Sophocles

Sophocles マーマネ Māmane
Artwork from Sun and Moon
Age	11-19SM
Gender	Male
Eye color	Brown
Hair color	Orange
Hometown	Unknown
Region	Alola
Relatives	Molayne (cousin)
Trainer class	Trial Captain
Generation	VII
Games	Sun and Moon
Specializes in	Electric types
Anime counterpart	Sophocles
Counterpart debut	Alola to New Adventure!

Sophocles (Japanese: マーマネ Māmane) is the Trial Captain of Ula'ula Island's Hokulani Observatory. He specializes in Electric-type Pokémon. Molayne affectionately refers to him as Soffy (Japanese: マーくん Mā-kun).

In the games

Sophocles is good with mechanics, having invented various machines, and shares a close bond with his cousin, Molayne. However, he is also quite shy. While Captains are typically picked by their respective Island Kahuna, Sophocles was picked by his cousin to succeed him.

In the storyline, the player first meets Sophocles at the Hokulani Observatory on Ula'ula Island, where the Captain reveals he built a machine he calls the "Ping Totem Pokémon 2.0" (Japanese: ぬしポケモンこいこいマーク2 Come Here Leader Pokémon Mark 2). The invention broadcasts sounds audible only to Pokémon to lure the Totem Pokémon to him. He then tells the player that their trial will serve as a test run of his invention. Sophocles activates the Ping Totem Pokémon 2.0, only to cause a fuse to blow, and the trial proper to begin. After completing a series of audio tests and wild Pokémon battles, the player battles and defeats the Totem Vikavolt, and power is restored to the observatory. Sophocles awards the player with an Electrium Z.

During the post-game, Sophocles is one of the possible challengers the player may face at the Pokémon League while defending their Champion title.

The player can also meet Sophocles in the Festival Plaza, which he owns. There, Sophocles will introduce the player to the basic mechanics of the facility, reward them when they level up the plaza, and help them install new shops.

Pokémon

Sophocles's Pokémon are kept in Ultra Balls.

Captain Sophocles Pokémon League Sun and Moon Reward: $7,320

Types: Electric Steel Ability: Iron Barbs Held item: None Togedemaru♀ Lv.61 Electric Terrain Electric Status   --       Zing Zap Electric Physical   --       Spiky Shield Grass Status   --       Fell Stinger Bug Physical   --       Types: Electric Steel Ability: Sturdy Held item: None Magnezone Lv.61 Flash Cannon Steel Special   --       Discharge Electric Special   --       Tri Attack Normal Special   --       Reflect Psychic Status   --       Type: Electric Unknown Ability: Motor Drive Held item: None Electivire♂ Lv.61 Thunder Punch Electric Physical   --       Giga Impact Normal Physical   --       Fire Punch Fire Physical   --       Quick Attack Normal Physical   --       Types: Bug Electric Ability: Levitate Held item: None Vikavolt♂ Lv.61 Bug Buzz Bug Special   --       Thunderbolt Electric Special   --       Air Slash Flying Special   --       Guillotine Normal Physical   --       Types: Rock Electric Ability: Sturdy Held item: None Golem♂ Lv.61 Stone Edge Rock Physical   --       Steamroller Bug Physical   --       Thunder Punch Electric Physical   --       Heavy Slam Steel Physical   --

Quotes

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: Quotes from Festival Plaza (subsequent visits/ranking up)

Pokémon Sun and Moon

Hokulani Observatory

"You're getting close to your goal... I imagine that you must have come here to attempt the trial, huh?"

"So... Uh..."

"Do you like Festival Plaza?"

Yes: "Oh! If that's the case then..."

No: "Hmm. Then I don't know..."

"Fine. Whatever. Let's get started."

Regardless of choice: "Right now, right here."

"You summon the Totem Pokémon and prove your strength to it... That's what every trial boils down to, right?"

"So I thought... Why not just call the totem here from the start? So I tried a bit of this and that, and I think I've whipped up a little device to call the Totem Pokémon. Perhaps you're wondering why I built a machine? Here at the observatory, we also monitor sounds that we detect from outer space. There are some sounds that are inaudible to people but Pokémon can hear just fine. We broadcast the sounds we have gathered terrestrially and monitor the reactions of Pokémon. The machine that summons the Totem Pokémon makes use of this technology... Utilizing other sounds we have gathered, we also developed a security system here... But that was actually Big Mo's invention. Just so you know... This will actually be my first time trying it out, so I'm glad you came. I needed a test subject."

"Ping Totem Pokémon 2.0, engage!"

"Now the totem should—"

"Gyargh?! No way! Did I blow a fuse?! Oww! Did the door close?! Let's see, we'll need to turn off the security system to get the door open... You'll have to pass an audio quiz! I-it's fine. I definitely feel a powerful presence. It's coming now. The Totem Pokémon is coming. So let's get this trial going, OK? My trial is about to begin!"

• First quiz answered wrongly

"Yeaaarrrrrgh! When you get an answer wrong, the security system kicks in and sends out a shock! Eww, do you smell something burning?! It's all right! I'm OK. I'm a tough kid! I'm a tough kid!"

• First quiz answered correctly

"Whoa! As soon as the door opened, a Pokémon came through! I'm counting on you, <player>!"

"I knew you could do it, <player>! Oh, and just when I said it, the door closed again! I-it's gonna be OK. The Totem Pokémon is on its way."

• Second quiz answered wrongly

"Yeaaarrrrrgh! When you get an answer wrong, the security system kicks in and sends out a shock! My whole body is buzzzzing!"

• Second quiz answered correctly

"Whoa! As soon as the door opened, a Pokémon came through! This one's up to you, too, <player>!"

"I knew you could do it, <player>! Oh, and would you look at that—the door closed again while I was flapping my jaw! I-it's gonna be OK. The Totem Pokémon is on its way."

• Third quiz answered wrongly

"Yeaaarrrrrgh! When you get an answer wrong, the security system kicks in and sends out a shock! Big Mo, if you don't hurry up, I'm gonna be an Electric type by the time I get out of here!"

• Third quiz answered correctly

"I-it looks like the door's about to open..."

"I-I knew it! I'm counting on you again, <player>!"

"I knew you could do it, <player>! And then of course the door goes and shuts again! Fool me once, shame on the door. Fool me twice, shame on the security system. Fool me thrice, shame on me, I guess... Here it comes! We're picking up traces of the Totem Pokémon extremely close by!"

• Fourth quiz answered wrongly

"Yeaaarrrrrgh! When you get an answer wrong, the security system kicks in and sends out a shock! Owww! I feel a shock all through my body! Maybe this will help me burn off a few pounds!"

• Fourth quiz answered correctly

"Huhn? This sound... This presence I sense..."

"Th-there it is! The Totem Pokémon! This is your time to shine, <player>!"

• After defeating Totem Vikavolt

"Big Mo!"

"Here, <player>. I'll give you this Electrium Z to reward you for beating the Totem Pokémon."

"You watching?"

"I was fine when the power was off. Geez... Now that you can see me, I feel all nervous... I'm not sure what to say. Thanks? Or, uh, congratulations? You passed my trial."

"I was really nervous..."

"So somehow I ended up captain..."

"But you were really great, <player>."

"Maybe next time we can battle..."

• If talked to again

"Big Mo has taught me a lot. He always gives me a real fight for my money, whether we're having a Pokémon match or playing video games. So I really want to help Big Mo complete his research someday..."

Pokémon League

First challenge

• Before battle

"I came to keep my word about us having a battle next time, as I said after my trial at the Observatory."

• Upon being defeated

"I couldn't get it done... Don't worry about it, my precious Pokémon..."

• After being defeated

"You're great, <player>! You understand Pokémon so well and know so much about Pokémon battles. I see that thinking up this and that to try to defeat the Champion is the highest form of fun!"

Subsequent challenges

• Before battle

"Playing games with Big Mo... Maintaining Festival Plaza... Checking the anime I've recorded... They're all fun but not the same as a battle with you, <player>. I worked out a plan with Ilima against you, <player>, to try to win."

• Upon being defeated

"I couldn't get it done... Don't worry about it, my precious Pokémon..."

• After being defeated

"You're way too strong, <player>... "Ping Totem Pokémon 2.0" is running smoothly, so next I'm thinking that I should put together Sophocles's enhanced program."

Festival Plaza

Intial visit

• Before meeting Sophocles at Hokulani Observatory

"Welcome to Festival Plaza! I'm Sophocles."

• After completing Sophocles's trial

"<Player>. Long time no see. Welcome to Festival Plaza!"

"This is a secret place where you can come to play using communication features. We're holding a festival where Trainers can interact right now. We need someone to welcome those who have come here to play."

"... You kinda seem like someone who will play a lot using communication features! There's something you can do for me! Help me liven up this festival!"

No: "Say whaaat? You're the only one who can do this. I've gotta ask you once again, so you've gotta give me an answer."

Yes: "All right! Thanks!"

"OK, so you gotta help me out right away! Someone has come to play now, right? Go have a chat with them!"

• If talked to again

"Someone has come to play now, right? Have a chat with them! Come back here when you're done."

• After talking to the first guest

"You crushed it! If you respond to the request of someone who has come to play, they'll give you Festival Coins as token of their appreciation. Festival Coins are sometimes called FC so try to remember that. You can use FC at the facilities in Festival Plaza. Oh right! I better tell you about the facilities in this Festival Plaza!"

• Any four of them (initial visit)

"At a lottery shop, you can get a most excellent prize if you win."

"At a bouncy house, your Pokémon can train while it plays."

"At a dye house, they can change the color of your fashion items."

"At a food stall, they can give your Pokémon delicious food to rapidly raise it."

"At a goody shop, you can get items for good value."

"At a haunted house, you can get items if your Pokémon reaches the goal."

"At a fortune-teller tent, you can learn your fortune for the day."

"There are still a bunch of other facilities so you can look forward to those."

"Once again, people have come to play. Respond to their requests and you'll get Festival Coins!"

• After rank 2

"You crushed it! If you get a lot of Festival Coins, that means you've livened things up by entertaining those who have come to play, so your Festival Plaza Rank will go up. ...Oh right! Let me give you a reward as thanks for raising the Rank."

"Let's build a new facility in this open spot! It's run by a/an <Trainer class>! It's a <shop name and rank>."

"Whenever your Festival Plaza Rank goes up, I'll give you a cool reward. Respond to requests and get a lot of Festival Coins!"

"Oh yeah! Inside the castle are staff who will help you. Check it out later!"

"Finally, let me tell you something important. When you're in Festival Plaza, you connect to other players via local wireless communication or the Internet. I'll set everything up, so give it a try! Sorry, I've got something to do right now, but Festival Plaza is in your hands."

• After ranking up and going inside the castle (initial visit)

"<Player>, you're doing your best! I'll introduce a new facility to you today. It's a <shop name and rank>. It's run by a/an <Trainer class>!"

Nothing: "Are you sure you don't want to host the facility?"

Check: "Were you able to picture it?"

Host: "OK! Let's host <shop name and rank>!"

"Very good. Keep it up!"

Sprites

VS model from Sun and Moon

Overworld model from Sun and Moon

In the anime

Main article: Sophocles (anime)

Sophocles in the anime

Sophocles made his debut appearance in Alola to New Adventure!. He is a student at the Pokémon School of Melemele Island and one of Ash's classmates.

Trivia

• Sophocles is the only Trial Captain not to give the player a set of Poké Balls after clearing their trial.
• Sophocles's shirt has a symbol very similar to the one that is seen next to a Pokémon if the Pokémon was transferred via Poké Transporter.

Names

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	マーマネ Māmane	From māmane (Hawaiian for Sophora chrysophylla) and possibly 麻痺 mahi (paralysis)
English	Sophocles	From Sophora chrysophylla
French, German, Italian	Chrys	From Sophora chrysophylla
Spanish	Chris	From Sophora chrysophylla
Korean	마마네 Mamane	Transliteration of Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin)	馬瑪內 / 马玛内 Mǎmǎnèi	Transliteration of Japanese name
Chinese (Cantonese)	馬瑪內 Máhmáhnoih	Mandarin-based transliteration of Japanese name
European Portuguese	Sófocles	Similar to his English name
Russian	Софоклис Sofoklis	Transcription of English name

Soffy

Language Title Chinese Cantonese 小馬 Síu Máh Mandarin 小馬 / 小马 Xiǎo Mǎ French Chry-chry

Related articles

• Sophocles (anime)

Trial Captains and island kahunas of the Alola region

Verdant Cavern

Ilima

Brooklet Hill

Lana

Wela Volcano Park

Kiawe

Lush Jungle

Mallow

Hokulani Observatory

Sophocles

Thrifty Megamart

Acerola

Seafolk Village

Mina

Melemele Island

Hala

Akala Island

Olivia

Ula'ula Island

Nanu

Poni Island

Hapu

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.