A Kimono Girl (Japanese: まいこはんDancing Girl Group) is a type of Pokémon Trainer that first debuted in the Generation II games. They appear as young women dressed in kimonos.
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.
Much like other Generation II characters, the Kimono Girls made an appearance in the remakes, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. Instead of being restricted to their dance hall in Ecruteak City, however, they will appear elsewhere, such as in Violet City (Zuki), Ilex Forest (Naoko), and the Ice Path (Sayo). A Team Rocket grunt also appears in their hall in Ecruteak, where he harasses Miki about her dancing routines, causing the player to battle him. Kuni is also briefly met during the Radio Tower incident, in the Goldenrod Tunnel.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver, the girls' respective Eeveelutions were noticeably swapped; only Zuki and Kuni's partners remained the same from Generation II. Additionally, Kuni's Japanese name of Sumomo was altered to Komomo, probably to avoid confusion with Maylene, whose Japanese name is also Sumomo.
Trainers with a telephone symbol by their names will give their Pokégear number to the player, and may call or be called for a rematch with higher-level Pokémon.
"Welcome. My name is Zuki. I met you previously in Violet City. In order to bring back Ho-OhWrong template. See Template:Sup/doc./LugiaWrong template. See Template:Sup/doc., we needed someone with the right bond with Pokémon. We asked Mr. Pokémon to give this Mystery Egg to whoever showed true potential. The Egg was eventually handed from Mr Pokémon to Professor Elm, and then to you. However, being pure alone will not be sufficient to face the power of this Pokémon. I must test you. Are you ready?"
"I don't have any Pokémon left."
Naoko
"You are quite strong. You helped me in the Ilex Forest. My name is Naoko. I'm the one that's not so good at directions. My eyes witnessed you defeating Team Rocket when Kurt was in trouble at the Slowpoke Well. Allow me to challenge you and your Pokémon!"
"Oh, you are truly strong."
Miki
"You are quite the Trainer. I remember you chasing off that Team Rocket Grunt from right here. I must thank you for that. Although, I am actually a Trainer myself. She who knows the most speaks the least! I am Miki--the Kimono Girl! Allow me to challenge you and your Pokémon!"
"Ooh, you're good at Pokémon, too."
Sayo
"Excellent fighting spirit! You got me off the ice by pushing me from the back. I am the one who skates in sandals. I am Sayo--the Kimono Girl! I was listening in the Dragon's Den when you passed the test of the Elder. Allow me to challenge you and your Pokémon!"
"Oh, so close! I almost had you."
Kuni
"I am the last one. You were so dependable at the Goldenrod Tunnel. I am the one who twirls even underground. I am Kuni--the Kimono Girl! I looked at you in wonder when you thwarted Team Rocket's mission to take over the Radio Tower. You must show your strength to me now. Allow me to challenge you and your Pokémon!"
"Oh, you are wonderful..."
In the anime
The Kimono Sisters in the anime. Left to right: Sumomo (in green), Tamao, Satsuki, and Koume
The Kimono Sisters in street clothes. Left to right: Koume, Sumomo, Satsuki, and Tamao
In Trouble's Brewing, right after Ash's win at the Ecruteak Gym, the gang bumps into Sakura, who takes them to the tea ceremony her sisters are running when they ask where it was being held. Sumomo is the first sister they meet, greeting them formally. Tamao is seen next, demonstrating ikebana to a small audience. Later, they pass by the lone Koume playing her shamisen. Finally, they are treated to a quiet display of the art of tea making and drinking by Satsuki. Needless to say, Brock is entranced by them all, and grows frightened when they're all together and call him out on his praise (this also happens early on in Espeon, Not Included).
The sisters are skilled Trainers as well as tradition keepers. Upon proposing a challenge to the trio to battle for Sakura to join them, Sumomo and Satsuki both display their Vaporeon's and Jolteon's abilities against Misty's Poliwhirl and Ash's Pikachu respectively. Vaporeon defeats Poliwhirl and Pikachu defeats Jolteon, but the latter only after Team Rocket's interruption.
When Sakura changes her mind about leaving at that time, Satsuki admits that she and the other three aren't against Sakura leaving to begin her journey, only that they want her to not be dependent on others when she finally does.
In Espeon, Not Included, the four elder sisters aren't focused on much, however they were tricked by Team Rocket into handing over their Pokémon for dancing lessons. With the help of Sakura's Eevee, now an Espeon, the other four evolutions are rescued, and the episode ends with the sisters wishing Sakura well on her journey.
Satsuki's Jolteon was first seen when Team Rocket disrupted the Kimono Sisters' tea ceremony, but didn't battle until she matched up against Ash and Pikachu. It fended off a few attacks from Pikachu, but ultimately succumbed to a Thunder attack.
Sumomo's Vaporeon was first seen when Team Rocket disrupted the Kimono Sisters' tea ceremony, but didn't battle until it matched up against Misty and Poliwhirl. The Pokémon were well matched, but Vaporeon defeated Poliwhirl with its Aurora Beam.
Tamao's Umbreon was first seen when Team Rocket disrupted the Kimono Sisters' tea ceremony, but its only action was to rescue Sakura's Eevee from Team Rocket.
Umbreon's only known move is Agility, and its Poké Ball is a Fast Ball, matching Tamao's kimono pattern.
Koume's Flareon was first seen when Team Rocket disrupted the Kimono Sisters' tea ceremony, and was not showcased at all during its two episode appearances.
Flareon's Poké Ball is likely a Love Ball, based on Koume's kimono pattern (its colors are an inversion of the Love Ball).
This Pokémon debuted as an Eevee in Trouble's Brewing where it was the only unevolved Pokémon owned by the five sisters. By its next appearance in Espeon Not Included, it had evolved into Espeon.
The Kimono Girls make their debut during the HeartGold & SoulSilver arc, when Gold decides to visit them in Ecruteak after finishing up at the Pokéathlon. Gold is spending his time watching them perform, which annoys the Radio Director of Goldenrod. However, Gold reveals that he is actually allowing time for Aibo to train, who was trying to learn Double Hit. When he finally does, Aibo evolves into Ambipom, winning the praise of the Kimono Girls.
In two localizations (French and German), the name Keiko was used for different Kimono Girls.
In HeartGold and SoulSilver versions, when the Kimono Girls are summoning the legendary Pokémon, they dance clockwise for Ho-Oh and counter-clockwise for Lugia.
Both of the anime episodes all of the Kimono Girls appeared in had Masaaki Iwane as animation director.
Bill's mother was once a Kimono Girl, according to Poké Maniac Brent, who reveals trivia about Bill via Pokégear.
In Generation IV, three Kimono Girls swapped their Pokémon (Zuki and her Umbreon and Kuni and her Vaporeon remain unchanged). The reason for the change is unknown.
In the anime episode Espeon, Not Included, the fans four of the sisters dance with match the elemental themes of their Pokémon.
In the anime, all of the Kimono Girls except for Sakura have their Eeveelutions in an Apricorn Ball; in the games, these, along with the Safari Ball and the Sport Ball, are the only Poké Balls that an Eeveelution cannot be legitimately caught in.
