd were eliminated.

In A Dancing Debut!, Farfetch'd was used in the Theme Performance of the Couriway Showcase Rookie Class alongside Smoochum and Gothita, where it helped Nini prepare a Poké Puff, advancing her to the Freestyle Performance. There, it delivered a performance along with its teammates, but it did not receive enough votes to win.

Farfetch'd's only known move is Fury Cutter.

Debut Pathways to Performance Partnering!
Voice actors
Japanese Yūji Ueda
English Marc Thompson
 
Gothita
Gothita first appeared in A Dancing Debut!, in which it was used in the Theme Performance of the Couriway Showcase Rookie Class alongside Smoochum and Farfetch'd, where it helped Nini prepare a Poké Puff, advancing her to the Freestyle Performance. There, it delivered a performance along with its teammates, but it did not receive enough votes to win.

Gothita's only known move is Psychic.

Debut A Dancing Debut!
Voice actors
Japanese
English Erica Schroeder

Showcases

Princess Keys obtained

This listing is of the Princess Keys Nini has obtained:

Master Class ranking

Nini has achieved the following ranking in the Master Class tournament:

Other achievements

Nini has competed in the following Rookie Class tournaments:

Outfits

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese くまいもとこ Motoko Kumai
English Jenny Emm
Finnish Saara Lehtonen (XY050, XY101-present)
Yasmine Yamajako (XY091)
European French Élisabeth Guinand
Hebrew אורלי תגר Orly Tagar
Italian Francesca Bielli (XY091)
Polish Aleksandra Radwan (XY050-XY091)
Julia Chatys (XY101-present)
Brazilian Portuguese Letícia Celini (XY050-XY091)
Carol Kapfer (XY101-present)
Spanish Latin America Georgina Sánchez
Spain Ainhoa Martín (XY050-XY091)
Sara Heras (XY101-XY112)


Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese ネネ Nene Possibly from ねんね nenne, baby
English, German, Spanish Nini From her Japanese name
French Nali Similar to her English name
Italian Nenè From her Japanese name
Korean 네네 Nene Transliteration of her Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin) 寧寧 Níngníng From the Japanese name 寧々 Nene
Chinese (Cantonese) 寧寧 Nìhngnìhng From the Japanese name 寧々 Nene


Anime characters
Protagonists Ash Ketchum (Pikachu) • Misty (Togetic) • BrockTracey SketchitMayMaxDawn (Piplup) • Iris (Haxorus) • CilanSerenaClemontBonnie (Dedenne) • LanaKiaweLillieSophoclesMallowRotom PokédexGoh (Grookey)
Rivals GaryRitchieHarrisonDrewHarleyMorrisonTysonSolidadPaulNandoZoeyKennyConwayBarryUrsulaTripBiancaBurgundyStephanGeorgiaCameronAriaAlainMietteTiernoShaunaTrevorNiniSawyerGladionHoracioHauLeonRaihanHoraceBeaLeague Conference participantsCoordinatorsPerformersWorld Coronation Series participants
Antagonists Jessie (Wobbuffet) • JamesMeowthGiovanniButchCassidyDr. NambaMatoriPierceDr. ZagerGozuTabithaMaxieShellyArchieHunter JSaturnCyrusMarsJupiterCharonColressAldithGhetsisBarretMalamarLysandreMableCelosiaAlianaXerosicBryonyTuppZippRappPlumeriaGuzmaVirenRoseOleana
Professors Professor OakProfessor IvyProfessor ElmProfessor BirchProfessor RowanProfessor CarolinaProfessor JuniperDr. FennelCedric JuniperProfessor SycamoreProfessor KukuiProfessor BurnetProfessor CeriseProfessor MagnoliaSoniaProfessor Amaranth
Relatives Delia KetchumDaisyVioletLilyJames's parentsFlintLolaForrestBrock's siblingsNormanCarolineJohannaChiliCressGraceMeyerLana's fatherLana's motherHarper and SarahRangoSimaMimoKiawe's grandfatherMohnLusamineGladionSophocles's parentsMolayneAbeMallow's motherUluWalkerCamilleHalta
Supporting Officer JennyNurse JoyMagikarp salesmanTodd SnapCharles GoodshowCaseyLizaSakuraLanceClairRaoul ContestaMr. SukizoSteven StoneVivian MeridianRobertScottLilian MeridianSolanaBrandonMarianYuzoRhondaCynthiaReggieAngieLookerIzzy and CaraLyraKhouryTobiasDon GeorgeElderAlderLukeFreddy O'MartianIngoEmmetJervisVirgilNAnthea and ConcordiaPorterAlexaSophieCosetteClembotSanpeiMairinAstridDianthaKorrinaGurkinnMonsieur PierrePalermoKeananMalvaSamson OakAnelaHobbesNinaAnnaLakiDanaYansuWickeFabaIlimaAcerolaDiaChloeChrysaRenParkerTaliaLeiDanikaQuillonHopGym LeadersElite FourFrontier BrainsIsland kahunasMany temporary characters
Supporting Pokémon FearowHo-OhSquirtle SquadPink ButterfreeHaunterJigglypuffMewtwoMimeyLapras herdGranbullPichu BrothersLugiaSilverDelibirdWynautLarvitarKyogre and GroudonArticunoDeoxysLake guardiansForces of NatureMeloettaReshiramSuper-ancient PokémonWooperFlorgesSquishyZ2Guardian deitiesBewearToucannon's flockStoutlandOranguruNebbyStuffulUltra BeastsGrandpa ForestNecrozmaLunalaShayminMewRotom PhonesPelipperThievul trioEternatusDrone RotomHero duoLatiasRecurring wild Pokémon
See also: Pokémon Horizons characters


  This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.