The world of Pokémon is enormous. If you have played every game, or even just one, the amount of characters included in each game is astounding. Sure, you run into a lot of the same trainers on the trail and in the sea, but even they have different catchphrases and names. Each game has its own set of Gym Leaders, trainers, enemies — the amount of people you will meet while playing Pokémon is unmatched in most games

Nintendo and Game Freak created this many characters on purpose. When you play a Pokémon game, even if its an oddball title like Pokémon Snap or Pokémon Stadium, you will feel like you are wandering around in the Pokémon world.

With all the characters you meet throughout the different generations of games, it is sometimes hard to keep track of who you know and who is brand new. This gets especially complicated with the remake games, or the little differences between games like Ruby and Sapphire or Black and White, which are similar but still different. When you face a new Gym Leader or meet a new friend, chances are you may have encountered them somewhere before, but might not remember. This is especially true because soem characters in the game experience growth, development, and change— some even change their outfits!

Here are 15 Pokémon Characters you forgot were in multiple games— do you remember them all?

15 Bruno

Bruno is a powerful Fighting-type trainer. He is a member of the Elite Four, and a dedicated trainer who lives with his Pokémon. His strongest Pokémon is always Machamp, so he is easy to recognize. He enjoys traveling all over the different Pokémon Regions, going to spas and islands with his Pokémon. He moves around so much, it makes sense that he shows up in several different games, in different capacities. In Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow he is a member of the Elite Four and you must battle him to succeed. In later games, he remains a member of the Elite Four, but he moves up a level. He also shows up as an opponent in Pokémon Stadium and Pokémon Stadium 2. Who knows where you will find Bruno next?

14 Lance

Lance is a Dragon Type trainer. He believes that Dragon Type Pokémon are superior and indestructible, which isn't far from the truth. Dragon Pokémon are extremely difficult to catch and train, making Lance a powerful Pokémon trainer. It makes sense to have to battle such a powerful adversary in more than one game. In Generation I and the Generation III remake games, Lance is the final member of the Elite Four. You must battle his powerful team of Dragon Pokémon to win the game. In the Generation II games, Lance becomes the Pokémon League Champion, replacing Red when Red leaves to continue his training. At some point, Lance also battled Professor Kukui, of the Alola region. You can also find him purchasing his signature fashionable capes at the Celadon Department Store.

13 Koga

Koga is a powerful trainer with a strong team of Poison Type Pokémon. He loves the despair and horror that Poison Type Pokémon can cause. Though he has a dark side, he is respected as a powerful Pokémon Master. He studies poisons, antidotes, and medicines. He has also trained to become a Master of Ninjutsu, leading to him being known as the Poisonous Ninja Master. He changes roles in different games, which sometimes makes it hard to remember that he is the same Koga you have already met. In Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Fire Red and Leaf Green, Koga is the Gym Leader at the Fuchsia City Gym. You battle him for the Soul Badge. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Heart Gold, and Soul Silver, Koga is promoted to a member of the Elite Four. If you go looking for him at the Fuchsia City Gym, you will find his daughter, Janine, instead.

12 Jasmine

Jasmine is the Gym Leader at the Olivine Gym. She has a powerful team of Steel Type Pokemon, which you must defeat to earn the Mineral Badge. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, Heart Gold and Soul Silver, she battles at the Olivine Gym and is known as "The Steel-Clad Defense Girl." She can be found in a few different places, but her shy demeanor and her initial reluctance to battle makes her a little forgettable. You might not remember her when you see her again in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum. She is staying in Sunyshore city, because it reminds her of home. You meet her after defeating the 8th Gym Leader, and she gives you HM07 Waterfall. She also appears in the Gym Leader Castle in Pokémon Stadium 2, but you may not recognize her without her signature team of Steel Type Pokemon.

11 Caitlin

Caitlin is a Pokémon Trainer who specializes in Psychic Type Pokémon. She might seem sweet, but she has a short temper. In Pokémon Heart Gold, Soul Silver, and Platinum, Caitlin can be found at the Battle Castle. She employs Castle Valet Darach, and is in charge of deciding how many CP players should receive after the outcome of the battle is decided. She is the most important person at the Battle Castle, and has the Princess attitude to match. You will later encounter Caitlin as a member of the Elite Four in Pokémon Black and White. She traveled to the Unova region to improve her skill and explore her own Psychic powers. She discovered that she has Psychic powers that are linked to her moods, and her anger can cause destruction around her. She seems like two completely different people, it can be hard to recognize her in multiple games.

10 Cynthia

Cynthia is considered Game Freak's "Fan Favorite" because she shows up throughout the Pokémon Universe as a guide character. Cynthia first appears in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum, and meets the Player at different points in the game. Because she appears in many places and does different things depending on which game you are playing, it can be difficult to recognize her. Cynthia also appears in Pokémon Heart Gold and Soul Silver, exploring the Sinjoh Ruins to learn more about the origins of Arceas. In Generation V, you can battle her in Undella Town. In Black 2 and White 2, you can battle her in the Champions Tournament. She travels the world, learning about Pokémon mythology and the origins of Legendary Pokémon. Most recently, she appeared in Pokémon Sun and Moon in Alola's Battle Tree. Who knows where Cynthia will show up next!

9 Steven

Steven Stone is a Steel Type Pokémon Trainer who appears in many games, such as Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Heart Gold, Soul Silver, Emerald, Black 2 and White 2. In Ruby and Sapphire, Steven is the Pokémon Champion of the Hoenn region. In Emerald, you can challenge him as he searches for rare stones in Meteor Falls, on your way to defeat Wallace. You also encounter Steven in Heart Gold and Soul Silver when the Hoenn Champion lets you choose one of the Hoenn Starter Pokémon to join your party. In Black 2 and White 2, Steven appears with trainers from other Generations in the Pokémon Championship Tournament. Though Steven moves all over the Pokémon world, he is always recognizable by his steel-blue eyes and powerful team of Steel-Type Pokémon.

8 Misty

Misty is most memorable from the Pokémon Anime, but she is also prevalent in many of the Pokémon video games. Not a problem, since she is one of the best-loved Gym Leaders in the Pokémon Universe. Misty, the "Tomboyish Mermaid." is the Gym Leader of the Cerulean City Gym. She fights with a well-trained team of Water Pokémon. You battle Misty to win the Cascade Badge. In Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Fire Red, and Leaf Green Misty is the Gym Leader of the Cerulean Gym. Misty is an avid trainer and swimmer, and she often trains in the Seafoam Islands. In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, Heart Gold, and Soul Silver, Misty is a few years older and still working be the strongest Gym Leader and Water Pokémon Master. As Misty ages and gets more skilled, seeing her in different games is like encountering a whole new Misty.

7 Elesa

Elesa is the Gym Leader of the Nimbasa City Gym. She battles with a tough team of Electric Type Pokémon. She is a fashion model outside of the gym, and it is obvious from her fashionable outfit. At first, when she makes her debut in Pokémon Black and White, she has short blond hair and headphones with long cords on the sides, which is really cool. In later appearances, in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, she shows up with long black diamond-shaped pigtails, a colorful outfit, and futuristic headphones. Because her appearance changes so drastically between games, it is easy to confuse her for someone else! Elena also participates in the Pokémon World Tournament. Though Elesa is a tough trainer to beat, she is also caring and helpful. She encourages Bianca to be a Pokémon Trainer, and helps defend The Seven Sages so you can beat the game.

6 Iris

Iris is known as "The Girl who Knows the Hearts of Dragons" Dragon Type. She has an impressive Dragon-Type Pokémon — which are notoriously difficult to catch and train. She appears in Pokémon Black and White, as well as Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. In White, she is one of the Gym Leaders at the Opelucid City Gym. You battle Iris to earn the Legend Badge. She reappears at N's Castle, where she helps hold off the Seven Sages. In Black, she will teach Draco Meteor to Dragon-type Pokémon. When she reappears in Black 2 and White 2, Iris helps you find Team Plasma in Castelia City, and later makes another appearance in Opelucid City. It is revealed that she is going to be the new Pokémon Champion of Unova. Iris changes so much between games, it is easy to forget she is not a completely new character.

5 Lanette

You might not think about Lanette much. She is not a Gym Leader or a powerful Pokémon Trainer, but her role in the games is just as important. You meet Lanette in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Omega Ruby, and Omega Sapphire. She is Brigitte's younger sister, and you will find Lanette at her family home in Fallarbor Town, near Route 114. Though you do not have to battle her, she is important to your success as a Pokémon Trainer. Lanette is a computer genius, and she uses her skills to update Bill's Pokémon Storage System and makes it easier to use (and allows you to change the Wallpaper!). Lanette maintains the Pokémon Storage System for the Hoenn Region, so your journey would be a lot tougher without her. She is easy to overlook in these games, but she is an invaluable character. Plus, she might give you a Seedot!

4 Janine

Janine is most notable as the Gym Leader of the Fuchsia City Gym. Do you remember meeting her before that, though? You did, but things have changed a lot since then! Janine was not always the Gym Leader in Fuchsia City— her father, Koga, was the first "Poisonous Ninja Master." In Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal, Heart Gold, and Soul Silver, Janine is the Gym Leader you must beat to earn the Soul Badge. She succeeds her father, who has been promoted to the Elite Four. Her true first appearance, though, is in Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green. She is a young girl, and hangs out at the Fuchsia Zoo. She will tell you that her father is teaching her to use Poison Pokemon— seems like that worked out pretty well for her. Janine also appears in Pokémon Stadium, the only time she does not use exclusively Poison Pokémon.

3 Red

Red is the official name of the protagonist player character in Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow, and the male choice in Pokémon Fire Red and Leaf Green, where he is joined by the female Player, Leaf. Before the Generation II games, he was officially referred to as Satoshi, and is the counterpart to Ash Ketchum in the Anime. Red is the young Champion from Pallet Town, and renowned for his defeat of Team Rocket. He is the final opponent in Pokémon Gold, Silver, Crystal,  Heart Gold, Soul Silver, and Pokémon Stadium 2. He also battles in the  Pokémon World Tournament in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. Most recently, he appeared as an adult in Pokémon Sun and Moon, as a Boss of the Battle Tree in Alola.  Red is the original Hero of the Pokémon games, but it is easy to forget that he is a character, and not just a Player.

2 Blue

Blue Oak (grandson of Professor Oak) is the rival of the player and the Pokémon Champion in the Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow, Fire Red and Leaf Green, and their Generation III remakes. Sometime between the Generation I games and Pokémon Gold, Silver, Heart Gold and Soul Silver, Blue succeeded Giovanni as the Viridian City Gym Leader. Blue does not specialize in a particular type of Pokémon, but you still have to defeat him for the Earth Badge. He is Red's rival, and is always one step ahead of the Player. He changes a lot throughout the games, from a bully yelling "Smell ya' Later" to a Champion, Gym Leader, and a participant in the Pokemon Championship Tournament. He appears as an adult with Red at the Battle Tree in Alola. It's easy to see just a rival or a new Gym leader, but really it's Blue, in different games.

1 You!

The "Player," the "Protagonist" appears in every game. What is easy not to realize is that, though the names and faces change, that character is truly always the same person— you! In every Pokémon game you have ever played, YOU have been the Pokémon Champion. Through every battle, Gym, Elite Four, and long walk through the tall grass, you have been the hero of the Pokémon world. That is what Nintendo and Game Freak wanted for the Pokémon video game series; for every player to be the protagonist of their own game. Whether you are playing as Red, Leaf, or finally getting to name your own character, you are the one making decisions that save the Pokémon world. Gym Leaders come and go, but don't forget, the character that recurs in every single Pokémon game you have ever played, from Yellow to Pokemon Snap and even Pokemon Go, is you!