ThePokémongames have always placed a focus on not having too many recurring characters. The expansive world ofPokémonhas been created in such a way that few characters will appear in a completely different region in a game separate from the one they are introduced in.
Related:Most Iconic Bears In GamesHowever, over time there have been so many games, and even more spin-offs and side adventures that at least a few characters have managed to reappear further down the line. Whether they are almost random characters or significant faces that fans will remember, there have been a few great recurring characters inPokémongames.
7Blue/Gary
Blue is theinitial rival of the player characterRed in the originalPokémongames. While he is portrayed as brash, haughty, and villainous through the initial game, it appears that he was changed by his defeat at the hands of Red in the closing stages of the game. However, despite his quick loss to Red he did becomePokémonLeague Champion for a few moments and thus managed to find a good position moving forwards.
Instead of remaining league champion or a member of the Elite Four, Blue reappears inPokémon Gold & Silveras the new leader of Viridian City gym. He succeeded Giovanni in this role and the player has to defeat him and his varied set of Pokémon for a gym badge. He also appears in thePokémonChampionship Tournament and the Alola Battle Tree later, having grown out of his petulant childish ways.
6Bruno
An original member of the Elite Four from the first generation of games, the fighting trainer Bruno is a memorable face for fans of the first-ever set ofPokémongames. Appearing as the second of the Elite four inPokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, Bruno was always a difficult character to fight dueto the powerful Machamphe would finish the battle with.
Bruno is notable for loving to travel around different islands with hisPokémon. While he appears in later games as an Elite Four member, he also shows up at various spas and is an opponent in the first twoPokémon Stadiumgames. He is always accompanied in any battle by his powerful Machamp, no matter what otherPokémonhe has switched and changed along the way.
5Cynthia
A strange character that just keeps turning up everywhere, Cynthia is considered the most travel-loving character in maybe the entirePokémonuniverse. She goes around the world investigatingPokémonlegends and myths, trying to uncoverthe roots of the more legendaryPokémonout there.
After being introduced inPokémon Pearland the other fourth-generation games, she turned up in theHeart Gold and Soul Silverremakes in the Sinjoh Ruins. She then turned up in Undella Town inBlack and White, featured in the champion’s tournament inBlack and White 2, and even featured more recently inPokémon Sun and Moon.
4Koga
Another character that goes all the way back to the original games, Koga was a gym leader inPokémon Red and Blue. His mastery of poison-typePokémonmade him an incredibly frustrating trainer to battle against. But his story didn’t end there, as his daughter Janine becomes the leader of the same gym inPokémon Gold and Silver.
Related:Most Ruthless Pokemon Game CharactersKoga has moved up in the world and was promoted to a member of the Elite Four in this generation. While he hasn’t appeared much recently, Koga is a memorable battle with a ninja master style in his second appearance, and once againprovides an incredible challengeto the player as they progress through the Elite Four.
3Misty
One of the most recognizable characters in anyPokémongame due to her appearances in thePokémonanime, Misty is the gym leader of Cerulean City and has one of the more memorable water-type teams from any of the games. She is one of the few characters who reallyseems to age and growthrough the games.
After encountering her inPokémon Red & Blue, Misty appears once again as the gym leader inPokémon Gold & Silver, but she has aged and seems to have continued her training to become a true master. It feels like running back into an old friend, seeing the growth that Misty has undertaken where most characters are similar to when they were first encountered.
2Lance
Lance is another member of the original Elite Four from the first generation of games. When the player initially encounters him, he is the fourth and final member of the group that has to be battled before facing thePokémonchampion. Lance is one of the few Dragon-type trainers to be found in thePokémonworld,as these are incredibly difficultPokémonto capture and train generally.
After this, Lance reappeared inPokémon Silver and Goldas the newPokémonLeague Champion, since Red has left and moved on to continue his studies. Lance is another trainer that reappears inBlack and White 2as part of the tournament of champions. He is usually magnanimous in defeat, and a proud trainer that loves his dragons.
1Red
The original player character from the first generation of games may not be the player character any further than that, but he ages and continues his studies after surrendering his position asPokémonLeague Champion. He has appeared many times since winning thePokémonLeague, as the final battle inPokémon Silver & Goldand in many further games.
He is inPokémon Stadium 2as a member of the champion tournament and appears alongside Blue inPokémon Sun and Moonas part of the Battle Tree.Red has been one of themost consistent, famous, and changing characters throughout the history of thePokémongames, and he will likely continue appearing in the future.
