Best Pokemon Main Female Characters

Summary

• The article highlights female Pokemon characters across the franchise, such as Nurse Joy and Misty.
• Notable characters like Whitney, the tough Johto Gym Leader, are discussed.
• Iconic heroines like Misty, the original Gym Leader, and Serena, from Pokemon X & Y, are featured.

The Pokemon universe is filled with iconic female characters. From the original games Pokemon Red & Blue, the heroines of Pokemon have also been an integral part of the story. Pokemon Crystal was the first game in which the player could choose their gender and become female, and the franchise has moved leaps and bounds since then.

Among the games, anime, and manga there are hundreds of heroines to choose from, but the best female characters in the Pokemon franchise manage to find ways to set themselves apart. This includes the latest heroine in the franchise, Nemona, who serves as the player’s rival in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet.

Updated March 13, 2025 by Ben Painter: Pokemon has been around since the late 90s, and strong female characters have existed since then. Characters like Misty, Sabrina and Nurse Joy were present in the very first entry and the games have developed to include even more females.

When it comes to main characters, there is plenty to choose from, as players can choose a female in most games to play through. Also, in the anime, there are tons of women who play a significant role. This update adds five more of the best Pokemon main female characters.

15

Kris

The First Female Playable Character

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Crystal
• Generation Introduced: 2
• Role: Playable Character

Kris is iconic for one main reason, as it was groundbreaking for the series to have a female playable character for the first time. This came with Pokemon Crystal, the third entry in the Johto Generation 2 saga following Gold & Silver. Despite this fact, she didn’t return for the remakes, instead being replaced with a new character, Lyla.

She also didn’t feature in the anime. However, a lookalike was included in the special, The Legend of Thunder!, but she was known as Marina. Although she has not had much play in the series, the fact she was the first female that players could use in the games was groundbreaking enough to earn her a spot on this list.

14

Clair

Tough Johto Gym Leader

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Generation Introduced: 2
• Role: Blackthorn City Gym Leader

The role of the toughest Gym Leader in Johto fell to Clair, the first Dragon-type Gym Leader of the series, and fans know how tough that type can be. Especially considering, at the time, her ace Kingdra was only weak to Dragon-types and gamers couldn’t acquire one until after gaining the Gym Badge.

Having a tough and memorable gym battle is enough, but Clair is also fairly prominent in the anime too, appearing in the Johto journeys, but she also reappears in the Black & White era where she battled fellow Dragon expert Iris.

Clair’s HeartGold &SoulSilver Gym Battle Team:

13

Sabrina

One Of The Original Gym Leaders

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Red & Blue
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Role: Saffron City Gym Leader

Another Gym Leader and a very prominent one being part of the original roster of eight. Back in Generation 1, Psychic was the second-strongest type and Sabrina’s Saffron City gym battle was always a tough one with her powerful Alakazam. With no Dark-types, no strong Bug-type moves and very few Ghost-types, there wasn’t a lot that players could do against Sabrina.

She also popped up in an interesting story in the anime that involved her manifesting a Psychic clone of her younger self. The Pokemon Adventures manga also had a different take on Sabrina as she was a member of Team Rocket working for the evil Elite Four. Whatever version of Sabrina it is, she takes the cake as one of the best Pokemon main female characters.

Sabrina’s FireRed & LeafGreen Gym Battle Team:

12

Officer Jenny

Basically The Only Police Officer

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Yellow
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Role: Recurring Anime Character

A character that was originally just exclusive to the anime, introduced much like Nurse Joy as a family of Police Officers who all look the same and pop up in most towns and cities across the Kanto region. Known for her partner Pokemon Growlithe, Officer Jenny was always there for Ash and his friends to help out with the pesky Team Rocket.

As Pokemon Yellow introduced some anime elements to the games, such as Jessie & James, Officer Jenny also had a small role. She is an NPC in Vermillion City who gifts the player a Squirtle, an obvious reference to the Squirtle Squad in the series.

11

Green

Pokemon Manga Hero

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee
• Generation Introduced: 7
• Role: Pokemon Adventures Main Character

Readers of the Pokemon Adventures manga will certainly remember Green. One of the main antagonists of the Red & Blue chapter, Green floats around on her Jigglypuff spying and pulling the strings in her goal to take down Team Rocket.

Although Green isn’t in much of the other Pokemon media, there is no question that she is an iconic heroine. The Pokemon world would not be the same without the manga, and she is very much an important character in those books. Although she does make her bow in Generation 7’s Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee as a boss battle at the end of the game.

Green’s Let’s Go Pikachu & Eevee Team:

10

Serena

Kalos Character & Ash Ketchum Anime Pal

• Game Introduced: Pokemon X & Y
• Generation Introduced: 6
• Role: Kalos Playable Character/Rival, Anime Main Character

Serena was introduced in Pokemon X & Y as the player character or as the rival depending on which one was chosen. A friendly rival, Serena becomes a great friend in the game and has some great battles along the way with her strong team, which includes Meowstic, Absol, and Altaria.

Also, a very important character in the Anime, Serena was an iconic traveling companion of Ash throughout Kalos in Pokemon X & Y. She may be a newer addition to the franchise, but that hasn’t stopped her from leaving a mark on fans of the long-running series.

Serena’s Final X & Y Team:

• If the player chose Chespin:

• If the player chose Fennekin:

• If the player chose Froakie:

9

Nurse Joy

The Always Reliable Pokemon Healer

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Red & Blue
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Role: Pokemon Center Attendant, Recurring Anime Character

One who has been there since the very beginning and a heroine who has always had the player’s back, Nurse Joy is the healer of Pokemon and the healer of players’ hearts. Nurse Joy has been an icon in the games and the anime, remembered fondly as the object of Brock’s desires.

Nurse Joy is so much more than that and the iconic quote “We hope to see you again!” is etched into the memories of all Pokemon fans. That said, it does have some troubling connotations. Does she want to see players’ Pokemon get hurt and require more medical attention?

8

May

Hoenn Main Character & Anime Companion

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire
• Generation Introduced: 3
• Role: Hoenn Playable Character/Rival, Anime Main Character

May is such an icon in both the games and the anime as she introduced fans to the world of Pokemon contests; something that has become a staple of the franchise ever since. May has a solid team and becomes a fierce rival in Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire & Emerald as well as in the games’ remakes.

May has also been a mainstay of the anime, with fans constantly asking for her to reappear and once again follow Ash on his journeys. Whether or not she ever does, May will always have a place in the hearts of many fans and deserves her icon status.

May’s Final Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Team:

• If the player chose Treecko:

• If the player chose Torchic:

• If the player chose Mudkip:

7

Dawn

Anime Companion & Sinnoh Playable Character

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Generation Introduced: 4
• Role: Sinnoh Playable Character/Rival, Anime Main Character

Dawn is arguably just a bit more popular than May, as although both characters are just as likable as one another, Dawn’s final team is ever so slightly stronger in the games, which in turn makes for a more iconic battle. In truth, though, there’s very little between the pair.

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl rebooted the franchise, bringing the games to a new era on Nintendo DS and creating a new generation of Pokemon fans in the process. Dawn is certainly the face of this era thanks to her also appearing in the anime. Fans enjoyed the chemistry between her and Ash and many wanted the beanie hat wearer to remain.

Dawn’s Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Weekend Battles Team:

• If the player chose Turtwig:

• If the player chose Chimchar:

• If the player chose Piplup:

6

Lorelei

Kanto Elite Four Member

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Red & Blue
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Role: Kanto Elite Four Member

Back in the Original Red & Blue, Lorelei was a formidable member of the Elite Four thanks to her tough squad of Ice-type Pokemon. Lapras and Jynx are some of the strongest original 151 Pokemon, and it takes a lot to bring them down.

With Cloyster and Dewgong also being Water-type, it takes a lot more than just firepower to get one over on this iconic Elite Four member. Nostalgia plays a big factor when it comes to iconic characters, and Lorelei certainly earns her spot because of this.

Lorelei’s FireRed & LeafGreen Elite Four Team:

5

Whitney

The Infamous Johto Gym Leader

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Gold & Silver
• Generation Introduced: 2
• Role: Goldenrod City Gym Leader

Whitney. The name still haunts Pokemon fans’ nightmares to this day thanks to her dreaded Miltank. Gamers who played Gold & Silver will certainly remember this pink-haired gym leader.

Miltank may be one of the strongest Pokemon in the game thanks to this battle. Without any real access to Fighting-types before this gym, Miltank is a real problem to take down. The rollout attack just keeps getting strong as players chip away at Miltank’s insane health. It was a real struggle back in 1999.

Whitney’s HeartGold & SoulSilver Gym Battle Team:

4

Iris

Anime Companion & Unova Champion

• Game Introduced: Pokemon White
• Generation Introduced: 5
• Role: Unova Gym Leader/Champion, Anime Main Character

Iris starts as Opelucid City’s gym leader in Pokemon White. In the sequels, however, it is revealed that she has become the champion of Unova with a powerful team of Dragon-type Pokemon.

Along with her dragons, she has an Aggron and Archeops as a foil for the Ice-types, so players will need a good strategy if they want to take down this champion. Also, a companion of Ash in the Pokemon anime, Iris is certainly an iconic heroine of the franchise and has been cemented in the universe as one of the more powerful female trainers.

Iris’ Black 2 & White 2 Normal Mode Champion Team:

3

Cynthia

A Tough Sinnoh Champion

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Diamond & Pearl
• Generation Introduced: 4
• Role: Sinnoh Champion

The showdown with Cynthia in the Gen 4 games is without a doubt one of the hardest battles in Pokemon history. With her elite squad of mixed types, it certainly is a challenge, and one that is headlined by her main Pokemon, Garchomp.

Popping up throughout the game, helping the player along the way, Cynthia is more than just the Pokemon champion. She is a fantastic representation of a heroine in the Pokemon world, a true icon of the games, and one that has certainly imprinted itself on fans of the franchise.

Cynthia’s Platinum Champion Battle Team:

2

Jessie

The Ever-Present Team Rocket Adversary

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Yellow
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Role: Main Anime Antagonist

Jessie has been around since the very beginning of the Pokemon anime. Along with her partners, James and Meowth, she sought to capture Ash’s Pikachu to impress her boss, Giovanni. Something that in over 20 years she never accomplished. Nonetheless, Jessie has proven to be very iconic in the franchise, along with her signature Pokemon: Arbok and Wobbuffet.

There aren’t too many female main characters who have had a bigger impact than Jessie and this is reflected by her inclusion in Pokemon Yellow and Let’s Go’s Pikachu & Eevee as an antagonist for the player to battle along the way to becoming a Pokemon champion.

Jessie & James Let’s Go’s Pikachu & Eevee Final Battle Team:

1

Misty

Original Gym Leader & Anime Companion

• Game Introduced: Pokemon Red & Blue
• Generation Introduced: 1
• Role: Cerulean City Gym Leader, Anime Main Character

Without a shadow of a doubt, Misty is the most iconic heroine in Pokemon. The Cerulean City gym leader has been in the games from the very beginning, with her iconic Starmie and Staryu causing trouble for those who chose Charmander.

Misty made a name for herself in the anime too. Serving as Ash’s first-ever companion, she supported him along the way for many years throughout the original series. This orange-haired gym leader is one of the most iconic characters in all of gaming history, let alone in the Pokemon world.

Misty’s Gym Battle Team: