What IS a Pokemon Master?

[Kirbychu]

Earlier I randomly began thinking of the goals of trainers like Ash. Everyone knows what Ash (And the protagonist of each game.) wants to be; a "Pokemon Master". But has Game Freak ever stated what exactly a "Pokemon Master" is?

Whenever I want to figure out something Pokemon-related I head off to Bulbapedia. After typing in "Pokemon Master", I found an interesting quote by PUSA...

I'm very sorry, but the Pokémon Company does not answer questions of this nature. It is the intent of the Pokémon creators that such questions be left to the imaginations and interpretations of Pokémon fans, adding more excitement and mystery to the Pokémon universe.

So, what do you think a "Pokemon Master" is? I personally think a Pokemon Master is an elite trainer with great power.

 

[Zeta Sukuna]

Pokemon Master has different meanings. I believe the anime described it as. 'Someone who has at least one of each pokemon', except in different words. I may be wrong, so don't quote me on that. But personally, I believe that a Pokemon Master is someone who beat each region, or has done something truly amazing to prove skills far above any normal trainer. I classify Red as a 'Pokemon Master', because he is the strongest trainer in the world. (Until he is beaten by Gold/Crystal/Kotone.) And Prof. Oak adknowledges that, but that's my own take on it.

 

[RocketAdmin.]

Personally believe you must have done 1 or more of the following:
1 - Obtained at least 1 copy of each Pokemon
2 - Become an incredibly powerful trainer, who has proven their worth throughout all of the regions
3 - Done something of immense bravery, positioning you aboveall normal trainers (This isn't exactly possible in the games unless you're including the Legendary events eg. Giratina in the Torn World)

 

[coolcatkim22]

Didn't they say it through out the songs "2 B A Master" and "We All Live In A Pokemon World"?

Or maybe it's just "buy are merchandise".

 

[Lycaeus]

I think a Pokemon Master is someone who is respected by the trainer community, and has considerable power to back up the respect.

 

[Ayselipera]

Well this is pretty much what everyone else said, but from the first couple episodes I thought it meant a trainer who has captured every pokemon and is also talented at battling.

 

[The Girl Once named Tracie]

for me its someone who has one of every pokemon and has beaten at least one region pokemon league. Thats just my take though, I'm sure the exact ways to become one will be revealed in the final eposide. If there ever is one, anyway.

 

[*Charizard*]

I always thought that to become a Pokemon Master you have to win each region league and elite four/champion. Well something along those lines.

 

[Spikey-Eared Pichu]

To me, a Pokemon Master is someone who:
-Has captured and trained atleast one of every known Pokemon in PokeEarth.
-Become Champion in every known region.
-Befriended and become partners with a Legendary Pokemon.

 

[GreenStorm]

In my opinion, a Pokémon master is a person who is one of the best trainers, has traveled every region, captured or met every Pokémon, and is very well known.

 

[iwuzhere9]

This is a Pokemon Master. Thank you.

 

[Meepman]

I initially thought pokemon master just meant someone who beat the elite four and champion but then thought if that was true they wouldn't refer to them as the champion in the first place. Come to think of it I don't think they ever actually say "pokemon master" in the video games, they only seem to say that in the anime.

 

[Tyrantrum]

• Being able to defeat any trainer.
• Being able to catch every single Pokémon; including legendaries.
• Leveling up every Pokémon to level 100, even ones that are in their basic or 1^st stage.
• Completing the PokéDex (relevant to the second bullet).

 

[Wings Don't Cry]

Actually according "2b a master" you need to catch 150 Pokemon. Which was probably quite a significant achievement if you owned only one of the GenI games and never traded with anyone else and used third party devices other than the Gameboy system.

 

[Strawberry Kiwi]

I think its got to do with being known as one. a title given to you from other people.
Like, if One travels every region, becomes the champion, is known all around the world as an extreamly skilled, powerful, and respected trainer. that person would be known as a pokemon master

 

[Kotone]

a pokemon master is someone who has beaten all of the leaders and trainers (:

 

[Roxasabridged]

I'd say someone who could effectively battle with any Pokemon, and quickly adapt to unexpected developments.

 

[GlitchCity]

wellllllll, for one who has caught the current 493 pokemon and obey them without question. Thats all I can think of

 

[hiplop]

beating all the leagues ,or catchin' em all!

 

[sirboulevard]

I think this is a question that needs to be answered with some sort of standard-ization through the fandom like how we have "Standard Rules" for battling.

For me its the following

1) 3 Trainer Stars Minimum (one of which is beating the Elite 4)
2) Caught 150 different species (including either the first 150 in the pokedex or one rare species from each region)
3) Has battled in some competitive fashion (GEN IV only)
4) Has Encountered but not necessarily caught a Roaming Pokemon
5) Has won a Master-Rank Pokemon Contest
6) Knows advanced techniques like EV training or IV Breeding
7) Must announce or specialize in some field of training
Examples: Training, Coordination, Pokethlon, Breeding, Catching, Type Specialization, General Training Skills (which is like a leisure studies major in college)