List of Pokémon rivals

The Pokémon franchise, which began in 1996, is a series of turn-based JRPG games. In each game, the player strives to become the Champion—the strongest trainer in a given region. Along the way, they often encounter various rival characters. These rivals, who can range from antagonistic to friendly, serve as significant challenges for the player, sometimes culminating in a final confrontation. The concept of rivals in the Pokémon series has garnered both praise and criticism for its different implementations throughout the franchise.