Pokémon Trainer

For fighter info, see Pokémon Trainer (SSBB) and Pokémon Trainer (SSBU).

Leaf redirects here. For the Mexican player, see Smasher:Leaf

Pokémon Trainer
{{{content1}}} {{{content2}}} Official artwork of Red and Leaf, the Pokémon Trainers from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions.
Universe	Pokémon
Debut	Pokémon Red and Green Versions (1996, general concept and Red) Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions (2004, Leaf)
Smash Bros. appearances	Brawl (male only) SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Pokémon Sword and Shield (2019, general concept) Pokémon Masters (2019, Red and Leaf)
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy (general concept and Red) Game Boy Advance (Leaf)
Species	Human
Gender	Varies
Place of origin	Pokémon world (general concept) Kanto (Red and Leaf)
English voice actor	♂: Michele Knotz (Brawl) Billy Bob Thompson (Ultimate) ♀: Kate Bristol
Japanese voice actor	♂: Tomoe Hanba ♀: Wakana Minami
French voice actor	♂: Virginie Demians (Brawl) Emilie Guillaume (Ultimate) ♀: Elisabeth Guinand
German voice actor	♂: Dina Kuerten (Brawl) Maximilian Belle (Ultimate) ♀: Lea Kalbhenn
Spanish voice actor	♂: Isabel Navarro (Brawl) Rodri Martín (Ultimate) ♀: Tania Ugía
Italian voice actor	♂: Francesca Giudice (Brawl) Tania De Domenico (Ultimate) ♀: Giada Bonanomi
Articles on Bulbapedia	Pokémon Trainer Player character

A Pokémon Trainer (ポケモントレーナー, Pokémon Trainer) is a human from the Pokémon series. The vast majority of human characters in the series are Pokémon Trainers, including the player characters. Pokémon Trainers debuted in the series' first generation. In the Super Smash Bros. series, the player character in the Pokémon series is represented as the fighter known simply as "Pokémon Trainer", who is represented by Red in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and both Red and Leaf in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Origin

From the very outset of the Pokémon franchise, the world of Pokémon had been established as an Earth-like world populated by humans and a diverse set of creatures called Pokémon. In this world, humans are referred to as Pokémon Trainers if they collect, take care of, and train Pokémon for use in competitive matches with those of other Trainers called Pokémon battles.

While most games focus on the battling aspect, other Pokémon-related hobbies and professions exist in the world, such as Pokémon Breeders, who focus on raising Pokémon; Pokémon Coordinators, who train Pokémon for contests; and Pokémon Professors, who focus on studying various aspects of the Pokémon themselves. Regardless, raising and training a team of Pokémon is the main activity/quest that the main Pokémon RPGs feature, so a player of a Pokémon RPG is considered a Pokémon Trainer themselves.

All main Pokémon games cast the player as a young Pokémon Trainer ready to set out on a Pokémon journey across that game's region of the Pokémon world, on a quest to capture many species of Pokémon and, from there, train a team of Pokémon proficient in the sport of Pokémon battling that they may carry the Trainer to victory against that region's Pokémon League.

The Trainer's traditional tool for capturing Pokémon is the Poké Ball, which is typically purchasable at Poké Marts and comes in many distinctive varieties. New Trainers also receive a piece of high-tech equipment called the Pokédex, which functions as an encyclopedia for the Pokémon in that respective region which the Trainer will fill up via new captures, among other adventuring gear.

Throughout each journey, the Trainer will battle hundreds of other Trainers, encounter countless Pokémon in the wild, and be involved in subplots involving thwarting the schemes of criminal organizations that consist of trainers. While the playable Pokémon Trainers were initially depicted as exclusively male, the option to choose the gender of the playable Trainer has been available as of Pokémon Crystal Version.

Each game's protagonist options are similar, but they are all distinct characters in-universe. Playable Trainers also have one or more rivals, whose motivations and characterizations vary significantly. While Pokémon Trainers have always been an integral part of the Pokémon experience, the mobile game Pokémon Masters makes them a primary focus of the game alongside the Pokémon themselves, allowing the player to recruit Trainers and their partner Pokémon to battle in teams.

The first, and arguably most notable, playable Trainer is the male protagonist of the Kanto games; although he can be named by the player, he has since become a recurring character known as Red. Since his debut, Red has gone on to appear as the final opponent of the Johto games atop Mt. Silver; an opponent in the Pokémon World Tournament in Pokémon Black and White Versions 2; and the co-leader of the Battle Tree in Pokémon Sun and Moon alongside his rival Blue. In all cases, Red's team consists of Pokémon that were caught during major events of his original quest, with his Pikachu serving as his signature Pokémon; however, later appearances (including the Super Smash Bros. series) establish Charizard as another signature Pokémon for him depending on the canon.

As of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions, Red also has a female counterpart, known as Leaf in said games' internal data and her later appearances. Red, Leaf, and their cross-canon counterparts have trained the evolutionary lines of the Kanto starter Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. In the Super Smash Bros. series, the Pokémon Trainer "fights" by sending these starter Pokémon out to battle, with the Bulbasaur line represented by Ivysaur, and the Charmander line represented by Charizard. Befitting their status as iconic Trainers, both Red and Leaf appear as Sync Pairs in Pokémon Masters. While Red has no spoken dialogue (a character quirk based on his appearance as a boss in the Johto games), Charizard is his partner Pokémon, affirming it as one of his signature Pokémon. Conversely, Leaf has fully voiced dialogue, similar to her appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, but her partner Pokémon is Eevee - an alternate starter option in some games - rather than one of the traditional Kanto starters.

Nonetheless, the Pokémon Trainer in the Super Smash Bros. series can also represent the concept of Pokémon Trainer protagonists in general. This is indicated by their dialogue being based upon the menu text that appears during Pokémon battles in the main series, and in the case of Ultimate, both versions of the Pokémon Trainer having alternate costumes based on other protagonists in the series, such as Hilda from Pokémon Black and White Versions (one half of the first pair of core series protagonists to be teenagers instead of preteens) and Calem from Pokémon X and Y (whose games are the first to feature full customization).

In Super Smash Bros.

A human appearing behind Pikachu.

In Super Smash Bros., a human, potentially a Pokémon Trainer, can be seen walking in the background during Pikachu's portion of the opening movie.

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

As a playable character

Pokémon Trainer and his team, as they appear in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

A Pokémon Trainer makes an official appearance as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. The Trainer in Brawl is Red, the protagonist of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue and Yellow Versions, and the male protagonist of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions. However, he is simply referred to as "Pokémon Trainer" to reflect how players can name the playable Trainers within each of the Pokémon games. Instead of using his original design from Generation I, he uses his redesign from Generation III.

It should be noted that it would be rather inaccurate to call the Trainer himself a playable fighter, as selecting him is akin to selecting a Zelda/Sheik-style character with three interchangeable forms; in the Trainer's case, these are the three Pokémon he has in his collection: Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard. The Trainer visually issues commands in the background of the stage to the Pokémon in the foreground, corresponding with the actions input by the player to the current Pokémon as the real fighter. Conversely, one can say that the player controls the Trainer, who in turn commands the Pokémon.

Pokémon Trainer is currently ranked 29th out of 38 on the tier list, placing him in the E tier. Pokémon Trainer's team possesses an overall strong grab game, although Squirtle in particular is widely agreed upon as being his most effective Pokémon, thanks to its respectable damage racking potential and potent air game.

However, the Trainer's team is heavily burdened by unique mechanics: Pokémon Change is laggy to the point of being very punishable, while his team's defensive and especially offensive potentials are very inconsistent because of stamina and type effectiveness. Outside of these issues, Ivysaur's abysmal air game, poor recovery, unimpressive range, and heightened susceptibility to the very common flame effect collectively render it among players as not only the Trainer's least effective Pokémon, but also one of the worst characters in the entire game.

Due to his team's weaknesses noticeably outweighing their strengths, Pokémon Trainer's representation has been almost nonexistent throughout Brawl's lifespan. Although TheReflexWonder achieved success with Pokémon Trainer at the national level on several occasions, he has been Pokémon Trainer's only representative to find any sort of success past the local level.

Trophy

Pokémon Trainer's trophy in Brawl.

Pokémon Trainer

A person who raises Pokémon and trains them as partners in battle. In battle, a Trainer gives orders to the Pokémon and uses items. It's not an exaggeration to say battles can be won or lost on a Trainer's single strategic move. Trainers pour their hearts into their Pokémon and share anger, sadness, and joy as they adventure in hopes of becoming Pokémon Masters.

: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen

Sticker

Name	Game	Effect	Character(s)
Pokémon Trainer	Pokémon series	Attack +13

Pokémon Trainer (Pokémon series)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Due to the limitations of the Nintendo 3DS' processing power, transformation-type characters were split apart and became standalone characters for Super Smash Bros. 4. In Pokémon Trainer's case, only Charizard returned as a playable character, while Squirtle and Ivysaur were fully cut. However, Red (under the name "Pokémon Trainer"), Squirtle and Ivysaur make cameos as collectible trophies. On a related note, Calem and Serena, the playable Trainers from Pokémon X and Y, also appear together as a singular trophy under the name "Pokémon Trainer (Pokémon X & Y)".

Trophy

Pokémon Trainer's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Pokémon Trainer's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

Pokémon Trainer

: 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!

: 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 Red and Pokémon Blue (09/1998)

: Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen (09/2004)

Pokémon Trainer's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.

Pokémon Trainer (Pokémon X & Y) / Trainers (Pokémon X and Y)

: 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!

: 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.

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

As a playable character

Pokémon Trainer (male), as he appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Pokémon Trainer returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, albeit as an unlockable character instead of a starter character. As a result, Squirtle and Ivysaur also returned by default, while Charizard was reintegrated into the team. In addition to Red reappearing as the default Pokémon Trainer, his female counterpart, Leaf, makes her Super Smash Bros. series debut as an alternate character.

Pokémon Trainer has been noticeably reworked in order to streamline the character's unique playstyle. The removal of both stamina and type effectiveness significantly improves the team's overall consistency. In addition, Pokémon Change's drastically faster speed and newfound usability in the air collectively make it much less committal, as well as allow the Trainer to rotate between Pokémon to the point of using their unique attributes to adapt to different situations at a much better pace.

Spirits

• 

  412. Pokémon Trainer (Male)

• 

  413. Pokémon Trainer (Female)

Gallery

• 

  Pokémon Trainer (female), as she appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Trivia

• The male and female Pokémon Trainers are the only playable Pokémon characters that are human. However, they do have three playable Pokémon fight on their behalf.
• The female Pokémon Trainer and Zero Suit Samus are the only playable fighters whose first appearances were in a remake.
• Pokémon Trainer is one of the few human Pokémon characters to appear as a trophy, and the only one to do so in Brawl and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. Other human characters include Professor Oak and Misty in Melee, and Professor Sycamore, Calem and Serena in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS.
  • The male and female Pokémon Trainers are also the only human characters from the Pokémon series to appear as a spirit.
• Pokémon Trainer and Pikachu are the only characters who received opposite gender alternate costumes after their respective debuts.
  • The female Pokémon Trainer is the second alternate costume character to become playable in Super Smash Bros. after her base character. The first was Alph.
  • As with Villager, Robin, Corrin and Inkling, the male and female Pokémon Trainers have been established as separate characters; Pokémon Masters features both Red (male) and Leaf (female) as separate trainers.
• The male Pokémon Trainer is commonly mistaken for, and referred to as, Ash Ketchum from the Pokémon anime. Both characters are actually based on Red, the male protagonist from Pokémon Red and Green and their subsequent remakes.
• Pokémon Trainer, Roy, and Lucas are the only cut veterans with a trophy in any game that acknowledges them as being a playable character in previous installments. However, only Roy and Lucas' DLC fighter trophies do so.
  • Additionally, Pokémon Trainer, the Ice Climbers, and Lucas' non-fighter trophy are the only cut veterans whose trophies use their models from the previous Super Smash Bros. game they were in.
• The Pokémon Trainer's trophy description in SSB4 and Boxing Ring title in Ultimate both reference the first English theme song for the Pokémon anime.
  • The former also has a reference to Ash Ketchum, Red's counterpart in the anime.
• Pokémon Trainer, the Ice Climbers, and Lucas are the only starter characters to have ever been cut.
  • However, Lucas is the only one of these characters to be in SSB4 as downloadable content.
• The Pokémon Trainer and Villager are the only characters who returned in Ultimate to receive an alternate costume with a darker skin tone.
• In some languages, Pokémon Trainer has two different names to refer to the male and female versions. Villager, Wii Fit Trainer, Inkling, Byleth and the Mii Fighters also share this trait.