Pokémon is one of the most iconic and beloved franchises of all time. Since its inception in 1996, Pokémon has captivated audiences of all ages and has become a pop culture phenomenon.
With its countless games, television shows, movies, and merchandise, there are few people who haven’t at least heard of Pokémon. However, despite its popularity, many people are still curious about certain aspects of the franchise, such as how many characters are in Pokémon.
So, How Many Characters Are in Pokémon? There were 898 known species as of September 2021. If we are referring to the total number of individual characters, including both unique species and recurring characters like Ash and Pikachu, the number would be much higher and difficult to determine as new characters are constantly being introduced in the franchise.
In this article, we will answer that question and provide some interesting insights into the world of Pokémon.
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How Many Characters Are in Pokémon?
When we talk about how many characters are in Pokémon, we need to clarify what we mean by “characters.” If we’re talking about the number of Pokémon species, then the answer is currently 898.
This number is constantly growing, as new Pokémon are added with each new game release.
However, if we’re talking about the number of individual characters within the Pokémon universe, then the answer is much more difficult to determine.
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The Pokémon universe is vast and filled with countless characters, from the trainers you battle to the gym leaders you face off against. There are also countless NPCs (non-playable characters) that you encounter throughout your journey.
To give you an idea of just how many characters there are in the Pokémon universe, consider this: the original Pokémon Red and Blue games for the Game Boy featured over 150 unique trainers that you could battle.
This number has only grown with each subsequent release, as the Pokémon universe has expanded.
It’s also worth noting that there are many different forms of media within the Pokémon universe. In addition to the mainline games, there are also spin-off games, such as Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, and countless books, comics, and television shows.
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Each of these media has its own set of unique characters that add to the overall number of characters in the Pokémon universe.
Top 300 Most Interesting Pokémon
- Pikachu
- Charizard
- Squirtle
- Bulbasaur
- Meowth
- Psyduck
- Jigglypuff
- Togepi
- Snorlax
- Lapras
- Eevee
- Vaporeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Pichu
- Cyndaquil
- Totodile
- Chikorita
- Typhlosion
- Feraligatr
- Meganium
- Espeon
- Umbreon
- Raichu
- Dragonite
- Treecko
- Torchic
- Mudkip
- Grovyle
- Blaziken
- Marshtomp
- Pikachu Libre
- Greninja
- Sceptile
- Blastoise
- Venusaur
- Lucario
- Lycanroc
- Incineroar
- Rowlet
- Popplio
- Decidueye
- Zoroark
- Zorua
- Scizor
- Gardevoir
- Gallade
- Garchomp
- Lapras
- Gyarados
- Mewtwo
- Mew
- Ash-Greninja
- Ash’s Pikachu
- Rotom
- Alakazam
- Gengar
- Machamp
- Onix
- Hitmonlee
- Hitmonchan
- Mr. Mime
- Ditto
- Snorunt
- Glalie
- Latios
- Latias
- Rayquaza
- Kyogre
- Groudon
- Regirock
- Regice
- Registeel
- Deoxys
- Dialga
- Piplup
- Empoleon
- Turtwig
- Torterra
- Chimchar
- Infernape
- Starly
- Staravia
- Staraptor
- Buizel
- Floatzel
- Buneary
- Lopunny
- Croagunk
- Toxicroak
- Gliscor
- Gible
- Gabite
- Garchomp
- Dratini
- Dragonair
- Dragonite
- Larvitar
- Pupitar
- Tyranitar
- Snivy
- Servine
- Serperior
- Oshawott
- Dewott
- Samurott
- Tepig
- Pignite
- Emboar
- Audino
- Axew
- Fraxure
- Haxorus
- Zekrom
- Reshiram
- Kyurem
- Fletchling
- Fletchinder
- Talonflame
- Dedenne
- Chespin
- Quilladin
- Chesnaught
- Froakie
- Frogadier
- Greninja-Ash
- Sylveon
- Noivern
- Hawlucha
- Pikachu Libre
- Zygarde
- Rowlet
- Litten
- Popplio
- Rockruff
- Bewear
- Mimikyu
- Lycanroc
- Togedemaru
- Brionne
- Torracat
- Decidueye
- Poipole
- Naganadel
- Melmetal
- Galarian Ponyta
- Galarian Rapidash
- Rillaboom
- Cinderace
- Inteleon
- Grookey
- Scorbunny
- Sobble
- Wooloo
- Yamper
- Alcremie
- Eiscue
- Falinks
- Sirfetch’d
- Gossifleur
- Eldegoss
- Toxel
- Corviknight
- Obstagoon
- Morpeko
- Dracovish
- Cramorant
- Polteageist
- Zacian
- Zamazenta
- Eternatus
- Sobble’s evolution line (Drizzile and Inteleon)
- Grookey’s evolution line (Thwackey and Rillaboom)
- Scorbunny’s evolution line (Raboot and Cinderace)
- Galarian Slowpoke
- Galarian Slowbro
- Galarian Slowking
- Kubfu
- Urshifu
- Glastrier
- Spectrier
- Calyrex
- Sobble’s Galarian form (Sobble-Illusion)
- Cinderace’s Galarian form (Cinderace-Illusion)
- Inteleon’s Galarian form (Inteleon-Illusion)
- Pikachu (Partner Pikachu)
- Pikachu (Original Series Cap)
- Pikachu (Hoenn Cap)
- Pikachu (Sinnoh Cap)
- Pikachu (Unova Cap)
- Pikachu (Kalos Cap)
- Pikachu (Alola Cap)
- Pikachu (World Cap)
- Pikachu (Partner Cap)
- Ash’s Riolu
- Ash’s Lucario
- Ash’s Rowlet’s evolution line (Dartrix and Decidueye)
- Ash’s Lycanroc (Midday Form)
- Ash’s Lycanroc (Dusk Form)
- Ash’s Poipole’s evolution line (Naganadel)
- Ash’s Pikachu
- Ash’s Mr. Mime
- Ash’s Dragonite
- Ash’s Gengar
- Ash’s Scorbunny
- Ash’s Dracovish
- Ash’s Drednaw
- Ash’s Farfetch’d
- Ash’s Galarian Farfetch’d
- Ash’s Gengar
- Ash’s Heracross
- Ash’s Lapras
- Ash’s Larvitar
- Ash’s Litten
- Ash’s Melmetal
- Ash’s Meltan
- Ash’s Pidgeot
- Ash’s Pikachu (Alolan Cap)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Partner Cap, Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (World Cap, Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Original Cap, Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Hoenn Cap, Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Sinnoh Cap, Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Unova Cap, Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Kalos Cap, Gigantamax)
- Ash’s Pikachu (Alola Cap, Gigantamax)
- Chloe’s Yamper
- Chloe’s Eevee
- Chloe’s Wobbuffet
- Chloe’s Delibird
- Chloe’s Ninetales
- Chloe’s Alcremie
- Chloe’s Croagunk
- Chloe’s Sudowoodo
- Goh’s Scorbunny
- Goh’s Sobble
- Goh’s Grookey
- Goh’s Riolu
- Goh’s Lucario
- Goh’s Raboot
- Goh’s Drizzile
- Goh’s Thwackey
- Goh’s Cinderace
- Goh’s Grimer
- Goh’s Muk
- Goh’s Pinsir
- Goh’s Butterfree
- Goh’s Taillow
- Goh’s Beedrill
- Goh’s Scyther
- Goh’s Pidgeot
- Goh’s Dragonite
- Goh’s Gyarados
- Goh’s Drednaw
- Goh’s Magikarp
- Goh’s Golurk
- Goh’s Electivire
- Goh’s Gible
- Goh’s Gabite
- Goh’s Garchomp
- Goh’s Crobat
- Goh’s Zigzagoon
- Goh’s Cufant
- Goh’s Corphish
- Goh’s Skwovet
- Goh’s Greedent
- Goh’s Cubone
- Goh’s Sandshrew
- Goh’s Diglett
- Goh’s Yamper
- Goh’s Riolu
- Goh’s Cinderace
- Goh’s Sobble
- Goh’s Dracovish
- Goh’s Arctovish
- Goh’s Eternatus
- Chloe’s Yamper
- Chloe’s Eevee
- Chloe’s Ninetales
- Koharu’s Lucario
- Professor Cerise’s Yamper
- Professor Cerise’s Haxorus
- Professor Cerise’s Charizard
- Professor Cerise’s Raichu
- Bea’s Sirfetch’d
- Bea’s Grapploct
- Bea’s Hawlucha
- Bea’s Falinks
- Allister’s Mimikyu
- Allister’s Gengar
- Allister’s Cursola
- Allister’s Polteageist
- Nessa’s Goldeen
- Nessa’s Drednaw
- Nessa’s Pelipper
- Kabu’s Ninetales
- Kabu’s Centiskorch
- Kabu’s Arcanine
- Oleana’s Garbodor
Interesting Facts About Pokémon Characters
Now that we’ve established that the number of characters in the Pokémon universe is virtually impossible to determine, let’s take a look at some interesting facts about some of the most iconic characters in the franchise.
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1. Pikachu Is the Face of Pokémon
When most people think of Pokémon, they think of Pikachu. This lovable, electric mouse has become the de facto mascot for the franchise, appearing on countless pieces of merchandise and promotional material.
However, Pikachu wasn’t always intended to be the face of Pokémon. Originally, the developers had intended for Clefairy to be the franchise’s mascot. However, after the massive success of the anime series, Pikachu quickly took over as the franchise’s most recognizable character.
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2. Ash Ketchum Is the Main Character of the Anime
While the player character in the mainline Pokémon games is never explicitly named, the protagonist of the anime series is named Ash Ketchum.
Ash has been the main character of the Pokémon anime since its inception in 1997 and has become a beloved character in his own right. While he may not be the most skilled Pokémon trainer, his determination and love for his Pokémon have endeared him to fans around the world.
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3. Professor Oak Is a Staple of The Franchise
Professor Oak is the Pokémon world’s foremost expert on Pokémon and has been a recurring character in the franchise since the very beginning.
In addition to being the professor who gives you your first Pokémon in the original games, Oak has also appeared in countless spin-off games and anime episodes. Despite his vast knowledge of Pokémon, he is often portrayed as being forgetful and absent-minded.
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4. Team Rocket Is the Most iconic Villainous Team
In the world of Pokémon, there are many villainous teams that seek to do harm to the people and Pokémon of the world. However, none are quite as iconic as Team Rocket.
Led by the bumbling duo of Jessie and James, Team Rocket has become synonymous with the franchise. Their signature catchphrase, “Prepare for trouble, and make it double!” has become one of the most recognizable lines in the franchise.
Despite their bumbling nature, they have remained a constant thorn in the side of Ash and his friends.
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5. Gym Leaders Are a Key Part of the Games
In the mainline Pokémon games, there are eight Gym Leaders that the player must defeat in order to challenge the Elite Four and become the champion of the region.
Each Gym Leader specializes in a different type of Pokémon, and their battles serve as some of the toughest challenges in the game. Some of the most memorable Gym Leaders include Brock, Misty, and Lt. Surge.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the number of characters in the Pokémon universe is virtually impossible to determine. With countless trainers, NPCs, and unique characters in each game and media, the number is constantly growing.
However, some characters have become more iconic than others, such as Pikachu, Ash Ketchum, Professor Oak, Team Rocket, and the Gym Leaders.
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about the beloved franchise. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the series, there’s always something new to discover in the world of Pokémon.
