Character from Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver by Game Freak / Nintendo
The final Elite Four member — a Dark-type specialist who believes strong trainers use the Pokémon they love most, not the Pokémon that win most. Her quote is the best thing any Gym Leader or Elite Four member says in the entire franchise.
Karen is the last gate before Lance. She specializes in Dark-type Pokémon because she appreciates 'the tough and wild image they portray' — and because Dark types, in her estimation, represent the refusal to be what someone else expects. Her most memorable moment is the pre-battle quote: 'Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled Trainers should try to win with the Pokémon they like the most.' This is either a beautiful philosophy about authenticity or a deeply suspicious thing to say right before she tries to beat you with Houndoom. Both things are true. Her team in HGSS includes Umbreon (her signature), Houndoom, Murkrow, Gengar, and Vileplume — the last two not Dark types, which is very on-brand for a trainer who thinks type orthodoxy is for other people.
Slim and striking with silvery-blue eyes and long wavy dark hair. In HGSS, wears a yellow cropped tank top with white capri pants — a deliberately lighter aesthetic that contrasts with the Dark-type specialty. Her Umbreon is always at her side, male, devoted.
Also known as: Karen