The main character of the Pokémon series, Ash started his journey in Kanto's Pallet Town. After arriving late to receive his first Pokémon, Ash was forced to take a powerful but untamed Pikachu. After demonstrating remarkable loyalty toward his Pokémon, Ash earned Pikachu's trust much in the same way he would with many future partners.

While Ash has a general understanding of Pokémon types, he often ignores their strengths and weaknesses in the belief that his Pokémon can overcome such adversity. As such, he has a very unique style that involves using creativity to win apparently hopeless battles and astonish all who watch him. But he sometimes seems to be air-headed, making obvious mistakes in battles and in day-to-day life.

Ash's current Pokémon team includes Pikachu, Aipom, Starly, and Turtwig. Prof. Oak raises many of his other Pokémon while he is journeying, and these include Bulbasaur, Muk, a herd of Tauros, Kingler, Snorlax, Heracross, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Bayleef, Noctowl, Donphan, Corphish, Torkoal, Swellow, Glalie, and Sceptile. In addition, Ash's Squirtle is currently working as part of the Squirtle Squad, a firefighting team, while his Charizard is training in Johto's Chariciffic Valley.

Ash's best finishes in major competitions are as follows:

• Indigo League: Top 16
• Orange League: Winner
• Whirl Cup: Top 16
• Johto League Silver Conference: Top 8
• Hoenn League Championship: Top 8
• Battle Frontier: Winner

Originally recognized as the Pewter City Gym Leader in Kanto, Brock gave that position to his father in order to travel with Ash. Brock served as a father figure to his nine younger siblings while his parents were away, and is exceptional at cooking as a result. He is usually very responsible, except when he notices a pretty girl nearby. Brock is often the voice of reason during disagreements, and his calm demeanor helps his companions through many challenges on their journey.

Brock started as a Rock-type trainer, using his Geodude and Onix against Ash during their Gym battles. However, he has since begun using other Pokémon types. Brock currently travels with his Bonsly and Croagunk, while his Steelix, Geodude, Crobat, Forretress, Ludicolo, and Marshtomp remain with his family in Pewter City.

As Ash's most constant human companion, Brock has been by Ash's side for most of his journey. The only exceptions are the beginning of Ash's quest, part of the Orange Islands saga (when he was working with Prof. Ivy), and transition points between regions.

Brock has not been shown entering any major competitions, although he lost to May in the final round of a Pokémon contest in Kanto. He rarely battles now, but strives to become the world's best Pokémon breeder. As such, he has gained extensive knowledge of everything related to the care of Pokémon.

Hailing from Cerulean City in Kanto, Misty met Ash at the very beginning of his journey, when Ash stole her bike to escape an angry flock of Spearow. She proceeded to follow him around, saying she wasn't going to let him leave until she repaid him for the damage he later caused. When Ash arrived in Cerulean City, Misty mysteriously disappeared only to later present herself as the Gym Leader and accept his challenge. Despite this tension, however, the two trainers grew to be friends (although Misty did leave the group when she finally got a new bike).

Misty tends to be both hot-headed and sweet-tempered in turns; however, she is clearly a tomboy by nature. Her caring side gained prominence after her Pokémon egg hatched into a baby Togepi. Still, her anger does flare on occasion.

Misty dreams of becoming a Water Pokémon master, and this is shown by her choices of Pokémon. While her current team is unknown, she possesses a Goldeen, Staryu, Starmie, Horsea, Psyduck, Politoed, Corsola, Gyarados, Dewgong, Azurill, and Luvdisc (nicknamed "Casurin"). She also had a Togepi which was released into the Mirage Kingdom shortly after evolving into Togetic. Azurill, it should be noted, was a gift from Tracey and is the child of his Marill.

As Ash's first companion, Misty was been part of the group from almost the very beginning until she left after the Johto saga. She has cameo appearances in both Hoenn and in Kanto (during Ash's Battle Frontier quest). Misty has served as the Cerulean City Gym Leader since her sisters ceded that role to her.

Misty rarely battles in major competitions; however, she did compete in the Whirl Cup in the Whirl Islands of Johto. After defeating Ash in a two-on-two match, she fell in the quarterfinals and had to settle for being in the top eight.

As a native of the Orange Islands, Tracey meets Ash shortly after Brock leaves the group. Tracey is an unusual character in that he doesn't use his Pokémon for competitions; in fact, he rarely battles at all. Rather, Tracey considers himself a Pokémon watcher, and likes to spend his time observing and drawing Pokémon in the wild. He soon learns that Ash is friends with the prolific Prof. Oak, and joins the group for the sole purpose of meeting his idol. When the group returns to Kanto, Tracey remains in Pallet Town to serve as Prof. Oak's assistant.

Tracey is very concerned about the well-being of Pokémon in general, taking precautions not to disturb them and showing considerable sympathy for injured Pokémon. He's not one to get upset easily, and almost serves as a temporary replacement for Brock in that sense.

Tracey only possesses three Pokémon: his Scyther, Venonat, and Marill. Scyther is Tracey's main battler, as it is very strong despite its old age. The other two offer aid in his Pokémon-watching; Venonat can use its radar to scan the area, while Marill uses its hearing for the same purpose and its floating tail for transportation. Misty's Azurill is the offspring of Marill.

An aspiring coordinator from Petalburg City in Hoenn, May begins her journey with a dislike of Pokémon in general - as it turns out, she just wants an excuse to travel. She decides to travel with Ash shortly after he arrives in Hoenn, as he is an experienced trainer who can help her get used to Pokémon training. May has occasional outbursts when she's irritated, although she doesn't seem to get quite as angry as Misty does. It should be mentioned that May is the daughter of Petalburg Gym Leader Norman, and Max is her little brother.

May first decides that she wants to train as a coordinator after seeing a Pokémon Contest near Rustboro City. She has collected numerous performing Pokémon including Blaziken, Munchlax, Squirtle, and Eevee, who comprise her current team. Her mother is currently taking care of her Beautifly and Skitty, while her Bulbasaur is with Ash's Bulbasaur at Prof. Oak's laboratory.

May reached the quarterfinals of the Hoenn Grand Festival before losing to her archrival, Drew. In the Kanto Grand Festival, though, she stunned the crowd by upsetting Drew in a very close battle. Solidad, the eventual champion, dominated in the semifinals against May to eliminate her.

May reappeared in Sinnoh, where she was defeated by Dawn in the Wallace Cup. At that time we found out that here Bulbasaur was now a Venusaur, her Eevee was now a Glaceon, and her Squirtle was now a Wartortle.

The younger brother of May, Max plans to be a Pokémon trainer once he is old enough to receive his license. Max has an extensive knowledge of Pokémon that rivals even Brock, and immediately recognized Ash from his last battle in the Johto League Silver Conference. Max is sometimes abrasive toward others, particularly Ash and May. He was openly jealous of Ash for having Pokémon for awhile during their journey, and he still takes almost any chance he gets to torment his older sister.

Max idolizes his father, Norman, who serves as the Petalburg City Gym Leader. After meeting Ash upon his and May's arrival in Petalburg City, Norman convinces him to join the group on their journey even though he cannot yet own any Pokémon.

Max leaves the group after the Battle Frontier saga along with May. But while May goes to Johto to continue her journey as a coordinator, Max prepares to begin his own quest.

A new coordinator from Sinnoh's Twinleaf Town, Dawn is somewhat naive about Pokémon in general. Dawn is very concerned about fashion, changing clothes frequently and wearing fancy clothes to Pokémon Contests (in contrast with May, who almost always wore the same outfit). Dawn's mother, Johanna, is a previous winner of the Grand Festival.

Dawn is in the process of building her first team. At present, she has her Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, and Buizel with her. She occasionally gets into fights with her Piplup, proving her inexperience as a trainer. Buneary, on the other hand, has a crush on Ash's Pikachu.

Dawn has not yet been in any major competitions. She has earned one ribbon so far due to winning the Floaroma City Contest.

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Team Rocket is a large, mafia-like group of criminals led by a man named Giovanni. However, only Jessie, James, and Meowth are seen on a regular basis, having been in every episode with the exception of "Pokémon, I Choose You!" This trio of bandits usually try to steal Pikachu, who they deem to be exceedingly powerful; in fact, it's notable when they go after a different target.

Jessie and James have very different backgrounds. Jessie often alludes to her difficult childhood, which she spent in near-poverty conditions. She can be very arrogant and ill-tempered toward her comrades; it is because of this that she often dominates the group. James, on the other hand, ran away from his wealthy family to join Team Rocket and escape their wish for him to marry a woman named Jessiebelle. He is extremely passive compared to Jessie, but he does show morals and occasionally expresses his wishes to abandon his criminal life.

Meowth is perhaps the most unique of the three, as he is the only non-Psychic, non-legendary Pokémon known to be capable of speech. He taught himself to talk like a human in order to impress another Meowth he loved, only to have her reject him nonetheless. Meowth could be considered the most intelligent of the three Team Rocket members, as he devises a large portion of their criminal schemes.

The team as a whole is very flamboyant (although Meowth occasionally seems dismayed by this). The trio recites a personal motto almost every time they make an appearance, and they are very fond of costumes and disguises - James often ends up crossdressing, which has led to the banning of some episodes outside of Japan. James tends to have Pokémon which hurt him in their attempts to show their affection, and he also carries a single red rose. The group travels by way of a hot air balloon with the image of Meowth's face as the balloon.

Meowth rarely battles, and has never been trained as such. Jessie and James have their own Pokémon, however. Jessie currently has a Wobbuffet, Dustox, and Seviper, while James has his Cacnea, Mime Jr., and Carnivine. James also owns a Chimecho that he had to leave at his summer home when it fell ill.

Team Rocket does not typically enter major competitions, although Jessie occasionally disguises herself to participate in Pokémon Contests. Although she typically makes it past the first stage due to her flamboyant nature, she has never won a ribbon.