All 9 Champions in Pokémon, Ranked

For over twenty years, the Pokémon anime has featured many remarkable and skilled trainers. These range from Gym Leaders, who challenge new trainers, to powerful and dangerous criminal organizations. All of them strive to be the very best Pokémon battlers.

The Pokémon anime has featured many skilled trainers, but a few consistently stand out as the very best: the Champions. Each Champion has rightfully earned their title, and their impressive track record throughout the series clearly shows just how powerful they are, making it obvious to fans who reigns supreme.

9. Geeta

Paldea Champion

With Ash’s story as the main character of the Pokémon anime concluding three years ago, the series needed a fresh direction to stay engaging. That’s why the show moved to the Paldea region, which operates in a new way compared to previous settings. The region’s Champion, Geeta, is a powerful trainer who also manages the region’s operations to keep everything running efficiently.

Geeta has a lot of responsibility, and because most challengers aren’t strong enough to truly test her, she doesn’t get much practice battling. This makes her feel more like a helpful guide for players than a final, imposing opponent – similar to how her Elite Four members felt less significant in the overall story.

8. Iris

Unova Champion

While Iris is famous for being a strong friend and ally to Ash in the Pokémon anime, she didn’t begin her journey as the Unova region’s Champion. When she first traveled with Ash, she was a determined trainer hoping to build a team of powerful Dragon-type Pokémon. Through hard work and perseverance, she eventually became Champion, defeating the previous titleholder, Alder.

Iris is a relatively new and inexperienced trainer compared to many in the Pokémon world, but she’s far from a pushover. Her Pokémon are incredibly powerful in battle, especially her strong Haxorus. She’s one of the few trainers who’s ever really challenged Ash, demonstrating she’s a formidable opponent. However, despite being one of the strongest trainers in the Unova region, her lack of experience sometimes holds her back in crucial moments.

7. Steven Stone

Hoenn Champion

Champions frequently participate in regional matters, but Steven Stone is exceptionally dedicated to helping Hoenn. Despite coming from a very influential family, he’s remarkably humble and kind – the opposite of arrogant or cruel.

Steven is a kind and daring individual known for his work as both a Pokémon trainer and an archaeologist. He’s an expert in evolutionary stones, especially those that allow Pokémon to Mega Evolve. Despite his approachable nature, he’s a formidable and strategic opponent, often battling with his reliable Metagross and a team of powerful Steel-type Pokémon to defeat his rivals.

6. Diantha

Kalos Champion

Being a Champion usually means protecting a region, but some Champions also pursue other careers. Diantha, the strongest Trainer in Kalos, is a famous movie star known for her grace and style, achieving worldwide success. However, this has led some fans to believe she prioritized fame over becoming a truly powerful Trainer.

Diantha is actually one of the most talented and overlooked fighters in the series. While many champions depend on brute strength, Diantha fights with precision and careful planning. Similar to her partner Pokémon, Gardevoir, she excels at strategy, exploiting her opponents’ weaknesses before finishing the battle.

5. Lance

Kanto & Johto Champion

I remember when Lance first became Champion – he really set the standard. He’s a truly impressive battler, and his passion for Pokémon, especially his Dragon-types, is obvious. What always struck me about Lance, though, is that he never rests on his laurels. While other Champions might take it easy after winning, he’s constantly pushing himself to improve, making him the toughest final challenge for any trainer in Kanto.

I’ve noticed Lance is a pretty straightforward guy, always telling it like it is – whether he’s in the middle of a battle or giving a new trainer some tough love about their shortcomings. When he’s not busy solving mysteries or saving the world, you can usually find him training with his Dragonite, which is seriously one of the strongest Pokémon out there.

4. Cynthia

Sinnoh Champion

The Pokémon anime has many memorable female characters who add a lot to the story, but none are as powerful or well-respected as Cynthia. She appears kind and approachable, even inspiring others, but she’s actually one of the most skilled and competitive trainers in the entire series.

During battles, Cynthia sheds her refined image and reveals a fierce, competitive side. As the Sinnoh region Champion, she and her Garchomp fight with a powerful, relentless style, aiming to quickly exhaust and defeat opponents. Many fans consider her the most intimidating Champion, and she’s dedicated herself to earning that reputation.

3. Red

Kanto Champion

Red is one of the most recognizable characters in the Pokémon series. He’s the main character from the very first Red and Green games and is known as a remarkably skilled trainer. Like many young Pokémon trainers, Red embarks on a journey to become a champion. He quickly progresses from a beginner to a top fighter in the Kanto region, steadily defeating each of the Gym Leaders he faces.

Red’s greatest accomplishments include shutting down Team Rocket, and finally defeating their previously unbeatable leader. He quickly followed this by capturing Mewtwo, a Pokémon legendary for its incredible power.

2. Leon

Galar Champion

Throughout the Galar region, young trainers all aspire to be as skilled as the reigning Champion, Leon. He’s a popular and proud fighter known for his incredible strength and unwavering determination, winning over the hearts of everyone in the region with his spectacular battles. For a long time, he was considered the world’s strongest trainer, and rightfully so – he proved to be Ash’s toughest opponent ever.

Leon fought with a graceful yet powerful style, making sure every attack maximized damage while staying defensively sound. He was also renowned as the greatest Charizard trainer ever, and his incredibly strong Fire-type Pokémon rivaled the power of even Legendary creatures.

1. Ash Ketchum

World Champion

I’ve been watching the Pokémon anime for years, and Ash Ketchum is definitely the trainer everyone knows and loves. He started out as a bit cocky, but always had a good heart, and left his hometown of Pallet Town determined to become the very best Pokémon trainer. He faced off against so many strong opponents who really challenged him to improve. It wasn’t easy – he didn’t win every League challenge, that’s for sure – but he never gave up trying, which is what made him so inspiring to watch.

After years of trying, Ash finally achieved his goal in the Alola region, becoming Champion after being a strong contender in Kalos. He then continued to prove his skills in the World Coronation Series, defeating top trainers from around the globe alongside his beloved Pikachu, a fan favorite. It took over twenty years, but this inspiring hero ultimately showed everyone why he’s considered the very best Pokémon trainer.

2026-05-12 21:35