Teacher Cynthia

Cynthia is the Champion of the Sinnoh region, who makes her first appearance in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. She also is the first female, non-playable character Champion introduced in the core series. Cynthia is an archeologist who investigates myths involving Pokémon and is described as mysterious, referring to herself as "the researcher of myths." With her interest in mythology and history, she spends her time researching and exploring various sites associated with Legendary Pokémon of the Sinnoh region. Because of this Cynthia has a wide knowledge of Pokémon and their relationships with people, creating some theories of her own. She can get carried away with these topics, often talking for long periods of time or theorizing in places where she shouldn't be.[4] Cynthia realizes this behavior, catching herself and apologizing whenever it happens.[5] Similarly, she speaks politely, frequently asking the player if they are doing well and uses phrases such as "pardon".

Cynthia tends to enjoy relaxation and travel, visiting the villas owned by Caitlin and the player found in Unova and in Sinnoh's Battle Zone respectively. In Platinum, she expresses that part of the reason for this is that she is typically a messy person, and has research papers thrown around the house. Cynthia also enjoys the piano, claiming that she enjoys the sound, listening to it with both her body and spirit.

Cynthia has a large love and passion for Pokémon and is implied to have helped Professor Rowan with his Pokédex, embarking on an adventure as a child, similar to that of the player. Cynthia can be seen as a generous person, providing the player with multiple items and information throughout their journey, including Pokémon Eggs. While generous, she is also very appreciative of the player's efforts. At the Pokémon League, she acknowledges the player's strength as a Trainer and their bond with Pokémon. She enjoys fun and challenging battles and isn't easy to give up.

Cynthia's known relatives include her grandmother, her grandfather, and a younger sister, all of which go unnamed. Her family lives in Celestic Town, although her own hometown was not mentioned, even going as far to say that her home region is a secret. Cynthia bears a striking resemblance to Volo and Cogita, implying some form of ancestry, however the direct correlation between the three, is unknown. Cynthia is an adult woman with long curly platinum blonde hair that reaches behind her knees. Bangs fall over her left eye, and two large side curls fall in front of her shoulders, curling inward, covering her ears and the back of the neck. She has thin eyebrows. Cynthia's eyes are thin, but round, and point outward ending with thick eyelashes. She has gray irises. While their relation is unknown, she carries similar design attributes with that of Volo and Cogita, possessing similar facial structures and colors.

Her clothing and design has remained mainly the same between all of her core series appearances. Her hair has four decorations, two on each side of her head, resembling black teardrops, like the Aura-sensing appendages of a Lucario, with a gold stripe around each, as on the ears of an Umbreon. One of Cynthia's most iconic attributes is her long and heavy black coat that drapes over half-way down her legs, ending in dark black fur trim. The coat forms a V-neck with the openings connecting to another with another teardrop-like ornament that is silver in color, potentially acting as a zipper, that ends on the front of her chest. Two more silvery buttons appear next to this ornament. The coat's long sleeves end at her wrists also ending in dark black fur trim. Cynthia also owns a scarf of the same black fluffy material as the fur trim on her coat, covering a majority of her neck. Underneath, Cynthia wears a plain, dark-gray V-neck dress shirt with long sleeves ending at around her hips. Cynthia's long light gray dress pants also lack much detail other than seams. The pants however, do cover her ankles, leaving no form of skin in sight. The toe tips of Cynthia's black pointed high-heel shoes have a thin gold stripe that end at the soles. A majority of her shoes are covered by her pant legs. Cynthia without her coat and hair decorations is seen in concept art for Diamond and Pearl.

Cynthia owns a Pokédex and, in Generation VII, she has a Key Stone. Where these items are held are unknown.

Role Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Brilliant Diamond, and Shining Pearl Website blurbBDSP: A mysterious person who shows up at many points along your journey. She’s investigating myths about Pokémon.

Cynthia makes her first appearance in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, where she meets up with the player at various points during their journey.

She will first meet the player in Eterna City, where she takes an interest in them for owning a Pokédex given to them by Professor Rowan. She explains to the player about her interest in mythology and about Sinnoh's Pokémon of myth, she then offers HM01 (Cut) to the player. After the player defeats Crasher Wake and Maylene, and follows a Team Galactic Grunt found in Pastoria City to Lake Valor, the player runs into Cynthia again at Valor Lakefront, where she is researching the Pokémon of the lake, however, the lake is currently closed to the public. She asks the player if they have seen the wild Psyduck that appear at Route 210, giving them the SecretPotion that would help cure the Pokémon's headache. Once the player makes their way to Route 210, Cynthia appears again once the Psyduck have left. This time, she has a big favor to ask the player, and gives them the Old Charm to deliver to her grandmother at Celestic Town. In Hearthome City, Cynthia speaks to the player at the gym after they have defeated Fantina, making mention of Team Galactic and their dangerous acts. She later appears at the Pokémon League as the Champion, serving as the player's final obstacle.

In Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, she can also be battled against at the Battle Tower.

Pokémon Platinum In Pokémon Platinum, Cynthia has the same role as she did in Diamond and Pearl, but has an extended role in this game, allowing for more character interactions and events.

Like in Diamond and Pearl, the player first meets Cynthia at Eterna City, where she takes notice of the Pokédex that Professor Rowan has given them. She explains to them that she is a researcher of myth, and that Sinnoh has many Pokémon to discover to record in the Pokédex. After her explanation of the statue based on the Pokémon of myth, she provides the player with HM01 (Cut), and before leaving, asks the player to give her regards to Professor Rowan. After Jupiter's defeat in the Team Galactic Eterna Building, Cynthia meets the player at the cycle shop and happily gives the player a Togepi Egg, saying it will help them with their Pokédex.

After the player defeats Crasher Wake in Pastoria City and follows a Team Galactic Grunt towards Lake Valor, the player runs into Cynthia again at Valor Lakefront, where she is researching the Pokémon of the lake, however, the lake is currently closed to the public. She asks the player if they have seen the wild Psyduck that appear at Route 210 and gives them the SecretPotion that would help cure the Pokémon's headache. The player makes their way to Route 210, with Cynthia appearing again once the Psyduck have left. This time, she has a big favor to ask the player, and gives them the Old Charm to deliver to her grandmother in Celestic Town. At Celestic Town, she takes notice of the bomb held by Team Galactic, having second thoughts about how harmless they actually were and how their usage of Pokémon is unacceptable. She directs the player towards Canalave City and it's library, if they want to continue work on their Pokédex.

At the summit of Mount Coronet, Cynthia arrives at the Spear Pillar once Cyrus has been dragged into the Distortion World by a shadowy figure. Providing context of Sinnoh's origins, she explains that there is a third Pokémon of myth alongside Dialga and Palkia, a Pokémon named Giratina. Because of Giratina's presence, space-time is distorting from the portal leading to the Distortion World. Cynthia and the player lead into the Distortion World where she guides the player through the world in order to confront Giratina. Throughout the Distortion World, Cynthia explains the properties of the location, the lack of Pokémon, the abnormality of space and time, and the balance the Lake guardians have with the Pokémon of myth. After the defeat of Cyrus and Giratina, Cynthia and the player fall back into the Sendoff Spring, where she offers her thanks on the situation, and tells the player to meet Professor Rowan who was worried. She splits paths with the players once again, and, like in Diamond and Pearl, she is fought as the Champion of the Pokémon League.

During the post-game, she will appear at the Celestic Ruins, explaining the context. Cynthia theorizes about the three lights, painted on the cave wall, such as what Pokémon they could be or if it represents something greater. She connects it to the writing that is engraved on the Plates found throughout Sinnoh, and how there may be a another Pokémon mentioned, called the Original One. Her theory implies that this Pokémon is stronger than Dialga or Palkia, but is unsure about where Giratina may fit into the bigger picture. She thanks the player for listening and takes off.

The player meets Cynthia again at Snowpoint City after they have found every Pokémon in Sinnoh. Here, she provides the player with words of encouragement before they boat to the Fight Area, and how she is proud of them. She can later appear in the player's villa in the Resort Area, and takes mention of her love for the piano.

Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Cynthia with Arceus in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Cynthia makes an appearance in the Sinjoh Ruins, doing further investigation on the origins of Arceus and the Pokémon of myth. If the player has an Arceus with a fateful encounter marker or from the Hall of Origin when they visit the Ruins of Alph, the player will be teleported to the Sinjoh Ruins. Inside a cabin at the ruins, the player will find Cynthia, who will tell the player that Arceus will let them obtain a level 1 Dialga, Palkia, or Giratina. If the player returns to the Sinjoh Ruins with another Arceus (that doesn't have the same origin as the one they used the first time), they will be informed that Cynthia has returned to Sinnoh, and the event will run without her.

Generation V During Generation V, Cynthia appears in a villa belonging to Caitlin in Undella Town, where she can be battled. She leaves after being defeated for the first time and afterwards reappears during the spring and summer seasons. During spring, she can be rebattled once a day. After defeating her, Shauntal and Caitlin can be seen visiting this house in the spring, and, in Pokémon Black and White only, Lenora, Elesa, Iris, and Skyla visit in the summer.

In Pokémon Black and White, she speaks about a young Trainer who had defeated her, and mentions that the same Trainer also defeated Giratina, referring to the player character during the events of Platinum.

In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Cynthia can also be battled in the Champions Tournament at the Pokémon World Tournament. She is the only woman who participates in this tournament, with Iris being excluded.

Generation VII In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, Cynthia appears in Alola's Battle Tree as an opponent that the player can battle and subsequently recruit.

Pokémon Cynthia has used a variety of Pokémon both in type and selection. In Pokémon Platinum and in rematches in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, none of her Pokémon share any types with one another and has the most diverse Pokémon usage in comparison to other Champions in her team of six, owning 11 of the 12 possible types. Her Pokémon usage from Platinum is reflected in Volo's team in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, owning the exact same Pokémon with the exception of Milotic.

Her Garchomp has seen usage in every game where she has battled the player, and has appeared in numerous pieces of media and merchandise on her own. Tied with Red's Pikachu in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Cynthia's Garchomp rests at level 88 in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl as the highest level Pokémon owned by an NPC outside of battle facilities.