Paul (Pokémon)

Template:Pokémon character Shinji (シンジ) is a human character from the multi-billion-dollar Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media, created by Satoshi Tajiri.

In the Pokémon anime

The Pokémon anime series and films are a meta-series of adventures separate from the canon that most of the Pokémon video games follow (with the exception of Pokémon Yellow, a game based on the anime storyline). The anime follows the quest of the main character, Ash Ketchum—an in-training Pokémon Master—as he and his friends travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners.

Shinji is a roaming Pokémon trainer travelling through the region of Sinnoh, who develops a rivalry with Ash Ketchum. He captures Pokémon without the intention of properly raising them. Unlike most trainers, Shinji indeed has no such heart for Pokémon he catches and only cares about catching strong wild Pokémon just to crush other trainers with them. He even tries to make his Pokémon act cold, notably stopping his Chimchar from doing a victory dance. He is also known to release Pokémon that he finds utterly useless and weak. He successfully defeated Hyouta, the Kurogane City Gym Leader, before Ash..

Pokémon

On Hand

• Chimchar

Chimchar is assumed to be Shinji's "starting" Pokémon, although he had acquired an Elekid previously. He used it in a battle against Ash Ketchum where, after putting up a strong fight, it was eventually overcome by his Aipom. It later defeated Ash's Turtwig in a one on one battle at the end of "Forest of Hesitation! Shinji Again!!".

• Elekid

Elekid is Shinji's powerhouse Pokémon. Often seen traveling with Shinji instead of staying in a Poké Ball, it was first seen in the episode "Rival battle! 3 VS 3!".

• Ursaring

Shinji caught Ursaring with his Chimchar in the Forest in "Forest of Hesitation! Shinji Again!!". Due to its strength and power, he decided to keep it on his squad for the time being.

Released

• Starly (3)

Shinji captured three Starly. He quickly released two of them as they failed to learn Aerial Ace. The third one however did learn the move. Shinji used this Starly in his battle with Ash Ketchum where it easily defeated Ash's Starly. Despite this, Shinji decided to release this Starly as well.

• Stantler

Shinji caught and released a Stantler in the Forest in "Forest of Hesitation! Shinji Again!!".

• Azumarill

Shinji was seen using this Pokémon against the first Gym Leader of the Sinnoh League, Hyouta, in the episode "Kurogane Gym! Hyouta vs Shinji!!". In "Zugaidosu VS Pikachu!" he gives Azumarill away.