1. Who's your favorite PLAYABLE CHARACTER?
Wes from Pokemon Colosseum. I think it was brilliant to have a protagonist that's an ex-criminal. He has a good heart, but he's willing to knock some heads... Or blow up a few bases to set things right. Oh, and your protagonist rides a bike? That's cute. Wes has a futurustic motorcycle... Thing. Anyways, Wes is a badass, and he stands out to me among the other playable characters.
2. Who's your favorite RIVAL?
Silver. Gary was a jerk, but Silver just started out as an all-around bad person. He assaulted the player, stole more than one Pokemon, and cared about nothing more than increasing his own power. His development over G/S/C/HG/SS's story into a better person really resonated with me. At least he didn't stay the same way from beginning to end, like Brendan/May and Barry. Plus, his whole history with his father, Giovanni, is fascinating. Even if it was somewhat lost to gamers outside of Japan.
3. Who’s your favorite GYM LEADER?
Probably Blaine. Fire-Types are my favorite too, and I like how he quizzes those who enter his gym. He can appreciate both a mental and a physical challenge. Also, I like his subtle little history with Dr. Fuji and the Mewtwo project. An honorable mention goes to Elesa of Unova, though. Her hilariously awesome Catwalk/Night Club gym in BW2 was my favorite in the entire series.
4. Who’s your favorite ELITE FOUR MEMBER/CHAMPION?
Elite Four: Shauntal. I liker her because she's a book worm, like me. She believes that life is like a good book, and I agree with her. Plus, she uses Ghost-Types, which are among my favorites.
Champion: Cynthia. Not merely my favorite champion, one of my favorite NPC's in the entire series. She perfectly embodies the three values at the heart of Sinnoh's culture: Wisdom, Emotion, and Willpower. She helps the player constantly throughout their journey, and really becomes a friend. It's nice when the game's final boss has an established relationship with the player, and in my opinion Cynthia played this role better than any other.
5. Who’s your favorite FRONTIER BRAIN?
Dome Ace Tucker. He's a guy who likes putting on a show, and battling it out before a huge crowd. I can appreciate that, as any contest is more interesting with some theatrics.
6. Who’s your favorite PROFESSOR?
Professor Oak. There's just something endearing about him that no other Regional Professor has ever matched, and I doubt any ever will. His infinite wisdom, constant advice, and even his occasional senior moments have cemented him as unforgettable character. He's not just a Pokemon Professor, he's THE Pokemon Professor.
7. What’s your favorite CRIMINAL TEAM?
Team Galactic. They just felt the most threatening of any villianous team, likey due to the cataclysmic nature of their plot. Team Rocket was basically the mafia, and Teams Magma and Aqua were really more misguided than evil. Team Galactic wanted to DESTROY THE UNIVERSE, so the stakes felt much higher. Team Plasma was also great, and easily my second favorite. It was cool to see a Team that challenged the very notion at the heart of the series.
8. Who's your favorite CRIMINAL TEAM MEMBER/LEADER?
Cyrus. This guy was a true antagonist. Viciously brutal when necessary, but also calm and calculating. It's obvious that he has some serious mental issues, and his poor social skills lead him to lash out at the world by attempting to destroy and rebuild it. I actually think that his backstory is really sad. He spent his time with machines, so he never got to experience another human spirit, so he became the monster at the head of Team Galactic. Like Ghetsis, he fed BS to his countless followers just to achieve his own persona goal. And his exit from the story is rather ominous, but since he stays in the Distortion World (in Platinum, at least) he seems to have gotten what he wanted.
N also gets an honorable mention, as my second favorite Team Leader. His story was weaved into Black and White brilliantly, and it was powerful to see him join the player's side in the end. Like with Silver, it's just so fascinating to see him change over the course of the plot. He was never evil, of course. He just wanted what was best for Pokemon. And his departure was extremely emotional. The fact that he is never encountered again after defeating Ghetsis gives his character some serious resonance.
9. Who's your favorite IN-GAME CAST CHARACTER?
Youngster Joey. 'Nuff said.
