Pokémon Horizons has marked a new era for the Pokémon anime, starting over with an entirely new cast for the first time. And with a new cast of characters, of course, come the debates about who is a better trainer. With more than 50 episodes aired in Japan already, there’s finally enough data to start drawing conclusions about just who the most skilled trainers are in Pokémon Horizons.

There are many factors which can help decide how strong a trainer is. How many Pokémon do they have, for example, and how evolved are those Pokémon? And, of course, there’s always battle performance itself to consider–how do these characters actually perform when the chips are down? The ability to use special transformations such as Terastallization also comes into play, as that’s generally considered a more advanced technique that novice trainers wouldn’t understand how to utilize. With all these things to think about, here are 10 of the strongest trainers introduced in Horizons to date.

10

Ludlow is the Mighty G for a Reason

First Appearance: Episode 1, “The Pendant That Starts It All (Part 1)”

Ludlow is the old fisherman who lives aboard the Brave Olivine, often spouting wisdom for no one in particular to hear. He owned the original fishing boat which became the basis for the Brave Olivine, making him one of the first members of the Rising Volt Tacklers. Ludlow is known to own two Pokémon: a Quagsire and a Sharpedo. While Ludlow doesn’t battle much in his ordinary persona, he also has a secret alter ego known as Mighty G, an ocean-themed superhero who impressed in battle against the wild Klawf.

While Ludlow mostly keeps to himself and rarely participates in battle, it’s clear that he possesses a fair amount of skill when it comes to Pokémon battles, and shouldn’t be underestimated.

9

Brassius Gives Battling An Artistic Flair

First Appearance: Episode 10, “Nemona and Brassius and…”

Brassius is an artist and the Grass-type Gym Leader in Artazon. While Brassius struggled with artist’s block, he has generally fared quite well in battle, defeating Roy during his first ever gym match. Brassius’s artistic training can make him an unpredictable opponent, as evidenced by his Sudowoodo, which has a Grass Tera Type, allowing it to change types mid-battle. Brassius also owns a Dolliv which seems to be more set up for double battles, showing that Brassius is prepared for any kind of battle he might face.

As a Gym Leader, Brassius is expected to possess a certain level of skill, and his advice to Roy definitely has the ring of an experienced battler.

8

Katy Bakes Up a Challenge

First Appearance: Episode 47, “Liko and Floragato, Put Your Heart Into It!”

Katy is a baker, and happens to be the Bug-type Gym Leader from Cortondo. Katy appeared as Liko’s opponent for the Terastal Basics course, leading to a one-on-one battle, with Floragato against Katy’s Teddiursa, a battle which Katy handily won after Terastallizing. Katy is also known to own a Lokix, a fully-evolved Bug-type Pokémon, although she hasn’t been shown using it in battle. While a kind lady, Katy has no patience for those who would disrespect the art of baking.

As Katy’s gym is often challenged first, she deliberately uses a weaker team of Pokémon to give challengers a shot at winning, but her skills are far above the level of her Pokémon.

7

Iono Zaps Her Opponents Into Submission

First Appearance: Episode 15, “Someone We Can’t See! Whosawhatsit?”

Iono is the Electric-type Gym Leader of Levincia City’s gym, as well as being a popular streamer and influencer. She first appeared as a friend of fellow streamer Dot, AKA Nidothing, but was eventually assigned as Dot’s opponent when she enrolled in the Terastal Basics course. Iono and Dot had a fantastic battle, but Iono’s Bellibolt came out on top. Iono further proved her skill in battle with the Elite Four’s Poppy, where she and Dot, working together, managed to defeat one of Poppy’s Pokémon, winning them the match.

Iono is also a surprisingly good source of battling advice, as she offers tips to Dot throughout their battles, both as an ally and as an opponent, proving her skill comes from experience.

6

Diana Doesn’t Let Old Age Slow Her Down

First Appearance: Episode 24, “Reunion at the Ancient Castle!”

Diana is Liko’s grandmother and a seasoned adventurer, having been traveling for most of her life with Pokémon at her side. Diana’s main partner is Arcanine, who is extremely fast and loyal to her, but is known to own at least one other Pokémon, a Squawkabilly. Wild Pokémon seem to have an intrinsic trust in Diana, with many of them living with her at her ancient castle in the Galar region. Diana helped Liko and Roy to train, using some of her decades of experience to guide them at the start of their own journeys.

Despite staying with the Rising Volt Tacklers for some time, Diana eventually returned to the solo adventuring life, knowing she has powerful Pokémon to rely upon in the event of any trouble.

5

Spinel Knows Just How to Use His Pokémon

First Appearance: Episode 12, “The Future I Choose”

Spinel is a member of the villainous organization known as the Explorers, and is a particularly devious one at that. He uses his Pokémon in diabolically clever ways, such as using a Magneton to jam the communications aboard the Brave Olivine, and hypnotizing Liko to steal her pendant. Spinel is also someone who knows when to retreat, not afraid of abandoning a battle if things are going poorly for him. His Pokémon include an Umbreon, Magneton, and Beheeyem, meaning all his Pokémon are fully evolved.

Spinel is definitely one of the more powerful members of the Explorers seen to date, and his clever nature makes him a very dangerous opponent to deal with.

4

Amethio Trains to Best Rayquaza

First Appearance: Episode 1, “The Pendant That Starts It All (Part 1)”

Amethio was the first member of the Explorers to be introduced, and is still the most difficult for the crew of the Brave Olivine to deal with. Amethio has battled Friede to a draw on several occasions, and easily defeats Liko and Roy at almost every turn. Amethio’s Ceruledge is a particularly difficult opponent, able to disappear and reappear behind opponents, allowing him to get in some easy hits. Amethio also owns a Corviknight which he mostly uses to fly around.

Amethio actually took some time off from pursuing the Rising Volt Tacklers to train, learning how to use Terastallization and becoming an even bigger threat as a result.

3

Friede is the Rising Volt Tacklers’ Powerful Leader

First Appearance: Episode 1, “The Pendant That Starts It All (Part 1)”

The leader of the Rising Volt Tacklers and protector of Liko and Roy, Friede is a Pokémon Professor who actually knows how to battle. Friede most commonly uses his Charizard for battle, but also fights alongside Captain Pikachu on a number of occasions, and both are powerful Pokémon. Friede’s Charizard has the Dark Tera Type, allowing it to change types in battle and often catching opponents like Spinel off guard. Friede is Amethio’s top rival, and while their battles are often interrupted, he typically has the upper hand.

Friede is a very skilled Pokémon trainer, and his professorial knowledge can offer him an edge in battle that others don’t possess.

2

Nemona is Paldea’s Student Champion

First Appearance: Episode 10, “Nemona and Brassius and…”

The very first time Nemona is seen, she’s shown winning a battle, and she’s been on a winning streak ever since. The greatest trainer at Naranja Academy, Nemona immediately takes an interest in Roy and encourages him to train so that they can battle together some day. Nemona finally got her battle with Roy, and unsurprisingly won it with relative ease, although the weather was on her side. Nemona’s only known Pokémon in the anime is a Pawmo, which she evolved into Pawmot at some point.

Nemona is battle-obsessed and incredibly skilled, always looking for the next challenge. So far, there are very few trainers who’ve been seen in battle who could hope to keep up with Nemona.

1

Lucius is the Ancient Hero and Pokémon’s Greatest Trainer

First Appearance: Episode 6, “The Ancient Poké Ball”

Lucius is an ancient adventurer who traveled the world with Terapagos over a century ago. Lucius is the original owner of the Black Rayquaza, a fact which should singlehandedly prove how skilled of a trainer he was. Lucius owned many other notable Pokémon as well, such as the Titan Arboliva, a Galarian Moltres, and an Entei. Lucius’s exploits were so legendary that even Roy, living on a small island in the Kanto region, had heard of the ancient adventurer.

Lucius’s fate is left ambiguous, and it’s entirely possible that Lucius is still alive out there somewhere. Regardless of whether Lucius still lives, he’s without a doubt the most powerful trainer to have been seen in Pokémon Horizons to date.