For generations, fans of all ages have been dazzled by the fantastical world Pokémon. Since the franchise's debut in the late nineties, Pokémon media is no longer limited to just the mainline games. There are now spin-off games, manga volumes, and even a long-running anime that remains a childhood favorite for many anime fans worldwide.
One of the oldest and most popular Pokemon in media is Charizard, the Flame Pokemon. This dragon-like Pokémon, although rare, has still appeared alongside many powerful trainers in the anime. However, there are a few trainers who have become particularly legendary thanks to their work alongside their Fire/Flying-type Pokémon friends.
Corey and Don regain their confidence
Casey helps the duo with their own goals
Corey Demario, a character of the day appearing in “Those Darn Electabuzz!”, meets Pokémon trainer Casey during his adventures in Pokemon Chroniclesa series of episodes depicting various side stories. Casey is shown to be a big fan of Corey, thanks to his past as a star player for the Electabuzz baseball team. But after a shoulder injury, Corey gave up the sport. It is later revealed that Corey's shoulder has since healed, but he is afraid to continue his career.
Corey's brother, Benny, tries to take care of a Charizard named Don, which once belonged to Corey himself. However, like his former trainer, Don lacks confidence and is even too nervous to fly or use Fire-type moves. Thankfully for the two of them, Casey works hard to act as a cheerleader for both of them so they can achieve their dreams. In the end, Corey returns to his career as a baseball player, and Don is shown flying high in the sky above him as he regains his stardom.
Clark is known as “The Conductor”
This unique trainer “guides” his Pokémon's movements
Ash's adventures in the Hoenn region and beyond introduced him to many new Pokémon friends, including Grovyle, Swellow, and Torkoal. As his team grows stronger, Ash soon becomes a contender in the Ever Grande Conference. There he faces several powerful opponents, including Pokémon Trainer Clark. “The Conductor”, as Clark was called, used a baton to “conduct” his Pokémon's moves, a majority of which were Fire-type moves.
In addition to his Quilava, Clark also had a Charizard in his list. The two Fire-type Pokémon were used against Ash's Grovyle and Glalie in a double battle, with both Pokémon at a severe disadvantage. Although Quilava was defeated by Grovyle, the Grass-type was defeated by Clark's Charizard, thanks to its Fire-type and Flying-type moves. However, the Flame Pokémon was later defeated by Glalie after it used its Ice-type moves to confuse Charizard.
Trevor is a photographer as well as a trainer
Trevor promises to complete the Pokédex
IN Pokémon X and Pokémon Ythe player character, along with his rival, goes on a journey with three other new trainers. One of these new trainers is Trevor, a boy from Lumiose City. Like gym leader Viola, Trevor is both a photographer and trainer. In addition to taking great pictures, Trevor is also adamant about completing his Pokédex as soon as possible. Therefore, he travels to meet as many new Pokémon as he can.
In the anime, Trevor gets a Charmander as his partner Pokémon from Professor Sycamore. Charmander, after evolving into Charmeleon, became even more energetic to the point of becoming aggressive. Thankfully, when it evolved into Charizard, it lost its aggressive streak but retained its fierce fighting spirit. Later in the series, Trevor gains a Key Stone and Charizardite Y, which allows his partner Pokémon to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizardite Y.
Liza watches over Charicific Valley
Liza has trained many Charizard during her career
Hidden in the Johto region is Charicific Valley, a legendary canyon where many Charizard live. Some Charizard simply stay in the valley to grow stronger, while others stay there for life to protect it. A permanent resident of the Charicific Valley is Charla, a female Charizard who works alongside her trainer Liza. A tough and ambitious trainer, Liza believes that the key to helping a Pokémon become more powerful is mutual respect between it and its trainer.
In addition to training Charla and several other Charizard, Liza became the temporary trainer of Ash's Charizard later on. Charizard, after both he and Ash noticed how he was a bit weaker compared to the Charizard in the valley, decided to stay there for a while to get stronger. During his stay with Liza, Charizard learned how to use multiple moves and gained even better control over his Fire-type abilities. Charizard never forgot his time with Liza or Charla, remaining a loyal friend to both of them.
Kiawe uses a Charizard as a means of transportation
The Flame Pokémon was a gift from Kiawe's grandfather
In the Generation VII games, Kiawe is the captain of the trial at Wela Volcano Park on Akala Island. As you might expect from the location of his trial, Kiawe specializes in Fire-type Pokémon. But in Pokémon anime, Kiawe is instead a student at the Pokemon School on Melemele Island, where Ash attends during his stay in the Alola region. Like its game and manga counterparts, Kiawe still specializes in fire-type Pokémon.
Kiawe's partner Pokémon throughout the media are Turtonator and Marowak. But he is also shown with a Charizard of his own, given to him by his grandfather as a gift. This laid-back Charizard often proves to be an easy-going Pokémon, even helping Kiawe and his family with deliveries. However, it is also a very powerful Pokémon, capable of using intense Z-Moves such as Inferno Overdrive.
Alain almost walked down a dark path
Alain is rarely seen without Mega Charizard X
Alain is seen for the first time in Pokémon anime via Mega Evolution Specials, side stories relating to the main story i Pokemon series: XY. Prior to the start of the special episodes, Alain was Professor Sycamore's assistant, as well as the trainer of a Charmander. But an encounter with Lysandre would change his life and later drive him away from his position at Professor Sycamore's laboratory. Since then, Alain and his Charizard have been traveling around Pokémon world, determined to understand the secrets of Mega Evolution.
Alain's partner Pokémon, Charizard, can Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X. In this state, the Flame Pokémon takes on a drastic new look and becomes a Fire/Dragon type, as opposed to a Fire/Flying type. Even when Alain's loyalty to Lysandre leads him to an almost tragic fate, Charizard, like Alain's other allies, never gives up on him. After the fall of Team Flare, Alain and Charizard have turned over a new leaf and continue to fight together, even making it to the Masters Eight tournament.
Leon is champion of the Galar region
Leon's Charizard is capable of Gigantamaxing
IN Pokemon Sword and Pokémon Shieldthe player is introduced to Hop, the player character's childhood friend and their main rival for the games. Since the main character grew up with Hop, they also know Leon, Hop's energetic older brother, who also happens to be the Galar Master. Although Scorbunny, Grookey, and Sobble are usually the starting Pokemon for new trainers in Galar, Leon's first Pokemon was a Charmander instead. Nowadays, Leon's Charizard is a force of nature and his loyal ace.
All Pokémon in the Galar region, in specific locations, can Dynamax, during which they grow in size and strength. However, a select few are born with the Gigantamax Factor, giving them a unique design and exclusive moves. Leon's Charizard is just one of those lucky few Pokémon, which gains wings made of fire when it transforms. It was also Ash and Pikachu's final opponent in the Masters Eight Tournament, although it was defeated by the Mouse Pokémon after an incredibly fierce battle.
One of Friede's partner Pokémon is a Charizard
Friede has known Charizard longer than Captain Pikachu
At the very beginning of Pokémon Horizons: The Seriesnew Pokemon trainer Liko meets Friede, a Pokemon professor with an adventurous spirit. So adventurous, in fact, that Friede helped found Rising Volt Tacklers and even acted as its leader for a long period. After his sudden disappearance, the Rising Volt Tacklers temporarily disbanded until the former members reunited. He has since returned, but due to his commitment to space exploration, Friede has left the role of leader in Roy's hands for the time being.
Friede has not one, but two partner Pokémon, the most famous being Captain Pikachu. However, Friede has traveled with her Charizard even further. Along with his trainer, Charizard disappeared into parts unknown and was not heard from until about a year later. They remain a formidable fighting duo, both when it comes to battles on land and in the sky.
Mewtwo created clones of several powerful Pokémon
Ash's Charizard was forced to fight his clone
After recovering traces of DNA belonging to the mythical Pokémon Mew, Team Rocket's scientists, under orders from Giovanni, work to create an enhanced clone known as Mewtwo. When Mewtwo wakes up in the real world for the first time, Mewtwo is disgusted to learn how its creator simply sees it as a tool. Thus, the Psychic-type sets out on a path to destroy humanity and any Pokemon who dare to help them. In Mewtwo's mind, only he deserves the title of Pokémon Master.
After capturing several Pokémon, including Ash's Charizard, Mewtwo uses his technology to create several clones. These Pokémon, including the clone Charizard, prove to be particularly formidable Pokémon. It is only thanks to Ash's sudden intervention that Mewtwo finally stops the brutal fighting and reflects on its actions. The last the audience sees of Mewtwo, and its clone Pokémon, is as they take off into the sky.
