Friend

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This article is about the NPC friends of player characters. For other uses, see Friend (disambiguation).
Photograph of Selene with her friends, Hau and Lillie

The player's friend[1][2][3] (Japanese: 友達(ともだち) friend[4][5][6] or 仲間(なかま) companion[7]) or childhood friend[8] (Japanese: (おさな)なじみ childhood friend)[9][10][11][12] is a reoccurring main character in a Pokémon game that the player character may interact with over the course of their journey.

These characters take personal interest in the player, and often share a bond either at the start, before, or at the end of the story. Friends may accompany the player over the course of the game or form a rivalry with them. They may share similar goals with the player, while often having their own motivation and aspirations as well. Most friends can be spoken or interacted with in a game's post-adventure, showing improvement or character development.

Other notable instances of characters considering each other friends also occur in some Pokémon media.

Terminology

The term "friend" was used specifically in certain music track titles in Pokémon X and Y, used as a leitmotif for when the player meets up with their friend group. Otherwise, characters in-game may refer to the player as one of their friends. The Battle Tree in Pokémon Sun and Moon and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon refers to the music tracks "Battle! (Hau)" and "Battle at the Summit! (Hau)" as "My Friend Hau". Hau's title on the Sun and Moon website refers to him as "Your Friend Hau". Hau's internal data also refers to the character as "FRIEND". Additionally, "friendly rival"[13][14] is a term used to refer to certain rival characters who are non-antagonistic towards the player.

In the games

Core series

Hilbert and his friends, Cheren and Bianca, meeting up to pick their first partner Pokémon

In the core series, the player is usually met with a character that can be considered a friend. This character archetype was first displayed in Generation I, where Blue is considered to have been friends with the player since they were young. The player's friends usually appear already having a Pokémon before they are met, as is the case with Nemona and Hop, or they start their journey at the same time as them, picking their first partner Pokémon based on what the player has already chosen, as in the case with Blue and Shauna. Starting in Pokémon Black and White, many of these characters form friend groups and start their journey together, either splitting up at a certain point and reforming later, or travel with the player. Most of the player's friends will be in the starting location and town or city as the player, characters in these locations may acknowledge each other as neighbors, Serena/Calem will directly call the player "neighbor" as a nickname and sign of affection.

Since some of these characters already have some experience with Pokémon, these characters often tutor the player on catching Pokémon, examples being Calem/Serena teaching the player and Shauna how to catch a Pokémon. Friendly rivalries may be created between characters and player, in which their friend may participate in the player's first Pokémon battle, serving as a tutorial in such circumstances. Over the course of the game, these friendly rivals may appear throughout the game challenging the player and getting stronger. Other times, the opposite is true instead, with the player teaching their friend how to use or catch Pokémon, with Wally being taught by them. These characters, like Lillie, also typically learn and grow at their own pace, and continue to learn from the player, and are encouraged by them throughout the story.

Some characters, such as N, are antagonistic to the player and may be affiliated with a sinister organization and will later become more friendly with the player by the end of the story.

Friends who provide no interest in rivaling the player in battle may reoccur and interact with the player in different ways, as in the case with Lillie, who often provides support and healing of the player's party, disliking the idea Pokémon battles and not wanting them to get hurt. Trevor and Tierno, two friends that the player meets in Pokémon X and Y, despite battling the player, have no interest in surpassing the character in that field either. Trevor specifically wants to rival the player in Pokédex information and completion, rather than having a typical rivalry. Arven welcomes the player on his journey through Paldea, encouraging them to help with finding Herba Mystica.

Starting in Generation III, most friends typically have their Trainer class as Pokémon Trainer. However, this class isn't exclusive to them, and some may not use this Trainer class, using another instead depending on their situation in the game. Some change their Trainer class throughout the game. Not all of the player's friends have participated in battle against them, if they battle at all.

The following are the characters in the games that have been officially referred to as friends of a player character.

RGBYFRLG PE HGSS RSEORAS DPPtBDSP BW B2W2
FireRed LeafGreen Blue.png Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Trace.png HeartGold SoulSilver Silver.png HeartGold SoulSilver Ethan.png HeartGold SoulSilver Lyra.png Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Brendan.png Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire May.png Omega Ruby Alpha Sapphire Wally.png Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Barry.png Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Lucas.png Brilliant Diamond Shining Pearl Dawn.png Black White Cheren.png Black White Bianca.png Black White N.png Black 2 White 2 Hugh.png
Blue[15] Trace[16] Silver[17] Ethan[18] Lyra[18] Brendan[19] May[20] Wally[21] Barry[22] Lucas[23] Dawn[24] Cheren[25] Bianca[26] N[27] Hugh[28]
XY SMUSUM SwSh SV SVTMID
XY Calem.png XY Serena.png XY Shauna.png XY Tierno.png XY Trevor.png USUM Lillie.png USUM Hau.png Sword Shield Hop.png Sword Shield Marnie.png Sword Shield Bede.png Scarlet Violet Nemona.png Violet Arven.png Scarlet Violet Penny.png Scarlet Violet Carmine.png Scarlet Violet Kieran.png
Calem[29] Serena[29] Shauna[29] Tierno[29] Trevor[29] Lillie[30] Hau[30][31] Hop[32] Marnie[33] Bede[34] Nemona[35] Arven[36] Penny[37] Carmine[38] Kieran[39]


Spin-offs

Pokémon Masters EX

Pokémon Masters EX
Spr Masters Paulo.png Spr Masters Tina.png
Paulo Tina

In the anime

Main series

Photographs of Ash and all of his friends
Main article: Ash's friends

Ash has traveled within a group of friends throughout the course of the anime (except for Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, where Ash has five classmates). While Ash typically travels with the same group of friends though a series, some characters, such as Korrina, will drop in and out of the group for a number of episodes.

Pokémon Origins

Blue appears in Pokémon Origins, being in a similar role as he had in the video games. Unlike in the games, rather than just being Red's rival, he helps assist Red in some situations involving Team Rocket.

Pokémon Generations

Pokémon Generations has two episodes that focus on friends of the player:

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

The episode Buddy focuses on Hop and his Wooloo. Hop also makes cameo appearances in Letter and Training. Marnie makes a minor appearance in Early-Evening Waves.

GOTCHA!

GOTCHA! notably features the friend characters up to and including Pokémon Sword and Shield's base game, with the characters from the first 7 generations (with exception of Trace due to the absence of any character's from the Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! games) being shown simultaneously. The scene in particular displays the characters either in battle or interacting with each other, with some sections being seen from a friend's perspective.

Pokémon Evolutions

Shauna and Serena in Pokémon Evolutions

A majority of the player's friends have appeared in Pokémon Evolutions:

In the TCG

050Diglett.png This section is incomplete.
Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it.
Reason: Needs the Blue's Tactics, Red & Blue, Rival, Barry, Cheren, Cheren's Care, Bianca, Hugh, Shuana, Tierno, Hau, Lillie, Lillie's Full Force, Hop, Nemona, Arven, Penny cards

In the TCG, a number of characters appear both in groups and singular cards based on the player's friends and rivals. Starting in the Sun & Moon era, cards based on a group of friends from the video games have been displayed. Multiple characters have also had their own separated cards.

list of characters involving friends
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 English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Friends in Alola Su       SM-P Promotional cards   401/SM-P
Friends in Galar Su Brilliant Stars Uncommon 140/172 VMAX Climax U 149/184
Silver Tempest Rare Secret TG23/TG30 VMAX Climax SR 258/184
Friends in Hisui Su Crown Zenith Uncommon 130/159 VSTAR Universe U 160/172
Crown Zenith Rare Secret 149/159 VSTAR Universe SR 247/172
Friends in Sinnoh Su Crown Zenith Uncommon 131/159 VSTAR Universe U 154/172
Crown Zenith Rare Secret 148/159 VSTAR Universe SR 249/172
 


Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese 朋友 Pàhngyáuh
Mandarin 朋友 Péngyǒu / Péngyou
The Netherlands Flag.png Dutch Vriend ()
Vriendin ()
France Flag.png French Ami ()
Amie ()
Germany Flag.png German Freund ()
Freundin ()
Italy Flag.png Italian Amico ()
Amica ()
South Korea Flag.png Korean 친구 Chingu
Portugal Flag.png Portuguese Amigo ()
Amiga ()
Russia Flag.png Russian Друг Drug ()
Подруга Podruga ()
Spain Flag.png Spanish Amigo ()
Amiga ()

References

  1. Pokémon X and Y official site (archived)
  2. Pokémon Sun and Moon official site (archived)
  3. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet official site
  4. Pokémon X and Y official site (Japanese)
  5. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! official site (Japanese)
  6. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet official site (Japanese)
  7. Pokémon Sun and Moon official site (Japanese)
  8. Pokémon Black and White official site (archived)
  9. Pokémon Diamond and Pearl page on Pokemon.co.jp (Japanese)
  10. Pokémon Platinum page on Pokemon.co.jp (Japanese)
  11. Pokémon Black and White official site (Japanese)
  12. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 official site (Japanese)
  13. Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! official site
  14. Hau’s Trainer Spotlight in Pokémon Masters, the Pokémon TCG, Manga, and More | Pokemon.com
  15. Japanese Pokémon Red and Green manual「となりには(おさな)なじみのグリーン(ライバル)が()んでいます」 ([...] his childhood friend Green (rival) lives next door.)
  16. Welcome to the Kanto Region | Pokémon Let's Go Official Website: You'll begin your journey in Pallet Town, a humble place that's also home to your friendly rival, who just so happens to be your next-door neighbor.
  17. Ethan: "This is Silver. He's a friend of mine from my adventure across the Johto region!" (Pokémon Masters EX)
  18. 18.0 18.1 Ethan/Lyra: "<Player>, people are talking about you! I heard you helped Kimono Girls? You've been helping all these people! You make me proud to be your friend." (New Bark Town, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver)
  19. Brendan: "There isn't a Trainer in all of Hoenn who doesn't know who you are, <player>! When I tell people that I'm friends with you, <player>, they get pretty envious!" (Match Call, Pokémon Emerald)
  20. May: "I was hoping you would be nice, <player>, and that we could be friends." (Littleroot Town, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire)
  21. Scott: "You're friends with that boy Wally, aren't you?" (Mauville City, Pokémon Emerald)
  22. Barry: "...Uh... Well, I, uh... ... ... Well, then forget about me, but give a Pokémon to my friend here! I mean, it was me who tried to go into the tall grass and all..." (Route 201, Pokémon Platinum)
  23. Lucas: "I thought so! Congratulations, <player>! You know, I'm glad we're friends!" (Sandgem Town, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl)
  24. Dawn: "Barry and Lucas are my precious friends..." (Pokémon Masters EX)
  25. Cheren: "<player>! We've been friends our whole lives. We've got each other's back when it counts." (Wellspring Cave, Pokémon Black and White)
  26. Bianca: "<player>, thank you so much! The two of you got her Pokémon back! I'm lucky to have friends like you two!" (Route 3, Pokémon Black and White)
  27. N: "Just like my friend Hilbert." (Pokémon Masters EX)
  28. Hugh: "<player>... I'm really glad you're my friend!" (Undella Town, Pokémon Black 2 and White 2)
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 Associated with the Friends Theme "A New Meeting" and Battle! (Friend) music tracks
  30. 30.0 30.1 [https://web.archive.org/web/20171103020011/https://www.pokemon-sunmoon.com/ultra/en-us/alola-region.html Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon website (archive): You’ll run into friends and develop even closer bonds with them during your island challenges.
  31. Associated and titled "My Friend Hau" or "Your Friend Hau" in numerous in-game tracks and promotional descriptions
  32. Marnie: "That friend of yours already went off to challenge the next Gym." (Motostoke, Pokémon Sword and Shield)
  33. Gloria: "Marnie and I may be rivals, but we're also really good friends!" (Pokémon Masters EX)
  34. During Bede (Champion)'s sync pair story in Pokémon Masters EX, the narration states that the player "came across Bede and his friends", and the two people he's shown with are Victor and Gloria.
  35. Scarlet and Violet website: "Your friend, Nemona, has a sunny and energetic disposition, and she absolutely loves Pokémon battles."
  36. Arven: "Sorry for the wait! Here's a super healthy sandwich that'll perk you right up once you eat it! Plus, as a token of our friendship, here's another Titan Badge! Gaze upon it in awe as you eat." (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
  37. Penny: "Huh... I feel better after talking it out with you, <player>. Thanks. And, um, I want you to know you're a really important friend to me, too. That goes for Nemona as well! And even Arven and Koraidon/Miraidon!" (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
  38. Carmine: "This is <player>. He/She's here on a foreign exchange program. He/She's my friend, and—"(Central Plaza, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
  39. Kieran: "What?! R-really?! We're friends? F-friends... I feel all tingly and funny hearing that... Ehehe..." (Mossui Town, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)


Rival and friend characters
Core series BlueSilverBrendan/MayWallyBarryLucas/DawnEthan/LyraCherenBianca
NHughCalem/SerenaShaunaTiernoTrevorLillieHauGladionTrace
HopMarnieBedeKlaraAveryNemonaArvenPennyCarmineKieran
Spin-off games RonaldKeithLucaSharonPauloLearTina
Project CharacterDex logo.png 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.