Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet do not have the most robust stories in the series. One of the reasons why players love RPGs is for their narratives. However, with this series, players are often more interested in the gameplay mechanics which might be why most entries in the series have weak stories. These new games do at least have great characters.
From rivals to villains, there are tons of fun characters in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. These eight are in no particular order, but they are the best characters in the games without a doubt, and stand out among other characters in the Pokemon series. There will be some spoilers to better discuss each of the highlights of these characters.
8 Nemona
Nemona is one of the best rivals to be in a Pokemon game in quite some time. She’s kind, spunky, and unafraid to go for it without ever feeling let down even in her failures. Her companionship throughout the adventure should always brighten the face of the player.
The only downside to her is her Pokemon strategy. She doesn’t make too many good choices in her lineup, but that’s true for most rivals in these games past a certain point. Who would pick the opposite starter Pokemon?
7 Arven
Arven, at first, seems like a throwback rival to the early days of Gary. He comes across as a bit headstrong and cold, or at least he is mean toward Miraidon or Koraidon, depending on which version players have. Eventually, the layers of this onion start to peel away.
It’s revealed that Arven has one of the kindest souls in the game. He’s a cooking champion who wants to find the right dish to help make his sick Mabosstiff, better. The end to this quest is thankfully a happy one, but no further details will be shared.
6 Iono
Iono is the Gym Leader of Levincia and she is an Electric-type fanatic. She also might be one of the youngest Gym Leaders in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet who seems more in tune with streaming content rather than being a Gym Leader obsessed with Pokemon battles. The best part about encountering her is her audio commentary, breaking the fourth wall in a way.
It’s also great that her coat is reminiscent of Fatman from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Whether that is a coincidence or not doesn't matter as Iono is one hilarious and well-dressed Pokemon Trainer.
5 Ryme
Ryme is the Gym Leader of Montenevera and she is way into Ghost-type Pokemon and raps. She is a bit like Killer B from the Naruto series, who also had an infinity for dropping beats before battles. Her Gym battles are unique in that players get to use two Pokemon at once.
Her trial is also devoid of a bad mini-game as players just have to fight other trainers to get her hyped up. It’s a classic battle infused with new ideas. The only downside to her is that the accompanying music to her lyrical bombs is not as funky, but that’s not her fault.
4 Giacomo
Giacomo is a member of Team Star and probably the first Pokemon Trainer of this organization players are going to face. These Team Star battles operate like tower defense mini-games in a way. In the field, players can toss out one Pokemon to autobattle monsters around them.
In these compound fights against Team Star, players can toss out three allies. They all end with a boss battle atop a tricked-out car, and Giacomo has one of the sickest rides among his comrades. This DJ should have met up with Ryme to create her beats.
3 Clavell/Clive
Clavell is the director of the school players will attend in Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet. At first, he seems like a studious adult without much personality. However, when players reach their first Team Star compound, he will come to offer some advice. He dresses up as an alter ego he calls Clive.
It’s very obvious it’s Clavell under disguise but he sticks to his guns until the conclusion of this quest, which ends with a wild surprise. He has some of the funnier reoccurring jokes in the game and is not a bad Pokemon Trainer either.
2 Penny/Cassiopeia
Players will run into Penny being bullied on their way to campus. This is how the Team Star quest begins as she asks players to put an end to them by collecting their badges. Secretly, Penny is the mastermind behind Team Star the whole time.
Unlike Clavell’s obvious disguise, Penny does a better job at keeping players in the dark. It helps that she only reveals herself over the phone as Cassiopeia and doesn’t have a picture either. There’s a lot to unpack with her character, but that would go into full spoilers. Let’s just say her conclusion may tug at the old heartstrings.
1 Geeta
Overall, Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet do a great job of balancing their characters out. A lot of games in this series like to keep characters a secret until their sections of the experiences pop up. For example, Geeta is in charge of the Pokemon League. Even though she is like the final boss, she appears quite often to check in on the player.
She’s not as spunky as Nemona, or as funny as Clavell, but she is without a doubt a Pokemon Master. Players will have to grind and create the perfect party to take her down. Also, her fashion sense is on point and Geeta kind of looks like she belongs in Gotham City.
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet was released on November 18, 2022, and is available on Switch.